Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First RV

[LadyTexan]

As I posted elsewhere, I attended a seminar by Terry Cooper, The Texas RV Professor, at an RV show here in Dallas today. I also had a wonderful conversation with a couple who has been RV'ing for many years, and they shared some tips on things to do while checking out a possible purchase. For the benefit of those who have not bought an RV yet, I'd like to share what I learned today. The rest of you, feel free to chime in with your own tips and experiences.

5 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy an RV
1. What do you and your family enjoy doing? What activities are fun for you?
2. What features and options do you want your RV to have? Some features and amenities are a must while others are 'nice to have.'
3. You need to know the different types of RV units that are available in today's market. Each type is made for the various lifestyles and recreational needs.
4. What is your budget?
5. You need to learn how to operate the RV you choose.

Mr. Cooper has DVD's that cover every aspect of inspecting, owning, repairing and maintaining an RV. Based on his presentation today, he is very knowledgeable about RVs and has a very personable, down to earth presentation style.

=================================
The experienced RV couple told me several things to look at while shopping for an RV.
1. RV Cargo Weight - this is the weight of everything you bring in to the RV. This includes clothes, food, people, pets, dishes, sheets, etc. Some units have limited weight allowances, some have more. The gross weight is the weight of the RV itself plus all your bring-on items, and that cannot be exceeded. They recommended that you have the RV weighed when you first buy it, empty, which will then determine how much 'stuff' you can bring on board.

2. Get in the shower and see how much space you actually have. They said in their first RV there were 2 places to dry off after a shower - in the middle of the living area or on top of the bed. Do you have enough space to move around in, wash your hair, without hitting the sides? I am reminded of the shower on a cruise ship, definitely made for small people.

3. Bring a kitchen utensil, a coat hanger and an outfit that you want to hang in the RV closet, and a plate. Use these to see if the items will actually fit in the appropriate spot in the RV. The woman said in their first rig her coat hanger was wider than the closet so her clothes had to be hung kind of sideways, limiting what she could put in the closet.

Hope these hints and tips help you on your journey to becoming an RV owner!
Cari

[longdog2]

I think all of those are good. I would add that if you are looking at RVs with slides, make sure you see the RV with the slide closed. If you stop for lunch at a rest area, you won't be opening the slides so you want access to a place to sit, access to your fridge, access to the bathroom, etc. Sometimes you have to pull in the slides if the weather is real bad so you still want to be able to use your RV. If you stop at a grocery store, you want to be able to put at least the cold stuff in the fridge and freezer so access is important. Doesn't matter if it is a trailer, 5th wheel, Class A, B, B+, or C.

[Dawn309]

I agree Colleen. The first time I saw my rig, all the slides were in. I loved it then. Everything was accessable then when the slides were out, it was a definite bonus.

[Echo]

This one of those pieces of advice that can not be stressed to much!!!

Worked with a guy in Maine who had purchased a new 1 ton duelly and a big fancy 5'er to live and winter in. He never checked to see what was accessable with the slides in. He was not what you would call a small man either. When the living room slide was in he could not access anything other than his bathroom and bedroom as the slide came right up against the counter of the U shaped kitchen. Good thing his girlfriend was slim enough to climb over the counter to fix lunch when they were traveling.

We found a travel trailer years ago that we both fell in love with. But when we got the deal to finally pull in the slide we walked away from it. You could not get to the bathroom or anything for that fact in the rear of the trailer because the slide blocked the doorway to the bathroom. If left maybe 8 ro 10 inches to squeeze thru. Kelly and I sure would not have fit! Bummed us out as we really liked that trailer too.

[Sandersmr]

Also remember, unless you are planning on trading in the trailer within a couple of years, it may be beneficial to modify the trailer to suit your needs. Mine is a really small bunkhouse and I had the top bunk cut back to where it was recessed in beside the bathroom. It gave me usable space that we could actually sit on plus storage for linens and blankets. I've added shelves to closets and the pantry and plastic storage devices everywhere to make storage more useful.

If you are towing a trailer, make sure your trailer is within your gross total weight allowed by your tow vehicle AND the payload - about 10-15% of the trailer weight should be tongue weight that counts towards vehicle payload which will include you and your passengers and all the stuff in the vehicle.

Above all - you have to be able to enjoy your trailer. When looking, plan on spending some time inside the trailer imagining doing the things you want and need to do. The shower example above is just one example. Using the toilet, cooking in the rig, storing stuff. Again, my trailer is great if we can be outside as well as the dogs. We found out this weekend that we have to consider what to do if it rains, especially with the dogs because they take up all available floor space. I found out I need extra sheets to throw over the beds so that if we have to put them inside with muddy/wet paws, they won't leave muddy paw prints on the beds (and I've had my trailer for 2 years).

[Swansonia]

I agree with the bathroom checks. Our toilet is in a tight corner and not a lot of room to "take care of business." We do have room to dry off and dress after a shower...but definitely sit on the toilet and make sure you have appropriate space. And good advice about the slides, esp if you'll be travelling with passengers. Also..hydraulic jacks with auto level...Awesome !!!