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07-02-2004, 09:04 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1964 26' Overlander
1977 25' Tradewind
Eastern
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 865
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Costs A Bunch?
Janet and I were talking last week while we were out enjoying our Tucannon River camping trip, we were wondering just what does this hobby of our cost?
I have read in the forums where people aren't sure what the cost of Airstreaming is. My figures are based on our Minuet and I 'm pretty sure I factored in most of the costs. I am using Conservative figures.
A sample vacation costs per day:
$90.00 motel
$60.00 food
$35.00 fuel
$8.00 Admission/parking pass at a park
________
$193.00 per day cost will vary most likely up.
These figures are based on using our trailer 6 weeks per year 42 days.
The cost of the trailer after all is said and done $10,000.00.
Upkeep is consider minimal cost over this period.
YEAR 1:
$238.09 cost of trailer per day 42/10000
$15.00 cost of camp site
$20.00 cost of food
$ 4.76 cost of insurance
$45.50 cost of fuel 30% more than none tow situation
________
$323.35 cost per day based on 42 day use.
Year 2:
$119.48 cost of trailer per day 84/10000
$15.00 cost of camp site
$20.00 cost of food
$ 4.76 cost of insurance
$45.50 cost of fuel 30% more than none tow situation
________
$204.74 cost per day based on 84 days of total use.
Year 3:
$79.37 cost of trailer per day 126/10000
$15.00 cost of camp site
$20.00 cost of food
$ 4.76 cost of insurance
$45.50 cost of fuel 30% more than none tow situation
________
$164.63 cost per day based on 126 days of use.
Year 4:
$59.52 cost of trailer per day 168/10000
$15.00 cost of camp site
$20.00 cost of food
$ 4.76 cost of insurance
$45.50 cost of fuel 30% more than none tow situation
________
$144.78 cost per day based on 168 days of use.
Well you have beat the cost of traveling using motels after year 2 and it just keeps getting cheaper. Of course you will have to do repairs hopefully nothing major because that will reset the discount clock. I did not figure ware and tear on your tow vehicle because that costs about the same no matter what. Just think"
Year 25:
$9.53 cost of trailer per day 1050/10000
$15.00 cost of camp site
$20.00 cost of food
$ 4.76 cost of insurance
$45.50 cost of fuel 30% more than none tow situation
________
$94.79 cost per day based on 1050 days of use.
Happy Trails.
__________________
Peace
Gary
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07-02-2004, 10:41 AM
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#2
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Gary,
Interesting. If I pop my figures in your calculation, then I could stay at the Ritz for every vacation for the next 2 years, and come out money ahead.
I should be an Airstream - Millionaire.
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07-02-2004, 10:49 AM
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#3
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Site Team
1964 26' Overlander
1964 19' Globetrotter
OlyPen
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,936
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and your point...?
So.... Hubby, the way I read this we have a financial obligation to use the trailer more than 42 days per year. That way we break even sooner
If we used it 100 days this year the cost (including all trip expenses would be 185.26 - cheaper by a little than hotels.
So I propose:
A Trip across canada
A jaunt to Alaska - starting on the san Juan islands
Later in the year, lets do new england and wander down to the the Flodida keys
And finally for the holdays, lets put that Minuet on a cruise ship and head for New zealand!
Start packing - now - we've got a lot of days to make up!
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07-02-2004, 12:10 PM
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#4
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Wow, Gary, you must be a lot of fun around the campfire! This is just the sort of annoying calculation my husband likes to do while we're camping I hope we meet you two at a rally sometime so you both can calculate together!
But he says it's not as bad as you figure, because you've included the cost of the trailer. Since the trailer is an item that remains and maintains it's value, not something that is used up and thrown away, he doesn't include the trailer cost. For example, if we wanted to get out of RVing today, we could put the trailer up for sale and get back all we had into it, probably a little more. If you have more into your trailer than it's worth on the market, then you could spread out that excess amount over your calculations. It paints a little rosier picture.
