I first began RVing full time, a few yrs ago. Then I went to half time (all summer in the RV in MI) and now just being the long weekender type of RVer in FL. This was because, my 23 ft Class C RV was just not big enough, to live for long periods of time.
To get an RV, large enough to live in full time. You really need slides on both sides and at least 25 feet of length. This means a big travel trailer (TT), or a 5er (5th wheel) or a large fairly expensive motorhome (MH).
Some disadvantages of MHs are, only 2 gas chassis makers (GM and Ford), having to buy an expensive & complex piece of equipment from a RV Dealer. We all know about Diesel Pushers. While they are very nice, but they are very expensive, to buy and repair, etc.
The major problem with MHs are high costs, like deprecation, fuel, maintance & repair, interest expense, insurance costs and licence tags. Repair and maintenance on MHs, is often very expensive, often much more than repairs on a regular car or light truck. There are also a limited number of repair facilities, that can handle a large RV and this is one reason, maintance & repair is more expensive.
Another MH problem, is the need for a toad, because most people really need a toad (a convenient car to buy groceries & to see things), otherwise you have to un-hook the MH and then reset-up your MH, every couple of days, to buy food and go see things.
I found it difficult to full time, without a toad. So, you really need a special little car, that will work as a toad, to be happy with fulltiming, in a MH.
Plus the initial cost of a toad, because most cars will not work as a toad (i.e. they don't have a drive-train, capable of being towed behind a MH). This is another major expense and it means, more deprecation, 2 insurance policies, still more maintance & repair, etc.
The toad towing apparatus, is also an expensive and complex system, with yet another set of problems.
You generally can't stay in the MH, when it is getting major service or repair. When this happens to a full time RVer, you have to stay in a hotel.
Also, currently, there is a very limited resale market, for used RVs in general and MHs in particular. There are a lot of used RVs for sale, in FL, which is always been the case. But they are just not moving, I drive by and there is nothing happening. Other than salespeople just looking at one another and/or gabbing and having a smoke. No customers coming in or calling, just plain nothing happing.
I have also noticed, dealers in my area of FL, have few new RVs, on their lots and do little advertising, compared to the past. Before high fuel prices and the economy headed south, back in 2007.
When they do advertise, the ads have used RVs in them, as opposed to in the past, when mosty new RVs, where in the ads. Once you buy a MH, you are stuck, if things don't workout as planned. In most cases, the buyer will take a substantial loss, if they have to sell, anytime soon after the purchase.
Many folks can't afford the loss and the RV gets repossessed. That is one reason, it is still hard to get a real good deal, on a used RV in today's market. An owner owes more on it, than the RV is worth. So the owner can't sell it in the open market.
When an RV is repossessed, it ends up on a dealers lot. I am surprised that dealers, have been able to maintain the price levels, of the NADA Guide. Sense there is so little demand. I guess the reduction in RV models and less total production, by RV makers has done the job.
Some TTs and 5ers, with slides, give a decent amount of living space. Getting around some of these problems, that HMs have. But most of them weigh so much, you need a specialized 3/4 or 1 ton TV (tow vehicle, a pick-up truck), to pull them. Here again, there are only 3 makers of 3/4 & 1 ton trucks, the Big 3. Meaning less
competition in price and a limited selection.
Most 3/4 & 1 ton pick-up also come w/4 wheel drive. This is a costly, complex, high maintenance and MPG reducing option. That has no real value to RVers, who generally do not go where it snows. Those trucks often come with other questionable options, more designed to make profit, than do anything for the buyer. The MPG of gas 3/4 & 1 ton pick-ups, is not good. Like 7-8 MPG hwy and 4-5 MPG city, when towing a TT. That is a lot of cost, in fuel to go places and see things. Which is why your out RVing in the first place.
These are some of the reasons, 3/4 & 1 ton trucks cost so much. A diesel truck used to be a great way to pull an RV. They had long life, got a little better MPG and had good resale. However, new emission requirements, changed all that. Adding even more to the cost, and undoubtedly reducing their reliability. They will also be
more expensive to maintain and repair. I would not buy a new diesel truck at this point.
A diesel truck, is what I had wanted at one point. But with fuel costs, I am gald I did not buy one.
It is really a shame what has happened to the RV Industry, RVers and the Auto Industry. I see RVing continuing to shrink, until fuel prices come back down, if that happens anytime soon. Because many RV makers, have consolidated, or gone out of business. There will be a less competition in the RV marketplace, preventing price and selection from improving for the RVer and the consumer.
Just my expericence and thinking on all this. I really hope it does not go this way. Besides lower fuel prices, I think more makers of gas RV chassis and 3/4 & 1 ton TVs, would help, with price and selection. Maybe Toyota and Nissan get in to the market, l think that would improve things, for RVers and consumers.
