Why I hope buying an RV saves travel for our family
Editor's Note
The last month has been a great personal experiment. I've flown to Florida twice, first for the Universal Orlando re-opening day and then stayed in a socially distanced Marriott Vacation Club. After watching COVID-19 cases skyrocket around the country since my trip to Florida, my risk tolerance for my typical travel patterns has rapidly decreased.
Looking forward to the rest of 2020, in my novice opinion, I don't see anything getting any significantly better nor do I see many countries allowing Americans to visit. With a 3- and 5-year-old in the house since March and prospects to get out the rest of the year dwindling, my family looked to alternative ways to hit the road again.
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That leads us to Betty: our new 37-foot Passport Grand Touring 3351BH bunkhouse floor plan travel trailer.
We took the plunge like thousands of Americans this year and are headed out on the road for a few week-long stints at a time. She's got a Wi-Fi extender for work, 1.5 bathrooms for kids and parents to have space (relatively speaking) and all kinds of bells and whistles to make the outdoors more comfortable.
Related: Best credit cards for gas purchases
The grand experiment
There's an overwhelming amount of information to try and absorb when it comes to the recreational vehicle world. Much like points and miles, you simply can't try and understand it all from the beginning. What's most important for my family is we understand this is a grand experiment that we're purposely undertaking due to COVID-19 preventing our typical work and travel patterns from happening.
Staying inside our house with a 3- and 5-year-old for multiple additional months simply isn't an option for our family and our circumstances. We figure this experiment currently has an equal chance of failure as it does success. But, at least we know there's a chance for success, whereas the expiration date for maintaining our sanity while sheltering in space has come and gone.
Related: 6 things you should know before you rent your first RV
This is a large financial investment that has no end in sight once you start looking at the true cost of ownership. Something is always going to break, campsites have to be paid for, there's routine maintenance, insurance, fuel and likely a steep learning curve along the way. There's also the liability of moving a rather large vehicle down the road at a high rate of speed with my family inside and everyone else out on the road.
Related: Best spots for glamping in the U.S.
But the upside here for our family is potentially tremendous. My kids really need a new environment at this point. Getting them outside (beyond our usual neighborhood spots) and letting their imagination and senses run wild will likely only benefit them -- and us -- in the long run. There are plenty of places to see and sights to explore, even close to home, as we set off nearby to get our feet underneath us. The second half of 2020 could be a time of great family memories and likely a few stories we'll tell for years to come.
As long as you have judiciously done your research, understand and then hedge against the risk, I say undertake your own great outdoor experiment.
Related: The best credit cards for purchasing a car
Why a travel trailer?
To keep it simple, you have three options when looking for an RV. A motorhome, "fifth wheel" tow-behind or travel trailer. Each has several positives and negatives. Our biggest requirements were the ability to stay mobile wherever we go and that I need a separate workspace away from the wife and kids during the day.
Motorhome: The living space sits on top of a motorized chassis. If you only have a motorhome, quick grocery store runs or a simple errand could be a hassle for everyone as you need to drive the whole big rig to the store. Many are very nice and spacious but they get expensive quickly, have a ton to maintain and -- to be mobile -- you need to tow a car (a toad) behind the motorhome. I am not comfortable towing 50+ feet down the road and then being limited to the destination by our size.
Fifth wheel: Named after the U-shaped hitch that sits in the bed of a truck, these large campers can be very luxurious, but they are big. A fifth wheel requires a three-quarter-ton truck to pull it. These large trucks are not particularly easy to explore a city or simply park in a regular parking space. Fifth wheels are a more expensive option all around.
Travel trailer: These are lightweight trailers you pull behind a vehicle via a hitch. Most (but not all) are light enough for a half-ton truck to pull them. Once we are at a campsite, we can simply unhook the trailer and the wife and kids are free to explore the area in the more manageable Ram 1500 Ecodiesel truck we have to tow the trailer.
Travel trailers have great floor plans and as soon as we walked inside the 2020 Passport Grand Touring with 1.5 baths and a separate bunk room in the back, we knew we had found the one for us. I'll put a small desk and chair in the back room to work in during the day. The closing door allows my own space and the kids and wife to have the rest of the trailer to cook in, conduct virtual school or play games while I can have meetings and work in relative peace. At 7,000 pounds empty, it is well within the 10,000-pound towing capacity of our Ram -- even once loaded with cargo.
The final factor in our selection of a travel trailer is our potential plan to rent it out on platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy. This has a whole other level of factors to consider before renting it out, but having a travel trailer that is towable by a half-ton truck widens our pool of potential renters considerably compared to a fifth wheel.
Related: Tips for your first RV rental
Points and miles while camping?
Many members of the TPG Lounge on Facebook have asked questions about maximizing points and miles towards an RV purchase or while camping. To be honest, the options are limited. I was able to put a 10% down payment on the trailer with a credit card but after that, I see little that can be done.
Some nationwide campgrounds, like KOA and Yogi Bear Jellystone parks, have rewards programs and there are different memberships you can buy like Passport America that save on campgrounds. Other than that, I haven't found much substance for points and miles yet. Credit card rental insurance doesn't cover RVs and I have not found a way to redeem points to cover campground fees.
I'll continue to focus my efforts on dropping the price of gas for my tow truck using programs like GetUpside and Fuel Rewards. When I do pay for gas, luckily there are a few limited-time offers giving bonus points for gas right now.
Related: We're exploring the country by RV for a year -- with four kids
Bottom Line
Our decision to jump headfirst into RV life came down to whether we sit and wait for the world to decide what we can do, or do we strike out and forge our path to reclaim travel. We are tired of sitting and waiting.
Will our travel trailer Betty yield great fun and adventure, or frustration and $$$ wasted? Probably both — either way, it'll be a good story and better than continuing to stare at the same four walls for an indefinite period of time.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.