14 Reasons You Will Regret an RV in Retirement

[NamMedevac_70]

RV-loving retirees talk about the downsides of spending retirement in a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel or other recreational vehicle.
by: Bob Niedt
April 1, 2021

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/602368/14-reasons-you-will-regret-an-rv-in-retirement

As a non fulltime RVer I am only posting this for your info and will not be viewing the comments.

[n0arp]

et cetera wrote:
Most of these are captain obvious click-bait type BS.

But:

I think *my* biggest concern is security. I am not retired, not close to it, I work and thus leave my RV unattended for most of the day. It is a relatively easy target.


The type of security RVs offer is not of the same caliber as household security. Break-ins even stealing the whole thing is not out of the question.

I am in the process of buying something and when I do, I will do my best to upgrade security. Go above and beyond. Possibly install a kill switch, etc.

I have to deal with issues that most retired full-timers just do not encounter.

I don't keep anything valuable in it but it's not really a solution either.

I think you overestimate home security...

Not that RV security is remotely good, but typical home security is almost as bad. Most homes have large glass windows within easy reach, window locks that are easily pried apart, door jams made of wood that will break with minimal impact, locks that can fairly easily be bypassed, etc.. If anybody wants into a house, most of the time there is little to stop them.

FWIW, we have alarm systems, security cameras, and hidden GPS units in both our rigs and various mechanisms to keep them from moving when we're not present. We're not going to bar the windows and doors. It's a good idea to go above and beyond but to say that a typical house is substantially more secure is a bit of a stretch. We leave our RVs unattended often (both boondocking and at RV parks) and don't think twice about doing so.

Most full-timers leave their rigs often, whether to work, buy groceries, sight-see, or whatever. We know literally hundreds of people out there who work full-time while traveling in their RVs (Xscapers!), working in all fields, and leaving their rigs for hours at a time. Your idea that it's a rarity for a full-timer to leave their rig alone is a fallacy. It's very rarely an issue for any of them.

Edit: unless you're looking to be stationary in a questionable area, I guess. Then maybe it warrants the concern.

[et_cetera]

Most of these are captain obvious click-bait type BS.

But:

I think *my* biggest concern is security. I am not retired, not close to it, I work and thus leave my RV unattended for most of the day. It is a relatively easy target.


The type of security RVs offer is not of the same caliber as household security. Break-ins even stealing the whole thing is not out of the question.

I am in the process of buying something and when I do, I will do my best to upgrade security. Go above and beyond. Possibly install a kill switch, etc.

I have to deal with issues that most retired full-timers just do not encounter.

I don't keep anything valuable in it but it's not really a solution either.

[et_cetera]

JimK-NY wrote:
This kind of sad journalism is called click bait. I doubt the professional writer who cranks out this nonsense has ever even owned an RV. Here is my experience on the 14 points.
1. My RV was not expensive.
2. Even years later we have changed none of the decor.
3. Depreciation was a plus for us. We bought used.
4. I spent less on fuel while traveling than when I commuted for work.
5. Insurance costs on our RV were really, really low.
6. We had no issues with healthcare or finding providers.
7. Waste is a nuisance not much worse than taking out the trash.
8. Space is tight indoors but we lived in the great wide outdoors.
9. My RV is easy too drive and park. We did not overdo the size.
10. We never had an issue finding parking and rarely make reservations.
11. In over 10 years, we only had one simple repair performed by a shop.
12. We downsized but also stored much of our stuff. Storage was cheap.
13. Loneliness was not an issue and we visited friends and relatives.
14. We did not need to prep by renting first. We bought our RV and never used it until we started as full timers. There were no surprises or setbacks.

Excellent response, *applause*

[pitch]

rlw999 wrote:

time2roll wrote:

1. RVs Are Really Expensive As if rent or a mortgage is cheap
   
2. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value so does your car
   

I won't answer all of your points, but what makes an RV more expensive in the house is that it's a depreciating asset, but a house (usually) appreciates. After 10 years in a $150K RV, you'll have a $10K vehicle that might be worth almost what you still own on your 15 year loan. After 10 years in a $150K house, you might have a $200K house that you might have already paid off by then and it will last for the rest of your life.

Your $25K car depreciates too, but it's a lot harder to find a car loan that will outlive the useful lifetime of a car, but I've seen 20 year RV loans and may RV's won't last 20 years of full-time living.

