Shopping for an RV?
Some Things to Consider!
An RV is one of the biggest purchases you may consider over your lifetime. It's not the same as purchasing a car, and in some instances, RVs can cost more than purchasing a home. Make sure you know all of the "hidden costs" that can be associated with an RV purchase. Here are some things to think about.
- Maintenance – The bigger the RV the more things that can go wrong! Motorized RVs seem to require more maintenance than the average car. Unless you're mechanical, this can turn out to be a considerable expense. Travel trailers and fifth wheels do not require as much (engine) maintenance, however, they can potentially have many of the same issues that you have in your home. After all, they have many of the same components that your house has. If your RV is permanently parked, keep in mind the costs that can arise for a service call from a local dealer or service professional for repairs that may come up. Seasonal maintenance such as winterizing and summerizing are also points to ponder.
- Insurance-The bigger the RV the bigger the bill for RV insurance. You will find that insurance, especially on motorized RVs, will be more expensive than its passenger commuting counterpart. Do your research!
- Fuel/Oil -The RV world is still waiting on a Prius motor-home. Until then expect to get fuel economy between 8-20 MPG depending on the RV you choose. The same can go for tow vehicles in the case of travel trailers and fifth wheels. Fuel economy will also go down in your tow vehicle even when pulling a lightweight travel trailer or tent camper.
- Towing– If you will be towing either your travel trailer/fifth wheel or towing a vehicle behind your motor-home you need to consider if you have the vehicle or equipment to do so before the purchase of your camper. Make sure you know what you need for towing before you buy.
- Place to Park Your New Ride –When you are done camping for the season, you may need to store your RV in a place other than your own property, because of space restrictions or local ordinances. You should look into the cost of storage. Many places that store RV's will also pick up in the fall and deliver your camper in the spring for a fee.
- Where Will you Stay- It's very safe to assume that you will have to pay a fee when staying at a campground. Whether it's a fee for a seasonal site or just overnight, this is an expense that you need to consider.
- Meals–Even though RV's offer all of the conveniences of home, you will still need to look at the cost of meals while you are traveling. Whether it be the cost of groceries to stock your camper pantry and refrigerator or meals out with the family when you just aren't in the mood to cook, meals definitely become a part of the expenses that need to be considered.
- Connectivity –Let's face it, most of us can't go anywhere without being able to stay connected or entertained! Mobile Internet, Wifi Booster, GPS, Satellite TV, Netflix etc are just some of the amenities we want to have while on the road. If you are interested in having connectivity while on vacation, you need to consider some of the costs associated with staying connected. (Here is a helpful Guide)
- Educate Yourself-Before you get started you may want to look over a Glossary of RV Terms.
Call Greeneway RV and ask to talk to one of our service advisors or salesmen. Our knowledgeable staff is here to take the surprise out of RV shopping!
