Buying an RV after retirement and hitting the road is a dream on many people’s bucket lists. The freedom of the open road, gorgeous vistas, beautiful sunsets, starry skies, smoldering campfires, and camping by ridiculously scenic places — what’s not to love about this lifestyle? Unfortunately, there are several reasons you will regret an RV in retirement. Especially if you know nothing about RVs and have never experienced the lifestyle.
Here are the top reasons you might regret buying an RV when you retire. We will also highlight some solutions to some of the problems you might encounter.
1. Purchasing An RV is Pretty Expensive
Depending on the type of RV you want and the features you prioritize, you may end up spending a lot more than you expect. A new travel trailer will set you back by $20 to $60k, while a new motorhome will cost over $100k. And that’s on the lower end. More luxurious towables cost over $80k, and driveables over $300k. Even more concerning, 85% of all new RV buyers overpay for their RV. Mainly because RV manufacturers set the MSRP 30% higher than their realistic purchase price.
Beyond the price tag, there are other surprise expenses. They include financing interest, sales tax, registration costs, extra insurance, and extended warranty. If you’re buying a large trailer, you’ll probably need to spend on a powerful tow vehicle. If you have a large Class C or Class A, you’ll need a car(toad) that you tow behind your rig to help you run errands once you arrive at your destination. The cost of a truck or toad can add an extra 40k+ to your budget.
Solution: Do some price research before going to the dealer. Of course, don’t spend more on your RV than you can afford to wave goodbye to. The smartest way to avoid paying a lot is to buy a smaller, used RV that’s in mint condition. You’ll find great deals at RV shows, after the high season ends, or when dealers are trying to phase out older models. Travel trailers may be a better financial choice, as they are more affordable. So, figure out exactly what you need, save up, and don’t get carried away if you visit an RV dealership.
2. RV Operational Costs Can Add Up Fast
This could be one of the biggest reasons you will regret an RV in retirement. The day-to-day running cost of an RV is something that many retirees aren’t aware of. In fact, many are surprised by the significant operation costs. The first cost you need to consider is fuel. Driving or pulling an RV can consume roughly double or triple the amount of fuel your daily driver uses. Here’s a quick breakdown of the miles per gallon of each RV class:
- Class A Motorhomes (Bus-like RV) – 6 to 8 MPG
- Class B Motorhomes (Camper van) – 15 to18 MPG
- Class C motorhome – 10 to 14 MPG
- Travel Trailers – 10 to16 MPG
- Large Fifth-Wheel Trailers – 8 to 12 MPG
- Truck Campers – 10 to 15 MPG
In contrast, light trucks and SUVs without a tow behind achieve an MPG of 20 to 30, while smaller cars can get 40+ MPG. Vehicle fuel isn’t the only cost to consider. Factor in the cost of running a generator, refilling propane, buying cellular or satellite data plans, tank dumping fees, and monthly power costs at the campgrounds.
Solution: Anticipate that RVing can be just as expensive as renting/owning a home. Own a smaller and lighter RV to reduce fuel expenses. Investing in solar panels and batteries can also help you cut power costs. Use RVing apps to find places that offer free services like WiFi and dump stations.
3. A New RV Depreciates Fast
From a financial perspective, buying a new RV is a bad investment, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. That’s because the average RV loses around 21% of its value immediately after you drive it off the dealership lot. And by the third year, over 30% of the value is gone.
By year 10, 50% to 60% of the value is gone. In contrast, the value of a brick-and-mortar home increases annually (2% to 6%). In 10 years, the house will cost 20% to 60% more than when you bought it. Retirees who didn’t do their research before buying are surprised by the large chunk of money they lose when they decide to sell their relatively new RV.
Solution: If you don’t want this to be one of the biggest reasons you will regret an RV in retirement, first, ask yourself if you will want to sell the RV after a few years. If you do, then buy a used RV that’s 5 years old. A 5-year rig doesn’t depreciate steeply like a new one, so you’ll have a better chance to recoup most of your investment. Just make sure you have it inspected by a pro before buying. Notably, a few RV brands, like Airstream, Oliver trailers, and other vintage-style campers, can gain value over time.
4. Maintenance and Repairs are Expensive
Keeping a recreational vehicle in tip-top shape can be an expensive endeavor. Many manufacturers use cheap materials, and quality control at the plants can often be lacking. That means many units come off the assembly line with issues. So, RV buyers end up inheriting these problems.
Additionally, an RV has many systems. From the electrical system, plumbing system, holding tanks, propane system, slide-outs, and appliances to the engine. That means more things are more likely to break. In addition, warranty claims denial is a reality, even when an item is covered. Almost every major RV brand has complaints for failing to honor their warranty. Footing these repair bills can seriously dent your savings or retirement fund.
