How To Buy An Rv BEST
As you educate yourself on how to buy an RV, get familiar with performing maintenance and repairs. These may include trailer lights, basic plumbing systems, electrical systems, and interior and exterior trim. Expect to make repairs even in the first year. Also, be aware that RVs cost more to own over time than cars and trucks.
how to buy an rv
Entry-level travel trailers can start at $10,000, while fifth-wheel trailers generally start at around $25,000. Motorized Class B and C RVs can start at around $60,000, while a mid-tier Class A motorhome can cost $100,000 or more. A new Class A diesel pusher can have a price tag of more than $200,000, and luxury RVs sometimes exceed $300,000 in cost.
You should expect to spend at least $1,000 on tools, spare parts, and accessories after you purchase your first RV. In addition to monthly payments on a loan, you should also budget $500 to $1,000 per month on average to pay for storage, repairs, camping and park fees, upgrades, gas, maintenance, insurance, and occasional renovations.
The main benefit of buying a used RV is money savings. You can embark on the RV lifestyle with much less capital. Depreciation is highest in the first year of ownership, which means you can find a lightly-used RV at a reasonable price.
Even so, you can never know the history of a used RV with 100 percent certainty. Some wear and tear from prior use is inevitable. If you buy from someone on Craigslist or another private owner, consider having the RV professionally inspected before purchase.
There are many different types of RVs and floor plans from which to choose. After you set your budget and decide if you want a new or used RV, look into these options next. Choosing a size and style is a big part of how to buy an RV.
The biggest difference between RVs and campers is that you drive some types of RVs, whereas you can only tow campers. RVs come in three classes: A, B, and C. Campers can include travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck bed pop-ups. In the broadest sense, all of these are recreational vehicles.
The Class B camper van is a good choice for a couple or small family looking to have more weekend getaways and road trips. Class B RVs usually have wet baths, which means the toilet and sink are located inside the shower stall. Although you lose space, you gain driveability.
This is the most common type of motorized RV. It has a truck-style cab that is separate from the living area behind it, which includes an above-cab bunk or storage area. Class C RVs are easier to drive than Class As and offer more space and amenities than Class Bs.
Fifth wheels are towable RVs that can be almost as long as Class A models. They come in a range of sizes and layouts. The hitch that connects a fifth-wheel RV to a truck sits inside the truck bed. This offers better stability while driving and also makes it easier to maneuver around corners. Fifth wheels can handle more weight than travel trailers and are taller both inside and outside.
A truck camper sits squarely in the bed of your pickup truck. You can choose between hardtop models or pop-up campers that expand with soft walls or tents. You can also get models with slides that expand out the sides or back.
When choosing a floor plan, consider the importance you give to entertainment, sleeping, cooking, and bath facilities. Do you want to cook gourmet meals no matter where you are? Or, do you prefer to fit as many nieces and nephews on board as possible? Here are a few popular floor plans that apply to larger trailers and RVs.
The Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel is a solid selection with modern interior styling. Another great choice is the Winnebago Hike, which won a top-10 award for 2021 from RVBusiness and starts at under $30,000.
Factories make RVs largely by hand but not in a boutique or luxury way (for the most part). Walls can be an inch-and-a-half thick. Small screws that hold up trim pieces come loose from vibration. Electrical connections can jostle apart over time.
If you have a serious problem with the electrical system or drivetrain, go back to your dealer and have some warranty work done. But try to fix small electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and cosmetic issues on your own if you can. Dealers usually have a backlog of RVs they are servicing, and parts are often back-ordered. It can take weeks or even months for the shop to get to your repair.
From emergency preparedness to electrical maintenance, a wide range of must-haves are necessary for RV newbies. Below is a non-exhaustive list of items to get you started. Keep in mind that you should have everything you need to survive in your RV and fix mechanical problems.
The type of insurance RV buyers must purchase depends on the type of RV they choose. States require motorized RVs to have the same coverage as other vehicles on the road. The most common requirements are bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, while some states can also require uninsured motorist coverage or medical coverage.