Doug, Dog Little Buddy all in FL
To get an RV, large enough to live in full time. You really need slides on both sides and at least 25 feet of length. This means a big travel trailer (TT), or a 5er (5th wheel) or a large fairly expensive motorhome (MH).
Some disadvantages of MHs are, only 2 gas chassis makers (GM and Ford), having to buy an expensive & complex piece of equipment from a RV Dealer. We all know about Diesel Pushers. While they are very nice, but they are very expensive, to buy and repair, etc.
The major problem with MHs are high costs, like deprecation, fuel, maintance & repair, interest expense, insurance costs and licence tags. Repair and maintenance on MHs, is often very expensive, often much more than repairs on a regular car or light truck. There are also a limited number of repair facilities, that can handle a large RV and this is one reason, maintance & repair is more expensive.
Another MH problem, is the need for a toad, because most people really need a toad (a convenient car to buy groceries & to see things), otherwise you have to un-hook the MH and then reset-up your MH, every couple of days, to buy food and go see things.
I found it difficult to full time, without a toad. So, you really need a special little car, that will work as a toad, to be happy with fulltiming, in a MH.
Plus the initial cost of a toad, because most cars will not work as a toad (i.e. they don't have a drive-train, capable of being towed behind a MH). This is another major expense and it means, more deprecation, 2 insurance policies, still more maintance & repair, etc.
The toad towing apparatus, is also an expensive and complex system, with yet another set of problems.
You generally can't stay in the MH, when it is getting major service or repair. When this happens to a full time RVer, you have to stay in a hotel.
Also, currently, there is a very limited resale market, for used RVs in general and MHs in particular. There are a lot of used RVs for sale, in FL, which is always been the case. But they are just not moving, I drive by and there is nothing happening. Other than salespeople just looking at one another and/or gabbing and having a smoke. No customers coming in or calling, just plain nothing happing.
I have also noticed, dealers in my area of FL, have few new RVs, on their lots and do little advertising, compared to the past. Before high fuel prices and the economy headed south, back in 2007.
When they do advertise, the ads have used RVs in them, as opposed to in the past, when mosty new RVs, where in the ads. Once you buy a MH, you are stuck, if things don't workout as planned. In most cases, the buyer will take a substantial loss, if they have to sell, anytime soon after the purchase.
Many folks can't afford the loss and the RV gets repossessed. That is one reason, it is still hard to get a real good deal, on a used RV in today's market. An owner owes more on it, than the RV is worth. So the owner can't sell it in the open market.
When an RV is repossessed, it ends up on a dealers lot. I am surprised that dealers, have been able to maintain the price levels, of the NADA Guide. Sense there is so little demand. I guess the reduction in RV models and less total production, by RV makers has done the job.
Some TTs and 5ers, with slides, give a decent amount of living space. Getting around some of these problems, that HMs have. But most of them weigh so much, you need a specialized 3/4 or 1 ton TV (tow vehicle, a pick-up truck), to pull them. Here again, there are only 3 makers of 3/4 & 1 ton trucks, the Big 3. Meaning less
competition in price and a limited selection.
Most 3/4 & 1 ton pick-up also come w/4 wheel drive. This is a costly, complex, high maintenance and MPG reducing option. That has no real value to RVers, who generally do not go where it snows. Those trucks often come with other questionable options, more designed to make profit, than do anything for the buyer. The MPG of gas 3/4 & 1 ton pick-ups, is not good. Like 7-8 MPG hwy and 4-5 MPG city, when towing a TT. That is a lot of cost, in fuel to go places and see things. Which is why your out RVing in the first place.
These are some of the reasons, 3/4 & 1 ton trucks cost so much. A diesel truck used to be a great way to pull an RV. They had long life, got a little better MPG and had good resale. However, new emission requirements, changed all that. Adding even more to the cost, and undoubtedly reducing their reliability. They will also be
more expensive to maintain and repair. I would not buy a new diesel truck at this point.
A diesel truck, is what I had wanted at one point. But with fuel costs, I am gald I did not buy one.
It is really a shame what has happened to the RV Industry, RVers and the Auto Industry. I see RVing continuing to shrink, until fuel prices come back down, if that happens anytime soon. Because many RV makers, have consolidated, or gone out of business. There will be a less competition in the RV marketplace, preventing price and selection from improving for the RVer and the consumer.
Just my expericence and thinking on all this. I really hope it does not go this way. Besides lower fuel prices, I think more makers of gas RV chassis and 3/4 & 1 ton TVs, would help, with price and selection. Maybe Toyota and Nissan get in to the market, l think that would improve things, for RVers and consumers.
Doug, Dog Little Buddy all in FL
:approve: 
