A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Looking for opinions about new or used? Since I don't have anyone to 'look over' things with me, I sometimes think go new, at least there would be a warranty. Other times, I think - buy used - cheaper and maybe someone else worked out the bugs, but no warranty. Yes I know - probably less options for floorplan, I'd have to take what I could get for the price (see confusion - Part I - floorplan)

Any opinions? Would a TT be better used (at least nothing engine related that could be a lemon)? If a MH, what would you look at on the mechanical side?

I feel so clueless right now and no idea what I'm doing anymore with looking at RV's. Maybe I'll just retire in my car and sleep where I can

They'd almost have to pay me to buy new. But I keep seeing every new rig having to go back in for more and more things - and lots of time - and lots of dealers not wanting to do the warranty work, so people traveling across country to get to the actual manufacturer to get the work done, and done right. Now, the work gets done that way, but you do pay - it's not cheap to travel so many miles to get work done. That said, sometimes there are really good deals out there new - especially at shows - and one day I might just buckle and do that ... Gasp ... but in the next year to 3, I will be buying again.

A used rv (motorized) - you want to look similar to you would with a car. I'm happier with gas engines, because they are easier and less expensive to take care of ... but many prefer diesel. Again, personal preference. I like that I can call Ford and make an appt. So far, most will take my rv. (Have an appt Tues am at Ford). The things that worried me the most are the unknowns - the generator (I had a generator from hell), fridge, batteries, etc etc.

By my own mistakes, I managed to ruin two batteries ... luckily that wasn't too costly and I learned my lesson. Have had to replace my fridge - it was old and I learned too late I could have gotten some reimbursement from Dometic - should have contacted them, my fault. Replaced by choice my micro with a micro/conv oven. Just replaced my water heater a couple weeks ago. These are things that can happen and will as time passes - generally long after the warranty is over. Yes, you could get extended warranties. I looked at them, and like I feel about most insurance - everything I've done has cost way, way less than the premiums I would have paid. WAY less. So, I recommend keeping a fund for maintenance. (The wh was way less than I had thought.)

I have a feeling I'm just making things more confusing ... but find what you'll be happiest doing, whether a tt, or c, or a or b etc ... then find a floorplan that works for YOU ... whatever size it is. And then go for it.

My thoughts on this, is I would start with used until you know for sure what type of TT/RV you want for the long run. Depreciation is very high on new rigs. You would lose a lot of $$ if you decided to trade a new one in a year later for something more suitable for your needs. Just my .02 cents on that.

Beth has some really good points as well. If you find a used one, be sure to get it checked out before you buy it by someone you know and trust, who knows RV's. They will know more what to look for and can give you an honest opinion.

I can sense your frustration and confusion. Actually makes me think how I got mine was easier because I didn't have to go through all of that. I don't full time however and that makes a difference. I think I was very lucky. I wanted to buy new and only looked at one dealer. Looked at many on their lot and kept coming back to the one I eventually got. It was only 3 weeks from the first day I saw it to when it was mine. I have never liked to walk around stores looking and looking. So I just made the decision and went for it. I had no warranty issues like Beth mentioned. A small crack did develop in the kitchen faucet. Took it in to another dealer since the one I bought from moved 80 miles away. They diagnosed, ordered and changed out the faucet and didn't charge me a penny. So far after 1 1/2 years I'm extremely happy with my rig. In fact, it's perfect for me and I don't think I'd like to haul a trailer or 5th wheel. I hope you can find the one that's perfect for you. You'll know it when you see it. Good luck!!
Sandi

Your first RV is in many ways a big learning curve. Once you live in one you realize you did not even know which questions to ask. Things that you thought mattered don't and things you never thought of make a world of difference. It's the little things that make life more enjoyable. Personal comfort is the biggest. If something bothers you on a walk through it will bother you to all ends trying to live with it.

We went new because we could not find hat we were looking for used. With something new there are some bugs to work out so a 2 year old unit should have the bugs worked out and have good life still in it before you nee to start updating.

There are people you can hire to inspect a unit before you buy it like a home inspection before you buy a house.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. Maybe I've been thinking too hard & need to take a break and clear out my brain

MelissaD wrote:There are people you can hire to inspect a unit before you buy it like a home inspection before you buy a house.

Melissa - Never knew this. What would they be called & are the in the yellow pages?

IrishIroamed wrote:

MelissaD wrote:There are people you can hire to inspect a unit before you buy it like a home inspection before you buy a house.

Melissa - Never knew this. What would they be called & are the in the yellow pages?

Our mobile RV repairman does it. He inspected a TC my parents had for sale. A lady from up north had him inspect it, get his opinion about the price & she bought it sight unseen.

More and more rv techs are getting into this ... but you want an rv tech not associated with an rv dealership. I say the same for getting work done in most cases (under warranty is about the only time I'd say otherwise - although there are the rare dealerships with good service).

If you search "pre-purchase RV inspection" you can find some companies. As Vicky said some mobile repair guys will do the inspections. I saw price of around $300 which could prove to be well worth the investment. They know were to look for hidden water damage on other items that could make a RV that looks good but actually be junk and worthless.

Thanks for the inspector info ladies. I can't say this enough ~ you ladies are awesome for answering questions!

MelissaD is right about not always knowing what to look for. In my case it was plugs--both 110 and the ones you use to charge electronic things from your 12 v coach batteries. I have two "cigarette lighter" type plugs--one in my bedroom and one in my hall that I use when I have no power to charge my laptop and cell phone and such. I also have quite a few 110 v plugs. Luckily that worked out for me.

Ask how the electrical system works so you know what works and what does not work when you are driving down the highway and dry-camped.

If you buy new or fairly new there are extended warranties like XtraRide that will cover just about everything in the RV. I don't often buy the extended warranty but with slides and all this other stuff I know little about I bought some piece of mind. Pretty much everything in my RV is covered but tires and I could have added that. Most items like an AC unit, fridge, generators, awnings, is covered for 1 year by the manufacturer. After that it's on you. Under the extended warranty I have $100 co-pay and they install a new unit.

There is a big debate about extended warranties but RV's are not a standard production item as say a car. RV manufactures will swap suppliers and features mid production an this can lead to issues not fund in say car production. New guy does not get the clamps properly installed on a water line and you get a slow leak that does thousands in damage before it is caught.

For me the cost of the policy was about the cost to replacing the seal on the main slide. For me at bought some piece of mind. Likewise I am developing a history with the maintenance department where I bough the unit. I have them do any modifications so they know the history and I'm a repeat customer. A good relationship with the dealer comes in handy at times. They prep the unit every spring and fall so we both know it's had it's required inspections and maintenance.

MelissaD - I'm thinking about having you drive up to the RV show in February to show me stuff

For me, it's important to have a sofa - even a small one like in my Roadtrek - to lounge on. I wouldn't like having to sit in a chair if I weren't on the bed. RVs are a very personal decision!

Bought my Born Free used (as I could never afford a new one....way too expensive) and I have never been sorry.... Floor plan was perfect for me (I guess I just got lucky)... but I agree with post above, if something bothers you when you first enter it, it'll really bother you later on.... Having an inspection done before you make the purchase is a wise investment... so many things can be hidden or you'll know all is well... either way money well spent....
BTW.... I did my homework on the web & checked out a whole bunch of RV's before I invested in mine... lots of info out there..just gotta take the time to find it... that's called 'time well spent'.......