A recent study found that RV ownership has increased by 62% in the last two decades. It also showed that 18 to 34-year-olds make up 22% of the RV-buying market.
If you want to buy an RV, you need to know the beginner RV shopping mistakes. These are the common mistakes people make when buying their first RV.
This is a very big investment, and you want to think over your purchase. This guide will help you to know what mistakes to avoid so that you don’t regret your decision.
Keep reading to find out more about the most common beginner RV shopping mistakes.
- Deciding Too Fast
The number one mistake beginners make is picking an RV too fast. This is an exciting decision that you have most likely waited to make for many years.
But the reality is that jumping into quickly is never going to end well. For one thing, you will not be able to take the time when comparing RV costs.
You should never go with the first good deal that you find since there could be a better one out there. You also don’t want to jump on a good deal if it seems too good to be true.
Making a decision too quickly could also lead to you forgetting important details. For example, is this RV going to be able to tow a vehicle behind it?
Or is it going to be able to carry more than two or three people? These are very important details that are easy to forget about if you are overly excited.
- Not Planning the Details
Speaking of essential RV features, this is something you need to carefully consider. Before you start the buying process, you should have a list of necessary features.
What is list includes will depend on how you want to use the RV. One of the main things to consider is the size you need.
If you are on a tight budget, you may be tempted to pick a smaller RV. But this could ultimately lead to an unwise decision if you need a larger size.
You also need to consider the features that are inside of the RV. You may want an RV that has a bathroom or a kitchen area to make it more comfortable.
If you will be RVing with your family, you will need more essential features inside. These are all things that are easy to forget about if you haven’t done enough planning.
- Incorrectly Estimating a Budget
Another one of these beginner RV shopping mistakes is the budget. When you look at the types of RVs, you probably have a vague budget in mind.
Before you begin chopping it, you need to look at a local RV dealership. As well as plenty of RV resources online for cost comparisons.
Not only do the majority of people overestimate their budget, it isn’t accurate. This is because there are hidden costs when it comes to RVs.
For one thing, you may need regular RV maintenance. This is affordable but it is something that should be a part of your budget.
You should also consider if there are any updates you were going to make to the RV. As well as the cost of traveling and living in your RV when it comes to gas and food.
These are all things that could result in a smaller budget when you actually buy an RV.
- Not Taking a Test Run
Buying an RV is a very exciting process for most people. But you should never buy an RV if you have not seen it.
This is a very common thing that people do that could lead to many regrets. You should also never buy an RV before you have taken it for a test run.
Any good RV dealership allows this to give you an idea of how it drives. This is the perfect opportunity to see if it is going to be what you are looking for and what you can handle.
For instance, you need to see if you are able to back up and turn safely. You also want to make sure the brakes are responsive so you can stop in a short amount of time.
You also need to be comfortable driving it so that it is an enjoyable experience. You can visit La Mesa to check out class B RVs that would be the perfect fit for your needs.
- Forgetting to Have It Inspected
Whether you are buying a used or new RV, you need to have it inspected. Before the final purchase is made, a professional should check for any possible issues.
This will help you to know whether this is going to be a good investment or not. It can also help save your budget if there are issues that could become very expensive.
An inspection will also tell you how much maintenance will be. These are all things that will help you to make a realistic and confident purchase.
Top Beginner RV Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
If you are buying an RV, you may be a bit nervous about this investment. There are many beginner RV shopping mistakes you will want to try to avoid.
One of these mistakes includes not planning out your RV purchase thoroughly. You need to make sure you have a size and the essential features in mind when you go shopping.
Did you enjoy reading this article about buying RVs? Keep reading for more recreational and family-related content.