FMCA: What To Consider Before Buying an RV

RVs offer one of the most unique ways of traveling. They provide the comfort and safety of your own home along with the ability to visit new and exciting places. In 2020, RV travel experienced a boom. People sought a safe way to travel, which caused RV sales to hit an all-time high. You may be thinking of purchasing an RV for yourself and hitting the open road, which is why FMCA has laid out a few things you should consider before taking the leap and buying an RV.

Renting

One thing you may want to consider before taking the plunge of purchasing an RV is renting one or even renting several different types of RVs. This is a great way to not only figure out if the RV lifestyle is for you, but also to explore which type of RV best fits you. Take time to figure out the RV type and floor plan that best suits your personality, travel needs, wants, desires, and future travel plans. If you need more information about the different types of RVs that are available, check out our previous article, Which RV is Right for Me? 

New or Used

So, you’ve made it this far. You’ve tried it out, you enjoy the RV lifestyle, and you’re pretty sure that buying an RV is the right choice for you. Logically, the next step in the process would be to weigh the pros and cons of buying a new or used RV. These pros and cons can be different for each individual, similar to figuring out which RV is right for you, but many are cut and dry. 

For example, one pro to purchasing a brand-new RV is that it won’t have wear and tear like you will find with a pre-owned RV. A con to purchasing a new RV is the RV’s automatic depreciation. Unlike your sticks-and-bricks home, RVs don’t appreciate upon purchase; rather, they depreciate in value very similar to a car. Also consider that a used RV could come with more upfront costs for maintenance or repairs, while a new RV should come with a manufacturer’s warranty and less costs upfront for maintenance and repairs. 

While making your list of pros and cons, make sure to do your research through trusted RV marketplaces and dealers. RVTrader.com allows you to browse over 200,000 new and used RVs for sale nationwide, including all your favorite makes and models.

Overall RV Cost

Some of the important things you will want to consider budgeting for before purchasing your RV are general costs associated with RV ownership. These include RV insurance, taxes, and license plates that are part of the upfront cost when purchasing. Also planning ahead for regular maintenance and upkeep, such as oil changes, tire rotations and tuneups, would be smart because they can be costly.

Though we shouldn’t stop there. Let’s consider things like towing equipment, which applies to towable RVs and also can apply to motorhomes if you want to take along a smaller vehicle. Then there’s fuel, which you obviously need to get your RV from point A to point B, whether towable or drivable. It’s a big expense you should not overlook adding into the budget. Next, you have campsite costs, laundry expenses if you don’t have a washer and/or dryer on board, propane for your appliances, tolls you may have to pay along the way, storage if you aren’t using your RV year-round, and so much more. So, be prepared to sit down and write out a solid budget for travel expenses and then plan for the unexpected as best you can.

Take Your Time

Keep in mind that this is a big decision to make, very similar to buying a house, and it should not be taken lightly. Take your time to decide, and do your due diligence and research. 

RVs are very similar to cars with respect to their VIN number. You can look up the RV’s VIN number with VehicleHistory.com or use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to look up detailed recall information, and both are free to use. Make sure you do a thorough walk-through and close inspection of the RV, whether you’re buying new or used. You can find many helpful checklists online to use. You may also want to reach out to avid RVers and RV professionals with any questions you might have, which can be done through RV club forums like the FMCA Forums.

No matter what type of RV you end up buying, new or used, by doing your research and taking your time in making the decision, you’ll be prepared and have a better understanding of what to expect in the end. And, now that you know what to consider before buying an RV, begin your search on the nationwide inventory of new and used models on RVTrader.com.

FMCA educates, equips, and empowers RV owners in their journey to creating, experiencing, and benefiting from the outdoor lifestyle they dream of and deserve. FMCA is your ally to the outdoor lifestyle you love and enjoy.