Are RV's indoor-only planes?

[XLS+PAT]

I can't imagine having my RV7 outside. I'm lucky to have a hangar, took about a year of waiting. I'm close to the ocean so it is especially important. I even cover my RV7 in the hangar.

There is more to it. I love hanging out at the there. I've got it equipped with all the creature comforts. My hangar neighbors always stop by for a coffee or a beer and some great conversation.

Pat

KHAF
RV7

[jpowell13]

Here's a picture of my ramp queen during a long x-country. I do repaint a lot. My tailfeathers and front wheel pant are off now for inspection and repaint. Almost all off my plane's painted parts are removeable so I can take them home for recoating. I've been fortunate in Baton Rouge not to have had any hail at the airport in the 6 years it's been on the ramp. I'm able to drive my truck on to the ramp during condition inspections and major work which is a big help.

I'm 67 so my RV doesn't have to last me all that long. Also, I primered the interior before assembling because I knew I would be storing it outside. It's definitely not pristine, but I haven't had corrosion problems yet. When the weather cools I'll polish. John

[Robert Sailor]

Years and years ago I left many of my aircraft outside but I never owned one much more than a couple of years plus i lived in the prairies so it wasn't a big deal but these days I have the RV and where I live close to the coast it's never going to be kept outside because it would get trashed.
No one wants to spend more money than they have so that's got to be taken into consideration when considering ownership. There are always other options.

[rocketman1988]

"...No one wants to spend more money than they have..."

Sure they do! EVERYONE wants to spend more money than they have!

[rzbill]

Try paying for a hangar AND monthly ramp fees to keep your plane in the sun 5 days a week and in a hangar for 2 days with your tools to do maint. Of course I would prefer to keep it hangared all the time but you do what you can do and have to do. The nomenclature of inside vs outside plane is irrelevant.

[Berchmans]

I have been flying now for 38 years and owned aircraft for 34 of those 38 years. The biggest mistake I made 34 years ago was not BUYING a hangar before I purchased an airplane. I did purchase a hangar when I began construction of my RV8 and I can safely say that it is the only investment that I have made in aviation that has appreciated in value. Even if you are between aircraft you can rent your hangar out to someone while you build/buy another one. The hangar will increase in value, your aircraft will not loose value as fast, your maintenance costs will be much lower and you will have more time to fly because you will not find your wing covers frozen on from freezing rain. And I had $14,000 dollars damage to my plane once from a moose while parked outside but that's another story. I you do buy a hangar get one with a high enough ceiling to install and Aerolift as you can rent that space out as well...or park your other plane on it...

[woxofswa]

This thread reminds me of a sign in my Dentists office that reads.

?Flossing is only required for the teeth you want to keep.?

I heard a story one time about a divorcing couple where the husband owned a beloved P-51 that was being restored to flyable condition but the hangar was owned by the wifes?s family in an area impossible to find hangar space at any cost. Both were obstinate and had bulldog attorneys but it took the airplane a few months out on the ramp before a settlement was reached. Guess who caved?

I don?t think an RV is any more outdoor tender than any prized aircraft but I couldn?t imagine leaving one out. At the very least a covered tie down aka shade hangar offered at many airports as a cheaper alternative to a full hangar.

[smokyray]

Originally Posted by precession

I would be interested to hear the comments of people who have experience keeping them outside. Maybe there are some who disagree that RV's are generally made to live inside?"

P,
I too am a 25+ year RV builder/pilot and all that originally on the premise of budgetary spending. Or more appropriately Vans "most bang for buck"
To live outside much depends on the part of the country you live in. Being a native of the SE USA my RV4 paint prep included hand scrubbed etch and alodine with PPG concrete truck cab primer and paint as well as Zinc Chromate on all internal surfaces..( which by the way still looks new 25 years later) I planned for some outside parking but corrosion is a big player in my neck of the woods not to mention the 3 H"s. Hail, Hurricanes and High winds, the third a by product of the 1st 2.
That said, parking outside in AK is normal, a cabin and engine cover is plenty. Do that in TX and your RV will look like a golf ball in less than a year.

Park outside? Sure, but make sure you know the local weather and are willing to pay higher insurance and need it..

I did solve the hangar cost problem however. After some careful measurements and access to a nearby grass strip via roads...



What's in your garage?
V/R
Smokey

[Piper J3]

Originally Posted by NewbRVator

My wife did make me move it from the bedroom to the living room. But I am okay with that.

Good one...

[JordanGrant]

For me, my hangar rent is the #1 expense for owning an RV, by a large margin. My expenses are otherwise very low because I work on it myself - but it's really hard to work on it yourself without a hangar. Possible, but much more difficult and less comfortable.

On a related note, I think the lack of a healthy hangar market in many (most?) areas of the country is a largely ignored drag on the health of General Aviation. I wish EAA or AOPA would attack that with the same enthusiasm they have displayed going after the monopoly FBO price gouging around the country.