New or used? That’s the first question you have to answer when you decide to embrace the RV lifestyle.
When buying a car, the decision between new and used generally amounts to a trade-off between initial cost and maintenance expense. A new car costs more to purchase but maintenance costs are typically low to non-existent over the first three years of ownership. Many RV buyers tend to apply the same rule to purchasing a motorhome or travel trailer; but the fact that an RV is both vehicle and living space changes the equation, particularly if you are considering purchasing a motorized RV over a towable.
Motorized RVs combine both living space and vehicle in a single unit. In towables, the two are separate. In either case, the condition of the living area takes precedence over motor condition because major repairs to an RV roof, shell or chassis can be far more expensive than an engine tune-up.
New RVs loaded with luxury amenities can cost as much as a home, but used RVs are extremely affordable and are readily available online. Many RV owners prefer buying used to stretch their buying dollars. A late model used RV frequently offers most of the luxury amenities and technological upgrades of a new model but at a greatly reduced price. Buying used is a smart way to load up on luxury RV features while keeping your initial investment low.
High resale values add to the cost-effectiveness of buying a used RV online. Buyers can expect to get years of enjoyment from a well-maintained used RV and still recoup a reasonable portion of their investment when they sell their rig.
What kind of financing is available on a USED RV?
Hi Devora, we do have some RV Financing links in our resources section on RVT (about a dozen links). Here’s the link –> RV Financing.
1st time buyer. I am interested in a fifth wheel toy hauler. What brand of toyhauler is better?
Hi Ron, good question. Toy haulers are relatively new and have varying designs – my advice would be to think specifically first about your usage/space requirements (i.e. what kind of “toy” you are hauling, how often you’re going to be hauling it, interior surface material type, are you wanting it to convert to additional sleeping quarters, dining area, etc.). I’m not actually able to recommend a specific brand, but a forum like http://www.irv2.com/forums/ or http://www.rv.net/forum/ and ask this question again. Consumer reports and reviews are also handy, and there’s nothing like stopping into a dealership or a local show to actually get inside one and ask questions live and in person. We’d be interested to hear either what you found out and/or what decision you end up making by replying here (always nice to find out how a story ends… or begins)
New vs. Used… May I add that the depreciation on a new RV or Vehicle, can far exceed the maintenance costs that may occur the first 3 years. The first year alone, a new vehicle can depreciate up to 30%. That’s $30k on a $100k unit…just in the first year!? Popular makes like Winnebago have less deprecation, maintain their value, and are easier to sell.