mweiner

There's a lot of people in LA... with money, no question... Honestly, I don't run in these circles.. but, there are a lot of fancy cars and homes out here..yes, it's quite possible that people here do actually rent vehicles like my 2012 Roadtrek RS Adventurous for these rates...see this below.... unbelievable as that sounds.... look, you gotta know that I'm not making this up.... These Class B's are insanely expensive to rent..... http://rentmyroadtrek.com/rates/standard-rates/ And another rental place.... http://mercedessprinterrvrentals.com/special-deals/ $3,390 per week with a 1,500 miles allowance is a pretty good return on your investment..no matter how you look at it.. even with the expenses.... It's a fair question about what you can do with your van while you're not using it.. Because Mercedes Benz Sprinter diesel engines are known for longevity... maybe 500,000 miles...it's not an issue...for extra mileage... In fact, Mercedes Benz diesels love to run.....it's a commercial truck and engine so why not keep it running....Fed Ex uses a fleet of them everyday. The main question is... your loss of use, your exposure in an the event of an accident, even if it's covered.. vetting the renters, and the competency of the repairs themselves.. and dealing with all of the extra maintenance costs.. Look, it's more than a few dollars... however, it's taxable income... You have to consider all of these factors... Maybe you're right that there's people out there who wanted an RV so badly that this was their justification for getting what they did.... And, of course, Campanda takes a cut for their marketing, etc...it's a business... I think a lot people who get involved with the Campanda program may not realize what their exposure will be IF they don't have commercial insurance.... could be a sad ending.... when something happens... Bottom line is..if you don't have your assets covered for insurance loss...and repairs.. it's not going to work out well... The December 15th email sent out by the FMCA...to introduce / sponsor of Campanda, it might appear that they gave their imprimatur to this company.. with this tagline.... FMCA Members: Earn money renting out your RV when you're not using it Maybe the FMCA is really endorsing this service.... that's what made me look at it more closely..... Despite the potential gains... I've decided to skip it...... I wonder how many people who are FMCA members will find the offer appealing?

Wow, you each have your own diesel pushers...nice.... Interesting that the FMCA sent out this email on December 15 inviting people to look into renting out their motorhomes... Campanda was the sponsored content.. Looks like not too many people like us are "hot" on the idea.... Like you, my RV is paid for.....I wonder what audience they hoped to find.. Like I said earlier, the exposure on renting out something like this could be staggering.. I looked into commercial insurance and the premiums were just under $12,000 annually.. Now, I've seen websites out there renting a vehicle similar to mine for over $3,000 per week.... Don't really know how many people are actually renting them? One of the main reasons I didn't even think about renting one of these before I purchased it was the fact that I test drove a number of vehicles including my Roadtrek and determined immediately that I would like owning it.. Always nice to have a return on investments, but, I'll stick with my real estate investments... easier.... How often take out both motorhomes?? Sounds complicated..

Have you heard of Campanda?? It's a way of generating income from your "inactive periods" from your RV.. Sounds interesting.. but, wait.. I looked at this and concluded that it's probably not worth the aggravation, risk or insurance costs... Campanda among other companies that do this say that they cover any risks, but, you still need to have personal insurance, and while my insurance company told me that they would cancel my policy if I rented it out... other companies that would not object, State Farm Insurance.. would supposedly allow it.. An option is to ask the renter to provide insurance certificate for personal liability, and property damage while they have physical possession of the rental of your vehicle. Unfortunately, from all my research on this subject, the general consensus is that unless you have "commercial insurance"... you're running the risk of physical and financial loss and exposure.. https://www.rvrentalconnection.com/business-articles/commercial-rv-rental-insurance-vs-website-offered-rv-insurance-100 Any thoughts on this...?

Here's a link to them being sold.....in Orlando FL... http://www.mercedesbenzsouthorlando.com/vehicles.cfm/make/mercedes-benz/model/sprinter-3500/year/2018/level/USC80MBV051A0/ http://www.mercedesbenzsouthorlando.com/vehicles.cfm/make/mercedes-benz/model/sprinter-3500/year/2018/level/USC80MBV052A0/ However, it looks like that will all change in 2019.... introduction of gasoline engines....with a battery/electric version...... see below... Interesting.... https://www.trucks.com/2017/12/04/mercedes-benz-strategy-2019-sprinter-van/

You're talking about Mercedes Benz diesel automobiles.... not Sprinters.. correct?

