buying an rv; am i missing something
we want to start rving (some camping close to home and maybe one big trip each year where we'd travel a longer distance) and have a limited budget. we have two young children, a family of four. we h...
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You did not say what kind of vehicle you have at the moment. But, depending upon what kind of tow vehicle you have right now, you might consider checking into a pop-up. We had a Chevy mini-van for years that towed our pop-up with no problems at all.
Considering your looking at just a few trips a year, it might be a reasonable alternative. First, a used motor hone for your price range is not going to get you anything substantial. Even low mileage, the coach itself will more than likely have problems. It's not like buying a used car. It MUCH more than just an engine. To replace a bad refrigerator can cost you a couple thousand dollars.
Apart from the initial cost, hidden problems, assuming you do find a precious jewel that fits the bill, you then have to consider all the other expenses that go with a Motor Home. License Plates, Insurance, and where do you store it (unless you have space on your own property). Many people purchase RV of all kinds, bring thenm home, and then find out because of zoning ordinances or Home Owner's Association rules, they cannot park their campers in their own drive way.
A pop-up is a slick way to get around some of these issues. Unless you carry a loan, you don't need insurance because it will be covered when in tow by your tow vehicle's insurance, Often tiimes, you can park a pop-up in your garagve, out of siight, hiden, or easily pull it in the back yard where you have more space and out of siight too.
A travel trailer will also have it's own logistical problems to deal with. If you buy it outright, you don't have to carry insurance, and will be covered only when in tow. But, you can't hide it if you live in an area with zoning or HOA RV restrictions. You're still religated to storing it somewhere.
In Indiana (Don't know about other states), but a pop-up is considered the same a utility trailer, not an RV. When getting your title work and license plates for it, it's cheaper too.
Anyway, I don't want to discourage you, I just wanted to provided you with some items you need to consider before you buy.
Considering your looking at just a few trips a year, it might be a reasonable alternative. First, a used motor hone for your price range is not going to get you anything substantial. Even low mileage, the coach itself will more than likely have problems. It's not like buying a used car. It MUCH more than just an engine. To replace a bad refrigerator can cost you a couple thousand dollars.
Apart from the initial cost, hidden problems, assuming you do find a precious jewel that fits the bill, you then have to consider all the other expenses that go with a Motor Home. License Plates, Insurance, and where do you store it (unless you have space on your own property). Many people purchase RV of all kinds, bring thenm home, and then find out because of zoning ordinances or Home Owner's Association rules, they cannot park their campers in their own drive way.
A pop-up is a slick way to get around some of these issues. Unless you carry a loan, you don't need insurance because it will be covered when in tow by your tow vehicle's insurance, Often tiimes, you can park a pop-up in your garagve, out of siight, hiden, or easily pull it in the back yard where you have more space and out of siight too.
A travel trailer will also have it's own logistical problems to deal with. If you buy it outright, you don't have to carry insurance, and will be covered only when in tow. But, you can't hide it if you live in an area with zoning or HOA RV restrictions. You're still religated to storing it somewhere.
In Indiana (Don't know about other states), but a pop-up is considered the same a utility trailer, not an RV. When getting your title work and license plates for it, it's cheaper too.
Anyway, I don't want to discourage you, I just wanted to provided you with some items you need to consider before you buy.
