Some RVers like the idea of buying an older or used RV because they feel they were constructed better and withhold more weathering than newer models in addition to being less expensive. Or, people buy them because they like a specific brand, year, or model and don’t mind spending the money to renovate or refurbish. These are all great ways of thinking about used RVs, but it’s still important to do your research and be well informed on whichever used RV you plan to purchase.
There are many things to consider when shopping for a used Class A motorhome. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, so it’s important to be armed with as much information as you can on the process of buying a used motorhome. Below, we discuss a few things to consider when looking at used Class As, and we talk about what to know before purchasing one.
What is a Class A?
The biggest RVs on the road, Class As are huge homes on wheels. They can be simple or come with luxury kitchens, garages, pools and even helicopters. You get lots of space with Class As, and you can normally tow your vehicle behind it. But, they tend to be incredibly expensive, have low fuel efficiency, and have limitations on where they can travel due to their size and hookup needs. Here are our Class As we have available right now!
Things to consider when looking at used RVs
Used Class As still won’t exactly be cheap, but they’ll easily be less expensive than their new counterparts. New RVs depreciate around 10 percent the minute they’ve driven off the lot, so buying used automatically saves you money.
There are other ways you can benefit from buying a used RV, besides saving lots of money. The previous owners may have already repaired any problems or issues they’ve had, and they may have even conducted a bit of premeditated maintenance in case something was about to happen. It’s also normal for them to have added any some homey touches, like more storage, spice racks or an extra mirror in the bathroom.
When shopping used RVs, be sure the rig isn’t too old. Some parks and campgrounds have restrictions on age. If you plan to visit luxurious resorts, be sure your RV isn’t too vintage. And, the older any RV gets, the more wear and tear it accumulates, which often means multiple and/or expensive repairs down the road. If you don’t want to waste the money you saved from buying used immediately on repairs, do a thorough walkthrough and look for any water damage or mold along any walls and inside cabinets.
However, if vintage is what you’re going for, then have at it! Older RVs have such character and personality about them that it’s hard not to fall in love with one.
Do an in-person tour before you buy
It’s easy for sellers to hide any imperfections of an RV by simply not uploading photos of them online. Because of this, it’s critical to tour the RV in person before you make any decisions. The seller should be more than happy to accommodate this request, but if not, your best bet is to walk away. Any hesitancy here should raise a red flag that something is seriously wrong with the rig and they aren’t telling you.
Remember – if you buy the RV from a private seller, it’s automatically your responsibility for repairs. It doesn’t matter if it’s two or twenty years old.
If you’re unsure about the quality or uncomfortable looking it over yourself, you can always have it professionally inspected. Take it to your local RV dealer and have them do a full inspection. Since it’s not their RV and they aren’t trying their best to sell it, you’ll get a more objective inspection, too. If this isn’t an option, another thing to do is look for RVs that have already been inspected by the dealer and received a seal of approval.
Look for any signs of mold or water damage
Even if you don’t see any immediate signs of water damage on the interior of the rig, mold usually means there are leaks and other plumbing issues. Take a flashlight with you and open up all the cabinets, check the walls, corners, the caulking in the bathroom, and every nook and cranny you can to ensure there isn’t mold or signs of leakage. If the cabinets or closets feel warm, it’s a possibility there’s mold growing.
Check the roof
Gently walk on the roof of the rig and make sure it’s sturdy and doesn’t give. If you can feel too much give, it might be rotting.
Closely inspect the floors
Similarly, to the roof, you’ll want to make sure there isn’t too much give on the floor. Walk heavily or even jump in a few spots to test for yourself. Make sure you don’t see any brown spots, as these are never a good thing to see.
If you’re looking for a vessel to travel alone or with just one other person, a small camper van or travel trailer will do the trick. But, if you’re needing to transport a family of five across the country comfortably, a Class A is probably a better fit for you. It’s all about you and your personal needs. The different kinds of RVs to look at can be overwhelming, but the fact that there are so many to choose from is a good thing! It means there’s a rig out there that perfectly suits you. We hope this guide helps, and as always, contact us with any questions you have. Happy RV shopping!
