Godsey97
Dayton,Ohio
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Joined: 06/04/2008
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If you look at hard figures and just "count beans", I do not think there is any amount of time that makes it a truly smart financial move. However, you also have to figure in the "bonding" time as mentioned before, the reduced costs of food and eating since you most likely are cooking yourself as opposed to eating out, etc. It is either something you want to do, or not.
We had a trailer at a campground on a lake here in west/central ohio. It was our first rig and with our work schedules and only towing it sporadically for two years, we might get more use out of it on a permanent site. We were just thinking of the money at the time and realize what a mistake that was. Anyhow, the wife was injured and off work for 6 months, in camping season, and we were there everytime I had a day off. Decided that we needed a bigger trailer. We bought a 38' Superslide gigantic thing that we had no means to tow so we had it delivered to the site. Used it TWICE, wife went back to work and we watched it sit for 2 years without use. Sold it and all the paraphernalia (golf cart, shed, etc) for a $6,000.00 loss (on the trailer, not counting the $$ for the extras). We swore off trailers and camping forever. Well that lasted 4 years, and we started to get the itch again. Looked for 2 years before finally pulling the trigger. We did sit down though and come to realize that we can't go into it thinking about what it costs. We know that with work and soccer and school, and....., and....., and..... that we are not going to feel we are getting our "money's worth" right away. We are looking at having it paid off in about 18 months to 2 years, and then realize when all you have is the insurance and plates and maintenance, it will feel more sensible.
As far as the boat anchor sitting in storage or the back yard, we keep it at my dad's house so we don't have to look at it..lol
All "toys" are the same though. Motorcycles and boats are hard pills to swallow here in Ohio in the winter. The payments still need made, but the item does not get used.
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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mike_mn wrote:How many camping nights per year do you think justifies the price you paid for your trailer? I realize this is something each person needs to decide, I am just wondering what others think.
For me, we are at 18 nights so far this season and have 4-6 more nights planned before winter. I feel very good about how much we are using the trailer.
If you feel you HAVE to camp one thousand nights a year to "justify" the price of the camping equipment, it's time to start going to motel 6.
I get a kick out of this everytime someone posts it. I mean seriously, what are you doing, counting days? 
You should have thought it out before you purchased the trailer. Or stop crying and enjoy any time that you get to go camping. That's what it's all about. We'd rather go 3 times a year and have them all be great memories, than go 200 times just to "say" we "got our monies worth". 
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0 
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305 
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
My 70's Show - Tom Kent Radio Network - KLTH - K•HiTS 106.7
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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I will do about 30+ this year. Would like to do more. Any amount would justify it for me.
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
Reese HP Dual Cam
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Northeast Florida Camping Club
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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Quote:Any amount would justify it for me. Our sentiments exactly.
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epeters
SW Washington
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Joined: 09/04/2007
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For us, purchasing our HTT was two-fold. My DW and love to camp and the tenting thing just wasn't working for us any more. And even more importantly, providing great memories for our DS and DD made any financial cost very much secondary.
We have been out 15 nights. We've had to cancel a number of trips due to work or other reasons. So not nearly as much so far as I'd like, but enough to be satisfied. We can take it out all year round here on the west coast, so we aren't done yet!
Erik
DW, DS, DD
2008 Antigua 235SBS
2004 Silverado Crewcab 1500
2003 Fleetwood Mesa - gone
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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The wow moments justify the money spent. Days are not the point IMO.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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tglazier
Hillsboro Oregon, USA
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Joined: 07/18/2003
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I went tent camping a couple of weeks ago, mostly due to convenience of this particular camping trip I went on. I can tell you that just one night in my Jayco 17C compared to one night sleeping (or not) in a tent more than justifies what I paid for my trailer.
Retired USAF living in the Pacific NW USA
Jayco 17C Ex-Port Hybrid
2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7L
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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Easy: Living in California, after a big earthquake: ONE
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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Coyote2cool
Denver, Colorado
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Joined: 07/13/2007
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We take 3 eight day vacations in our camper not including mini weekend trips. yes, I think thats worth the $$$ we spend for our camper.
-- Tim --
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71
2007 KZ Coyote 23 CFK
2008 Total nights camping = 27
Just Remember: When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane
Me (37)... DW  .... DD (11) ... DD  (9)...Dog (1)
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catworker
East Peoria, IL
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Joined: 10/15/2005
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We average between 40 and 60 nights per season camping. I would probably sell the camper if I camped less than 14 nights per year over a three year period. Something can always come up that shuts down camping for a season or two. But not three.
I will be retiring in 2012. A couple of hundred nights a year will probably be the norm at that time. The only thing that holds us back now is the time off work.
Mike & Laura
2005 Chevy Express Van 3500
2008 Surveyor SV233T
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