I just figured because it was such a necessary and COSTLY expense... u were putting a little more emphasis on it. Just go with that...u didn't screw up!
FOOD costs! You included hotel, BnB, and rentals, but you didn't include stopping to eat at diners and restaurants. That adds up quickly as well. BTW, what the heck fancy pants RV parks are you going to that charge $200 a night? Most I have spent was $60! In fact I have a week long stay in Texas planned, $250 for the entire 7 days. Some thing else to consider, when camping, check to see if there are weekly discount rates, saved us hundreds over the years by doing this. They are nice parks too, not run down poop holes with busted pedestals and rolling brownouts, or trains rolling through every hour, with horns blaring. Did I mention Every HOUR!
I bought a used motorhome from Bish's last November. Everything was up front and honest. Staff was great to work with and more importantly I'd buy from them again. Keep in mind I flew in from NH and drove the rig home. Everything was ready and as Josh was talking about the rig was winterized before I got there. No BS, just an honest sale with honest sales people.
Man THANK YOU so much for sharing this!! May I ask which store you worked with and if you'd mind leaving them a review at www.bishs.com/review-us-manually for their good work?
I love seeing someone so honest in these videos. We’ve gone to several different RV dealers lately, and you can tell right away which ones are trying to hard sell you from the start and which ones seem to be honest and up front with you. We avoid the “used car salesmen” like the plague.
Just thinking I would like to travel from Ohio to buy from this guy. Looking at the website there are campers for sale in a few different states though
Big thing missed is travelling with pets or have to kennel them.. I did a calculation in 2021 we spent over 12K between hotels and kennel fees in 8 months. The kennel fees were actually more than the motel/hotel fees. Plus we miss our puppies. With an RV you can bring them with you.
I would definitely take my 3 small dogs along when RVing! They are so much a part of my life I cannot imagine leaving them behind, particularly given that they are all seniors, two of which are in their teens.
Josh I would love a video on pet safety for RVing. We mostly take our trailer to dog shows, which was why we got it so we can stay at shows. Things like xpens to contain your dogs at campsites vs tie outs, and different ways of keeping your pet safe while you travel down the road. My two dogs travel in Ruffland crates that are strapped down in our backseat and the bird travels in his travel cage which is also strapped down in the backseat. When we are gone from the trailer and leave the dogs behind we have a waggle to monitor the temps inside to make sure they are safe. We also have folding crates so we don't have to take the crates out of the back of the truck for them. Plus poop bags, leashes, water bowls...this list goes on and on.
We own a 5th wheel and found out early on, that although your trailer is covered while hooked onto your vehicle, as soon as you unhook it, your trailer is not covered for damages while parked. So, if it catches fire, tree limb falling, storm damage, whatever happens after it's unhooked, it will not be covered. So, we have always gotten the extra insurance on ours. Check with your insurance company to find out if your trailer is covered once it's unhooked.
Hi Josh, This is the best Cost of Owning an RV video I've ever seen. Thank you so much. The sad part is it definitely let me know that I cannot afford to buy an RV. It'll always just be a dream. I truly appreciate you and Bish's honesty about it. Thanks Nerd! You're awesome.
I started with a van and tent, went to the smallest pop up tent trailer, traded for a 29' Mallard, traded (and used some insurance money I wasn't expecting to go a little bigger than planned) for a 5th wheel (hubby is 6'7"!), he can stand up and take a shower!
Wish something like this was published back in 2016 when we purchased our first travel trailer. The "kit" the RV dealership included two lp bottles filled, a 85ah battery and a box containing a 10ft stinky hose 5ft water hose, and pressure regulator. Our first weekend was "fun" we were lucky that the RV park neighbors took pity on us and let us use a pair of chalks. They also let us know about the wealth of knowledge available on U Tube to keep safe and the essential items needed. $2k later, we started enjoying our RV.
Looking back thru my career over the years... we had a similar crappy starter kit like that and I didn't know enough to properly prepare clients I love how Bish's really encourages me to get this info out. Our challenge now is finding effective ways to share this knowledge across all of our teams at our stores to provide the best experience for our clients everywhere
Nice to see a dealer actually being up front instead of taking advantage of people. BTW: The nice thing about what he is doing is educating the customer who may be new to RV ownership. If you are honest with them up front, it is less likely that the customer will be mad AFTER the purchase. On the plus side, it makes it more likely that they will be using your dealership for repairs and maintenance! Far too many new people (I was one) get into this and although we did our research on the price, the TRUE COST of owning an RV is NOT apparent unless they do what Josh is saying. Also note, I am in FL and do not have any connections to Josh or Bish, I am just giving my opinion as someone who went through this in FL 10 years ago.
Just the other night out of curiosity, I added up all the accessories that we bought for our camper from WDH to hoses to surge protector and everything else we use consistently on trips and those "just incase" items that stay in/ with the camper...the total was nearly $3000! 😮 Of course, these are one time purchases over 2 seasons and some items are "luxury" that make camping experience easier, safer and more enjoyable.
DEPRECIATION: a $200,000 new unit could drop in value $80,000 in the first year of ownership. MAINTENANCE: Some places charge $200/hour. DELAYS: be prepared to wait months for some maintenance work. All the other additional costs pale before these.
Invaluable video, thank you, Josh. I'm thinking I should grab the $200 indoor storage a block away. If it weren't for needing to travel with pets and wanting my own bed at night (with a hanging wardrobe for sundresses), I'd not be here. TFS 😻
Like your vid. When asked, I always advise against rv ownership if they only plan one to two trips a year. With the price comparison you outlined, add maintenance to total cost of ownership including tire replacement. Example, my tires went from $300 per to $600 (2020-22) back down to $400 each (Goodyear G rated). I had to replace suspension in 2019 for $2500. I’m due battery replacement soon. Do I go AGM x 2 for $600 or lithium for waaayyy more: haven’t decided yet. I have screws coming out of the walls, seals showing age, and a water heater on its last legs. Soooo, unless you have the time, energy, and money for repairs… don’t buy. (I do a lot of boon-docking to defray the costs)
I was pleasantly surprised with the cost of storage. It certainly does vary! :) 30ft. Bumper tow camper, easily $125-$140 a month (outdoor) in Northern CA. I wish I could pay $50 a month to store my camper. :)
I just LOVE watching your "educational" videos Josh! So helpful to help understand "big picture", real world knowledge, about the industry and associated costs to owning and using an RV that just don't show up in the brochures. This one as especially helpful and makes me want to drive to Bish's from California for my next RV purchase coming up soon. Thanks!
Okay Josh, it is your fault. Today we just traded in our 2021 Fleetwood Bounder 33C and purchased a NEW 2022 Newmar Ventana 3407 that is loaded from your Meridian Idaho location. This is a really nice coach and reps gave us a great deal. Really looking forward to picking it up since in 2 weeks we have a trip planned to the Oregon coast. I blame you, LOL. And everything you said in this video is absolutely true. We are now a member of the Bish's family.
Congratulations and THANK YOU for choosing our place to bring your business! If you haven't done so, then please consider dropping the team a quick review at g.page/r/CXotzLZ8ZoVAEAg/review in return for their work!
I haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing a travel trailer yet but my City offers RV storage for a whopping $250 per YEAR. You have to get on the waitlist though. They doubled the rent a couple of years ago from $125 per year and at least one person complained about it. First World problems 😂
AAA u have to be with them for 12.months before u can get RV insurance Which Is AAA+ RegularAAA do not Qualify for coverage on U-RV with AAA. I was Like HuH.
