For those who have not read the previous articles. We originally considered buying our own motorhome but could not afford the capital outlay or ongoing expense. We realised that many motorhomes are used for one long trip or a couple of times a year, but then sit in storage most of the time. Fortunately, there were others interested in a joint purchase, and we were able to share the initial capital cost and running expenses.
The syndicate, which we called RVShare, purchased a Winnebago Leisure Seeker in 2011 with owners who have two or three months away each year. Subsequently, after four very successful years, we sold it (with over 200,000 kilometres on the clock). We had originally predicted that with a good resale, it would have cost us about $50 a day to operate (then with only $200 insurance excess); and we actually did better at $46 a day (compared with hiring at $240 a day with a massive insurance excess).
THE NEW MOTORHOMES
In 2016 we continued the scheme with some new owners and purchased a 2013 Avida Esperance. It was fully equipped, and we added many extras such as a BBQ, generator, tables and chairs, UHF radio, ground matting, privacy screen, inflatable kayak and a small 1999 Suzuki Vitara 4WD (which was flat-towed on a Ready-Brute A-frame).