I argue that many of the places we've stayed don't have hotels in a comparable location. For example, when we camped on the Naches River in E WA last year, the closest place to stay would have been Whistling Jacks Lodge. Not exactly the same thing, and probably more than $90 a night. When we stay at Emigrant Lake in Ashland, OR, the nearest hotels are by the freeway looking out over parking lots and truck stops. So you can compare them dollar-wise, but they're not really the same thing.
__________________
Stephanie
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07-02-2004, 12:21 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Gary think about this.......
In the Coby Bryant case they had to go through about 100 samples of body fluid found in the hotel bed that they were sleeping in before they found his........
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-02-2004, 12:25 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 163
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J
Gary think about this.......
In the Coby Bryant case they had to go through about 100 samples of body fluid found in the hotel bed that they were sleeping in before they found his........
Ken
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Ken
I really could have done without that little tidbit of knowledge. Thanks Alot!
__________________
Leonard
LotalaborAZ
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07-02-2004, 12:26 PM
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#7
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,411
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I guess with a new trailer and its cost, it's far from being cost justified. With that said, its all mine and I share it with no one. My bed, my shower, my toilet etc., etc, etc., and I take it where ever I please. That's the overriding factor in our justification.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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07-02-2004, 12:36 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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I figured that would make everybodies day.......
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-02-2004, 04:33 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1982 34' Limited
Tidewater
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 186
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I love it!!
However, as with all of my hobbies, I amortize the initial cost to join the club (trailer, complete set of salmon fishing gear, etc.) on the first usage. For example: I was transferred to the Northwest to fly A-6's. While there I wanted to go salmon fishing so . . . $180.00 later (1976 dollars!) I had everything I needed. I went fishing and caught the finest salmon I've ever had! $90.00 a pound; caviar never tasted as good! Every time I went fishing after that, the fish was free as all of the equipment was paid for!
Same with the trailer: first time camping equalled about $2500.00 per day. Boy, that's living like a millionair! Now, since the cost has been amortized, I'm camping for next to nothing and I can't tell the difference!!!
Take care,
__________________
Old trucks and old trailers . . . a comfortable combination!
AIR 1446
W5CDR
A-6E All Weather Attack Driver, BUFF
USN Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Ret.
'91 Suburban R-2500 w/BBC
'78 Honda GL-1000
'72 Triumph T-100R Daytona
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07-02-2004, 04:45 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Safari FB SE
2000 30' Excella
1999 30' Excella 1000
Low Country
, South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 820
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I think it is a little different with a trailer/motor home. You can not sell your hotel room, it is like rent, you get nothing for it. You have a great investment with an Airstream. If not mistaken, you can always get most of your investment back when you sell it, or even more if you have done some remodeling. Then your cost of camping goes down to nothing or you could even be getting "paid" to camp. Anyway, either way, it is a great life. Being outdoors, camp fires, meeting wonderful people. You do not get that in a hotel room.
__________________
StreamNTyme
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07-02-2004, 10:12 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2017 28' International
Western
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 802
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More expenses!
Gary,
Don't forget the yearly maintenance labor/time costs of washing, walbernizing, winterizing, storage costs (if stored under cover) in RV storage facility, maid service (compared to motels) to change your bed sheets (assuming you change them), toilet chemicals, tires, tp, inside daily sweeping/mopping, cleaning, LP tank refueling, generator cost + fuel (if used), computer cost (provider fee) used to look up how to fix your A/S on these forums, prep time to load and unload your A/S pre and post trip (takes me 1/2 day each way, so one day of work pay missed). Now, I haven't even touched the costs of rehabbing a Vintage A/S, but will include that the same as time spent camping, because you Vintagers all seem to have as much fun restoring as camping. I think we do a lot of things that cost money towards camping, but we chalk it up to having fun with our toys! Who would have it different!
