We talk a lot about RVs here and we absolutely adore RVing. To be honest though, owning an RV isn’t for everyone. Let’s take a look at why you shouldn’t buy an RV!
RVs Are Really Expensive, Man
RVs cost a lot! Even if you’re not getting a $250,000 Class A luxury RV, many new RVs certainly cost more than your everyday car or truck. And of course, you’re not done paying once you purchase your rig.
You’ll also need to consider the cost of insurance as well as dishes, linens, kitchen appliances and all the odds and ends you’ll use in your RV. On top of that, you’ll need to pay campground fees and budget for gas. We spend a pretty penny on RV costs each month and you probably will too.
Something is Always Breaking
If you own a home, you know there’s always something that needs fixing or improving. Likewise, unless your vehicle is brand-new, there’s generally something that needs attention there, too. An RV combines both of these issues into one big, constant fixer-upper!
If the engine’s running great, the water pump needs attention and vice versa. If it ever happens that everything’s running perfectly (I’ve heard myths about this happening), you could probably use some new wallpaper or other interior improvements. These constant repairs and upgrades are both expensive and time consuming.
RV Water Tank Dumping
There’s no way around it, you’re going to have to tend to your tanks every time you go out on a trip. Depending on how long you’re staying somewhere and whether the site has sewer hookups, you may even have to pack up and go dump your tanks at a dump station in the middle of your stay.
Obviously, dumping tanks is no fun. Really though, it isn’t as bad as you might think if you’ve done a little research on dumping your tanks, you should be able to handle it. That said, if you have no desire to do this job, RV ownership may not be for you.
You Have to Pay For Storage When You’re Not Using It
If you’re not living in your RV full-time, you need a plan for where you’ll keep it when it’s not in use. Many of my friends have lamented that they are unable to store their rigs in their yards or driveways thanks to city laws or HOA rules. This means they have to pay to store their RVs elsewhere. The same is likely to be true for you, and you’ll have to pay extra if you want it sheltered indoors.
This is a major drawback to RV ownership, especially if funds are tight.
Everyone Ends Up in Your Rig
If you’ve ever been on a group campout, where some friends are tent camping and others are RVing, you may have gotten the moochers. I myself am quite an experienced moocher from family gatherings where our family was tent camping among the RVs.
We moochers love our RVing friends and family. We like to borrow your rig to charge our phones. Maybe to sit at your table and escape the cold for a bit. We certainly enjoy dropping by in the morning for hot coffee. And if our trip is long enough, we may try to sneak inside for a nice, warm shower.
OK, mostly, we’re kidding about the drawbacks of owning an RV. Most of these issues are small in the grand scheme of things and there are often ways to work around them. If you are worried, why not try RVing out before you buy? Rent an RV with RVshare and see whether those half-joking complaints above are legitimate concerns for you.
