Category: RV Tips

Should You Buy A New Or Used RV? The Pros And Cons

Many RVers struggle with the idea of whether they should purchase a new or used RV.

And the truth is that there is no answer to that dilemma that works for everyone.

A lot depends on what your personal priorities are in an RV. For instance, cost of the RV, warranty coverage, better amenities, and more can come into play.

And what is a high priority for some, is low on the list for someone else.

So let’s lay out the overall pros and cons of whether you should buy a new or used RV. And then you can decide what are the most important issues for your needs.

Watch my video about new vs used RVs

Table of Contents

Buy A New Or Used RV – Pros Of Buying New

  1. One of the best reasons for buying new is that you can know the history of the RV from the first day. There is no guessing about how it was maintained because you have cared for it from day one.
  2. You usually get a factory warranty that is very extensive. These kind of warranties often last about a year from the date of purchase. But they typically cover almost everything on the RV. And that is a huge comfort, especially if you are a new RVer just getting used to having a rig.
  3. Oftentimes new RVs have the very latest technology and features built into them. If that kind of thing is important to you, a new rig could be just what you need. And it can save a lot of money and time by having all the modern items built in from the factory instead of being added later.
  4. If you are allergic to pets and smoking, you can make sure that you don’t have to deal with those issues if you buy new.
  5. Also if you are a long-term RV buyer, you will get more years of solid service simply because it is new. If you buy used, you already have lost some of the best service life of that rig.

Buy A New Or Used RV – Cons of New RVs

  1. If you are questioning what you should buy, consider this – new RVs cost more. An RV will never be more expensive to buy than when it is new.
  2. It’s pretty much like buying a car, the first owner takes the big depreciation hit. So there is an inherent financial penalty for buying a new rig. Very often the depreciation loss can be 20% – 30% or even more.
  3. It may take you a year or more to get all of the bugs worked out of a new rig. It’s sad, but true. Quality control is not the best at many RV manufacturers these days. So you may have a long list of issues that will have to be fixed over the course of the first year of ownership. This requires a lot of patience to see it through.
  4. Higher insurance costs. Of course, the higher the cost of the rig, in most cases the higher your insurance costs will be.
  5. RV dealers can be difficult to work with. Not all RV dealers are solely sales driven without a lot of thought for the customer. But far too many of them are similar to the old proverbial used car dealer in their tactics. Many people find this to be a difficult and tedious process and want to avoid RV dealers altogether.
  6. Newer RVs often are not constructed as well as older RVs. This is especially true of rigs made before 2008, or before the economic crash. RVs built before then often were made to a higher standard at the factory. But in recent years, cheaper parts and materials are being used to lower production costs. This can result in a lower quality product all around.

The Pros Of Buying A Used RV

  1. Save money on overall RV cost and depreciation loss. This is probably one of the biggest reasons many RVers buy a used rig. In fact, the savings alone can make the choice for you. Very often, many thousands of dollars can be saved by choosing an RV that is just a couple of years old.
  2. Most of the bugs should be worked out by the first owner. As mentioned above, the first year of RV ownership is often spent fixing things. If you buy the RV after that warranty period, most likely many of the quality control issues have been repaired.
  3. The previous owner may have added some nice upgrades that you can use. Upgrades are great if they are useful, but they seldom are cost effective at the time of resale. So you may have some really nifty additional comforts built into the RV that doesn’t come as standard equipment.
  4. There are lots more used RVs than new RVs. That simple fact means that you will have plenty more rigs to choose from if you buy used.
  5. You can often buy a higher quality used rig for the same cost as a lower quality new RV. Depending on how far back you are willing to go, you may even get an RV that was top of the line.
  6. Of course, if the cost of RV replacement is less, then the cost of RV insurance will usually be less too. So used RVs tend to carry lower insurance costs as well.

