For me, buying an RV for the first time was an overwhelming process. I had a lot of questions such as when is the best time to buy an RV? What are warranties and service plans? Can I negotiate on the price?
When buying an RV for the first time you need to do your homework before you arrive at an RV dealership. Not only do you need to know what type of RV you want to buy but you also need to understand the buying process so you can make educated decisions that are right for you.
I sat down with P.J. from the RV Dealership Princess Craft RV and had a candid conversation about buying an RV for the first time. She shared tips and advice to help guide you through the RV buying process so you know what to expect but more importantly, so you don’t feel intimidated or have buyers remorse.
Buying an RV for the First Time Guide
What should you look for when buying a camper trailer?
Because of the internet 50% of people first learn online about the RV they want to buy. But nothing replaces sitting in a camper trailer to know what it actually feels like and to feel the quality of the RV build.
When looking at RVs online, there are things you do not think about like the height of a countertop, how comfortable it is, how roomy it feels, or when you sit on the sofa if you are going to be facing a bathroom door or a beautiful picture window.
That is why it is important to personally spend time in an RV before you make a purchase.
PRO TIP! Watch this video to learn if RV camping is worth it.
What features should I look for in an RV?
The features you should look for in an RV need to be matched to your RVing lifestyle. For example, RVers who take 3 month trips need more storage space than those that will be using it on weekends because they will be gone longer and need the extra space to bring more gear with them.
This is a great way to determine what amenities your new RV must have:
- Make a list of the things you wish you could have
- Pair the list down to the things that matter the most to you for an enjoyable camping experience
- Plan your camping calendar
- Reevaluate your list based on your calendar camping lifestyle
Start with a wishlist. Once you start shopping for an RV you will see that you can’t have everything on your wishlist.
For example, it may not be feasible to have a walk around bed, a large shower and keep the price under $20,000.
The next step is to go through this list and decide what are the most important must-haves for you to have an enjoyable camping experience. Are you more worried more enough space to store winter coats and boots because you will be camping in the winter?
After you get the list paired down to your necessities, get your calendar out and start planning upcoming camping trips.
How are you really going to use the camper? Is it more weekend trips or that 3 month once in a lifetime trip you will be doing?
So, maybe you don’t need all that storage you first thought you did. Maybe you will be OK without a walk around bed. Maybe an outside kitchen is more important than you thought.
This process is the best way to discover what RV features that match your RV camping lifestyle.
Should I buy an RV from a local dealership?
The reason people tell you to buy an RV from a nearby dealership is because dealers say if you didn’t buy from us then we are not going to fix it for you. Having a local dealer that is conveniently located close to you that will maintain and repair your RV is important.
Once you narrow down the type of RV you are interested in your next step is to find the closest dealership to you that sells them.
What are Wholesale RV Dealers?
Wholesale RV dealers advertise they are the cheapest. What you are getting is someone who does not run a service department or have a support staff because after sale support is not their business model.
Buying from a wholesaler can be a double edge sword. They maybe cheaper and this might be attractive for first time RV buyers, but most times they do not perform a PDI (pre-delivery inspection) and this could be more costly in the long run.
It may be worth it to pay more to have a local dealership to service or repair your RV and be available to answer your questions.
How can I find the best RV dealership?
This is how to find the best RV dealership:
- read online reviews
- walk into the dealership and see if you like being there
- ask questions and see how responsive they are
Good questions to ask a dealership:
- ask about their service department
- ask about service wait times
- get a feel for what it is going to be like dealing with them
After you have asked your questions and you are satisfied with their answers and you like the people you will be dealing with than you can have more confidence this is the best dealership to buy from.
Do RV Dealers negotiate price?
When there is a shortage of RVs and demand is high RV dealers are less likely to negotiate on price. You will have more room to negotiate off the sticker price or the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price when there is an abundance of inventory and low demand.
Every dealership is different but for the most part there is alway some room for negotiation.
When is the best and worst time to buy an RV?
The best time to buy an RV is when supply is high and demand is low. When dealership lots are full and people are not buying you will pay less.
When supply is low and demand is high the opposite is true. During these times RVs will cost more.
With that said, you can often get a better deal at the end of the month and the end of the year.
Is it Better to Buy an RV at a Show?
The prices at RV shows are similar to what you would pay at a dealership. You may get a free cooler or a perk of some kind. The benefit of attending an RV show is you get to see everything not that you will not save money.
Do I pay sales tax on an RV purchase?
Yes, you do pay sales tax when you buy an RV. However, the amount of sales tax you will pay varies state by state. For most states you will pay the same sales tax you would for a car.
What are all the RV purchase fees?
The total out the door RV purchase fees vary by dealer. The best way to find out what fees you will be expected to pay is to ask the dealership for their out the door price. This will tell you exactly how much you will be writing a check for.
If you do not ask it this way you may not see the additional fees until closing.
Questions to ask a RV dealership about total purchase costs:
- Is the battery included or do I pay for that separately?