Brett, Please cite this link for me...I'm very interested in reading this... --MARK

For those of you with Class B's.... How many of you selected a front engine diesel for it's durability, efficiency and substance over a gasoline powered engine? According to the National Automobiles Dealer Association.... mileage is NOT a consideration when evaluating "diesel engines" ... mileage is only a factor to be considered on GASOLINE engines.... Diesel engines are known for going 300,000 to 500,000 miles.... and I've been told that the entire coach will likely fall apart well before the diesel engine fails.... Please don't respond about Mercedes Benz Sprinters not being sold in North America..that is simply NOT TRUE...the 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter with the 3 litre diesel V6 is already out for 2018.... If you have anything constructive to say.... please share....

We have a 2012 RS Adventurous ... I'm thinking about upgrading the standard gauges that are merely "estimates" even according to Roadtrek, the manufacturer..YES, I called them and they confirmed that the gauges were NOT accurate.... SO, I'm thinking of getting See Level gauges.. that ARE supposed to be ACCURATE... Have any of you had experience with See Level gauges?? Please respond....

Be VERY CAREFUL......

And the "fees" can add up quickly.... https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehopkins/2017/02/03/trump-signs-executive-order-shelving-fiduciary-standard-for-financial-advisors/#4d0ef1c25863 The fiduciary standard for professional financial planners has been rescinded... Most people who don't know what they are doing will be taken for a ride.... Look how many people are scammed everyday... really sad....

A lot of people lost money in mutual funds.... See this quote.. below... "Risks of mutual funds. Like most investments, mutual funds have risk — you could lose money on your investment. ... Usually, the higher the potential returns, the higher the risk will be. For example, stocks are generally riskier than bonds, so an equity."

Money invested in real estate..... especially in the right location is one of your best investments.....

Good luck with that... estimated returns are never guaranteed..you know... And, $50 per month is not a lot of money..

Speaking of investments...my home has increased more than 500 percent since I purchased it more than 30 years ago.... this among other things allowed me to purchase an RV...RV's are very nice... however, they're depreciating assets...not at all like homes.... they're toys... So, I would advise anyone not to ever think that an RV is a smart financial move..

Well, if you have that much money in expensive real estate and stocks...you have nothing to worry about.... For those with much less...we have to save where we can... My coach payments of $600 per month for 20 years at 6 percent interest.. would have been $60,000...; Now consider instead of paying the regular payments to the finance company...I pay this amount back to myself for the next 240 months... that's $144,000 back ....one way or another.. you're going to be making payments somewhere... Aside from real estate and extremely aggressive and risky stocks.. where are you going to receive a return more than 6 percent....I suppose it's possible, but, certainly not guaranteed..... Finally, there's the security of knowing that it's all paid for...big comfort factor... Now, I wouldn't ever recommend paying off your house especially if your interest rate is less than 4 percent..... but, paying off a higher percentage note is always a preference.... Just my opinion...

Go ahead and set the tax issue aside... paying an extra $60,000 in interest payments over the life of a 20 year loan makes no financial sense... period.

Arithmetic.....

Just saying...read this article from online source.... http://rv-dreams.typepad.com/rvdreams_journal/2010/02/dont-finance-an-rv-if-you-dont-have-to-homebuyer-tax-credit.html Yeah, you have choices...

