RVs vs Hotels

[DWC]

We love it there. Took out bikes into those fields when we weren’t supposed to. That was a no no but we were kids so didn’t get in too much trouble

Sorry to thread Jack. Found our dream “Lotto” home right there. Ridiculous.

 

[rivermobster]

Sorry to thread Jack. Found our dream “Lotto” home right there. Ridiculous.

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Did you get pre qualified yet?

 

[Singleton]

We bought a new 26' TT last year. and brought it out to Havasu this year June 1st. Were leaving it through September. Its definitely made it easier going back and forth from home for the weekend and probably have saved some money.. but not much compared to Hoteling it.

Next year were talking about leaving it in Havasu for April - June, and likely back out for September - October. I'm over the mid summer heat..

But convenience wise (once set up) it's worth it.

We've found a few places we like though. last year we went down to Sun Outdoors in Chula Vista (yeah I know). that place is amazing... its like a 5 star resort for RV's. Restaurant, Nice bar.. unreal resort sized pool. The place is only a couple years old and is beautiful. We already got a spot for next June.

We are thinking the same next year.
Havasu = April 1 to June 30
RV Trip = July and August - either traveling around Colorado, Wyoming or Big Bear (need to call a few places)
Havasu = Sept through October

Thinking a long staycation at Sun Outdoors once RV is back up and running

 

[whiteworks]

Sorry to thread Jack. Found our dream “Lotto” home right there. Ridiculous.

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Nice neighborhood, a few doors to the north is the whitehouse west, Nixons old spot. One of my clients lives on that street, that’s big boy shit right there.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Sorry to thread Jack. Found our dream “Lotto” home right there. Ridiculous.

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$600/mo for HOA fees seems a bit much...

 

[scottchbrite]

We tried the RV thing once. We rented a 5th wheel down in San Diego because my family is all into the RV shit. My wife and I don’t like glamping. She prefers room service, maids, and hotel bars. I think seeing nice hotels while being in an RV didn’t help. This was her assessment of “camping”

 

[DWC]

$600/mo for HOA fees seems a bit much...

Funny, didn’t get that far! Saw the $$$$$ amount and figured it was just something strange. Huge undeveloped lot, etc. Turns out, just a badass house.

 

[zhandfull]

Nothing quite like beach camping in an RV.

 

[chvynhra]

Ok i like simpler so when i need beach camping i have been going here.
San mateo campground
830 Cristianitos Rd, San Clemente, CA 92672
It is on the north entrance road to Camp pendleton
A little walk to Trestles beach and you can watch the marines play in the big fields.

Shhhhhhhhh!!! It's closed like Parker!

 

[propcheck]

I didn’t wanna jack @BHC Vic thread.

Seeing some of these RVs for sub 40k has my wheels turning. Obviously there’s maintenance and storage costs associated with an RV.

But do those of you who own RVs find yourself traveling more often? And are you traveling to more places since your house is on wheels?

Perfect scenario is that it’s my wife’s birthday this coming week and we were discussing weekend getaway ideas. I’d love to do Havasu (already have a house and pool waiting) but my wife wants to do Mammoth or Rincon. That’s $3-500 a night in a hotel plus eating out. I won’t mention fuel since the RV will blow that out of the water lol.

Seems like you could do the same trip in an RV for $1,000?

Obviously you can plan every vacation a year in advance and save thousands on hotel costs. This more about deciding to go somewhere inside of 2 weeks.

Everybody will have a different opinion and experience to share so here is mine. I store my rv at home on a pad with full hookups so it works for guests when the house overflows or for me when I do not like the guests I do not have a payment on it so registration, insurance and maintenance are my costs annually. Can it be a cheaper vacation than a hotel absolutely. Can it be more expensive as well?yes.. but owning an RV is not a this or that scenario because if you have an RV you can choose the vacation you want to do. I have stayed in hotels on RV trips before because the situation was right ultimately the RV provides options and I like that Just my.02

 

[NicPaus]

Shhhhhhhhh!!! It's closed like Parker!

My Ex just got back from there yesterday. They reserve the spots the day they open up for reservations for the year.

I have been a few times. You can get a spot last minute from someone who canceled. But that's not easily planned. It's a looong walk to the beach. There crew wakes up at 3am to get in line at old man's beach. And tries to get the Hut for the day. I have waited a hour just to get in the beach entry gate. Not much to do at the actual campground.

 

[NicPaus]

@hallett21 now you got me inquiring on toyhaulers. And laying out the sewer line for a RV dump station. What size wire should I run for full hook up power?