Great content on important, and often overlooked, topic (once again)!! Now my sales tax is 5% in CO and if I were to buy it at your dealership in MI, where it's 6%, how does MI handle that??? And the facilities/facilities phrase you were looking for was "...based on the amenities available at the park."
I am in the process of buying my first RV and have been trying to educate myself as mush as possible before purchase and have really enjoyed your videos, they have been most helpful, I only wish you guys were in Texas. Thank you for all you do!.
I love this video! I’m working on being a first time rv buyer, but I’ve been a lender for years and mannnnn have I been shocked at the stories I’ve heard over the years!
Josh, I hear you buddy! We also need to consider how much it is going to cost to ADD the missing TV, an oven, an upgrade for the pedestal dinette, a porcelain toilet, a replacement to the Dollar Store 4” fart fan, a surround shower panel, an attached ladder, some solar to run that 12V fridge etc😂😂😂
Newbie here, just learning. Josh's videos have been GREAT info and an 👀 opener for us! We also think his personality is funny and believable. We truly appreciate all the different subjects covered as we navigate our decision process. 🚌
I am grateful for your videos Josh! Your honesty is refreshing. I am 72 years old and planning to purchase our first travel trailer when my wife retires in a couple of years. Clearly we’re looking at rv camping in our home state of Indiana and our favorite state Michigan. I want to find someone like you that will not only help us find the right travel trailer for us but also what we need to camp for several years.
@@JoshtheRVNerd I have every intention of reaching out to you when we’re ready. There is a Bish RV in Anderson which is closer to us but to be honest I feel more comfortable heading to your location in Michigan. We’ve been watching your videos on various travel trailers for a few years now and feel we can trust you and/or your team to help direct us to what’s right for us. Thanks again Josh!
Love this channel! I was in sales for a Number of years and was never as "successful" as many of my peers. Though to be fair, I rarely had a return after a sale. My goal was to inform the customer and educate them as to available options so they could make the best decision to meet their needs. I think I'd enjoy working at or with Bish's RV.😊 Also as for my personal buying philosophy, I prefer to buy once. Thus I am a big fan of the line "buy your 2nd RV the 1st time!" ❤
Going from a pop-up where everything was simple (except for setup) to our 1st hardside... we were the whole hog type! I found that we invested a lot more money to accessorize and protect our new purchase, as compared to the pop-up where we just didn't seem to give a dang...just happy to be camping!
Unless I missed it, one thing you didn't mention when comparing the daily costs of an RV trip to a hotel stay, is fuel costs. You did mention it earlier in the video, but not in this context. Consider the difference between a road trip in my wife's Honda Accord ar 36 miles per gallon, including hotel stay, and the same trip pulling our trailer (and it isn't a big trailer) with my Silverado at 11 miles per gallon, and a night at KOA (plus the time setting up the trailer at the campground at night and putting everything away the next morning). That's why we drive the Accord for longer trips with multiple hotel stays at different hotels, and we take the trailer for shorter trips where we stay in one place for a longer period of time.
I agree. We just took our last trip this summer from the Midwest to Washington State. Gas alone was over $1600. Add in the cost of campgrounds (average $45 per night) and we could have stayed in hotels. Most have free breakfast to boot!
I Was Going to buying A Fifthwheel the Type I Feel is the safest. But with Unit financing, space rental, Fuel Heat, Tempical repairs, Insurance. I’ve decided too much money that I don’t have month to Month funds in those amounts. Disability DSSI.
Thank you for your honesty. We just sold our TT after 7 years. I have to say it was a happy day getting rid of it. I can see owning one to live in full time, but to use for recreational use, forget it. They aren't worth it. We took our last trip this summer from the Midwest to Washington State and back. Gas alone was over $1600. Campgrounds weren't cheap, either. Yes, some were only $10 per night, others as high as $70 per night. I had to put new tires and batteries on our TT to get it ready for the trip. Another $1000. Add in the hassle of backing in your spot, hooking up electric, water, leveling, putting down stabilizers, dumping tanks, etc. To me, it was all work. Plus as most RVers know, pulling one of these 250 miles a day is rough. You can't make good time versus driving a car. Finding a gas station you can navigate in and out of was another hassle. I'm not saying we never had fun in ours. But looking back, there were only a couple of places where our TT came in handy. Otherwise we could have stayed in a hotel along the way. From now on, it's hotels, B & B's, VRBO's, etc. for us.
Thank you Josh for this information. Though I could have used this 2 and a half years ago. Though I know now a dealership I will never buy from again. Love your videos and thank you for doing them.
Purchased a Fifth wheel Rv from Bishes In November , I live in nj I am still waiting for my plates, It seems a service called opus is holding up the processing of my plates. Just so everyone knows stuff happens.
First of all - thank you for choosing our door step Secondly - it may be a good time to drop a line to customersupport@bishs.com to see what our specialists can do to try to assist and get this going for you
Bish's Whiz Bang Deluxe First-time RV'r Camping Package. Only $899.95. Everything you need for that first camping trip in your new RV. Includes bonus 3 month 24/7 support via Josh the RV Nerds personal cell phone. LOL
Great to see a company that understands the value of doing good, honest business. Too many companies are focused on the single sale and not the repeat business and strong word of mouth that comes from operating that way. Especially in today's world of online reviews, so many people post up the negative when things go wrong, and not nearly as many report on the positive, so if you put that bad business karma out there, they are just exponentially going to get bad reviews.
Living in California and working for a county agency with California state retirement plan. I have a house in Tennessee where my license is from and my vehicles and RV is registered. I just work in California but I live in Tennessee.
Best way to find out what you need? No matter what you get in advance, do this: Do an initial camping run at the campground nearest your house - whole hog, for a weekend. Show up as early as you can, and keep notes on nice-to-haves, or run into town/store/home for the need-to-haves. Re. taxes/tags: Not all dealers will deal cross-state for you - you may have to do it yourself. I bought my new trailer in Washington but registered it in Oregon. While most border-town dealers will just handle it for you, not all will. In my case, I had to get the pre-title docs from the dealer, and then title/tag/tax it in Oregon myself. Oregon has an initial 0.5% 'luxury' vehicle tax, plus registration fees, which I paid myself to the state. My RV dealer (to their credit) provided all the paperwork (including a guide to registering the trailer in Oregon), and did tell me the costs up-front to do so. I paid the tax online, downloaded and printed/filled out the forms, then went and got the title and tags at the local DMV in one go. It wasn't so much the money (it cost me around $250 or so all said and done?) It was the time. PS: Antifreeze? Why not (gently, at 30-40 psi!) blow out the lines with compressed air and use a low-point drain - I have done that for years on my previous RV (owned years ago), and it has worked perfectly fine for me (I put a small splash of mineral oil in the toilet to keep those seals wet). Minus any compelling reason why, I intend to do it come this autumn (fewer chemicals that way, easier to de-winterize, etc). You do have to have the thing level and be sure the low-point is truly the low-point, but otherwise it's no problem.
I do this for my summer storage. The heat in the Phoenix Metro area , AZ, will pressurize the system, and you get leaks/breaks. So, I just drained the system. Can't leave the valves open as mud wasps love to build the homes as well as other critters. We don't need winterizing as it very rarely gets to 32° and even then only for a couple of hours. Summer temps inside RV hit almost 174° so we had to add a maxair auto fan with auto lid and crack open a bedroom window to keep the interior down to about 10° above ambient.
