New or used?

Used will save you the initial depreciation hit. The key to buying used is research, research, research. Look for a unit whose owner has kept good maintenance records.

Since you are an admitted noob, consider having an expert look over the unit, before you make an offer. A good RV tech can go a long way to finding potential issues that you'll likely never pick out until its too late.

paulcardoza wrote:
Used will save you the initial depreciation hit. The key to buying used is research, research, research. Look for a unit whose owner has kept good maintenance records.

Since you are an admitted noob, consider having an expert look over the unit, before you make an offer. A good RV tech can go a long way to finding potential issues that you'll likely never pick out until its too late.

Agree with the inspection, not so much on records. My tt has no maintenance records but I've meticulously maintained it. When you perform certain maintenance items twice a year (spring and fall) there's really not much to record. Maintaining a tt is not rocket science requiring you to record when you do a task.

For your first, I'd highly suggest used. Have it thoroughly checked before purchase. You can have major problems if you buy new, also...just read these forums. :)

You'll save a lot of money on used and there are some very good deals out there. Also, you can buy a higher quality one for your budget if buying used.

used but in good condition. don't even consider buying one unless you have budgeted for maintanence and upkeep they are NOT hands off. Also if you cant already learn to turn a wrench.

I agree with buying used, particularly as a first rig.

One reason that hasn't been directly mentioned yet (that I saw) is that very often as a new buyer you don't really know what design features and so forth are important to you, as a lot of this really comes from experience. This means that there's a pretty good chance that your first RV won't be optimal for your needs and wants, and that you'll have a much better idea of what all to look for in a year or two. Selling an RV you bought used is much less of a financial hit than selling one you bought new recently.

Maintenance is required on any RV, and while a used one probably requires a little more maintenance on average, it's not an enormous difference provided things are in good shape. Many maintenance items start from day one.

You might want to think about renting an RV for a week or even just a weekend to get your feet wet.

I agree with the idea of renting first. Get to know the shortcomings of whatever you think is the perfect unit.
Another question is motor home or trailer. Class A or C. Pop-up or fixed sides or hybrid. Towing? What is your tow vehicle. Can it tow what you have in mind? Motor Home? Are you planning on dragging a vehicle behind it or just make do with bikes and feet? Rent as many styles as possible before jumping in to something that seemed perfect but didn't turn out that way.

I'm planning on getting into an RV but I've had several experiences with renting Class A motorhomes in the past and decades of boating, essentially an RV on the water. The transition shouldn't be too bad but I already know to start with the tow vehicle to see if you can drag that mobile chalet behind it. I have researched what we like vs what we can pull with the vehicle we already own and am prepared to live with it. Plus, at least initially, renting in the way we are going. I don't see ownership as realistic for us because of RV storage issues. Renting a location adds to the cost of ownership and not knowing if we will want to have the responsibility of ownership we're prepared to take a chance with rentals and let the chips fall where they may.

What are you looking at Class A, class C, TT,?? Have you ever RV before? You will be money ahead if you rent a few different types of RV's before buying. Then you will have an idea what you have to have and what you can live with out. What size you need larger or smaller. Want a walk around bed that you don't have to make up every night? Etc. Try some out for size before committing and then find something you decided on used. Because you will want something different after doing a while.

Thank you all so much for all of the advice! I like the idea of renting one before I buy; I think that we will try that 1st. Another question please, I have a friend of a friend that is trying to sell his RV. It is a 2005 Gulf Stream Endura. It is in kinda rough condition but mostly cosmetic. The big thing with it is the alternator & battery need to be replaced. I don't see those as big issues but I am worried about what else I might find wrong with it. Any thoughts?

How much money do you have?

You can save BIG if you buy used. The depreciation is big with RV's and boats.

I would like to keep my initial cost under $40K if I can; I could probably get this one for about $30K or so but I am worried about how much it would cost me in the long run. Also, I am very big into being environmentally responsible, so whatever we decided to get, I would like to get some solar panels and expand the battery bank so that I can use as much solar as I can to run everything (TV, stove, etc.). So I am going to have that added expense as well.