If you missed Part 1, be sure to read this very useful article as it will help you examine the different types of RVs and which one might be best for you. As we continue with Part 2, we will present some tips on how to select your first, or next, RV and outline some considerations regarding your buying decisions.
Budget
The most important question to ask yourself when buying an RV is how much can you afford? Be sure to factor in any trade-in and consider whether you will be financing. If you are purchasing an RV from a private seller, a trade-in is likely not an option, and financing may not be either. Sit down with your partner and determine honestly how much you are able to spend on an RV. Consider buying a used RV, but if you do so, be sure to have it properly inspected by a person knowledgeable in RV inspection. Used RVs can be a real value, but not if there are serious deficiencies that are very expensive to repair, the most notable one being water damage.
Desired Features
The next question is what type of RV suits you best. Part 1 of this article introduced the basic RV types and some advantages of each such as:
Motorized Units
- For many people, a motorhome offers better convenience and freedom while traveling. The ability to pull to the side of the road or into a rest stop and easily prepare a meal or use the facilities is much easier in a motorhome than a trailer.
- Motorized units also provide more comfort while driving (as opposed to sitting in a truck cab), may offer more seating capacity over a tow vehicle, and tend to be easier to pack and unpack.
Towables
- Trailers tend to be less expensive than motorhomes. Although you do have to factor in the potential cost of the towing vehicle.
- One major benefit to a trailer, or towable, is the fact that you have a regular commuter vehicle once you unhook, whereas if you purchase a motorhome, getting around once you arrive at your destination requires that you either break camp, tow a vehicle behind the RV, or seek out alternative transportation such as bus, taxi, or ride-sharing.
- Some purchasers may have a requirement for a larger sleeping capacity. Trailers tend to provide potential for higher sleeping capacity, although some Class C motorhomes also have this advantage.
You may have other reasons to consider one type over another, so just take the time to consider what features are important to you in regards to towable vs. motorized.
Floorplan
Once you have decided on what type of RV to purchase, the next major consideration is floor plan, which includes sleeping capacity. Trailers tend to have a more “open” plan than motorhomes, which have to account for the cab area as a non-living area. Explore as many units as you can to determine which floor plan works best for you. Don’t forget to do online searches. One often overlooked feature is storage, drawer, and cupboard space. Many RVs don’t include enough of this, and owners sometimes don’t realize it until after purchase.
Also, make sure each family member approves of the space and that each of them has adequate area to do “their thing”.
Towing
If you are considering a trailer and you already have a tow vehicle, make sure it has sufficient capacity for the trailer.
An RV is a huge investment, but if your family is ready to enjoy the RV lifestyle, it is truly worth it. This article just scratches the surface of the RV selection process, but hopefully, it will get you started with some useful tips. The worst thing you can do after purchasing an RV is to let it sit idle for too long, so once you make the purchase, do you and your family a favor by using your RV whenever you can. It’s a great lifestyle!
About the Author:
Steve Froese, an avid RV owner, traveler, and Coach-Net member since 2013, is the principal of “A Word to the Wise Technical Communications”, a published RV author, certified RV technician, and licensed Professional Engineer. He frequently collaborates with the “RV Doctor”, Gary Bunzer, and has worked with the RVIA/RVDA as a technical and training writer and consultant. Professionally, he works as a quality engineer and musician. Watch for more of Steve’s work in upcoming Coach-Net publications.
Ray M. ~ “We’ve had a service plan with Coach-Net with 2 different RVs and we’re so glad we do. Twice in less than a month we’ve called with tire issues. Both times your representative helped us to get back on the road in a short amount of time. Thank you from two happy campers.”
Sticks-and-bricks homes can absorb some neglect over the years, but not RVs. Whether you own a motorhome or towable like I do, ignoring strange sounds, odd smells and unusual moisture can be dangerous or even deadly. Your goal as a proud RV owner is to solve minor problems before they become major RV catastrophes. Pay close attention to these lessons my spouse and I learned and you’ll keep your RV – and your life – out of harm’s way.
Last month when the weather became warm enough for us to run our RV air conditioner, I noticed an unusual electrical smell. Exhausted from running errands, we simply said “Well that’s weird.” Then we turned off the air conditioner, opened the windows and forgot about it. Little did we know the danger lurking inside our home.
One hot, sunny July afternoon as the Arizona sun baked my brain, I forgot to tell my handy husband about moisture in our RV basement. The next day, a neighbor knocked on our door and said “Hey there’s water coming out of your basement!” Jim dug around and noticed that a plumbing connector had loosened in transit. Eventually, the compartment dried out but sadly, my failure to point out the problem resulted in permanently damaged fiberglass siding.
Although there are several unique driving and towing tips when comparing driving a motorhome with a “toad” and driving a truck pulling a trailer, there are many generic tips and tricks that pertain to both. For the past 10 years I’ve conducted driving seminars throughout the country and not only do I get new owners or people looking to buy for the first time, but I am amazed at the number of seasoned veterans I get to attend the class. And they all say the same thing; “I learned some new things and did not realize some of the changes in road use laws”!
One of the most important components in driving is negotiating the right hand turn. It’s easier to make a left hand turn as you have open real estate, the right hand turn has the curb and obstacles in the way. So you will need to understand how your rig cuts with the back wheels and how your trailer tracks behind your truck. Typically bumper towed trailers track or follow the tow vehicle closer than 5th wheels and motorhomes. You need to know how far into the turn you have to go to safely make the corner. City streets are typically 12’ wide so find a parking lot at a large church during the week or a Junior College on the weekends and place cones at 12’ and then make a corner with more. Practice making the corner and soon you will find how far to go before starting the turn.
Whether you are contemplating purchasing your first RV or are in the midst of upgrading, it is helpful to go through the process of evaluating which is the right RV for you. This is especially true given the large number of choices available. In this two-part article, I will provide some advice for those wanting to make more educated choices.
Summer sunshine is just around the corner and the best time for RVing is almost here. But when school gets out and thousands of RVers compete for prime spots in the great outdoors, do you know how to avoid summer campground crowds?
Some of the best RVing destinations like 
Dry camping on public lands is a great option to avoid summer campground crowds and save money on your RV adventures. Many people enjoy the independence of living off-grid without RV hookups. Although it’s helpful to have 
If your summer vacation budget is tight, you can save money by camping on the outskirts of major attractions along your route. RV parks and campgrounds close to popular summer destinations like national parks and beaches will always be more crowded and cost more than competitors located down the highway. When your goal is to avoid summer crowds, choose campgrounds and RV parks that aren’t quite as convenient to major attractions. You may need to drive a couple of minutes longer to see things on your bucket list, but you’ll have more money to spend on souvenirs.
People are getting ready to enjoy camping the minute it warms up. Some of you are out there right now! You can already smell the campfire and taste the s’mores, but first things first – before taking your RV out for its inaugural adventure of the season, be sure to take the proper steps to de-winterize it.
There is something very calming about driving down the road in an RV – that is until you encounter that unwelcome rattle or broken dish. This experience is made even worse when the damage occurs in a trailer in tow and the resulting mess is not discovered until you make camp.
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From waterfalls to slot canyons to… aliens?
Freewheeling is a way of life when you experience the world by RV. You can go where the wind blows you and take your home with you too. Plus, if you don’t like your neighbors when you arrive, you can just turn the key and leave. It’s that easy! But what’s not so easy is when you’re a new RVer and trying to get a grip on campsite arrivals and departures. Here’s a simple way to minimize your stress and avoid campground catastrophes.