The Cons Of Buying Used RVs

  1. Probably the main reason people don’t want to buy used is their fear that they may be buying a problem RV. They are worried that there may be unseen problems that will only be found after the sale. Of course, having a good RV inspection by a certified inspector can help ease those fears.
  2. There is no factory warranty anymore, so anything that goes wrong is a cost for the new owner. Again, this can be resolved by getting an aftermarket used RV warranty. But a good warranty will cost quite a bit of money too.
  3. The farther you go back into the past to buy an RV, the more dated it will be. The furnishings, the colors, the older technology will be what was standard whenever the RV was new. To bring the RV up to modern standards and appearance may cost quite a bit.
  4. All appliances and mechanical components wear out over time, even if they are well maintained. So if the RV is quite a bit older, you may be faced with a spate of replacements you hadn’t counted on. And even if that’s not the case, the usable life of these RV items is diminished. They won’t last as long as the same items in a new rig.

Conclusion

Lots of RVers buy new rigs and lots of others buy used instead. And both can be very happy with their purchase.

This is because ultimately, the satisfaction of the buyer is what determines whether the transaction was good or not.

If your priorities lead you to buy a newer RV, that’s fine. Enjoy it!

But if your priorities lead to the purchase of a used rig instead, there is nothing wrong with that either.

Hopefully, the pros and cons I listed above can help you to decide what is most important to you in the buying process.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

The Top 10 RV Travel Safety And RV Road Trip Tips

Whatever type of RV you own, there is a need to practice RV travel safety. That’s because RVs usually weigh more than passenger vehicles. And that means there is more that can wrong fast when you are on the road.

And the bigger and more heavy the rig is, the more attention is needed to operate them safely.

So, with that in mind, here are my top ten tips for RV travel safety:

Watch my video about the top 10 tips for RV travel safety

Table of Contents

#1 – Carry Extra Oil And Coolant

Regardless of the type of RV that you have, it has an engine somewhere that propels it.

And that means that some kind of oil and coolant is needed for safe operation of that engine.

So if a problem develops on the road, you will be glad that you have some extra engine fluids on hand.

And if you do, it can help you get where you need to go to get help and the proper repairs.

#2 – Carry Traffic Cones For RV Travel Safety

If you have a breakdown on the side of the road, traffic cones are an essential safety item. And if you have the collapsible kind, they don’t really take up much room either.

By deploying them out in back of your rig, you are warning approaching drivers that a problem is ahead.

That means that they can begin to move over before reaching you, keeping both your rig and their vehicle safe. And of course, it makes the whole situation more safe for travelers as well.

Some prefer warning triangles instead. And that’s fine too. Just make sure that you have some kind of warning system with you for roadside breakdowns.

#3 – Tire Pressure Check

This is one of the most important safety checks you can make on your rig.

After all, your tires are what actually touches the road as you travel. And if you experience a blowout, it often is not a very good thing in an RV.

So regularly check the pressure in your RV tires and any other tires in use if you are towing.

Here is a link to an article I wrote on tire pressure safety.

It’s better to solve any tire problems before you get on the road than deal with them while traveling!

#4 – Have Roadside Assistance

These days there are some very good choices for roadside assistance for RVs.

The three companies usually used for RV travelers is AAA, Good Sam, and CoachNet.

Truthfully, any of these roadside assistance providers can do a great job for you. And you will be very glad to have them when a breakdown occurs.

So compare their features and what they cover first, and then make your choice.

The only really bad choice you can make is not having some form of roadside assistance at all.

#5 – Use A Departure Checklist For RV Travel Safety

A lot of problems happen on the road because someone forgot to do something before leaving.

And honestly, nobody can remember everything at all times. There is just too much to do to get an RV ready for travel.

So make a checklist of all of the items that you will need to accomplish while departing. And then carefully follow that departure checklist every single time before you leave.

#6 – Perform A Final Walk Around

Even if you have a reliable departure checklist, make sure to perform a final walk around anyway.

It’s amazing how something important can still be left untended even when using a checklist.

So your best defense against omitting something important is to carefully review the entire rig before you leave. If you have a towable RV, this means both the RV and the tow vehicle.

