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A lot of potential RVers have a tight budget. Some view full time RVing as a potential solution. Others view their limited funds as a solid reason inhibiting them from exploring the possibilities of the RVing lifestyle. It’s a funny combination of conclusions, but has an easy explanation. Regardless of the scenario a potential RVer leans towards, used RVs for sale by owner aren’t the answer for maximizing limited funds when purchasing a recreational vehicle in preparation for life on the road. Consider the scenario and its potential solutions carefully.

Those who view full time RVing as a potential solution to a tight budget have a little bit of experience or at least knowledge regarding the potential for “cutting back” on day to day expenses. Those who see their tight budget as a setback in their goal of RV ownership haven’t looked into the “thrifty” potential of today’s RVs and RVing lifestyle. Sadly, both RV buyer types have a tendency to lean toward used RVs for sale by owner transactions in an effort to save more money. In doing so, they cheat themselves of potential wholesale pricing only available through larger dealers as well as warranties and additional benefits like roadside assistance that are often included when working with professionals.

Those who are still unsure of the used RV’s thrift potential should consider the various costs that would be eradicated from their budget if they were to dedicate themselves to the RVing lifestyle.

Costs the Typical Family Cuts When Adopting a Full Time RV Lifestyle:

1. Mortgage/Rent: Most families have some type of housing costs each month. While the recreational vehicle is most likely going to come with its own payment, in most cases, it will be substantially less.
2. Utilities/Water: Most single family homes average somewhere between $100-$300/month (depending on region, usage, etc.). In comparison, the costs of keeping the typical RV in water and power means substantial savings.
3. Income: A surprising number of industries are embracing the telecommuting phenomenon due to the fact that they can get the same or more quality work from employees with no overhead. Many potentially full time RVers are finding that approaching the subject with their employers doesn’t result in a decrease in pay and in some instances, pay actually increases as tax benefits could increase the employee’s take home pay.
4. Bigger Better Costs: In many households the “bigger better” phenomenon rules. This is the state in which an individual or family continues to make purchases of items they already own simply because there is something bigger or better now on the market. This constitutes a large portion of expenditures for many families. It’s a very difficult habit to break, but knowing the there is an extremely limited space in which to bring home “bigger better” items is one way to do it. The RV is just such a space and avoiding the bigger better costs will save many families a lot of money every month.

Continuing to evaluate costs and the comparative costs of an RV lifestyle will lead most potential full time RVers to make the plunge; if only for the financial benefits. Considering used RVs for sale is definitely one more positive step towards financial security. Considering used RVs for sale by owner isn’t necessarily a bad step, but it’s not where frugal RVers and RV buyers should be focusing their attention when trying to maximize a tight budget.

RVers everywhere already know that used RVs for sale by owner are an opportunity to play. Many that jump into the RVing lifestyle discover that the more fun a traveler expects to have, the more fun they will have. The RVing community is close knit, but simultaneously accepting of new RVers. It’s almost as if the entire community is ready and waiting for newcomers. They instantly welcome them into the fold.

Previous articles discussed the opportunity to use classic, outdoor games to encourage the feeling of community amongst RVers at campgrounds. Some RVers responded positively to the recommendation, but were looking for further information on some all time classics. If you are an RVer looking for more ways to enjoy the RVing lifestyle or if you are considering used RVs for sale by owner in an attempt to get out and enjoy life and travel, learn to play.

Capture the Flag Instructions: Perfect Outdoor Game for Most RV Campgrounds

Step One: Divide the players up into teams (2 to 4 teams as even as possible).

Step Two: Provide each team with a “flag.” You can use scarves, Tshirts, etc.

Step Three: Designate the playing area. Divide the playing area into sections; one for each team. Boundaries can be created using landmarks or physical markers like cones, etc.

Step Four: Each team hides their flag in their “territory.” It can be partially buried or covered, but at least one corner must be visible. Once the flag is placed it cannot be moved by the owning team. (It is also recommended that the players agree not to guard the flags too closely. For instance, everyone could agree that players cannot be closer then 10 feet to their own team’s flag at any point).

Step Five: Once the flags are placed, RVers can start the game. They can try to cross into the territories of other teams to find and “capture” their flag.

Step Six: While in another team’s territory, players can be captured. If tagged while in another team’s territory, the captured player must run to the sidelines and perform a task that is agreed upon prior to game start. The task can be anything (10 jumping jacks, the Achy Breaky Heart line dance, 5 somersaults, etc.)

Step Seven: After performing the agreed upon task, the player can return to the game.

Step Eight: The game ends when one team has been able to successfully discover and take the flag of another team and return to their own territory without being tagged.

This is just one of many games that can be used to increase the feeling of community in RVing campgrounds. In addition to generating new friendships, it gets everyone out and actively enjoying their surroundings. The increased camaraderie is a great precursor for additional activities and can even result in the development of long lasting relationships. Many RVers have traveling friends that they meet up with annually or bi-annually that they would never have met if they hadn’t indulged in the community feel of the RVing community.

Used RVs almost always offer a good opportunity for a decent price cut in comparison to brand new RVs. This is just a general rule of thumb in the automobile industry. There will always be those who prefer to buy new, but there will always be more who prefer the “deal” of buying used. But buying used RVs for sale by owner brings additional elements of surprise and potential deceit into play.  

When you are considering purchasing used RVs for sale by owner, you have to consider that this is an individual you are dealing with. It’s probably not an individual you know. It’s probably not an individual that you will be able to get in touch with again easily. And there’s probably not a lot that you can hold this individual accountable for after the sale is done if you are to purchase a RV.

The used RVs for sale by owner offer just as much opportunity to get a good deal on a great RV, but they offer an additional element of surprise; a bit of mystery added to the mix. There’s nothing holding this “individual” seller back from saying anything and everything necessary to make the sale. It’s like the old country song about selling some ocean front property in Arizona. There is no ocean front property in Arizona, but if you know nothing about Arizona and you trust the guy doing the sales pitch to tell the truth I bet that property could sound really fabulous. You might even buy it.

It’s the same with the used RVs for sale by owner. It’s very hard to identify exactly what it is you are getting. You can’t expect owners trying to sell their RV to share every negative detail about their vehicle. They’re going to focus on the positives. They’re naturally going to avoid a lot of talk about what has been wrong with the vehicle in the past or what may be going wrong with it right now or what is about to go wrong with it within the month. These are things that private sellers will almost never share with you as the potential buyer.

On the other hand, working with a reputable dealer means that you have a company with a reputation to worry about. If you are careful you have a company with a solid reputation that they wouldn’t want to tarnish over a quick sale. You also probably have a company that has many high quality RV options to offer you. They don’t need to trick you into buying something that won’t work for you. They’ll have the choices that you need so the right option will be available.

It is better to buy used RVs from an individual or a dealer? It’s a basic question. We all know the best answer. Some of us will continue to answer it wrong, and some of us will get lucky and have a positive experience buying from a private seller. But in the long run, you’ll avoid the most hassles and negative buying situations by working with an experienced dealership.