So you’re on the market to find the perfect RV for your travels. How do you decide which kind of RV is right for you? From towables to driveables and new vs. used, there are lots of options out there. If you’ve landed on this blog though, chances are you’re considering purchasing a used Class A motorhome. We’re here to help you make an informed decision.

The Benefits of Buying a Used Class A RV

Maybe you’re considering it for the size, the savings, or both. Regardless, there are many reasons to consider purchasing this type of RV! We walk you through both the benefits of opting for used over new and the benefits of choosing a motor coach rather than a different type of RV. If this is your first RV, try starting with our first time RV buying guide and coming back here to make a decision! Read on for the benefits of a buying a used Class A.

Avoid depreciation on a new RV

You want your RV to hold its value while you own it so when you’re ready for the next one, you can get a good return for your old RV to help cover the cost of the new one.  According to Camper Report, a new Class A RV depreciates upwards of 20% as soon as it leaves the lot. And 20% of the price of a Class A is a LOT of money lost! Avoid taking that depreciation hit and buy a used Class A instead. That way, when it’s time to find your next RV, you can make a higher percentage of your money back on the re-sale.

More RV for your money

A used Class A RV might be similarly priced to purchasing a new fifth wheel. But with the Class A, you’re getting WAY more RV for your money: more storage, more living space and more creature comforts. Simply put, class A RVs cost more because you’re getting more. These rigs can be anywhere from 25 to 45 feet in length and have multiple slide outs, so the living areas are larger, the beds are often bigger, and there’s plenty of places to pack your things for your time on the road.

The convenience of home all in one rig

Along those same lines, one of the benefits of opting for a used Class A is that these types of vehicles feel the closest to a sticks and bricks home. Everything you need is right there under one roof. You don’t have to invest in a separate vehicle to tow your RV. You drive and live in the same vehicle. It’s convenient and gives you less moving pieces to worry about. If you need a full run down on the benefits of a motorhome rather than a travel trailer or fifth wheel, check out our towable vs. driveable RV guide.

360-view at Courvelle’s RV

Nervous about taking the leap to make a big purchase like a Class A RV? You want to make your purchase at an RV dealership where you know exactly what you are getting. Courvelle’s RV makes that possible right from the comfort of your own home! Our 360-degree RV view allows you to inspect our used Class A selection in on all sides, right here on your computer screen. Every RV in our inventory  is equipped with this feature on our website, so you can inspect RVs from every angle as you shop.

How to find the right used Class A motorhome for you

Whether you’re based in Louisiana or you’re willing to travel to find the perfect RV for your family, Courvelle’s has the best selection of used Class A RVs out there. Our motorhomes are fairly priced, clean, high quality, low mileage and ready to find new adventures as soon as we hand you the keys. All you need to do is plan the route! Let our team of RV experts match you up with the perfect used Class A for your family!

If you are one of the many people who are planning to buy an RV this year, welcome! Camping and RVing have been steadily growing in popularity in the past few years and for good reason. It is a fun hobby that lets you travel and see new places all from the comfort of your very own hotel on wheels. With this influx of new RVers though, we are seeing a lot of questions about being a first-time RV buyer, so we decided to compile the most popular questions and answer them for you here. 

We want to help you feel confident when you head to check out new RVs. So by answering these commonly asked RV questions, our hope is that you can walk on a lot and talk to a sales team member with confidence, knowing exactly what you want in your new camper, and leave with the best deal on your dream RV.

First Time RV Buyer’s Guide

As we said earlier, RVing has become more and more popular over the past few years. People are now flocking to buy an RV and take off on a great camping adventure. Camping is great. It is a perfect family vacation. It can also be a perfect couple’s trip! You can see the country and meet new people.

With this influx of campers though, there are those questions that need to be answered. It really helps you to be an informed consumer. Learn all you can about different RV types and see what matches your lifestyle and personal needs. So with the hopes of helping you become an informed first-time RV buyer, we are going to answer some of your most burning RV questions. After this, you can feel much more confident in your RV shopping journey.

What RV Type Do You Want?

The first, and maybe most important question to answer, is What type of RV do I want? There are multiple different types, and they all have their own pros and cons.

There are towable RVs. Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, and Pop-Ups. These campers are towed behind a vehicle, and you can drop them off at your camping site and still have your tow vehicle to drive if you want to go exploring.  You will want to make sure your tow vehicle can tow the camper you want to purchase though. Some, like Fifth Wheels, require special hitches and larger vehicles to tow. A diesel truck is usually recommended for pulling these larger campers. Many smaller travel trailers and pop-up campers can be pulled with SUVs and smaller trucks.