 

[Singleton]

@hallett21 now you got me inquiring on toyhaulers. And laying out the sewer line for a RV dump station. What size wire should I run for full hook up power?

Having a dump at the house makes life so much easier.
I installed one when we purchased the house in 2010. ToyHauler arrived in 17 and it made life so much easier.

 

[hallett21]

@hallett21 now you got me inquiring on toyhaulers. And laying out the sewer line for a RV dump station. What size wire should I run for full hook up power?

#6s for 50 amp service (you could do 8s with thhn but I like a buffer lol).
#10s for 30 amp service

 

[ChrisV]

Key thing is storage. Nothing beats getting it ready for the trip during the week and its not parked in front of your house.

My cousin use theirs all the time. Follow their page.

 

[RiverDave]

Nothing quite like beach camping in an RV.
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Where is that at?

 

[NicPaus]

Having a dump at the house makes life so much easier.
I installed one when we purchased the house in 2010. ToyHauler arrived in 17 and it made life so much easier.

Yeah it does. Just drive straight home and dump later. I had 1 at my old house when I had the toyhauler. Moved to 1 without and stopping waiting in line when leaving Glamis added a hour + to the ride home.

 

[NicPaus]

#6s for 50 amp service (you could do 8s with thhn but I like a buffer lol).
#10s for 30 amp service

I bought 125' of 6 already to run to the garage. Hopefully enough to do both. $465 a roll plus tax.

 

[Justsomeguy]

you guys are killing me with there two threads going right now. I need to get a trip going ASAP. I'm actually missing my trailer now. Bringing it home Saturday to check bearings and brakes before next trip. Looks like havasu labor day. Pismo in October is already booked.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Having a dump at the house makes life so much easier.
I installed one when we purchased the house in 2010. ToyHauler arrived in 17 and it made life so much easier.

That's Game changing. I wish I could do that here. But I dont have the length. I would have to redo a lot on the side. It was for a boat not an rv so it's only about 26'. To extend requires at least removal of 3 palms and a brick wall.

 

[NicPaus]

Where is that at?

Looks like one of the spots between here and Santa Barbara. Gaviota area?

 

[BHC Vic]

#6s for 50 amp service (you could do 8s with thhn but I like a buffer lol).
#10s for 30 amp service

By looking at pictures of the panel in my shop could you tell me if I could run a 50 or 30 for rv? I feel like I’ve asked before but I don’t remember now. I know the panel for the house got replaced when we did solar. 200amp I think

 

[hallett21]

By looking at pictures of the panel in my shop could you tell me if I could run a 50 or 30 for rv? I feel like I’ve asked before but I don’t remember now. I know the panel for the house got replaced when we did solar. 200amp I think

Ya!

Panel in the shop is a subpanel?

 

[wzuber]

Looks like one of the spots between here and Santa Barbara. Gaviota area?

appears like the Rincon Beach area.

 

[stephenkatsea]

RVing is an acquired taste. But, we liked it from the beginning. There was a time, when our girls were little, we rented Class C motorhomes and would camp in various spots in the eastern Sierras in CA. We loved it. Shared some very memorable times with our parents. My wife actually purchased our first RV when I was at sea. 18’ travel trailer with a killer AC. We opted to store and use it at Havasu. That later grew into a 30’ straight pull with a super slide. We thought we were in Hog Heaven. That became a 40’ 5th wheel with 4 slides, king size bed, walkin size closet, 2 TVs, fire place, granite counters etc etc. When asked how many it slept, I always said, Just 2 and our Large Newfoundland dog. Although, the salon sofa did make into a bed for the grandkids when they spent time with us. We really enjoyed each of those RVs. And none of them gave us any big problems. Each were the right thing, right time and right place for us. Truthfully, I do kinda miss It.

Hotels? We’ve been fortunate to stay in some very nice places. First time I paid over $100/night was at the Kahala Hilton in Hawaii, 1976. We were the youngest couple staying there, by far. Some ‘old’ lady (40-50?) at the pool even asked me for a towel. She thought I was the pool boy. When in Vegas, we like Trump’s place.

It all can be good. Timing is everything.

 

[stephenkatsea]

I will never.. and I mean ever ever understand the allure of Newport dunes..

Boring as camp, no bar, no restaurant..

Somebody explain this to me..

I totally agree about Newport Dunes. We are very fortunate, when we do Newport we stay at my cousin’s beautiful, waterfront home with docks and boat on Linda Isle. It is walking distance to Newport Dunes. When I told my cousin Newport Dunes was one of the most expensive RV parks around she said, “No Way, Why? There’s nothing over there.”

