RV – What to Know When You Shop

An RV purchase is a big decision, so it’s best that you research the topic and educate yourself before buying.  You don’t want to buy an RV, if you do not intend on driving it on a regular basis.  Certainly, you do not want to invest such a large amount of money on a new or used RV, if it is just going to adorn your drive way.  Make your RV buying decision a wise, well-researched one.

Ask yourself the most important question:  “Is an RV affordable for me?”  There are a plethora of financial options for people with both good and poor credit, but it is still your responsibility to look at the variety of buying options (price, size, brands) before driving off with the first RV you see.  It is a financial commitment, similar to that of buying a home, so exercise caution.  Know your budget, and weigh your options.

The next question you should ask yourself is: “What size RV do I need for my travels?”  It is important for you to assess your travel needs.  These needs range from how many people will typically be traveling with you in your RV, to the time you’ll be spending in the RV and the distance you’ll be traveling.  Comfort is key.  You want to make certain that you have enough room for sleeping and eating, especially if you plan on living on the road fulltime. 

“What extra features and options will satisfy my traveling expectations?”  Again, look at comfort issues that are necessities vs. those that will make the drive even more luxurious.  Think about dining, living, and sleeping needs.  It is important to note that most extra features are additional costs, so make sure you can afford before adding on to the base cost.

Another good question to ask yourself when shopping for a recreational vehicle is “what will the motorhome’s primary use be?”  A majority of people use them for camping.  Camping can be described in three different ways;

1.    Remote camping, where there are no facilities available outside of the ones within your recreational vehicle

2.    Primitive camping, where there are a minimum array of facilities

3.    Park campgrounds specifically for recreational vehicles, where there are full facilities available.

The last bit of advice for you to take under consideration when shopping is to make sure you have a plan on where to store your purchase when it is not in use.  Many U.S. cities have regulations and criteria that you must follow when storing a motorhomes, so ask around and check your governmental websites before buying.