*LOCAL SHAKE-DOWN TRIP:* I _highly_ recommend doing that and agree completely *ANTIFREEZE:* Having done this for years I see a few campers traded in every season that didn't get blown out completely. I know plenty of people do it successfully every year but the cost of a few gallons of anti-freeze and peace of mind knowing no water can find a way to pool up and freeze/expand/break a fitting outweighs the potential cost of a blown water heater/unknown leak in a pipe somewhere once I start putting water thru it again -- for _me_ anyway
That's a fair call - you do have to be careful to ensure it's done right. To be fair though, the same can be said for running antifreeze through the lines as well - if you miss ensuring even one...
@@tommiller5853 you're not wrong. I feel like antifreeze provides a little more assurance you've done the job But I also see people forget things like outside showers all the time
I’ll never buy a Forest River again. From the factory I had brake wiring issues. I drove the trailer off the lot the first day and realized the brakes were not working. I took it back to the dealer 3 times and finally ended up paying mobile techs to do the job right. FR would not stand behind their product
Sorry to hear that John. It is worth mentioning "Forest River" isn't really an inclusive blanket-company. Each brand is basically an independent company that manages their own builds, staff, and even warranty processes internally. But this is also why we carry so many brands - to leave you with plenty of options
Towing a trailer behind my Ranger, I go from 22 to around 11 average, and the biggest cause is aerodynamics. A low, flat trailer will cost me fewer MPG than a travel trailer that I rented, and a 3200lb travel trailer will cost me more MPG than 6000lbs in a low flat load.
What you see on this channel is truly a reflection of our leadership and the goal of our organization. We are not perfect. But our goal is to provide customers with the best experience possible. We would like to _earn_ your business rather than "get" your business if that makes sense.
There was one financing requirement on the 5th wheel I bought, it wasn't an add, or anything like that. It was in order to get the financing, it must be for personal use only, not for business, not for rental. One add I would suggest for anyone, especially when the amount financed is well over the "resale" value will be in a year and that is GAP insurance. Worth every penny when that RV or vehicle goes BOOM.
Fantastic video. We are looking at replacing our camper within the next year and are considering buying out of state. Your videos are so helpful for knowing what the market is doing and things to look out for or consider. The more we watch, the less likely I’d do business with any other business besides bish’s. Appreciate the honesty.
I wish you where clser to me North Carolina here I love the honesty my wife and I are going to buy travel trailer but like to have an honest dealer that want try and break our bank
Towing an RV with an EV truck will require regenerative braking on the trailers to get better EV mileage. Also active/motive axles and additional EV battery storage on the RV will help to increase the towing distance when the manufacturers finally get together on this.
You are so right to line out the dollars and cents. Two schools of thought on rolling the registration, taxes, etc. into the purchase. Yes you are financing those one time costs over the life of the loan but I think a lot of people don't realize it's a big number to come up with right after a big purchase with a down payment. If you've planned and budgeted for it, ok. In TX that's 6% of the purchase price when you go to get your tag. 6% of a $50,000 travel trailer is $3000. Got that in your pocket for your sales tax and tag? Just saying....One last thing, there's more to it than dollars and cents. It's the freedom, the experience, the convenience and lots of things that don't have a dollar value.
I get it. I still recommend folks putting down what they can BUT.. I also recognize some folks are ready to have fun NOW. We can assist both points of view
6% doesn't sound too bad. Here in California, I'm figuring it's around 10%. After watching this video, it looks like I'm going to have to wait until retirement (3 or 4 years), and then run the numbers. I'd like to be able to buy one outright (no payments), so then it's just the insurance, maintenance, camping fees, gas, etc.
@@kevinbrown2926 Ouch, 10%. I was really focusing on people (like me) who finance. My experience after two of these is to get as many of the other big ticket items (taxes, registration, truck necessities such as hitch, fifth wheel or anti sway, etc. in the finance package). I know it pushes the equity out but those expenses that someone maybe doesn't see coming can be a lot. It's none of my business but I'd say do it sooner rather than later. One of my regrets (not the right word but you get the idea) was not pulling the trigger earlier. Good luck!
Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Since this will be my first RV purchase, I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and Josh's videos are great. They're very informative, and entertaining! The hell with RUclips, he should have his own TV show! I'm still working full-time, so if I purchased now it wouldn't get much use. Right now I have a tent that attaches to the back of my Crosstrek, with a Luno mattress inside the hatch. So for long weekend camping it's doable, but I'm looking forward to longer and more comfortable trips when I retire! 😎
Thank y oh so much for this video and the previous video. With everything i learned from your videos i learned the salesperson in camping Workd in NJ was going to take me to the cleaners. I asked him about all the extras and he included about 5000 extra on top of the rv price. I walked out because the only thing he was concerned about was my credit score and if i had enough cash with me. Needless with everything i have learned from you i walked out and i was ready to buy an rv that day. Thank you again. I will be researching other places closer to home i appreciate everything you post. I wish i was closer to Michigan
I live in Montana. For towable rv’s get permanent license plates automatically doesn’t matter what type of trailer it is. Even flat bed car trailers and goosenecks. Where with motor homes you have to pay for the registration annually until the motor home is 11 years old. Montana does the same thing with cars and trucks 11 years or older permanent registration
Hey Josh! We love watching your videos even if they aren't relevant to us hahaaa! Very informative and we have learned a lot of little things that even the dealership doesn't tell you or know. You touched on insurance so let me ask this...in Michigan, buying travel trailer outright, no financing. Michigan does not require insurance on tow trailers, correct? I understand if financing, the financial institution may require it but SOS does not need it to title a tow behind. Correct? I wouldn't NOT insure it but a dealership can't make you insure if paying cash...in this case it's just principle of the matter lol.
I don't even want to think about the rules on Travel Trailer Insurance that happen in your State. We just got a 2024 travel trailer with an MSRP of $34,000 (the price on the policy, not what we paid). With a $250/$500 deductible it's $175 a year. Yes it's bundled, home and both cars, but still that's crazy cheaper than $650. Heck it's less than half the "pop up" price and this is a 23' with a bunkhouse.
Rv insurance in Michigan is funny While it’s parked at your house the homeowners policy covers it While you’re towing the vehicle policy covers it So actual rv insurance is cheap here because it isn’t active for very limited windows
Ownership cost for us guys who fix our own rigs even new ones with warranties cause the turn around repair time is 6 months out. Keep parts on hand; 1) Pex pipe and crimping tool with bands and fittings 2) keeping capacitors for your a/c on hand 3) Spare boards for furnace and 2 way fridges 4) big one; greasing your wheel bearings least once a year . Super important 5) roof maintenance keeping right products on hand to fix leaks and do preventative maintenance 5) hot water flush with new rod Plus so much more I forget as I sip on this bourbon 🤣🤣 Full Timers - Rambling Rileys !!
I think you should mention hitching. That is a not insignificant cost that had to be factored in to towable rvs. Even motorized have hitching to worry about for a dinghy or other trailer. Great videos, been a viewer for a few years now. Keep up the great work.
