Buying an RV for the First Time? Tips from Fellow Road Warriors!
You could spend time hopping from one local dealership to the next, or dive into online shopping, but an annual RV show is a great way to see many different brands and models all in one place to determine the size, style, and features that best fit your family, budget, and camping style. Show attendees range from the serious buyers to the casual "tire kickers," as well as families just coming out for something fun to do on a snowy winter day. If you are in the first group and new to RVing, it's very easy to get completely overwhelmed by all the choices. Styles range from small pull behind travel trailers to truck-bed inserts to 5th wheels and glamourous Class A motorhomes -- all with different features, bells, and whistles. Unless you've used an RV before, how do you know what you will need and use?
Top Full-time RVer Regrets from Escapees Magazine -- Spoiler Alert, #1 Not Doing it Sooner...
Before the Show
1. Do a Little Research & Ask Yourself Some Questions
Like any other major purchase research project, diving in can lead to a black hole of websites, YouTube videos, and blogs into which you disappear and lose yourself entirely. Hours later, you emerge exhausted, eyes red, and wondering what happened to your Sunday afternoon...and perhaps with more questions than clarity.
Educating yourself about the various rig styles is important though, at least to narrow down the options. So ask yourself these questions:
- Where do you want to go in your RV? A cross-country road trip, quick weekend getaways around the region, a seasonal lake-side resort, or snowbird migrations between the Florida coast and your New England home? Any size or style RV can accommodate any of these choices, but there are some important considerations that we'll cover later in this article.
- Where do you want to stay? National forest & national park campsites with few amenities, RV Parks & Resorts with everything, or boondocking on public land for weeks at a time with nothing but what you bring? Keep in mind, not all RV's are set-up for extended boondocking, unless you plan to run a noisy gas generator. Most are set-up for maybe 1-2 nights off-grid in between electrical hook-ups at campgrounds, but with some simple changes, you can add solar to any RV.
- How do you, and your family, like to camp? Do you want to feel like you're in a super comfy tent in the great outdoors, or that you brought your smallish apartment and all of your toys with you?
It's all a matter of your approach, and there are models designed to meet your needs, style, budget, and camping style dreams. Just because your best friends have a 35ft 5th wheel toy-hauler that they love, that doesn't mean it's the right rig for you. We highly recommend that anyone in the market for an RV try one out before they buy. Renting an RV or two through Airbnb or Outdoorsy for a short trip can really help determine what your "must-haves" are.
2. Our Thoughts on Rig Options
Self-Driven or Tow Behind?
Driving an RV with its own engine, whether luxury motor-coach or mini-van, means that you only have to worry about one vehicle. There's a lot of upsides to this, but consider these factors: 1. Setting up camp is usually pretty quick, but you might have to put everything back into "road position" just to go to the grocery store or park visitor's center. 2. While your rig is in the shop, whether from engine trouble or routine maintenance, your living space will be unavailable to you and you might have to make alternate arrangements.
We've found that with seasonal work, it's great to be able to set up our trailer in a longer-term camping situation and be free to use our vehicle to get around town, run errands, and make short trips. When traveling, we also like to drop our trailer at a campsite, and take our 4-wheel drive truck with our bikes or boats for day-trip adventures to places where the camper simply can't go.
Large or Small?
With an inside living space of 72 sq. ft. we have an unapologetic bias here. We prefer small, because it fits who we are (we like to be outside rather than inside) as well as how and where we like to use our camper. Bigger rigs have a lot more room of course, and more amenities. All of those amenities have a cost associated with them, so evaluate what it is worth to you. Bigger rigs are typically more difficult to drive, more expensive to fill at the gas pump, more expensive to fix, insure, and register, and limit the areas you can explore and camp. Again, renting an RV for some shorter trips can help you determine just how much space you need vs. what you might want. Many people tell us that they bought too big and are seeking to downsize. Honestly folks, we hear this all the time!
3. Is it the Right Show for You?
Visit the show's website to see which brands will be there. If you've done your research you'll be able to see if they have the right ones to make it worth going. Perhaps you'll want to opt for a bigger show that's a longer drive away instead of the small show closer to home. Some shows are specifically dedicated to RVs and others offer a variety of boats, RVs, and other outdoor sports related items.
