Big RVs

People who live in their rigs all year or most of the year obviously need more room. They need kitchens with refrigerators and bathrooms with showers. They need storage space for clothes and tools and books. They need furnaces and air-conditioners. Typically they drive to one place and set up there for half the year and then return. In between they stay at commercial campgrounds.

Motor Homes

Motor Homes

Dealers call these class A recreational vehicles.

People buy motor homes to get the ultimate in mobile comfort.  They can have literally the space and features of a house they can take with them.

The most obvious downside to big rigs is the expense. Class A's typically cost around $200,000 and can run into millions, depending on quality and amenities. (Prices here are in US dollars and were researched in 2013-14.) If the rig lasts 20 years (assuming you take really good care of it) figure $10,000 per year depreciation plus interest.  Of course, if you sell it in a few years, which is usual, your depreciation cost per year will be much higher. Insurance should cost less than for your car if you use it just for trips, unless you buy a million-dollar motor home. Chances are you'll have to store it, so plan on at least $100/month. Maintenance and fuel will depend on how much you drive, but figure three or more times the cost of maintaining and fueling a car. Licensing depends on the state where you live, but it will be a lot more than for a car.

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Fifth-wheel trailers (usually called fifth wheels for short) are less convenient to move than a motor home but also cost a lot less for the same space and amenities  They start around $40,000 and if you also have to buy a heavy pickup truck to tow it, add another $35,000. If you keep both for 20 years figure $4000 per year depreciation. Like motor-home owners, fifth-wheel owners usually keep them much less than 20 years and so they see much higher depreciation rates.  And, of course, they pay interest, taxes, maintenance, and storage.

Is one of these right for you?

It could be, if you're the person for whom they're intended.

These rigs are fine on the interstate highways. You can refuel at truck stops. You can learn from other RVers which supermarkets have easy access. But they're not suited to sightseeing, especially if there are busy streets with cross traffic and ordinary parking lots intended for cars. Even with good maps and GPS you can get misdirected and have to negotiate your way through congested streets to get back to the highway. Exploring for fun isn't an option. Instead, you have to find a place to park your rig and come back in your tow vehicle or your towed car, if you have one.

If your rig needs repairs, dealing with them can be complicated.  The work is specialized so you'll have to search harder to find a suitable repair shop.  Ideally, you'll want a shop that will let you stay in the rig while waiting for parts.

What this means is that big rigs are the right choice for their intended market, which is people who live in them a lot and don't move them much. Anyone else would be better off with a smaller rig.