Purchasing an RV is the type of purchase you do for yourself and your family. It represents a different kind of travel—one where its more about the experience and being closer to all the beauty the outdoors has to offer. Over the past 10 years the number of people of color purchasing or considering purchasing an RV has increased tremendously. This is a positive trend and we want to help those searching for an RV by provding some insight into things to consider when making that purchase.
budget, financing and cost of ownership
The cost of an RV, depending on the type, can range from thousands of dollars to well over 150k. Understanding your budget and financing options before visiting the dealership is key. Securing financing before visiting the dealearship is even better! There are various RV loan programs out there but there are also other financing options that can be used for the purchase of an RV. Owning an RV also requires some savings for repairs. No matter how well maintained your RV is with normal usage something will break. Some dealerships offer waranty programs to circumvent this.
how and how often will you use it
According to the RV Industry Association the median annual usage for RV owners is only 20 days per year. It is important to know how you will use the RV to ensure you are going to get a good return on your investment. Here are some common use cases:
- Camping — If you are a frequent camper an RV is the most relaxing and simplest way to do it
- Tailgating — If you love sports and tailgating what better way to do it than using the convienience of an RV
- Day trips — Many people don’t think about this one, but those day trips to the beach or another nearby town are fun in an RV. What is better than having your own bathroom and refrigerator with you?
- Long road trips — Do you travel alot for you job or want to see all the national parks? An RV makes a long road trip and/or frequent road trips more relaxing and you can actually save money vs getting a hotel room sometimes
- Full time living — More and more people are downsizing and choosing an RV as a permanant home. The pandemic ushered in new work from home opportunities for people that did not traditionally have the option. As a result, it opened the door for more people to work from anywhere. There is also often a cost saving associated with no longer having the overhead of an apartment or a house.
- Income stream — RVs can be rented out on various websites and generate income when you are not using it. The only problem is you will have higher maintenance cost as a result.
type of RV preferred
The type of RV you choose to purchase will dictate how you travel, what prep time you need and where you can store the RV. There are four main types of RVs:
- Class A RVs — These are the large motorhomes usually 30 feet long or more. They are shaped like busses. You do not need a special license to drive one however.
- Class B RVs — These are vans. Typically built on a Mercedes sprinter, Ford transit or Ram promaster chassis. Due to the size they are easy to maneuver and can basically park in a normal space. They are also great for stealth camping.
- Class C RVs — These are probably what people think about most when they hear RV. They have a bed over the cab and are usually built on Ford E series van chassis or Chevrolet van chassis.
- Travel trailers and 5th wheels — Airstream is a popular type of travel trailer. This type of RV is a trailer that you pull behind a truck or connects into the bed of a truck. You will need a vehicle that is powerful enough to tow your trailer. Trailers are the least expensive kind of RV while some 5th wheels (this is a trailer that has to be connected to the bed of a truck) can be expensive.
amenities and sleeping arrangements
The amenities offered in an RV vary. As a buyer you have to decide what things are important to you. The first thing to consider is what appliances you want to run on propane vs battery. This will determine how easy it is too use certain appliances when you are not at a campsite or off the grid. RV/camper interiors can be as simple as just a bed or as advanced as full bathrooms with a washer and dryer.
Another important consideration is how many people do you need to accommodate? Do you need a permanent sleeping area or an area that converts into a sleeping area. Do you need a toilet and a shower? Do you need your toilet and shower to be in separate areas? Do you need a stove and an oven or an outdoor kitchen? How big of a refrigerator do you need? These are all questions you need to ask.
where are you going to store it?
You will need space to store your RV. Some homeowner’s associations do not allow RV parking in a driveway. RV storage can be expensive ranging from around $100 a month to over $400 a month. Make sure before you purchase an RV you know where you can store it.
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