How to Buy an RV — An RV Buyer's Guide

Reviewed by Jason Stouten, CPCU, Casualty Product Management

An RV is a second home - only on wheels! That's a lot to consider and can make buying an RV an overwhelming process. In the following post we'll walk you step-by-step through the RV buying process and get you the information you need to make the RV buying process as smooth as possible.

Ask questions first, buy RVs later

Before you even start the buying process, it's important to know what you're looking for. Could you confidently answer the following questions:

Once you take ownership of these listings, you can view your web traffic and activity for each site. You'll also be able to see what customers are saying about their experience, and respond to any reviews or messages they've left.

• What do you need an RV for? Is the RV intended for long-term trips, weekend camping, or even full-time living?
• What's your budget and how will you pay? As with every major financial decision, having a budget in mind will color almost every conversation that comes next. Are you paying in cash or have you explored financing options with your bank or a lender?
• How much space will you need? Are you traveling solo or with guests? Knowing the size of your party now is key for avoiding cramped living or tight packing situations down the road.
• Should you tow or drive? Motorized RVs are great, but not every situation demands a motorized RV - if your outings tend to be more lightweight, a travel trailer or camper could better suit your needs. When deciding on a travel trailer to purchase, ensure that the towing vehicle can take on the size of the trailer under consideration. Most dealerships will help walk you through this, but if you’re buying from a private party, you’ll need to be aware of your towing vehicle’s capacity.
• Where will you store your RV? It's easy to get lost thinking about your future RV without stopping to consider where you're going to store it. Make sure you have somewhere to keep your RV once you drive it off the lot.

Be aware of the costs associated with RVs. RVs are one of the fastest depreciating assets out there - often losing 20% - 30% of their value in the first year alone. For this reason, it might make sense to buy a used vehicle which is already depreciated and will better maintain its value. RVs can also be expensive to maintain, usually costing $1,500 - $3,000 in maintenance and an additional $1,500 - $3,000 if storage costs apply.

The buying process

Once you've established what you're in the market for, it's time to find the perfect RV for you.

You can start your search online, but eventually you'll want to consider visiting a dealer or attending an RV show to tour some of the different RVs available to you. You try on a suit or dress before buying - don't buy an RV sight unseen.

After acquainting yourself with the options, you can start to narrow down your search to a few selections that best fit your budget and lifestyle.

At this stage it's important that you carefully inspect any RV you're seriously considering buying. Check the exterior for any visible damage, water ingress, dry rot and ensure stable suspension. Internally, ensure that all systems are operational, and that there are no leaks, clean wiring and a well-maintained finish.

After you have done your research, buying an RV will look a lot like buying a car. You'll negotiate a price with a seller and once a price is set, you'll need to complete the necessary paperwork. Be sure to review the vehicle's maintenance and accident history, bill of sale, title certificate, warranty information, registration requirements, and emissions and compliance certificates.

Once payment is finalized and ownership paperwork confirmed and transferred over, you're the owner of a new RV!

Now for the fun part…

After purchase (and often at purchase), you'll need to ensure that you have proper insurance for your new vehicle. A Foremost Agent can help! Find a Foremost^® agent near you for personalized assistance or call us at 888-244-8092. RV insurance can be complicated, but a Foremost Agent can help you save when getting the coverage you want.

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