What to Look for When You Are a First Time RV Buyer
From: Jeff Radich
There are
hundreds of questions to answer and things to consider in your process of
wading through all the different makes and models of RVs and finding the one
that’s best for you. In this chapter, we looked at the starting point – the
five basic questions you need to ask yourself when deciding which type of RV to
purchase.
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The first question, of
course, is price. You need to be well-armed of the hidden costs of RV ownership
in advance so that you don't make a decision based on emotion, which could
potentially put you in a financial bind.
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Once you have
established a price range, the next step is to figure out which type of RV is
best for you: towed or self-propelled. Although this is basically personal
preference, answering certain questions can give you a clues as to which one
best suits your needs.
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The third
consideration is your particular RV lifestyle type. Knowing if you are a
part-time “vacationer” or a “full-timer” can give you valuable insight into
other important choices when selecting your RV.
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The next decision is
the proverbial “gas or diesel” debate. This can be determined by how you intend
to use your RV, but it also has a big impact on costs, including the cost to
purchase, the cost of gas, and the cost of maintenance and upkeep.
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The last decision is
one of the biggest: new or used. While it is always nice to have the “new coach
smell” or to be the very first person to use the bed, a used RV has the
advantage of price. However, with this advantage come some additional costs and
the risk that you might be purchasing someone else’s problems.
Cost is one of
the main factors concerning the new versus used dilemma, but there are several
other factors to consider. The first is how often you will be using your RV. If
you’re only going to use it two weeks out of the year, a used RV might be your
best choice. If you are planning on going full-timing or traveling
cross-country, then a new RV with a full warranty might be the way to go.
Another
consideration is how long you plan to keep the RV. If you are purchasing an RV
just to try it out or if you hope to “buy up” in a year or two, a used RV is
the best choice. A used RV has depreciated considerably in value already, even
if it's still the current year's model with barely any miles. If you buy a new RV
and trade or sell it within the first couple of years, you will lose a
substantial amount of money in depreciation (see Chapter 1). In many cases, a
used RV has already suffered the brunt of the depreciation and you don’t stand
to lose as much if you get rid of it sooner.
The bottom line
is that buying a used RV can be taking a gamble, even to the most meticulous
and educated buyer. The RV could have hidden problems that are impossible to
predict, which could end up costing a lot to repair. One way to check on an
RV's history (at least the motorized part of the rig) is to research if it has
had any major problems. Most reputable dealers will have a record available of
all service and maintenance to the RV.
The main thing to
remember about buying a used RV, above everything else, is to take your time,
test drive the vehicle on different types of roads and terrain, and do a
thorough inspection. I suggest that you bring it into a service station and
spend a few hundred dollars to get a comprehensive inspection. Make sure that
the entire unit is gone over from top to bottom at the time of delivery to
ensure all systems are in working order. These steps will go a long way toward
ensuring that you do not end up with the proverbial lemon.
Jeff Radich is a
professional research writer and active RV enthusiast. |
