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RE: Pet Peeves in RV Parks
My biggest pet peeve at RV parks has been horrendously loud diesel pushers pulling in right next to me late at night, waking me up then continuing to run at high idle for like 30 to 40 minutes. I don't have anything nice to say about those people or to them. Most end up leaving the next day because they were just passing through, but it has happened to me a handful of times and is ridiculous.
I really enjoyed traveling around and seeing different places and RV parks when I had purchased my 5th wheel 10 years ago. Most places weren't even 50% full, many less than 25%. You'd have empty spaces all around you. Now they're stacked up like cordwood. I don't enjoy it anymore so I quit. I only use my private campsite when I want to go RVing. There's plenty of space and none of the annoyances.
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restlessways
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01/11/23 01:32am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: A new adventure for me.
Hopefully this job pays mega bank, because I can't imagine having to live in a truck camper on the job site.
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restlessways
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12/05/22 06:09pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Goodnight Irene, the party's over.
A little more anecdotal evidence: I know somebody who sold their house with pie in the sky dreams of living in an (expensive) brand new RV and traveling around through their retirement years. They didn't even last 2 years. They sold the rig and bought another house. Why? They grossly underestimated the cost and hassle of such a life.
I started traveling around a lot during the last recession, 2008-2009 era, continuing on until 2013. I could stop anywhere without reservations and they'd roll out the red carpet. All offered not only weekly discounts, but very affordable monthly rates. I could stay in gorgeous places for $350-$600 per month. These days, those places are anywhere from $1,100 to $2,000 per month. To me, it makes zero sense.
One of the things I loved most about RVing was it was much cheaper than renting a house, and I could move around and see all sorts of new areas. That ship sailed. For me, I have lost interest in the traveling part, which is why I only use my private camp site during the summer.
One last thing - I remember during the depths of the last housing bust talking to a guy who owned an RV Resort in California. He was desperately trying to sell it but had no interest at all. His revenue had gone to almost zero. He told me he wished he had never bought it, that it was like a white elephant. My, how things change.
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restlessways
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11/28/22 11:34am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Goodnight Irene, the party's over.
No news here. (or rocket science) In my entire lifetime, (now approaching 70 years) every time the price of fuel spikes or the availability becomes questionable, the sale and value of fuel guzzlers plummets. I don't need industry experts to tell me that. Eventually the market always adjusts. The question is . . . when, . . . , and, . . . can you wait it out?
Chum lee
I think the used, older big Class A motorhome sales are really getting hammered. Same with older fuel guzzling boats like early model trawlers with twin diesels.
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restlessways
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11/27/22 11:22pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Goodnight Irene, the party's over.
For the last ~12 years, interest rates have been at/near historic lows. Interest rates are high now relative to the last 12 years. But interest rates are nowhere near historic highs. Let's hope they don't go up too much further.
-Chris
Why would we hope that? Inflation is tearing the entire economy a new rectum. To stop raising rates would be to say "gee, let's just destroy the currency and the country by way of hyperinflation." Not a good thing to hope for.
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restlessways
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11/27/22 11:18pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Goodnight Irene, the party's over.
I own a private campsite where I use my 5th wheel in the summer. I don't leave it there, but rather haul it to a storage unit before heading back to my winter house. I usually stay at an RV Resort for a week or two while I winterize it, empty it out, etc. The last couple years the RV Resort was packed to the gills. This year, it was like a ghost town. It was emptier than I've ever seen it in the last 10 years.
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restlessways
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11/27/22 11:16pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Western WA storage?
Wouldn't recommend Sequim. Had my almost new 5th wheel broken into and damaged years ago, with items stolen. The sheriff told me the thieves were everywhere due to heroin and meth. Uggh.
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restlessways
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07/18/22 12:20am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: No shortage of RVs
Dealer near me has a lot of campers and advertise a 4.99 % interest rate. Not worth looking at that interest rate,plus they pretty firm on their prices.
A 4.99% interest rate on an RV right now would probably be the prime rate for a buyer with the highest credit score, I would imagine. I had a brief conversation last year with a financing gal at one of the largest RV dealers on the west coast. I wasn't looking for credit, but I decided to chat her up to see what kind of financing was going on, and what she told me was truly stunning. She said that people were borrowing at rates of up to 19%. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
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restlessways
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05/14/22 12:41am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: No shortage of RVs
Except when it comes to truck campers. For some reason the lots are empty.
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restlessways
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05/12/22 09:07pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Vacation Home Buying Fizzling. RV's too?
