If you consider buying a recreational vehicle (RV) to enjoy the beautiful destinations in the country, you will have to first find the perfect vehicle that will take care of your family’s needs. It also has to be easy-to-drive and should be light on your pocket. You can choose from different types of RVs. You may also need to decide whether to buy a new RV or a used vehicle. Read on to find out more about RVs and make a calculated purchase decision.

Questions to ask yourself before buying an RV
An RV is not for everyone. It looks great, and the idea behind it is wonderful.

• Why do you need an RV?
• Do you have any proper travel plans for the RV?
• How frequently are you going to travel?
• Is your family willing to travel with you in an RV?
• Do you have the budget?

Should you buy a new RV or an old RV?
Buying an RV is a long-term investment that may or may not work out for you if you are considering buying an RV, among all things, you also need to decide if you should purchase a new one or a used model. Both have their pros and cons. Let’s talk about them.

Used RV – advantages and disadvantages
A used RV is a vehicle that was previously owned by someone and has some years of use to its name.

• • Pros of buying a used RV
    • You can buy a used vehicle at a great RV deal and save a lot of money.
    • You can rebuild, restore, and redecorate your RV according to your requirement
    • You will save money while buying a used RV, as insurance for it is cheaper than a new RV
  • Cons of buying a used RV
    • You may experience high costs due to damage, which may not be visible earlier; these expenses may come up once you start using the RV
    • You may end up spending heavily on upgrading the interiors or technicalities in the RV
    • You may find difficulty in repairing the model as it is not easy to find the parts

New RV – Advantages and disadvantages
A new RV is a brand-new vehicle that you bring home from the dealer or the manufacturer. These brand-new vehicles will have their own set of pros and cons.

• Pros of buying a new RV
  • • You will get all the latest technology both in the driving segment as well as the interiors
    • You can buy a new RV without worrying about prior damages
    • You get what you pay for; a brand-new vehicle is worth its price
• Cons of buying a new RV
  • • It is expensive and will cost you a fortune, depending on the features
    • You pay higher insurance premiums for new RVs as compared to used vehicles
    • You will have to buy a new towing vehicle to pull your RV, which may or may not be the case with a used RV

What are motorhomes?
Motorhomes are the big bus-style RVs that are self-contained. They do not need an external vehicle to pull them. Moreover, the passengers can move around and use the amenities of the RV while on the road. Motorhomes are quite easy to set up at campsites. There are three types of motorhomes:

• Class A
  Class A motorhomes are the largest available in the market and are the most expensive ones. This type is preferred by dedicated travelers and is usually made by converting buses into motorhomes. Class A motorhomes are powered by either a diesel engine or a gasoline one. The drivelines can be of a pusher or a puller configuration. Class A motorhomes do not require a special license.

These motorhomes offer a massive space with maximum available features. Some Class A motorhomes have a slide-out section that allows for the expansion of the living quarters. Essential features and amenities that come with these motorhomes are bathing facilities, ice maker, laundry machine and dryer, and home entertainment system, among others. The basement of Class A motorhomes has enough space for plenty of cargo.

• Class B
  Class B motorhomes are commonly known as “camper vans.” These are built on a full-sized van chassis and have a raised roof for upright walking. These motorhomes have a gasoline or diesel engine.

Class B motorhomes offer comfortable sleeping quarters, a decent kitchen, and other necessities. Since they are small in size, these motorhomes are easy to drive and park. They are ideal for one or two travelers and offer amenities like a sink, refrigerator, hot water, shower AC, toilets, etc. There is no space for luxuries like a full-sized entertainment system, a huge cargo, or a laundry facility. These motorhomes are costly when it comes to purchasing. However, they are easier and inexpensive to maintain.

• Class C
  Class C motorhomes are mid-sized RVs that have a length of 20-33 feet. They are built on a truck or van chassis, for people who want to go for a vacation on a lower budget. Class C motorhomes have the same pros as the Class A motorhomes but have a lower overall cost. They have more space as compared to Class B, and many amenities match with that of Class A.

Class C motorhomes have toilets and showers, along with plenty of sleeping spaces and adequate kitchen amenities. Couches and tables in this type of motorhomes convert into beds, and the overhead compartment above the cab converts into storage or sleeping quarters.

