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Topic: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby) (Read 385 times) previous topic - next topic
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RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Our last big RV trip was at the end of October, 2019. 

So far this year, we've spent 0 nights in the camper.  We did go on a backpacking trip ;ast week.

We've spent over $2200 on:

-Insurance and registration
-new engine battery
-6 new tires
-refill empty propane tank
-parts to build manometer to determine why propane tank was empty
-replace leaking propane regulator that led to empty propane tank
-replace generator fuel pump and filter
-parts to fabricate a heat shield to protect the new right rear inside tire from exhaust heat
-flush the brake fluid
-clean / blow out / tap on the fridge vent stack to dislodge the rust the collects near the burner
-wash exterior

Except for mounting the new tires, all of the labor was mine.  The number would be closer to $3000 otherwise.   

Friends and neighbors go on and on about how expensive it is to rent a RV this summer.  I say - try owning one!

Our backpacking trip cost less than $30 total (campsite, food, gas, fishing tackle).

Rich
'03 MB in NC


2003 MB
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #1 –
How much is your time worth per hour?  Factor that in... :)
When I'm trying to decide to do something/hire it out,  I use $25/hour for my time.
Figuring out my cost to do it sets a value for comparison. 
The other question is whether I would enjoy doing it.
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #2 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
How much is your time worth per hour?  Factor that in... :)
When I'm trying to decide to do something/hire it out,  I use $25/hour for my time.
Figuring out my cost to do it sets a value for comparison. 
The other question is whether I would enjoy doing it.

You are very cheap ...... I'm thinking I'm worth at least  $30 an hour.  Of course my wife thinks I'm just below minimum wage. 

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #3 –
Ok. So where does our self perceived hourly value put us in the grand scheme of the American Middle Class?

I’ve no idea. But here’s where Homer Simpson’s perception of his “Upper lower middle class” station in life puts him.

Maybe this isn’t relevant to the subject at hand, but it’s an interesting thought.
https://youtu.be/9D420SOmL6U

I know I’m in there somewhere. Or was. I’m retired now so what does it matter at this point. I’ve already got the LD. And I’ve been banking repair bucks since we bought it.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #4 –
On the one hand, it takes me twice as long to do a job as it would take a pro, so maybe I'm worth $15 an hour.   On the other hand, I don't have to double check things and return for a do-over when it isn't fixed the first time so maybe I'm worth $60. 

Anything that keeps me busy saving money prevents me from spending money.  Maybe my labor is worth $100 an hour?

Skilled reliable tradesmen are hard for individuals to find at any price where I live.  Some people and businesses are suffering during the pandemic, for sure.  But others are using the time as an opportunity to remodel retail space while it's closed or do fleet maintenance while the fleet isn't so busy.  Professional tradesmen are really busy.  There are lots of 'mechanics' and 'carpenters' on craigslist, but none are skilled or reliable. 

For example, I brought the RV to a semi-rural Ford dealer in an attempt to buy tires.  They weren't willing to do it, citing the dual tires.  There were a dozen or so f450 dually trucks from a fleet awaiting service.  They just didn't want the lower margin work. 

Rich
'03 MB in NC 

 
2003 MB
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #5 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
The other question is whether I would enjoy doing it.

If you enjoy it you are being entertained and have to increase the pay on what you would be spending elsewhere to entertain yourself (and saved by not spending that). :D
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: RV costs so far this year (in case anyone still thinks this is a budget hobby)
Reply #6 –

If we're doing mental accounting about the value of labor, it's worth pointing out that I have to pay federal and state tax on the money earned to pay someone else.  So, not paying a $50 labor rate means I don't need to earn something like $60 (with a 20% marginal tax rate - it will vary by person).

I DIY whenever I can, not because I enjoy the actual work, but because it's less hassle than finding someone I trust and I enjoy knowing how it was done. 

When I do find someone  whose work I trust, I don't ask even ask what they charge.  I just ask if they can squeeze me in!

Rich
'03 MB in NC

2003 MB