Brother in Law wants to not get in financial trouble

[Mondooker]

My brother-in-law posed an interesting question. My sister is retired and Vinni will retire next year. Both would like a class A motorhome and their main question is “I don’t want something that will get us into financial trouble.

I still have a bunch of brochures around from all the major manufacturers from 3 to 4 years ago. So I dragged out the box for them to take a look. First thing we did was limit the search to gassers as they are much less expensive to maintain. They thought 36 to 38 feet would work for them and pay around $80,000.

My recommendation was a 3 year old Newmar, Tiffin or Winnebago with all records that still has a warrantee on engine and drivetrain.

What do you guys think?

[TechWriter]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi guys, I really didn’t want to get into standard maintenance costs gasser vs diesel discussion. My brother in law wanted to know if something breaks which is the least expensive to fix?

Gasser

[rgatijnet1]

Personally I think the first thing your BIL needs to consider is what he plans to do when he travels and how long he can devote to traveling. You mentioned that within a year, they both will be retired. Does that mean that they may want to full time? Does it mean that they may want to travel away from their permanent home a month or two a year? What do they want to see when they travel? Do they have pets that they want to take with them? Would they be happy traveling to only places they can drive? Would they enjoy driving a motor home, as opposed to an automobile?
Will both of them be driving? This means the driving task is shared between the two of them. Are both of them physically fit enough to bounce around in a motor home for a few hundred miles a day? Do they require regular visits to a doctor?
The answers to these questions will help him determine if a motor home is really worth the hassle? There is no doubt that a motor home can be fun but it can also require more maintenance than his stick home.
Motor home travel is also NOT cheap. In most cases, you can take a plane or train and get to the destination for less cost than to drive by motor home. If seeing the sights along the way are important, than a motor home is hard to beat, especially if they have pets. Without pets, I can travel and still see the sights better in an automobile. The money saved in fuel, insurance, required maintenance, and in RV parks will pay for a room along the way if traveling by automobile. At one point, when fuel was more expensive than it is today, I was spending around $200/day just for diesel. Not an insignificant expense if you travel a lot, as opposed to just sitting in an RV park.
You BIL really needs to consider a lot of things before he jumps in to an RV. It just may not be for him, regardless of the costs involved, IMHO.

[univmd]

If finances are most important, I would go with gas instead of diesel coach.

[toedtoes]

Knowing and planning for the costs before purchase is extremely important. If you don't consider ongoing costs, you are being careless.

On the other side, if you focus too much on comparing repair costs between rigs, you may end up with a rig unsuited for your needs.

Rather than debating whether diesel or gas is better, if folks would simply provide some actual costs they've incurred, the OP can help his BIL make the right choice for him.

[Mondooker]

Thanks Two Jayhawks, That should earn you another Jayhawk in my way of thinking.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Mondooker wrote:
I don’t understand the concept that if you ask the price you can’t afford it and/or shouldn’t buy or consider it? I’ve never known that all RV’er’s are so wealthy? I think someone doing anything without the concept of cost is a fool!

Sorry for all of the rich reading this thread I’ve offended. Well Bless Your Heart!

Oh there isn't much to understand. The person that utters the "if ya have to ask ya can't afford" bunk is simply being arrogant and smug. I've heard it a few times in my life & I typically think very little of the guy that responds to a question that way. This is a forum & anyone should be free to ask anything they wish without smart aleck answers.

[dodge_guy]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi guys, I really didn’t want to get into standard maintenance costs gasser vs diesel discussion. My brother in law wanted to know if something breaks which is the least expensive to fix? Thanks

The gasser will always be cheaper to maintain. Leaf spring vs air bags, air brakes vs hydraulic. Diesel repair shops charge far more than gas truck repair shops. Some even have higher rates for diesel chassis opposed to gas chassis.

[Mondooker]

I don’t understand the concept that if you ask the price you can’t afford it and/or shouldn’t buy or consider it? I’ve never known that all RV’er’s are so wealthy? I think someone doing anything without the concept of cost is a fool!

Sorry for all of the rich reading this thread I’ve offended. Well Bless Your Heart!

[toedtoes]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi Toe, he wants a Class A for the same reason I have one. The huge windshield to see America!

I get that. But if the cost is a big concern, then he might need to re-evaluate what is most important.

The big windshield is nice, but it doesn't mean folks with other types of rigs don't see America.

[Lantley]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi guys, I really didn’t want to get into standard maintenance costs gasser vs diesel discussion. My brother in law wanted to know if something breaks which is the least expensive to fix? Thanks

I agree there is no need to get into the gas vs. diesel thing.
But to your brother in laws question.
THey will both require maintenance and repair and the figure for both can be substantial.
If you are not prepared to have a sizable maintenance/ repair budget RVing is not for you.

[Mondooker]

Hi Toe, he wants a Class A for the same reason I have one. The huge windshield to see America!

[toedtoes]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi guys, I really didn’t want to get into standard maintenance costs gasser vs diesel discussion. My brother in law wanted to know if something breaks which is the least expensive to fix? Thanks

I think overall, the more important factor will be the individual shop. I have a great shop that can work on either and their rates will be pretty similar. But, they only have one lift that can handle a 36-38ft rig. So, it will often be difficult to get the work done quickly if there is another rig ahead of you. If you got to a shop with multiple lifts capable, then you will most likely be paying a higher hourly rate.


For me, if I was that concerned with the difference between repair costs, I would go with a TT or 5er and a truck. The truck will be easier and less expensive to repair.

[Mondooker]

Hi guys, I really didn’t want to get into standard maintenance costs gasser vs diesel discussion. My brother in law wanted to know if something breaks which is the least expensive to fix? Thanks

[toedtoes]

I don't think we need to have the diesel vs gasser argument. The point is that with ANY type RV there will be maintenance costs and repair work. Regardless of gas or diesel engine, if you aren't prepared for thos expenses you will get into "financial trouble".