Hi John, we celebrated 24 years of camping with our 1999 Airstream. I would be too insecure to get into a new one with all the problems that so many are experiencing, besides with the prices today what they are I would not want that kind of debt, I don’t have the stomach for it 😂 thanks so much for All your informative videos!
Another great information video John ! I totally agree that the RV industry has given themselves a black eye . Building junk RV’s is catching up with them. The newer younger buyers can’t afford them as well! Thanks for sharing! 👍😁
Been in RVing since 1976 starting out with pop up transitioning to 5th wheel. I sold last rv about 14 yrs ago. I will say it was affordable to rv as campgrounds were affordable. NO LONGER. That said I still go to rv shows and teeter on purchasing but then I do research and NO way. I’m doing vacant remote land and building weekend seasonal build… might not appreciate as quick as others want but I’m not throwing $100,000-125,000 into truck and trailer to see it depreciate 50% if not more in 3 yrs… I’ll do over nighters and stay in 3-4 star hotels or air BNB’s and I’ll be way ahead of game and not worrying about consistent rv maintenance/ breakdowns insurance and the now “different” types of rvers out there…
I don’t blame you! I go camping in SP, COE, National parks only ! Never have stayed in a typical RV park ! Too expensive!! Built a tiny home base 20 years ago ! Full timing RV ing is over rated !!!
I noticed that Grand Design just extended their frame warranty for multiple years going back retroactively to 2020 and made all their warranties fully transferable.
Thanks John. That spike in used could be storm damaged units that can’t be sold as new. Or, more likely, people are dumping 21-23’s due to horrendous experience of poor quality. A friend of mine just sold his truck and trailer, had too many issues.
Adding 8,400 used listings in one week is a strange data anomaly. I can’t go back to look but it feels like a large player like Camping World push a bunch of old inventory onto the platform.
Hi John, we have been following you since we got back into RVing and bought an Rpod 190 in 2019. We ended up selling it and upsizing to a GD MLE22 in 2022 for retirement and more travel/living space. The MLE has had a lot of issues which I won't get into but up until now GD has covered most. Currently we need a new roof. GD should be covering but they are not. As we are paying for the roof, we are looking at either traditional rubber roof replacement or the FlexArmor which would cost about 2500 more. We want to know how you like the Flex Armor product if you are familiar with it. Thank you and we will continue watching.
I have no experience with the FlexArmor. I can say that the TPO roof on my 2020 Keystone Bullet has been stellar without any issues in over 600 nights of use and some pretty horrendous rain storms in FL. All the best!
Starlink is the best in my opinion unless you have a dense tree canopy where you are camping. Otherwise, a good Mifi from Verizon or AT&T has served me well over the years (preferable the opposite of your phone's plan provider). All the best!
More are coming. The cost of yearly maintenance for a diesel motorhome goes higher as they get older. My maintenance was $4000 this year. Add the insurance and it cost me $6,000 this year before I turn a key. You better use it.
I wonder what a data set on fifth wheel trailers would look like. Rather than a younger buyer looking for entry level units it seems a fifth wheel buyer is a more serious RVer who has been through the pop up & travel trailer phases, has a larger tow vehicle and is looking to step up to higher quality. A couple years ago I toyed with the idea of a used Class A motor home but decided against it over concerns about breakdowns/maintenance. Those concerns were the same reason we sold our 33 foot cabin cruiser boat that had 2 V8 engines. I became too afraid of the expense of a major breakdown. I think the Class A realm is for wealthy people with the significant financial resources necessary to afford the high cost of ownership. The frame flex issue is obviously more significant than the more typical quality complaints of loose trim, dripping plumbing and sticking drawer glides. It sounded to me like it is mostly with the big toy haulers. It seems to me that building a house on wheels with a garage for 4 wheelers and motorcycles while also trying to make it as lightweight as possible so people can tow it down the road while it sways around from the wind and tractor trailers and is hitting bumps and potholes is probably a lot to ask. I have a feeling there’s simply some flawed engineering in those frames.
It is easy to change the visualization online to show just 5th wheels, which are below 2023 levels. Second chart down on this page. Just change RV Type to 5th Wheel: johnmarucci.com/data-viz-mobile/ the data pretty much reinforces that 5th wheel upgrades are at an all time low. Thanks!
RVing was much more affordable and that’s what made it attractive for vacations but not now. By time you make a crazy high payment and pay the campground you are better off to get a hotel. Or better yet just take a cruise for vacation. I’ve been looking for a class c motorhome and found a couple good deals last month I should have jumped on but now all of them are out of my price range. I don’t see paying $65k + for a motorhome that has close to 100k miles. And class b? Those prices are absolutely ridiculous. If you have the disposable income to throw away on them well I must commend you. But is this the new norm? The prices on everything is crazy the next generation is getting indoctrinated to think this is how you are supposed to live, keep yourself in debt like crazy until you die. But the thought of back pack camping is starting to seem more and more appealing.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I started out tent camping for very cheap, most people don’t need a lot more than this unless you plan to really use the heck out of the RV. Easier to rent an RV for occasional use than buy one and pay to maintain it and only use it a few times a year. Thanks again!
Hi John, we celebrated 24 years of camping with our 1999 Airstream. I would be too insecure to get into a new one with all the problems that so many are experiencing, besides with the prices today what they are I would not want that kind of debt, I don’t have the stomach for it 😂 thanks so much for All your informative videos!
Thanks for sharing your experience. All the best!
Another great information video John ! I totally agree that the RV industry has given themselves a black eye . Building junk RV’s is catching up with them. The newer younger buyers can’t afford them as well! Thanks for sharing! 👍😁
Thanks Ralph!
