time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Five days and 1,000 miles? I'm in an airplane.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Joined: 10/05/2018
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I never looked at RV'ing from a cost comparative perspective. Mainly because the actual cost and cost of ownership of the RV heavily weights the comparison. We RV for a million reasons not the least of which is the ability to travel in ultimate comfort. I mean, it's a rolling apartment complete with everything at your disposal en'route. Never mind your own sheets, towels, bed, food and completely self contained. I dislike sleeping in a bed that thousands have used before me. I don't like the cleaning chemicals used in hotels and the fact that they probably aren't really that clean anyway. And lastly, the freedom. I can take my rolling apartment literally anywhere, and if I get stuck in a traffic jam along the way, who cares? RV'ing is a lifestyle, not a financial decision.
2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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dieseltruckdriver
Black Hills of SD
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Joined: 08/24/2005
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Last October we took a 10 day 1700 mile trip to see family. I had made a spreadsheet a few years ago that let's me plug in miles, hotel cost, campground cost, fuel cost etc. and I figured it cost us $100 extra at $5 a gallon diesel prices to sleep in our own bed every night.
I don't include food because you have to eat anyway, and we might find a place we want to eat at instead of cooking in the 5er.
For us the 5er is our preferred way to go, but if you want to stay in a motel it's nearly equal cost.
2000 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke
2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L
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pbeverly
South Carolina
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Joined: 09/04/2018
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I think eating out is far more expensive than cooking for yourself. We can cook a great meal outselves far cheaper than going to a restaraunt.
When we go to a restaraunt at home or while camping it is more about taking a break from coooking than saving money.
Ridgeway, SC
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ken56
Tennessee
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Joined: 01/12/2013
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pbeverly wrote:I think eating out is far more expensive than cooking for yourself. We can cook a great meal outselves far cheaper than going to a restaraunt.
When we go to a restaurant at home or while camping it is more about taking a break from cooking than saving money.
The last place we ate out at was a Jimmy Johns sandwich place....22 dollars for 2 sandwiches. I can cook at my trailer for about 10 dollars a dinner for 2....and it's far better than most places to eat out at.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Y’all crack me up!
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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run100
Arizona
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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Lantley wrote:However if you already own the RV the only way to maximize its value is to use it!
That's our philosophy too. We've already paid for it; might as well enjoy using it - and we do!
A few years back, we stayed in a hotel after not having done so in quite some time. Wow! I had forgotten all the work involved dragging suitcases in and out, packing and unpacking, and limitations on what we'd want to bring along. With the camper, we pretty much bring whatever we want and the stuff is convenient to access whenever needed.
We especially enjoy having all the conveniences available during the trip(s) to the desired destination(s). Even if we stop for a burger along the way, we'll usually eat inside the camper and make use of the dinette, restroom, etc.
Sure, things could change for us in the future. But, for now, it's the rv all the way.
2012 F350,6.7L Diesel,4x4,CC,SB,SRW
2013 Lance 855S
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Desert Captain
Payson
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Joined: 02/19/2011
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OP here... I have enjoyed and appreciate all of the input from you folks. Sounds like most of us are on the same page. Another advantage to having the coach even if we do stop for a meal on the road is enjoying it in our coach where we carry our own beverages. A soft drink, ice tea or even a simple cup of coffee will run you around $3 on top of the cost of the meal. With burgers climbing to nearly $10 {without fries ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh") } a simple lunch combo can easily exceed $15 + tax and a tip if you are in a sit down restaurant. Even fast food joints are hitting you up for tips these days.
![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek") Lunch for the two us at a lot of fast food places gets close to $30 OTD and that equals two or three home {RV} prepared meals for the two of us.
Just got the LP leak {bad gauge} repaired and the tank refilled so even though we missed Quartzite {again} we hope to head out for Pahrump and Death Valley this month. No more hotels in our immediate future to be sure.
![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
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Rice
Wandering
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Joined: 06/21/2003
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ken56 wrote:The last place we ate out at was a Jimmy Johns sandwich place....22 dollars for 2 sandwiches. Where was this?
Jimmy John sandwiches generally cost in the vicinity of $8 for something like ham and provolone, and $9 for a sandwich with added bacon, avocado, or extra meat. Where were you charged $11 each for two sandwiches?
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BackOfThePack
Fort Worth
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Joined: 08/03/2020
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GREYHOUND is still the cheapest
And every town has motels near the railroad tracks.
Or pack a tent in a Geo Metro.
Planning an economical RV is with a clean sheet of paper.
Pickup not needed for a light, true-aero trailer.
And neither TV nor TT need be new.
Transportation budget controlled during the year is where the real savings occur which then underwrite vacation travel. The higher the total annual miles, the easier this is.
I use a 1T and average 15-mpg towing a 35’. Those more serious have a TT under 24’ and a car where low 20’s towing is possible (being done, IOW). “Utility” is having an open trailer for around town chores. TurboDiesel cars & SUVs make this easiest.
An RV isn’t a penalty where one starts from scratch making easy travel the goal.
Three days, three weeks or three months.
.
* This post was
edited 02/21/23 11:38am by BackOfThePack *
2004 555 CTD QC LB NV-5600
1990 35’ Silver Streak
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