The cost of diesel these days has caused all of us to reconsider using our Barths for vacations --- I'm sure. A couple of years ago when my unit was still new to me, I heard a statistic that made me feel good about my purchase and subsequent RV use. It said that the cost of fuel would have to go as high as $9.00/gal to make RV vacations cost more than conventional fly/car rental/motel type vacations. I can't remember where the stat originated or how valid the sources were.

Has anyone else heard of this kind of study?

I sincerely hope it is true so that I can still enjoy my Barth without a guilty conscience!

Enjoy your Barth with impunity!

There are many more reasons I'd rather RV it (than fly for instance) other than cost. And with vehicle fuel going up, jet fuel is doing the same... so it's not as if flying is getting any cheaper. I'm sure hotel rooms, restaurant costs, rental cars, and every other non-RV vacation expense will be following suit. Not to mention the comfort of an RV, home away from home. You always know what happened in the bed and who sat on the toilet. So keep making those campground reservations!

I'm with Scott, even though he (shudder) owns a non-Barth...

Since StaRV II is used mostly to go to star parties, all my astro-gear is embarked, around 1,000 lbs.; most likely airlines would blanch at that for check-in - and I'd be hesitant to allow baggage handlers to kick around an $8,000 scope.

But I just did a 2,150 mile round trip to an astro-conference/trade show in southern Noo Yawk, for about $1,000 in expenses (fuel, RV parks, etc.). Had I flown ($585), boarded the dogs ($200), rented a car ($185), and paid motel ($275), I'd have had $245 more in costs, not even counting meals.

We also factor in the the saving of eating and drinking in the Barth.

And the boarding of our pets.

I can no longer factor in the "boarding of pets", as Maggie and Casey have assumed ownership of StaRV II; if it goes, they go...

Not to mention, they're great fun to have around, regardless of the destination...

quote:

I can no longer factor in the "boarding of pets", as Maggie and Casey have assumed ownership of StaRV II; if it goes, they go...

Rusty, are you considered an equal or just the chauffeur?
Nick

I don't know...does their habit of referring to me as "knave" give me a clue?

Three years ago I stayed with my Brother in NJ, rented a car, traveled the east coast out to Michigan. Ate in restaurants, Holiday inn,s and when possible slept on my friends couch. The trip was just over 3 months long and I spent about $7,000

Last year I was back for 4 months, Stayed with a friend in Seattle, borrowed my kids car, visited up and down the west coast also flew to Chicago, NJ, and Orlando for friends. That exercise cost me $9,000 total.

The car rental, food, and lodging were the bulk of the cost and the inconvence of getting to the airport, and back again, borrowing and then re-borrowing the car, imposing where possible was just not fun.

The RV will let me stay "near" my friends and kids, and will let me show up and leave when I want to.

If I do 5,000 miles in a rig that will cost between $2,500 to $5,000 for fuel depending on the unit. The rest of the costs will be about $1,500 a month for campgrounds, food, and whatever.

So a 4 month trip coast to coast would be about $8 to $10,000 total. The most important thing is that I never need to leave home to do this.

Tom

One of the things you will come to greatly appreciate is not having to lug suitcases in and out of motels...pack once, unpack once.

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Originally posted by Tom Loughney:
So a 4 month trip coast to coast would be about $8 to $10,000 total. The most important thing is that I never need to leave home to do this.

Do you plan on keeping your Barth or selling it once you go back to Thailand?

I would stick to the latter half of this quote instead of the former.

A study by PKF Consulting, posted on the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association's Web site, notes that "typical RV family vacations are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied."

Your numbers may vary.

We find the quality of food and drink is better in a Barth. We also know what is under the bed and if and how well the sheets and pillowcases were washed.

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We also know what is under the bed

....and whether or not the safety is ON

And I thought Bill was talking about bugs!!

Zombie thread! LOL

But, in reference to the subject of the thread, from what I can see so far, based only on our one weekend excursion and forecasted future trips- looks like the RV trip costs (not counting the purchase price of the coach) will average about the same for our family as our typical vacations. Our vacations are usually driven, not flown, with nice hotels and dining out.
With the motorhome, the fuel cost pretty much cancels out the accommodations cost. The biggest thing for us is the convenience of travelling in our own place, and the fact that our dogs can come along. It also allows for worry free restrooms, and after a particularly unfortunate incident in renting a hotel room a few years ago that despite being name brand hotel resulted in a bed bug infestation, it gives my wife peace of mind.
It also lets me, an early riser, get up and get us on the road before my wife and daughter, who typically sleep in, are ready to go. And I don't have to worry that I've left one of my, um, personal protection devices behind in the room. (Doesn't matter how many times I check, and know it's on my person, I still spend the first 30 miles after a motel stay worrying I've forgotten it behind.) LOL
So for all of that, even if it does turn out to be a bit higher, it's well worth it at this stage of our life. Vacations and RV use are kinda rare for us, so it's a treat we will be glad to save and budget for.

yep , pretty much everything the po-po just said

For us it's not about the money , It's the ability to bring our second home with us with all our stuff . Our own bed , restroom , kitchen and living room . We know who was in it last and travel at our own pace .