The first thing that popped into my head was people need to find the rating of the plumbing in the RV and get a pressure regulator to keep the pressure from bursting the pipes or fixtures. In Tennessee, we pay the sales tax at the county clerk when we get the plates. After that it's just $29 a year after that. However it can vary between counties. Some counties have a "wheel tax" of at least $50. Luckily, my county doesn't have a wheel tax. I have a 2021 Silverado 1500 and a Forest River 20 foot trailer. Without the trailer, I average 20 mpg. With the trailer, it goes to 9 to 12 mpg, depending on the terrain. I always stay at KOA. I've noticed that the costs go up on weekends and holidays. So plan your trip around those. Are you at the Coldwater MI store? I think my local dealer is kind of high. If you could save me several thousand dollars, we might talk. 😀
I too appreciate this video! We’ve already decided to face the fact we can’t afford to buy a half ton pick up AND one off the list of awesome campers you’ve shown I.e. Rockwood mini-lite, Imagine, Cougar, freedom express, etc. , those will have to wait. Now I’m in search of a camper compatible with our 3500 towing capacity. And I’ll tell ya when I see one that pops up that’s from a Bish’s that is a BIG PLUS for me! Thanks for all your work making all these videos!
Where are you seeomg $650 for Travel Trailer insurance? I am in Texas and am being quoted between $1,500 to $2,000 for 12 months. This TT is now costing us upwards of $700/with insurance, extended warranty and storage.
I paused it at .32 seconds. I think the real cost of the RV will have to include the storage, if you don’t have a property large enough or a HOA that doesn’t allow them. Also, the insurance, the tires, the maintenance for the appliances, frame, wheel bearings etc. As well as the down payment and monthly payments with the interest rate. Lastly, the incidentals. Propane, accessories, new mattress, and the other rv must haves like the hoses etc…… Let’s find out what the “RV Nerd” has to say…..
Also, dont forget, your health will suffer over the years from not moving around...had heart attack in 2017 after my 3rd year on the road. You must work out and walk regularly
28:22 Our full hook-up camping site at the Campground is just $560 but it's that's a month (plus the storage shed offered on site) ! The owner has a heart of gold! You only get free basic cable and internet. No pool, but you do have a catch and release pond. There's a creek out back with lots of fish to catch! Really a relaxing atmosphere here! 😊
Of no interest to the majority of your viewers but in the UK we typically winterise by forcing all water out of the systems, my storage cost on a site with electric gates is £35 per month, my insurance for. 25ft Burstner motor home is £300 per year, my road tax is £200 per year, a pitch on a secure site with 16amp EHU toilets and shower facilities is around £30-£40 per night, fully laden we get 27mpg out of our diesel motor but don’t forget we pay £1.60 per litre for diesel.
Funny thing on the taxes, it's nice Michigan will collect the sales tax for Indiana but you wonder why a lot of people on the border register their stuff in Michigan. They hit us for what's called an excise tax you would think in the RV motherland we would get a break on registering them, nope! Example my current toy hauler which I paid in the upper 50s, they base it off of the manufacturer's MSRP which we know nobody pays. They wanted get this $1,200 for your plate for 1-year! Register in Florida where it's used more than Indiana and within the law to do so $38!. Keep in mind though if it's a motorized unit like I had before, you have to carry Insurance in the other state that it's registered which means having an agent licensed in that state providing just that policy. That may also add additional cost being you may not get other policy discounts that you would with your home agent. You hit on that a little bit particularly with us, but the total unfair practice of basing it off manufacturer MSRP is garbage. They do the same thing with boats although not to the same level
One of the main reasons we started "RV-ing" is BECAUSE we want to bring our dogs with us. As soon as I retired from the military we got our truck and 5th wheel so we could snowbird. So it's from WI-FL every year since then. Also because I want to sleep in my own bed, cook in my own kitchen, and go to the bathroom in my own bathroom. We do also take our dogs to hotels. And we find good/nice ones, but it's REALLY expensive by the time you pay for the room and the pet fee. We don't really board our dogs any more because our older one has had cancer the last year and she needs special care, diet, and supplements/medications that I can't have done in a kennel setting. We are very happy to keep doing this for as long as we all still can.
If I'm financing, I ALWAYS go in preapproved for X. This sets spending limits and maintains the status quo. And oftentimes I may be able to negotiate a better rate.
Great informative video😊 and reality costs that help determine the beauty of camping. And, you are the official representative of Bish's RV. Because of you and your video content, our next purchase will be from Bish's.
*🤦🏻♂️Just realized I included "Fuel" Twice on the thumbnail 😆*
There are two types of fuel, gas & diesel.
I just figured because it was such a necessary and COSTLY expense... u were putting a little more emphasis on it. Just go with that...u didn't screw up!
@@oldengineer1519 and propane! :)
@@marcusbuckslayer3280 what's interesting to me is how the comments regarding listing fuel twice has been almost universally echoing your own here..
FOOD costs! You included hotel, BnB, and rentals, but you didn't include stopping to eat at diners and restaurants. That adds up quickly as well. BTW, what the heck fancy pants RV parks are you going to that charge $200 a night? Most I have spent was $60! In fact I have a week long stay in Texas planned, $250 for the entire 7 days. Some thing else to consider, when camping, check to see if there are weekly discount rates, saved us hundreds over the years by doing this. They are nice parks too, not run down poop holes with busted pedestals and rolling brownouts, or trains rolling through every hour, with horns blaring. Did I mention Every HOUR!
I bought a used motorhome from Bish's last November. Everything was up front and honest. Staff was great to work with and more importantly I'd buy from them again. Keep in mind I flew in from NH and drove the rig home. Everything was ready and as Josh was talking about the rig was winterized before I got there. No BS, just an honest sale with honest sales people.
Man THANK YOU so much for sharing this!! May I ask which store you worked with and if you'd mind leaving them a review at www.bishs.com/review-us-manually for their good work?
Ooh, fun idea. Fly there drive rig home to California.🤔🤔🤔🤔
I love seeing someone so honest in these videos. We’ve gone to several different RV dealers lately, and you can tell right away which ones are trying to hard sell you from the start and which ones seem to be honest and up front with you. We avoid the “used car salesmen” like the plague.
Just thinking I would like to travel from Ohio to buy from this guy. Looking at the website there are campers for sale in a few different states though
Just seeing this, sorry. It's the store 1.5 hours north of Gramd Rapids.@@JoshtheRVNerd
These are the kinds of videos that are needed to truly advise people the “cost” associated with the fun.
Ty Marcus. I try!
Big thing missed is travelling with pets or have to kennel them.. I did a calculation in 2021 we spent over 12K between hotels and kennel fees in 8 months. The kennel fees were actually more than the motel/hotel fees. Plus we miss our puppies. With an RV you can bring them with you.
Yes! This is one of the main reasons I'm going mobile. Cost, but more than that, needing to be with them. And.... So much better to be in my own bed.
I would definitely take my 3 small dogs along when RVing! They are so much a part of my life I cannot imagine leaving them behind, particularly given that they are all seniors, two of which are in their teens.
🙌🏻
Josh I would love a video on pet safety for RVing. We mostly take our trailer to dog shows, which was why we got it so we can stay at shows. Things like xpens to contain your dogs at campsites vs tie outs, and different ways of keeping your pet safe while you travel down the road. My two dogs travel in Ruffland crates that are strapped down in our backseat and the bird travels in his travel cage which is also strapped down in the backseat. When we are gone from the trailer and leave the dogs behind we have a waggle to monitor the temps inside to make sure they are safe. We also have folding crates so we don't have to take the crates out of the back of the truck for them. Plus poop bags, leashes, water bowls...this list goes on and on.
@@kathleenjettlund7617 Great idea for a video! (I know a lot of people don't crate their pets during travel which isn't a great move.)
Bish’s is absolutely blessed to have you on their team. I hope they realize that. Thanks as always for the info!
We're happy to have one another both I think!
