{"id":322996,"date":"2023-04-01T13:19:07","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T19:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/bishscom\/?p=322996"},"modified":"2023-12-08T14:36:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T21:36:42","slug":"tips-buying-first-rv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/tips-buying-first-rv\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Tips for 1st Time RV Buyers<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thinking about buying your first RV? It\u2019s a lot of pressure to get it right before you fork over a bunch of the money you\u2019ve worked hard for! Even if you\u2019ve owned an RV but want to try another type, you still have a lot to consider before you make the leap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve learned a few things as we\u2019ve helped thousands of RVers buy their first or a different type of RV. We don\u2019t want you to regret buying your RV! Here are 8 tips from Josh the RV Nerd<\/a> that can help you be prepared and confident that your RV is the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to Consider Before You Buy an RV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This kind of information isn\u2019t always 100% beneficial to Bish\u2019s bottom line as a dealership \u2013 but we care that you have a positive experience buying and owning your RV. We believe that you deserve to have the truth so you can do whatever is best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why we\u2019ve compiled tips that are true whether you\u2019re buying from a nationwide dealership or from Jim and Denise down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are our 8 tips to prevent the pitfalls some first-time buyers fall into. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1 – Don\u2019t Buy an RV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Huh? Aren\u2019t we here to talk buying RVs? Well, maybe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we certainly want to sell RVs, we also certainly don\u2019t want you to sink thousands of dollars into something that is a terrible fit for your lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to know if you like RVing? Try it first! If you can rent or borrow a camper first \u2013 even if it\u2019s just for a weekend \u2013 you can have a better idea if RVing is a lifestyle you could enjoy or if it\u2019s a big no thank you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how we see it, if you purchase first and then hate it . . .uh oh. It\u2019s no easy task to get out of RVing once you\u2019ve made the leap to purchase an RV. It\u2019s much less risky to borrow or rent before you dive right in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2 – Speak with Real Humans <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We\u2019ve seen plenty of RV shoppers who only want to use text or email through the buying process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get it! I picked my doctor, dentist, and<\/em> daughter’s gymnastics teacher solely based on which places allowed me to set everything up without speaking to a human being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, there can be comfort in getting things done click by click without real time interactions, but before you fork over tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars for an RV you should talk to a human who can really walk you through the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone with more knowledge about RVing can provide answers to questions you don\u2019t know you have yet. If you never talk one to one, it\u2019s hard for your RV seller to get down to what you know and don\u2019t know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking to a salesperson when you\u2019re buying a towable camper, like a travel trailer or fifth wheel, for example, could be the difference between buying an RV your vehicle should tow and one that\u2019s not a safe choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may say to salesperson Bill, \u201cHey Bill, my man, I want to buy this here Jayco Pinnacle.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill, at this point, is very excited to sell you that fifth wheel. But, in conversation, you also mention your half-ton truck named Sweet Peaches. Bill will have the knowledge to tell you it\u2019s not safe for Sweet Peaches to tow a Pinnacle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is way more common than you might think!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

**Crazy stat alert!**<\/strong> According to a Go RVing study more than 50% of towable RV owners exceed their vehicle\u2019s tow rating with their RV\u2019s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This means that over half of people are not towing safely! Yikes! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid being on the scary side of that statistic by interacting and being open with a salesperson. Your safety is the most important thing a salesperson should care about. (And if they don\u2019t make it priority #1\u2026run). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Towing is just one area where a salesperson can have insight. Having personal interactions can mean getting the help you don\u2019t always know you need before you put down money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meet With an RV Outfitte<\/strong>r Near You!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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3 – Start with a Used RV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Buying a used RV can be a less expensive way to try out RVing. There are, however, advantages and drawbacks to buying a used RV. Consider this when you make your decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benefits of Buying a Used RV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Lower price<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A used RV has already been through a depreciation cycle, so you don\u2019t have to eat the value the RV lost when it left the lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Easier to Buy, Easier to Sell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower price makes it easier to get into a used RV. The lower price tag also means it’s easier to sell the RV if it\u2019s not the lifestyle for you. The easier entry\/exit strategy helps you decide how committed you are to RVing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most RV owners do find they love RVing and want to keep going. These RVers may eventually trade up to a new RV. If this is you, you can use the used RV as a trade in or sell it yourself for money toward your new RV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t love RVing, less upfront investment = less you lose when you sell the RV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See Used RVs For Sale<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Disadvantages of Buying a Used RV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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No Warranty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New RVs come with a manufacturer warranty. The warranty usually won\u2019t transfer to a second owner, even if it\u2019s still under warranty when you buy it. Some manufacturers will allow a transfer for an added fee, though most don\u2019t choose to add it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The loss of warranty protection is part of the depreciation of a new RV when it becomes used.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Limited Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remember going to the gas station as a kid to get a 25\u00a2 grab bag of candy? Sometimes you got a winner, like a bag of Cabbage Patch Kids. Sometimes it was the rock-hard black licorice and filmy, old Werther\u2019s butterscotches they couldn\u2019t offload to Grandma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you took a dollar into 7-11 you got to choose anything you wanted from the candy aisle \u2013 Snickers, Twix, Reese\u2019s \u2013 it was all there, and you could pick. But the 25\u00a2 grab bag gave you sugar without choices. You didn\u2019t get to be choosy for a quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When you look for a used RV, you may find a grab bag selection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Used buyers pay less but can\u2019t be as choosy as those buying new. Rare gems will show up. If you find that one, grab it! It may be the option you like best for a while. Otherwise, you may have to wait around or settle for something different than you had in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s usually easier to find a used RV with a popular floor plan. If this is what you\u2019re looking for, you may not be as bothered by the limited selection. If you want something less common, buying used could be a challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Financing Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Banks may give more favorable rates and\/or terms to new RVs. Some lenders have a same as new policy for used RVs . . . but with caveats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            -The RV usually needs to be less than 5 years old<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            -You\u2019ll have to meet certain qualifying criteria with your credit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the price for the used RV is low enough to make up for less favorable financing conditions, so investigate before you decide financing means buying used isn\u2019t an option for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some situations, the bank may be completely unwilling to finance an RV sale. For example, if an RV is too old, the bank may say no way. RVs must get pretty darn old before this happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As-Is<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You buy it, you own it. A used RV comes as-is. A used RV can have issues you aren\u2019t prepared for. Check out this video from Josh the RV Nerd so you know what to look out for when you buy a used RV. 

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