Hey all. Figured I would put this in the SD section because of how many tow campers here.
I have been talking to the wife here and there about getting a camper. We live in Maryland and usually switch camping and staying in a hotel for vacation. One year we camp up north, another year we get a hotel down south. She isn't totally against the idea, but doesn't see the advantages. When we tent camp it's about $20/30. Hotels are just over 100. And it seems a camper with hook up is about 60. So she says why not just spend the extra 40 and stay in a hotel. Save the cost of buying a camper. Finding a place to store it and the lower MPGs when towing.
So what kind of ammo can you guys help me with? Or for one week a year, is a camper just not worth it? I was looking at a smaller one. Nothing 5th wheel or anything maybe in the $10/12k range. Just trying to put together some more advantages to discuss with her.

 

I had this discussion with my wife too. Now she's looking along with me and we'll hopefully be getting something relatively soon.

That said, my wife is not really a germ-a-phobe but she isn't crazy about motels regardless of how nice they are. I told her that with the RV, we're going to be in OUR bed at night complete with OUR linens, OUR towels, and OUR bathroom.

Additionally, she likes the fact that once we get to our destination, we're not lugging suitcases in and out of the motels because everything is already packed. It gets loaded and unloaded once and many of the items will stay in the camper that we usually have to pack and transfer. Of course with two kids along for the ride, it makes packing and carrying all of the luggage a lot more of a pain in the rump for me too.

 

The real question you need to ask is WHY are you camping? If it is simply just a matter of economics, then I'm afraid your wife wins the argument. You can stay in a lot of hotels for the cost of a $12-15k camper. If, however, your family enjoys the outdoor feel and freedom camping offers, then you have a better reason to justify buying an RV.


My wife and I have been camping for all of our 20+ married years and love every minute of it. We have two German Shepherds now and camping is the best way to travel with our pets. The dogs think of the camper as their second home and don't get anxious or frightened when we travel. You didn't mention children, but it's a great advantage for them as well. They can have their own games, toys, bikes stocked and ready to go.


For us this is one of the biggest bonuses to traveling with our camper. Granted, most hotels are clean and we have never had an issue with them, but just knowing that the bed, bath, etc are MINE is a big plus. We can stop at any rest area and grab a sandwich, drink, whatever from the camper and get back on the road quickly. For longer trips we can stay overnight in most Wal-Mart parking lots for free and break up long trips for safer and more restful driving.


Our RV stays pack with all the essentials (linen, dinnerware, etc.) and even a few changes of clothing. (what a great way to keep last year's fashion) All we have to do is pack any extra clothing, get whatever food we want to bring for the trip (usually we just wait until we are at our destination before we get the bulk of our food) and we are on our way.


Camping also offers the chance to meet new people and enjoy a lifestyle that unique. When was the last time you stayed in a hotel and got invited over to the room next door for dinner or a game of cards? For that matter did you even see or say hi to a fellow 'hotel-er'. Not that they are an unfriendly group, its just the attitude and social interactions are different in a hotel.


I guess the bottom line is trying to figure out do you WANT to camp or do you just camp because its cheaper. Be careful though, once you start its hard to stop the camper “addiction”


1990's model 10ft Jayco pop-up with a Suzuki Sidekick . . .became
1970's model 20ft Prowler tag-a-long with a Ford 150 . . . became
2000's model 30ft Jayco fifth-wheel with a Ford 350 . . . became
Our current set up, a 2004 32ft Coachman Chaparral fiver with a Ford 450 . . . .

Hope to see you on the road!!

 

If you are only going once a year I would just stick with hotels. Either way you have to load/unload something. It's easier and cheaper driving without a big trailer. Then you have the initial outlay for a camper, insurance, upkeep, repairs, storage etc. You said you're doing both now, camping & hotels. Which do you both prefer? If the wife is hinting about hotels she's probably leaning that way anyway. If the camper thing is something you think you might end up doing more often then it might be worth it. We enjoy camping with campers and tents almost year round but we go way out in the boonies so there are no neighbors. I go camping to get away from noise and people, koa's and wally world parking lots aren't for me.

 

From a working on the road view, so far this year it' been 70+ days in hotel rooms and can't wait to roll the 5th wheel out and have some of the enjoyments of home back and a little more quality time with the wife.

