There’s a lot to know about owning an RV. If you’re new to the world of RVing and are finding yourself a little bit overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ve outlined the top 14 things you may not know about owning an RV. Go in equipped with this information and you can rest easy knowing you’re prepared.
RVs Aren’t Cheap
Many people look to RVing as a frugal form of travel. And the growing community of full-time RVers are often drawn to the lifestyle as a way to minimize their expenses and get debt-free.
That said, once you start shopping around, you’ll notice that RV prices aren’t exactly minimal. Additionally, although RVing allows you to skip expensive hotel room prices or costly airfare, you’ll still be responsible for campground accommodation fees. Not to mention the gas it’ll take to get to your destination. You’ll also need to set aside a budget for regular maintenance as well as unplanned repairs.
Don’t get us wrong: There are plenty of ways to make owning an RV a super-frugal and cost-effective travel lifestyle. However, you should know from the get-go, that it’s just as easy to drain your bank account if you’re not careful!
Used Might be Better
RVs depreciate in value over time. That depreciation is especially steep if you purchase a brand-new rig. In fact, it’s not uncommon for you to lose 10-20% of the purchase price just by driving a factory-fresh vehicle off the lot. If you’re on a budget, that fact can make purchasing a used RV look a lot more attractive and the thing is, used campers are often a better bet anyway.
A brand-new RV could roll off the factory floor with defects that the dealership wouldn’t know about, having not taken it for an extensive test run. But if you buy a well-maintained rig someone’s already owned for a while, they’ve had the time and experience with it to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Do keep in mind that by purchasing used, you usually forgo the factory warrantee and other purchasing perks you may get from a traditional dealership.
Inspect Carefully Before Buying
It’s totally possible to buy a lemon RV, especially if you’re looking exclusively at used vehicles. And when you make a private purchase, your transaction often lacks protections that may be in place on a traditional dealership floor.
Because of this, it’s imperative to give any RV you’re seriously considering a very thorough check-out before you sign even a single paper. At the very least, you’ll want to look in every single nook and cranny for any signs of water damage. If you can get a trusted mechanic to come with you to vet the rig before you make your decision, that’s even better.
There are Different RV Types
Even if you’ve just started your search, you’ve probably realized that RVs come in a variety of shapes, styles, sizes. Consequently, they come in a variety of prices and levels of luxury. There are expensive motorhomes, budget-friendly pop-up trailers, and a whole bunch of options in between. Choose the type of RV that best suits your travel style and needs, so you can travel in complete comfort.
Maintenance is Required
A motorhome has all the same regular maintenance considerations as any other vehicle and any type of RV requires maintenance in the living space. From keeping up with seams and seals to ensuring the slide outs stay in tip top shape and maintaining the wheel bearings, there are a lot of things to remember.
Fortunately, setting a regular preventative maintenance schedule can help you circumvent a lot of age-related issues.
You Don’t Need Every Accessory
Not every piece of cutesy camping gear will actually make your life easier. And if you get too much stuff, you’ll quickly find your rig turning from a cozy cabin into a claustrophobic, crowded one. Stick to the most essential pieces of camping gear and save the rest of your money for travel adventures.
Owning an RV Will Change How You Travel
When someone is new to owning an RV, they aren’t necessarily new travelers. That said, even if you’ve done your research, it’s hard to understand the level of comfort and flexibility offered by even a modest RV until you’ve experienced it. When you travel by RV, you never have to worry about finding a hotel room and can sleep pretty much anywhere. This means you can fly by the seat of your pants, take your time getting places, and change plans at the drop of a hat.
The RV Community is Awesome
Whether you need a quick hand to help you ease into that back-in site or you just want some extra storytellers around the campfire, you’ll find that when you’re RVing, the people around you are like family — an adventuresome, rugged, handy family at that! This makes RVing extra fun and memorable and helps ensure you are safe and taken care of wherever you roam.
There Are Ways to Save Money While Traveling
RVing isn’t cheap by default, but if you’re just a little savvy and scrappy, there are plenty of ways to save big money on the road.
For instance, there are a variety of discount camping clubs that can get you exclusive perks and savings. You can also save cash by boondocking instead of relying on RV parks and campgrounds. Investing in reciprocal attraction memberships can be super helpful, as can making a solid meal plan before every trip to avoid eating out.
There are Different RV Camping Styles
One of the most attractive parts of RV travel is how versatile and diverse it can be. You can live in the lap of luxury at a fancy, exclusive RV park or totally unplug in a remote boondocking campsite. The choice is yours — and hey, once you own your very own RV, you’ll have ample opportunity to try both.
RV Storage Facilities Are an Option
Whether it’s a finicky HOA, a plaintive neighbor, or just a plain old lack of space, if you can’t keep your rig at home, you might need to rent a slot at an area storage facility. Of course, just like the rent or mortgage you pay to keep a roof over your head, housing your RV isn’t free. Depending on the specific storage location and its features (i.e., indoor/outdoor, temperature controlled or not, etc), you could pay as little as $50 per month or as much as $450.
You Will Want to Cover Your RV
Unless you’re keeping your RV at an indoor, temperature-controlled facility, your rig’s exterior is vulnerable to damage — dust, debris, water, and ultraviolet radiation. All of these can wreak havoc on your motorhome’s finish, which can hasten the arrival of every RV owner’s worst nightmare: water damage. Because of this, it’s crucial that you invest in a high-quality waterproof RV cover.
You’ll Need to do Storage Prep
Depending on how long your RV’s going to be in storage, you could wind up walking into a rig with unpleasant odors, an insect infestation, mold, or worse. The best way to avoid this? Storage prep.
Give your RV a thorough cleaning both inside and outside, check for signs of water damage, and give your RV’s seams and seals a thorough examination. Take steps to prevent pests (deterrents and traps). If you’ll be storing the rig for the cold season, you’ll also want to winterize the water system.
You Can Rent Your RV to Others
Offering your rig up for rent is a great alternative to sticking it in storage, especially if it’s going to be a while before your next trip. This will allow you to share your love of RV travel with others while also making some extra money. Many RV owners are able to pay for their RVs with rental profits and some make even more than that!
As you can see, there are lots of amazing benefits to owning an RV as well as some definite drawbacks that should be taken into consideration before making a purchase. What do you think? Is RV ownership for you?
