Top 5 Questions For First Time RV Buyers

Buying your first RV can feel like a very harrowing task. It is like buying your first vehicle and your first home rolled into one! There are so many questions to ask and things to consider when shopping for your first RV that it can often feel overwhelming and confusing. You can cut away some of that confusion with these top 5 questions for first-time RV buyers!

To Buy Used Or To Buy New?

Just like when buying a vehicle, buying a used or new RV has pros and cons. One significant advantage to buying a new RV is that it will likely come with a warranty of at least one year. If something in or on your RV happens to break, as things often tend to do, the warranty will cover it so that you can get issues fixed without worrying about having to pay out of your pocket. With a warranty, you will have added peace of mind that your new RV is protected.

New

A disadvantage to having a brand new RV is that you may run into minor quality issues that manufacturers failed to identify before putting that RV on the lot. An example of such an issue could be a crooked cabinet door or a scratch on the flooring. These minor issues are usually easy to fix but can feel like a big headache to take care of.

RVs are essentially houses on wheels, and just like an ordinary house, each one has its own set of unique flaws and quirks. Take the time to learn these different quirks and flaws when looking at a new RV to decide for yourself if it will be worth the time and effort to fix. When purchasing an RV, you should do so assuming that you will need to address or otherwise resolve a few small issues within your first few months of ownership.

Used

Buying a used RV has its own set of positives and negatives. Typically, buying a used RV can be a far more affordable way of getting into RVing, especially for those who feel unsure if they will enjoy traveling with one. In other words, getting a used RV gives you the chance to try out the RV lifestyle without investing as much money as you would in a new RV.

A used RV does not come with a warranty and, as a result, leaves you entirely responsible for the cost of repairs and upgrades. When buying a used RV from a private seller, it is important to ask plenty of questions. You will want to know precisely how well taken care of the used RV is and any repairs or upgrades it has undergone. If there are any issues with the used RV you are interested in, you will want to be aware of those issues and how much it will cost to fix them. Thankfully, most responsible RV owners tend to take good care of their RV.

How Much Space Is Needed?

One of the most important aspects to consider when shopping for an RV is how much space you need. The amount of space you will need can depend on various factors. Many new RVers make the mistake of starting with a larger, bulkier RV model only to wish that they had chosen a smaller model. The most common reason for this is due to accessibility. Larger RV rigs can make it exceptionally difficult to reach more remote places. Having a smaller rig makes reaching these more remote locations far easier, opening you to more possibilities and more places to visit.

A smaller RV rig is not always a perfect solution for everyone. If you travel with several family members, traveling companions, or even pets, your space requirements will change. You will need more living space to accommodate more people, which a larger RV can provide you at the cost of a bit of accessibility. In general, smaller RVs are typically ideal for individuals or couples, while larger RVs are ideal for larger traveling groups such as families.

How Do You Want To Travel?

RVing opens you up to many opportunities when it comes to travel. From RV parks to secluded campgrounds, there are many places to go and many things to experience. Some people prefer to get set up in an RV park and remain there for whole seasons. Others prefer to be on the road constantly, exploring new areas and new adventures. There are even those who wish to be completely off-grid with their RV.

However you wish to travel, you will need to ensure that the RV you want can support that lifestyle. For example, if you intend to live off-grid, you may want to check out RVs that come pre-installed with solar equipment and large water tanks. If you want to keep your camper and your mode of transportation separate, then a fifth-wheel RV is likely to be an ideal choice. If you want to do all of your living and traveling in one vehicle, then a Class A, B, or C RV will be perfect for you. Consider how you want to travel and live with your RV carefully and take note of the different advantages and disadvantages a potential RV adds towards that goal.

To Slide-Out Or Not To Slide-Out?

Slide-outs are a fantastic addition to any RV, and you will most likely want them. A slide-out are walls inside your RV that “slide out” once your RV is parked. A slide-out can provide far more interior living space than an RV without slide-outs. Because the slide-out walls can move in and out, you do not need to sacrifice additional accessibility when traveling.

Having a slide out on your RV may seem like a no-brainer, but you should factor in how often you will be traveling. If you intend to set up camp and stay awhile, you will surely love having an RV with a slide-out. However, if you plan on frequently traveling without staying anywhere for more than a few nights at a time, you may find it tedious to need to open and close the slide-out constantly. For this reason, an RV that is not equipped with slide-outs will likely be more pleasing for frequent travelers, as they are easier and faster to set up or pack up.

Fifth Wheel, Motorhome, Camper, Or Something Else?

The RV industry has come a very long way over the years. In times past, the most common type of RV would be a small, simple mobile home you could attach to the hitch of a vehicle like a trailer. Others would get more inventive, sometimes converting vehicles such as large vans and even buses into mobile homes. While campers and mobile homes such as these are still fairly common, there are now far more styles and designs of RVs for people to choose from.

Truck campers are a superb way to get into the RVing world. Truck campers are typically very affordable, making them easy to obtain. Truck campers also tend to be very small as they are designed to sit within the bed of a pickup truck. This smaller size makes a truck camper easier to store and also carries the benefit of not needing to deal with tires. You can even still tow behind your truck since the camper sits in the truck bed. However, the small size of a truck camper means that the living space it can offer is minimal, which may be off-putting to some.

A motorhome is likely the image that comes to mind when you think of a mobile home. A motorhome combines your vehicle and home into one, with its own set of advantages. For starters, a motorhome offers significantly more living space than something like a truck camper. The vehicle and the home are connected, combined as one. This can be a great convenience if you are traveling with a partner or multiple people, as they will be able to move throughout the motorhome during travel freely.

A fifth-wheel trailer is another excellent option and one that many people opt for. A fifth-wheel trailer is almost like a combination of a truck camper and a motorhome. It offers the size and generous living space of a motorhome but allows you to keep your vehicle and motorhome separate. If, after setting up camp, you find that you need to travel to a store, you may simply detach the fifth-wheel trailer from your vehicle instead of needing to pack everything up.

There’s No Rush

Picking out the mobile home that is perfect for you can take time. Thankfully, there is no rush to make a decision. Take the time to carefully consider your options and the advantages and disadvantages they offer. Think about what you want your RVing experience to be like, how you want to travel, and what features you want. There are many styles and designs out there to explore, so keep these tips in mind as you shop for the RV that is perfect for you.