Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 00:04:20 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: living in an rv (no vanagon content)
In-Reply-To: <F164fqvaHUhShJUAwnp00002bf4@hotmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
There are many variables to consider in the cost of running an RV as
compared to an apartment. The major benefit of an RV is the ability to
move as compared to an apartment which is fixed. Of course the cheapest
type of RV is the Westy. However, it is limited to fair weather and you
will need to find bath and toilet facilities on a regular basis. The
daily cost of running an RV depends on whether you own it or rent, and
how much you plan to drive it. Class "C"s, (Medium motor home on van cut
away chassis) will do 7-11 mpg. Class "B", (Van conversion or Rialta)
will do 8-14mpg, and most class "A"s, (Big boxes 30+ feet on RV chassis)
will do 6-9mpg. Diesels will do slightly more. Generators will use
between .5 and 1 gallon per hour depending on size and load. Some RVs
will have two air conditioners. Refrigerators usually run on propane, <
$.50 day. Furnaces and water heaters use approximately .3 gallon propane
per hour. Generators are only needed to operate Air conditioners and
microwaves, and charge batteries if you're not driving. Everything else
essential will work off 12 volts or an inverter. Many roadside rest
stops have facilities to empty the gray and black water waste tanks.
Some also have fresh water available. Flying J truck stops also have
waste and fresh water facilities for free. If you need to use a
campground to dump, figure $2 to $4. Campgrounds will cost anywhere from
$5 to $70 per night. Many campgrounds have full hook ups that also
include cable TV and in some cases phone access. An RV at a full hook up
is almost like being home with water and sewer use. Plan where you want
to be. Consider joining Camp Coast to Coast or another club that has
discounted rates. Insurance for a true RV is more reasonable than most
cars. RV insurance also includes liability for your camping area. Yes,
you rent the camping sites and can be responsible for some getting hurt
near your RV. If financing, the interest can be written of your income
taxes as a second home mortgage. Go to RV.Net for more information.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Andrew Payton
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 7:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: living in an rv (no vanagon content)
This may sound a little bit ridiculous but I was trying to calculate
whether
it would be cheaper to live in an rv or an apartment over the course of
a
year. I was being generous with all my figures and it seems that the rv
would be more expensive so I was wondering if anyone could give me more
specific info on how much it would cost to live in an rv for a month. I
would be curious to know what kind of gas mileage the vehicle gets, how
much
it would cost to maintain the range, how much insurance might cost, how
much
taking care of water/sewage might cost, and especially how much it would
cost to run the generator that would have to maintain atleast a fridge
and
occassional uses of other appliances. If anyone can give me further
information on this it would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch guys.
Andrew Payton
82 Vanagon, "Trusty"
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