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.
Looking for a New RV?
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.
New or Used RV?
Another important question to consider is if you want to purchase a new RV or a used RV. A lot of this will be determined by your budget as well as the type of RV you want to purchase.
Some people love a good handyman special, and others will want something more turn-key. Both options are great depending on your capabilities.
A used RV doesn’t always mean it is a fixer-upper though. You can buy like-new RVs at most dealerships. There are a few things you should look for when buying a Used RV, but if you want to save some money, then used may be the way to go!
Buying a new RV is always exciting, but at the moment, they can be a bit harder to find due to the influx of people buying up campers at an astounding rate. No matter what you choose, make sure you always buy from a reputable dealership.
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.
