Money can be a touchy topic. But, on the road, I find that travelers are a lot more open about how much they pay for their tiny homes on wheels and how they fund their travels. I think most of us are surprised by how little we paid, but there are definitely some people who splurged and want everyone to know it.
Take a look. How much do you think I paid for Jazzie?
I'll tell you.
I paid $14,000 for my Keystone Bullet Crossfire*. With taxes added, it came to roughly $15,200. The trailer sold brand-new for approximately $21,000, and the previous owners used it seasonally for only two years before selling it to me.
If you think I got a great deal, wait til you hear about my friend. He bought his 24-foot Winnebago motorhome for $6,000. Sure, it was 26 years old, but the plastic was still on the items inside because the owner never used it. He's been living in it full-time since 2020.
There are even better deals than that. I know of several people who got their first campers for free―him included. This often happens in rural communities. Family members upgrade to larger or more modern RVs and pass the old ones down for free.
Then, there are the rich people.
Campers sometimes sell for up to $1.5 million. The hilarious part is that it's not the big 40-foot motorhomes. Although, owners have told me they paid a quarter of a million for those!
The most expensive RVs on the roads are medium-sized RVs. Why? Because convenience is the best commodity in the modern world, and manufacturers know this.
So, what does a million-dollar camper look like? Check out Earthroamer.
Some people choose to build RVs that meet their specific needs.
This can range from DIY teardrops to custom skoolies. I have even seen DIY Earthroamer-styled overland rigs, including some on semi-truck chassis.
There’s a camper for every budget.
Whether you have millions of dollars or a lifetime of experience and sweat equity, you can find―or build―the perfect rig for your travels. This table from TAXA Outdoors provides a decent measuring stick of what to expect when buying one brand new:
Next week, we'll talk a little more about RV prices. I'll cover the following topics:
What are some features that affect RV prices?
How can you pay as little as possible for your RV?
How can you ensure you get a good deal beyond just the price?
See you next time!
*I am a Keystone RV brand ambassador.