There is an important factor to this discussion that has not been addressed much in this discussion. Almost all of the discussion here has centered around using an RV as a substitute for staying in motels. For almost everyone, using an RV as a substitute for staying in motels is probably NOT cost effective. But that is not the main reason that we have an RV! We have an RV to go camping, to enjoy the great outdoors, to experience nature, lakes, streams, woods, national parks, state parks. We love walking out of our camper and hike beautiful trails, or take our kayak out on a lake or a river. We love to watch eagles, great blue herons, hawks, and other birds. We love to learn about various trees, wildflowers, mushrooms, frogs, turtles and just about everything else in nature. Living in a camper for days or weeks at a time, in the midst of all of this nature, at an out-of-the-way campground is a beautiful way to experience all of this nature. There is no substitute for this by staying in a hotel.
This is the main reason we have an RV! We also use it for traveling but that is a secondary benefit to having a camper!