America is a country that loves the open road. There’s no greater sense of freedom than racing down the highway with your windows down, off to see unknown places.
However, before you set out on fresh adventures, you want to make sure you have the right vehicle for the task. In many cases, that vehicle is an RV.
These handy trucks provide you both transportation and lodging. In doing so, it saves you money on lodging and lets you focus on sightseeing and travel expenses.
Many people don’t know what to look for when buying an RV, however. Is it better to buy used or new? What are the danger signs to look for? These questions plague the minds of people buying an RV for the first time.
Buying an RV can be a tricky process, but that’s why we’re here! In this article, we’ll give you five essential tips to make this process easier.
1. What To Look For When Buying An RV: Know The Type You Want
Before you race off to a dealership to buy an RV, there’s a deceptively simple question to address. What is a RV? RV stands for “recreational vehicle” and can refer to either a truck with built-in lodging quarters or a trailer hitched to another vehicle.
As such, ask yourself whether you would rather drive the RV or tow it. Once you’ve made that decision, choosing a type of RV becomes much simpler. From there, your next decision pertains to space.
How much space do you need for your travel lodging? Are you traveling solo, or do you have friends and family with whom you plan to travel?
Several different floor plans and vehicle sizes exist on the RV market. In most cases, these sizes become categorized into class systems. The smallest available RV is a Class B vehicle, which range from 18-24 ft.
2. How Much To Buy An RV?
When calculating RV costs, there are two primary considerations. First, there’s the size or class of the RV in question. Second, there’s the question of whether it’s new or used.
In the last section, we mentioned that a Class B RV vehicle is the smallest available option. This truck looks like an enormous van and maxes out at 24 ft. in size. Class B RVs start at roughly $50,000. However, many motor-home vehicles start at $100,000.
The largest vehicles may even reach a price of $300,000. Don’t forget, though, that not all RVs are drive-able vehicles. Some function as trailers you hitch to a vehicle, which are usually cheaper options. These camper trailers often have a median cost of $20,000.
Another factor to keep in mind is that most of the above costs are for new RVs. However, not all RV users think it’s best to buy new. Like any other vehicle, RVs depreciate the moment they leave the car lot.
Because of this depreciation, a used RV may be in excellent condition yet cost thousands of dollars less than a new one of the same model. Even experts on RVs believe it’s best to buy used and save money.
3. Inspect Your Potential RV Closely
In nearly every situation, it’s best to buy your RV from an in-person dealership. While legitimate online sellers exist, there are more risks from an online purchase that it’s best to avoid.
One of those risks is not having the ability to inspect an RV before purchasing it. Investigating your RV is a vital step in the purchasing process. After all, RVs provide both lodging and transportation. You want to ensure that an RV is in livable, drive-able condition.
So, before purchasing your RV, make sure to go inside and give it a thorough examination. Below are some signs of danger you ought to look for.
Mold
Mold is a threat on many levels. First, it can pose risks to your health by itself. However, mold often points to other dangers in the vehicle. In many cases, mold signifies leaks or water damage that could threaten your RV’s lifespan.
You can commonly find mold in corners of the ceiling and floor, around air vents, and inside the cabinet and closet spaces.
Water Damage
Water problems can often be tricky to spot. When water seeps into the floor, it may not have obvious symptoms. So, while it may sound absurd, it may be best to jump around on floor spots near the sinks and toilet. If the floor feels like it gives too much, that could indicate rotting.
Check Tire Age
The last thing you want in an RV is a blowout, as its results can be catastrophic. Looks can be deceiving in this regard, as even near-perfect tire tread doesn’t guarantee safety. Instead, check the ages of your tires. If they are older than five years, have them replaced.
4. Learn The Vehicle’s History
As with any other vehicle, it’s imperative to look into your prospective RV history. Whether you are buying an RV to live in or to take on trips, it’s helpful to know if your vehicle suffered any severe damage or accidents.
As such, learn your RV’s VIN (vehicle identification number). With this, you can investigate your vehicle’s history in a short time.
5. Take The RV For A Test Drive
The final tip for prospective RV buyers is to take the truck out for a test drive. Knowing its history and condition only benefits you if you’re comfortable driving the truck.
Make sure to take the seller along with you, so he can answer any questions you might have as you go. Listen for any strange noises.
Drive on different roads to see how the vehicle handles driving at the top speed. Lastly, stop in a parking lot to see how the RV negotiates parking spaces.
Find An RV Dealer Today
With these tips, you should now know what to look for when buying an RV. The next step is to find an RV dealer near you. Explore their options for models and classes to see what suits you best.
We hope you enjoyed this article! For more content like this, check out our other articles today.
Learn more about various types of vehicles that you can consider for personal use, on this website: www.autoinsurancequotesil.com
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