Maintenance budget

[kb0zke]

How much do you full-timers budget for maintenance/service/upgrades? I realize that a new coach, still under warranty, will be different than an older one. Specifically, we're looking at 2000-2005 30' or longer for full-time use.

[Air Apparent]

David:

We’re not fulltiming yet. We hope to be fulltiming by the end of 2019 in a classic 34. I am planning on budgeting between $1,000 and $1500 per year and this may be high. A set of six tires for our 34 costs around $800 installed and will be replaced every 6 years. There is brake and bearing maintenance and we have disc brakes with never lube bearings.

Since our Airstream is a 2008 model (built in 2007), I will need at some time in the future to replace the hot water heater and furnace.

I will probably replace the hot water heater with a tankless heater (Truma). The furnace should last a long time.

There is a company in Indiana that can upgrade the refrigerator system on my Dometic refrigerator significantly reducing the risk of a refrigerator fire.

We have been doing upgrades but I don’t consider this normal on-going maintenance.

Obviously, it will be significantly less than any motorhome.

I hope you get some input from those who are fulltiming.

[twbucksr]

If you are truly full timing, don’t forget to factor in hotel costs or the cost of fuel to travel to and from Jackson Center while it is in the shop.

[Lily&Me]

I think that extended travel requires a $3,000-$5,000 slush fund you can access quickly in an emergency, plus the means to replenish it when you have to draw on it.

If you are out there on the road, there will be maintenance and repairs, which are all part of the privilege of travel...and sometimes they come in clusters.

That’s just the reality of extended travel in a vehicle and an RV with complex systems.

You don’t want to be dead in the water somewhere because you can’t afford a repair.

Maggie

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

<snip> Specifically, we're looking at 2000-2005 30' or longer for full-time use.

Since you are looking at a trailer (am I correct?), monthly cost should be relatively small.

However, if you find a trailer in the year range stated in your post, make sure that the subfloor is not damaged from leaking water and pay special attention to the frame that it is not cracked. Those can be EXPENSIVE items to repair.

I spend in the range of $100-800 per year per trailer, just on the trailer (not tow vehicle). Averaged over several years, I guess $500 per year would be close for a yearly average. But, I do everything myself. I've replaced and repaired water heaters, air conditioners, propane pipes, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, converters, propane lines, dump valves, etc. Some years it cost less than $100 to grease bearings, new seals, touchup caulk. Other years, when I replaced a major appliance or buy new tires, substantially more. I have not needed axles or a refrigerator so far, but it may be $$$$ in the near future.


Maggie's advice about the slush fund is good advice. That's the way I do it.

ps: I'm not a full timer, still own the sticks and bricks home. We live in our 34' trailer 5-6 months during winter and travel in our 25' when we can the rest of the year.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Just for those not reading every post everywhere. This is a duplicate of a thread elsewhere on the forum. There is a bit more yack in the other thread.

Bob

[kb0zke]

Thanks, everyone. As Bob said, I started this thread here, but after no responses I decided to post it in the Community section. Between those responses and these I've gotten a LOT of good information. Please continue to share your thoughts in either thread or even privately.


After five years of full-timing in this MH we have a pretty good idea of how much to budget. I was pretty sure that an Airstream TT would be quite a bit cheaper, but I didn't know how much. Even with the difference in fuel costs, I think we will be money ahead with the Airstream.

[DreamStreamr]

Full timing thirteenth year now in 2005 Airstream trailer. Fridge, water heater, A/C, furnace, vinyl flooring, upholstery and casework all original. Replaced water pump, skylight, brakes, and dump valves 2X, mattress and seat cushions once each, and tires approx every 3-4 years. Re screened all windows last year. Awnings are starting to come apart at seam stitching and will need replacing within next two years.

We’ve done nearly all the work ourselves. I agree with prior posters on $500 annual average and $2-3,000 pot for uh-ohs insurance won’t cover.