Purchasing an RV - Season 1

The Recreational Industry Vehicle Association or RVIA is the group that classifies RV's in their specific categories. Sometimes this gets a little overlapping and there's a lot of misinformation out in the market. In this session, we will go through those classifications which include pop-up trailers, truck campers, travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth wheels and finally Class A, Class C, and Class B motorized units. As we examine each classification, Dave will add in bits from his experiences to help you decide between the classes for your new purchase.

Dave has been conducting the buyers' seminar throughout the country for the last 15 years and it's very common to have a discussion with somebody who's torn between a fifth wheel and a motorized RV. They can't quite decide which way to go because you can get quite a bit of floor plan similarities in both of those. In this session, we will discuss those similarities and provide some key insight to help make the decision between the two.

When looking to purchase an RV, many RV owners want to stay with the Class C because it's a lot smaller - but they're torn a little bit on the size, so there is a comparison between a Class C motorhome or class A motorhome. In this session, we will dive deeper into the difference between the two and discuss the differences in size and some of the reasons you may be more comfortable in one or the other based on your need.

One of the hottest classifications of the RV industry today is the Class B or the B van. Some people call it a B+. There is a lot of discussion in seminars about this where somebody wanting a very small 24-foot unit that is still fully self-contained that they can zip in and out of congested areas rather than taking a big behemoth like a class A and trying to find a place to park. There is a little bit of confusion in it because there is no such thing as a B+ in the RV classification. In this session, we will discuss the proper classifications from the RVIA and what differentiates them.

Several years ago, if you were trying to decide between a class A gas or diesel and you wanted to have Corian and tile and pull 7,000 pounds behind, there was no decision - it had to be a diesel. Gas chassis back then did not have the horsepower, did not have the torque and did not have the transmission that would allow you to take too much with it. In the last 20 to 30 years the competition between Chevy/Workhorse and Ford brought about better chassis, engine and transmission combinations that made the gas units much better. There are still some differences in weight capacities, handling, and maintenance that we will discuss in this session to help you decide what is right for you.

One of the most important factors, other than a budget, in choosing the right RV floor plan or the right RV itself is to know how you're going to use the unit. If you camp only on short weekends, what you can put up with over that weekend is totally different than being out 6 to 8 weeks or even 6 months on the road. Considerations such as where you are going to sleep, do you have to fold down a bed every night, storage considerations for how much stuff you need to bring, and much more. In this session, we will talk about those things that you may not have considered to help you understand what your unique needs are.

More people are boondocking or getting off the grid and taking their RV's in the backwoods, down to the beach or places where they ATV. Because these are often remote, they are not relying on electricity, water, and sewer. If your planning any type of boondocking or dry camping, choosing an RV will need to have some special considerations to make it work in those remote areas. In this session, we will discuss battery needs, solar, water, and more.

Whether you are looking for a travel trailer 5th wheel or motorized Class A or C there are some considerations when it comes to choosing the right floor plan. In this session we will discuss slide rooms, bedroom configurations, camping with kids or guests, and having a second bedroom or bathroom area. A floor plan can make a huge difference in making everyone's camping experience enjoyable. We'll discuss many of the available options so you can decide what is important to your camping style.

One of the most-asked questions in buyer seminars are: What should I offer for this RV; how much should I discount; what's the markup on these? Since there is so much variation in the market that can only be answered by researching that coach. Every RV has an MSRP and is going to have a sticker in it that says here is the base price with all the options in it. When you start looking at used RV's you will need to go by the NADA book that the dealer has or that you can get online or even go to RV trader and see what their selling for in general. The purchase price, however, is not the only budget consideration when making your purchase. In this session, we will discuss the purchase price along with the other things you need to consider when making your decision.

Whether you're buying a travel trailer, a fifth wheel, or a motor home, it's important to have a good understanding of weight ratings before you ever hit the road or purchase that unit. In this session, we will dive into the weight ratings and why they are important. We will talk about where to look for the weight capacities and what things to consider ensuring you are safely within the limits and the importance of weighing your RV.

It's ironic that people today would never buy a home without having a home inspector come in and take a look at the roof, the appliances, the foundation, and all that stuff - yet they buy a used RV and drive off the lot without ever thinking anything of it. Most consumers have that truck and automobile mentality, but we have the same issues in an RV as a Home. There are windows, we have sealants, we have wood and fiberglass, and drive it 70 miles an hour down the road. In this session, we brought in an RVIA Certified technician to discuss the importance of a qualified RV inspection and what they are trained to look at during their inspection.

No matter what type of RV you get, after the sale it's important to find an insurance company that is familiar with or specializes in RV's. Your home and auto company may be able to provide you with coverage, but that coverage may not be the same as the coverage you can get from a specialty insurer and may be much more expensive. In this session, we will look closer at the insurance aspect to help you make the best decision for your needs.

Mechanical breakdowns are inevitable while traveling and each type of RV has a specific way in which it needs to be towed. It is important to make sure that you are getting the right service provider that understands your RV and how to tow it safely. In this final session, we will discuss the things that you should consider when shopping for a good roadside assistance provider.