Going on road trips around Queensland with your friends and family in an RV is normally a fun filled and exciting experience. I bet most of us have dreamed of owning one but we have no idea of where to begin or what exactly to look for. Just like buying any other vehicle, one shouldn’t make any rash decisions when buying an RV. So to help you avoid making a few mistakes, we came up with an RV buying checklist that will guide you through the buying process. So without further delay, let’s get into it.
Questions should you ask yourself before buying one
To help you select the right RV that will suit you and meet your needs, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
What will you use the RV for?
An RV can be used for a number of recreational activities such as camping, visiting national parks, road trips and others use the car as temporary accommodation or a permanent residence. Figuring this out will help you select the right RV for you as they may have different features that you may or may not want.
Who will be travelling with you?
An RV being a long term investment, it’s important to keep in mind the number of people who will be joining in your RV escapades. You wouldn’t want to leave anybody behind and having too many people cramped up in your RV is no fun. Make sure your numbers are as accurate as possible. Will it be your household only or will you be bringing other members on board? Once you plan that out, you’ll be able to pick the right one without much worry.
What are your ideal RV features?
Come up with a checklist on the kind of features you would want your RV to have. If you have no idea what to look for, go ahead and do some research on the kind of features found in RVs. Some of the different features you can find include built-in oven or store, bathroom facilities, full kitchen, appliances and storage, beds, entertainment systems, Air Conditioning systems and much more. Luckily, many RV types can be easily upgraded to include these features so you won’t have to worry about getting all the features at once. You can save up and invest in them.
When will you be using the RV?
Consider how often you will be travelling for, the time of the year and the duration. If you will be travelling during the summer, ensure your RV has a working air conditioning system. If your RV is not well ventilated, they really won’t be much difference with you being outside under the sun. Alternatively, if you will be visiting colder or snowy climates, you will have to make sure your RV has a functioning heating system.
Make an RV Wishlist
Make a list of the must haves and the wants you would like your RV to have. Write whatever you wish to have in your RV both the negotiables and non-negotiables. You can dream big and write everything you may desire, then from the list you can then go for the things that are a priority first then once you save up, you can then invest in the other features as some RVs have the option of adding. Remember to include features that will actually fit your lifestyle and the reasons you want to purchase the vehicle.
Don’t ignore used RV’s
You don’t have to necessarily purchase a new RV as buying used ones can save you more money. It all depends on what you want and how much you are ready to spend. Buying a used RV has its pros and cons and so does buying a new one. Some tips you can use if you decide to purchase a used one are; meeting the seller in person so that you can inspect the RV whether its in good condition and that it actually works. If they are unwilling to do so, you could consider that as a red flag. Alternatively, you could also bring along someone who knows much about RVs along with you.
Secondly, use Facebook’s marketplace to find sellers from your region. Facebook is preferred and trusted by many buyers and sellers as you get to see the profile of the person you are communicating with. Lastly, you could also pass by RV dealerships and ask for tips, recommendations and any other useful information you may need from the sales people. This is also a good way of familiarizing yourself with RVs.
Figure out your financing options
If you have been religiously saving for the purchase, then you can easily pay for the car using cash. Alternatively, you could check with your bank or credit union and find out whether they have loan options that you can apply for. You could potentially look for a money lender to help you finance your new RV.