Exactly. We pull Rubi on a trailer also behind the motorhome, our fuel cost alone is 50 cents per mile but we really enjoyed traveling with our stuff and pets. We can entertain in the coach don't have to eat out every meal, we have a good selection of clothes and shoes, etc., etc.

We knew a couple that went on a six week vacation staying at motels and they were quite surprised at how much it cost to be on the road like that.

We've been RVingsince. the early 80s and have owned everything from an class A to a tent trailer. I do not believe, there is any money savings when traveling in an RV. The only way it makes any sense to me is if you use it more than 35 or 40 nights a year.

But with that being said, there is something about being in the woods/desert/at the river, you choose, that makes the extra money worth the expense....sometimes.

I really think it boils down to whatever works for you, or puts a smiles on your face!

If you try comparing a travel trailer to hotel rooms strictly from a financial standpoint you’ll never make the trailer work.

We did a 6,000 mile round trip across Canada a few years ago and thought about hotels vs our trailer a lot and ended up taking the trailer. The increase in fuel cost was less than a cheap motel each night (we stayed at truck stops for free). While that particular trip worked out in our favour financially it would have been a wash at best if we were paying campground fees along the way.
However, having our own bed, bathroom, kitchen and not hauling suitcases in and out of hotel rooms along the was more than enough to convince us to take the trailer again next year when we repeat the trip.

Now if you take the total cost of ownership, you will have to spend an awful lot of nights in hotel rooms to justify the cost of the trailer. Insurance, storage fees (if needed) depreciation, maintenance, repairs etc really adds up.

But, I’ll take a weekend of back country camping with a nice campfire over a hotel room every time.

Well said!

What about, for just when you need it, rent one of those Cruise America RVs?

https://www.cruiseamerica.com/rv-rentals

I have no idea what the cost is but that's absolutely a possibility. My #1 nephew and his family (four kids) rented a Class B for a couple of weeks to camp with his brother and his family. #1 nephew and family enjoyed it so much they bought an RV (Class B.)