rent or buy?

[melann_31]

Hi. I am new to this forum. I am considering renting a driveable Airstream Class B for the summer to have some fun with the kids. And my son plays on 2 baseball teams so I thought it would be fun to take to the games. It has to be something easy for me to drive so I was thinking about something like an Interstate or equivalent.

I found a place in Columbus OH (a couple of hour drive for me) that rents them but to rent for 8-10 weeks, it is going to cost A LOT. I am now wondering if I should look into buying instead.

Any input that you can provide to help me decide is greatly appreciated. Here is the link to the 2 options in Columbus https://www.roadadventures.com/176055/ and https://www.roadadventures.com/212850/.

With Gratitude,

Melissa

[Lily&Me]

Well, I love my Interstate, but have also once rented an RV and that is ridiculously expensive.

Only you know if your financial situation will support buying one outright, tho..

Good luck,

Maggie

[55AS]

Best bet might be to buy a good used one and resell when you are done. Probably cheaper than renting if you buy it for the right price.

[HowieE]

I generally recommend to individuals that do not have RVing experience to Never consider buying new as the first option.

You might consider doing the homework and consider buying a used rig that you have some idea of what you could sell it for it does not work out. The loss should be far less that the loss on the sale of a new rig or the cost of a 10 week rental. I have known people from Europe that had agreements with Cruise America and an Australian company to by back the RV that hey bought from them for long term trips in America and Australia.

[phil1ben]

Here is what we are doing. We were interested in buying an Int'l Sig 25FB but didn't want to spend the money without trying it out. We have never slept in or pulled a trailer before.

Airstreams 2 go was in my opinion very expensive. So in two weeks we are renting one from Haydocy Airstream (Road Adventures....same people) for a week to try it out. They had a 2016 model for rent similar to the one we want to buy. We are driving 650 miles from our home so we can at least get a better idea if this works for us. Why not rent one for a single week first to help you make the decision to buy. Much less money than renting one for 10 weeks. If you are going to rent for that long you might as well buy. One word of caution, work out the insurance before you sign a contract to rent. Insurance is a real issue when you rent an RV.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by phil1ben

Here is what we are doing. We were interested in buying an Int'l Sig 25FB but didn't want to spend the money without trying it out. We have never slept in or pulled a trailer before.

Airstreams 2 go was in my opinion very expensive. So in two weeks we are renting one from Haydocy Airstream for a week to try it out. They had a 2016 model for rent similar to the one we want to buy. We are driving 650 miles from our home so we can at least get a better idea if this works for us. Why not rent one for a single week first to help you make the decision to buy. Much less money than renting one for 10 weeks. If you are going to rent for that long you might as well buy. One word of caution, work out the insurance before you sign a contract to rent. Insurance is a real issue when you rent an RV.

What hitch are you going to use and who is going to set it up?
Most dealers have no idea in the world how to set up a Weight Distributing hitch and if done wrong will add to the problem rather than correct it.

I have seen that in Pa it is common to use a WD hitch without sway control. You can generally pick them out as you go down the road as they are swaying from side to side.

While towing is not quite as hard a flying it does require some knowledge and forethought.

[phil1ben]

Hello Howie. We live right over the river in Bucks County near New Hope. Moved from NJ when NJ raised the state income tax 10 years ago.

Haydocy is an Airstream Dealer and they will surely look to sell us one when we return. This rental concept is a new one for them and their primary business is selling them and providing service like Colonial. Wish Colonial had the same program but they do not.

The rental includes a weight distribution hitch with sway control and a brake controller. They will install both. We have an F-150. Also have a pilot's license so I hope to be able to get through this.

By the way, where do you store yours. Thinking of Buxton's Boxes but they have a wait list.

[Isuzusweet]

To the OP....

Yes renting is hugely expensive, especially taking in to account insurance, possible damage not covered by insurance (kids), and the fact that living and sleeping with kids inside a very small space with no where to go if the weather is nasty, can be trying to say the least. This comes from someone that toured across the US and Canada in 1972 with his parents and sister in a VW Westphalia.

How about this beauty.....

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/6066658457.html

29' long (not much longer than the Interstate), hydraulic levellers, brand new tires, 7000 kw generator (37 hours), I'm 6'3" and can walk from front to back without hitting my head on anything. Fairly easy to drive and park. Fantastic price (almost 10 times less than a brand new Interstate) and any money you put into it you will get it back plus more. 290's and 310's are hitting $75,000 plus in great condition.

Plus it's actually an Airstream as opposed to a similar motorhome to everyone else out there. People love them and you're driving a rare piece of Americana. YES, my wife drives my 310! I'd love to see a lady behind the wheel of this beauty.

Cheers
Tony

[Isuzusweet]

This rig is actually 29', maybe 30' with the bumper riggers not the 33' they recorded. An Interstate is 24 1/2' long.

8- 10 weeks at $400 a 3 night stay?? or is that $400 daily rental? Is that including insurance?

Cheers
Tony

[melann_31]

Originally Posted by HowieE

I generally recommend to individuals that do not have RVing experience to Never consider buying new as the first option.

You might consider doing the homework and consider buying a used rig that you have some idea of what you could sell it for it does not work out. The loss should be far less that the loss on the sale of a new rig or the cost of a 10 week rental. I have known people from Europe that had agreements with Cruise America and an Australian company to by back the RV that hey bought from them for long term trips in America and Australia.

I contacted a lot of local RV places, including Cruiser America, and none of them sell Airstream.

[melann_31]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

This rig is actually 29', maybe 30' with the bumper riggers not the 33' they recorded. An Interstate is 24 1/2' long.

8- 10 weeks at $400 a 3 night stay?? or is that $400 daily rental? Is that including insurance?

Cheers
Tony

$2800 weekly rate. Sadly, I do not know if that includes insurance or not.

[melann_31]

Originally Posted by phil1ben

Here is what we are doing. We were interested in buying an Int'l Sig 25FB but didn't want to spend the money without trying it out. We have never slept in or pulled a trailer before.

Airstreams 2 go was in my opinion very expensive. So in two weeks we are renting one from Haydocy Airstream (Road Adventures....same people) for a week to try it out. They had a 2016 model for rent similar to the one we want to buy. We are driving 650 miles from our home so we can at least get a better idea if this works for us. Why not rent one for a single week first to help you make the decision to buy. Much less money than renting one for 10 weeks. If you are going to rent for that long you might as well buy. One word of caution, work out the insurance before you sign a contract to rent. Insurance is a real issue when you rent an RV.

Haydocy in Columbus OH is not far from me. Do you know if they offer a buy back program if you buy from them? Thank you for the suggestion to try something for a week before buying. I just wish Columbus weren't almost 3 hours away but you are driving A LOT further!

[phil1ben]

They told me that if I bought from them I would receive a credit off the purchase price for the amount of the rental. Not sure that would apply to a 10 week rental. I also realize that such an offer is illusive when they control the sales price. However, I have a good idea of what I should pay and if the final number is that amount less my rental cost then I will probably buy from them......assuming our try it out trip goes as planned.

[melann_31]

Originally Posted by phil1ben

They told me that if I bought from them I would receive a credit off the purchase price for the amount of the rental. Not sure that would apply to a 10 week rental. I also realize that such an offer is illusive when they control the sales price. However, I have a good idea of what I should pay and if the final number is that amount less my rental cost then I will probably buy from them......assuming our try it out trip goes as planned.

If you end up buying, do they have a buy back program? I am sorry that I did not clarify.