We think we're ready to start RVing
My wife and I are empty nesters. We know close to nothing about RV dos and don'ts. We think we would like to give camping a try with a travel trailer. Just this week we stopped by an RV dealer and loo...
Forum Discussion
I'm gonna go against the grain and not recommend renting. Renting isn't a terrible idea and could be helpful so I wouldn't recommend against it necessarily. But depending on where you live, renting may not be very available and it can be pretty expensive. And it isn't convenient either because you have to completely pack and unpack before and after the trip. This can be a real drag for just a weekend getaway. Plus, it sounds like you don't have the truck to tow a rental anyways. So you would need to rent/borrow a truck too. So I'm not so much for renting.
However, I would recommend looking at as many RV's as you can find before you buy. When you are in them, really imagine using every function of it from the bed to the bath to the kitchen. Also, if you know people with RV's, or even people here, talk to them about things they like and don't like about their unit and what they wish they had or didn't have.
For example, our camper has almost no counter space. There is barely anywhere to set a coffee maker. And if you do squeeze it in, then there is no place to set a toaster for breakfast. If you think you could set it on the stove or the table, make sure there is a plug. Ours doesn't have one. If you don't drink coffee, maybe this doesn't matter to you. Another thing, look at the bed. Many have no place to set your glasses or phone, especially if the bed is in a slide. Also, many beds are short. It might be listed as a Queen size. But it is likely an "RV Queen" which is about 6" shorter. I'm 6ft tall and my feet hang off the end when I stretch out, which is annoying. Check to see if there is actually room to use the commode without your knees hitting the walls and is the shower big enough. Its these little things that maybe you don't think about. These are some things you might find while renting. But then, maybe not since it isn't really your RV anyways. And you aren't likely to rent the exact RV you are considering buying.
However, I would recommend looking at as many RV's as you can find before you buy. When you are in them, really imagine using every function of it from the bed to the bath to the kitchen. Also, if you know people with RV's, or even people here, talk to them about things they like and don't like about their unit and what they wish they had or didn't have.
For example, our camper has almost no counter space. There is barely anywhere to set a coffee maker. And if you do squeeze it in, then there is no place to set a toaster for breakfast. If you think you could set it on the stove or the table, make sure there is a plug. Ours doesn't have one. If you don't drink coffee, maybe this doesn't matter to you. Another thing, look at the bed. Many have no place to set your glasses or phone, especially if the bed is in a slide. Also, many beds are short. It might be listed as a Queen size. But it is likely an "RV Queen" which is about 6" shorter. I'm 6ft tall and my feet hang off the end when I stretch out, which is annoying. Check to see if there is actually room to use the commode without your knees hitting the walls and is the shower big enough. Its these little things that maybe you don't think about. These are some things you might find while renting. But then, maybe not since it isn't really your RV anyways. And you aren't likely to rent the exact RV you are considering buying.
