By Bob Difley
If you are in the market for your first RV, or even a subsequent RV, the following tips may help you make the right decision:
- Attend RV shows and visit many dealers to see as many floor plans as you can.
- When you’re inside a rig, visualize cooking in the kitchen – is there enough working space? Are the chairs and bed comfortable? Is there sufficient locker space to stow the stuff you want to take along?
- Are the sleeping arrangements to your liking? Where will you put visiting family or guests?
- Is the bathroom adequate? Is there room to sit on the toilet with the door closed? Can you stand up in the shower without bending over?
- Don’t be persuaded to buy a rig just because it’s on a dealer’s lot and is offered at a discount. After using the rig you will soon forget the discount and remember only whether it was the right choice.
- Never pay full asking price – either new or used. Go online to see similar unit pricing. Always negotiate for a discount.
- With a new vehicle, you can also bargain for a better interest rate – which could save you thousands over the life of the vehicle.
- Make note of all deficiencies and don’t take possession of the vehicle until they have been corrected – even if you have to go back two or three times. You will have much better success accomplishing the corrections before money changes hands than after.
You can find Bob Difley’s e-books on Amazon Kindle.
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I have also been told to always have a professional RV inspector inspect any rig (new or used) before purchasing. Do you recommend that also ?
BEFORE you spend big bucks on any RV, find and attend an RV Boot Camp. This is ESPECIALLY CRITICAL for those new to RVing! Mistakes made with RVs are often expensive and, sometimes dangerous. At RVBC you, along with ~ 200 other “newbies” will have all the systems found on modern RVs explained and demystified. RVBC graduates are smarter RV buyers and, safer RVers. Some insurance companies offer discounts to RVBC graduates. The Escapees RV Club offer an EXCELLENT RVBC, usually over a weekend. Many attendees drive or fly in and stay in a camping cabin or, at a local motel. Other groups offer their own version of RVBC (using different names). The RVSEF does a week long “Safety Conference”, RV~Dreams class is also ~ a week long. FMCA does an “RV Basics” class, usually over a weekend. Mark Polk offers topics on DVD that cover much of what the above classes teach. Mark runs http://www.RVEducation.com and, periodically, offer discounts on DVD sets. At ANY of these events, newbies will have the opportunity to see many different RVs and speak with the owners. My advice; ask them what they’d like to CHANGE on their rigs. NO RV is “perfect” but, by exercising due diligence BEFORE buying, you can find the RV that may be perfect (or close to perfect) for you. REMEMBER, salespeople want to sell you what they have on hand which, is often NOT the best product for what YOU need / want. Whatever you buy is VERY likely to be a MAJOR expenditure. Spend your money wisely!