Solution: Buy from a brand that is known for producing better quality RVs, such as ORV, Northwood, Airstream, Lance, Oliver, Grand Design, Tiffin, Dynamax, and Entegra Coach. Further, consider investing in an extended warranty if you’ll be RVing full-time. But remember, warranties don’t cover regular maintenance/wear and tear. Create a maintenance schedule to catch small repairs before they become serious. Also, consider buying a used RV, as most factory defects will already be solved.
5. RV Upkeep is Physically Demanding
Sure, traveling in an RV means you don’t have to worry about outdoor homeowner tasks like mowing the lawn, cleaning gutters, pulling weeds, and raking leaves. However, some retirees assume that owning an RV will do away with all tedious and repetitive weekend projects. Unfortunately, RV ownership isn’t all fun and games. A camper demands constant attention like a home. And it takes some serious elbow grease to keep it ready to go. In fact, this is definitely one of the reasons you will regret an rv in retirement if you have physical limitations.
Even if you invest in the highest quality trailer or motorhome, there’s still a lot of maintenance to be done. Tasks like inspecting and repairing seals, lubricating slides, dumping and sanitizing tanks, topping off fluids, tightening loose parts, fixing leaking pipes, cleaning AC parts, vacuuming the interior, and waxing the exterior can eat up your free time. Other chores like hitching and unhitching a trailer or toad, changing tires, and setting up a pop-up trailer are strenuous.
Solution: Research the physical demands of the RV before you commit to a purchase. Consider a smaller RV that has fewer parts to break and wear, and less space to clean. If hitching and unhitching cause backaches, consider a motorhome as setting up and breaking up camp isn’t as physically involved. Alternatively, look for a trailer that has an automated hitching process.
6. Driving or Towing a Large Rig Is Physically and Mentally Taxing
Learning to tow or drive an RV isn’t difficult at all. Anyone can pull it off. But the older you get, the more physically tiring it is to maneuver a big, long, and heavy RV. This is one of the main regrets for seniors who take up the RV lifestyle. Many owners wish they had bought something smaller.
Even more problematic is driving the behemoth in and out of truck stops, campgrounds, and narrow city streets. This can make you less eager to hit the road often and dissuade you from visiting some destinations. However, this doesn’t have to be one of the reasons you will regret an rv in retirement if you plan to stay in one place for a few weeks or months. That will help reduce the amount of time you’re driving or towing your rig.
Solution: Buy a shorter trailer, 5th wheel, Class C, or campervan, as they are easier to park, back up, and maneuver on the road. Also, take long breaks between trips. Attempting to drive constantly to see as many places in as little time as possible will lead to physical and mental fatigue.
7. You May Not Use Your RV as Much as You Like
The average RV owner uses their rig less than 30 days a year. That means your RV is just idling for almost 95% of the year. After years of romanticized visions of you happily rolling down the road, you may end up using it way less than you expected. Some reasons stop seniors from using their campers as much as they like. They range from bad weather, health conditions, difficulty booking sites, lack of suitable destinations, and changing priorities.
Sometimes, the interests of those you pictured yourself traveling with move away from camping and into other things, forcing you to travel less often, which is one of the big reasons you will regret an rv in retirement, Additionally, the high gas prices and inflation in recent years have also deterred many from going on long trips. Remember that an idle RV costs money, a minimum of $50 per month for storage if you’re lucky. Also, RV engines corrode, batteries die, tires develop flat spots, pipes burst if not winterized, and rodents may cause havoc.
Solution: Figure out how often you’ll use the RV. Will you be a full-timer, weekender, or will you only use it in the summer? If you’ll travel infrequently, consider renting instead of buying. If you insist on owning and don’t plan to use very much, you might want to buy a trailer so you won’t have an engine to worry with. Even so, accept that you may not be able to use it as much as you like. When you aren’t using it, consider renting it out to offset the cost of ownership.
8. Finding Healthcare Providers Can Be a Hassle
One of the benefits of having a permanent residence is easy access to your preferred healthcare provider. Unfortunately, traveling in an RV full-time can mean being far away from your regular doctors and your insurer’s network of medical providers and facilities. Sometimes, road trips take you through remote areas where only scant medical help is available. Yet, having easy access to medical care is a priority among seniors. Especially those who need to see a doctor regularly to manage chronic conditions or other health issues.
The inability to see your favorite physician can give you second thoughts about RVing. Another major issue is insurance. Finding a health insurance plan with a broad provider network across the country or multiple states isn’t always easy. And it may come at an extra cost. Not having a home base could make it harder to access other reliable services like mechanics, dentists, hairdressers, and mail.
