I have found that the best method for buying a used vehicle is to buy it from a private party .
by visiting the owner's home and observing how he takes care of his rolling stock is a better indicator than other methods .
plus with an RV there are careful owner's who have to abandon their well cared for rig due to failing health or age related issues .
the guy who has shined up his " for sale " vehicle but his pickup and car are in poor condition are good indications of actual usage .
be prepared to scour the ads daily and act quickly when a good deal shows up .
the best deals go to the first buyer that shows up .
the average rigs end up on a dealer's lot in many cases .
And may be represented as " cream puffs " in order to make the sale .