5 Reasons To Avoid A High End RV
RVs, vans, and motorhomes have been popular for years and the industry has never stopped creating bigger, better models. A luxury or high end RV might seem appealing to travelers who are looking for an upgrade, but don’t pull out your wallet just yet!
These beautiful vehicles can be a pretty terrible investment if you won’t weigh the pros and cons. Although it might seem nice upfront, let’s go through 5 reasons to avoid a high end RV.
1. They’re very expensive
The first drawback is probably the most obvious. Luxury RVs are extremely expensive. Even the cheapest travel trailers are usually more than $10,000 so any type of RV comes with a serious price tag. In fact, some of the most expensive luxury RVs in the world can be over a million dollars.
Obviously, there is a price range when you want to buy any type of vehicle, but don’t be surprised if the high end RV you’re interested in comes with a 6-digit price tag. In a lot of cases, the money you would spend on an RV could be invested into savings or put toward a more permanent purchase, such as a house.
You don’t save as much money as you would think when you live out of an RV. There are still taxes, insurance, gas costs, parking fees, and a slew of other expenses to consider. A luxury RV will seldom (if ever) pay for itself over time.
2. Large and bulky
Another drawback of a high end RV is the size. Luxury RVs are generally quite large (often more than 40 feet long) and are difficult to maneuver. You may enjoy the extra room when it comes to storage space and interior comfort, but it just becomes very unwieldy on the road.
If your luxury unit is a fifth wheel or a travel trailer, you’ll also have to deal with the extra length that a tow vehicle adds. Many drivers have a hard time adapting to driving with a heavy trailer, and this is a learning curve that you definitely won’t want to go through with a large, expensive RV.
First-time buyers should probably avoid high end models because they are hard to drive with and park. It’s almost impossible to find parking for them in urban areas, so good luck if you’re traveling with a 40+ foot Class A motorhome!
Many campsites also have length limits, so you won’t always be able to find parking at RV parks and campgrounds. If they do have extra-large lots, they are often limited and may need to be reserved ahead of time.
3. Financial risk and low resale value
As mentioned above, luxury RVs cost a pretty penny! In most cases it will take a long time to fully pay them off and you may need to deal with compounding interest rates as well. When you factor in the cost of any upgrades, as well as other expenses, these beautiful RVS can become money pits.
If you happen to run into trouble on the road and have an uninsured car crash, you could lose thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars. This is another reason why first-time buyers should avoid pricey models as they learn how to drive. Any damages will put a dent in your investment and your savings.
RVs are also notorious for having low resale values. New models are constantly being produced, making RVs out of date the moment they’re sold. It’s common for RVs to depreciate by 20% as soon as they’re driven off the lot. They continue to lose value every year afterward and it’s difficult to resell them.
So if you buy a high end RV and regret your decision later, it’s going to be hard to get rid of this vehicle without losing a ton of money in the process.
4. Lots of maintenance required
Luxury RVs have earned that title because of their large size, thoughtful designs, and large number of amenities. Every inch of these vehicles is full of gadgets, electronics, and appliances. This may seem like a positive thing upfront (and sometimes it is) but the more appliances you have, the more potential there is for things to break down.
In a basic travel trailer, the main things you’ll need to worry about are a sink, shower, TV, and maybe a refrigerator. But when you’re traveling with a living space that comes with a fully outfitted kitchen, laundry machines, and all kinds of smart technology, there is a much higher risk of something breaking. It’s just the law of large numbers!
Expensive appliances also may require more specialized care. When something is very high-quality, it requires high-quality care. This service doesn’t come cheap and it’s hard to do by yourself. Although warranties may cover things that break, it doesn’t reimburse you for the time and inconvenience.
So just because something is fancy, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll want to bring it on the road with you.
5. Space is limited
Finally, you have to keep in mind that an RV (even a high end RV) has a limited floor plan. Every U.S. state has size limit laws for vehicles, and once you pass a certain point, an RV would just get too big to move from place to place.
