Work done on 1994 Brave since we bought it - $15,011

Just for grins I decided to add up the service and improvements we've had done to the RV.

We bought the RV for $10,000 and have owned it for 8 years.  This doesn't include registration, initial sales tax or plates because I don't remember them.

Work my husband has done includes Eternabond ($500???), replacing the shower dome ($150), new toilet ($300), velvac mirrors ($250), doghouse soundproofing, digital radio, second back-up camera to have rear view mirror camera, Tire pressure monitor system TST507 with eight sensors ($549), maxair vent covers (3), oil changes, light change outs (LED interior, markers and headlights) etc. I'll just ball park all the stuff at $2.5K because it adds up fast.

Now I will add in recurring cost: registration ($127/yr), insurance ($250/yr), dump card ($25/yr) storage (about $450/yr)= $852, oh heck lets call it $1K in carrying cost because I haven't added stuff like stabil, or the moisture absorbers, lysol spray, caulk etc.

To summarize:
$10,000 (cost) + $2500 (work by us) + $13,011 (work done by other) = $25,511
Yearly carrying cost = $1K* 8 years = $8,000
Total = $33,511 cost of ownership for 8 years

So costs to own RV over 8 years is about $4.5K per year. (I rounded up because I am surely forgetting some things)

Has it been worth it? Yes! We have gotten $4.5K value in fun vacations per year. (Note: this doesn't include gas, camping costs, food, supplies for the RV etc...) But there were 2 years we didn't use it so that ups it to $5500 per year. Now were getting close to 2 cruises per year. Was it worth it? Still yes because we got to take our dogs and visit fabulous national parks.

But, what would it have cost to rent an RV for the same number of vacation days? Current rental rates are $454/night for a 30ft class A in high season. $363 in shoulder season. Rental prep is $97/rental. $33,511/$454 = 73 nights in high season.  $33,511/$363 = 92 nights of rental in shoulder season. I ignored rental prep.

Did we do between 73 and 92 nights of camping? Yes! I estimate we camped for about 150 nights spread over 23 trips. If we were renting we would never have done all these trips and stayed at all the fabulous places we stayed. I counted 6 big trips of over 2 weeks each (basically 1 per year leaving out 2013 and 2017 when we didn't travel at all). But is the cost per night as good as a hotel? Not really. At $33,511/150 nights = $223 per night we could have stayed in some nice hotels but maybe not the expensive ones at the national parks. And probably overall for cheaper. But would we have ate out more and not done as much hiking? Yes. So we were probably healthier staying in the RV. But value wise hotels are better. My cost doesn't include camping cost, our time working on the RV, cleaning, prepping, winterizing, washing the linens etc. So overall hotels are a much better value.
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Work done by others. Below total is $13,011.

6/2/2016 $325.99
Complete Generator service

6/2/2016 $62.50
Replace kitchen faucet

5/7/2015 $470.97
Replace brake master cylinder

10/9/2014 $393.95
Replace Oxygen sensor, lube

6/26/2014 $1471.99
Converted dash air to R134A
New AC compressor, receiver driver, expansion valve, cooling fan clutch, Tube-o compression fittings (2), 90 degree fittin, ac flush solvent, R-134S refrigeratn, flouro dye kit, pag 46 oil
Repair cruise control vacuum line

12/4/12 $530.90
Replace brake master cylinder

8/22/2011 $161.90
Replace engine thermostat

7/21/2011 $577.47
Replace spark plugs (CR43TS, Spark plug wire set H/D), distribution rotor (RR250) and engine oil (10W30V)

7/8/2011 $557
Replace Fuel Pump, strainer, filter

8/19/2010  $120 
LP System test and clean

8/12/2010 $863.98
Replace water pump

8/6/2010 $1365
Replace left bedroom window crank
Install fantastic fans in bedroom and bathroom
Fix leaking grey water valve
Install back-up camera
Replace idler arms
Replace drag link
Replace tie rod ends

8/1/2010 $249
Progressive HW30C - 30 amp EMS w/Remote

7/23/2010 $1541
Change oil and oil filter
Replace all rubber fuel lines
Replace evac canister
Replace stabilizer shock/steering damper

7/6/2010 $260
Alignment
Replace starter

7/3/2010
Weight 4660lb steer, 8340lb drive

7/2/2010 $3860
Drain and fill brake fluid
Replace shocks with Bilstein comfort shocks
New tires - Hankook AH11 8R19.5
Alignment
Service generator and install new fuel pump
   - Replace fuel filter, oil filter, fuel pump, MX ROTELLAT15W40

6/21/2010
Airbag extension kit$100, inspection $95
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Previous Owner
Replace roof air conditioner Coleman Mach 3 $838.96 2/23/2009
Upgraded electrical system charger (ac/dc converter) $598.12 3/20/2008