First time buyer needs advice

Approach this purchase just as you would when considering the purchasing of another boat. For instance, if you've decided it's better to rent a boat than own one, you'll probably feel the same with an RV. As with boats, everything in an RV is a compromise. A boat that is big and heavy to tow, is not really that big on a huge body of water when the wind really kicks up. I like to say that all motorhomes are too big when you drive them and too small when you are parked in them. Just like a boat, the older it is, the more likely there is to be a problem. You might hire a marine surveyor to check out a boat before you buy it, so find someone knowledgeable to check out the RV before you purchase it. As with boats, not all brands are created equal. The saying about not just buying a boat, but also the dealership applies here also. Buying a well built RV that has been well taken care of minimizes the risk, but, an extended warranty is something to consider also. Finally, are you sure you're done with boating? For years, we used a couple of different RV's to tow a couple of different Sea Rays combining the best of two great worlds. Every time I got 'two-footitis' I had to get a bigger motorhome to tow it. That got expensive! Don't forget to factor in what that RV will tow.