Owning an RV is a dream for many who love the open road, freedom, and adventure. But when it comes to buying an older RV, the big question is: Is it a cost-effective decision or a financial nightmare? In the video directly below, Deb Bruening from Deb’s RV Services shares her experience of owning a 2000 Lazy Daze Class C motorhome and breaks down the real costs of repairs and maintenance over the years.
If you’re considering buying an older RV or simply curious about the expenses, you would benefit from watching the video or reading the written version of it below.
Benefits of an older RV
Deb purchased her motorhome in 2021 for $25,000. While it wasn’t new, it was in excellent condition thanks to the meticulous care of the previous owners. For her, the key deciding factor was avoiding a monthly loan payment. Paying for the RV upfront gave her the ability to travel full-time without the burden of an ongoing mortgage or finance charges.
Older RVs also come with lower costs for insurance and registration compared to newer models. These vehicles can pave the way to affordable RV living—if you’re prepared for maintenance and potential repairs.
Breaking down the costs year by year
Start-up expenses
When buying an RV, there are one-time costs to cover, regardless of its age:
- Insurance: Older RVs typically have more affordable premiums.
- Registration: While fees vary by state, older models cost less to register than newer ones.
- Towing setup: If towing is part of your plans, you can save by purchasing used towing equipment.
While these start-up expenses are necessary, they’re relatively minor compared to what comes later: ongoing maintenance and repairs.
2021 (Initial purchase year)
Deb’s expenses were minimal during her first year of ownership. Since the RV was bought in excellent shape—updated tires, resealed roof, and solid maintenance history—there were no significant costs beyond registration and insurance.
2022 (Low-maintenance year)
The second year was kind to her wallet, with only a few minor expenses. Key costs were:
- Valve stem replacement: Around $300
- Oil change: Roughly $100
Additionally, Deb performed basic maintenance herself, such as resealing parts of the RV and cleaning the furnace. Learning to handle upkeep personally is one way she saves thousands each year.
2023 (The costs start climbing)
By the third year, things began to add up:
- Steering and brake repairs: $3,800, including a critical service check for the RV’s mechanical components.
- Generator troubleshooting: Although the problem wasn’t fully resolved until 2024, this added more frustration.
- Regular oil changes: Since both the engine and generator require oil service, Deb ensures they’re maintained annually.
Total spent: $3,800—a big jump compared to the previous year.
2024 (An expensive year)
This year brought higher expenses and some unexpected repairs:
- Generator repairs: $650, due to a hole in the fuel line, requiring significant labor.
- Chassis air conditioner replacement: Over $1,000, a must-have repair during Arizona’s scorching summers.
- Driver-side window replacement: $300, after dealing with a broken window.
- Toilet replacement: $775 total ($400 for the part, $375 for labor). With back strain concerns, this was one repair Deb chose to outsource.
- Spark plug replacement: $1,600, though Deb later learned she may have overpaid due to unnecessary labor costs.
- Front shock replacement: $600, using a mobile mechanic instead of the original shop to save money.
The total for 2024 reached approximately $5,467, reinforcing the need to set aside $5,000 yearly for maintenance and repairs.
Key takeaways for RV owners
Budgeting for repairs
From her experience, Deb suggests saving at least $5,000 annually for upkeep. Even with older RVs requiring occasional costly repairs, owning one outright provides financial freedom compared to monthly payments and interest on a newer model.
Learn basic maintenance
Tackling simple repairs and routine maintenance tasks yourself can lead to significant savings over time. Here are a few tasks even beginners can manage:
- Reapply sealant: Keep those leaks out! Most RV sealants are user-friendly, and there’s no need to hire a pro.
- Clean appliances: Furnaces, water heaters, and other systems need regular cleaning to function efficiently.
- Learn 12-volt basics: Understanding simple electrical repairs (like replacing light fixtures) can be a game-changer.
Small efforts like these add up quickly, helping reduce labor costs and giving you peace of mind.
Shop around for repairs
When major repairs are necessary, always get multiple quotes. As Deb experienced with her spark plug replacement, different shops can vary widely in costs and labor efficiency. Whether it’s for routine service or unexpected fixes, calling around is worth the effort.
