The RV Buying Process 2025:  From Research to Ownership

What are the steps you should follow in your RV buying process?  Many times soon-to-be Rvers start shopping!  You don’t do that when you purchase your first home and shouldn’t do it when buying any large ticket item, especially an RV that will be the roof over your head – even if it is only for the weekends.

RV Specifications

Put some thought into how you will use your RV.  Here are some questions you should answer BEFORE you start shopping. 

·         How many will you be RVing with?  Are there enough sleeping quarters?  Also, consider the size of your tanks with a large family (how often will you need to dump or have sewer access). 

·         Will family and friends join your space? Do you have space to sit and visit or will it all be outside?  If so, is it nice weather or will you need to carry awnings, chairs, and other items?  Is your fridge large enough to hold drinks and food?

·         Will you be traveling with pets?  Do they have a place to ‘be’ in the rig?  Where will you store pet food and toys?  Will you let them outdoors – you will need space to carry a pet pen.

·         What hobbies will you take with you on the road?  Are you riding motorcycles, ATVs, or other large toys?  Maybe a toy hauler is for you.  Do you crochet, is there a place to do that and store your materials?

·         Will you be working from the RV? Is there room to work?  Do you have the right RV amenities to work from the road and where will you keep all this tech (someplace cool!)?

·         Will you be doing any boondocking or moochdocking?  Does your RV come with a generator, solar panels, etc., or will there be items you need to add?  Are the locations you plan to visit nice weather or can you run an A/C?

·         Will you need a tow vehicle?  If you do, what towing capacity does your tow vehicle need for a specific RV?

·         Do you plan to tour national parks or older historic areas?  Larger RVs are not optimal for this type of use.  A lot of parks limit RV sizes to 30 feet or shorter!

RV Research

Hold off!  It is still not time to go shopping!  Now that you know some of your RV needs, move on to research.  Make a list of the top features you must have in an RV.  My list was specific to traveling and working full-time in an RV with a motorcycle.  I included a large shower, garage space for the toys, a full fridge, and a place for a washer and dryer as my top needs. 

No RV was added to this list if it didn’t have these features.  At the bottom of your list, add your ‘would like to have’ items.  I included a king bed, a kitchen pantry, and a patio. I suggest not letting price be your sole determining factor – yet.  It is OK to go above your price range during research, you are not sharing this number with a salesperson.  You may be surprised by what you come up with.

As you start compiling a list of RVs that meet your criteria, name the make and model across the top of your feature list.  Check the boxes where your RV choice and your feature list intersect.  You will see a clear distinction of the rigs that meet more of your needs than others.  Narrow your final list of RVs to around five. 

TIP:  Don’t forget to look into the RV manufacturers’ recalls and interactions with the RV community.  If it appears like they are continually issuing recalls or having issues with providing good customer service, you probably want to take them off your list.  They are not worth the headache of owning.

In-Person Comparisons

Take the five RVs on your final list and seek them out.  Go through each RV physically and see if there are things you did not consider.  Can you get to the items you need when the slides are out?  Is there enough additional storage space?  I toured one RV on our list and could not reach a single overhead cabinet.  I’m five foot four inches – average height.  Without an in-person inspection, I would not have known about the cabinets.  I wasn’t spending my full-time RV living on a step stool!  This RV came off the list.

RV Shopping

Now it’s time for shopping!  But you are well-armed with what you need and can live without.  Don’t be swayed by ‘sales’ or salespersons’ tactics.  It will cost you in the end.  Now that you have narrowed your list to a few RVs, let’s compare prices.  You can purchase new or used, through an individual or a company.  You may pay in full or need to finance. 

All of these factors will determine what is available.  I had decided to sell my stationary house and purchase a used RV.  If you need an RV loan, that may dictate who from and for how much you can buy an RV.  At this time, a single RV will stand out as the one that has all your needs, and some of your wants and will fit your budget.

RV Inspections

Don’t sign on the line yet!  Get an inspection whether you purchase new or used, from a company or individual.  RVs do not come off a computerized assembly line like automobiles.  Each manufacturing line is built with human hands and only a certain percentage are fully tested before shipping to a dealership.  You do not want to be caught between the dealership and the manufacturer on who is responsible for any defect you find after a purchase!  After an inspection, use issues found as a price negotiation or repairs before the final sale. 

If you are purchasing from a dealership, there is a lot of information online on negotiating.  Once you buy the RV, there will be little support from the manufacturer or dealership.  And if there is, there could be months of waiting for repairs.  Use the inspection to safeguard against future issues after purchase.  We had an inspection done on our used RV.  Thank goodness there were no major repairs but a few things needed touch-ups.  We negotiated $500 off the sale which in turn covered our inspection!

RV Purchase

If you purchased through a dealership, your RV buying power is complete.  If you buy from an individual, there are a few things you should be aware of.  Never meet a buyer alone.  Only pay with a cashier’s check or certified bank check.  Get the title transferred at the same time you provide payment.  Ensure they sign it in person and give you a bill of sale.  Better yet, use a reputable marketplace for sales transactions like National Vehicle.  I always suggest purchasing used but whether you want new or used, there are many choices on how and where to buy.  Research who you are buying from as well as your RV.  What is their reputation? 

Don’t get hung up in the decision-making process.  Eventually, make a decision, you can’t foresee all future needs.  And as we all know, things change.  Your needs may migrate in a few years.  However due diligence will help you make the best decision for your current needs so you can start RVing now.