The idea of tiny houses, van life, and RV traveling appeal to many people. But the reality is usually quite different from the fantasy ideal. When most people purchase a luxury RV, they do it so they can spend the majority of their time traveling in comfort. Some people even live out of their RV year-round.
But if you do this, you need to remember that you’re dealing with a limited space. The lack of elbow room might not bother you at first, but once you throw a few grandkids in the mix, things can start getting claustrophobic really quickly. If you love to collect an pack a lot of things, the lack of storage space could also start to cramp your style.
You can’t create more space in an RV the same way you might build onto a house. So once you’ve bought it, that’s as big as it will get. You’d better be confident that you can fit your life and possessions into the limited space it provides.
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This article sounds as if this person would like a Motorhome and is making all the points of not having one because they can’t. I started with a tent and a sleeping bag. I then moved up to a popup camper. Next I bought a nice 24foot Jayco travel trailer. My kids got bigger so I got a 30foot Coachman with bunk beds.
More family members wanted to join in to camping so I went to a 30foot with a 20foot slide out on the Travel trailer. I have a class A CDL drivers license and bought a gas Fleetwood 36foot motorhome and made my car a dinghy tow behind. Always wonder what it would be like with a diesel pusher so I traded up to a 40foot Thor Valencia with two slide outs and an 8000KW generator and I love it. And yes in everyone of the items listed something need to be repaired and I repaired them all myself. I even tore the fridge in the diesel motorhome apart and put a whole new cooling unit in the back of it and reinstalled it. Cools way better now than when it was new. It’s a hobby and it’s my money to do as I want too. Plus I enjoy campground in the mountains, and those by the rivers and lakes. So I’m enjoying life and I know for sure when I pass on to the other side, the money can’t go with me and yes I spent it while I could on what I wanted to do. I say go for it and enjoy it, I’ve driven the motorhome well and the air ride is great on the road at 8mpg. So I’m a Life member of Goodsam and I fully enjoy the RV life ever since the 1960’s. Fishing and Campfires in the great outdoors.
Good article but you didn’t get into the cost of maintenance. General maintenance, like tires. Possibly 10 tires at maybe $6to700 each. Brakes, wheel bearings for a triple axel rig, fuel, what 6mpg if you’re lucky. High end RV’s are for people who can afford a 5 figure annual budget just to keep it running.
“Reasons to not buy a high-end RV” sounds more like “I can’t afford it” than anything else.
#1. They’re more expensive…more than $10,000. Absolutely! You’re getting a high performance Diesel engine. You’re getting more living space and yes, they can cost well over $10k. Try $2.3 million in a Newell or Prevost conversion.
#2 They’re large & bulky… often more than 40′ long. Try 45 feet. Extra space for your stuff, essentials need for long trips like a washer-dryer, closet space, roomy cabinets, bunk beds for the kids.
#3. Financial risk and low resale. Possibly, depending on the condition of a used coach. My advice is to never buy a brand new coach. They are never, EVER free of problems leaving the factory. The first owner gets to fix all that stuff.
A two or three year old (Entegra) Cornerstone, Newmar, Tiffin or Monaco can retain 75% of its new price if carefully maintained.
#4. Hard to maintain. Really , not much more. However, Hydronic heating, slideouts, air-driven systems all require professional care and that’s another topic altogether. Good RV repair and maintenace facilities are rare. Horror stories abound on the Internet and it’s time the NTSB looked into it. (Look up Camping World for customer stories.)
#5. Space is limited. You are only limited by what you decide to bring along.
The last comment says it all .No truer statement has ever been made
The article is titled “5 Reasons to Avoid A High End RV” , but could be titled “5 Reasons to Avoid A RV”. The reasons listed are by no means limited to “High End RV’s”, (whatever those are). All RV’s are a money losers, require frequent maintenance, have limited space, most are relatively expensive, and larger RV’s no matter the cost are large. However many “high end” RV’s do maintain better resale value than an entry level RV does, but none are to be considered an investment. This article reads more like a guide written by someone who has discovered that maybe the RV life is not as glamorous as it appears to be. Why would the author even attempt to compare a RV to a house? What’s the point of that?