You're welcome.... plus there's this article... nothing encouraging here..... link and excerpt.... below https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/20/here-are-the-finalize.html Bottom line, it doesn't take many years of payments on a 20 year note to find yourself "upside down".... RV's have a way of depreciating quickly especially in the first 5 years of ownership, so, one way to make this a softer landing is to purchase a five year old model with as few miles on it as possible. Sometimes difficult to find... See this language from the article link above; it says that the interest you pay on a loan is for a vacation house, qualifying boat, or RV would NOT be deductible after this year, UNLESS you are renting this out as part of a business activity. Either way, even if this is up for discussion, paying 6 percent interest and getting LESS return on your investments is NEVER a good plan. Mortgage debt If you already own a pricey home and it's your primary residence, you're in luck. Under the bill, homeowners who purchased a house before Dec. 15 of this year will be able to continue deducting the interest they pay on mortgage debt of up to $1 million. For purchases after that date, that cap is lowered to $750,000 — and only for the mortgage on your primary residence. This means that the interest you pay on your loan for a vacation house — or qualifying boat, recreational vehicle or camper — wouldn't be deductible after this year. However, if you rent your vacation home — i.e., your rent out your beach house for a portion of the year — you can at least write off the costs associated with that activity, which would include a portion of mortgage interest and property taxes. Additionally, while the cap on mortgage interest reverts back to $1 million in 2026 regardless of when the home was purchased, there is no provision that would bring back the tax break for second homes. Home-equity debt Interest paid on home-equity loans will no longer be deductible beginning in 2018, with no grandfathering in. In other words, if you already have a home-equity loan or line of credit, this is the last year you can write off the interest paid on it for a while. In 2026, this provision will revert to current law, which allows a deduction for interest paid on up to $100,000 of home-equity debt.

Yes, "upside down" is correct.... https://rvtravel.com/towable-rv-owners-lose-benefit-new-tax-bill/

You can save a lot of interest payments by self financing your rig and paying back yourself... Used Class B's are typically less expensive than many larger Class A's or C's and even some 5th wheels with tow vehicles. And, RV's that are "not motorized" like 5th wheels have lost the tax deductible interest in 2018. In a few short years, your RV could depreciate MUCH faster than the rate that you pay off your loan. What do you think? Is this a concern especially with the new 2018 taxes?

Synde, ditto....I agree 100 percent with what you stated above....I'm done with the forum, when my membership is up, I'm out of here.... Between people making disparaging remarks about us wanting better fuel economy, "lack of space and comfort", and" we're in the wrong hobby". There's probably many people out there who quite possibly cannot afford to drive extremely long distances and wind up driving maybe 1,000 to 2,500 miles per year and parking for six months at a time and living in their "mobile home" RV....along with others spending $15,000 per year on coach payments and fuel plus maintenance... The whole reason for owning a Class B is the freedom to take spontaneous trips, travel extremely long distances without high fuel consumption... We we're quite comfortable, the space we didn't have inside, we had all the space we needed outside.. I just returned from an 11,000 miles tour throughout the United States and saw a lot of stuff and had a great time.....18 to 20 MPG the whole way... That my friends is less than $1,800 in fuel.... Over time, fuel economy is the most expensive thing you spend on any vehicle..and the nimble Roadtrek is perfect for driving everywhere and can enter any national park, shopping center or restaurant... SO, enjoy your Roadtrek ...and don't let anyone tell you that you have "cabin fever"...how dismissive... We're NOT full timers...live in a house and enjoy the benefits of travel whenever we can....The Roadtrek is perfect for us... As a point of information, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter is used in fleet and commercial operations in North America by large companies like Federal Express. There's no active Class B discussion on the forum because of the negativity expressed by the Class A owners... and their diesel pushing behemoths... Sorry, but, that's my perspective so far.... very sad... Synde, Happy New Year to you and enjoy your Roadtrek travels. --MARK

Blue Beacon.... download the application on your smart phone... they have a locator to direct you to the nearest location.

Really?? Yes, this was my question on the Class B forum....you answered it. As far as remarks, again...you brought this up.... these are your words not mine, you have to own it.... sorry.... Can't turn that back on me... You wrote;. "When you die that's all you will have left and only your beneficiaries will get any pleasure from it." "There are so many things in life that are more important than money that I don't think you will ever understand" Again, your decision for your situation is fine... I said that before and I'm not changing my mind on that issue... As for making "right decisions"..., I'm not saying your decision is bad at all, just doesn't work for me.... i think that you're reading a lot more into this.... my decisions work for me that's all I'm saying... your free to make yours... What I don't appreciate is people making "sweeping generalizations" about my situation.... And, statements like the ...so many things in life I will never understand" ( see second quote from you, above) Sorry, all your words...in quotations.

Welcome to the forum... what kind of rig do you have?