Traveling by RV (recreational vehicle) has been a long standing pastime for many generations. More recently, it has become the new “#goals” for so many to sell it all and travel by RV. With so many options – new or used, which is better? In Part One of our series, I’m going over the pros and cons of each and help you make that decision.
Check out RV Trader to see what on the market both new and used, all in one place.
Purchasing a New RV
They’re shiny, they’re new, they’ve got all the fancy bells and whistles. Brand new RVs are no different than a brand new car. You’re getting the latest and greatest – the hottest ticket on the market. New RV’s today will have the best gadgets and newest technology that a used RV typically won’t come with (at least not factory installed).
Buying a new RV, can also come with some of the best layouts too. The RV manufacturers are listening to all the feedback this ever growing community is giving and putting it into action. They’re always listening when it comes to upgrades or decor changes – like adding lighter color schemes, and providing more stock features – hello solar panels! There’s just so much that can be included in a new RV purchase, so lets break down the pros and cons.
Pros of Buying a New RV
They are new. Simply said. They are new and no one has used it, no pets in it, or had smokers in it. It will have that new car smell (like it or not). It’s new. Everything that happens to this rig is either from the factory or from you. You get to break it in.
Purchasing a new RV will also give you the opportunity to purchase a warranty. These warranties can be transferrable in a sale, some are not. This can give you some peace of mind when traveling down that road unsure of what will shake down during those maiden voyages.
Buying a new RV can also give you the chance to customize your design or even possible change a few options before it ships. Some dealerships will custom order an RV just for you. While this isn’t typical, most are purchase from the lot, there are some dealerships you can custom order your RV from the factory.
Cons of Buying a New RV
This list can be a bit longer, but we’re going to shorten it as every unit/buyer/dealership is very unique. The biggest con of buying new is the instant loss you will have with depreciation. Not unlike a car, the moment your rig leaves the dealership you can kiss a good chunk of money goodbye. Some RVs you can make up that gap by further customizing with aftermarket upgrades, but there will almost certainly always be a loss.
RV have been in demand so much over the last two years especially. With demand being incredibly high and supply (and supply chains) being incredibly disrupted, they have more issues than ever before. It’s not a secret in the RV community that quality has taken a hit. RV manufacturers have pushed to keep up with demand while struggling with staffing changes (covid restrictions), supply chain issues and keeping up with constant change. This has been the biggest challenge with buying new. Never knowing if your unit will be known as the “Friday unit” (also known as a lemon in the car world).
Another struggle with purchasing new, your RV has never been bumped down the road. Not every RV’er knows about doing a “shake-down” trip. This is where you take your new RV on a close trip near your home to give it that chance to shake out what’s loose. During this trip, you’ll find what wasn’t screwed or glued into place enough. Or, you’ll find what was hiding behind what was screwed and glued down (we had a lot of sawdust shake out in ours).
This can either be helpful or downright concerning. We have seen friends have everything – even the kitchen sink – completely fall apart or wear out just from that trip. If you didn’t know about a shake-down trip, add it to your *must do* list for any RV you purchase and take home for the first time.
Finally, purchasing new is always the most expensive way to get into the market. When comparing the same model to same model, simply slapping a newer year on it, they raise the price. Our 2021 is no longer the same price as the 2022 or the latest release of the 2023. Much like cars, again, the latest model is always the most expensive, even if nothing changed.
Is Purchasing New For You?
This is a question you will need to answer. For us as newbies who had never towed and never owned an RV, *and* were heading off to a new country, we felt buying new was what we needed. It gave us the peace of mind that we had a full warranty (which so far we’ve not needed), it gave us the latest layout that worked for our family of 5. We also made sure to research and purchase a brand that has a strong name in the market – especially with full timers.
This may not be the same decision for someone who’s using their rig just for weekend trips or for a buyer who need a bigger space but have a similar budget (looking for a toy hauler but have a new travel trailer budget). Weigh through these pros and cons and add some of your own.
Now, lets look over the Used RV market.
Purchasing a Used RV
Used RVs are so unique and different. Some can be older than me, yet many are just simply classed as used because someone drove it off the lot. Not all Used RVs can be treated the same. Obviously, there will be some that are really old and in poor condition. However, you can find an RV that has been fully renovated from top to bottom that feels like a home. There are also some Used RVs that look just like the latest model release and simply have a year or two older date on it. There are just so many variables in this category.
Pros of Buying A Used RV
Just to rebuttal the New – these are already broken in. Someone has taken this RV for its shake-down trip and has worked out those new RV kinks. Simple as that. The RV has been driven or towed down the road and the loose nails or glue have already been loosened.
Probably one of the best parts of buying used, you can find a beautifully renovated RV with after market upgrades that will just match your RV’ing lifestyle needs perfectly. It might even fall perfectly in your budget than that new shiny one that still needs the upgrades done. There are many used rigs that have full solar setups completed and ready for your off-grid travels.
One of the most obvious reasons to buy used is, you’re saving money. No matter which way you slice it, buying used will always be less than buying new. Even when you add on all the upgrades and options the former owner has added, it will always be less than if you bought it new and added it all on. (With the exception of a full install yourself).
Like I mentioned, you can have your dollar stretch so much further. If your budget is say $50,000, that could either get you an entry level 5th wheel or decent travel trailer in the new market OR it could get you anything from a used Class A gas, to a fully renovated toy hauler – just older models. You’re dollar goes a lot further.
Cons of Buying a Used RV
Used RVs, you don’t know the units history. You could easily be purchasing a near new rig that was a complete lemon for the previous owners, hence why they traded it in. With that, the maintenance history and upkeep is also unknown. Did they reseal caulking or keep up with moisturizing the seals? You won’t fully know. This is probably the only con to purchasing used, but also the biggest con.
While we can add on a simple con of outdated decor if you’re buying an older model. This would matter to someone who isn’t renovation savvy or disinterested in doing upgrades. Both of those would mean adding cost to their purchase, which might not actually save that buyer money.
Is Purchasing Used For You?
Again, this will be a question you need to answer. With the biggest con of purchasing used being the history is unknown or if it’s a trade-in lemon, there isn’t a lot of cons here. This is typically the most cost effective way to get into RV’ing, whether you’re looking at full time, part time or sometimes.
The Verdict – Which Is Better?
So? Which is better? This is always such a personal decision and has to be made by the buyer. While buying new can give you the warranty and comfort no one has used it before, buying used can stretch your dollar further and give you the comfort that it has been used before. To give you even more comfort buying used, did you know you can arrange for a full RV Inspection by a Certified RV Inspector?
Did you know that a Certified RV Inspector can inspect both a Used and New RV?
A Certified RV Inspector will go through all your RVs systems, coach mechanics and electrical, the plumbing, seals, and more. This is very much like ordering a home inspection where they’re not moving walls or dropping the engine, they are performing a visual inspection and testing various functions of the coach (not engine inspections-a mechanic is needed for that). While they won’t make repairs, they will provide you with a very thorough and detailed report of the current state of the RV you plan to purchase. This can help with negotiations on price and it can, when purchasing new, ensure these items are repaired before driving it off the lot.
We highly recommend contacting a Certified RV Inspector prior to purchase, as these are a home on wheels, whether a vacation home or a full time home, you want to know what you’re buying.
Which do you think is right for you? Did you purchase new or used for your RV? You know we love getting to know you more, lets talk about it in the comments!
Till Next Time,
5 Responses