We own a 5th wheel and found out early on, that although your trailer is covered while hooked onto your vehicle, as soon as you unhook it, your trailer is not covered for damages while parked. So, if it catches fire, tree limb falling, storm damage, whatever happens after it's unhooked, it will not be covered. So, we have always gotten the extra insurance on ours. Check with your insurance company to find out if your trailer is covered once it's unhooked.
Yeah it’s goofy like that
Interesting 😮
Hi Josh, This is the best Cost of Owning an RV video I've ever seen. Thank you so much.
The sad part is it definitely let me know that I cannot afford to buy an RV. It'll always just be a dream.
I truly appreciate you and Bish's honesty about it.
Thanks Nerd! You're awesome.
Wow.. TY Joe! I try buddy. I hope this helps people establish REAL expectations
@@JoshtheRVNerd Wow, don't give up your dream...you never know.
Start small and do repairs yourself. Used equipment is usually much lower cost.
I started with a van and tent, went to the smallest pop up tent trailer, traded for a 29' Mallard, traded (and used some insurance money I wasn't expecting to go a little bigger than planned) for a 5th wheel (hubby is 6'7"!), he can stand up and take a shower!
We just sold our TT. Believe me brother, they are a money pit.
Wish something like this was published back in 2016 when we purchased our first travel trailer. The "kit" the RV dealership included two lp bottles filled, a 85ah battery and a box containing a 10ft stinky hose 5ft water hose, and pressure regulator. Our first weekend was "fun" we were lucky that the RV park neighbors took pity on us and let us use a pair of chalks. They also let us know about the wealth of knowledge available on U Tube to keep safe and the essential items needed. $2k later, we started enjoying our RV.
Looking back thru my career over the years... we had a similar crappy starter kit like that and I didn't know enough to properly prepare clients
I love how Bish's really encourages me to get this info out. Our challenge now is finding effective ways to share this knowledge across all of our teams at our stores to provide the best experience for our clients everywhere
Thank you for your insight. I don't own one and have been researching them A LOT lately. You're top notch. Thank you!
My pleasure! Very kind of you!
Nice to see a dealer actually being up front instead of taking advantage of people.
BTW: The nice thing about what he is doing is educating the customer who may be new to RV ownership. If you are honest with them up front, it is less likely that the customer will be mad AFTER the purchase. On the plus side, it makes it more likely that they will be using your dealership for repairs and maintenance! Far too many new people (I was one) get into this and although we did our research on the price, the TRUE COST of owning an RV is NOT apparent unless they do what Josh is saying. Also note, I am in FL and do not have any connections to Josh or Bish, I am just giving my opinion as someone who went through this in FL 10 years ago.
Josh, you should add a link to your “ How much can you tow“ video. It’s a good one for new RVers to know too. Keep up the good work!
Just the other night out of curiosity, I added up all the accessories that we bought for our camper from WDH to hoses to surge protector and everything else we use consistently on trips and those "just incase" items that stay in/ with the camper...the total was nearly $3000! 😮
Of course, these are one time purchases over 2 seasons and some items are "luxury" that make camping experience easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Yeah it adds up quickly
😅😅
Thanks for the great information as usual, Josh. You actually answered several of my questions in this one video.
Glad to hear it!
DEPRECIATION: a $200,000 new unit could drop in value $80,000 in the first year of ownership. MAINTENANCE: Some places charge $200/hour. DELAYS: be prepared to wait months for some maintenance work. All the other additional costs pale before these.
Invaluable video, thank you, Josh. I'm thinking I should grab the $200 indoor storage a block away. If it weren't for needing to travel with pets and wanting my own bed at night (with a hanging wardrobe for sundresses), I'd not be here. TFS 😻
Man indoor storage will keep your rv so much healthier
Haha! My sundress collection is also my hanging storage consideration. It does matter😃.
Like your vid. When asked, I always advise against rv ownership if they only plan one to two trips a year. With the price comparison you outlined, add maintenance to total cost of ownership including tire replacement. Example, my tires went from $300 per to $600 (2020-22) back down to $400 each (Goodyear G rated). I had to replace suspension in 2019 for $2500. I’m due battery replacement soon. Do I go AGM x 2 for $600 or lithium for waaayyy more: haven’t decided yet. I have screws coming out of the walls, seals showing age, and a water heater on its last legs. Soooo, unless you have the time, energy, and money for repairs… don’t buy. (I do a lot of boon-docking to defray the costs)
I've longed to get an RV. Its on my list of things to get if I ever win the lotto. But I really need more info about it before getting one.
I was pleasantly surprised with the cost of storage. It certainly does vary! :) 30ft. Bumper tow camper, easily $125-$140 a month (outdoor) in Northern CA. I wish I could pay $50 a month to store my camper. :)
I would imagine the cost of living is much higher there
I just LOVE watching your "educational" videos Josh! So helpful to help understand "big picture", real world knowledge, about the industry and associated costs to owning and using an RV that just don't show up in the brochures. This one as especially helpful and makes me want to drive to Bish's from California for my next RV purchase coming up soon. Thanks!
Happy to help!
Okay Josh, it is your fault. Today we just traded in our 2021 Fleetwood Bounder 33C and purchased a NEW 2022 Newmar Ventana 3407 that is loaded from your Meridian Idaho location. This is a really nice coach and reps gave us a great deal. Really looking forward to picking it up since in 2 weeks we have a trip planned to the Oregon coast. I blame you, LOL. And everything you said in this video is absolutely true. We are now a member of the Bish's family.
Congratulations and THANK YOU for choosing our place to bring your business! If you haven't done so, then please consider dropping the team a quick review at g.page/r/CXotzLZ8ZoVAEAg/review in return for their work!
I haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing a travel trailer yet but my City offers RV storage for a whopping $250 per YEAR. You have to get on the waitlist though. They doubled the rent a couple of years ago from $125 per year and at least one person complained about it. First World problems 😂
Wow
what city/state is that ???
@@EngineerDJ_JuliusMadison Heights, MI
AAA u have to be with them for 12.months before u can get RV insurance Which Is AAA+ RegularAAA do not Qualify for coverage on U-RV with AAA. I was Like HuH.
Ty for the info
Great content on important, and often overlooked, topic (once again)!! Now my sales tax is 5% in CO and if I were to buy it at your dealership in MI, where it's 6%, how does MI handle that???
And the facilities/facilities phrase you were looking for was "...based on the amenities available at the park."
It actually depends on the method of payment interestingly
Cash vs finance
I am in the process of buying my first RV and have been trying to educate myself as mush as possible before purchase and have really enjoyed your videos, they have been most helpful, I only wish you guys were in Texas.
Thank you for all you do!.
Awesome! Glad to be of service!
Thanks Josh I'm wanta be to join the nerd club keep up the nice job I'll continue to follow u
You’re in!
I love this video! I’m working on being a first time rv buyer, but I’ve been a lender for years and mannnnn have I been shocked at the stories I’ve heard over the years!
Ask plenty of questions. Happy to assist!
Josh, I hear you buddy! We also need to consider how much it is going to cost to ADD the missing TV, an oven, an upgrade for the pedestal dinette, a porcelain toilet, a replacement to the Dollar Store 4” fart fan, a surround shower panel, an attached ladder, some solar to run that 12V fridge etc😂😂😂
Secretary of State for Michigan while Indiana (& a few states) it's the BMV. Most other states it's DMV. 'Merica fer ya!!
Gubbermint
Thank you for all of the information that you put out on these videos. You don’t know how helpful it is.
