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koda55's avatar
koda55
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015

Things to consider when buying first rv

Going to an RV sales lot is an exciting affair if you’ve made it certain that you are interested in buying this kind of vehicle. However, before heading out you need to make a few more decisions. The size of the RV as well as the amount you are willing to spend are some of the aspects that require consideration. If you are new to the RV scenario and looking to buy a vehicle then here’s some valuable advice for you that will help you along the whole process.

Things to Consider

First of all, you need to decide the time you are likely to spend in your RV. This decision will influence the rest of the points which are to follow. For instance, if your recreational vehicle would only serve you on occasions such as travel or camping then it is better if you opt for a smaller vehicle. An RV which needs to be used for only a matter of weeks occasionally, only requires a small and basic bathroom, a kitchenette and some areas where you can sleep or rest. On the contrary, if you need an RV for living in full time with one or more roommates then you should plan on going for the largest vehicle which will be accommodating enough to host all the members.

Apart from deciding which size of the vehicle would be suitable for you, you should also consider the amount of room you have to park it. Traveling around the states wouldn’t really be a problem as you will find parking spaces in RV parks everywhere. However, if you plan on parking it on your property while you don’t use it, then you need to ensure you opt for a size that your driveway can easily accommodate. If you don’t decide beforehand then you may end up having to pay to store the vehicle somewhere else, which will definitely be a burden if you will only be using it occasionally.

One more aspect which needs genuine consideration is the price. If you intend on using the recreational vehicle as your new home after buying it then it’s obvious you won’t need to pay rent or mortgage. So you can afford to invest more on the RV if your plans are to use it for full time purposes. Conversely, if you intend on using the RV for travel purposes on occasions then you should spend less. To sum it up, it’s simply about your usage of the vehicle. But one thing you can be assured of about RV sales is that the price of the vehicles will be somewhat lower than that of a house.
  • Mod Note: This clearly was copied from a commercial web site which was referred in another thread and closed by me yesterday.

    If this post was to test where the line is drawn in terms of what is acceptable and what is not, then I suggest you reread the Forum Rules where it clearly states:

    * You may not use the Open Roads Forum to either advertise or promote commercial endeavors. This includes direct posts, member name, URLS in your profile or signature, as well as, active links to other sites on the Internet.

    If a member, especially a Senior Member, insists on testing the forum moderators or administration, we have a long history of being less tolerant than accidental postings by new users.

    Perhaps it is time for me to repost my philosophy regarding Beginning RVing so that all may know, for sure, where the boundaries are.

    In the meantime, I'm closing this thread.
  • That sounds like some kind of article that was copied out of a magazine. So if we are just weekend campers then:

    "An RV which needs to be used for only a matter of weeks occasionally, only requires a small and basic bathroom, a kitchenette and some areas where you can sleep or rest."

    WHAT?????????
  • First of all, you need to decide the time you are likely to spend in your RV. This decision will influence the rest of the points which are to follow. For instance, if your recreational vehicle would only serve you on occasions such as travel or camping then it is better if you opt for a smaller vehicle. An RV which needs to be used for only a matter of weeks occasionally, only requires a small and basic bathroom, a kitchenette and some areas where you can sleep or rest. On the contrary, if you need an RV for living in full time with one or more roommates then you should plan on going for the largest vehicle which will be accommodating enough to host all the members.

    Apart from deciding which size of the vehicle would be suitable for you, you should also consider the amount of room you have to park it. Traveling around the states wouldn’t really be a problem as you will find parking spaces in RV parks everywhere. However, if you plan on parking it on your property while you don’t use it, then you need to ensure you opt for a size that your driveway can easily accommodate. If you don’t decide beforehand then you may end up having to pay to store the vehicle somewhere else, which will definitely be a burden if you will only be using it occasionally.

    One more aspect which needs genuine consideration is the price. If you intend on using the recreational vehicle as your new home after buying it then it’s obvious you won’t need to pay rent or mortgage. So you can afford to invest more on the RV if your plans are to use it for full time purposes. Conversely, if you intend on using the RV for travel purposes on occasions then you should spend less. To sum it up, it’s simply about your usage of the vehicle. But one thing you can be assured of about RV sales is that the price of the vehicles will be somewhat lower than that of a house.


    You missed the most important issue in buying an RV. How it will be used and will it be purely recreational weekend camping or long term almost full time or full time usage. That begins to speak to the need for the abilty to deal with condensation, insulation, ccc as full time or nearly so always adds more stuff to the trailer, water tank sizes, frame, axle and tires. Size that you cite has absolutely nothing to do with how an RV will be used. Size is only size, nothing more. Many weekenders have 30 -34 foot trailers and that is only for weekend camping at the lake. Size means nothing as to usage. CCC, gross weight, tongue weight, hydraulic or electric magnet brakes, 16 inch E rating tires, etc. All are important considerations.

    Along with size being a non issue for recreational usage is also price. Price also has nothing to do with the type of useage an RV will get. Price is reflected in quality, amenities, type of RV, and to some extent iconic value as found in the perennial Airstreams built since the mid 1930's. Use the Airstream recreationally or use it full time the price/cost to purchase is the same. Same thing with a Prevost, Jayco, Arctic Fox, or Montana. For some an RV is simply not sleeping on the ground; for others it is travel in luxury. Recreational usage or full time has no bearing on what people will spend for an RV.
  • If you plan to boondock in parking lots, or even stop at a rest area for a lunch, check floor plans to make sure everything is accessible with the slides closed. Ask the salesperson to close the slides for you, and imagine trying to get into the fridge, bathroom, and cabinets.
  • koda55 wrote:
    One more aspect which needs genuine consideration is the price. If you intend on using the recreational vehicle as your new home after buying it then it’s obvious you won’t need to pay rent or mortgage. So you can afford to invest more on the RV if your plans are to use it for full time purposes. Conversely, if you intend on using the RV for travel purposes on occasions then you should spend less. To sum it up, it’s simply about your usage of the vehicle. But one thing you can be assured of about RV sales is that the price of the vehicles will be somewhat lower than that of a house.


    I disagree. Just because you're not living in it full-time doesn't mean you "should spend less" on the RV. How much you should spend should be based on YOUR financial situation. What I could afford for a full-time living RV may be a lot less than what someone else can spend on a pleasure RV.

    Also, in regards to houses vs. RVs, I can guarantee that I spent less on my house (and could buy it now) at a lower price than many people spend on their RVs.