Pitfalls To Avoid Before You Purchase an RV

Are you looking to invest in a new RV to go on your first camping adventure? It’s an exciting time, and purchasing an RV can be a great way to explore the outdoors with family or friends. However, there are some potential pitfalls that first-time buyers should avoid before making such a large purchase. Take the time to research so you can find the perfect recreational vehicle for all your adventures!

What Will You be Using the RV for?

When beginning your journey to making an RV purchase, it is important to establish your needs for the rig. Begin by asking yourself the following questions: Will you be living full-time, as we do, and value storage and livability? Will you be a weekend warrior who uses an outdoor kitchen every time you take the rig out? Are you staying put, or putting in the miles? Do you have kids and/or pets? As you think of these questions, the answers will help you establish expectations and must-have requirements when you go to tour RVs. Know exactly what you want out of this lifestyle to ensure you don’t make expensive mistakes when purchasing your RV.

Need a little more detail and a lot more entertainment? Click the video below to listen!

RV Towing Vehicles

If you are looking to tow an RV research tow vehicles to decide what type of trailer you can tow with your current vehicle or what type of vehicle will you need to pull the RV you want. Dry weight is the weight of the RV by itself without any of the stuff you bring on or modify. You must know your weight ratings for your truck, and keep in mind the things you add or put into the camper. Also know the longer you stay on the road, the more supplies you will have and that will increase the weight. Nervous? Don’t be! We made this mistake once before when we went RV shopping without prior research and got a trailer based on our truck and not our expected lifestyle. Check out this video here that goes into detail about that experience.

RV Layout Lingo

It is best to understand the RV lingo before heading out to shop. Here are a few to get you started: The basement is a term used often that refers to the pass-through storage that is underneath the RV that typically stores your outdoor equipment such as grills, chairs, and miscellaneous equipment. A Murphy bed is a bed that folds up to create more space in the RV, so if the salesman mentions a Murphy bed just know you will be folding that bed up and down. Tri-fold sofa is a couch that folds out into a bed to allow for a higher number of sleeping capacities. Boondocking or dry camping is when you’re camping in your RV without any hook-ups such as electricity, water, and sewer.

On each RV there are numbers that show what model the RV is. These numbers tell you more about the RV such as what floor plan it is as well as the length. We live in a 2930 RL- rear living floor plan and 29 feet of livable space. The living space is not the total length of the RV, but the length of the inside living area. As you see different RVs notice the numbers and the letters to help you decide what best works for you.

Shiny Objects- Literally!

When you show up to shop for RVs there will be shiny, alluring attractions that the dealer will be pushing on you. Keep in mind that these are mainly used as sales pitches to entice you into purchasing the RV. Everyone loves to see the shiny lights everywhere that adds an accent and new tech feel. Ask yourself are they practical? For instance, the outdoor speakers may never get played because you are either too close to neighbors and camp rules have a noise limit. The outdoor shower is typically inconveniently located on the hook up side of the camper, which is further from your entrance and takes away from water pressure elsewhere. Don’t get us started on all of the accent lights that just captivate your eyes, but in reality are just eye candy to help seal the deal. Our best advice is to focus on functionality and must-haves first! Create a list of what you need in an RV and start there.

Ok, Now go Shopping!

Researching ahead of time will allow you to see what suits your style and gives you a more accurate representation of what you may want to invest in. Youtube is a great place to begin your research because it allows you to do virtual tours. You can look at the pros, cons, and specs of different RV’s from the comfort of your home instead of dealing with an eager salesperson. You can also join facebook groups for the type of RV you are looking at to see how others are enjoying their rig.

Another great tip is to make sure that you know your price point in order to avoid be wowed by the high end rigs and their flashy sale points. When you go looking, just know that very rarely does an RV have everything that you are looking for especially if you are sticking to a budget.

Remember it is very important to find out what is most important to you, that way you can find an RV that tailors to your lifestyle. Doing your research before you go shopping is important to ensure you don't get glamoured with the bells and whistles and choose an RV that best fits your lifestyle and budget.

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