- Do you fill my propane tanks for the first time?
- Do I pay for the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) separately?
- Will I be required to buy an extended service plan?
- What is the total out the door price?
- Who is your service plan with?
What does pre-delivery inspection mean?
PDI or pre-delivery inspection is the process of an RV technician inspecting and testing the RV out by by putting water in it, testing the battery, checking for leaks and making sure everything properly works before you drive the RV off the lot.
What is an RV Service Plan?
An RV service plan is a type of insurance that covers the repair and maintenance of your RV. It can be purchased on its own or as an add-on to your car insurance.
The cost of an RV service plan depends on the coverage you choose, so it’s important to consider what your needs are before purchasing one.
The major benefits of having an RV service plan are:
- peace of mind to the owner
- protection against unexpected expenses
- provides a warranty for future
- save you money in the long run
What are different types of RV service plans?
RV service plans are either an inclusion plan or an exclusionary plan.
They either say here is what we include or they say we include everything except the exclusions. The best thing you can ask is what doesn’t it include and get this list.
When you know what is not included you can avoid surprises down the road.
Things you should look for on this list are awnings, electronics such as televisions, and mechanical items.
Are RV Service Plans included in the purchase price?
RV service plans are not included in the RV purchase price. You can buy a plan from a dealership when you are purchasing an RV or from a third party RV service plan provider.
Some big dealerships like Camping World offer their own service plan the Good Sam plan.
What is an RV Warranty?
An RV warranty is a warranty provided by the RV manufacturer that warranties the components of the RV build for 2 years. Mechanics such as a stove, refrigerator, water pump, lights are warrantied by the company that made that component and these parts have a one year warranty.
Most RV roofs have a 10-12 year warranty. The roof warranty covers deterioration. It does not cover sags, or the materials when it starts to degrade. This warranty will cover materials but not labor to peel off the old one and put on a new one.
It is advised to do RV roof maintenance to keep it in good shape.
Who do I contact if I need RV Warranty work done?
It is best to first contact the dealership you bought your RV from. Some dealerships will not perform warranty work if you did not purchase the warranty from them.
If you can not get results from the dealer then call the RV manufacturer. RV manufacturers know RVers travel so most of them have a customer support line. They can either solve the problem for you or connect you with a dealer that can help you.
What are my RV financing options?
When financing an RV the rule of thumb is most financing plans require a 10% down payment. If you have great credit there are banks that will loan 100%. Most RV loans do not have a prepayment penalty.
The interest rate on a RV loan will be higher than a car loan because it is a risker loan. The reason behind this is because you are more apt to continue to pay a car loan before an RV loan if you become financially unable to pay both. And a camper trailer is considered a luxury loan.
What happens during the RV delivery process?
After you purchase the RV you will set a delivery date. This gives the dealership time to get the RV ready for you. They fill the tanks and test everything. This period of time can take one day to two weeks.
On delivery day the first thing you should do is walk through the RV and make sure everything looks good. The salesman or a technician will do the walk through with you and make sure you know how to operate everything.
PRO TIP Don’t be afraid to use YouTube and Google to find technical walkthroughs before your delivery day because this could clue you in on questions to ask.
The delivery process will take several hours and you do not want to be rushed. This is your time to get familiar with your new RV and ask questions.
Will RV prices go up in 2022?
The biggest factor that will determine if RV prices go up depends on the model of the RV. This is because one of the most volatile prices right now is aluminium. If a camper trailer has an aluminium frame the cost will increase.
Also, when there are shortages and high demand RVs are more expensive.
According to P.J. from Princess Craft RV, most RV have gone up 20% in 2021. She thinks we will see a little bit more of a rise in prices in 2022 but it will not be another 20%. She would not be surprised if prices get another 5% increase in price in the spring.
She expects 2023 RV prices to increase by 3-5%.
What time of year do RV prices go up?
RV prices generally increase in price in August or September when the new RV models come out.
When is the best time to start looking for an RV?
If you want an RV for next summer you need to start looking now because there is a shortage of RV inventory right now.
If the type of RV you want is not on the dealer lot it is going to take some time to find it. You may have to order your RV and this takes time.
The best time to start looking for an RV is now. You need time on your side to find the right one for you.
What is an RV Private Label?
A RV private label is when a larger RV company partners with an RV manufacturer for a private label. The brand is renamed and run down a line to be sold at only specific dealerships.
The manufacturer changes the decals and colors and renames the RV. It will be a new trailer with the same framing, layout and features and this new trailer can only be available at one dealer.
The biggest downside to buying a RV private label is you need to go to the exclusive dealership to get it serviced.
What are RV Forever warranties?
An RV Forever Warranty requires you to take your RV in every year to do the maintenance program otherwise that warranty is no longer valid. If they recommend a repair you need to do the repair.
Do used RVs come with warranties?
99% of the time a warranty does not come with used RVs. However, if the previous owner had purchased an extended warranty most extended warranties are transferable.