What are the different types of towable RVs?
Towable RVs are the campers attached to an SUV or a pickup truck and offer the comforts of home at the camping sites. They are smaller than the motorhomes and have various advantages over them.

Towable RVs are less expensive, more reliable, and quite convenient as compared to motorhomes. They offer the convenience of a detachable vehicle that can be used to explore an area and run errands at the camping sites. You can check out the RV deals available and choose any one from the following types of RVs:

• Travel trailers
• 5 ^th wheel trailers
• Folding and tent trailers
• Sports utility RV trailers

Things to consider before buying an RV
An RV deal in your neighborhood may be tempting for you. However, do not take this decision in a hurry because an RV is a one-time expensive purchase, and if you make a mistake, it will cost you heavily.

Here are some important tips that you need to consider before purchasing your dream RV.

• You cannot buy an RV in a jiffy
  Purchasing an RV is not a one-day decision. You will have to give it a lot of time and research thoroughly before you are ready to purchase. Check out various websites that are loaded with information about RV shopping. You can also talk to current RV owners to understand the real picture behind RV ownership. You cannot buy an RV by merely looking at the vehicle’s floor plan. There’s more to it like plumbing, cabinets, water pump, etc. Only experienced people can help you with those points.
• You should negotiate on the price
  According to RV experts, you should never buy an RV on MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price). You can negotiate as much as 30 percent on the price announced by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer or the dealer is not willing to negotiate at all, talk to another dealer. Get multiple quotes on the same type/size of RV so that you can get the best RV deal.

The best time to buy an RV is at the end of the month or year when the sales department is under pressure to meet their monthly targets. This is when they will be open to negotiation and will freely discuss offers and discounts with you.

• You should consider buying a used RV
  An RV loses its value faster than any other vehicle. Its price drops by almost 25% when you drive it out of the manufacturer’s parking lot. This means buying a new RV will not only be heavy on your pocket, but it will also not give you a good resale value when you decide to sell it.

Consider buying a used RV at a lower price, drive it for a few years, and then sell it off when you are done enjoying it. This decision also depends on how much you are going to use your RV. If the plan is to sell everything and enjoy the rest of your life in this vehicle, opt for a new vehicle. However, if you are going to use your RV occasionally, consider a second-hand model, sold through RV deals. This second-hand vehicle should come with paperwork for proper maintenance, and it will be best if the previous owner or the dealer is known.

• New RVs can have problems
  Brand new RVs may have manufacturing defects. These are production mistakes that should have been detected during the final inspection. A dealer is also responsible for checking and fixing such an issue; however, a few dealers tend to ignore these defects. Therefore, it is your responsibility to inspect the vehicle thoroughly before paying for it.

The best thing to ensure that there are no manufacturing defects is to take your mechanic with you to check out different vehicles. Your mechanic will be able to check the details that you may miss out and will be able to help you make a proper decision.

• Repairing an RV is expensive
  Every vehicle needs regular maintenance and repairs from time to time, and RVs are not an exception. RV repairs are costly because their spare parts are expensive, and the mechanics who can fix this type of vehicle are difficult to find.

You have to consider this point before buying an RV because you might end up spending a lot more than you would like on its maintenance. Again, if you are going to use it a lot, its maintenance costs will be worth it, but if the vehicle is going to sit in the garage for long periods, the maintenance will disrupt your monthly budget.

• RVs have a poor gas mileage
  Practically, RVs are gas guzzlers that give a mileage of four to ten miles per gallon. A diesel RV may give you 20 miles per gallon. These numbers are not impressive if you drive the RV frequently. So, you have to be mentally prepared to spend heavily on gas to enjoy a good time with your RV.

RVs can offer you a completely different perspective on vacations. With them, you do not need to worry about hotel bookings and enjoy your vacation right at the most picturesque spot. However, there is a lot that you need to do before you can enjoy a road trip with your family and friends. Start by picking out the best RV type for your needs and then try to find an astounding RV deal.

Tips for getting good RV deals

• Do not stick to a particular brand; explore different options
• Attend RV trade shows where you can grab discounts
• Purchase at the end of the month or year
• Buy now, think about the customization later
• Shop around; browse the Internet and check out websites that offer attractive RV deals on new, used, and rental vehicles