For the brands that you like, take a virtual online tour of the models which appeal to you. Taking a few hours to do this will save you a ton of time and energy at the show itself. Also, check to see how long the show is running -- most are 4-5 days long and weekends can be crazy busy. Try to go on a less busy day.
4. Get Organized
Determine which features are must-haves for everyone who will be using the RV. Create a simple spreadsheet (or download our RV Show Shopping Spreadsheet below) with "Brands & Models" down the left and "Features & Amenities" across the top. Leave room for additional comments for each brand/model too. Bring this spreadsheet with you on a tablet or phone to help you shop at the show.
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| Download our "RV Show Shopping Spreadsheet" |
5. Set a Budget & Explore Financing
Determine your budget and check with your bank about financing. This will at least give you a comparison for dealer financing offers. We never advocate for people to go into debt for something they may not use frequently and will depreciate over time. On the other hand, your RV may become your full-time home like it is for us. Be cautious and deliberate about your finances and how a rig will fit into it!
6. Other Things to Consider Before You Buy:
- Will your neighborhood allow you to park your RV in your driveway or backyard? Some suburban neighborhoods and HOA's can be sticklers about this issue, so know the details before you buy. If you can't park the rig on your property, check into storage prices and availability in your area before you commit to a model.
- How much will insurance and annual registration cost for the rig? Each state handles this differently, and some of the costs may surprise you! Your DMV website should have the details you need.
At The RV Show
Day 1:
Get the show floorplan map and go directly to the brands and models that seemed appealing online.
Spend some time in each one to get a sense of space and features, and make thorough notes on your spreadsheet. Imagine your stuff inside, imagine living in it for days, weeks, or even months at a time. Open all the doors, cupboards, hatches. Go into the bathroom, lie on the bed, sit on the couch, stand at the kitchen counter. Open and close the doors and hatches multiple times. Check inside and out for manufacturing quality, and read user reviews. High price doesn't always mean high quality! Take pictures of each rig, with brand name and model clearly visible, and note where they are on the show map.
If you have seen all the models that were on your initial list, take some time to explore some others that didn't catch your eye online. You may find that some smaller models are bigger on the inside than you thought, some features or styles may be more attractive in person than online. Keep an open mind and just look around. Use your spreadsheet to make notes of any new finds.
Sleep on it! There's a reason why these shows are multiple days. Take the time to look over your notes, talk it out with family members, possibly reassess your must-haves. Determine your top 3-5 choices.
Day 2:
Go to some RV seminars! Most shows have Featured Speakers who are experts in the field. We are those people who will tell you the ins, outs, pros, and cons of this lifestyle. Some seminars are technical in nature, others are focused on lifestyle. You will learn a ton and get many of your questions answered!
Return to your top 3-5 choices and talk to the dealers. Ask about show specials, or even used models that they aren't showing at the convention center. Many dealers have used models on their lots which could save you a ton of money. Find out about brand and dealer warranties, what is and isn't covered, and time frame. How long are the show specials good for? Where do you have to take the rig for maintenance? What do people usually spend on maintenance each year? Again, some of these costs may surprise you!
Make notes and compare/contrast what each dealer tells you. Go have lunch and discuss these details with your family.
If you are satisfied and ready, it's time to talk finances with a salesperson. Be sure you feel good about the price, know the details of the warranty, etc. before you sign anything. This is a luxury item, not a car that you need to get you back and forth to work and the grocery store. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and buy too much RV, for too much money!
Keep it All in Perspective
No matter the attraction, education, or community vibe of any of the RV shows, the bottom line is always about making money. For all the comradery and excitement around these experiences, the RV dealerships wouldn't be there if they weren't selling units. As the customer, it's important to remember this, so that you won't feel pressured, or overly excited getting something right away. Spending anywhere $15K to $600K on an RV can be overwhelming for some and exciting for others; but, it's important to buy what fits your lifestyle and camping preferences, as well as be able to afford the upfront and future costs associated with it.
We hope you find the perfect RV for you and your family and hope to see you on the road. Honk if you see Hamlet in your campground or neighborhood!
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