You are so welcome!
Newbie here, just learning. Josh's videos have been GREAT info and an 👀 opener for us! We also think his personality is funny and believable. We truly appreciate all the different subjects covered as we navigate our decision process. 🚌
Welcome aboard!
Does your MI dealership stock/sell Grand Design models?
We don’t currently have them in Michigan but we are always working to improve our lineup!!
We love your videos and wish you were closer to the Maryland area. Got a twin brother here in out area in the business perhaps?
We do not but we can ship rvs about anywhere and now have a nearly nationwide system of mobile techs available thru our BishFIX system to assist you
Excellent video and transparency (as always)!
I appreciate that!
I am grateful for your videos Josh! Your honesty is refreshing. I am 72 years old and planning to purchase our first travel trailer when my wife retires in a couple of years. Clearly we’re looking at rv camping in our home state of Indiana and our favorite state Michigan. I want to find someone like you that will not only help us find the right travel trailer for us but also what we need to camp for several years.
My home store is just inside Michigan from Indiana. Our team would be happy to meet and assist you
@@JoshtheRVNerd I have every intention of reaching out to you when we’re ready. There is a Bish RV in Anderson which is closer to us but to be honest I feel more comfortable heading to your location in Michigan. We’ve been watching your videos on various travel trailers for a few years now and feel we can trust you and/or your team to help direct us to what’s right for us. Thanks again Josh!
Love this channel! I was in sales for a Number of years and was never as "successful" as many of my peers. Though to be fair, I rarely had a return after a sale. My goal was to inform the customer and educate them as to available options so they could make the best decision to meet their needs. I think I'd enjoy working at or with Bish's RV.😊
Also as for my personal buying philosophy, I prefer to buy once. Thus I am a big fan of the line "buy your 2nd RV the 1st time!" ❤
I was similar the little while I sold myself
Josh do you de-winterize RV's & sanitize the the water tank? Just curious.
Do I do it personally here? No
How do you do it? As Erin mentioned. LOOOOT of water
Thanks for the reality check on campers…… the romance of just back in, hook up and enjoy just lives in the mind 😂
It’s fun
But it requires effort
@@JoshtheRVNerd eh, it requires some extra money first
Man I wish I had Josh and/or Bish’s here in California!
Can you get it all for one money?😂
You betchya
We Michiganders know the deal when it comes to cold Spring weather lol
Facts
Going from a pop-up where everything was simple (except for setup) to our 1st hardside... we were the whole hog type! I found that we invested a lot more money to accessorize and protect our new purchase, as compared to the pop-up where we just didn't seem to give a dang...just happy to be camping!
Did you have that stack of Amazon boxes on your door step for a while? :)
@@JoshtheRVNerd that's so funny...because it's true! Then I couldn't get rid of them, because the kiddo wasn't done playing with them yet.
Unless I missed it, one thing you didn't mention when comparing the daily costs of an RV trip to a hotel stay, is fuel costs. You did mention it earlier in the video, but not in this context. Consider the difference between a road trip in my wife's Honda Accord ar 36 miles per gallon, including hotel stay, and the same trip pulling our trailer (and it isn't a big trailer) with my Silverado at 11 miles per gallon, and a night at KOA (plus the time setting up the trailer at the campground at night and putting everything away the next morning). That's why we drive the Accord for longer trips with multiple hotel stays at different hotels, and we take the trailer for shorter trips where we stay in one place for a longer period of time.
Fair point I think. TY
I agree. We just took our last trip this summer from the Midwest to Washington State. Gas alone was over $1600. Add in the cost of campgrounds (average $45 per night) and we could have stayed in hotels. Most have free breakfast to boot!
Our son has autism and staying in hotels for more than one night is a no go for us.. The cost of an RV is worth it
Ty for sharing that glimpse into your life!
I Was Going to buying A Fifthwheel the Type I Feel is the safest.
But with Unit financing, space rental, Fuel Heat, Tempical repairs, Insurance. I’ve decided too much money that I don’t have month to Month funds in those amounts. Disability DSSI.
Thank you for your honesty. We just sold our TT after 7 years. I have to say it was a happy day getting rid of it. I can see owning one to live in full time, but to use for recreational use, forget it. They aren't worth it. We took our last trip this summer from the Midwest to Washington State and back. Gas alone was over $1600. Campgrounds weren't cheap, either. Yes, some were only $10 per night, others as high as $70 per night. I had to put new tires and batteries on our TT to get it ready for the trip. Another $1000. Add in the hassle of backing in your spot, hooking up electric, water, leveling, putting down stabilizers, dumping tanks, etc. To me, it was all work. Plus as most RVers know, pulling one of these 250 miles a day is rough. You can't make good time versus driving a car. Finding a gas station you can navigate in and out of was another hassle. I'm not saying we never had fun in ours. But looking back, there were only a couple of places where our TT came in handy. Otherwise we could have stayed in a hotel along the way. From now on, it's hotels, B & B's, VRBO's, etc. for us.
The Tax rate Here in Baytown,Crosby,Highlands,Tx is 8.25%
I will be saving this video to my RUclips "RV Info" Thank you very, VERY much Josh.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Josh for this information. Though I could have used this 2 and a half years ago. Though I know now a dealership I will never buy from again.
Love your videos and thank you for doing them.
Glad it was helpful!
Purchased a Fifth wheel Rv from Bishes In November , I live in nj I am still waiting for my plates, It seems a service called opus is holding up the processing of my plates. Just so everyone knows stuff happens.
First of all - thank you for choosing our door step
Secondly - it may be a good time to drop a line to customersupport@bishs.com to see what our specialists can do to try to assist and get this going for you
Bish's Whiz Bang Deluxe First-time RV'r Camping Package. Only $899.95. Everything you need for that first camping trip in your new RV. Includes bonus 3 month 24/7 support via Josh the RV Nerds personal cell phone. LOL
lose my number lol :)
Great to see a company that understands the value of doing good, honest business. Too many companies are focused on the single sale and not the repeat business and strong word of mouth that comes from operating that way. Especially in today's world of online reviews, so many people post up the negative when things go wrong, and not nearly as many report on the positive, so if you put that bad business karma out there, they are just exponentially going to get bad reviews.
Ty!!
Living in California and working for a county agency with California state retirement plan. I have a house in Tennessee where my license is from and my vehicles and RV is registered. I just work in California but I live in Tennessee.
Longview ,Tx.doesn't have what I Want. Thk U Josh.
Best way to find out what you need? No matter what you get in advance, do this: Do an initial camping run at the campground nearest your house - whole hog, for a weekend. Show up as early as you can, and keep notes on nice-to-haves, or run into town/store/home for the need-to-haves.
Re. taxes/tags: Not all dealers will deal cross-state for you - you may have to do it yourself. I bought my new trailer in Washington but registered it in Oregon. While most border-town dealers will just handle it for you, not all will. In my case, I had to get the pre-title docs from the dealer, and then title/tag/tax it in Oregon myself. Oregon has an initial 0.5% 'luxury' vehicle tax, plus registration fees, which I paid myself to the state. My RV dealer (to their credit) provided all the paperwork (including a guide to registering the trailer in Oregon), and did tell me the costs up-front to do so. I paid the tax online, downloaded and printed/filled out the forms, then went and got the title and tags at the local DMV in one go. It wasn't so much the money (it cost me around $250 or so all said and done?) It was the time.
