Cost/Benefit Analysis - Do you really need it?: RV

I have to admit, of all the toys and extras we've talked about, this is probably the one that I could see happening but let's take a closer look.

An RV or trailer towed behind your car can be very appealing. No more high hotel costs, go wherever you want, no worries about reservations...such a feeling of freedom and affordability for a vacation.

Sure, it's gonna be a tight fit (unless you get one of those multi-hundred thousand dollar ultimate behemoths) but you can expand your living area to the space outside your door. Have a campfire, roast some marshmallows, make some smores.

Now let's get some reality into this picture, starting with the no more high hotel costs. That may be true but you're still going to pay to park in a campground or RV park. Sure, this can be cheap and is almost always cheaper than a hotel, but you can still pay more than you'd expect.

Googling around we get a variety of prices per night...$51 at Mt. Shasta, $83 in Yellowstone, $150+ Florida Keys, even just parking overnight in the parking lot in Avila Beach in California will set you back about $90. Yes, you can go boondocking (parking overnight for free) but you better make sure it's a legal spot and no one will bother you about it. And, yes, cheaper campsites are not too hard to find but the more popular the destination, the higher it generally will be.

Then there's the ownership costs. We see ads on Sacramento TV all the time for used RV's for sale...not even really big ones...regularly going for over 100 grand, on sale!

Checking the used classifieds, good condition used travel trailers in the 20 foot range seem to go from $15-25k, not to mention you need a good strong vehicle to tow it.

If you're traveling in a wheelchair, you will have an even harder time finding one that will accomodate you.

Next, you'll need to register, insure, and maintain your RV or trailer. Add that all up and you're talking thousands per year before you even set out on your trip.

How do you get a camping experience instead? Well you can rent a cabin for anywhere from $100-$400 per night in many nice, remote areas. Sometimes, you can find a basic cabin for even less in some national and state parks where you can still have that rustic camping experience.

Yes, towing that trailer behind our van and setting off to remote destinations on our own terms sounds very inticing...but also very expensive. Whenever I get the temptation, I run the numbers and think there are better more affordable alternatives.

Still, it might be for you but make sure you run those numbers to see if you can really afford it first.

Darryl Musick
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