Recently Camper Report published an article advising not to buy a used RV. This issue has an article 5 Reasons To Avoid A High End RV. RV dealers must love you guys. As someone who has bought both used and high end RVs, I’m glad I didn’t read this article before I bought my 2013 Winnebago Adventurer 37F. I would have missed out on five years of full timing in our motor home, crisscrossing this beautiful country each year and so many adventures.
Your 5th reason is mainly an argument against any RV or camper. The smaller it is, the more limited the space is. The only solution to limited space is “don’t go camping”.
Electronics and Appliances in my home break more often in my home than in my 40′ Allegro Bus. We travel 6 months out of the year. We have not had an issue finding campsites during the last 5 years (200+- campgrounds) Even boondocking is fairly easy to do if planning ahead. . Yes, they are not investments, we bought a 10 year old one owner model so 95% of the depreciation was his. There is a lot of space, which causes me to bring way too much stuff each year, but so far, we have never ran out of space. Your article is a bit negative, possibly due to your experience being negative. Ours, and many other travelers in large motorhomes I know are not having your experiences. -Bill
Your comments are good but most people who purchase the higher end rvs have researched them as to the positives & negatives. I would not recommend them to a first time rver.
It would suffice to say that some of us with big class A RV have gone into such a rig knowing all that you talked about. That being said there is a price point that everyone falls under. Also first time home buyer’s don’t exactly go shopping for a 4,000 square foot home on the lake either.
The point I’m making is some people myself included have worked hard for many years. I have had smaller coaches in the past. But I have reached a point in my life where I want and deserve some of the nicer things in life. I wouldn’t use the word avoid. Perhaps “ These are the things to consider if you looking to purchase a large rig.
I agree with what you say, but if you know that and still want to get one than who’s to say don’t do it?
There isn’t a RV out there that doesn’t depreciate. Buying one at any price is not a good financial move. But neither is taking a trip around the world. All your left with in the end is memories. The same is true with a RV.
Happy Trails.
Clearly this article was written by someone who, a) has never owned a large Class A and, b) never driven a Class A. I am sure if you ask anyone who owns a large Class A, that they are NOT hard to drive, do NOT have trouble finding parking, and typically do NOT require constant or expensive maintenance. The only true statement she made was that they do depreciate, but then so does every RV made. The clientele who purchases a $500,000 Class A are in a separate league from those contemplating a $30,000 trailer.
And they sure drive nice, my 45 eagle suits me just right!
Your article about a large RV is wrong. It is expensive but it is glorious. I love living in a motor home much more than a home. I have owed three Blue Bird Wanderlodges and Two Newells. The prices today are
ridiculous but I love them anyway. I just don’t own one anymore because I am 81.
On the flip side, we have a 25 foot Minnie Winnie that has been wonderful, especially during the pandemic.
It is easy to drive, handy to park and requires little maintenance. We think that it is worth the $.75 per mile of depreciation and that is if it is worth nothing after 100,000 miles. After 3 years there are already 75,000 miles on it. We sleep better than a motel, eat healthier and much cheaper plus we take trips on a whim.
This article is spot o n about the huge motorhomes, but doesn’t hold water with the midsized ones.
These are just common things that go along with buying a bigger coach. When you look at luxury coaches, they are usually bigger and do cost more but you get a beautiful coach, more comfort, etc. Some of these go along with any coach.
I think the people that can afford the luxury TVs that you refer to have it figured out.i think your article is a joke.
My wife and I are on our second Class A. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This article lists so many negatives about large RVs, it’s a wonder that anyone would consider buying one! There are some downsides, but having lots of room is a huge plus. You’ll feel cramped in a smaller RV, but you’ll love the big room of a 45-footer.
