Most of us are interested in getting the best vacation for our dollars. We hear many who think they can get more bang for the bucks doing the RV thing. Being timeshare folks, we also hear many who say that they can go more and get a better vacation for their dollars using their timeshares. We thought we would try to break down some of the numbers and look at both sides of the coin in reference to timesharing and RV’ing.
The first area we might take a look at is the accommodations. RV’s come in numerous sizes, so it can be a little hard to compare with timeshares. Clearly, the larger they are, the more they cost. Many are well- equipped and provide nice accommodations for a small family, while others are simply a pop-up tent on wheels. Everything is very compact to make use of all the available space. Some people feel cramped. But on the plus side, you pack it up at home and do not have to hassle moving in and out of a hotel or timeshare. Many have a small kitchen, and you can prepare meals at a savings vs. eating out for every meal.
When we compare this with the timeshare accommodations, there are some clear differences. Timeshares are usually larger, with more square footage. Most come with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, TV’s in each bedroom, large living room and dining area. There is plenty of room for a family. You can get 1-3 bedroom units that works great for extended families or friends. We have, on some occasions,reserved more than one unit to include more people. The timeshare wins in this area with better accommodations.
Let’s look at the amenities and activities at both the timeshare resort and RV park. Many parks and timeshares have pools, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc. They are all a little different but seem to have nice facilities for folks to use as they wish. Some parks and timeshares have very few amenities. You should be aware of what each has and book your stay according to your needs and desires. Some provide all kinds of activities for all ages, and on the other end you can find both parks and timeshares that don’t offer much. I think I would call this one a draw.
Location is another area which we should cover. There are parks and timeshares all over the country. There are also timeshares all over the world, which expands the places you can go as you can trade through your exchange company. It would be hard to take your RV out of the country. Also, you can fly to locations to get to your timeshare, but your only choice with an RV is to drive. If vacation time is an issue, the RV has its limits when you have a long way to drive. Also, you have the hassle of driving a large rig with the RV and some people might find this difficult. Many have the problem of towing a car along to provide transportation when they reach their destination. It seems that timesharing wins here.
We’ve just scratched the tip of the iceberg here with our RV and timeshare comparisons. Stay tuned for our next post in which we’ll discuss the financial issues.
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