new to rv
plan to retire soon.don't known much about rv's, plan to spend between 30 to 40 thousand on a used rv. is there any brand that you would recommend. what equipment on the rv is a must have? should I b...
Forum Discussion
We had exactly your scenario and budget about five years ago (just as the recession was kicking in) and thought about it for two years before buying.
It's a process. Get the Go Rving DVD. Look a lot online, go to several shows and dealers, get brochures to study and manufacturer DVDs to watch as you narrow it down. We read a couple of books (helped understand some of the issues), got a free subscription to MotorHome mag by attending an RV show. Talked to friends, spent a few nights in their RV while visiting. Test drove a used C. Got familiar with which brands had best reputations.
We started off wanting a used Class B small RV because we wanted to tour long distances and see the US and Canada and fuel costs were a concern, especially as our retirement accounts dropped in 2008. Seriously considered trailers, were tempted by bigger A and C RVs.
I came to realize there was no perfect RV, that any choice would involve some compromise. The B class RV would have limited living and storage space and was really most suitable for only two people. But along with great fuel mileage, it had fast campground set-up and departure, could fit in any campsite, we both could drive it easily, we could park it in our driveway and could use it as a second vehicle as needed. (Those are features that mattered to us, but not to the next guy. And they may not matter to us five years from now.)
Kept drooling over new class As with great layouts. Ended up full circle when we suddenly found a great used B nearby. We have loved it and keep making our long trips.
Best advice I've read on this forum is to pin down how you are really, truly going to use your RV and what features matter most to you in priority order. Try to find something that hits the top priorities on the list, and buy one you are actually likely to use often. Then you'll get your money's worth out of your investment.
It's a process. Get the Go Rving DVD. Look a lot online, go to several shows and dealers, get brochures to study and manufacturer DVDs to watch as you narrow it down. We read a couple of books (helped understand some of the issues), got a free subscription to MotorHome mag by attending an RV show. Talked to friends, spent a few nights in their RV while visiting. Test drove a used C. Got familiar with which brands had best reputations.
We started off wanting a used Class B small RV because we wanted to tour long distances and see the US and Canada and fuel costs were a concern, especially as our retirement accounts dropped in 2008. Seriously considered trailers, were tempted by bigger A and C RVs.
I came to realize there was no perfect RV, that any choice would involve some compromise. The B class RV would have limited living and storage space and was really most suitable for only two people. But along with great fuel mileage, it had fast campground set-up and departure, could fit in any campsite, we both could drive it easily, we could park it in our driveway and could use it as a second vehicle as needed. (Those are features that mattered to us, but not to the next guy. And they may not matter to us five years from now.)
Kept drooling over new class As with great layouts. Ended up full circle when we suddenly found a great used B nearby. We have loved it and keep making our long trips.
Best advice I've read on this forum is to pin down how you are really, truly going to use your RV and what features matter most to you in priority order. Try to find something that hits the top priorities on the list, and buy one you are actually likely to use often. Then you'll get your money's worth out of your investment.