Class As can be had for $140,000 new, maybe less. Used are certainly much lower. Maintenance is a concern, but you can expect that. (I’m waiting for a technician to arrive to fix our’s as I type this).
We love the RV lifestyle, even though we take only 3-6 trips per year. We look forward to every trip.
Potential buyers should investigate all the options and not reject larger RVS based on this article.
Just my two cents worth based on several years of Class A-ing.
Do you really get paid to just ramble about obvious stuff like this? I need to start blogging.
We live full-time in a 40’ Class A motorhome and wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s our home on wheels and is equipped with all the amenities we had at home. It helps to be able to do your own maintenance and repairs, otherwise you will need deep pockets and patience to have repairs done for you. I would never trade down to a lower class RV, we like luxury, but it does require upkeep, but all RV’s do. Houses are not maintenance free either.
Wow, how many high end class A’s have you owned? My guess is zero. How misunderstood all your points are. #1, Yes there are a lot of expensive RV’s, but you get what you pay for and if your a full timer living in a small cramped cheap trailer life is going to be miserable. But a mid-priced class A is not going to break you and having the comforts of home, i.e. washer/dryer, dishwasher, residential refrigerator, which are the same units you buy for your home so they very reliable makes all the difference in the world. #2 We have a 40 foot Class A and we have gotten into every campground, national park or state park we have visited. Driving is not an issue, you just have to be aware of your surroundings. #3 Never, never pay MSRP, we drove off the lot paying 30% less and looking at resales we can sell for about 10% less then we paid 3 years ago. If you paid $1,000 a month for an apartment,
you have to live someplace, you lost more money then we did. #4 In 3 years we have never broken down nor had any major repairs. All repairs have been paid for by the manufacture even after the warranty expired and none have caused us to miss any trips. #5 As full timers floor plan is king, so just make sure you find one that fits your life style. Class A’s have much more storage then fifth wheels and we tow a full size truck so that gives us extra space if needed. If material things are more important then travel, sightseeing, etc. then RVing may not be for you. You see so many YouTube’er talking about how bad this is or that, but remember they are looking for viewers, i.e. money.
Also large class A motorhomes, in many states, require special drivers license requirements because of weight and air brakes.
Why all the high end hate?
We love our high end RV, have not experienced any problems and could offer 105 POSITIVE reasons in favor of a larger unit.
One of the best things about the RV lifestyle is the ability to personalize your route, schedule and equipment.
Let’s celebrate our individuality without raining on our neighbor’s parade! 😉
A real “Debbie Downer” Aren’t you!
I have done lots and lots of reading, studying and shopping for an RV that fits my wants, needs, planned usage and finances. That includes reading many RV magazines and publications in addition to listening to and reading about experiences of Others. Needless to say many of them are inspiring, even those who talk about unpleasant experiences and breakdowns. I must say I am absolutely shocked and amazed that anyone publishing an article in a camping or RV oriented blog, magazine or article would ever publish such a negative turnoff article such as this one. Anyone bitten by the RV lifestyle should always read, study and shop for an RV that meets their needs, wants and pocketbook, including operating and maintenance cost, just as they would for any large purchase. In addition making sure the unit chosen will actually be able to be used as they want it to fit into their plans. The author may be trying to forewarn prospective buyers of pitfalls they may experience, but I choose to think anyone putting out big 6 figure bucks has enough common sense to evaluate all the limitations and unknowns before taking the plunge. My favorite line is from those who have taken the plunge is “Because we always wondered what was on the other side of the hill”. Happy travels and enjoy the mystery of the unknown.
Sure, there are drawbacks to a large Class A motor home. However….. there are sooooo many advantages! We sleep in our own bed, use our own shower, have our own bathroom on the road at rest areas and everyplace we stop. We have our kitchen and residential refrigerator so we can cook anywhere. We are totally self contained with a diesel generator that allows us comfort and convenience in living. Preparing a hot breakfast with comfortable air conditioning is just wonderful. It drives like a dream and we pull a car to use after parking. 8+ miles to the gallon including diesel generator and water heater is very reasonable. We have excellent heating and cooling, not to mention heated floors! We love it!
