By Gail Marsh
I was interested to see a Facebook post this week. It came from a gal who’d planned to purchase her first RV this summer. She’d saved her money for two years! She knew the rig she planned to buy and was excited at the prospect. Excited, that is, until she began following several RV blogs and other social media outlets. Now she’s having a change of heart. This is how she explains her feelings:
“Why do RVers talk down the RV life? All I seem to read about are breakdowns, shoddy workmanship, cheap parts, overcrowding, and the high cost of campgrounds. I’m beginning to think it’s really not a good idea to get an RV!”
As I read her words, I almost felt the impact of her dreams imploding. Her earlier posts had shown an enthusiasm for travel, a love of nature, and an eagerness to meet and learn from fellow travelers. Did we (current RVers) somehow let her down? Did our attempts at “real-life scenarios” crush the spirit of a potential RVer?
Where’d you read that?
I wondered what kind of comments the “wannabe RVer” was reading. It didn’t take long to find the negative posts.
Dan S. complained, “My RV has spent the better part of the last six months in the shop. They tell me it’s fixed, but then I find out it’s not. They say parts are unavailable, but I’ve found them myself online! Of course, they’re willing to sell me a whole new unit, but I’m not interested.”
Angi P. says, “We’re hanging up the keys. Even if we can find an open campground spot (almost impossible these days) the cost to stay is just too high.”
Others chime in
J.W. said, “This [RVing] isn’t a sound financial investment. Nope! But that’s not why we do it. We’re throwing money away to build memories … for the sense of community and the freedom RVing offers.”
Lisa P. said, “Disposable junk is what they [RVs] are. Good for only five years or so. Why do we buy them? Because RVing is fun!”
You tell us…
If someone were interested in RVing, say a friend of yours, would you recommend RVing to them? After you vote, please explain your answer in the comments below. Thank you!
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RVT1216
I just returned home from a three week road trip from Wa. to and thru Idaho, oregon and washington . Home.
My part time neighbors asked me about my trips and were thinking of getting a used TT and exploring the states as I do.
I told them to go for it.
Getting a used rig and having someone in the know check it out, may be better today than making the jump in a new ride.
After hearing about all the fun I have on the road and they are old enough to get the old phart passes. I hope they go for it!
I read somewhere that if it’s something good, you’ll tell five people. But if it’s bad, you’ll tell 25. So that’s why we too often dwell on the down side.
But l love waking up in a new place, making morning coffee for my wife, sitting in our comfy chairs and watching the sun rise on a new adventure every day.
THAT’S why we RV.
Regarding negative comments: people are more likely to be inspired to comment by negative experiences than positive ones. You hv only to go to wanna be influencer blogs to get glow ups that evenly balance negative comments.
The newbie rver should be pleased that shes getting a more complete picture of the realities of rv life beyond the manufactured momoents of IG.
We are looking at TT with my sister and brother in law. They want one just to place on their daughters land in West Virginia. The quality of both new and used is appalling. The lies spewed forth are dangerous. My sister had to give up the idea of occasionally traveling with us and will get a trailer to park it. We have concluded that even spending just $15 to 20000 equals a lot of stays in air b&bs and hotels and offers a lot more flexibility.
Yes, I’d be recommending, but not with Warnings. It’s more about the inexperienced knowing what they are getting in to. The pluses and minuses, the costs, and the need for dedication and commitment to what they are getting into are most important. They need to take their time, and research research research before pulling the trigger.
I would not recommend RVing to anyone these days. Every year, for the past 20 years, things have become less and less fun.
It’s not what it used to be… Over-crowding at campgrounds, impossible reservations, constant repairs, waiting months at service centers, heavy traffic, road rage, just to name a few drawbacks.
Even I would find another hobby if I weren’t already involved.
I hear you 5×5 on that.
If someone asks me about it. I let them know about how much work is involved in setting up and breaking down the campsite. Also, the maintenance and care involved.
Most think you just pull it in, park and start enjoying it.
RVing isn’t for everyone and I don’t feel the need to sell the experience. The fewer people the better.
