RV'ing requires lots of time and/or money; pros and cons

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by lemckann

I agree with your post! We bought a used 5th wheel 26 foot, with the truck to pull it as a set almost 2 years ago and now selling them both. ,,, The cost of ownership, maintenance, etc. to us just is not worth the hassle. Now I won't mind paying for hotels, learned that nothing is really 'free'. Even though we get half off state parks here in Florida because my husband is over 65, the cost of gas alone at 10 miles per gallon does not off set much of a hotel room.

You gave it a good go for 2 yrs, and it is not uncommon to dabble and decide differently. 5'rs are pretty BIG item / responsibility for 'non-truckdriver-types'. My mom... (trucker owner for 50 yrs) lasted a LOT less than 2 yrs in 5r. She liked her pristine Class A's, but she LOVED and ran the wheels off her Roadtrek (while still owning Class A's)

Consider my preferred way to travel (for last 28+ yrs),,, $10/ night worldwide.. Can't beat the 'free home-made cooking', (we and others cook regional specialties (Blueberries from the garden, apples from the orchard, beef / lamb from the pasture, and Salmon from the river! (or smoked salmon chowder if out of season for fresh))),,, (GREAT pillows / beds / fellowship, singing, music, learning about locals... (My favorite lists are not posted here, but you have plenty to choose from). PM if you want my farm / church based home-stays. Very VERY interesting, as many 'hosts' are educators / librarians, Pastors, authors...I enjoy getting up and helping with milking. It reminds me of Dairy Farm Boarding school... but I don't have to stay here 7 days / WEEK! (nor do I need to get up at 4:30AM if I don't feel like it. We have stayed on some very interesting championship farms. We hang around and help with chores / projects and often change our trip objectives to help people who may be in need.

Hospitality exchange - Wikitravel

My 50mpg 'free cooking oil' station wagon is a perfect vehicle for CHEAP trips (1200 miles per fill-up). But... I most often 'fly-drive' ($19 fares on Frontier at the moment and $12 Hotwire rental car.) Eat via grocery / farm stand for <$5/ day. MUCH cheaper to travel than to stay home (Property taxes)... I added a HW heater and outdoor shower to my car, and I cook via 'Manifold Destiny' http://www.wisebread.com/cooking-gre...the-heat-is-on

Lots of adventure and surprises! Very pleasant memories (I travel 50% of the time since age 35.)

[Threerun]

My truck camper is getting a lot of use. I've already been out 11 nights, 12 days in the past month, and I'm getting ready to leave Friday for another week. That's 9 nights, 10 days. So a total of 21 nights in the last 30 days.

I'll typically log about 70 or so nights in the camper each year. I bring my own food, I don't hook up- it's just gas or the truck and propane.

[SD4020]

Originally Posted by Threerun

My truck camper is getting a lot of use. I've already been out 11 nights, 12 days in the past month, and I'm getting ready to leave Friday for another week. That's 9 nights, 10 days. So a total of 21 nights in the last 30 days.

I'll typically log about 70 or so nights in the camper each year. I bring my own food, I don't hook up- it's just gas or the truck and propane.

I've been toying with the idea of taking the camper out this weekend. Most of the seasonal campgrounds are closed. Dispersed camping in the Black Hills isn't common or really encouraged.