Jim
__________________
Jim & Cheryl
2017 28' Signature CCD
2017 GMC Denali HD Crew Cab 4x4
Blue Ox Sway Pro Hitch
WBCCI #3538
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07-03-2004, 01:40 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1984 29' Sovereign
Savannah
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,478
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Just think...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J
Gary think about this.......
In the Coby Bryant case they had to go through about 100 samples of body fluid found in the hotel bed that they were sleeping in before they found his........
Ken
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All this and, they changed the sheets what?? once every week??
GIVE ME MY A/S....anyday~!!
Wonder if any were "repeats"...lmao
Out of civility, I'll drop this line of...
ciao
53FC
__________________
WBCCI 5292 AIR 807
NEU #64
New England Unit
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07-03-2004, 08:23 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Not to keep this going, but to keep it going - it was not the sheets, it was the bed.
I travel a lot for business, and as you can tell, I'm not fond at all of motels/hotels. I tend to be meticulous about things and tend to find hotels to be not very clean - I'll take my nice trailer anyday.
I agree in a cost analysis you have to take into consideration how much you will eventually sell the trailer for as well as maintenance costs, but really all that does'nt matter because your having fun, meeting new friends (when was the last time you met someone at a hotel) and besides you can't take it with you.
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-03-2004, 09:53 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1964 26' Overlander
1977 25' Tradewind
Eastern
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 865
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I would like to give you the real scoop on how I really feel about the cost of ownership.
"Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a damn".
The cost does not matter. There is something to be said for the intangibles that come with Airstream ownership.
Some times my practical side tries to slip into the picture. At times like that I just kick it in the butt and say "Lets go Camping".
__________________
Peace
Gary
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07-03-2004, 12:02 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Hmmmmmm sounds to me like Janet's Husbands wife got to him...........
Enjoy!
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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07-03-2004, 12:48 PM
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#16
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Janet's Husband
The cost does not matter. There is something to be said for the intangibles that come with Airstream ownership.
Some times my practical side tries to slip into the picture. At times like that I just kick it in the butt and say "Lets go Camping".
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My pratical side wonders how I got myself into this mess But then again it keeps me out of the bars (can't afford it) and off of street corners ( unless I am holding up a sign that says "Need cash for AS restoration" ) But I still think the AS is one of, if not the best value out there. I would not have the quality of trailer I do now for the same amount of $$.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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07-03-2004, 05:03 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 790
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Gary
Good point on cost verses usage. Now every time we camp I can just imagine how much cheaper it is getting. We stayed a few places for free recently alone with beautiful views and quiet, no dollar amount could I put on the tranquility. There are some things money can’t buy, for that you must tow an Airstream.
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07-04-2004, 01:11 AM
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#18
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a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern
, California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
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We just camped at a resort type place this past week. The site was $36/night for the four of us. The hotel was $89 for two.
So besides the food savings since the hotel room has no kitchen, we stayed 4 nights for less than the price of two.
Plus, the kids got to feed the peacocks breakfast in the morning right outside our door
BTW this is the most we paid for camping, but we almost always pay more than $30/night. Gotta love California!
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07-04-2004, 06:53 AM
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#19
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GStephens
1982 31' Limited
1953 25' Cruiser
Hamilton
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 563
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07-04-2004, 07:59 AM
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#20
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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To say I don't think of the overall costs wouldn't be honest. I/we do. The thing is though, is that we are fortunate enough to afford one. I don't really think too much about the costs of the unit and/or upkeep as I bought it knowing it is a sunk cost......I mostly think about fuel costs lately.
You can't take it with you, and if you still have enough to retire in comfort after all the toys, go for it. I will say that the sights we've seen, people we've met, let alone having our own amenities and moving on our own time tables makes it all that much more attractive.
When you finally reach the finish line of life, I think that you'll find that either way in the end cost a fairly large amount. It's what you get out of it that counts.
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