I never leave comments, but this insipid, biased, useless drivel forced me to leave a complaint before unsubscribing permanently. This article and its authors other submissions aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
1. If you want to travel in luxury you will have to pay the price. Buy an older quality coach, Newmar, Tiffin, Winnebago and you won’t have any more issues than if you bought a low end POS.
2. With care and practice anyone can drive a motor coach.
3. See #1
4. If you don’t know which end of a screwdriver to use you should stay away from all RVs. They are a house on wheels and things break often. If you have to pay someone you will need deep pockets for any RV.
5. True, but if you buy small and keep upgrading the dealer will love you. Every time you trade for a bigger one he makes money 💰
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 3807 diesel pusher
Personally, I think the folks that can afford the high end RVs are not that concerned with costs or where they will camp. Driving may be another story. It’s akin to buying a house. How may folks really go out and buy the most expensive house on the market, certainly not the first timers.
Hey,
Read the article, and while your rationale seems reasonable, it also seems to lack the reality of first hand experience. Not slamming you, but if you consider why people spend millions on real estate vs a couple hundred thousand, it comes down to location, location, location. And of course amenities. What you seem to have left out of your analysis is that these rock star busses can take you to almost any location in America- still the best country on the planet. Just saying
This is a very well written article. From personal experience, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and purchase something that’s not practical. I’ve read somewhere that the average use of many RV’s is 5 trips. I’d encourage prospective RVers to read and consider the points made in this article.
We have a 42′ Winnebago Tour. It probably costs us 10s of times more than just staying at a motel, but then again, we have 2 or 3 Newfoundlands that deserve a vacation as much as we do and my wife appreciates the room and the comfort of her own king size sleep number bed, plus all the other amenities.
Also, it’s no more difficult to drive than anything else if you pay attention. The biggest concern is to allow for significant distance pending a possible stop.
Resale value and depreciation are not much different than with any other motor vehicle. In fact today, it’s a seller’s market.
You’re going to be pulling a “dingy”, so once you get to the RV park (not campground) you can go anywhere you want.
Also, most parks today have adapted to the size and electrical needs (50 amp) of these larger units, so that’s not much of an issue anymore. Quit trying to make it one.
Our unit is comparable to a “Chevy, so it can be affordable.
A Prevost, on the other hand (starting at $1.2 M) is another story. Then you’re just a rich guy who takes in out for a weekend or two and then spends the rest of his/her time on their yaught.
This is a very one-sided article that mainly deals with the financial aspect of owning a luxury RV. My husband and I have been full-time RVers for over four years, having purchased the luxury motor coach that provides us the comfort and amenities we enjoy every minute, but more than anything affords us the pleasure of traveling the amazing places in this country, while we are “at home” all the time and that is something you cannot put a price on! Who cares if the motor coach depreciates (like any other vehicle one purchases) – you can’t take the money with you, but no one can take away the amazing experiences of seeing places, experiencing different cultures and meeting all types of people. We love our RV and the lifestyle it affords us!
I would love to write a counter view on this article. I live in a 45′ Entegra Aspire full time and this article seems to have been written by a non-owner.
I have a high top van now, and it will be converted to a camper. I am doing it myself, so I will have what ‘l’ want, and not what someone else things I want.
OK, I feel I need to respond.
Very expensive: Yes, so are boats that you can live on, so are houses.
Large and bulky: Why not? You are going to spend a lot of time in it, in close quarters with another person or two or three. If you want to maneuver “in town” buy a motorcycle. A large 5th wheel has a tow vehicle which is maneuverable. A class A has (or could have) a Toad – your maneuverable vehicle.
