Renting vs. Buying
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether renting or buying a camping trailer best suits your needs.
How often will you go camping?
If you have only one camping trip per year it's generally better to rent. For three or more camping trips a year it's probably better to own a camper. For two camping trips the economics are very similar so then you need to weigh picking up a rental, packing it, cleaning it, and returning it against buying a camper that has all your gear ready to go but you need to store it, license it, and accept the depreciation for it.
The numbers behind it
Let's take the 208 model. It rents for $370 per week plus tax. A used 2010 208 in January 2011 was $6695. The same camper in January 2012 costs $6195. Thus the depreciation for this camper was $500 in 2011. To that $500 we would add insurance, license, and finance charges (if applicable) to the cost of ownership. Let's say the total comes in around $800 for the year. That's equal to renting the 208 twice. So, If you were able to go on three camping trips (or if you went on two trips and a neighbor used it on a third trip) that would cover the cost of ownership in the first two trips and the third trip is essentially free (compared to renting a camper three times).
What about a new camper?
The above example concerns a used 208. A new camper changes the equation slightly. The 2011 208 when new was $7995 (in 2011). A used 2011 208 is $6895 so the depreciation from new to used is $1100. We also figure in the cost of ownership for the year as we did above, $800, for a total of $1900. At this point renting a camper for 1-4 camping trips would be more economical, buying a camper for use on five camping trips or more would be better.
Two caveats: 1. These figures only apply to the first year because after the first year (or actually, the first trip) the camper is now "used;" so the economics of owning a camper revert to the original example (3 times a year+) for the rest of the camper's life. 2. Not all models are available used or available to rent. If the model that works best for you is not available as a rental, buying may be the best option regardless in order to get the features you need.
A note about trip frequency
Keep in mind that if you own a camper then chances are you'll go on more trips than if you only rent. For starters the camper will already have your gear inside, ready to go. You don't have to call to set up a reservation or pick up the camper like you would on a rental (and you're not beholden to a company's rental availability). The likelihood of going on last-minute weekend trips increases (that's not always an option with rental schedules).
Consider also that if you own a camper and can't use it on a given week or weekend, perhaps a friend or neighbor would like to use it (and if a nominal fee is appropriate, well, that helps pay for the camper, too).
Comparison
| Renting | Buying |
|---|---|
| You must pick up the rental camper, pack it, clean it, and return it | Your gear is in your camper, ready to go at a moment's notice |
| 3 models to choose from | Many models to choose from (32 with Flagstaff alone) |
| The features and options for the rental campers are set and more basic than sale trailers | Many options are available to sale trailers (like showers, bike racks, and awnings) that don't come with our rental trailers |
| Your get a current model-year camper every year (if you rent from us, that is) | The model year stays the same unless you purchase a different camper |
| No depreciation, no licensing, no maintenance, no storage | Depreciation, licensing, maintenance, storage at your residence or at a storage lot |
You can try different models each time you rent |
The model stays the same, obviously |
| At the end of a camping trip you have your memories and hopefully some nice pictures | At the end of a camping trip you have your memories, hopefully some nice pictures, and a camper |
Privacy © 2012 Roberts Sales. All rights reserved.