"most will be completely wiped out" - That is some doom and gloom right there.
I'm conservative financially, but we've had mortgages and we've survived multiple layoffs, dot com bust, 9/11, the collapse of 2008, bad years in business, etc, etc. I'm blessed by a hard working wife that has strong business skills, I owned a dependable business, and good health. We now have zero debt, it feels great! (used to be a big Dave Ramsey fan, although he turned out to be a creep) Most people not only do fine w mtg debt they prosper. Those who have a mtg(s), college loans(theirs or kids), multiple car loans, and pile consumer debt on top of that, well they're reckless. And I've seen many others that take a lot more risks than me and they've actually come out way further ahead financially. Like they say "there is more than one way to skin a cat."
If I may clarify, I wasn't talking about mortgage debt per se, so I'm not sure where you got that impression. I'm talking about all the people who are leveraged to the teeth with all kinds of debt. 2nd and 3rd speculative houses, expensive vehicles, boats, RVs, crypto, stocks, etc. You would not believe how many gamblers there are out there right now. It's all crashing as I type.
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restlessways
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05/12/22 04:47pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: To slide or not to slide. That is the question.
No, seriously, the OP's question isn't answered.
This is just the typical myopic one-sided "old phart" rantings. "My way is the only way and everything else is stupid and should be outlawed."
What's weird about this site, and forums in general, is the "OMG, this person has an opinion different than mine. MUST. BE. DESTROYED." mentality. I picture a scenario where said angry person's wife is talking on the phone to her sister, asking if she's happy with her divorce, and when she hangs up she says "honey, isn't there something outside the RV that you can do?" Seriously.
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restlessways
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05/12/22 04:41pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Right truck and camper setup for a northern Alaskan winter
So right off the bat, it seems you have a misconception that a truck camper means you need a DRW truck. Yet you also seem to be looking for a basic camper which would naturally be lighter in weight, and not requiring a DRW truck, even for "safety."
A DRW truck is not the best choice to be exploring the Alaskan wilderness. An SRW truck's rear wheels follow in the same track as the front wheels, making traveling through deep snow and mud much easier. Each tire on a DRW cuts its own rut, so six ruts vs. two. Takes a lot more power and effort to charge through tough going, if you can make it at all. My DRW is helpless in deep snow, and it's a 4x4 with aggressive tires. Once the rear wheels hit deep snow, it stops. I can back right out, but the front end won't pull the whole truck through.
Ultimately what's "best" is entirely up to you. Everyone has their own idea of "best."
I have seen people say this but it's never been my experience. While I do agree that the rear tires have to cut their own tracks which translates into a different type of handling, I have never had traction problems with my duallies in snow, off road, etc. I run aggressive tires as well.
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restlessways
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05/11/22 11:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Vacation Home Buying Fizzling. RV's too?
One thing is for certain, we have yet to fully realize the downstream effects of the mess created by the pandemic.
I don’t claim to be a smart man or have the answers and those that do claim to understand it are likely posturing, as we all should be in our own way.
Not a zombie apocalypse prepper. But also not an ostrich.
Been bit by recession and also capitalized on it, and yes something still smells a little different about the current situation. (Maybe it’s my sense of smell after having the Rona, but everyone would be well served to stay a bit aloof and protect their own interests the best way they see fit.) Remember, you can only control what YOU do.
I like to stick to the basics which have always served me well. Zero debt, and the belief that "it's never 'different' this time." I hear stories of new paradigms almost weekly from friends and acquaintances. I don't believe any of it. They're all just talking their book because they want to get rich without having to work hard. I work for what I have, and I don't gamble to try to get ahead. Sure, that's worked for some, but most will be completely wiped out.
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restlessways
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05/11/22 06:29pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: To slide or not to slide. That is the question.
I had a Lance 1030 with no slides. When I sat in the Arctic Fox 990 with the slide out, it felt twice as big. I loved it. That being said, I do like the convenience of no slide for quick restroom breaks while on the road, making lunch, etc.
I have a 5th wheel with 3 slides. I have never had an issue with any of them in almost 10 years of use. I don't worry about that. But having to open and close a slide is certainly something that does take a small amount of time and thought, no matter how "quick" it opens.
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restlessways
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05/10/22 09:43pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Vacation Home Buying Fizzling. RV's too?
We have a lot of “financial analysts” on here with a lot of time on their hands I see…lol.
Since I’m sort of stuck, NOT liquidating our truck, camper and boat now, for a healthy return I might add, I’m not actually waiting for things to tank.
