RV’s for sale:
One of the first questions you’ll have to cross off your list when buying a motorhome, 5th wheel, travel trailer, or camper is the condition of your next vehicle. So, Is it better to buy an RV new or used? There are many strong opinions on this debate, which has been around as long as RV’s have.
With the insane number of options out there, It can be hard to tell whether or not a new RV is worth the extra money or if the risks of a used RV outweigh the savings. Your personal situation is unique, and at the end of the day, you are the only one who can decide which option is best for you.
There are real pros and cons of each option. There’s no right answer to RVing, and what worked for others may not work for you. Understand key risk factors that impact both new and used RVs to decide what is right for you.
How Much Do You Want To Invest?
The key to any purchase is the bottom line; how much does it cost? You’ll have to define your budget and let that number narrow your field of options until you find the right RV to buy.
The lower the price of a used RV is the most significant benefit of shopping for a used vehicle.
New RVs will obviously cost more money than a used RV with similar features. The guarantee that no one else has ever slept in the RV bed, used your bathroom’s throne, or spilled their wine on your couch, is worth a bit of extra money.
RVs, like any vehicle, start to depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot. That means buying an RV used for just two years will instantly save you a few thousands of dollars.
Depending on where you purchase your used RV from, you will be able to haggle even more.
If the previous owner is desperate to sell, you could come away with a slightly used RV with many more capabilities than a new one worth the same money.
Expect The Unexpected Hidden Fees
New RVs will come loaded with protections. They are most often purchased from a dealership whose business would fail if they were selling new RV’s that fall apart the moment people drove them off the lot.
To make people feel more secure in their investments, new RVs will feature warranties and money-back guarantees that will ensure you have a few years of use out of your vehicle without having to worry about paying exorbitant repair fees.
A second owner will forfeit any pre-existing warranty, and it is a rare sighting to find anyone offering a warranty on a used RV.
If you purchase a used motorhome or travel trailer from a private seller, and your A/C goes out two weeks later, you’ll be stuck footing the bill.
Take A Look At The Vehicle History
No matter what vehicle you are purchasing, it’s essential to understand where every part has been.
RVs carry loads of extra pieces whose history is incredibly relevant to the vehicle’s value.
A new RV will come with all the paperwork and information that will allow you to trace each part back to the assembly line.
So, checking the history report for your travel trailer will help you feel safe knowing there are no aftermarket parts put on and make it easier to order replacements if something malfunctions.
The information available on your used motorhome, travel trailer or 5th wheel will all be at the hands of the previous owner.
They will have to inform you about any repairs or adjustments made to the vehicle, and there is no way to certify their information.
Shopping used adds on the extra risk of uncertainty regarding each part of the vehicle’s origin story.
