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mweiner

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Posts posted by mweiner

  1. Posted · Report reply

    37 minutes ago, manholt said:

    Linda does not drive my coach & I don't drive hers!  So, why would we rent them out?  Both are DP's, both are paid for & we don't need the money (if we did, we would be stupid to have a coach to begin with)!  :blink::wacko:

    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..

  2. Posted · Report reply

    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...?

  3. Posted · Report reply

    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/

  6. Posted · Report reply

    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....

  7. Posted · Report reply

    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....

  9. Posted · Report reply

    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....

  12. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, manholt said:

    Tax free Municipal Bond fund, such as, but not limited too...Levine, Eagle or Blackrock paid 6.25 % average per year, over the past 7 years.  That's equal to over 9% taxable, per year!  You don't need mega bucks to get a Mutual Fund...$50 a month from any brokerage, over time it builds in value and yield.  Now that's IMHO mathematics. that anyone can understand.

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

  14. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, elkhartjim said:

    When the return on my investments during this time period are greater than the dollars payed out are it makes perfect sense.

    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...

  18. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, wolfe10 said:

    Mark,

    Thanks for the link.  Always something new out of Washington.

    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.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    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? 

     

     

  21. Posted · Report reply

    On 12/29/2017 at 8:16 PM, Synde said:

    I am also a two time Roadtrek Owner. A 190 and now a 210. If all the posts on the Class B forum are as judgmental and cantankerous as this, I will be another one who never posts. With that said It would be nice if there was an active class B forum, where non class B owners would refrain from commenting unless it was a positive addition to the topic. 

    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

     

  23. Posted · Report reply

    45 minutes ago, BillAdams said:

    Don't try to discipline me, this was YOUR question. "Did full timing really save you a lot of money".  Assuming you meant pejorative, I made no such remarks.  I did not insinuate anything.  I made a direct statement that you are trying to figure out if full timing saved a lot of money and that has nothing what-so-ever to do with full timing.  The reality is that all of your work to accumulate wealth will only be a benefit to your heirs if you don't enjoy the life you have the opportunity to live.  I am tiring quickly of your "I am the only one here making the right decision" posts.  If I could keep it up and kill off your particular membership I think we would all be better off.

    Sorry moderators....I promise I will be good from here out!  I am not going to let this guy continue to get under my skin!

    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. 

  25. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, WILDEBILL308 said:

    "All of this we can do and enjoy in our lighter foot print Class B...." That is just fine if all you want is just a Class B. Why don't you go camping and give it a rest. I know I am I will be headed to St. Louis to watch the eclipse starting Thursday. 

    I will be taking my class A motorhome that gets about 8.5 MPG and towing my CR-V that gets over 30. I don't care what the cost of fuel I am going. I was traveling a few years ago when Diesel was over $4.50 a gal and only drove 15,000 miles. You can figure out what it cost I DON'T CARE.

    You keep preaching about how you can go places that class A coaches can't. Please, you obviously haven't had your oversized van in any of the major national parks. You will be just driving around looking for a place to park. I park my coach in a campground and take my toad and still have a hard time finding parking. Just for reference point I was in 12 national parks and 27 states just last year. I think I know what I am saying about parking. 

    One other point. "A large Class A that you live in is like a mobile home on wheels... You still have to pay for fuel, maintenance, long term storage, repairs, insurance, any other costs.. traveling and admission to recreational areas..." How is your B different? Yes I have a mobile condo. I can park it on the coast. East, West Gulf. In the Mountains,..

    Bill

     

     

     

    Bill, 

    I was just in the Grand Canyon area didn't see any challenges with parking... NOW , Yosemite National Park.. have you been following what's going on there??

    As we just returned from a trip... we're relaxing at home now... very nice...

    My plan is go during the off season... We avoid crowds..if we want to experience crowds, I only need to get on the LA freeway... 

    Speaking of crowds.... You ain't seen nothing yet.. until you get to the "eclipse"... Whoa, that will be a crowd infested event... guaranteed... 

    We're taking our rig across country for two months in late September...no set route to the Midwest.... down the Eastern shore to Florida and across the country back to California...  We have some key highlights we want to see and visit friends and family...   

    For me... fuel economy is important... 

    By the way... I don't pay for storage costs for the Class B...it is parked in front of the house....the advantage of the single vehicle is I don't have to worry about towing, reduced speeds in California , and the maintenance and repair on another tow car... 

    Enjoy your trips...

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