 

Well summed up. Much like powerstroke72, my wife kinda started getting the ******* in hotels/motels, and since I grew up camping, that gave me a foot in the door to try the camper thing. She ended up loving it, and we have since done lots of camping from the Texas Hill Country to the Louisiana border, plus a couple of long trips (one to Tennessee and one to Branson MO). And yep...it's all "our" stuff, not someone elses.

It's just a sense of freedom you can't get in a hotel/motel. You can cook your own food, drink your own beer, bring your fishing poles (or other forms of recreation), many things you just can't do in a hotel/motel.

Like you mention, we started out in a smaller travel trailer (26'). It had one small slide, but it was perfect for us. We had that one for 5 years, and used it a lot. Now we have upgraded to a bigger 5th wheel and are more comfortable and really enjoy getting out.

If you and or she are a bit unsure, I would look at either renting a couple of times, or buy a good used trailer. If you decide you like it, you can always upgrade later. It will give you a good chance to see what it's all about.

 

We have been traveling/camping in one form or the other since 1966. It is simply a personal preference for us.

If I had to justify it monetarily/economically I would have to get rid of virtually everything that I have.

 

Nothing new....... Just my way of saying it
Camping over a weekend, is a vacation
All the above comments ....... True! I want my own bed/bath rm/kitchen
I want to go out to the middle of no-where and enjoy........
No Phone
No TV
No neighbors
No noise

The kids and I and wifey learn to do Nothing
We learn to just chat
We learn to pet the doggies
We learn to drown worms
We learn to watch the night sky with NO lights around
.... There should be a law that requires us to sit and watch a camp fire for 2 hours a night..... (Well, not really a law )

You notice how "IT" works on this forum....... "IT" works the same at camp grounds.... people just relax and visit and share.

Go simple for a year or two .......... 21-26 ft, nice but not fancy.
Use it for the 10 day vacation. Also use it for the weekends. Ya don't have to go far.
Check out Good Sams RV Club........ Lots of info there.

I used to live in Kensinton and Rockville MD...... Head to the easter shore.
Head to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just leave the world behind

 

If economics is your thing then you probably wouldn't own a pick up truck. You can stay many room nights in a hotel vs what it costs to buy a camper, reduced mileage etc.

We enjoy camping however our camping is with a tent since we bring the boat with us. We have met many wonderful people camping where you don't when staying in a hotel room.

It is hard for us to decide camping vs. hotel as camping actually costs more as I work in the hotel industry. I will say that food tastes much better when camping vs eating at a restaurant.

I am actually looking into a camper to keep at a yearly campground so we can have weekend get-a-ways at the lake.

 

Yeah. That's exactly what I'm trying to portray. She is a germaphob. And I thought a tent would be out of the question. But we have actually gone the last two years. Once to cape cod and once to Niagra falls she was fine with that because she can keep the tent clean. We have a cabin in the mountains (not OURS but friends) that she hates going to. It's a mountain house. There are bugs etc.
She seems to entertain the idea. She just isn't onboard fully. It's hard because I truly don't know enough about them to open the conversation.

 

You've got to use it a lot more than 1 or 2 weeks a year to make a trailer worthwhile. And once you've got it, you will find it very easy to use at a moments notice. We're gone at least one weekend a month in ours.

To be honest, I don't think owning a camper will ever be cheaper than hotels. So you have to sell her on the other reasons, like freedom, the homey feeling, family time together, spontaneity. Also, the camper is where you will store all that camping gear that you're using when you tent camp.

 

So what kind of prices are you guys forking out at campgrounds per night? I know it varies depending on the site KOA or parks etc... But just an estimate. We usually stay at state parks.

 

Trailer...... Off the ground and as clean as you want it to be. This is a Plus
Go to some RV shows..... She'll get Bit !

 

Totally depends on where, what, and when. For full hookups I rarely pay more than $50. Sometimes closer to $30. For no hookups, like Forest Service campgrounds (our favorite camping) as much as $20. Some as low as $8. And out here in the west there is plenty of free camping available too. I think the most I've ever paid was around $60 FHU, and that was a tourist attraction.

 

State Parks..... $8 per night (Montana). No hookups. usually fresh water available from a well.

I usually go to non-campground areas in state parks / BLM land around a lake is one of our favorites. No cost.

KOA is the MOST expensive. Most private campgrounds that I go to are $30 a night. Plus I try to go to a Good Sams discounted campground. 10% off.

I am a disabled Navy Veteran. I have a Golden Access Passport. It was free and is for life. This gets me and family into any Federal Park for free.
The Campgrounds in Federal Parks don't have to, but give a 50% discount to Pass holders.