If you are the kind that worries about depreciation,then I suggest you not buy an RV.
Not all, (in fact comparatively few) things in my life are dictated by money or financials.
The peace, pleasure, freedom,sense of adventure, all out weigh any depreciation possible. I bought my trailer to run into the ground. I will use up every practical bit of it and then will sell it for pennies on the dollar for someones hunting camp.
I feel pity for anyone whos needs a return on every penny!

[Wanderlost]

We were FT for several months after retirement, but that was because we were taking our time coming home to Texas from Virginia, then finding an S&B to buy. We knew we were not FT material. Long trips? Sure. Give up my baby grand piano, field snare, three guitars, and hammered dulcimer? Nope.

As for the reason to not even buy an RV, they were too amusing not to reply.

RVs Are Really Expensive As compared to what? Granted, our current RV mortgage is for a lot more than our house mortgage, but it's a lot newer, too...
You’ll Spend Even More Money Updating Your RV's Decor Haven't changed anything except the linens. Dry clean only bedspread? Really?
Your RV Will Depreciate in Value Knew that going into it. Buy a gently used one and it's not much of an issue anymore.
RVs Guzzle Fuel Knew that, too. It's not like we use it as a daily drive.
You'll Need Extra Insurance for Your RV This is just plain weird. Like you don't need insurance for anything?
Health Care Can Be a Hassle When Traveling in an RV While we've not encountered same, there are times when that is true -- especially when dealing with the VA.
You'll Have to Deal With Your Own Waste From Your RV Seems like someone is more easily grossed out than a typical RVer.
Quarters Are Close in Your RV Ever lived in a Japanese apartment? There's a whole great outdoors to alleviate any sense of being too close.
RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive Only if the largest thing you've ever driven is a Smart Car.
Overnight Parking Can Be Problematic With an RV That's occasionally true, but not often enough to be a reason not to buy an RV.
RV Repairs Can Be Costly Let me tell you about the most recent house repairs, or the upcoming engine repair on our Jeep.
You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your Stuff And this is somehow bad?
It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV Only if you remain a hermit. RVers are a friendly and helpful bunch.
An Airbnb for RVs? You Might Want to Try Before You Buy We rented an RV before buying our first one.
Was a great idea. We recommend it to anyone thinking about buying an RV.

[WinMinnie02]

Not retired yet but started RVing with young family in Class C did not want to wait to retire, time lost is more valuable. All points are valid, personally it was a lifestyle (do not like crowds) and we were fortunate to buy it new, keep it LT, and DIY maintenance. Spend many hours white collar profession in an office behind a desk and could not wait to go outdoors with the family.

If you like the lifestyle and have $ most of the magazine's (sponsor by Financial Firms fewer $ for them) points are less important except for health issues. Rvers may already know this, rving may even help mental and physical health, personally I like to be active, outdoor activities, sleep in my own bed, eat my own prepared food, maintain and repair own home, vehicle, RV. Of course you can have above benefits with a car and tent (great times).

[bukhrn]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
The biggest problem with having an RV in retirement, is that it calls to you "Let's go somewhere!!!" and now you have the free time to heed that call 😉

I know you are using that, sarcastically , as I don't see that as a problem, on the other hand, DW is a different story. 😉

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

The biggest problem with having an RV in retirement, is that it calls to you "Let's go somewhere!!!" and now you have the free time to heed that call 😉

[Moderator]

Folks, keep in mind the same author wrote both 'why retire in an RV' and 'why not to retire in an RV'. Surely we are mature enough to discuss both sides without so much negativity?

[Monaramblee]

The link wasn't clickable for me but after many years of rving in motorhomes, as i inch closer to retirement i like the idea of snowbirding to a stationary destination for the winter. Cuts out all the maintenance headaches of a motorhome (assuming that was one of the cons mentioned)

[philh]

time2roll wrote:

RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive says who

You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your StuffThis is actually one of the best parts

It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV only if you try to hide from people

I'm dumbfounded by the number of couples where the wife is afraid to drive or is even forbidden to drive. My wife does a most excellent job driving the TT. We'll learn together with the upcoming 5er

We just sold our B&M in December. Actually started clearing it in November. Kept was we wanted (still more than what we need), and hired a crew to fill up two roll off dumpsters. It was HARD watching all the stuff aka belongings aka JUNK be trashed. Some of it still hurts, but we are so much better off!

