Choosing A Used RV

Choosing a used RV is much like choosing a used car; both are vehicles that you must examine carefully, both inside and out, before purchasing.

Find a mechanic you can trust

Before you start your search for a used recreational vehicle, find a mechanic who does not mind inspecting the mechanical components of the vehicle for you. You can locate a mechanic by seeking referrals from friends or family, using the internet to research user reviews of local auto shops or simply pulling out a phone book and calling around.

Work out with your mechanic what he expects for compensation beforehand; some mechanics charge a per visit fee, while others just require that the vehicle is driven to their place of business.

Create a budget

Determine how much you are willing to spend on a vehicle; this figure should include the cost of the motor home as well as the costs of restoring or repairing it to the condition you desire. Most used RVs require a thorough cleaning, a new paint job, fresh tires and full tune-up. These costs should figure into the amount you allocate for your purchase.

Figure out costs and expenses

If only you and a spouse expect to use the vehicle for traveling, it is probably unnecessary to invest in an RV with sleeping room for 10. As a rule of thumb, remember that the older or larger a vehicle is, the worse the gas mileage. It may not make sense to purchase a thirty-year-old, beat-up RV for next-to-nothing if it only gets 5 miles per gallon and requires quite a bit of fixing up before it can even hit the road.

Shopping for a used RV is not an easy process, but by following a few tips and using some common-sense, you can make the experience a simpler and more satisfying one.

Remember that the older or larger a vehicle is, the worse the gas mileage