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Things to Consider
Before you purchase a new or used RV, make sure you take the time to think about how you are going to use your RV (from this point forward we will refer to all travel trailers, 5th wheels, etc… as RVs). Here are some of the things you should consider:
How often do you plan to use your RV? – If you only plan on taking two or three trips a year for a weekend at a time it probably does not make sense to spend big money on a Class A motor home. If this is the case, then a pop-up, travel trailer, or 5th wheel that is significantly cheaper may be a better choice.
How many people will you be taking on your trips? – An RV can get awfully small, very quickly if you do not plan accordingly. In addition to sleeping arrangements you have to think of other factors. If for instance it is raining outside for a day or two while you are on your trip, you want to make sure there is ample space inside for everyone to relax.
How much storage space do you need? – This is one of the most overlooked features of an RV. Although you may purchase an RV with ample sleeping and relaxation space for a family of four, once you add your gear, clothes, food, drinks, chairs, grills, games, etc…, you will often find that there is not nearly enough storage space for all these supplies.
What is the GVWR of your tow vehicle? - If you are planning on buying a trailer or 5th wheel this is an important question. Although you may be able to afford an adequately sized trailer or 5th wheel, do you have the vehicle needed to tow it? I won’t go into the intricacies of picking the right tow vehicle here (we will devote a whole article to this later); however, unless you can afford a new vehicle, the GVWR of your truck will often dictate the maximum size of trailer that you will be able to purchase and tow safely. When taking this into consideration remember to factor in the weight of your gear, food, water, fuel, etc... Your dealer can probably help you with this; however, you need to proceed with caution. When we were looking at a new 5th wheel and we asked several dealers what we would need to tow it with, they would often ask what kind of truck I had and then say, “Oh, that will be fine…no problem,” when in fact our truck was not sufficient. Remember, RV dealers are in business to make money and sell RVs, and not all of them are honest; some inexperienced sales people just don’t know any better. Although I have no doubt that some salesmen are experienced enough to look at your truck and know whether is it sufficient to tow the trailer or 5th wheel you are looking at, I would not blindly trust them. Sit down with a piece of paper and do the calculations yourself. You don’t want to skimp on safety and find out in an emergency situation that your vehicle cannot stop because it is overloaded.
Weight of 1 Gallon of Water = 8.33 pounds
Weight of 1 Gallon of Gasoline = 5.8 to 6.5 pounds (depending on temp and grade)
Weight of 1 Gallon of Diesel = Approx 6.8 pounds (depending on temp)
Where do you plan to camp? – This is a major factor that many people overlook. Most campgrounds cannot accommodate RVs that are longer than 22-25 feet, especially state and national parks. This is simply due to the fact that many campgrounds were built years ago when RVs were simpler and smaller. Although many campgrounds are upgrading, the majority are not built to handle today’s larger RVs. Chances are that if you pick an RV that is too large, you will not be able to enjoy many of the finer state and national parks.
When do you plan to camp? – If you are planning on winter camping, then make sure you are buying a properly insulated RV made for winter camping. Most RVs are built for three seasons at best and are poorly insulated or have none at all. Winter camping requires an RV that is built for winter camping.
Where will you store your RV and how much will it cost? – If you live in a metropolitan area with limited space and a homeowner’s association like I do, chances are that you are not going to be able to store your RV on the side of your house. That means you are going to have to find a storage yard to park it. The bigger the RV, the more it will cost. Make sure you do some research on what it will cost and if there is any availability in your area. This may sound trivial, but the costs add up quickly.
How much will insurance cost? – When people make an impulse buy they often forget about the ancillary costs such as insurance, storage, and maintenance. Make sure to take these into account before making your purchase. Again, these costs add up quickly.
What will it cost to maintain your RV? – Maintenance can add up quickly. You need to think about things such oil changes, tires, generator maintenance, etc.
What can you afford to spend? – Another limiting factor can be your budget. Figure out what you can afford and are willing to spend monthly on your RV purchase in advance. Stick to your budget and make sure that you factor storage, maintenance, and financing payments into your monthly cost.