Financial risk and resale value; Yes, when you spend up to six figures, finances should be important. Resale value – yup, you got me there. These things depreciate faster than milk.
Maintenance; Well, you’re driving your living room around. Like cars and houses, if you don’t maintain it, you really won’t be driving it. There really isn’t all that much maintenance. If you’ve owned a car, you understand maintenance and where/how to get it.
I built and repaired boats for 40 years. There is no magic to owning or driving an RV. If you buy a boat, you really should do whatever is necessary to be able to handle it: take lessons, practice, invite experienced people to cruise with you or bring their boat as you go on a cruise. Same with RV’s.
Sorry, part of this is tongue in cheek, the other part is “Why are you trying to scare potential RV buyers?” Any person I’ve met that owns a house or an RV or a boat had questions when they started and almost all of them are absolutely happy with their decision and are enjoying their lives. I think your article is excessively negative and wonder why you would publish it. In re-reading, this sounds like it is a personal attack – please forgive me, it isn’t meant as that, though I did use “you” once or twice. Part of being old and retired is I now permit myself to have knee-jerk reactions and on occasion, I feel obliged to respond to those things.
The comments by the author of this article are skewed by her obvious likes and dislikes. They do not accurately represent the opinions of seasoned RVers. Her opinions are just that. What are RV you choose should based on your own assessment. Do your own due diligence then form your own opinions. Your RV choice should based on your needs and lifestyle not someone elses.
We are full-time RV’ers and chose to live in a luxury Class “A”. We are retired and spent our life working hard and investing. We don’t consider our Luxury Class“A” an investment, but fruits of our labors. What you failed to realize is that there are people that can afford Luxury Class “A” ownership and prefer to experience this life style in a Luxury Class “A”
I find this article a bit exaggerated and fairly biased. Not sure at what point you consider an RV a “luxury” RV, but my personal definition is anything from a Newmar Mountainaire up through the Newmar line. These RVs are not difficult to drive – yes, practice and preferably a professional driving lesson or two make things easier, but I find our motorhome easier to drive than our car – Comfort Drive, large windshield and rear view mirrors mean we have great visibility and effortless steering. We lived for 9.5 years in a 38′ Newmar Dutch Star, splitting the 90,000 miles we drove equally between my husband and I. Our average cost for all things motorhome (including insurance, licensing, diesel, propane, tolls, RV parks, rally fees, maintenance, and improvements and excluding expenses we’d have no matter where we live like food, clothing, medical care, entertainment, our average monthly expenses were $1570/month over 9.5 years – we paid cash for the RV, so did not have a payment. All RVs have limited space- luxury RVs usually have more space than less expensive vehicles. The same is true with regard to loss of value – all RVs loose value, but my guess is that high end units probably lose a smaller percentage of value than low end units. Selling a used RV has never been easier, as the demand since the pandemic began is at a historical high. We get emails regularly from dealers offering to buy our motorhome, and have several RVing friends who recently have sold their 10+ year old Newmars in under a week.
Should have been titled “Five Reasons Not to Own an RV”, or maybe even “Five Reasons Never to Leave Home”. I would venture that anyone can come up with 5-reasons not to do anything, including skiing, roadtripping and exploring. How about exploring Despite the perceived Negatives, Five Reasons to RV.
Sage advice Emily. Most could buy two homes, one north and one south for less than many of these high dollar rigs cost. So not for everyone certainly.
People who buy high end motorhomes enjoy what they have to offer and are not counting pennies to buy fuel. Any and all RV’s depreciate and are not to be purchased as an investment. They are a toy to enjoy. If you purchase a high end coach not production line motorhome there is a lot less depreciation plus the fact a Prevost is a commercial bus frame and is meant to take you a couple of million miles in safety. You should do your homework on high end coaches.
I noticed in your article that you did not comment on the lack of insulation between the outside skin and the inside Llewyn mahogany. Because the outside aluminum is riveted directly to the frame and the mahogany is glued directly to the frame I believe your airstream is not a Fourseason unit. The last time I looked airstream trailers had two air conditioners on the roof were the same size unit using wood framing only had one.
