Perhaps you’ve rented an RV before and you liked it. Or maybe you spent the weekend in someone else’s RV and now are considering buying your own. If you’re concerned about having to spend a lot of money on repairs, you might want to consider buying a warranty. For example, Good Sam offers an extended warranty for motorhomes. To help you make a final decision on whether buying an RV is right for you, learn about the ways it can benefit you.
1. You Can Enjoy Beautiful Scenery at a Cheap Price
Although it’s possible to book a hotel room with a fantastic view, you’ll likely pay a premium to do so. When you own an RV, you can drive it right down to the beach, up in the mountains or to other scenic places that will give you priceless views for $20 to $40 a night. And if you choose to invest in a state or national park pass, you can get great deals on RV campsites — which come with beautiful views.
2. It’s Cheaper Than Renting a Hotel Room
Even if you’re able to find a deal on a hotel room, you won’t be able to do it all the time. And sometimes cheap hotel rooms come with all sorts of baggage — like bad locations. Staying in an RV park is much less expensive most of the time. Although there are RV resorts where you may pay $100 or more per night due to amenities and premium parking, but there are plenty of RV parks that offer reasonably priced spots that are much more affordable than a hotel room.
3. You Don’t Have to Pack and Unpack Constantly
Owning your own RV means that you can put your clothes, toiletries and other essentials away in the storage areas and leave them there for the duration of your trip. No lugging suitcases in and out of the car. No unpacking and repacking throughout your trip.
4. You Have a Restroom Anytime You Need It
It’s never enjoyable to have to stop at a convenience store or fast-food restaurant to take a bathroom break. Having to seek out a pit stop can shave valuable minutes off your travel time. With an RV, your bathroom is on wheels. Anytime you need to use it; it’s there. All you have to do is find a spot to temporarily pull over.
5. You Can Save Money on Meals
Eating every meal out can really put a dent in your vacation budget. With an RV, you can save money on meals by stocking the kitchen with easy-to-prepare items, such as sandwich ingredients, canned soup, boxed cereal, yogurt and fruit. If you do decide you want a hot meal, you can choose to eat out occasionally or you can cook in the RV or grill outdoors.
6. You Can Take Your Pets Along
When you’re on the road having to stay at hotels here and there, it can be a hassle to try and find one in the right location that accepts pets. Plus, pet fees at hotels can be very expensive. When you’re traveling in your RV, however, you don’t have to worry much. There are some RV parks that don’t allow pets, but they are few and far between. And many RV parks don’t charge pet fees, and most of those that do only charge a small amount. If you do happen to have a dog breed that’s aggressive or might be considered a threat to others, however, you might not be able to stay in some parks due to liability issues.
7. You Can Take a Longer Vacation
If you’re visiting a remote area where the only lodging is a high-priced resort, opting to stay in an RV can save you tons of money and allow you to take a longer vacation. A longer vacation can mean you’ll be able to spend more time having fun with your family.
8. It’s Like a Home Away From Home
You can take the comforts of home — well, at least some of them —with you when you own an RV. You don’t have to worry about cluttering up your vehicle with things like pillows, blankets, extra devices, extra shoes and clothing. Instead, you can stow those extra items in the RV.
9. You Can Rent it Out When You’re Not Using It
Another option when you own an RV is to rent it out when you’re not using it. There are rental marketplaces online where you can advertise the rental to make it easier. It’s a good way to make some extra cash on the side when you’re not planning on using the RV.