PS: Antifreeze? Why not (gently, at 30-40 psi!) blow out the lines with compressed air and use a low-point drain - I have done that for years on my previous RV (owned years ago), and it has worked perfectly fine for me (I put a small splash of mineral oil in the toilet to keep those seals wet). Minus any compelling reason why, I intend to do it come this autumn (fewer chemicals that way, easier to de-winterize, etc). You do have to have the thing level and be sure the low-point is truly the low-point, but otherwise it's no problem.
I do this for my summer storage. The heat in the Phoenix Metro area , AZ, will pressurize the system, and you get leaks/breaks. So, I just drained the system. Can't leave the valves open as mud wasps love to build the homes as well as other critters. We don't need winterizing as it very rarely gets to 32° and even then only for a couple of hours. Summer temps inside RV hit almost 174° so we had to add a maxair auto fan with auto lid and crack open a bedroom window to keep the interior down to about 10° above ambient.
*LOCAL SHAKE-DOWN TRIP:* I _highly_ recommend doing that and agree completely
*ANTIFREEZE:* Having done this for years I see a few campers traded in every season that didn't get blown out completely. I know plenty of people do it successfully every year but the cost of a few gallons of anti-freeze and peace of mind knowing no water can find a way to pool up and freeze/expand/break a fitting outweighs the potential cost of a blown water heater/unknown leak in a pipe somewhere once I start putting water thru it again -- for _me_ anyway
That's a fair call - you do have to be careful to ensure it's done right. To be fair though, the same can be said for running antifreeze through the lines as well - if you miss ensuring even one...
@@tommiller5853 you're not wrong. I feel like antifreeze provides a little more assurance you've done the job
But I also see people forget things like outside showers all the time
I’ll never buy a Forest River again. From the factory I had brake wiring issues. I drove the trailer off the lot the first day and realized the brakes were not working.
I took it back to the dealer 3 times and finally ended up paying mobile techs to do the job right.
FR would not stand behind their product
Sorry to hear that John. It is worth mentioning "Forest River" isn't really an inclusive blanket-company. Each brand is basically an independent company that manages their own builds, staff, and even warranty processes internally.
But this is also why we carry so many brands - to leave you with plenty of options
Towing a trailer behind my Ranger, I go from 22 to around 11 average, and the biggest cause is aerodynamics. A low, flat trailer will cost me fewer MPG than a travel trailer that I rented, and a 3200lb travel trailer will cost me more MPG than 6000lbs in a low flat load.
Sometimes 8.5% Tax space aren’t $450.00 A Month to $600.00 A Month.
Let's not forget about the SPARE TIRE!!!
Not all companies supply the tire! Bear that in mind!
Good point
Thank you Josh. My goodness you provide free information that I would be willing to pay for.
What you see on this channel is truly a reflection of our leadership and the goal of our organization. We are not perfect. But our goal is to provide customers with the best experience possible. We would like to _earn_ your business rather than "get" your business if that makes sense.
There was one financing requirement on the 5th wheel I bought, it wasn't an add, or anything like that. It was in order to get the financing, it must be for personal use only, not for business, not for rental. One add I would suggest for anyone, especially when the amount financed is well over the "resale" value will be in a year and that is GAP insurance. Worth every penny when that RV or vehicle goes BOOM.
$60.00 to $150.00 A month for outside Storage inside is outrageous.
I love the passion for doing what’s right! As a ex car salesman this stuff applies to cars too
Cars, Campers, Boats... any sales field really
Fantastic video. We are looking at replacing our camper within the next year and are considering buying out of state. Your videos are so helpful for knowing what the market is doing and things to look out for or consider. The more we watch, the less likely I’d do business with any other business besides bish’s. Appreciate the honesty.
Glad it was helpful!
Josh! I’m vegan I don’t want animal anything in my antifreeze! Can you link a good animal fat free brand?
I wish you where clser to me North Carolina here I love the honesty my wife and I are going to buy travel trailer but like to have an honest dealer that want try and break our bank
Towing an RV with an EV truck will require regenerative braking on the trailers to get better EV mileage. Also active/motive axles and additional EV battery storage on the RV will help to increase the towing distance when the manufacturers finally get together on this.
Haven’t bought much of the extras. Usually never level anything. Just stay hitched and move on after a rest.
Research the service center for the dealership you purchased from. Often overlooked and hugely important.
Preach!
This was really informative and helpful. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
You are so right to line out the dollars and cents. Two schools of thought on rolling the registration, taxes, etc. into the purchase. Yes you are financing those one time costs over the life of the loan but I think a lot of people don't realize it's a big number to come up with right after a big purchase with a down payment. If you've planned and budgeted for it, ok. In TX that's 6% of the purchase price when you go to get your tag. 6% of a $50,000 travel trailer is $3000. Got that in your pocket for your sales tax and tag? Just saying....One last thing, there's more to it than dollars and cents. It's the freedom, the experience, the convenience and lots of things that don't have a dollar value.
I get it. I still recommend folks putting down what they can BUT.. I also recognize some folks are ready to have fun NOW. We can assist both points of view
6% doesn't sound too bad. Here in California, I'm figuring it's around 10%.
After watching this video, it looks like I'm going to have to wait until retirement (3 or 4 years), and then run the numbers. I'd like to be able to buy one outright (no payments), so then it's just the insurance, maintenance, camping fees, gas, etc.
@@kevinbrown2926 Ouch, 10%. I was really focusing on people (like me) who finance. My experience after two of these is to get as many of the other big ticket items (taxes, registration, truck necessities such as hitch, fifth wheel or anti sway, etc. in the finance package). I know it pushes the equity out but those expenses that someone maybe doesn't see coming can be a lot. It's none of my business but I'd say do it sooner rather than later. One of my regrets (not the right word but you get the idea) was not pulling the trigger earlier. Good luck!
Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Since this will be my first RV purchase, I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and Josh's videos are great. They're very informative, and entertaining! The hell with RUclips, he should have his own TV show!
I'm still working full-time, so if I purchased now it wouldn't get much use. Right now I have a tent that attaches to the back of my Crosstrek, with a Luno mattress inside the hatch. So for long weekend camping it's doable, but I'm looking forward to longer and more comfortable trips when I retire! 😎
@@kevinbrown2926 wow.. ty for the kind words :)
I’m a first time new buyer.
Some tips here for new buyers m.ruclips.net/video/DO3u1Bk-rbE/видео.html
Great video!! Thank you for covering all these extra expenses!!
Glad it was helpful!
You do a really great job in these info videos of explaining all things RV.
I appreciate that!
Better than here in Sudanese Houston areas.100” 8/16/2023
Thank y oh so much for this video and the previous video. With everything i learned from your videos i learned the salesperson in camping Workd in NJ was going to take me to the cleaners. I asked him about all the extras and he included about 5000 extra on top of the rv price. I walked out because the only thing he was concerned about was my credit score and if i had enough cash with me. Needless with everything i have learned from you i walked out and i was ready to buy an rv that day. Thank you again. I will be researching other places closer to home i appreciate everything you post. I wish i was closer to Michigan
Sorry to hear you had that kind of experience Susan. Maybe our folks could set up rv delivery for you?
Just really excellent advice for the new first timers Josh. Another tip of the hat to you for being a stand up guy.