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Did a staycation at the Marriott in Oceanside over the weekend. $2000 for 3 nights and it was a block from the beach and not what I thought Marriott used to be. My buddies put their RV's at Oceanside RV which is $700 a week and a couple blocks from the beach and they had a better time. I think the RV is the way to go if you have more time and don't mind the needed work to load and unload.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Ok i like simpler so when i need beach camping i have been going here.
San mateo campground
830 Cristianitos Rd, San Clemente, CA 92672
It is on the north entrance road to Camp pendleton
A little walk to Trestles beach and you can watch the marines play in the big fields.

Wife’s father, brothers, myself and any male family member over 21 camp there every October for an annual surf trip. It’s a nice spot and peaceful when the Marines aren’t having target practice with their howitzers.

 

[zhandfull]

Where is that at?

Ventura - Rincon Parkway

 

[RiverDave]

Ventura - Rincon Parkway

Might have to hit that up!

 

[69hondo]

I love taking the RV and I also love hoteling it.
Two different things.
None of what we do when we RV or hotel are relaxing. LOL

 

[rivermobster]

Looks like one of the spots between here and Santa Barbara. Gaviota area?

Or Avilla Beach?

When we ran up to Tahoe 2 weeks ago, I stayed at a hotel in Bridgeport. No reservations, just called on the way up and rolled in. Sometimes just jumping in the car for a road trip is best!

 

[Singleton]

That's Game changing. I wish I could do that here. But I dont have the length. I would have to redo a lot on the side. It was for a boat not an rv so it's only about 26'. To extend requires at least removal of 3 palms and a brick wall.

My dump is next to mail box. RV is stored at my buddies ranch in Fallbrook.

 

[wzuber]

My dad and neighbor used to pop the man hole cover in the street to dump theirs. They took a piece of 3/4" or1" Dia. Rebar, bent a short 90 degree hook on one end and welded a t-handle to the other. It was about 5+ long to give leverage. They would move it just enough to get the hose in, ( maybe shore it up w/wood blocks) pull the handle, dump, close, fill to flush some w/hose water, dump, repeat, done. Where there's a will there's a way....

 

[stephenkatsea]

Ventura - Rincon Parkway

Well north of there is Jalama Beach RV Park. It lies between Pt Conception and Pt Arguello. When at sea, we avoided that area whenever possible. Seems the cold strong NW wind is always blowing there. Seas are often rough. But, some people love that beach. It is remote.

 

[RiverDave]

My dad and neighbor used to pop the man hole cover in the street to dump theirs. They took a piece of 3/4" or1" Dia. Rebar, bent a short 90 degree hook on one end and welded a t-handle to the other. It was about 5+ long to give leverage. They would move it just enough to get the hose in, ( maybe shore it up w/wood blocks) pull the handle, dump, close, fill to flush some w/hose water, dump, repeat, done. Where there's a will there's a way....

. WTF??

 

[BHC Vic]

So here’s my thing with hotels. And really it’s any hotel and it’s the same for the lake house and why we don’t rent it. People are disgusting. And I don’t care how much money they have all people are disgusting. Something like 50% of men don’t wash their hands after using the restroom while not in public. Something like 90% of the 50 don’t wash them long enough or correctly. The people that clean hotels don’t give a shit. And that’s cheap hotels or expensive hotels. People picking their nose, scratching their balls, finger plucking their asses, touching the remotes, the lights, the fridge, the headboard it’s gross. I travel a lot for work and I’ve said this in another thread before but staying in a hotel room seriously grosses me out. Now myself and my boys are disgusting too, so don’t get me wrong but we are family so I’ll deal with it. But I just like having my own sheets, my own dishes my own whatever. I don’t think I’m a germaphobe but for some reason I think about that stuff.

 

[rivermobster]

So here’s my thing with hotels. And really it’s any hotel and it’s the same for the lake house and why we don’t rent it. People are disgusting. And I don’t care how much money they have all people are disgusting. Something like 50% of men don’t wash their hands after using the restroom while not in public. Something like 90% of the 50 don’t wash them long enough or correctly. The people that clean hotels don’t give a shit. And that’s cheap hotels or expensive hotels. People picking their nose, scratching their balls, finger plucking their asses, touching the remotes, the lights, the fridge, the headboard it’s gross. I travel a lot for work and I’ve said this in another thread before but staying in a hotel room seriously grosses me out. Now myself and my boys are disgusting too, so don’t get me wrong but we are family so I’ll deal with it. But I just like having my own sheets, my own dishes my own whatever. I don’t think I’m a germaphobe but for some reason I think about that stuff.

