This isn't exactly an RV accessory, but couldn't find a more appropriate category...
As we continue our constant effort to purge and liquidate, we are pondering whether we should keep our current car as a 2nd vehicle. We had been planning to sell it, but as we continue to think through the pros and cons, we're reconsidering. We don't really like the idea of incurring the hassle or expense of a 2nd vehicle, but we recognize that there are many advantages that a chase car offers. Our car is only a couple of years old, paid off, low mileage and in excellent condition. Since there is still significant time left on the warranty and we've already incurred the worst of the depreciation, I would hate to sell it and then end up buying one a year down the road. It seems like it might be smarter to keep it if we think we'll eventually end up wanting a 2nd car, even if we don't need it immediately. But I'm just not convinced that it is a necessity. If it's just a nice to have, then starting out with the extra cash that the sale would provide might be the better decision. Oh, I'm sooo confused!
I'm sure some of this decision depends on the lifestyle we plan. Although we don't really know until we're living it, this is what we envision. We expect to stay in one location for multiple months and use that as our home base for day trips. When we do change home bases, we plan to travel several hundred miles at a time. We think we'd rather have a long day or two to reach our destination instead of making many short stops (if there's something we wanted to see within a couple of hundred miles, we'd probably do it as a day trip). We will both be working at least half of the year; hopefully most of the time we'll be together in the same location, but it's possible that we'll have to take jobs which require us to be separated. With all that said, I'm sure there will be exceptions, especially during times when we're not working. We'll probably want to do more traveling and may choose to do shorter but more frequent moves during these spans.
I'm familiar with Howard's and Linda's justifications of having a 2nd vehicle, but I'm interested in your opinions. Do you currently have a chase car? For those who do, did you start out with one or acquire one after being on the road for awhile? And do you think it's worth the cost? For those who don't have one, have you ever thought about getting one or do you find one vehicle is sufficient? Has anyone started with a 2nd vehicle and gotten rid of it later because you found you didn't need it?
Here are a few pros and cons that I came up with. Feel free to add to the list, I'm sure there are more...
Pros: 1) a more fuel efficient car for daily explorations 2) the ability to scout out an area before bringing in a big rig 3) the ability to drive separately for errands, work and such 4) still having transportation while one vehicle is in the shop 5) the security of having alternate transportation if the truck breaks down while towing 6) the chance to have "alone time" (note: we don't particularly see this as a pro, but I know many of you do)
Cons: 1) extra expense of maintenance, registration, insurance for a 2nd vehicle (although some of this might be outweighed by the fuel savings gained) 2) having to drive separately when moving 3) with both of us having to drive, the number of miles we could cover in a day would be limited 4) if one of us were unable to drive (due to illness, injury, etc) we'd be stuck or have to find a place to store the vehicle 5) keeping the car means that we won't have the extra cash that selling it would provide (this extra cash would go into our safety net for unknown expenditures)
Thanks in advance for offering different perspectives. It's so hard to see into the future!
-Connie
RodnReal said
04:44 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
04:50 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
05:27 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
05:54 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
06:32 PM Dec 2, 2009
I like the idea, but Jo loves the truck.
So we don't have a car.
JLitton65 said
07:08 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
11:31 PM Dec 2, 2009
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 said
09:10 PM Dec 3, 2009
Thanks for the input. I find it interesting that opinions seem to be split. That doesn't help me one bit! 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 said
09:03 AM Dec 11, 2009
I would not be without a second vehicle. LOL, for one thing, the dogs ride with me and I tow the boat . 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 said
09:40 AM Dec 11, 2009
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 said
01:01 PM Dec 11, 2009
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 said
07:45 AM Dec 13, 2009
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.
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.
Cindy T said
07:32 AM Dec 14, 2009
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.
This isn't exactly an RV accessory, but couldn't find a more appropriate category...
As we continue our constant effort to purge and liquidate, we are pondering whether we should keep our current car as a 2nd vehicle. We had been planning to sell it, but as we continue to think through the pros and cons, we're reconsidering. We don't really like the idea of incurring the hassle or expense of a 2nd vehicle, but we recognize that there are many advantages that a chase car offers. Our car is only a couple of years old, paid off, low mileage and in excellent condition. Since there is still significant time left on the warranty and we've already incurred the worst of the depreciation, I would hate to sell it and then end up buying one a year down the road. It seems like it might be smarter to keep it if we think we'll eventually end up wanting a 2nd car, even if we don't need it immediately. But I'm just not convinced that it is a necessity. If it's just a nice to have, then starting out with the extra cash that the sale would provide might be the better decision. Oh, I'm sooo confused!
I'm sure some of this decision depends on the lifestyle we plan. Although we don't really know until we're living it, this is what we envision. We expect to stay in one location for multiple months and use that as our home base for day trips. When we do change home bases, we plan to travel several hundred miles at a time. We think we'd rather have a long day or two to reach our destination instead of making many short stops (if there's something we wanted to see within a couple of hundred miles, we'd probably do it as a day trip). We will both be working at least half of the year; hopefully most of the time we'll be together in the same location, but it's possible that we'll have to take jobs which require us to be separated. With all that said, I'm sure there will be exceptions, especially during times when we're not working. We'll probably want to do more traveling and may choose to do shorter but more frequent moves during these spans.
I'm familiar with Howard's and Linda's justifications of having a 2nd vehicle, but I'm interested in your opinions. Do you currently have a chase car? For those who do, did you start out with one or acquire one after being on the road for awhile? And do you think it's worth the cost? For those who don't have one, have you ever thought about getting one or do you find one vehicle is sufficient? Has anyone started with a 2nd vehicle and gotten rid of it later because you found you didn't need it?
Here are a few pros and cons that I came up with. Feel free to add to the list, I'm sure there are more...
Pros:
1) a more fuel efficient car for daily explorations
2) the ability to scout out an area before bringing in a big rig
3) the ability to drive separately for errands, work and such
4) still having transportation while one vehicle is in the shop
5) the security of having alternate transportation if the truck breaks down while towing
6) the chance to have "alone time" (note: we don't particularly see this as a pro, but I know many of you do)
Cons:
1) extra expense of maintenance, registration, insurance for a 2nd vehicle (although some of this might be outweighed by the fuel savings gained)
2) having to drive separately when moving
3) with both of us having to drive, the number of miles we could cover in a day would be limited
4) if one of us were unable to drive (due to illness, injury, etc) we'd be stuck or have to find a place to store the vehicle
5) keeping the car means that we won't have the extra cash that selling it would provide (this extra cash would go into our safety net for unknown expenditures)
Thanks in advance for offering different perspectives. It's so hard to see into the future!
-Connie
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
-- Edited by dream reachers on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009 11:35:34 PM
I would not be without a second vehicle.
. 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.
LOL, for one thing, the dogs ride with me and I tow the boat
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
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.
Cindy T