First Timer’s Checklist To Buying An RV
If you have decided to take the step of purchasing your first RV, you are no doubt making a move that will grant you endless fun times and adventures in the future. An RV allows you the freedom to roam whenever you see fit and to take some of the comforts of home with you. Before taking the plunge and laying out your hard earned money at the caravan sales distributor, make sure that you put together a checklist so that you know exactly the type of caravan you will need. Buying an RV can be an overwhelming experience, but if you have a clearly defined checklist and can match all of the needed points, then you can rest easy knowing you made the right purchase.
What Are Your Goals?
What are the goals you have for the RV in terms of your travel plans? Will you be taking epic road journeys or just weekend outings? Will you be roaming the roadways in cold or warm regions, or both? Have your goals and plans marked down ahead of time so that you can make sure you acquire an RV that will be perfectly suited for your specific traveling goals.
Learn The RV Types
There are many different types of caravans, and any dealer is going to have what may seem like an overwhelming selection on their lot. This is why you should do your research ahead of time and narrow down the caravan types to the kind that will best suit your traveling needs. This will make your trip to the caravan sales office much easier and less stressful since you can zero right in on the types of caravans that you know you are interested in purchasing.
Know Your Amenities
RVs come with many different types of amenities and add-ons. Knowing which amenities are important to you will go a long way to making your RV purchasing experience go more smoothly. Before heading to the dealer, make sure you consider the amenities you absolutely must have in order for your RV to meet your traveling needs. In order to travel in full comfort, you should never make an RV purchase that doesn’t fit your exact needs.
Budget
Of course your budget will always be a factor. Skimping too much on your budget will cause you to purchase an RV that will not satisfy your needs, and spending too much will set you back in your travel plans. Make sure to pinpoint your budget ahead of time and never allow yourself to be talked into going higher.
Size
When it comes to RVs, size is important. Depending on the number of people traveling with you, of course you are going to want a caravan that can match the space needs and comfort of all travelers. If you’re a single traveler or traveling with a spouse, a smaller RV will do. If you have a larger family or are expecting a wide range of traveling companions, of course you will be looking for a larger model. You never want to skimp on size if you need it since this will make things uncomfortable for you and your traveling companions.
Models
There are so many different types of brands and models when it comes to caravans that it can be incredibly overwhelming when faced with them on a lot. Before you even begin your search, research the different types of models. Check their ratings and size them up to make sure they match the type of traveling you plan on undertaking. Eliminate the models that don’t match your specific needs or tastes. This will save you a lot of time at the dealership since you can skip all the brands and models you aren’t interested in and focus only on your top choices.
Test Drive/Practice Run
Never put down your money on a caravan that you haven’t already driven. If you’ve had plenty of experience with rentals over the years and know the handling of a particular vehicle, then you should be fine. But if you haven’t driven that RV previously, you absolutely must take it for a test run to make sure the handling is up to par.
Join The Community
There is a vast online RV community who trade stories and tips on traveling and RVs. Multiple message boards and chat rooms exist where you can find out information on various vehicles. No matter the type of RV you may be interested in, chances are there are many discussions happening at the present online about that exact vehicle. This is a great place to gain information and pros and cons on any RV you may be interested in purchasing.
Buying an RV is a major decision since you will be using that vehicle to travel for the foreseeable future. This is why you should have your checklist in order before heading to the camper van sales establishment.