How to Buy an RV
How to shop for and purchase an RV
How much should you pay ? When making a major investment like an RV , it ’ s important to think about the total cost of ownership . For example , if you ’ re buying an older rig that will require repairs , you ’ ll want to factor in an estimated total for those repairs when considering what the RV will cost over time . Don ’ t just look at the sticker price ; the true cost has a few factors , including repairs , extended warranties , maintenance , registration , and taxes / fees . RV owner forums are a great place to start when researching what you should pay for a new ( or used ) RV . Just search the Facebook group for “ cost of [ insert year and floor plan here ]” and you ’ ll likely find that others have already shared what they paid . You can also use tools like RVTrader and NADA as a good starting point . It ’ s not uncommon for new RVs to sell for 30 % less than the listed price , so this research pays off . Literally .
Whether you ’ re buying from a dealer or a private party , do your research ahead of time to determine a fair purchase price for the RV you ’ re looking at . This goes for both new and used RVs .
Should you buy new or used ?
Deciding whether to buy a new or used RV comes down to a number of factors , including your budget and your mechanical ability . If you have little to no mechanical skill , a 1970s motorhome might not be a great choice for you , but a used one that ’ s just a couple of years old and has an extended warranty might be . Buying used is a great way to offset depreciation , since the original owner already absorbed that cost .
Buying new has the benefit of a manufacturer ’ s warranty , but you also tend to see a lot of things go wrong in the first few “ shakedown ” trips . Sometimes , this is simply due to the way RVs are built . ( More on that later .) Other times , you might happen to get an RV where the electrical and plumbing weren ’ t properly connected . Some of this can be mitigated by seeking out a great dealer , but know that buying new does come with its own set of risks .
Buyer beware : on sites like RVTrader , some owners try to list their RV for the amount remaining on their loan , rather than what it ’ s worth in the market . Another reason to do your research on fair market values !
Buying from a dealership
Whether you ’ re buying new or used , a dealer is the easiest place to start . They complete these transactions all the time and are well-versed in the paperwork and financing that comes along with them .
If you ’ re selling an RV yourself , you ’ ll get less money by trading it in , but it ’ s also less hassle . It all comes down to the age-old tradeoff of time versus money . You might get a better price buying an RV from a private party — but you assume more risk , too .
Research your dealership before you buy . If the dealer has a great service department , so much the better , especially if you ’ re buying new . New RVs often have a laundry list of things to fix right away , so buy from a dealer who can fix those issues for you quickly and well .
Also , find the salesperson who has been working at the dealership the longest , and look for someone with a background in RV sales . Most new salespeople come from the automotive industry and don ’ t know a thing about RVs . You want someone who can answer your questions accurately , without guessing . ( This happens more often than you think ). An experienced salesperson can also advise you on how to properly use and care for your RV . This is especially important if you ’ re new to RVing . Make sure your salesperson isn ’ t new , too .
When taking delivery , spend as much time as you need to test every single component onboard . Your goal is to find anything that might be wrong before you take it off the lot , while it ’ s still taking up space at the dealership and they have incentive to fix it . Taking delivery is also your chance to get a live walk through of how your RV works and how to properly use its systems , so don ’ t rush it .
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