With everything going on in the world right now, it’s hard to know when we will resume traveling like the good old days. Oh, the fond memories of when we jumped on airplanes, set sail on cruise ships, or stayed in a favorite hotel. For many, the “normal” vacation options seem limited right now. Perhaps you, like thousands of others, are looking for other ways to travel. If so, it’s time to learn more about the top 4 questions when considering an RV purchase.
When thinking about an RV, does the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation spring to mind? Our favorite is Cousin Eddy talking to Clark “that there is an RV, a recreation vehicle…it’s a good looking vehicle, ain’t it.”
Well, if that is the extent of your RV knowledge, don’t worry; you aren’t alone! My husband and I were in the same boat, er RV, earlier this year. We love to travel, and with our typical plans canceled (several times), we started thinking about an RV. Specifically, the places we could go and how we would use an RV. Now, he and I have some different ideas on the subject. But, one thing we both agreed on was that we needed something with air conditioning and a king bed! Beyond that, we agreed that we needed room for our spoiled fur child and room for a few friends or family to join us occasionally. So, we started our search on the internet. Our initial research was to get an idea as to what options were available. But, ultimately, we ended up with more questions than answers.
My husband and I both made a list of what features we like and the questions we had. When we compared our notes, we were more confused than ever. We then set out to several local RV dealerships to educate ourselves further. This provided a great opportunity to see what the various makes and models look like in person. We quickly found ourselves overwhelmed with all of the choices. At our first stop, we lucked out with a great salesperson. He asked us a lot of questions. Additionally, he spent time educating us on the pros and cons of various models and brands.
No matter what style, brand, and model you choose, an RV is an investment. Albeit a depreciating asset, we wanted to feel confident we were making the best possible selection if you are like us. In a nutshell, we wanted to make sure we were selecting the right brand, floorplan, and dealership but didn’t know if we were going about this correctly. What we learned along the way and hopefully will help other newbies boils down to the following four questions…
Top 4 Questions
- How many people are likely to be going on each trip? If you have a family of 2, 4, 6, or more there is an RV for you. Be realistic about how many people you need to sleep comfortably on a regular basis. There are many RVs that will sleep up to 10 or 12 depending on the layout. It’s important to know how many people will be sleeping in the RV. Based on the answer that will automatically start narrowing down your search. Many towable, fifth wheel and class-A models offer a bunkhouse plan which allows larger families/groups to sleep more comfortably.
- What is your budget? This is a serious question and not always easy to answer. Take time to consider all the costs as well as the options such as paying cash, pulling money from an investment, or financing the purchase. Financing an RV is similar to purchasing a house and some lenders will offer up a 20-year term. Based on the current environment, interest rates are very low. Financing the purchase can be a great alternative to liquidating cash or an investment account especially if the account is earning at a higher rate. If you decide to finance, be sure to keep in mind how the monthly payment affects your overall household budget. Don’t bite off more than you can chew or buy too expensive of an RV! The purchase should never make you cash strapped should you have a material change of income. The last thing you want is to end up having to turn-in your new purchase or have it repossessed. That will affect your credit for years to come.
- How do you plan to use the RV? Are you planning a shorter getaway to places within a few hours’ drive? Are you going across the country and planning to be away for longer periods of time? How you plan to use the RV will be a huge factor in determining what style of RV to purchase. Also, do you have a vehicle that can tow a travel trailer? Answering that question will automatically eliminate towables or a fifth wheel unless you are considering buying a new car, truck, or SUV. Keep in mind that for a fifth wheel you need to have a truck.
- Be honest with yourself about how much time you really have to spend using your RV. If the purchase is for a one or two-week summer vacation, it may be more economical to rent an RV rather than purchase. To get your money’s worth and ensure things stay in good working order, you need to use your RV at least once per quarter. Anything less than that, you might consider renting an RV.
- Related Articles: Buying vs Renting an RV and Top 5 Types of RVs
- Be honest with yourself about how much time you really have to spend using your RV. If the purchase is for a one or two-week summer vacation, it may be more economical to rent an RV rather than purchase. To get your money’s worth and ensure things stay in good working order, you need to use your RV at least once per quarter. Anything less than that, you might consider renting an RV.
- What’s on your “must-have” list? This can be a little tricky to answer because you may not know all the available options. Think of this as, what do you use all the time at home that you need to have on vacation? A couple of examples:
- What size bed? Many RVs come standard with Queen size. If you have a King size bed at home, this may be something to put on your must-have list.
- How many bathrooms do you need? Some RV plans offer a bath and a half or two full bathrooms. Multiple bathrooms are handy if you have a large family or certain family members tend to spend too much time in the bathroom.
- Do you need a washer and dryer? If you are doing weekend and shorter trips, likely this option isn’t necessary. However, if you are planning longer journeys this may be a must-have. Having a washer/dryer on board will eliminate having to track down laundry facilities. Additionally, you may have to waste time waiting for machines to be available.
Once you have really thought about these questions and have some answers, you can narrow down the options. Then, using your computer or a good ole pad of paper, start making a list of all things you will need in an RV based on how you answered the above questions. Keep this list handy, as you will likely revise it several times.
What’s Next?
Once you have your list together, what’s next? This is where the fun really begins and where the wheels came off the bus for my husband and me. The next logical step is to start looking at RVs. Most likely, you are going to start hearing names like Winnebago, Thor, Fleetwood, Jayco, Forest River, and many more that will make your head start spinning. Don’t worry. We are here to help and hold your hand each step of the way.
Related Article: RV Brands – How Do They Stack Up
Additional Education
One of the best assets in learning about RVs (besides RV Roadhouse) is finding a knowledgeable RV salesperson at a local dealership. Don’t have a dealership near where you live? Don’t despair. Check online to see where the closest dealerships are located. It may be well worth your time to plan a day trip or overnight trip to visit a couple of them.
Related Article: Read Top 5 Things to Learn from an RV Salesperson
Dealerships are typically concentrated in the same geographic areas, but they carry different brands and RV types. Suppose you need to travel a bit to get to one (or more) best to call ahead and make an appointment. This will ensure you have a salesperson waiting for you. Additionally, share your must-have list in advance so the salesperson is prepared to show you units that meet your needs. Be sure to allow several hours per dealership if you plan to visit more than one in a day. There are lots of units to see and learn about. A good salesperson should spend time helping educate you further and guide your choices based on the information you provide.
Keep in mind that the salesperson you are dealing with wants to sell you one of the brands they offer. Therefore, be sure to balance their ambition and excitement of a possible sale with specific information regarding the brands they sell.