Solution: Regular Medicare with a supplement plan will allow you to use any provider or hospital in the country. You can also take advantage of telemedicine services. For prescriptions, refill your medication through a national pharmacy chain. Also, get 90-day prescriptions, so you don’t run out as quickly. It’s also a good idea to travel with hard copy and digital medical records. Travel with health assistance devices depending on your condition, such as a health tracker and inhaler.
9. Most RV Campgrounds are Ridiculously Expensive and Hard to Book
The average no-frills RV park charges between $50 and $80 dollars per night. Premium RV resorts charge over $100 a night. Before COVID, it was easy to find private RV parks charging under $35 per night. After the pandemic, a lot of people took up RVing, triggering the price hikes.
The influx of new campers has also created a shortage of RV sites. In some prime destinations, you have to reserve at least a year in advance. Beyond the advertised nightly RV park rate, there are plenty of hidden fees. You may be charged for laundry, shower, extra guests, pets, monthly electricity, extra car parking, dump station, local taxes, early check-in, and even using facilities like the gym, pool, or patio.
Solution: Even if RVing is cheaper than staying in hotels, don’t buy an RV with the idea that it will help you save a lot of money. To cut camping costs, book campgrounds in national parks and state parks, as they cost around $20 to $40 per night with no hidden fees. Consider boondocking in dispersed camping sites — it’s free, and you don’t have to worry about crowds. On reservations, book spots as soon as they open and stay longer to get discounts. Also, use a tool like Campnab to alert you when someone cancels a reservation at a sold-out RV park.
10. Selling Everything You Own
Many RVing retirees regret selling all their possessions and diving headfirst into full-time RV travel. Just because you won’t need much of the stuff you own doesn’t mean you have to sell it all. If you sell your home, you’ll have no place to return to when you need to take a temporary break from the lifestyle. Maybe you need to celebrate an occasion with family members, meet up with your old friends, look after an ill loved one, spend winter indoors, or shelter a storm.
Or maybe you no longer love RVing, and you want your old life back. And what happens when your RV needs a big repair that will take months to complete? In fact, the average warranty repair takes around two months. And if parts are out of stock, it can turn into three months (or more) to get the repair done. With such a long repair time, it makes sense to have a permanent place you can return to.
Solution: Don’t sell your home until you have experienced full-time RVing for a few years. And after you cash in on your home, buy a permanent site or a tiny house to which you can fall back. Rent a storage unit to keep some of your favorite possessions in case you quit RVing. Note that most RVs aren’t designed to be lived in full time, and not all warranties cover year-round RVing. Also, very few brands make RVs capable of full-timing. Some good ones to consider are Northwood Arctic Fox and KZ Durango Goldline if you’re interested.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about retiring in an RV:
Do People Regret Buying an RV in Retirement?
Some people regret buying an RV when they retire — especially if it’s their first RV. However, a large majority seem to enjoy the lifestyle. Those who engage in careful planning are more prepared and satisfied with the lifestyle, while impulse buyers are more likely to have remorse. Before the purchase, spend as much time as possible researching so you know what you’re getting into.
What’s the Best RV for Retirement?
It depends. If you travel a lot, motorhomes like campervans and Class Cs are the best kind of RV for seniors. Set-up and tear-down is easy and takes five to 10 minutes. A fifth wheel or trailer may serve you better if you’re stationary. Just note that conventional travel trailers and pop-ups are more physically demanding when hitching and setting up. When shopping, consider features like sturdy steps, wide doors, grab handles, a large bath and shower, and a walk-around bed.
How Can I Enjoy RVing in Retirement?
Some great ideas include taking advantage of senior discounts like the America The Beautiful Pass, staying at 55+ RV parks, or booking regular RV parks that have discounts for seniors. To avoid burnout, take time to enjoy one area before moving on to the next. To reduce back-breaking tasks, get an RV with automated features like a power awning, auto leveling, tank flush, and a power tongue jack.
Final Thoughts: Rent an RV to Test the Waters Before Buying
The best way to avoid regretting an RV in retirement is to practice with a rental before committing to a big investment. There are plenty of peer-to-peer RV rental platforms where you can rent and experience just about any type of RV imaginable — from small campervans, lightweight trailers, and rugged truck campers to large fifth wheels and Class As.
Rent different RVs and go camping for a week or more to see whether you enjoy the lifestyle. This will also help you learn what type of camper, floor plan, and features suit your needs. Finally, remember you aren’t buying an RV to save money. You’re buying it for the experience of camping and to have a comfortable place to call home while you’re traveling.
More From RV Top Tips:
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
