RV tech’s RV buying advice—10 steps to follow

By Cheri Sicard
Buying an RV can be exciting. But it can also be a minefield if you don’t know what you’re doing. Through helping tons of people navigate the RV-buying process, one thing has become clear to certified RV tech Jacob Rigor: Skipping steps leads to trouble. Often, it means getting a raw deal from the industry. Other times, it just means ending up with an RV that doesn’t quite fit.

The good news is that with the right approach, these pitfalls can be avoided. In the video below, Jacob shares his 10-step process to help anyone steer clear of RV regrets.

RV buying advice—10 steps to success

Step 1: Define a camping style

“What’s the best RV?” is a common question. While some brands do stand out, the real question is, “What do you want to do with the RV?”

Think about things like camping frequency (occasional, full-time, or part-time), location preferences (RV parks, on-grid, or off-grid), and driving distances between destinations. These answers will determine the ideal RV type.

Step 2: Set a budget

How much can one afford to spend on an RV, and how will it be paid for? Will it be cash, or will it be financed? Consider these questions to avoid getting overextended.

Step 3: Choose an RV type

A camping style and budget will determine what type of RV actually works. It’s time to decide what’s essential.

For instance, if someone camps off-grid, a generator is a must-have. However, not all RVs include one. Choose the RV style that best suits your needs.

Step 4: Plan for other vehicles

RV shoppers often mess this step up. Choosing an RV that’s too big for the tow vehicle is a common and dangerous scenario. It can cause an accident. 

RV salespeople might not know the math, and even if they do, they can’t help because it requires real-world weight measurements. Truck manufacturers’ towing numbers are often inaccurate.

With motorhomes, it’s important to consider transportation to the destination. Is driving the motorhome everywhere okay, or is towing another vehicle preferable? If towing, is the motorhome strong enough? What will be towed, and how? Not all cars can be towed the same way. Many RVers have damaged their tow-behind vehicles because they didn’t understand the limitations.

Step 5: Pick a floor plan and features

This is where salespeople tend to focus. But the previous four steps need to be done first. Otherwise, it’s easy to end up with something beautiful that doesn’t actually suit a camping style.

Step 6: Research each candidate RV

Research these three things on any RV you are considering buying:

• Component quality: RVs vary in quality. Research appliances, countertops, slide-outs, cabinets, and the roof.

• Known issues and recalls: RV manufacturers compete to create new floor plans and features, but RVs aren’t heavily regulated. New floor plans might have unforeseen issues.

• Customer service reputation: This is important for new RVs because new RVs always need warranty work. It’s not “if,” but “when” and “how much.” Know where warranty work can be done. Can it be done at any dealership, or does it have to go back to a specific one? Is there even a dealership nearby? Will they work with mobile technicians? If buying used and outside the warranty, the company’s customer service matters less.

Step 7: Decide where to buy

Dealerships are the most common option, but you might opt for a private sale.

Step 8: Get the RV inspected by a third party

There are three big reasons to get a third-party RV inspection:

1. Avoiding lemons: Lemon RVs are real.

2. Expediting warranty repairs: It’s better to have an RV waiting for warranty work that one isn’t paying a monthly note on. Dealerships finance RVs and want to sell them quickly. Fixing issues becomes a high priority for them.

3. Gaining negotiation power: It’s harder to make an impulse decision when an inspector is involved. The inspection provides more information for negotiating a fairer deal.

Step 9: Negotiation

The goal here is to get a fair price. Understanding what the RV is worth requires research and the inspection results, which reveal any issues.

Step 10: Post-purchase care

To avoid the repair shop, take good care of the RV. Jacob says that least 25% of repairs are preventable.

Following these 10 steps can make the RV-buying process less stressful. Defining a camping style, setting a budget, and planning for other vehicles are crucial early steps. Researching RVs, getting inspections, and negotiating fairly ensures a good deal. And taking care of the RV after purchase prevents future headaches.

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