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• So you want to buy an RV
• Types of RVs

 

So you want to buy an RV... 

by Ray Dreier

No matter if you are a “first timer” or an “old timer”, there are many things to consider when buying an RV.

First of all, don’t be fooled by all the bells and whistles or some silver tongued salesman.  Find a rig that is right for YOU.

As an example, think about sleeping arrangements.  Can the beds be made up easily?  Do you fit the bed?  Some RV beds are much shorter than others.  Think about how much you plan to cook inside the RV.  Is the counter space big enough to do what you want to do? Remember that the covers for sinks and ranges make the counter look larger than the actual working area.  Is there enough room for storage of dishes and pans, etc?  Is there enough storage and closet space for the clothing you will need to take?  Is the outside storage large enough to place things like large cookers and chairs, etc?

A good rule to follow is when you find and RV you think you like, spend several hours in it with your family (including pets) and pretend you are in a campground.  Make the beds, pretend to use the shower and  bathroom.  Make sure there is room to move around.  Some bathrooms are so small that you have to know what you are going to do before you enter them!

One question that comes up often is ‘Should you buy new or used’?

There are pros and cons for each.  New units always have a better warranty, however used units, many times, have the bugs worked out of them.  Remember that the sales area in a dealership means very little.  LOOK AT THE SERVICE AREA!  A neat and clean service area will tell you a lot about a dealer.  Look for certificates of training for members of the service department.  Well trained techs make a big difference.   Dealer choice is very important!

So now you’re thinking ‘What brand and what price range?’…

The most important thing to remember is DON’T BUY MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD TO USE.  Nothing is worse than spending all of your money on large payments, and then not being able to afford to go anywhere.

As far as what brand to get, talk to everyone you see and get their opinion on what problems they’ve had with their RV and how responsive the factory was with their concerns.  This is also a good time to inquire about the dealership itself.  There is no bad RV.  Some are just a bit better than others.  Price range does usually depend on what quality materials are used in the construction process.   Hardwood cabinets, for instance, as opposed to particleboard will be a factor in pricing.  Things such as thicker carpet, heavier fabrics on the furniture, etc. will add to the price of the unit.

So, now the question becomes ‘When to buy?’…

In the northern States, go shopping in the fall and winter months.  Many dealers are very slow at this time of year and may be willing to strike some really good deals.

If a dealer has a new unit on his lot for a long period of time, chances are he will not be willing to sell it at a discounted price since he has funds invested in the unit such as interest/inventory costs.  It may be better to special order a new unit where he will have no money invested in it.  Check prices in ads and on the internet for similar units so you will know if you are getting a good deal.  Many dealers will give you a high price just to see if you will take it.  Do your homework!  Research is the key!  Most dealers will deal with prospective buyers.  Many will match competitors’ prices or at least come close.  Buying close to home is preferable, as having a local dealer for service is a real plus.

ABOVE ALL…  GET ONE AND GO HAVE FUN!!!

 

 

Types of RVs

by Ray Dreier

WHAT IS AN RV?

An RV is a recreational vehicle.  Most dictionaries define a recreational vehicle as a vehicle, such as a camper or motor home, used for traveling and recreational activities, often equipped with living facilities.  Since this description is a bit limited, let’s try to expand on it.

TYPES of RVs

There are many types of RVs available. In order to choose the right RV for your needs, you must first explore the different types available to you. Each type of RV has its pros and cons. Making a decision on the right type of RV for you is a personal choice. Determine how you plan on using your RV, what activities you wish to explore with it, and your general lifestyle.

Many RVs today also have slide outs (slides), also known as tip outs. Slides are a section of the RV that slides out of the body of the RV, either manually or hydraulically. Slides increase the living area of the unit by adding to the square footage available. You can find RVs with no slides or up to five slides (yes, five slides!).

Here is a brief description of the different types and classes of recreational vehicles on the market today.

MOTORIZED

CLASS A

A Class A is often referred to as a motorhome. They are considered the ‘big dogs’ of the RV world. Essentially, a Class A is a large bus.

These RVs range from about 30 feet in length up to 45 feet. The cost of a Class A is as diverse as the people who drive them. The prices have a reasonable starting point and can climb to several million dollars. Just about anything that you could want is available in a Class A, and the price will reflect it. They are available with either gas or diesel engines, with some engines in the front and some in the rear of the vehicle. The rear engine gas units have recently started re-gaining popularity. In the past, rear engine gas units experienced problems with overheating. A popular choice is the front engine diesel. These units are proving themselves to be a good choice and tend to be the more reasonably priced of Class As. The noise problem of older, front engine units has been reduced quite a bit, but they still have the “doghouse” engine cover which takes up space in the front of the coach. The debate between gas versus diesel has been, and will continue to be just that, a debate. With the rising costs of fuel (diesel being higher) this debate will no doubt continue. The diesel engine should provide better fuel mileage and last longer with less service required. However, the price of a diesel engine versus a gas engine is significantly higher. Unless you plan to drive a lot and put on many miles each year, the added cost of the diesel engine is probably not a good deal for you. However, the flat floor in front, the reduced noise level and the ease of handling make it very appealing. The extra power provided by a diesel to tow a vehicle and to climb the mountain passes is pretty nice too.

