What to Look for When Buying Your First RV

If you enjoy the outdoors or the freedom of the road ahead, you may think that buying an RV is a great idea - and it is! But there are some things you should know before you make the investment because while it may seem like a dream come true, there are realities to the situation that are rarely seen by those who do not own RVs. Maintenance, tank emptying, and route planning will become your new normal if you buy an RV, but if you want to make memories on the road there is no better way to do it. Keep reading to learn more about what to look for when buying your first RV!

What Can I Use My RV For?

RVs are great for traveling near or far and all across the country. Possible destinations could include national parks, RV resorts, or new destinations for hiking, swimming, fishing, and more. If nothing else, you can always take your RV outside your neighborhood for a bit of relaxation in the great outdoors. How and where you travel is completely up to you, which is the beauty of RV ownership.

Will I Use My RV Enough to Justify the Purchase?

This is an important question that has an answer personalized to every RV owner. An RV is an expensive, time-consuming investment. You do not want to make that investment without considering whether you will be able to get away from work, school, or family commitments enough times per year to justify the purchase.

One way to look at it is to figure out what kind of traveler you are. For example, do you have a family? Because many RV owners use their RVs to vacation with the kids during summer break. Others who are older use their RVs to travel from their homes in the north in the fall and spend the cold winters down south or out west. And there are also those who live in their RVs full time, using them as transportation and home rolled into one.

What Features Should I Look For in an RV?

Again, this is an important question that only you can answer based on how you like to camp and what you like to do. For example, rustic campers or “boondockers” generally prefer smaller RVs that are more maneuverable, so they can get to remote locations, but a smaller size means fewer amenities. On the other hand, there are also RVs that have nearly all the amenities of a five-star hotel.

If you plan to do more than just sightsee or take a casual walk while you are RVing, you need to be sure that the RV you choose is equipped with the proper storage. A toy hauler RV with a garage might be appropriate, or maybe you will only need a motorhome with towing capacity. It all depends on what activities you like and the equipment that they require.

What Type of RV Should I Buy?

There are a lot of different types of RVs out there, so it can get pretty confusing when you are trying to pick one out. The two main categories of RVs are:

• Towable RVs, which are towed behind your vehicle. These include pop-up campers, teardrop trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. Make sure if you are buying one of these that you select one that your vehicle will be able to pull without straining the engine.
• Motorhomes are RVs with a cab and engine that do not require a vehicle. Motorhomes can be gas or diesel-powered depending on the brand and model, and have various storage configurations.

How Much Should I Budget for My RV?

The amount you need to budget for your RV depends largely on the type of RV you are buying and the number of amenities it has. Remember that you will also need to register your RV, insure it, and have some funds left over to put gas in the tank. Generally speaking, a new RV can cost anywhere from $10,000 to over $200,000, with some luxury motorhomes clocking in at over $300,000. Used RV prices vary and depend on mileage, make, and overall condition.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post about what to look for when buying your first RV and that you found it informative.