Buying a camper can a be super frustrating and stressful experience. Luckily for you the good people at Camp-Rite RV have some pointers to help you navigate the many options you have available to you.
Know your expectations
This one is tricky. We think we know what we want till we have it and realize it isn’t what we needed. There are many things to consider when purchasing an RV let alone your first RV. Things like
- Who will be camping with me?
- Where will we be going?
- Where do we plan on keeping our RV when not in use?
- Can we tow this with our vehicle?
- Do I feel comfortable towing or driving this thing?
So lets dive into that list a little deeper
Who will Be Camping with me?
This one is simple. Don’t buy a camper for your neighbor’s or your kids friends. When it comes down to it the only people that will be using this thing is your family. So buy a camper that fits them. Emptynesters have this problem where they want to buy a camper that can fit the whole family when in reality the kids are not going to come camping as often as they would think. So they end up with a giant camper with a ton of wasted space. So by a camper for you. Let everyone else figure out their arrangements.\
Where will we be going?
This one is super important. Not every campground is the same. Many have restrictions on the size unit they will let in. Most national parks limit between 27 and 35 feet long. That 44 foot 5th wheel toy hauler you thought you wanted isn’t going to be so friendly. Another consideration is maneuverability. Even if there isn’t a size limit, some areas are just not RV friendly. Ever tried to drive an RV through Saint Augustine…?
Where do we plan on keeping our RV when not in use?
This has to be the largest mistake new buyers make. Rv’s are not cars. Most HOA’s have restrictions against parking RV’s at your home. Even if you don’t have a HOA restriction can you safely maneuver your unit in and out of your property? Will your property need modifications to fit the new rig? Rv Storage is an option but remember thats a added extra monthly cost. Your storage situation will greatly influence what unit you purchase.
Can we tow this with our vehicle?
This is the number one mistake made by new buyers. Buying too large of a unit for their tow vehicle. Truck salesmen will tell you their truck can haul the moon if it gets you to sign on the dotted line. There are a lot of factors that play into if your vehicle can or can’t tow that new travel trailer. The amount of cargo in the bed, the number of people ridding with you, even taking into account if your propane tanks are full or empty. So be sure to double check those cargo numbers before buying that new rig.
Setup and tear down.
How much work do you want to do when camping? This is a good question to ask because not all units setup and tear down the same way. Smaller units are easy to maneuver but most lack the comforts of autoleveling, automatic awnings and wireless slide controllers. SO the question is do you want a one touch setup, or are you ok with a little manual labor. Remember the price point between the two could be double or triple.
RV Build Quality
It’s not if you will have a problem but when. RV guys like to the the analogy of your home, in a 5.0 earthquake, that’s what its like ridding in an rv going down the road. And they arn’t wrong. RV’s go through a ton of stress on our roadways. Build quality is a must when looking for an rv. Not all units are the same. Some brands are known for their quality and durability while others are not. As long as you know what to expect you will not be surprised. And what you should expect is that things are going to break. This is why its imperative to have a good relationship with your dealers service department.
You can’t have your cake and eat it to
Simply stated you will never find the perfect RV. There will always be concessions to make, sacrifices given and compromises. What I always tell new buyers is to pick three line items they can not live with out. Make sure those three main items are taken care of in your rv. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
The team at Camp-Rite RV is here to help you navigate your rv buying experience. Browse our inventory and let us know if anything catches your eye.