CLASS B

A Class B motorhome is a regular van custom built for beds, kitchens, etc. They usually contain the same amenities as the larger units in a much smaller and compact space. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your RV, you may find this type a bit cramped and inconvenient. However, these units are great if you plan on doing a lot of traveling since they are compact and easy to drive. They are small enough to use for shopping trips and sightseeing. The larger Class Bs can be priced to nearly as much or more than some class C units.

CLASS C

The Class C is mounted on a heavy duty van chassis and usually has a cab over bed or storage area. This unit looks a lot like what is referred to as a ‘cube van’. Many of the Class C units available are as long and as roomy as smaller Class As. However, users of Class Cs should be careful when loading these units. Since some have a smaller chassis, it is possible to overload them very easily. One big advantage of the Class C is the van type cab. You have the feel of driving a smaller unit like a van and the advantage of having two doors up front. The price on Class C units varies greatly, depending on size and equipment.

TOWABLES

FOLD OUT TRAVEL TRAILER

Fold out travel trailers come in two basic types; the hard sided style and the canvas fold out.

Canvas trailers are often referred to as pop ups. They are much lighter and less expensive than other units and can be towed with just about any vehicle. The down side of this type of unit is that they are not as weatherproof as the hard sided style. The canvas portions of this type of unit need to be treated with waterproofing material regularly as the canvas can deteriorate with time. It is not recommended that these units be folded up in while they are wet, since this can create mold issues. You certainly don’t want to be sleeping with the smell of damp canvas all night.

STRAIGHT TRAVEL TRAILERS (BUMPER HITCH TYPE)

This type of travel trailer is designed to be pulled with a pick up truck or large sports utility vehicle using a ball type hitch. Many now come with a receiver type hitch as well. You must make sure that the factory hitch is of the class that will handle the load. Both tongue weight and coach weight are important. A big advantage to the straight trailer is the fact that you can put a shell on your truck and use it for additional storage for large objects like cookers, motorcycles and chairs, etc. This is ideal for long stays in one place. They don’t have quite as much living space as many fifth-wheel trailers though. As with any RV, the more you pay - the more you get. Straight trailers don’t seem to tow quite as well as fifth-wheels, however a good equalizer hitch with sway bars are quite safe. They tend to be a little lower priced than most fifth-wheels. More people are opting for fifth-wheels as the resale value will be greater than that of a travel trailer.

FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILERS

This type of travel trailer comes with the most options and bells and whistles. You can find a floor plan with just the basic living necessities or go all the way with multiple slide outs and/ or a garage in the back for toys (these are known as toy haulers and can accommodate quads, motorcycles, hobby shops, etc.) Some will even have enough space for a small car. Some have retractable patios, electric fireplaces and a host of other options. Your wallet seems to be the limit.

A fifth-wheel will require a special hitch in the bed of a pickup truck. HAVE IT PROFESSIONALY INSTALLED! With this type of hitch, you do lose bed space in the truck, but the hitch can easily be removed and stored with the trailer for long stays in one spot. When buying your truck and trailer combo make sure the trailer can accept an extended hitch pin if you have a short bed pickup. There are slider hitches available but the cost prevents many from buying them. The shorter the tow truck, the easier it is to park the fifth-wheel. Four door long bed trucks can be a challenge in tight spaces. But, short bed trucks without slider hitches can be very damaging to truck cabs and trailer fronts if you make too short of a turn when backing.

OTHER

TOPPER OR SHELL

Just as the name implies, this type is nothing more than a shell over a pickup bed. From here you can build beds, storage boxes and whatever you can fit in.

SLIDE IN CAB OVER CAMPER

This is a smaller unit available from 6ft for short bed pickups to about 12 ft for the larger 1 ton trucks. Be sure your truck is capable of hauling the added weight before buying a larger one. Check the weight of the camper to see if your truck can be safely operated with the added weight. Some slide-in units are not as wide as others. Check to see if you fit the bed! Some campgrounds do allow you to off load a slide in unit so you can remained hooked up and level with the use of added jacks. You can then use your truck for side trips and shopping.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE DECIDED ON WHICH ONE TO GET…

No matter whether you are buying from a dealer or an individual, get them to give you a walkthrough explaining the location and operation of each appliance and system. Although you may be an experienced RVer, systems change over time and you really don’t “know it all“. Get all warranties’ in writing if you can. Make sure if you are pulling a trailer that the hitch is the right height and that the load capacity is correct. Check the specs of your tow vehicle and the weight of your trailer. Once loaded go to your city scales or scales at a truck stop and check the weight. Weigh not only the front and rear, but left and right sides as well. A well balanced load is much safer to drive or tow.

Now that you know how to operate everything and are all safely packed and hitched up, it’s time to practice close to home. If you can, set up in your driveway or in a campground near home. Spend a few days and nights in your new unit making a list of things you forgot or things that don’t work. You can then return home to repack, or back to the dealer for repair or instructions. Don’t let first trip problems ruin a vacation. Remember; don’t let a few problems scare you away from a lifetime of fun and learning. Problems do happen in RVing as they do everywhere else in life. While you’re spending your practice nights in your new RV, look for the large stack of instruction booklets that probably came with it. These are not put in there to be put in the basement at home so you will have more room in the RV. Read each one of them front to back. Put them in a safe place in the RV so they can be referred to often. In new RVs many of the books will include a warrantee card. FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT IN (many make provisions to register online). Registering your appliances makes warranties easier to deal with and on many occasions important SAFETY RECALL information will be sent to you.