It's really a reflection of our leadership. I wouldn't be able to do what I do if they didn't allow and encourage it! :)
I live in Montana. For towable rv’s get permanent license plates automatically doesn’t matter what type of trailer it is. Even flat bed car trailers and goosenecks. Where with motor homes you have to pay for the registration annually until the motor home is 11 years old. Montana does the same thing with cars and trucks 11 years or older permanent registration
Michigan is the same with permanent plates
Utilities
Hey Josh! We love watching your videos even if they aren't relevant to us hahaaa! Very informative and we have learned a lot of little things that even the dealership doesn't tell you or know. You touched on insurance so let me ask this...in Michigan, buying travel trailer outright, no financing. Michigan does not require insurance on tow trailers, correct? I understand if financing, the financial institution may require it but SOS does not need it to title a tow behind. Correct? I wouldn't NOT insure it but a dealership can't make you insure if paying cash...in this case it's just principle of the matter lol.
If buying cash - no insurance is needed correct
I don't even want to think about the rules on Travel Trailer Insurance that happen in your State. We just got a 2024 travel trailer with an MSRP of $34,000 (the price on the policy, not what we paid). With a $250/$500 deductible it's $175 a year. Yes it's bundled, home and both cars, but still that's crazy cheaper than $650. Heck it's less than half the "pop up" price and this is a 23' with a bunkhouse.
Rv insurance in Michigan is funny
While it’s parked at your house the homeowners policy covers it
While you’re towing the vehicle policy covers it
So actual rv insurance is cheap here because it isn’t active for very limited windows
Ownership cost for us guys who fix our own rigs even new ones with warranties cause the turn around repair time is 6 months out.
Keep parts on hand;
1) Pex pipe and crimping tool with bands and fittings
2) keeping capacitors for your a/c on hand
3) Spare boards for furnace and 2 way fridges
4) big one; greasing your wheel bearings least once a year . Super important
5) roof maintenance keeping right products on hand to fix leaks and do preventative maintenance
5) hot water flush with new rod
Plus so much more I forget as I sip on this bourbon 🤣🤣
Full Timers - Rambling Rileys !!
Great points get. Ty so much for sharing your experience!!
I think you should mention hitching. That is a not insignificant cost that had to be factored in to towable rvs. Even motorized have hitching to worry about for a dinghy or other trailer. Great videos, been a viewer for a few years now. Keep up the great work.
Fair point. TY
If I had to pay for storage I wouldn't have an RV.
Buying a Jayco Eagle HT 5th wheel from Bish’s this weekend. Insurance is about $90, storage is $110 per month :)
TY for choosing our door step! :)
The first thing that popped into my head was people need to find the rating of the plumbing in the RV and get a pressure regulator to keep the pressure from bursting the pipes or fixtures.
In Tennessee, we pay the sales tax at the county clerk when we get the plates. After that it's just $29 a year after that. However it can vary between counties. Some counties have a "wheel tax" of at least $50. Luckily, my county doesn't have a wheel tax.
I have a 2021 Silverado 1500 and a Forest River 20 foot trailer. Without the trailer, I average 20 mpg. With the trailer, it goes to 9 to 12 mpg, depending on the terrain.
I always stay at KOA. I've noticed that the costs go up on weekends and holidays. So plan your trip around those.
Are you at the Coldwater MI store? I think my local dealer is kind of high. If you could save me several thousand dollars, we might talk. 😀
RV plumbing is typically 40-45psi for anyone curious
I too appreciate this video! We’ve already decided to face the fact we can’t afford to buy a half ton pick up AND one off the list of awesome campers you’ve shown I.e. Rockwood mini-lite, Imagine, Cougar, freedom express, etc. , those will have to wait. Now I’m in search of a camper compatible with our 3500 towing capacity. And I’ll tell ya when I see one that pops up that’s from a Bish’s that is a BIG PLUS for me! Thanks for all your work making all these videos!
My pleasure!
Where are you seeomg $650 for Travel Trailer insurance? I am in Texas and am being quoted between $1,500 to $2,000 for 12 months. This TT is now costing us upwards of $700/with insurance, extended warranty and storage.
Insurance rates can vary wildly by state. Thank your legislature
Michigan insurance is a fraction of that average
Josh it’s August here 8-15-2024
I paused it at .32 seconds.
I think the real cost of the RV will have to include the storage, if you don’t have a property large enough or a HOA that doesn’t allow them.
Also, the insurance, the tires, the maintenance for the appliances, frame, wheel bearings etc.
As well as the down payment and monthly payments with the interest rate.
Lastly, the incidentals. Propane, accessories, new mattress, and the other rv must haves like the hoses etc……
Let’s find out what the “RV Nerd” has to say…..
I think I touched on most of those
Also, dont forget, your health will suffer over the years from not moving around...had heart attack in 2017 after my 3rd year on the road. You must work out and walk regularly
Facts. Ty
28:22
Our full hook-up camping site at the Campground is just $560 but it's that's a month (plus the storage shed offered on site) !
The owner has a heart of gold! You only get free basic cable and internet. No pool, but you do have a catch and release pond. There's a creek out back with lots of fish to catch! Really a relaxing atmosphere here! 😊
That sounds... pretty awesome actually
Doubt you will ever see a better MPG. But great info video.
Not Always with Antifreeze.
Of no interest to the majority of your viewers but in the UK we typically winterise by forcing all water out of the systems, my storage cost on a site with electric gates is £35 per month, my insurance for. 25ft Burstner motor home is £300 per year, my road tax is £200 per year, a pitch on a secure site with 16amp EHU toilets and shower facilities is around £30-£40 per night, fully laden we get 27mpg out of our diesel motor but don’t forget we pay £1.60 per litre for diesel.
Regardless - thank you for sharing. This is interesting!
Funny thing on the taxes, it's nice Michigan will collect the sales tax for Indiana but you wonder why a lot of people on the border register their stuff in Michigan. They hit us for what's called an excise tax you would think in the RV motherland we would get a break on registering them, nope! Example my current toy hauler which I paid in the upper 50s, they base it off of the manufacturer's MSRP which we know nobody pays. They wanted get this $1,200 for your plate for 1-year!
Register in Florida where it's used more than Indiana and within the law to do so $38!. Keep in mind though if it's a motorized unit like I had before, you have to carry Insurance in the other state that it's registered which means having an agent licensed in that state providing just that policy. That may also add additional cost being you may not get other policy discounts that you would with your home agent.
You hit on that a little bit particularly with us, but the total unfair practice of basing it off manufacturer MSRP is garbage. They do the same thing with boats although not to the same level
Yeah we've run into those goofy local taxes a number of times. The stuff can really add up
surge protector $140-480? 😮 go fish!
One of the main reasons we started "RV-ing" is BECAUSE we want to bring our dogs with us. As soon as I retired from the military we got our truck and 5th wheel so we could snowbird. So it's from WI-FL every year since then. Also because I want to sleep in my own bed, cook in my own kitchen, and go to the bathroom in my own bathroom. We do also take our dogs to hotels. And we find good/nice ones, but it's REALLY expensive by the time you pay for the room and the pet fee. We don't really board our dogs any more because our older one has had cancer the last year and she needs special care, diet, and supplements/medications that I can't have done in a kennel setting. We are very happy to keep doing this for as long as we all still can.
Ty for sharing this! I’ll take all the insight I can get
If I'm financing, I ALWAYS go in preapproved for X. This sets spending limits and maintains the status quo. And oftentimes I may be able to negotiate a better rate.
This is solid methodology
Good information to know. This information will help me set up my budget before purchasing a trailer. Good presentation.
Glad it was helpful!
Great informative video😊 and reality costs that help determine the beauty of camping. And, you are the official representative of Bish's RV. Because of you and your video content, our next purchase will be from Bish's.
Thanks so much!