Can you just imagine what the guys that were building the RV you want to buy, did in it, while they were building it???

Food for thought.

 

[hallett21]

So here’s my thing with hotels. And really it’s any hotel and it’s the same for the lake house and why we don’t rent it. People are disgusting. And I don’t care how much money they have all people are disgusting. Something like 50% of men don’t wash their hands after using the restroom while not in public. Something like 90% of the 50 don’t wash them long enough or correctly. The people that clean hotels don’t give a shit. And that’s cheap hotels or expensive hotels. People picking their nose, scratching their balls, finger plucking their asses, touching the remotes, the lights, the fridge, the headboard it’s gross. I travel a lot for work and I’ve said this in another thread before but staying in a hotel room seriously grosses me out. Now myself and my boys are disgusting too, so don’t get me wrong but we are family so I’ll deal with it. But I just like having my own sheets, my own dishes my own whatever. I don’t think I’m a germaphobe but for some reason I think about that stuff.

 

[clarence]

Grand Touring car and backpack for me.

Because you meet the friendliest women in hotel bars.

 

[BHC Vic]

Can you just imagine what the guys that were building the RV you want to buy, did in it, while they were building it???

Food for thought.

Yes but I’ll have Michelle deep clean it and I’ll feel good. She’s not deep cleaning my hotel room though

 

[BHC Vic]

So right now the bathrooms in the training center are locked and we have porta potty’s out back. And this is why

 

[Justsomeguy]

My dump is next to mail box. RV is stored at my buddies ranch in Fallbrook.

Hmmmmm this actually give me an idea. I may have this ability already.

 

[cofooter]

Hotels or AB&B for me. Had some little campers for years and got a lot of use out of them but kids are grown and prefer something more homey these days!

 

[Rondog4405]

I will never.. and I mean ever ever understand the allure of Newport dunes..

Boring as camp, no bar, no restaurant..

Somebody explain this to me..

That place sucks! The so called Beach/lagoon is nasty muck. Crowded as fuck. My wife's family rents cabins there every Easter..which means I have to suck it up and be miserable there evert year. Weather is always shit when im there ..

 

[NicPaus]

Hmmmmm this actually give me an idea. I may have this ability already.

You got a main line clean out?-RV Dump.

 

[Justsomeguy]

You got a main line clean out?-RV Dump.

Yes. I called my buddy. He's a plumber. He's helped me out here before. I asked him about what I was thinking. He said yup! I have a clean out about a few feet from the main city main from my main. Not far from the sidewalk. I can park right up front and dump it.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

#6s for 50 amp service (you could do 8s with thhn but I like a buffer lol).
#10s for 30 amp service

If able to, it's nice to have plugs on both sides, as well as dumps, and water...its made it easy for friends to visit bc there's no trying to "make it work"

 

[GreenEnergy28]

I did a lot of traveling for work over the last 25 years. Spent months at a time in hotels. Some were nice, most were not... For me, hotels are kind of a drag unless it is something right on the beach or whatever.
I have always had a place where I can keep my RV at home, so storage has never really been an issue. Keeping it covered and out of the elements is a whole other thing. Owning an RV is definitely work, and it is not cheap. But we enjoy the crap out of ours. I got my first TH back in my late 20's, and I have had some sort of RV ever since.

We spend most of our MH time at Campland, Pirate's Cove, and in the desert (Glamis/Ocotillo). For us, it is worth every minute and every dime.

Halloween at Campland

Pirate's Cove

Glamis

With that said, my sister in law goes to Hawaii almost every year for their family vacation. With the money spent on that trip, we can take a few trips in the RV. It really just comes down to what do you want to do.

 

[Singleton]

Huge difference between hotel and resort.
My last trip to Hawaii was a 10k (flights, hotel, food, animal boarding, etc,) hit for my 6 day family of 3 vacation.

That 10k is 6-8 long weekends (4 days) in the RV when I factor in gas, insurance, booze, food, etc. (excluding RV payment).

Just looked, I have over 1M Marriott points again. Staying in a hotel/resort is easy when you have those many points, it is all the other BS that I dislike. When you travel weekly for work, you don’t want to fly. I would rather drive 4-6 hours in the RV vs 2-3 on a plane. Plus my dog comes along in the RV. That asshole keeps me happy