Do repairs fit your lifestyle?
Living the RV life is about freedom, but it’s also a commitment. For some, the constant tinkering and maintenance are part of the adventure. For others, it can be frustrating. Deciding whether an older RV suits your lifestyle comes down to this: Do the savings and flexibility outweigh the inevitable repair bills? For Deb, the answer is yes.
Final thoughts on ownership costs
Deb’s three years of RV ownership reveal one thing: Owning an older motorhome can be worthwhile if you’re prepared. With no monthly payments and some upfront effort in learning basic maintenance, the savings are huge. Sure, unforeseen repairs will arise—this is the nature of RV living. But having a yearly budget in place turns potential stress into manageable situations.
For those longing to hit the road, an older RV can be a cost-effective way to experience the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. Just remember, it’s not about avoiding costs; it’s about planning for them smartly.
Embark on your journey with eyes wide open, and you’ll find that even the quirks of older RVs can be part of the charm. Ready to dive into RV adventures? Check out Deb’s RV Services and start your journey fully prepared!
Your comments are invited.
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Oil changes are there for old and new rigs, so that cannot be used in an old-to-new cost comparison. Checking and touching up sealants the same.
Somebody saw Deb coming on the spark plug replacement. $1600 is CRAZY!
Not enough info on the valve stem replacement. Was this all tires? One tire with a leaking stem? Was it just the internal part or the entire assembly? If all tires, that’s usually done with tire replacement.
Broken window…if something hit the window that not an old to new item to count.
Net…these numbers mean little to nothing. The gist of the article is fine, but the example costs are either not applicable to old vs new or are grossly inflated.
If one is going to have and use any kind of RV…learn how to fix problems yourself and save a lot of dough for other needs…and wants. It is not rocket science.
Deb is best to get onto http://www.youtube.com and see what things she can do herself. The more you do, the more you learn. Seems she has overpaid on some repairs. A decent set of tools would help keep costs down.
Seems the bulk of the repairs costs were powertrain related. Unless I would use a RV powertrain a lot, my view is to separate it from the RV (i.e. tow) so I can use the powertrain for other purposes. Older trailers may be a very worthwhile purchase IF you can do most of the maintenance and repairs yourself. With shop labor rates pushing $200/hour, older RVs may not be worth purchasing.
Two years ago we bought a 15 year old DP in great condition for $50K cash. I am particular about keeping it maintained so our budget for maintenance & tires is $660/mo. Some of the maintenance would have been required even if it was new. If we had bought the same unit new, the depreciation over the same time would have been more than our initial purchase plus all maintenance. The point is, you’re going to pay one way or another so you have to be prepared and budget for it.
I’m a scholar at YTU (YouTube University).
I do a lot of repairs myself and save a bunch of money.
I still travel coast to coast in my 1997 Fleetwood Tioga. I love it!
I don’t think Deb said where she lived, if California It’d probably be expensive. Seems like $300. for spark plugs is a lot of money. If the wires were also replaced depending on whats required could be expensive, but not $300. for parts. Unless they pulled the engine, $1600. is robbery. The average woman going to a garage is asking to get robbed. They think woman don’t know anything about vehicles and overcharge then. Plus do repairs-that aren’t necessary. If I’m getting service and hear them trying to get her to fix things not necessary I let the lady know. On new vehicles, I’d never replace spark plugs my self. I normally trade them in before it needs it.
Thank you for the video, RV Travel! I guess the cost of used RV ownership depends on the vintage of the RV, how well it was made, and how well it was maintained. Hopefully whoever bought our RV #1 has not cursed us in absentia. Have a great week and safe travels!
$1600 for spark plugs. Not too bad. The same place charged me $1900 to replace the spark plugs on my diesel truck!! Caveat Emptor.
But seriously, Deb describes the RV as well maintained. It probably was. With the possible exception of the steering/suspension components it does not sound like most of the work was the result of deferred maintenance but new issues from wear and tear. When I have bought used RV’s (or cars) I always add the cost of replacing tires and batteries at minimum. I can handle most repair jobs myself. I just don’t know how the non-mechanically inclined can maintain an RV especially if they are full timers.