Setting out to purchase an RV can be a daunting task. A lot of questions are going to arise before buying an RV. Following are the top questions to consider before buying an RV. It’s essential to determine what features you “must-have” as well as “would like to have” in advance of heading to your local dealerships or skimming the for sale ads online. Narrowing down the list may take some time, a lot of discussions, and a sprinkle of compromise.
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Following are some crucial questions to ask yourself before purchasing an RV.
- How many people do you need to sleep in the RV regularly? A bunkhouse may be the way to go for families, whereas a couple may only need a bedroom. From towables to Class A’s, various floor plans sleep 2 to 8 people. Knowing how many you need to sleep regularly will automatically eliminate many makes and models.
- What size bed do you need? If you sleep in a king-size bed at home, you will likely want to have the same size on the road, especially if you are traveling with kids or animals. Be honest about this question. Settling for a smaller bed size than you are used to at home may be the first regret you have with your RV purchase.
- Do you need a bathroom (or two) in the unit? Depending on how many people you have and the type of travel you are doing, an RV with a full bath, bath-and-half, or two full baths will be something to consider. Just remember what you gain in extra bathrooms you likely lose in space somewhere else. If you plan to camp in campgrounds or state parks, there are typically bathhouses available. Planning to use the bathhouse may change the needs for your bathroom requirements.
- What types of trips are you planning to take? Weekend warrior or longer, more extended trips? You will likely want more of the same conveniences you have at home for more extended travel periods, like a washer and dryer, a full-size (residential) refrigerator, and maybe even a dishwasher. Some of these conveniences may be nice to have but not make the cut for the “must-have” list for those making shorter trips.
- Who will be driving? Be honest about this question. Drivers should not be in over their heads and driving outside of their comfort zone. Even the larger Class A coaches, with a few lessons, pretty much anyone can drive them. Think of all the grannies driving school buses and city buses all over the country. If they can do it, so can you!!
- Will you be working on the road? If so, then you want to make sure the unit has a comfortable place to work with conveniently located power outlets and room for your computer and any other office equipment you will need.
- What is your budget? Keep in mind, the cost of owning an RV doesn’t stop after the initial purchase. There are insurance, maintenance, camping costs, and potentially storage fees to be considered. Be sure to research annual expected maintenance costs for the unit you are considering.
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Many more questions are to be considered and answered along the way, but the seven above cover the big ones and are often overlooked or not given proper consideration. Spend time researching, talking to other RV owners, and joining social media groups for the brands you are considering. Similar to car dealerships, RV dealerships each carry different brands. Be sure to visit as many as possible.
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