Renting is always better in my opinion. You don't have to maintain insurance, deal with depreciation, or storage fees. How often would you actually use the RV. If only for a few weekends a year, it's not cost effective to buy one. Plus, when you're renting and the motor blows, you just turn it in and get a new one. Unless you plan to live in the RV at least three to four months a year (a few days or a week or two at a time), it's cheaper to rent. We had an RV, paid $1200 a year or more in insurance, $200 a month in principal and interest, $60 a month storage, and had to factor in replacing tires and maintenance. That amounted to about $5 to $6K a year whether we used it or not.

The best "thing" my husband ever gave me was my rv. He picked it out all by himself, bought it, and took me out to see it that afternoon. It was a huge surprise! And it is perfect. HE WAS LISTENING ALL THOSE YEARS!!!!! We absolutely love it and use it every way we can think of: long trips, short trips, weekends at the beach, a place to dream about future trips, a place to join our friends for a weekend, guy fishing trips with me along as cook (I like to cook and our rv has a nice kitchen and lots of storage.) We were in Front Royal VA when my appendix ruptured. After I got out of the hospital and before I could travel, (wonderful care!!!!), the rv was a rehab unit.

The appendix experience emphasized both of us being able to drive and otherwise handle all facets of the rv. I can drive it - pulling a car!

We have a 30 foot Class C with a king sized bed over the cab, a queen sized bed in the bedroom, a child sized bed (folding sofa)' and the dinette makes into another bed. And a for-real bathroom. Oh, and a no-kidding hall in which the cat litter pan fits quite nicely. (2 cats who like the rv as well as we do.)

Our daughter is looking for land for a small farm and assures us that when we get beyond wanting to have a brick and sticks house she will have electricity, water and a septic tank for our rv and us.

This sort of present and future just may turn out exceedingly well! Consider if you might really like it too.

P

My husband and I have been Rving since 2006. We love it. Have seen many beautiful places and each area of the US and Canada are beautiful in their own ways. You sleep in your own bed each night and don't have to worry about bed bugs. We have a 39 ft. motorhome and tow our car. Had a tow dolly at first and that was a nightmare. Tow a car on all fours. It is easier. Don't drive into a campground at night. You can't see well and it can be a nightmare. Most campgrounds can accomodate large rvs. Join Good Sam's or Passport America and they send out books that list campgrounds and describe each and what they accommodate. My motorhome has 4 slides and is very roomy. I also carry my sewing machine and projects to work on at night or when we are not sight seeing. It's not for everyone so weigh your options before you buy.

We have a 32 foot travel trailer and love it. We no longer have to worry about the bed actually being completely clean in a hotel anymore..... or did the house keeper take short cuts cleaning. We can cook our own food if we want, stock beverages etc... never have to worry about finding a potty for a break... lol

You haven't really lived until you get out into the great outdoors, sat under a tall pine tree drinking whatever beverage you choose, looking at the stars at night without the city noise and best of all, you can be by yourself if so choose or in a crowded campground is that is your choice. We have owned many types of travel trailers and motorhomes and prefe the motorhome with a small tow vehicle. We go all the time, and spend our winters in AZ where the weather is also warm. Mostly we camp out in the desert with no hookups, but go into town a couple weeks and get fresh water and dump the tanks. We love this kind of lifestyle and have been doing it for a number of years now. I guess we are just outdoor people and we love it. If it not your type of traveling, that is your choice but I prefer the great outdoors and seeing our wonderful country and beautiful places on our own timeline. Just my opinion - :)

OK, I am an expert on RV's, Fifth Wheels, Trailers, etc. Have bought so many I have the knowledge to sell them ! We just bought a Fifth Wheel last Saturday and will be selling our trailer this next week. I will tell you right now that the most important thing is having a slide in the living room. It adds so much space and you really do need it. The second thing is if you are going to pull a car behind you: that makes it extra longer and that might be a problem. I have so much information, maybe you might want me to email it to you ? We have camped in Canada, 49 of the states many times, usually camp for 4-5 months a year. We have relatives in Toronto who come down to Florida each year in their camper. I love having my own bed/sheets, cooking my food, seeing the countryside.

If he's mechanically inclined and maintains his vehicles like my DH does, go for it. I would love if we could do that. Don't miss this time with him. This is an opportunity knocking at your door. Lock the house up and go. Have fun!

My finances are the same as yours I've been widowed x3. so I stay home n dream.

We have a 32 ft. 5th wheel......I pull it and set it up and tear it down as needed. I host in a state park and I have my quilting and other crafts I'm working on (Christmas stockings and sashay scarves) as well as 2 sewing machines, cutting mats, etc. I can find lots of room to "tuck" my stuff away. We don't travel all over the country.......just fairly close to our home - as in 2-5 hours. If you aren't totally sure, maybe you should rent again. AND if you do decide to buy.......be sure to walk thru with an idea in mind of where you will put what. RV's are SO different in the amount of storage they have. Good Luck.

some good advice here, mattress. Good Sam. 17 years and had to give it up because of DH's health. Had 2 flat tires on last 5th wheel and Good Sam was there, no trouble. DH would spend the winter planning our next trip. miss it