When is it time to get a new rig?

[rames14]

He was a little high, but $39k over 12 years.

 

[PSFORD99]

He was a little high, but $39k over 12 years.
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Regardless of cost ,it really boils down to the want . I know some people that have to have the latest ,and greatest , they wouldn't be caught in a 10 year old RV ,truck ,or even possibly a house . It's just the way it is .

My truck is 11 years old ,the RV is 10 . So far no plans to replace either one . I'm getting them both ready for our annual trip for seven weeks or so to Montana . A bit of fishing , socializing , and a bit of nothing . This will be our 25th year at this small RV park in Montana , with our friends we have made over the years that also frequent this RV park . Many of them have had their rigs for many years .

One example , he passed in 2022 @ 96 years old . His last year at the RV park was in 2016 , we had a party for him , he was 90 . It was his 40th year on the same site in the RV park there in Montana , site #6 . He had at that time an old Avion trailer , similar to the Airstreams . It was a 1990 , So it was 26 years old , it looked nearly new ,as well as his newer Chevy Duramax .

 

[Dfb]

To be honest with you, we are trying to get out of RVing, can't sell our wonderful 3440RL because it is a buyers market from people dumping trailers they bought during Covid time. Even if I could sell it the workmanship on "deluxe" units like the Montana are horrible, people on this board have reported the refrigerator was not attached properly and fell out of the space! And these new 12 volt refrigerators are not ready for prime time at all. The prices rise every year and the quality and durability are going down the toilet. Never thought I would feel this way and I am glad we did most of our traveling including Alaska with our 2005 Montana when they built them to last. My 2015 would never survive an Alaska trip!
These re my 2 cents wirth.

So your "Rolling Earthquake" gave you no problems. We have owned 5 prior 5th Wheels. None of those gave us issues.

 

[bradufault]

Yeah, well we finally came to the conclusion after listening to everybody and running to a few more issues with our Jack slides. We’ve decided to sell our Monty and we actually bought a 310 GK solitude. It’s a beautiful rain. It’s about 4 feet shorter than my old one basic the same floor plan. I want to thank everybody for their input and also as I say goodbye to the Montana Club, I appreciate everything you guys did talk to you and I like your community. God bless.

 

[Route 66 Rambler]

It's time to get a new rig, auto, or even a house when the cost of the upkeep is more than you are willing to pay for that upkeep.

Consider the monthly cost of a loan on a new rig. If you get a new camper, chances are your monthly payments are going to be between $600 and $900 a month. If $600 a month, that translates to $7200 a year for your loan payments. Now consider that of that $7200, at least 50% of that is going to the interest. Over the course of your loan period, your $70,000 camper will cost you $125,000 over 15 years. (I'm just guessing at the math here, but you get the idea).

Now ask yourself, over the course of the next 15 years are you going to invest $125,000 into the old rig to keep it up, maintain it, and do emergency repairs? Probably not.

Which is more cost effective?

If they have had the rig for 10 years, they should have been saving enough to buy the next one with cash. NO loans! Campers should be purchased with cash as they are a rapidly depreciating asset.

 

[brycesteiner]

Abbert55, Dutchmen is absolutely correct. At 8% interest on $70k would be $5600 the first year, and less each subsequent year. He is saying total interest over the life of the loan. For exact numbers, plug into any amortization program for exact amounts. It adds up.

Exactly right.
Go to the RV shows and in the fine print under the show special that makes you feel real good it will show you the amount for monthly payment and over how many months. We were interested in one that showed $65000 in large print. In the small print it showed payments were $659 month for 240 months. We would have paid 2.5x for that fifth wheel if paying the show special and their plan.
At $65000 I probably would have bought it. But reality set in after seeing 240 payments and thinking, "What is this going to be worth in 20 years?"