U can make negative commenst that same way about large homes, boats , or anything else. It gets down to what u want and u apparrently never pulled a trailer. Its like wagging the dog by tghe tail. Motorcoaches in the interstate run straight, 4o foot 45 foot or 100 foot. What little aggrivation u encounter in driving is more than mad up for when u arrive. I suppose u dont like the same ice cream as I do either.
Try giving an objective overview rather than so bias. We all like somethimg different.
You did not mention the fact that you should expect to spend an additional $1000 every time you move it. Ask me how I know. That’s for a new one and it goes up from there
Great articles. Very informative as we are first time owners of RV.
Article is deficient in one serious regard: there is a significant shortage of RV parks in which you can stay, and development of those parks is very expensive. As such, outlook for new RV parks in the future is poor. Further, costs to stay in the nicer parks now approaches or exceeds that of staying in a motel.
Dear Emily,
Your comments about high-end RV’s are spot on, but it comes across as a glass half empty rather than a glass half full article. My wife and I purchased our very first RV in Nov. 2018 and it was a 45 foot Entegra Cornerstone with a 600 horsepower Cummins diesel engine. We looked at it as a lifestyle choice that was worth the expense rather than looking at it as an investment (which it is not). Our first trip was from Florida to Alaska and back, covering 15,500 miles over seven months. There is no way to put a price on a trip like that, so whatever depreciation we experienced was worth every penny for the memories that we made. Last year, we spent five months in upstate NY and New England during the height of Covid and because we were totally self-contained, we did not have to use any public laundry or bath facilities the entire trip. So, while there are some definite considerations to take into account when buying a luxury RV, most people who are willing to spend $250k-$1M are doing so for the right reasons, as we have learned over the last few years. Thanks for your article, but now I would encourage you to write one that discusses the 5 Reasons to Purchase a High-End RV and show the other side of the coin. 🙂
All great reasons.
Another would be: Not for the faint of heart
There is a very large learning curve that may take some folks years to understand their coaches. The amount of maintenance is phenomenal and has to be done whether the coach is sitting in a storage bay or on the road. Good tires alone will cost north of $8,000 for the set.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. My 40 footer went up in value since I bought it. So has my friends.
Look at NADA pricing. Mine went up $2000.00 in the last 6 months.
We loved our Tiffin 45’ Zephyr 2010 coach! We also towed a 22’ Phoenix motor home behind it. Yes, it could be a bit unwieldy at times, but the conveniences were well worth it.
Once we learned how to handle/drive/understand the coach, it became easy for Both of us to drive it. I urge anyone buying an RV, gas or diesel, to seriously take driving lessons from a qualified school.
That saves a whole lot of arguments, thus making ownership even more delightful.
This is really a strange opinionated article. Folks that can afford these luxury Class A coaches normally have plenty of experience and know exactly what the appreciate in life….I can’t see giving up our luxury coach for camper because of the reasons presented in this article….just saying
I find your article says more about you and your lack of writing intelligence and your inability to afford a luxury vehicle. Sure you pointed out some pros and cons but its no difference if you are shopping for honda accord or a Lamborghini. Your 5 points are no different. Some people have different taste and budgets and when it comes down to paying six figures for a luxury vehicle, these people usually are not too worried about monthly payments and residual value. The point is i think the majority of luxury vehicle owners purchase large ticket items because they can afford them. I am also hoping that the majority if people purchase items that are within their financial budget. Your article title should be changed to shopping for a luxury vehicle within your budget.
High end RV’s are great if you A. are a whiz at fixing things or B. Have an unlimited budget! If you know how to fix things and are pretty talented, then it won’t be so bad.
I think the article misses the point of all RV. No RV should be considered an investment. If you are looking at a big diesel pusher, and have to consider the cost and deprecation, then it’s not for you.