But I also am. 2008-09 were great years for us. Bought a new truck, new boat and a lot of property for a nice discount! Hoping 2023-24 are the same.
I see a lot of speculators who want to ignore reality and financial bubbles. While everybody and their brother has been loading up on debt, buying houses and everything else they can't afford, I've been stacking cash and precious metals. I'll add another $30,000 to my hoard by this fall.
Last real estate crash I bought acreage for 85% off. The sucker who lost it to the bank barely put anything down at all. By the time I bought it it was "cash only," "as is." Same thing is baked into the cake. I'm seeing some hilarious, if not sad, situations play out. People who can't even afford to drive their "new" pickup truck because of fuel prices and the payments, etc.
The Nasdaq is down almost 30% from its highs ALREADY. Some individual stocks have suffered 80%+ declines, yet all these people high on credit are whistling past the graveyard. I will be visiting this thread over the course of the next several years as these bold gamblers disappear into the ether.
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restlessways
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05/09/22 12:26pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Vacation Home Buying Fizzling. RV's too?
I hear the same bogus arguments this time around as I did back in 2008 when the whole housing market took a dump. People never learn. I work on houses for a living. They are money pits, not magical money trees.
Not only is the housing market already tanking, RVs, boats, trucks, cars and everything else are following suit. Interest rates on mortgages have doubled since last August. That means the average house payment is up over 1/3 since that time, and we're talking houses that are at the pinnacle price peak of the biggest real estate bubble in history.
The entire situation was completely unsustainable, and now it's time to get ready for the fallout. I'm already seeing WAY more used RVs for sale than just a month ago. When money gets tight, the toys are the first to go. Forget a crashing housing market, I'm anticipating everything else crashing much worse before then, because it's all interest rate sensitive. For somebody like me who purchases things in cash, I will be enjoying watching this unfold.
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restlessways
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05/08/22 11:41pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: To slide or not to slide. That is the question.
I actually like reading threads like this because it offers perspectives from both people who have campers with slideouts, and those without.
Being a person who is going to buy a camper when the market calms down from the lunacy of last year, I have been leaning towards a non-slide to keep the weight down and for the ease of use while traveling, etc. I also like that it's a little more stealthy, especially when in a parking space.
That being said, I absolutely love the extra floor space and wide open feeling of, say, the Arctic Fox 990 with a slide. It feels so much bigger and more comfortable to me, and is ideal for spending a lot of time indoors.
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restlessways
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05/08/22 10:25pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: In 2 years time I can no longer afford to buy a camper
I don't see a recession coming until jobs are hard to get. If anything there is currently a labor shortage not a shortage of jobs. Good time to switch jobs for more pay or start a side gig to put some extra money away for that new truck camper. Don't wait for the recession, act now.
I certainly don't see a recession happening this year, either. That being said, I'm not getting a 2nd job so I'm not sure if you're talking to me or who that advice is for. I work enough as it is.
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restlessways
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03/28/22 07:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: In 2 years time I can no longer afford to buy a camper
There are some great deals out there on used truck campers if you take your time..I found a lance 10/1130(can't remember) that was like in a barn for most of it's life for under 8K with all the bells and whistles and not a scuff anywhere..I would have went down to buy this one but I do not want the extra hangover the bigger ones provide..
Seeing a lot now but when I was looking a couple years ago,not so much..DEepends on where you look and what you want,they are there..
I hear this sort of thing all the time but I never see them. All I see is people trying to gouge as much as possible. I sure wish I never would have sold my Lance 1030. The thing was mint but I wasn't using it as much as the 5th wheel at the time.
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restlessways
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03/28/22 07:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: In 2 years time I can no longer afford to buy a camper
Hell no. I was going to buy a Northern Lite 2 years ago and they were $44k. Now they are asking as much as $76k for the same model. At that rate you can count me out. I thought the $44k was a lot.The world has gone mad with items in short supply. I suppose same as new vehicles... no more discounts, put your name in on a wait list, no choice of color or trim level, and good luck negotiating the ADM down as the next buyer will take it before the end of the day.
Best to be patient for now or look for a used item.
Housing, mortgages, and rent are the same situation.
Yeah, and I'm starting to think we just hit a massive blow-off top in everything, with the high fuel prices being an exclamation point. These prices are in no way sustainable, and I am seeing some of the greediest for sale listings imaginable. People are free to ask whatever they want, of course, but it kind of shows poor character when you want $30,0000 for a 15 year old camper. It's like everybody's looking for a sucker. Really gross.
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restlessways
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03/23/22 09:19pm |
Truck Campers
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