Aventura — 7 Questions To Ask Before Buying An RV

by Aventura on July 18, 2022

You love the outdoors. And now you’re looking for a way to get you and/or your family on an affordable, adventurous vacation out in nature. But buying an RV can be a significant investment, especially when you start getting into the larger and more luxurious options plush with all the great amenities. So, we’ve pulled together a quick list of questions you should run through before looking to buy your first RV.

What’s your ideal camping style?

Understanding how you want to use your first camper is definitely the best place to start your journey. We like think of RVs like Boats… there is no perfect boat for every situation. Do you want to go really fast and pull skiers or would you rather have a large boat with abundant space to spend a few nights out on the islands? It’s all about making tradeoffs based on how you would most like to spend your time. It’s also important to consider that the bigger your RV, the more likely you will be limited to parking at RV parks; whereas smaller trailers and vans open up your options to many different types of campsites and off the beaten path locales.

How many people are in your group?

The amount of people coming on your outdoor vacation will determine a lot. Figuring out if everyone needs a bed or if the weather and your campsite terrain will allow for some tent camping might help you navigate through this decision. It’s certainly not uncommon to complement RV vacationing with some outdoor living.

What amenities are important to you?

The bigger and newer the RV the more amenities you’ll tend to find. That being said, you are likely to pay much more for these types of vehicles or trailers than the smaller, minimalist RVs, and the bigger they get the more difficult to travel with and park. If you are ok with spending a few nights without your regular amenities like a microwave or keurig for example, you can easily find small portable camping substitutes that will more than get the job done.

How often (and long) do you want to camp?

If you plan to get the family outside for a few days every month or perhaps even a week or two at a time you might consider going with a larger vehicle type with some of added space to move around and more of those cushy amenities to make the stay a bit more comfortable. It’s much easier to “rough it” when you’re out fishing for a couple nights here and there.

What’s your vehicle situation?

There are many different types of RVs, some power themselves down the road while others require trailering. Trailers will require a vehicle capable of towing the gross trailer weight of the camper. If your vehicle isn’t rated to tow such a weight or if you have limited experience driving with a trailer, you may want to consider starting with a motorhome or camper van. If your vehicle is outfitted with an appropriate tow hitch and trailer weight rating, you’ll also want to think about usage and parking as well. If you love the Camper van model but you’re not a full time van lifer, then you might decide you still need another vehicle to commute into work or get around town on a daily basis. And don’t forget parking. While there are RV storage yards around most cities, these can get pricey and you’ll want to think about including those fees into your monthly expenses.

What’s your budget?

Prices of RVs can range dramatically from a few thousand into the half million dollar range. Just like any other vehicle, RVs will start depreciating once you drive off the lot. So if you are open to owning a pre-owned RV, you are likely to get a better deal than buying brand new; all comes down to personal preference. As mentioned previously, the newer, bigger and more packed with amenities, the higher the price point will be. Some of the more premium RV brands such as Airstream will tend to hold their value a bit better than some lesser known camper brands. These vehicles can be an excellent vacationing tool for your family but they don’t come without a price tag, so we recommend you do your homework before making your first purchase.

Have you RV camped before?

Understanding all these factors firsthand is super important in making the right purchasing decision. If you have never camped with an RV before, we highly recommend you get started with renting a camper first before buying. There is no better way to understand if this is a type of activity you and your friends or family will enjoy than actually getting out there and experiencing it first hand. You will quickly learn what type of RV, size, amenities, and other factors you value most to make the most out of your outdoor experience.

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7 Questions To Ask Before Buying An RV