Aridon
SE Florida
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Joined: 06/06/2007
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Its all semantics. Its a toy and a home for us. Its also an investment in our soul or life / whatever you want to call it.
However you justify it in your head the damn thing is worthless in 15 years or so. Call it whatever you want until then 
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Lobocop
Silver Springs, Nevada
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bobofthenorth wrote:I posted that. RVs are toys in the sense that they are not appreciating assets. I also include boats and some vacation property in that category. If it appreciates its an asset - everything else is an expense. The fact that we live fulltime in our toy doesn't magically turn it into an asset.
Using your analogy, and keeping in mind the current economy, most sticks & bricks homes are depreciating and are therefore an expense. 
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kysurveyor
ky
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I love to RV, and do so for 6-8 weeks a year total. I costed out each of my three TTS,and with difference in vacation costs of RVing versus drive/hotels, each of my TTs paid for themselves in 3 years (even assuming they were worth zero after 3 years) This even took into account the extra gas/diesel to drive/tow the RV. I now have a Super C motorhome (just bought used), and it will take me about 8- 10 years to pay for itself, assuming it is worth zero at that time. If I can begin full-timing five years fro now, it will pay for itself much quicker. Obviously, if I buy a new Class A, my payback may be longer. A car is a depreciating asset, but I would not consider it a toy (well, maybe a Porsche) If a depreciating asset sits and is not used, that is a loss. If it is used, it is worth it. I cannot measure the family memories, relationship with my kids, fun and decreased stress that RVing has brought my family and me--It is priceless. May we count ourselves blessed by God that we are able to RV- non-RVers will never know this simple, immeasurable joy.
Keith, Suzy two teenagers and a dog
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nelson
Clio,Mi USA
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I was one that said it was an RV was a toy. When talking about depreciation an RV is just that. It's lost money. Have one because you enjoy the lifestyle and the good times it brings you.(memories) It is never an investment you can hope to gain from in a cash form.
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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My previous five(5) motorhomes were bought as "toys". My present MH was our home/house for the few years that we fulltimed. Right now, the motorhome is parked in our backyard, the boat in the garage, the little Cessna is in a hanger that I rent, the little tractor is in the little barn,......they are "toys". I know many people who have expensive toys, much more than mine.
True, each one of us view things our own way,.....have our own "perspective".
We also form our own definition of items which were defined by Webster a long time ago. So much of our lives is spent in pursuit of happiness (having a grand ole time) that it's best not to think about it too much. Otherwise, you'll begin to wonder about selfishness.
Go RVing, Go fishing, it's always good. Call it whatever you want.
Willie & Betty Sue
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Twomed
On the road USA
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bobofthenorth wrote:I posted that. RVs are toys in the sense that they are not appreciating assets. I also include boats and some vacation property in that category. If it appreciates its an asset - everything else is an expense. The fact that we live fulltime in our toy doesn't magically turn it into an asset.
I followed the other post...bean counters sometimes just never get the concept of fun in life. Rving is fun for lots of folks, work for some, drudgery for others and they leave the sport. Your idea of sitting on the sideline trying to quantify numerically the sport when you don't participate has rubbed many the wrong way. Until you bring your ball and glove to the field AND know how to use them you will never know whether it's a worthwhile endeavor or not. Sitting in stands booing just makes you a bad sport methinks!
People that rent living quarters must all be losers by "your" standards too, for they never have an appreciating asset as a home. Foul thinking again. We owned homes and rental homes and and just really enjoy the new game (8 years) of burning bucks, but we're in the game not in the stands. All that time ($$) you spend in luxury condos is not appreciating either, but no one has told you that you are nuts to live that way. Life is full of choices, thank goodness we all don't make the same ones, imagine how boring that would be.
Euphemistic "you" here for all the bean counters, not directed at any one member. Notice how well they are doing running banking assets??
* This post was
edited 11/01/09 06:11am by Twomed *
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BarbaraOK
Livingston, Texas, USA
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I just don't get it. People who are not fulltimers, will never be fulltimers because they don't understand the lifestyle, can only see $$$$ attached to everything, come here and tell those who are how things are suppose to be. Why? Why would you post in the fulltiming forum when you don't fulltime, think that it is silly, etc.? Is it envy? I truly don't understand the need to disparage someone whose lifestyle is different from yours.
Barb
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RVnRobin
West of the Mississippi
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Discussions about definitions are a good source of entertainment here on the forums. These discussions are generally philosophical in nature and assign a stereotype and/or generalization that rarely fit any particular individual.
My point is... What difference does it make?
Toy?
Amusement?
Hobby?
Lifestyle?
Home?
Depreciating?
Appreciating?
I make money to spend on things and activities that give me joy. For me, money is a means to an end, and if collecting money (appreciating investments) is what gives you joy, or is your "end", then who am I to argue. Admittedly, I will never collect a lot of money. However, I have enough to enjoy my family, friends, freedom, RVing, wanderlust, etc, etc.
I experience joy each and every day.
Full-time traveler since October 2004.
RVnRobin and DW.
Love my 94 Dodge 2500 almost as much as I love my DW.
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jdkd123
Northeast
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RV'ing is fun for us, like toys can be also. I did not buy my RV as an investment. Only a fool would think that. The only investment I have is the time and the enjoyment I get from the rig. I sink gas money, repair money, loan money, etc. and in the end it will be worth very little other than the memories.
JDKD123
2005 Coachmen CONCORD
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Leenite
Baltimore, Maryland
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Speaking as a bookkeeper (40+ years of bean-counting at this point) IMHO RVs (like furniture, refrigerators and the family car) belong in the category of Depreciable Assets. That's how a company classifies its purchases of large-ticket furniture, machinery, equipment and vehicles. It seems to me that this should carry over to the individual (or family) net worth calculation as well.
Every full-timer who sold off their stick 'n' brick's furniture when they hit the road got less for it than they paid originally, but would you consider furniture to be a toy? Keith (kysurveyor) pointed out that although it depreciates, a car is not considered a toy (at least, not a daily driver or family minivan).
McZippie posted the "official" definition of a toy, and the word carries an implication of smallness, triviality, non-utility or non-necessity. So a full-timer's rig is not a toy, any more than the gigantic chocolate-mixing vats at the Hershey factory are toys, although they both depreciate in monetary value.
I don't think that the RV of a family that uses it for vacations or weekends a few times a year is a toy, either. It's just a depreciable asset. One that has tremendous value for that family above and beyond financial considerations.
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