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The Full Cost of Owning a Motorhome

Oct. 28 2021 Buying Guide By Pete's RV PA

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When you’re looking for a way to elevate your camping trip into a camping experience, there’s no better way than with a motorhome. But these rigs can be expensive, and more so than you might expect at first glance. We here at Pete’s RV PA believe in being prepared, so we’ve put together a brief guide to the full costs of owning a motorhome below. To learn more, or to see the motorhomes we have for sale, contact our store in Mountville, Pennsylvania, today!

Sticker Price

Obviously, the largest and first expense you’ll encounter is the sticker price. The cost will vary with factors including the model’s:

  • Size.
  • Class.
  • Age.

The time of year in which you buy your motorhome will also impact the price. Buying it in the off-season, which is around now, can help lower the price a lot. 

Loans

If you’re financing your purchase with a loan, added costs include:

  • Interest.
  • Low credit score fees.
  • Total loan amount.
  • Loan duration.
  • Whether you’re financing a new, used, refinanced, or full-time-living motorhome.

Taxes and Registration

Owning a motorhome means owning a new motor vehicle, which means you’ll need to consider sales tax, property tax, and a registration fee. With each of these, you should also make sure to find out whether it’s a one-time fee or something you’ll have to pay annually. Double-check if you’re eligible for any tax benefits while you’re at it.

Insurance

Unless you’re preparing to drive around in bubble wrap, you’re going to want insurance on your motorhome. The price of that insurance will factor in the value of your rig and your driving record.

Travel Costs

Travel costs are another hidden cost. These include what you pay for fuel, parking, and food while you’re on the road. Some of the influencing factors can include:

  • How fast you drive.
  • How much weight you’re transporting.
  • The distance to and from the campsite.
  • How fuel-efficient the motorhome itself is.

Maintenance

Finally, you should think about the maintenance costs for owning another motorized vehicle. Motorhomes are one of the more expensive RV types, thanks to the independent drivetrain and engine. If your model includes slide-outs, extra appliances, fireplaces, or other amenities, the costs for maintenance go up. You’ll have to do both preventative maintenance to avoid larger, more costly issues, and regular maintenance check-ups so a professional can verify that your motorhome is in good shape.

You should also have an emergency fund in case of an accident or unforeseen maintenance issue.

Other Costs

Finally, think about the cost of storing your motorhome when you’re not using it for a while and about utility fees when at a campsite that offers such services.

We hope this guide helps prepare you and gets you off to camping sooner rather than later! For more information, or to see the motorhomes we have for sale, contact us at Pete’s RV PA. We proudly serve Hershey, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and York, Pennsylvania—let us serve you today!