Most of the time, you won’t find a problem. But on those occasions where something was missed you will be glad you did the final walk around!

#7 – Make Good Use Of Rest Areas For RV Travel Safety

Driving an RV rig on the road can wear on you fast. There is a lot that you have to keep track of while on the road.

And it’s easy to become weary and lose your focus when you spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Especially when you don’t take a break!

So try to plan rest stops in your travel schedule to take a break and freshen up.

Maybe get out and take a walk, have a snack, and check over your rig before leaving again.

If you do, you will feel much better and be more alert while piloting your rig.

#8 – Maintain A Safe Driving Distance

We are all taught to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front while using our passenger vehicle. But that distance needs to increase even further when driving an RV.

There is usually a lot more weight and bulk in an RV as compared to a personal vehicle. So it takes much longer to bring that much weight to a stop.

And if you haven’t allowed enough room between your rig and the vehicle ahead of you, it can be trouble.

I highly recommend allowing much more room than you think necessary to be safe on the highway.

To accomplish this, I like to drive 5 – 10 MPH below the flow of traffic and well within the speed limit. By doing this, most vehicles will pass you on the left and go far ahead if they return to the right lane.

Whenever there has been a need for a sudden stop, this practice has always kept us safe on the road. Besides, RVing isn’t about hurrying and rushing around.

So drive safely!

#9 – Use Main Roads For RV Travel Safety

The larger your rig, the more important it becomes to stay on main roads. Getting off onto secondary roads can introduce all kinds of challenges.

For instance, many secondary and smaller roads have little to no paved shoulders on the road. This means that you have a much smaller margin for error when driving on them.

And traffic is much easier to negotiate on larger roads and highways too.

But you also have to consider that on smaller roads you could run into unwanted surprises as well. These could be low bridges, low-hanging limbs, or low-hanging wires.

None of these issues are usually found on main roads and highways. So it pays to keep your rig on main roads as much as you can.

#10 – Get Diesel Fuel At Truck Centers

If you have a motorhome or a tow vehicle that has a diesel engine, where you fuel up is important.

It may be tempting to pull into a regular fuel station to fill up. But if you have a larger rig, this is often not a good idea.

You may be able to get into the station, but getting out can be another thing altogether.

Instead, there are many large truck centers like Loves, Petro, T/A, etc. that are better choices.

That’s because they are usually located very close to a main highway with easy on and off ramps. And once inside, you usually have plenty of room to drive around safely without damaging your rig.

And if you use the diesel fuel discount card that I mentioned in this article, it will also save you money.

Conclusion

These 10 RV travel safety and road trip tips have worked very well for us. We use all of them on a regular basis.

And we can confidently say that these RV tips have saved us often in time, money, and much more.

So be sure to stay safe on the road with your rig by using the tips that I have shared with you!

Class A vs Class C RVs – The Pros And Cons Of Each

One of the most common comparisons that many new RVers make is Class A vs Class C RVs. Especially if you are intent on having a motorhome instead of a towable RV.

In the motorhome world, these are the two RV classes that have the most room. So naturally, they are ripe for comparisons between the two.

Therefore, let’s take a look at both RV classes and try to determine which kind of RVer fits each class best.

Watch my video about Class A vs Class C RVs

Table of Contents

Class A vs Class C RV Comparison

Class A RVs are often built on a bus or commercial truck chassis. And they usually resemble a bus in appearance.

Because of the strength of the chassis used in these RVs, they can safely handle quite a bit of weight.

They can range in size from around 30 feet to about 45 feet in length. And the longer ones are the luxury kings of the RV world, with all kinds of amenities onboard.

A Class C RV though, is usually built on a heavy duty truck or van chassis instead. A common Class C chassis is the Ford F350 or F450.

And this means that they can’t safely handle quite as much weight as a Class A.

Note – in this article I am not referencing Super C RVs. They are more or less in a class of their own.

B the best way to identify a normal Class C RV is by the sleeping area that usually juts out over the driving area.