Does it matter I generally hate most people? LOL

[JimK-NY]

This kind of sad journalism is called click bait. I doubt the professional writer who cranks out this nonsense has ever even owned an RV. Here is my experience on the 14 points.
1. My RV was not expensive.
2. Even years later we have changed none of the decor.
3. Depreciation was a plus for us. We bought used.
4. I spent less on fuel while traveling than when I commuted for work.
5. Insurance costs on our RV were really, really low.
6. We had no issues with healthcare or finding providers.
7. Waste is a nuisance not much worse than taking out the trash.
8. Space is tight indoors but we lived in the great wide outdoors.
9. My RV is easy too drive and park. We did not overdo the size.
10. We never had an issue finding parking and rarely make reservations.
11. In over 10 years, we only had one simple repair performed by a shop.
12. We downsized but also stored much of our stuff. Storage was cheap.
13. Loneliness was not an issue and we visited friends and relatives.
14. We did not need to prep by renting first. We bought our RV and never used it until we started as full timers. There were no surprises or setbacks.

[bukhrn]

rlw999 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Compared to what? Some newbie re-writes this article every year just to get some followers.

I'd guess that it's compared to not buying an RV -- there are lots of ways to retire without driving around in an RV that can be expensive to own and operate and someone contemplating the lifestyle needs to look at both pros and cons.

To start a discussion, here are the main points from the 14 reasons you will regret an RV in retirement article:

1. RVs Are Really Expensive So are S&B's
   
2. You’ll Spend Even More Money Updating Your RV's Decor WHY, haven't done it in 14 years
   
3. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value True, but it only matters IF I intend to sell it
   
4. RVs Guzzle Fuel [COLOR=]Compared to a 747 no, compared to my Focus yes, it's all relavant, and to how often you move it
5. You'll Need Extra Insurance for Your RV Not sure what he means, "Extra Insurance", but the insurance on the RV is nowhere near the cost of my home owners.
   
6. Health Care Can Be a Hassle When Traveling in an RV Not really sure why it would be
   
7. You'll Have to Deal With Your Own Waste From Your RV I deal with it in the S&B too, what's the difference, other than I have to hook up a hose from the RV.
   
8. Quarters Are Close in Your RV Yes, some prefer it that way, they call it COZY. and then it all depends on the RV.
   
9. RVs Aren’t Easy to Drive, By the term "Drive" I assume he's talking about a MH rather than a TT or 5'er, and that's really a matter of opinion, if it's a newbie who's never driven anything bigger than an SUV, perhaps, but once you're past the learning curve, it's no problem.
   
10. Overnight Parking Can Be Problematic With an RV Again a matter of opinion, there are Many places to overnight, from Interstate rest stops, Many of the box stores, (Walmart, Lowes) shopping centers, Casinos, Churches, Cracker Barrels and others.
    
11. RV Repairs Can Be Costly So can repairs at the S&B
    
12. You’ll Need to Get Rid of a Lot of Your Stuff And the problem there IS?? Most of it, you didn't really need in the first place.
    
13. It Can Get Lonely on the Road in an RV Not possible, my DW won't let it, even if I wanted to.
    Airbnb for RVs? You Might Want to Try Before You Buy

The only one I really disagree with is #2, if you buy the interior that you like, you won't need to upgrade it (though you'll still want to add accessories, like hooks, storage bins, etc along with all of the normal gear you need for RVing). And #14 isn't really a drawback, it's a suggestion to try before you buy, which makes sense.


For completeness, here's their 10 reasons to retire in an RV list published the day before the reasons not to buy an RV article:

1. Even During the Lockdown, You Can Still Buy an RV
   
2. You Can Self-Isolate in an RV During COVID and Still Travel
   
3. You Can Live on a Modest Budget in an RV
   
4. RVers Can Volunteer to Give Back (And Save Money)
   
5. You’ll Buy Less Stuff Traveling in an RV
   
6. You Can Take the Road Less Traveled in an RV
   
7. You’ll See More of Your Family While Traveling in an RV
   
8. You’ll Eat Well in Your RV Travels
   
9. Oh, the Places You’ll Go …
   
10. And the People You’ll Meet

[rlw999]

time2roll wrote:

1. RVs Are Really Expensive As if rent or a mortgage is cheap
   
2. Your RV Will Depreciate in Value so does your car
   

I won't answer all of your points, but what makes an RV more expensive in the house is that it's a depreciating asset, but a house (usually) appreciates. After 10 years in a $150K RV, you'll have a $10K vehicle that might be worth almost what you still own on your 15 year loan. After 10 years in a $150K house, you might have a $200K house that you might have already paid off by then and it will last for the rest of your life.

Your $25K car depreciates too, but it's a lot harder to find a car loan that will outlive the useful lifetime of a car, but I've seen 20 year RV loans and may RV's won't last 20 years of full-time living.