Since my first RV adventure in a borrowed Shasta travel trailer, more than 30-years ago, I have owned five recreational vehicles: A used pop-up, two used travel trailers, a new Class C and most recently a new Class A motorhome. If it wasn't for a career in the military I'm sure there would have been more. Fortunately in each case I have managed to buy the RV, use it and re-sell it without losing any money.
I contribute this in part to being a savvy buyer, but more so due to my experience in the RV industry. It all started, as a teenager, washing RV's for a local dealership. Soon I worked my way into the service department as an apprentice RV technician. After my career as maintenance Warrant Officer in the Army I sold RV's and was eventually promoted sales and finance and then as an insurance manager.
Buying an RV is a major investment, similar to buying a house. Surviving the RV buying process requires preparation and planning. So what steps can you take to survive the RV buying process? Survive is the key word here:
S- Select the right RV for you
U- Understand your needs
R- Research all of your options
V- Validate the RV dealer's credentials
I- Insider buying knowledge
V- Victory
E- Enjoy your new RV
The first two steps to surviving the RV buying process go hand-in-hand. Before you can select the right RV you must understand your needs. If you plan to use the RV in the backwoods, off the beaten-trail, a pop up or truck camper would make more sense than a large Class A motorhome.
If you want to travel the...
If you want to travel the country and live full-time in a motorhome, a diesel model might be a better choice than a gasoline model.
If there are six members in your family the sleeping arrangements and size of the RV are important considerations. If you want to travel the country and live full-time in a motorhome, a diesel model might be a better choice than a gasoline model.
Often times the RV consumer makes a hasty buying decision and soon discovers the RV is too small or too large, the wrong floorplan or the wrong type of RV altogether. After making a poor buying decision they trade the RV in with no equity, and are as the industry says, upside-down.
Upside-down is a term that means you owe more on the RV than it is worth. Once in this position it is difficult to get out. Keep in mind that RV's depreciate immediately after you make the purchase, the same as an automobile. To avoid the upside-down dilemma you should buy the right type of RV that meets your needs, and plan to keep it for several years.
Understanding which type of RV is right for you is a major step in surviving the RV buying process, but now it is time to be patient and do some research. Patience and research at this stage in the game can really pay off later.
Researching your options covers a broad spectrum. Should you rent before you buy? Should you buy new or used? What brand of RV should you buy? How is the RV constructed? What kind of warranty does the manufacturer offer? These are just a few considerations.