My 40 foot DP is my third drivable RV and I plan to keep it for another 2 or 3 years. I don’t keep track of it’s value, how much fuel or insurance cost but just use and enjoy it.
Going RV’ing is supposed to be stress free but if bigger and better is unaffordable, then stick to a tent.
A very well written article. Hopefully some folks will read this before making their RV purchase. We promised each other we will never give up our home to become full time RV folks. We stuck with that promise over the years and are now getting a bit older. Staying home more and using the 5th wheel for a few days each month. Works well for us.
I disagree (if you are buying used). High end diesel motor homes are built much better than lower end gas coaches. This is especially true in the 2001-2008 years before the RV industry crash. A high end early coach was built to a higher standard and will easily outlast a newer low end coach. And you will have less emission equipment to fail.
I absolutely disagree with point #2 about big rigs being bulky, “unwieldy” and hard to drive. Our 43 foot motor home is probably the smoothest, easiest vehicle to drive that we own. It has an amazing turn radius and we even parallel parked it once in a spot that literally only allowed a foot or two in both the front and back. I can’t do that with my Volvo! Obviously the author has never actually driven a newer big rig with a tag axle, because if they had, they would know that they are not hard to drive, maneuver or park. They are, however, too big for many state parks and some campgrounds, so that point is very valid.
This article must have been written for the 1st time buyer due to reasons 2-4 can apply to any size RV. If anyone is buying a top end RV as an investment and thinks they will make money after they drive any RV off the lot they are mistaken. Just my thoughts on this article.
Wow! I sure am glad I bought my high end RV before I read this article! I probably never would’ve bought it and yet here I am some 20 years later after several upgrades and even nicer motorhomes than the last one, I may never have purchased one in the first place!
I do not buy my diesel pushers new. I bought them used after somebody has already taken a big hit off the retail sales price.
And a 45 footer is not too big to fit any place I desire (we seldom use campgrounds) nor is it too big to move from place to place. Contrarily, we can put 30,000 miles a year on it!
One thing is for sure, only two people can fit in a motorhome regardless of its size! A third person is a recipe for disaster!
Written by someone who knows next to nothing about the RV Lifestyle. It’s a safe bet that she hasn’t ever owned an RV of any substance. We travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles every year in our 45 foot Luxury Motorcoach and never have issues finding somewhere to park it. If a Semi Truck can get there, so can we!
Seems a wee bit one sided. Not all of the statements are true. We have had a few smaller units and by far the current class a is the best. Today, you really have to plan a trip unlike the old days where you just showed up. So it really isn’t that much more difficult with a larger RV. You picked on motor homes pretty hard but failed to mention the multi slide big 5th wheels. Maybe you should broaden your horizons.
This is a very weak article with little or no value to someone considering buying a motorhome. Your Cons are not based on experience or you have poor driving skills. Also the resale value of a high end RV is much better than a low end POS.
Absolutely terrible article. “unwieldy on the road”? Have you ever driven a class A? Yes, they are expensive. All RVs require maintenance, but 5th wheels plus truck, class B, C and Super C also require maintenance. Space is limited. More space in Class A than anything except 40 foot+ 5th wheel. Some people even live in their RV year round. Hello Captain Obvious. They are called full timers. Article is just ridiculous.
The reasons you list, could apply to why you should not own ANY RV! Depending on your experience, they could ALL be a challenge to drive and to park. And, there is expense involved in maintaining and repairing them all. Yes, all the electronics and gadgets are more items to go wrong, but with so many RV’s filled with them, a smaller RV could still have them all, just on a smaller scale. But, still with the opportunity to break down. Owning an RV is not for the faint of heart, or faint of wallet! A 30′ motorhome requires maintenance just like a 40′ does. Oil changes, lubricating, etc. And gas/diesel fuel? Not cheap!
WOW. Very negative opinion. Might want to do a piece on all the positive reasons why a class A is a great choice. It’s not all about the money.