Buying from a dealer vs private sale

Yes, with a dealer there may be financing options, which can help you get into a newer or bigger rig. Regardless, whether you go dealer or private, make sure to inspect what ever you are thinking about buying. Yes, dealers tend to clean them up better, but they also know how to make them look better than what they are. Leaks are a big issue in RV's, so look for past damage: soft spots, mold, etc. on the ceilings, slide, windows, doors, and under furniture! I always recommend to buy in the rainy season, because leaks are harder to hide, but you can always request to use a water hose over the RV you are looking at to check for leaks. If the owner has nothing to hide, they should not have a problem with this request. In the end, unless buying new, be prepared to put in repairs. When we bought ours, we ended up resealing the roof, replacing paneling, and insulation from leaks. We also hate carpet, so we also put in new flooring. Good Luck!