The hashtag #rvlife has amassed more than three million tags. However, many of these posts don’t tell the complete story of RV ownership.
Owning a camper has many ups and downs, but there are two specific days when RV owners are the happiest. But which days are they?
Today, we’re looking at the two happiest days you’ll have as an RV owner.
What Are the Two Happiest Days of RV Ownership?
Some say the two happiest days of RV ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.
If you’ve ever purchased an RV, you likely remember how exciting it was to drive it off the dealership lot. You’re already imagining the future adventures you and your family will enjoy.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, those adventures don’t always go as planned.
Whether it’s a flat tire, a broken slide, or several other things, your dream of owning an RV can quickly become a nightmare.
Those who experience one disaster after another can’t get a for sale on their rig fast enough. They anxiously wait for the day to watch someone else hitch up and haul their rig away for good.
This will be the second happiest day of RV ownership if you ask these individuals.
The Cons of Being an RV Owner
Once you own an RV, you’ll quickly discover many things the dealership didn’t tell you. Owning an RV is challenging, and it isn’t for everyone. Let’s look at some of the cons of being an RV owner.
Depreciation
You should think twice if you’re buying an RV as an investment. Just like any other vehicle, RVs depreciate incredibly fast.
The second you drive off the dealership lot, your rig is worth a fraction of its original value. Depending on the type of RV, it could lose as much as 30 to 40% in only a few years.
Many don’t consider that they may not enjoy owning an RV as much as they think. Unfortunately, unless they’ve paid a large down payment, they will likely owe more than their rig is worth.
If you have to sell your camper for less than you owe, the financial institution will expect you to cut them a check for the difference.
Maintenance
Another con of owning an RV is the constant maintenance it requires. Some of these tasks require regular attention.
Your warranty may need you to inspect your roof every 30, 60, or 90 days. If not, you could have a warranty claim denied if you ever have an issue.
While it might surprise you how much maintenance you can perform, some require a professional. Hauling your RV to a repair shop can be frustrating.
These shops can have backlogs and charge hundreds of dollars per hour for labor. Keeping your rig in good working order can be exhausting.
Fuel Consumption
Whether you choose a towable or driveable RV, the fuel consumption can be off the charts. Some owners regularly experience single-digit mpg, which can add up considerably.
If you add in traveling over mountain passes, you could measure the gallons per mile instead of miles per gallon.
As you likely know, prices at the pump are constantly changing. This can make it very challenging when owning an RV. Just because gas or diesel is a specific price now doesn’t mean it will always be that way.
We’ve purchased diesel for less than $2.00 and well over $6.00 per gallon.
Seasonal Use
If you’re like most RV owners, you’ll only use your RV for part of the year. Prime camping season for most people is between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
However, some of the most dedicated can extend it from late spring until early fall in many locations.
As a result, your camper will likely sit in storage far more than you’ll be using it. In addition, unless you have somewhere to park it, you’ll also have to pay for storage. Fees can be $150 to $200 per month, depending on the type of storage.
However, if we’ve learned anything, the last thing you want is to skimp when choosing a quality storage place for your camper. You want to know it’s in good hands.
Campground Availability
Over the past few years, camping has become incredibly popular. RV manufacturers were selling units before they were even producing them.
They had record month after month for shipping new units to dealerships. It was so wild that some even had backlogs of orders lasting several months.
While that was great for manufacturers and dealerships, it was far from great for RV owners. Trying to get a campsite in many campgrounds has become nearly impossible.
Some locations that once only sold out on holidays now sell out most weekends during the prime season. You may need to make a reservation six to 12 months in advance to get a spot on a particular weekend.
HOT TIP
YouTubers have started buying campgrounds, but why? Let’s find out.
The Pros of Being an RV Owner
While we’ve done a lot of bashing on owning an RV today, it’s essential to know that it’s not all bad.
We’ve enjoyed it enough that we’ve owned and traveled in RVs for several years. Let’s look at some of the benefits of being an RV owner.
Travel Flexibility
Owning an RV provides tremendous flexibility when it comes to traveling. Hotels in some of the most popular areas can be costly. You can save money or stay longer by taking your RV to these destinations.
Some use their recreational vehicles as a home away from home while attending travel sports tournaments, tailgating, and other exciting events. The flexibility they can provide in how you use them is remarkable.
Comfort and Convenience
One of the great things about owning an RV is that you can take the comforts and conveniences with you wherever you go. For some, the luxury of using the bathroom inside the camper instead of a sketchy gas station is worth the convenience.
You can create a comfortable space to enjoy during your adventures. Whether parking in a state park, RV park, or on public lands, you’ll have a comfortable place to return to after a day of adventuring.
An RV makes spending time in nature much more convenient. Gone are the days of roughing it to enjoy epic views and listen to nature’s sounds. You can sit around a fire outside your RV and then retire into your comfortable, memory foam mattress for the night.
Family Bonding
Some of our fondest childhood memories were camping trips with our families. However, owning an RV makes it much easier for families to get out and spend time together.
Whether splashing in the water, hiking a trail, or roasting s’mores, camping is a great way to encourage family bonding time.
Can you do this without an RV? Absolutely. However, doing it in an RV increases everyone’s comfort, which helps ensure everyone has a great time. This can keep whining and crying to a minimum, which keeps Mom and Dad happy.
One aspect of owning an RV that many people overlook is the community and social interactions it provides. We’ve met fascinating people due to owning an RV.
Whether in a campground or while fueling, RVs are a magnet for social interactions.
You never know who you may camp next to or the stories they’ll share with you. Getting to hear from RVers about their adventures is always exciting. You may discover new locations to explore and experience during your travels.
We also love that the RV community isn’t just in campgrounds. You can find many massive RV-related Facebook groups online. While these groups can have a few bad apples, most members are generally great and support one another.
Minimal Packing
One of our favorite parts of having an RV is that it can require minimal packing. Most owners eventually purchase items to keep in their rig.
This way, when it’s time to take a trip, all that’s required is loading up their clothes and food and hitting the road.
No longer worrying about whether or not you remembered to grab every little thing is an incredible feeling. It can allow you to enjoy the entire travel experience and avoid rebuying items you already have.
Have the Right Expectations for RV Ownership
Owning an RV has been one of the best decisions we’ve made. It’s allowed us to travel, experience the entire country, and meet phenomenal people. We wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Has every day been puppy dogs and rainbows? Absolutely not. We’ve had our ups and downs and wanted to throw in the towel a time or two.
However, we’re grateful that we didn’t and stuck with it. We’ve certainly had more than two happy days of RV ownership.
Would you add anything to our pros and cons list?
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