In our opinion, RV travel is always the best way to travel, and honestly, we’d recommend buying an RV any time. That said, 2026 is an especially great year to buy an RV. Why? Well, there are the usual amazing benefits of owning and traveling in an RV, but the RV market is also in an excellent place right now.
In this article we are going to take a quick peek at the many reasons we think you should jump into the world of RVing this year, as well as some suggestions for how to go about it in the smartest way possible. Ready? Let’s get started!
Perks of RV Travel
First, let’s take just a minute to talk about the many perks of RV travel. These perks are the reason RVing has become so popular, and they’re why we know it will remain one of the best ways to see this beautiful country for many years to come.
Total Freedom
The first and most important benefit of owning and traveling in an RV? Total freedom.
When you have an RV, you can decide to take a trip at the last minute. You can fly by the seat of your pants and stop in at a campground whenever and wherever you feel like it. It also allows you to stay totally off-grid, camping out in the boonies in complete comfort.
Yes, there’s nothing quite like the freedom an RV provides.
Budget-Friendly Adventures
Another great perk of RV travel is that you can travel on a dime. Sure, there are plenty of pricey RV adventures out there, but there are also plenty of places you can go for very little money.
Free campgrounds and boondocking out on BLM land allow you to stay in a place without spending any money at all, and free attractions can be found nearly everywhere. Of course, the ability to cook your own food also helps, as eating out can get expensive fast.
Healthier Travel
Speaking of cooking your own food, you might also find that traveling by RV allows you to take more health-conscious trips. Cooking your own food is a part of that, as you will be able to cook delicious and nutritious meals and avoid fast food.
Moreover, the ability to totally escape into nature is incredibly healthy for the soul and can reduce stress levels, and the fact that you’re staying in your own space (and possibly camping in the middle of nowhere) means less exposure to germs.
Comfort Wherever You Roam
Last but not least, there is the fact that RVing allows you to take the comforts of home with you absolutely everywhere. Need a shower while parked at a rest stop? No problem! Want a comfortable place to sleep in the middle of the woods? You got it! By buying an RV, you are buying the ability to take comfort with you wherever you roam.
Why 2026 is the Time to Buy
In our opinion, the perks mentioned above are reason enough to go out and find that dream RV right away. That said, if you’re still not convinced, we have more reasons you should hop into the RV ownership game. Below are the reasons to buy an RV in 2026 specifically.
RV Prices Have Leveled Out
During lockdown, RV prices skyrocketed as more people began to realize that RVing was a fantastic way to stay healthy while traveling. This made RV ownership a lot less affordable for a time. Fortunately, the cost of buying an RV has gone down quite a bit, making it possible to own an RV without spending a fortune once again. This makes 2026 a great time to jump into the world of RVing.
Cost of Living is on the Rise
It’s no secret that the cost of living is on the rise. This means fewer people are able to travel by plane or cruise ship, and in many cases family vacations are being canceled entirely. This doesn’t have to be the route you take! As mentioned above, traveling by RV can be incredibly budget-friendly, meaning you’ll be able to vacation with your family even when things get tight. Better yet, you could take up full time RV living and save on all your living expenses while seeing the country.
Renting Provides Additional Income
The RV rental market is holding steady and strong. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that if you do purchase an RV and won’t be living in it full time, you can actually make money off of your purchase by renting it out to others. For those who are finding themselves on a tighter budget than usual this can make an enormous difference.
Deciding on Your First RV
Now that you understand why buying an RV is an excellent decision, let’s discuss how to choose the right RV for you and your family. Going into the shopping experience with a good idea of what you want will help make the process less overwhelming and a whole lot smoother.
Quick Overview of RV Types
The first thing to consider is the type of RV you’d like to own. There are five main RV types out there, and each one has pros and cons. Class B RVs are small and easy to drive and Class C RVs are bigger, but still feel relatively familiar to drive. Class A RVs are like buses and provide all the bells and whistles. Meanwhile, towables like travel trailers and fifth wheels are more affordable, but require a capable tow vehicle.
Think about the pros and cons of each before deciding which one will work best for you.
Try Before You Buy
Once you have an idea of what type of RV you’d like to have, you’ll want to think about things like the number of sleeping spaces and floor plans. From there, it’s a good idea to get inside some RVs and get a feel for what it’ll actually be like to use one.
One great way to go about this is to rent some RVs that you think you might like to own. RVshare is perfect for this! (As we mentioned earlier, you will want to put in your rental request in advance.) Take each of your top contenders out for a spin and make thorough notes about what you do and do not like.
This is actually one of the best ways to decide which option might be best for you, as you get some real-world experience with the rig(s) you’ve had your eye on.
Pre-Owned vs New
The last thing to think about is whether you’d like to buy your RV new or used.
A used rig can be bought from an RV dealer or a private seller. These will cost less and won’t depreciate as much, but might come with things that need fixing.
Meanwhile, newer rigs can generally only be bought from RV dealers and will be fresh from the factory. These cost more than their used counterparts, obviously, but they tend to include some sort of warranty. However, their resale value does go down significantly the moment you take one off the lot.
Clearly, there are tons of awesome reasons to buy an RV in 2026. Why not make this your year and get out there to find your RV before the camping season begins?