Since the RV part is higher than the cab, it allows this space to be used. And most often that space is turned into a sleeping area above the cab.

Now, let’s get to the pros and cons in this discussion of Class A vs Class C RV types.

Class A Advantages

Class A RV

Each class of RV has it’s strengths, and here are the pros of buying a Class A RV:

  1. More living space – Class A RVs are usually longer, wider and taller than most Class Cs. This means that you get more living space to move around the RV inside.
  2. More amenities – Because the frame and chassis can safely handle more weight, you can have more amenities in a Class A. Things like washer/dryers, larger refrigerators and kitchens, bigger beds and so on become possible.
  3. More slides – They also can handle more and bigger slide-outs, which also contributes to more living area.
  4. More storage – Typically, Class A storage is greater than what you find in a Class C. But the difference becomes even greater when it’s a diesel pusher Class A. Again, all of this is possible because of the extra weight carrying capacity of the Class A chassis.
  5. Larger tanks – Usually the fresh water, gray water and black water tanks will be larger. This allows you to go longer before filling up or dumping your tanks.
  6. More towing capacity – When comparing Class A vs Class C RVs, the engine can be a factor too. In diesel powered engines, the towing capacity is much greater than most gas powered Class Cs.
  7. Better visibility – When driving, it’s hard to beat the view and visibility provided by a Class A RV.

Class C Advantages

Class C RV

Now, let’s take a look at the advantages of Class C RVs instead:

  1. Smaller and more nimble – Usually Class C RVs are smaller than Class As. That means that they can fit in more campsites. And they will be easier to find a site for boondocking too.
  2. Price – Most often, the price of Class C RVs will be much less than a Class A. This is true of both new and used RVs. That makes it easier for new RVers to get started with a Class C.
  3. More sleeping options – If you have a family, the number of sleeping spots can be important. And Class C RVs tend to shine in this area. Very often they provide sleeping arrangements for 8 – 10 people.
  4. Easier to drive – Because Class C RVs are smaller, they are also easier to maneuver in traffic. Many newer RVers like Class C RVs because of their driving characteristics alone.
  5. Easier to repair – Because they are built on a common truck and van chassis, there are plenty of places where they can be repaired. Engine work is also more easily done on a Class C engine, even by DIYers.
  6. Better fuel economy – Because a Class C RV is usually smaller than a Class A, they often get better gas mileage on the road.
  7. Less trip planning – Since Class Cs are smaller they can fit in many fuel stations and restaurant parking lots. So this eliminates the extra planning needed for stops made in a Class A because of its size and length.

Class A vs Class C – Which Is Best For You?

So having considered the above advantages of Class A vs Class C RVs, which is the best choice for you? What is best for the kind of RVer you are? And for the way you like to travel and camp?

Well, generally speaking, Class A RVs are good choices especially for full-time RVers. The extra living space is a big reason why a full-timer would often want a Class A.

But they are also best for those who really want their luxury items as they travel down the road.

The extra weight carrying capacity of a Class A means that you can essentially have a rolling home. And that appeals to a lot of RV glampers.

Class As are also great for storage, and towing along an everyday vehicle too. So again, this plays into the needs for a full-time RVer.

On the other hand, Class C RVs are great for weekend campers who don’t need all of the extra space in a Class A.

And they work very well as the first choice of RV for those who are just breaking into RV life.

Families also benefit from the extra sleeping options of a Class C RV. And even fulltimers who like to travel light and fit into smaller campsites benefit from a Class C too.

Which Should You Choose?

As with so many other matters in the RV world, there is no one solution to everyone’s needs. And both of these motorhome types have their place.

And that’s why you see so many of both Class As and Class Cs on the road. Obviously, each class fits the needs of a large number of RVers.

So if the Class A vs Class C comparison is one that you are making now, hopefully this article has helped.

I recommend that you define your own camping and travel priorities first. Then try to determine which type of motorhome will best answer those needs.

If you do your homework in advance, you will be able to make the choice that is best for you!

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