There are also motorized RVs. Class A, Class B, and Class C campers. Your Class A RVs are what most people think of when they think of motorhomes. They are large and beautiful, but more intimidating to actually drive unless you have some experience with them. The Class B motorhomes are your camper vans. Easy to drive but much smaller. These are perfect for smaller families and couples who want an easy way to get away for a weekend or cross country roadtrip. Then we have the Class C motorhomes. These are, size-wise, in between an A and a B. They are typically easier to drive and handle more like a large truck than a bus. With all of these (with the exception of the B), you will need some sort of toad (a vehicle you tow behind your camper) if you want to drop off your camper and explore the town you are visiting. 

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying an RV

Now that you know a little about the RV types, you should really start asking yourself a few questions as to what you want and need out of your new camper. These will help you work through the basics and allow you to have questions prepared when you go to the lot to talk to a salesperson. 

• What is my budget? 
• What kind of RV is right for me?
• What Size camper do I want?
• Where can I store my RV when I am not traveling? 

These are some of the basics. They will get you started on your RV shopping journey, but there are a few more that you need to keep in mind as well. 

• Can my current vehicle tow the camper I am looking at?
• Will I need a toad for a motorhome?
• Do I need new equipment to go with my new camper (sway bars, hitches, brake controller)?
• How confident do I feel towing/driving a camper?
• What is the setup and breakdown process like?

The answers to all of these questions will help you determine the best course of action for you. Different RVs all have different pros and cons. Once you know your capabilities and what you want, you can move on to talking to a salesperson. 

Once you have answered your questions and know what you want and what your budget is, you should feel much more confident starting your search in earnest.  Once you are ready, start looking around at reputable RV dealers in your area and schedule times to go walk around their lots to view campers you are interested in. 

If you are in Louisiana, make sure you come in and say hi to us here at Courvelle’s RV in Opelousas, LA. We have a large in-stock inventory of new and used RVs as well as a super friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you with all your RV needs. 

No matter if you are a new RVer or have bought a few campers in the past, these are things you should always ask when buying an RV  to make the process simple and smooth. 

In 2020, there were over 430,000 RVs sold nationwide, and this number is continuing to grow year after year. Americans are loving the RV lifestyle more than ever now, and we don’t blame them. Many people are ditching their traditional jobs and homes and hitting the road full time. While others are simply spending more time camping as opposed to flying for their family vacations. No matter what your reason for buying an RV is, there are a few things that will apply across the board, and we are here to let you know the top 10 things you need to look for when you start shopping for a new RV.

Everything You Should Look For When Buying a New or Used RV

We have been selling RVs in Opelousas, LA for many years now and have seen just about everything you can think of. So when we tell you these are all the things you need to look for when you purchase an RV, we are speaking from experience. 

We want you to have the best possible RV buying experience and get the best RV for your personal needs. So when you head to an RV dealership, make sure you go prepared to ask the right questions and look for all of these things to make sure you have the best possible buying experience. 

Look Over Every Inch of the RV Ceiling

When going to buy an RV, make sure you look over the ceiling with a fine-tooth comb. There is nothing worse than purchasing an RV and then later discovering a leaky roof. 

This is especially important if you are thinking about purchasing a used RV. If there is any sign of water damage from a leaky roof, you will probably want to pass on this purchase. 

Yes, a ceiling can be fixed, but then you run the risk of running into other unforeseen issues that may need to be addressed once you start working on the roof. 

Check for Signs of Mold

When you are looking at used RVs that you are interested in buying, make sure you check well for any signs of mold. Even if there is no visible water damage,  you should still give the camper a once-over to check for mold. 

Check the ceilings and floors, as well as the bathrooms, corners, the caulk, and around all fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen. To check well, open up all of the cabinets and closets and shine a flashlight to make sure there is no mold growing.  

Mold is hard to get rid of, and usually signifies larger issues with leaking and the water systems. So if you notice mold in an RV, it is probably a good sign that you will want to move on to a different unit.

Make Sure the Electrical Is In Good Working Order

You may not be an electrician, but you should bring someone along with you who knows a thing or two when buying a used RV.

Make sure all of the electrical outlets work, wiring is done well, and everything is in good working order. Also, you will want to make sure slides open and close as they are supposed to and that any and all awnings work correctly.

If Buying a Used Motorhome, Check the Motor

This only applies if you are looking for a used motorhome, but please make sure you check the mechanics. We recommend bringing along a friend who is a mechanic when you come to look at a potential motorhome so you feel confident knowing that everything is in good running order. 

If a dealership doesn’t want you to check it over and have your mechanic friend look over the engine, then that may be a sign to walk away.

Make Sure You are Buying a Used RV From a Reputable Dealership 

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when you set out to buy a used RV is to make sure you are shopping at a reputable dealership. 

You want to know that the staff is well trained, knowledgeable, and professional. Here at Courvelle’s, we have been selling the highest quality used RVs in Louisiana for years! All of our inventory is well maintained and looked over by our expert service department. 

So if you are looking for a high-quality used RV that has been immaculately maintained right here in Louisiana, then give us a call to talk to our sales team.