Thinking of buying your first RV? You’re sure to have lots of questions. If you visit one of the many spaces online where RV owners and dreamers congregate, you’ll hear many of the same queries pop up over and over. But you may wonder: Which questions are actually import if you’re buying your first RV?
Well, you’re in luck. Drawing on my experience working at an RV dealership (and as a full-time RVer myself), here’s are the seven questions new RV buyers always seem to ask– including the questions to ask themselves. (Let’s start with the latter first.)
“Where and how will I be using this RV?”
Working at the dealership, I saw a lot of buyers come in with a list of questions only to get distracted by the beautiful interiors and totally get off track. Can’t blame them. The latest interiors are a far cry from the brown and bland of years past. Some rigs are approaching designer home status. (Well, almost.)
Compiling a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves is a great way to start the shopping process, but it really starts with you. How you will use your RV? Are you going to go a few weekends a year to developed campgrounds? Headed to sporting or music events? Are you considering camping off-grid or boondocking in places with fewer services?
These questions matter. For example, if you plan to only stay at campgrounds that have a full suite of facilities, then you don’t need to have those amenities in your trailer. Conversely, you’ll want to have larger water tanks and solar panels if you foresee a lot of boondocking in your future. Make sense? Good. Glad you’re tracking.
“How much room do I really need?”
Many folks buy the biggest RV on the lot. And that’s because a lot of them think of their growing family, with tweens or teens being part of the picture. But be honest: Are the younger people in your life really going to be part of this RV adventure? Don’t base your purchase on something that only happens once in a blue moon. On the rare occasion you need something different (or bigger), you can always rent. Part of the joy in having an RV is the spontaneity it affords you. That ability to get out there at the drop of a hat! A smaller RV can be towed by more vehicles, and is more maneuverable and cheaper on fuel.
Instead, I suggest buying a camper where you can use all the space and features for the majority of your adventures, with additional capacity as an extra. For example, many RVs can accommodate the occasional guest on dinettes and in folding couches. There are a few where bunk spaces can also be converted to offices and that sort of thing.
Tip: Pretend Like You Own the Place
When you inevitably find yourself within the shiny interior of an RV at the dealership, take a moment to pretend like you own the place. Well, to be precise, go through the motions of using the function and features of each and every space. Can you wash your hair in the shower? How do you make the bed? Is there enough room at the dinette for you and your crew to sit and talk? Can you use the kitchen to prepare a meal? By physically acting out these daily activities, you can pinpoint challenges or successes that will become either ongoing moments of joy or continual frustrations after buying your first RV.
“What’s my lifestyle?”
The seating configuration in an RV can significantly affect how you utilize that rig. Some offer comfy spaces to convene and watch a movie. Others might be better at game night. Ask yourself: How many people do you usually travel with? How do you spend your days? Are you someone who might like to watch a movie on a getaway? Or would you more likely be outside at the campground?
Or, how do you feel about cooking? Some kitchens are absolutely fantastic, but many RV kitchens wouldn’t be a great place to film one of those food shows unless it’s a tiny space challenge episode. For example, if you like to bake, the small ovens in many RVs are most effective at leaving you with a head full of steam, since a batch of cookies will often include both burnt and raw examples.
Tip: Research Who May Offer the Same Floorplan
Before you ever step onto an RV lot, know that any time a floorplan is created, and it sells well at all, someone else is going to build the same floorplan. So, if you fall in love with a certain layout, it doesn’t mean that you’re now committed to one model — or even one brand. (Know that is probably a surprise if you’re buying your first RV, but it’s so useful to know.) You can shop across the market and get the best match for your requirements. You might be surprised at what you find. the way each manufacturer envisions a floorplan can result in a very different RV, even when things look identical on paper.
“What’s the best brand? And who’s the best builder?”
You’ll often read about avoiding the big RV brands. The idea is that they all offer the same thing, just marketed differently. But in fact, both Forest River and Thor (two of the four big RV families) encourage the brands under their umbrella to compete not only in the open market but also within the company’s ranks.
Each individual brand within a conglomerate targets a different segment of buyer. There are absolutely brands that zero-in on price, and others that focus on quality. But if you’re buying your first RV, how do you tell which is which? One way to tell is to contact people with used RVs of the type you’re considering and see what their experience has been. If you already have a few models in mind, you can find owner reviews online. Or, to get some initial inspiration, why not check out some expert reviews?
“How is this RV built?”
Though many ask about the quality of a builder, far fewer ask about how an RV is built. And this is something you’ll absolutely want to know the answer to when you’re buying your first RV — because the caliber of the build will greatly affect your camping experience.
I always recommend starting where the RV meets the pavement and working your way up. Look at the quality of the tires and suspension an RV company uses. On towables specifically, there are many RV companies using off-brand tires and low-grade suspensions. I recently got the chance to ride in various RVs with different suspensions to see how that affected things. It was eye-opening. You’ll definitely feel the difference on normal highways.
Tip: Make Four-Season Capability a Factor
While you’re under the RV, look at how it’s insulated. Some RVs are absolutely designed to weather cold camping and others are not. Many companies use fancy names to imply that their campers are winter-ready, but the proof is in a certified temperature rating. This requires testing in a climate chamber, however, so not many models are tested. But a specific rating is worth seeking out if freezing temperatures are frequently part of your itinerary.
“How busy is the dealership?”
The caliber of an RV dealership makes a tremendous difference in the overall experience you will have. A dealership with sufficient service techs and a willingness to work with you on warranty items is important.
You will have warranty claims, and the way the dealership handles those will absolutely make a difference. For example, if you have a leaky plumbing fitting and the dealership is so busy that they can’t attend to the issue for six weeks, there goes a lot of the camping season.
Check the ratings on your local RV dealership before buying your first RV. A chat with the service manager might also be revealing.
“What are my financing options?”
Oddly enough, first-time RV buyers don’t often ask about how to finance their purchase. While some dealerships offer very competitive financing, not all do. And this is where you want to do a little legwork of your own.
I suggest establishing a relationship with a local credit union that does RV loans. You’ll know where you stand so you can set your budget appropriately. RVs are considered a luxury purchase so the rates and terms of RV loans can vary dramatically.
If you know the rate and terms you qualify for before you step into an RV dealership, you can confidently choose the better deal.
“Is there such a thing as the ‘perfect’ RV?”
I’ve seen lots of people, armed with their list of models, non-negotiable features, and crucial amenities, shop for an RV – and then buy something different. Sure, there may be one or two essential things that inspired you to take the plunge in the first place, but know that there is no singular perfect RV out there for you. Be open-minded when you’re shopping and explore your options, and remember that as you become a more experienced RVer, your tastes may well change.
Wherever you want to go, the best RV is one that lets you have incredible adventures and makes you want to get out there every chance you get.
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