An RV purchase is a huge investment. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that someone would want to make sure they are able to afford the RV before they actually jump into RV life. The problem is, many people don’t expect to encounter the many unexpected RV costs that come along with trailer or motorhome ownership. From RV registration fees to unexpected repairs, these RVing expenses can mean that the actual price of owning an RV is higher than expected.
Before our family bought our first RV, I did a lot of digging to make sure I knew exactly what we were getting ourselves into. Despite this, I still came across some unexpected RV costs. I’m here today to help you out by giving you a quick rundown of the RV costs that may surprise you.
Insurance
Obviously, you need to insure your new rig. This is likely no surprise, but the unexpected RV costs of insurance could be a shock if you don’t do some research first. Insurance premiums are very different between travel trailers, 5th wheel towables, Class C motorhomes, Class B vans, and Class A motorhomes. Before you buy any rig, get some RV insurance quotes. This will allow you to make sure the insurance bills won’t break the bank.
RV Storage
Paying for indoor or outdoor RV storage isn’t something we had to worry about. That said, unless you’ll be full-time RV living, you will need a place to store it in between trips. Some people can get away with parking their rig on their land. That said, you will want to check and make sure this is allowed where you live. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at paying to leave the RV at a storage facility. The cost of commercial storage isn’t necessarily cheap.
Roadside Assistance
One of the unexpected RV costs I missed when researching the total cost of RV ownership was the cost of roadside assistance. Despite not accounting for the cost in our budget, I added RV-specific roadside assistance as soon as I realized it was available to me. I’m glad I did, as the plan’s annual fee has paid for itself more than once!
Unexpected Setup Costs
Getting your rig set up and ready to hit the road will also cost some money. If you buy a trailer, expect to spend some money getting your truck outfitted with the proper hitch. Meanwhile, those who go the motorhome route will likely want to get a small car set up as a “toad” (tow-behind vehicle).
Both options can be pretty pricey. Make sure to do the math and add this setup cost into the total cost of the rig.
Gear for Getting Started
You might have an RV set up with the perfect hitch, insurance, and roadside assistance. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready for your first camping trip. You see, there are a number of little things you really do purchase to stay comfy and avoid unexpected RV costs. Get some of these creature comforts for the road:
- Freshwater Hose – Needed for getting potable water to your RV.
- Water Pressure Regulator – Necessary for making sure the campground’s water spigot isn’t putting too much water pressure into your RV water system.
- Surge Protector – Protects your RV from potential power surges.
- RV Extension Cord – Sometimes the campsite power pole will be too far away from your RV parking pad. In that case, you may find that you need an extension cord to reach it. For safety, make sure to use an RV extension cord rather than a household one.
- Sewer Hose Kit – You’ll need to dump your wastewater tanks after a weekend of camping. A sewer hose and all the necessary attachments will be needed for this job.
More RV Gear Essentials
- Sewer Hose Support – Do you plan to leave your sewer hose connected for the duration of your stay? A sewer hose support is also a good thing to have.
- Leveling Blocks – Not all campsites are level, especially off-grid boondocking sites. Fix this by packing some leveling blocks to place under your RV’s tires in order to keep things level.
- Wheel Chocks – Obviously, you don’t want your RV to go rolling away. Wheel chocks will ensure this doesn’t happen.
- Jack Pads – Some campsites require that RVers use jack pads under their stabilizer jacks in order to protect the RV pad. Have some on hand in case you need them.
- Level – Lastly, we recommend investing in a good level. This will make sure your RV is as level as possible wherever you park.
Items for Fun and Comfort
You’ll need to put some things inside of your RV in order to stay comfortable while you’re out enjoying adventures. Some things can be carried back and forth from your house to the RV, but this isn’t always feasible.
I recommend grabbing the following items to keep in the RV:
- Outdoor Rug – Make your campsite feel like home and prevent mud from being tracked into the RV with a handy outdoor rug from Amazon.
- Camp Chairs – Nobody wants to sit on uncomfortable picnic table benches. Invest in some camp chairs instead.
- Kitchen Supplies – Carrying your entire kitchen setup from your house to your RV every time you take a trip is a pain. Avoid that by fully stocking the RV kitchen.
- Bedding – Bedding is another item that is best left in the RV. Grab some cheap sheets and blankets to stock up the rig.
- Towels – Yet another item we prefer to leave in the RV, towels for the camper should be budgeted for.
Gear for Staying Connected
Depending on how often you need to connect to the internet while out in your RV, you may also need to invest in a way to get online from your campsite.
Do you only use the internet occasionally? If yes, you might be able to get away with using your cell phone as a hotspot. Hopping on the RV park Wi-Fi is another idea for light internet users. Since we planned to be full-time RVers and work on the road, a dedicated hotspot was necessary. Later, we upgraded to a Starlink setup, which is much more reliable overall.
Repairs and Maintenance
Here’s the thing: these vehicles require regular RV maintenance. Even the best-maintained rig will have unexpected RV costs at some point. (Trust me, I’ve done my fair share of maintenance and still have a running list of repairs to make.)
Make sure you set up an emergency fund for RV repairs and maintenance, including:
- Sealant – Maintain seals and seams on your RV every six months or so. This helps ensure water doesn’t sneak in and cause serious damage. You’ll need to buy a tube or two of sealant each time you reseal. Every few years the entire roof will need to be resealed.
- Fluids, Filters, Spark Plugs, etc. – If you have a motorhome, the fluids and filters under the hood will need to be checked, changed, and topped up. Additionally, your generator will need oil changes, filter changes, regular “exercising” (used under load), etc.
- Tires – Plan to replace your RV tires every 10,000-30,000 miles, or at least every six years. Good tires are expensive for every RV class, so this is one you’ll want to have money set aside for.
- Replacement Parts – You never know which little part might break on an RV. Have a collection of money saved up to buy replacement parts when needed. You should be able to replace many RV parts yourself with the help of a YouTube video or two. However, in some cases you may also need to pay a pro to fix the problem.
Don’t Forget the Upgrades
Many people find that they need to upgrade certain parts of their RV soon after they buy it. Some parts that are commonly replaced include the shower head and the mattress. As you enjoy more RV use you may find other things that bother you. Be sure to budget for a few upgrades. You’re going to want that money set aside. I know we did!
There you have it, a list of the most common unexpected RV costs that catch new RV owners by surprise. Budget for these things in addition to the purchase price of your RV, and you’ll be good to go with your new RV lifestyle!