You also have the option of getting full coverage insurance by adding collision and comprehensive insurance. These options protect your RV if you are the one who causes an accident or if you run into a stationary object.
After all the research, negotiating, preparing, and waiting, you can finally go to the delivery location and pick up your RV. Most dealers will spend a bit of time with you and walk you through the features of your RV. Take this time to do a full inspection of every switch, appliance, light, and fixture.
When a dealer sells a new RV, they often have a punch list of items to accomplish before handing over the keys. This may include fixing slight defects from the factory or doing small customizations for the customer.
An RV is not a good financial investment, strictly speaking. An RV depreciates up to 20 percent in the first year and 35 percent after the fifth year. However, you can lessen the depreciation by taking good care of it and keeping it well-maintained.
It is harder to get an RV loan than an auto loan. You need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify for an RV loan. Only a few lenders offer financing for borrowers with scores under 700, and they usually require borrowers to use RVs as collateral.
Plan on spending at least $1,000 on tools and accessories to get going. These include emergency preparedness items, household and mechanical tools, extra screws and fasteners, extra fuses and bulbs, hoses and cables, water treatment items, and more.
A quick Google search will reveal that it costs anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000 for the average RV. Used campers and RVs will be on the lower end, around $10,000 to $150,000, depending on the type of RV, the amenities included, and the age.
Now, the type of RV will determine the approximate cost. In general, pop-up campers are cheaper than traditional travel trailers, and travel trailers are less expensive than fifth wheels or motorhomes. However, this is not an exact science.
Of course, there are overlaps based on size, trim levels, age, and brands. For instance, Airstreams are more expensive than similar-sized travel trailers, and high-end fifth wheels may cost more than a moderate motorhome.
There are many pros and cons to buying a used RV. One pro is that the depreciation on an RV is pretty significant. As soon as you drive off the lot, an RV is worth significantly less than what you paid. Sometimes immediate depreciation can be 21% or more!
A used RV may be a better deal because the previous owner(s) have already absorbed that immediate depreciation. In addition, they may have upgraded the electronics or tires, or purchased add-ons like awnings, electric jacks, solar panels, on-demand water heaters, and even better mattresses. All of these upgrades are a bonus for you!
Being prepared and educated is essential before purchasing any RV, but when shopping privately, often deals go quickly. Have your finances, tow vehicle, potential storage location (if needed), and tools ready to make quick offers. This will get you the best deals before someone else swoops in!
After you get a basic idea of what you can afford, you can start casually shopping to see what type of RV can fit that budget or payment. Being smart with your money will save you from an impulsive purchase that will put your family into scary debt.
Be careful not to offend the seller with a lowball offer. Be respectful, but know how much repairs, tires, etc., will cost and be realistic in your negotiations to get a win/win. You want to get your new RV for a fair price!
Dealers can negotiate, too, but when demand is high, they rarely need to drop prices. You may be able to negotiate add-ons or other things that might be important for you, such as delivery, a warranty, different tires, or electric jacks, for instance.
By doing your homework ahead of time, you can make a smart buying decision and get the RV of your dreams. When making an informed purchase, you can keep enough money in the bank for all those camping adventures with your new rig!
The RV Buyers Bootcamp will teach you how to pick out the best RV for you, learn tips and tricks for negotiating and financing, perform a hands-on Pre-Delivery Inspection, find friends on the road, and so much more! Review the Course Curriculum here.
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Investing in an RV is not a decision to be taken lightly or rushed. It is a serious investment and requires a great deal of thought, consideration of all the pros and cons, and shopping around to make a solid purchasing decision.
Perhaps it would make better sense to ease into the RV lifestyle first with a pop-up or smaller travel trailer. By starting small and building from there, you can better determine if you want to upgrade to a bigger model. If so, you should have a much better understanding of what features you need such as more storage, power requirements, and space. 041b061a72