There’s no doubt about it–buying an RV is a big investment. Next to buying a small home or a boat, buying an RV takes years of saving and planning. But the beauty of owning an RV is that you have a home on wheels, and the open road is yours for the taking.
But before you begin daydreaming about your RV adventures, it’s important to know how to buy an RV that’s 100 percent worth your hard-earned money. Just like making any other large investment, there are pitfalls, scams, and important details you don’t want to miss.
Here are the top 5 things to consider before you sign any type of deal.
1. What Type of RV Do You Want?
Not all RVs are created equal. In fact, there are at least 9 different types of RV classifications to choose from. All these choices can make your final decision feel a little overwhelming.
But one of the best ways to narrow down your choice is to decide whether you want to drive the RV yourself or tow it. Once you’ve decided, think about how much space you’d like within the vehicle itself. How many people will it accommodate? Consider how you’ll use the RV when you travel and choose a floor plan to suit.
Understanding what you want from an RV model is the best place to start.
2. Understand What It’s Worth
Just like any other vehicle, an RV has a value that can depreciate over time. Once an RV leaves a dealer’s lot, the value can drop dramatically. The bottom line is that buying a brand-new RV is not always the best financial choice.
A new RV will lose significant value once it’s no longer considered new and leaves the dealership. In fact, its value can depreciate by as much as 21 percent in the first year. After the first 5 years, its value will most likely plateau due to wear and tear.
Buying a used RV makes more financial sense in the long run. However, it’s vital that you buy from a reputable dealer and do your homework on the relative market value for used RVs beforehand. Check out these RVs for sale in Boise, ID.
3. Always Do a Thorough Inspection
If you’re buying a used RV, a routine inspection of the vehicle is absolutely imperative before you make any type of payment. You’ll need to go over every square inch of the RV–both on the inside and outside to get a feel for its condition.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for in terms of flaws, enlist the help of a seasoned RV owner or a mechanic to do the inspection with you. Always look at key areas such as interior flooring, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, cabinetry, the engine, tires, and vehicle undercarriage.
4. Get a Feel for the RV’s History
All used vehicles have a driving history, that’s obvious. You want to make sure you get a good understanding of what that history entails. This might include any previous breakdowns, rebuilds, replacement parts, or whether it was ever stolen. It’s also a good way to get an overview of manufacturer specifications and any notifications of recall.
You can refer to the RVs VIN (vehicle identification number) for reference.
5. Never Skip on the Test Drive
This is an important step because it allows you to get a true feel for the RV and how it drives on the open road. It’s a good way to assess whether the size is right for you and whether you feel comfortable driving it.
If you can, do a test drive of the vehicle while the seller is on board with you. This way, you can ask any questions and even experience a test drive as a passenger.
Learn More on How to Buy an RV, Right Here
If you have a goal to become an RV owner in near the future, we hope this blog is helpful to you. The last thing you want is to purchase a vehicle that will only cause you more grief, than joy. This is hardly the type of investment you deserve if you’ve been saving for years to enjoy the freedom of RVing.
If you want to learn more on how to buy an RV, i.e. choosing the best make and model to suit your needs, check out the rest of this site for more!