Price of a Bluebird

[Pete Masterson]

Just like the tens of thousands of boats in backyards, there are lots of RVs that sit and sit getting little use. The reasons, no doubt, are as many as the parked RVs, but commonly, many are used for a couple of weeks vacation each year (some RVs aren't designed to actually be used much anyway). Other RVs may have been gotten -- used frequently at first -- then slowly forgotten as time passed. Or the owners may have moved past the point where frequent RV (or any RV) use is impractical. (e.g. our elderly down-the-street neighbors have had several RVs over the years, most recently a modest size Class A Winnebago. It's now parked at their daughter's family farm, behind a shed, as they've reached an age and health condition where travel is no longer practical. Obviously, it might be reasonable for them to sell their RV -- but due to inertia or whatever, it's sitting out and rotting in the sun...) And, I have no doubt that some RVs sit because the owners can't sell them at the price they _think_ they're worth.

As for the expense of ownership -- yes, RVs are somewhat like a boat. (A boat being described as a whole in the water where you pour money.) Maintenance and operational expenses are significant -- as are campground fees. RVs may be competitive with other means of travel -- or not -- depending on the comparisons you make. Obviously, if you're barely able to cover your current expenses, adding an RV (of any kind) is not going to make life more affordable. And filling a 300 gallon BB tank can be a financial burden even to the most well healed. 

If you can do a modest amount of the maintenance yourself, and if the investment tied up in a _depreciating_ asset isn't going to wipe you out, and if you can afford to travel for pleasure (by any means) then a Wanderlodge may fit your budget and lifestyle. However, to be realistic, some level of moderate affluence is probably necessary to afford any RV, not just a Wanderlodge.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jan 18, 2008, at 11:30 PM, Joe wrote:

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I've been looking at my budget and seems I can't afford 

much...certainly would consider a used BB for less than 50K, and if 

there was one for 30K that would be a no brainer. I don't need a lot of 

flash, prefer things to be simple and functional. 

But the real question becomes what about upkeep/maintenance? How much 

budget do folks really need that own and use their motorhomes.

I'm on the opposite side of town from the auction, and there are 

multiple storage areas here filled with RVs that just sit, month after 

month. Is it because people can't afford them, or the maintenance, or 

with the economy going down the tubes quick, is it just they can't sell 

them?

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