Been in RVing since 1976 starting out with pop up transitioning to 5th wheel. I sold last rv about 14 yrs ago. I will say it was affordable to rv as campgrounds were affordable. NO LONGER. That said I still go to rv shows and teeter on purchasing but then I do research and NO way. I’m doing vacant remote land and building weekend seasonal build… might not appreciate as quick as others want but I’m not throwing $100,000-125,000 into truck and trailer to see it depreciate 50% if not more in 3 yrs… I’ll do over nighters and stay in 3-4 star hotels or air BNB’s and I’ll be way ahead of game and not worrying about consistent rv maintenance/ breakdowns insurance and the now “different” types of rvers out there…
I don’t blame you! I go camping in SP, COE, National parks only ! Never have stayed in a typical RV park ! Too expensive!! Built a tiny home base 20 years ago ! Full timing RV ing is over rated !!!
Another fine piece of reporting. Thanks John.
Many thanks!
I noticed that Grand Design just extended their frame warranty for multiple years going back retroactively to 2020 and made all their warranties fully transferable.
Yep, I saw that. Definitely reputation damage recovery from their recent issues with frames.
Thanks John. That spike in used could be storm damaged units that can’t be sold as new. Or, more likely, people are dumping 21-23’s due to horrendous experience of poor quality. A friend of mine just sold his truck and trailer, had too many issues.
Adding 8,400 used listings in one week is a strange data anomaly. I can’t go back to look but it feels like a large player like Camping World push a bunch of old inventory onto the platform.
Great info! TY
Glad it was helpful!
Great video John
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi John, we have been following you since we got back into RVing and bought an Rpod 190 in 2019. We ended up selling it and upsizing to a GD MLE22 in 2022 for retirement and more travel/living space. The MLE has had a lot of issues which I won't get into but up until now GD has covered most. Currently we need a new roof. GD should be covering but they are not. As we are paying for the roof, we are looking at either traditional rubber roof replacement or the FlexArmor which would cost about 2500 more. We want to know how you like the Flex Armor product if you are familiar with it. Thank you and we will continue watching.
I have no experience with the FlexArmor. I can say that the TPO roof on my 2020 Keystone Bullet has been stellar without any issues in over 600 nights of use and some pretty horrendous rain storms in FL. All the best!
@@JohnMarucci Thank you for getting back to us. Happy camping, Sue and Ed
What is the best satalite and wifi fix. Thanks for all of your help.
Starlink is the best in my opinion unless you have a dense tree canopy where you are camping. Otherwise, a good Mifi from Verizon or AT&T has served me well over the years (preferable the opposite of your phone's plan provider). All the best!
I hear the Oliver brand fiberglass aluminum frame travel trailer is a pretty solid bet.
I’ve heard similar things. I hope it goes well with them as they start selling through dealers.
@@JohnMarucci
I wonder why they want to sell through dealers ?
The Oliver rigs are really nice ! Problem is they come with a real nice price tag ! 😏
More are coming.
The cost of yearly maintenance for a diesel motorhome goes higher as they get older. My maintenance was $4000 this year. Add the insurance and it cost me $6,000 this year before I turn a key. You better use it.
Thanks for sharing your expenses. People need to know about ongoing maintenance costs before pulling the trigger on a motorhome. Thanks again!
I wonder what a data set on fifth wheel trailers would look like. Rather than a younger buyer looking for entry level units it seems a fifth wheel buyer is a more serious RVer who has been through the pop up & travel trailer phases, has a larger tow vehicle and is looking to step up to higher quality.
A couple years ago I toyed with the idea of a used Class A motor home but decided against it over concerns about breakdowns/maintenance. Those concerns were the same reason we sold our 33 foot cabin cruiser boat that had 2 V8 engines. I became too afraid of the expense of a major breakdown. I think the Class A realm is for wealthy people with the significant financial resources necessary to afford the high cost of ownership.
The frame flex issue is obviously more significant than the more typical quality complaints of loose trim, dripping plumbing and sticking drawer glides. It sounded to me like it is mostly with the big toy haulers. It seems to me that building a house on wheels with a garage for 4 wheelers and motorcycles while also trying to make it as lightweight as possible so people can tow it down the road while it sways around from the wind and tractor trailers and is hitting bumps and potholes is probably a lot to ask. I have a feeling there’s simply some flawed engineering in those frames.
It is easy to change the visualization online to show just 5th wheels, which are below 2023 levels. Second chart down on this page. Just change RV Type to 5th Wheel: johnmarucci.com/data-viz-mobile/ the data pretty much reinforces that 5th wheel upgrades are at an all time low. Thanks!
👍
RVing was much more affordable and that’s what made it attractive for vacations but not now. By time you make a crazy high payment and pay the campground you are better off to get a hotel. Or better yet just take a cruise for vacation. I’ve been looking for a class c motorhome and found a couple good deals last month I should have jumped on but now all of them are out of my price range. I don’t see paying $65k + for a motorhome that has close to 100k miles. And class b? Those prices are absolutely ridiculous. If you have the disposable income to throw away on them well I must commend you. But is this the new norm? The prices on everything is crazy the next generation is getting indoctrinated to think this is how you are supposed to live, keep yourself in debt like crazy until you die. But the thought of back pack camping is starting to seem more and more appealing.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I started out tent camping for very cheap, most people don’t need a lot more than this unless you plan to really use the heck out of the RV. Easier to rent an RV for occasional use than buy one and pay to maintain it and only use it a few times a year. Thanks again!