Purchasing a motor home is not like buying a family car. It’s a tough decision for an RV shopper, especially if he is a first-time buyer. You need to decide on the kind of motor home you need, financing options and fuel costs. Do you need a brand new home-on-wheels or a used model? If you’re planning to buy a recreational vehicle, here are three questions to ask yourself and your RV broker to get a hang of what to expect.
- What Kind of Motor Home Do I Need?
Motor Home or Towable: You need to consider two aspects before purchasing a rig. Firstly, you need to ask yourself what kind of vehicle you need – a motor home or a towable? Secondly, you need to decide whether you should invest in a new home-on-wheel or a used one. As far as motor homes are concerned, you can drive them. Towables, as you might have guessed, should be towed by a different vehicle. Although towables are cheaper than motor homes, the total towing cost can be equal or even more.
Truck campers, pop up campers and small travel trailers are good choices if you are just beginning the RV lifestyle. However, if you are looking for more space and comfort, go for a mid-sized to big travel trailer or a fifth wheel rig.
New or Used RV: Whether to invest in a new motor home or a used model is one of the difficult questions that every RV-er faces. Brand new luxury home-on-wheels do have great benefits, but they come with an expensive price tag. New rigs will give you the best amenities, features, appliances, color schemes and comfort. A spacious 45-foot long luxury rig will, however, cost you more than $1.7 million. Used RVs, on the contrary, are less expensive and fit your needs and budget. If you go for a used model, always look for reputed RV agents near you who have been in business for at least five to seven years. It will help you make an informed decision before plopping the money on a broker’s table.
- How to Finance My Motor Home?
Once you’ve have decided on the kind of rig you’ll purchase, it’s time to inquire about the financing options. Your agent can be a good source of information. You’ll find motor home dealers who offer financing via several lenders. Ask your broker if he knows about any lender offering affordable interest rates to customers. Make sure you have a good credit score to make the financing process smooth and hassle-free. You also need to decide on how much down payment you can make and other factors. If you get the vehicle financed through a dealer, you can avail interest rates that are similar to what a bank may offer, provided you have a healthy credit score.
Any honest or sensible broker will tell you to avoid third-party lenders because you’ll need to shell out higher rates of interest.
- What are the Additional Expenses?
Deciding to buy an RV or even finalizing the price is not all. It’s just half the battle won. You need to keep several other factors in mind, especially the expenses other than your RV’s price. These are registration, insurance, repair and maintenance, fuel costs, parking fees, and such other things associated with RV-ing.
A good RV broker can help you make an informed decision. However, you also need to evaluate your needs so that the final purchase complements your lifestyle. Once you get a clearer idea about the vehicle types and costs associated with them, it’ll be easier for you to embrace the RV-ing lifestyle.