I’m an enthusiastic scuba diver and a RVer. In either case, these activities are not for everyone. I’m cautious about recommending either to friends. If my friend isn’t willing to do the training (not hard in either case) or the gear maintenance (critical in both cases), I won’t push them into something that can cause more grief than joy.
I recommend only if they possess some mechanical aptitude and like to fix things. Because it’s never ending.
I wouldn’t sick anyone towards an RV given the incessant greed that has permeated every aspect of the RV lifestyle. Camping used to be an adventure…now it’s a nightmare.
Recommending anything without a few qualifications is poor service to a friend.
It all depends on what you want from RVing. If you want a resort experience, then there are cheaper and easier options than owning an RV. If you want to explore and visit new places, then an RV makes it easier and more comfortable. Sure, there is maintenance and repairs, but there is something about having your own pillows with you that makes it worthwhile. I’ve had a truck camper and now a Class B. Easy to drive. Easy to park. I have had amazing travel experiences in both. North America is a gift to the RV traveler
We used to recommend camping to friends, especially to the ones visiting while we camped. But soon realized, if they wanted to camp, they would be. No more recommending; just enjoy the company while they are there.
I’ve been asked that question several times. I only recommend it if a) they are handy enough to handle basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry and chassis mechanical jobs themselves, b) they can buy the unit outright, c) they’re fine with having the unit at the dealer’s shop for most of the first year for that vaunted warranty work and d) they have a excellent health insurance and a substantial reserve fund ($10K or more) for on the road emergencies. This is based on our own experience over the past decade.
My hubby cannot sit still. He always has to have something to work on. By getting a TT and going camping, he has work to do! In a hotel or BNB he goes stir crazy.
It depends…you have to ask them a lot of questions first. RV’ing isn’t for everyone, especially today. Age, ability, interests, budgets all factor in when making the decision. After that, comes the research for the right type of RV, etc. If you are a good friend, it’s a long talk and several talks…
I am actually in that situation now. Being a 45+ year long RV owner having owned or experienced all types, except a B Class, and covering most of the continental U.S and four provinces, my stories caused a colleague at work to approach me for advice. When he & his DW retire they have been thinking of RVing.
My advice has been “Do it, but know what you are getting into and be insanely cautious in the purchase process.” While we live half way across the country, this summer we’re meeting up for a day in the Poconos while we’re out there traveling. Will be a good time to let us talk more about it right at a large public park where we can walk around looking at all kinds of RVs.
I really don’t understand people like Angi P. posting they have trouble finding campspots. I just got back from a 22 day trip from Arkansas to Klamath Lake, Oregon and back, I had zero problems finding camp sites. Most of which I reserved the day before. Both private and gov campgrounds.
I would recommend to friends who were interested, but not with warnings. I’d give the advice we got as first time buyers before we bought our 5th wheel. It served us really well and helped with the decision making process.
It would depend upon the friend. Some I would but others not because they wouldn’t do well. We had one set of friends who showed interest so we invited them to go with us for a long weekend. We had them help with each step in setting up and tearing down. They both said, ” that’s a lot more involved than we thought.” They did buy a RV and we camped together many times afterwards.
It depends on the person. Sure, there are a lot of fun and good times but it isn’t always ideal. Sometimes it’s the weather, or something breaks. Most people don’t realize there’s some work involved, especially when boondocking. But I tell them that I still enjoy it no matter what happens.
Yes I would for sure tell a friend to go for it….but be realistic. There will be issues, it isn’t cheap & it may be tough to find a spot. Do some advance research, get a pro to look over your rv you are looking to purchase & expect some issues. We enjoy our time camping & look forward to every trip. Leaving Wednesday for a 3 week trip & cannot wait!
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Recommend RVing? It depends. I certainly would recommend that they try it by renting one for a long weekend, or a week. Beyond that, I would wait until they returned and see how well they liked the rental experience. I would not encourage so much as make myself available for questions. I probably would attempt to “prime” the conversation by asking my own questions first. RVing certainly is not for everyone. Have a great week and safe travels!
So you want to go RVing. Jump in, the water’s fine, a few waves every now and then. But you will go places and see things that others dream of. We’ve had problems with our 5th wheel but we’ve had problems with the house also. We’re not selling either.