chase car or not? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

contra · RV-Dreams Family Member

chase car or not?

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Connie, we aren't planning on taking a second vehicle along but our situation is a little different than yours. We're older and don't plan on working unless it's just for a couple of weeks here and there to cut down on monthly parking costs.

Looking at your lists and based on your planned amount of staying in one place I would probably start out with the second car and see how it goes. I'm saying this because you already have a paid for, late model, warranteed vehicle so the only real extra costs are insurance, registration and additional fuel. The additional fuel may be offset somewhat by not driving the truck while you are staying in one place. Another benefit would be keeping the mileage low on the truck. You can always sell the car later.

--Rod

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

My DW choice is not to chase.

She is willing to put up with the truck as a get around vehicle. She hates long drives, where she is the driver.

The couple of times where a more comfortable ride has been needed, we rented a car and took it.

We tend to rent cars even when (non-rv) travelling from our home just to save wear and tear on our own cars.

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Connie
Our first year was with truck and 5er. In year 2 we bought a chase car (for the reasons you listed pro # 1,3,4, 5) Our plan was to sell it before year 3 but we couldn't get a fair price for it so we kept it. All of your cons (except #1) are valid. In the case of con #1 we found the cost to be a wash(fuel saving = cost of ownership of vehicle #2 + additional gas while moving)

While we never envisioned having a second vehicle and travelling seperate , we really like it now. In our case the truck and trailer lead so that the 2nd car can spot trailer problems. Have never used the chase vehicle to scout spots but we normally use private campgrounds.

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our situation is a bit different but our reasons for not going with a chase care would be;

1. We prefer to be together instead of apart talking about the road or just holding hands.

2. She prefers to drive the truck instead of a car so even if we had a second car we would likely use the truck.

3. Team driving, there are times when there is enough going on that she focus's on signage and I pay attention to the idiots we're sharing the road with or the flip side we have miles to go and my work wants me on something now. I work and she drives. (love that aircard)

Those are the three that come to mind first.

Mallo

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like the idea, but Jo loves the truck.

So we don't have a car.

JLitton65 · RV-Dreams Family Member

When the time comes, we are keeping my vehicle, I will follow. We also have 2 harleys. The cost for all will be high, but that is part of our fun so we will see how it goes.

dream reachers · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been fulltiming over2 years but on the road over 11/2 years. We let our daughter have our car when we hit the road. We drive a Freightliner medium duty truck and it has worked well with us most of the time as our only vehicle. We have rented a car when our daughter has flown out to see us a couple of times which has worked well. We have traveled many miles to distant locations with many stops. Because of this we have opted to not have a chase car, the cost of buying and maintaining another vehicle would not offset what we spend on fuel now. Jeanne does drive some but generally I drive and she navigates, she prefers not to drive long distances and would not like to drive day after day. We have discussed the idea that if we ever decided to stay in fewer locations and not travel so far that we might purchase another vehicle. I think Rods suggestion is good since the car is paid for, to keep the car and give it a try, [assuming that you will be debt free when you hit the road, otherwise sell the car to get out of debt first.] Just my opinion.

-- Edited by dream reachers on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009 11:35:34 PM

contra · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the input. I find it interesting that opinions seem to be split. That doesn't help me one bit! ashamed

Seriously, I appreciate all perspectives. We still have a lot to consider but right now are leaning toward keeping the car. So many decisions yet to make...

Footsiebear · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would not be without a second vehicle.
LOL, for one thing, the dogs ride with me and I tow the boat biggrin . Then again, we travel for work not pleasure so I'd be stuck at the campground all day while dh is at work with his truck. We were in Texarkana one year and on our way back to Alabama, the alternator went out on dh's truck. Sunday morning, 9am, 20 miles from the nearest town on some 2 lane country road. (Great place to break down. Not.) DH was able to take my truck and find an autoparts store and fix his truck himself and we got back home that same afternoon; just a few hours later than planned. If we had had to call AAA or use our Good Sam Roadside Assistance, they'd have towed the truck but the camper would have had to stay where it was and we'd still have had logistical problems to work out. Nope, I like knowing that if anything happens, we aren't stranded.

Edited to add that we're truck people. I haven't owned a car in almost 30 years and I don't even like riding in them now. Right now I've got a Ford Ranger but that's only until the 5er's paid off, then I'm getting a 4 door dually too lol!

-- Edited by Footsiebear on Friday 11th of December 2009 09:14:29 AM

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We take off in four weeks. We decided to sell my car. Well, we sold that dang thing three weeks ago. Two weeks ago, truck broke down and is now getting new engine (under warranty, thank heavens.

So, here we are. Thankfully daugher and son-in-law lives nearby and has 3 vehicles.

But as far as traveling with two vehicles, we never even considered it. But who knows what the future holds. I can see advantages but I don't enjoy driving all that much and would rather be in the truck.

Phyllis

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

Based on your current plans I think it would be logical to keep the vehicle. I say this for the following reasons:
1. More flexibility in choosing jobs where both of you may not have the opportunity to work together. You eliminate the hassles of coordinating one vehicle and two work schedules.
2. Since you will be staying in one place for longer periods of time, a more economical commute and exploratory vehicle.
3. Another vehicle to store whatever you need that can't be stored in trailer or truck.
4. You already own it free and clear and have taken the initial hit of depreciation.
The absolute worse that can happen is that you decide down the road you don't need it so you sell it. In essence, by keeping the vehicle now, all you have done is deferred the decision to sell it now and be able to make that decision with more concrete facts in hand based on your lifestyle.
Hope that helps..... R

Howard · Host

Well, I assume you have read our "Reasons For Our Jeep". But if not, and for those that have not read it, there is the link. smile

So we have a chase car, and it is one of the best decisions we've made for the way we live the full-timing lifestyle. But it's not for everyone, and if we lived and traveled differently, we might have a different opinion. biggrin

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a Volvo XC70 that is paid for & I intend to keep it. I think it's really convenient to have more than just the tow vehicle, and it does provide additional storage space. I think the additional expense will be worth it.

Cindy T