How can I make my heart accept what my brain knows?

You want to buy an RV? Why not rent one?

We had an RV once. Almost never used it. It ended up being a place the kids could go as a hang out (in the driveway). I guess if you are looking at taking extended trips they would be good…if you planned on traveling all year for example. You’d have your stuff with you, you could pretty much stop wherever you wanted to sleep, etc. But the gas and insurance all cost more money than just the purchase price. And if it every breaks down, getting a tow and/or repairs are all pretty steep as well.

I think @Caravanfan has a good suggestion for renting. It allows you to try it out and see if it is what you expected or not.

I also think @Caravanfan is spot on about renting one.

I tell my husband to rent one first, so I’m in that camp. No pun intended.

If you are traveling with a big family an RV can be nice to have. Are you going to haul it with a pick-up truck, or all one unit? All one big machine means dealing with that huge vehicle your entire vacation.

Are you adding in paying to park the RV and hook up? That would be additional. At Disney it’s something like $80 or more. I don’t know how much it is at other places. I know there are some free campgrounds.

Are you adding in gas, you’ll only get like $8–12 mpg and you will feel like you have to drive everywhere.

Although, at the end when you want to sell the RV you get some money back, you get nothing back paying for hotels and flights, except maybe if you count free stays and upgrades if you have status with a brand.

Are you facebook friends with Judi? She had an RV for several years. She traveled across country more than once, stopping a long the way.

If you can afford and want it, go with your heart.

Another vote for renting. And even consider continuing to rent in the future on the second and third trips. That may yet turn out cheaper than buying depending on how often you travel. It will allow you to understand how well different RV’s may work for you.

Make a list of all the positive, negative and unknown aspects. Then wait a long while to think about it all make a decision using your brain.

Good luck.

That insane thought passes through my head every so often. Then I think of all the rodent damage caused by mice that got into the car I have stored next to my barn. Yuk!

I’m not sure where you are located but here (Missouri-Camping World) new RVs with engine are $300k.
Used w engine is $200k.

Without engine (5th Wheel) are a lot more work for older folks but $95k new and $45k used.

Rentals are a lot of hassle if you have delays due to weather/traffic like a rental car.

Most people here have 5th wheels.

*All these costs are directly from my local Camping World 2 blocks down the road. So O vote for a used 5th wheel. These are all longs too for big families.

About 30 years ago my hubby talked me into leasing our house for a year and travel. We bought a new Prowler (good quality) and a used Suburban to pull it. We brought our two cats who rode in the rv and drove from NC to CA. Once in CA, we found jobs at a very nice rv park (Flying Flags) in Buellton, where the temp was 80s – 90s but no humidity and a breeze daily. Worked there for 1½ years, then left for more travel. It was fantastic, especially after I convinced my husband that we didn’t have to get up early and “get on the road”, that the journey was as important as the destination.

Never regretted it. Awesome memories and made some fantastic friends.

@KNOWITALL Wow! I didn’t know they were that much! I’d go with the rent idea first then.

@janbb Right?! And people fly in all the time to buy it cheaper here then drive or have transported, to save money.
Even our funerals are the lowest in the states so likely a lot of other states will be higher. (And you never buy from the coasts without a salt/flood check.)

How can I make my heart accept what my brain knows?

But would you actually stay in a hotel 1,000 nights? If I remember right, you’re not a youngster. If you can afford it, let your heart fly. You’ll probably always regret it if you don’t.

Are you talking about a camper to pull behind a car or a motor home? The down side to a motor home is once you get where you’re going you’re stuck. You can’t run to the store for supplies.

@Dutchess_III I’ve wanted a motor home, but even renting one doesn’t make sense, because they all charge by the mile in addition to a daily fee. A long time ago, I did rent one, but I was so afraid to run up the mileage fee I missed visiting some sites that were off the main route.

@YARNLADY We’d be interested in hearing what you decide if you want to share. ;)

We took a road trip to Redwoods And Lassen National Parks this month, staying at motels and mostly preparing our own foods. Some of the roads we travelled actually were forbidden or not recommended for motor homes or trailers. We will be visiting Death Valley and Joshua Tree this winter, stating in motels. Our Pacifica van is very comfortable.

As often as we stay in motels, we get at least one and often two free with loyalty points. In January we stayed in Treasure Island, Las Vegas three free days. A motor home is not in my future.

^^ Sounds fun! I’m envious. :)