10 Things to Know Before You Buy an RV

by Pathlie Lee Business consultant

If you’re new to the RV world, you might want to learn a little more about the vehicle before making a large purchase. Well, you’re in luck! During this article, we will discuss 10 things you should know before purchasing an RV.

There is a lot more to owning an RV than hanging out at a campground or having a fun road trip down the highway. There are a number of important things to know and consider before making such a big purchase.

What to consider before purchasing your RV

Here are the 10 biggest things to consider before buying your RV:

1. Take your time. Consider taking your time to research for a year or even longer before purchasing your RV. An RV might be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make after a house. Don’t buy your RV just based on appearance and floor plan online.

2. Ask the RV community. Search online for forums, clubs, meetups, videos and tips from the RV community, and take your time to actually seek advice from this community. Someone who already owns an RV knows best and can give you the tips you’re looking for.

3. Negotiate the MSRP. When purchasing a new RV, try to negotiate on price. And if you can’t get a deal, try a different dealer. The best times to purchase a new RV are the last of the month or the end of the year when sales teams are scrambling to meet quotas.

4. Even new RVs can have issues. Many RVs are shipped to dealers without a final inspection, and many new RVs can have water damage from going unchecked for sealant leaks for months on end on dealer lots. Make sure to inspect your RV when purchasing it and make repairs if needed.

5. Consider buying a used RV. An RV’s value depreciates pretty quickly, so buying an RV that is a few years old is typically the best option.

6. Repairs are typically expensive. There is a huge shortage of RV repair shops, so you typically need to plan ahead, as many shops book a few weeks out. Consider purchasing RV parts online and making the repairs yourself if it’s an easy fix. \

7. Annual maintenance is expensive. General maintenance is also pretty expensive, and you will typically need to set aside a couple thousand dollars per year for maintenance and repairs. Consider buying RV parts like brakes and tires online.

8. RVs are gas guzzlers. Gas mileage varies, but RVs, in general, need a lot of gas.

9. Good camping options are difficult to find. The bigger your vehicle, the more limited your camping options are at state and national parks, so keep this in mind and try to book way in advance.

10. RV storage matters. You will likely need to pay for RV storage costs for at least part of the year.

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