Posted by Claire on Aug 17, 2011
There are two basic types of recreational vehicle: motorized and towable. While both RV types offer many of the same basic features — bunk space, kitchen, bathroom, entertainment system, etc. — there are some distinct differences; and, naturally, each has its own unique advantages.
Motorized RVs combine the driver’s cab and living space in a single unit that allows travel between the two when the vehicle is in motion. Motorhomes range in size from the compact, van-size Class B to the mini Class C to the luxury bus-size Class A. The primary advantage of owning a motorhome is the ability to use the living space while you’re on the road, allowing families room to spread out during long drives. The onboard kitchen and bathroom make motorhomes particularly appealing to families with children and full-time RVers.
Towable RVs include folding camping trailers (pop-up campers), primarily a tent on wheels; truck campers that sit on the flatbed of a pick-up truck; traditional travel trailers; and fifth-wheels that wrap extra sleeping space over the cab of the tow vehicle. The biggest advantage of towable RVs is the ability to disconnect the tow vehicle from the living space and use it to get around after you reach your destination. Of course, this means you also have to buy a pick-up truck, although some light-weight trailers can be hauled by heavy-duty SUVs.
Visit RVT.com for more detailed information about different RV types; just click on RV Buyer’s Guide.
Posted by Claire on Jul 15, 2011
Today we continue our step-by-step walk through the process of buying an RV online:
4. After you’ve narrowed your search to a few RV manufacturers, click on Consumer Reports for links to unbiased RV ratings and reviews. Use this information to narrow your search.
5. Go back to the type of RV you want to buy under RVs for Sale and browse listings for manufacturers on your short list. Decide which RV models have the floor plan and features you want. In narrowing your search to a specific model, consider information from consumer reports sites. You can also used Advanced Search features to shop for RVs in your city or state or to find specific features.
6. When reviewing RV listings, take advantage of the navigation bar at the top of each ad that allows you to save listings, print or share them via email and social networking sites.
7. After you’ve winnowed your choices down to a final few, click on Price Checker. Our price checker will show you the vehicle’s NADA book value, as well as the number of listings for that model on RVT.com, including the high, low and average asking prices. This information will point you toward good deals and can be useful in price negotiations with RV sellers.
8. Use the Contact Seller box included in every ad listing to connect with the seller of the RV you want to buy, cut your deal, and you’ll be a happy RV owner in no time!
Posted by Claire on Jul 11, 2011
Buying an RV online couldn’t be easier when you shop on RVT.com. In the online RV sales business for more than a decade, RVT.com knows what buyers want and has a “git ‘er done” reputation that attracts RV sellers. RV shoppers will find more than 54,000 RVs for sale on RVT.com right now, and one of them is sure to be exactly what you’re looking for.
On some internet sites, finding the RV you want can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Poorly organized sites force RV buyers to scan through thousands of ads just to find RVs that remotely match their criteria. Some online RV classified ad sites and general classified sites like Craigslist don’t make it a practice to include thumbnail photos with their ad listings, forcing buyers to waste several minutes reading and sometimes opening ads before moving on to the next ad.
On sites that are not dedicated exclusively to RV sales, frustrated RV shoppers can waste hours wading through ads and never find what they’re looking for. RVT.com feels your pain! That’s why RVT’s highly-experienced staff has created an easy-to navigate online shopping experience built around the specific needs of RV shoppers with plenty of advanced search features to help you quickly find your dream RV.
Next time: Step-by-step instructions for buying your RV online
Posted by Claire on Jun 17, 2011
If you are purchasing a towable RV online, you will also need to purchase an RV tow vehicle. Most 5th wheel and travel trailer owners choose full-size pickup trucks to tow their RVs because standard pickups have the chassis strength and engine power to handle the weight of a towable RV. However, if properly equipped, some SUVs, vans and cars also have the towing capacity needed to haul an RV.
When selecting an RV tow vehicle, it is critically important to pay attention to weight and towing specification. Trying to tow an RV with a vehicle or hitch that can’t handle the weight and size of your RV is a significant safety risk. Not only could you lose control of your RV on the highway, but hauling outside your vehicle’s weight class can cause permanent damage to the vehicle’s engine, leaving you high and dry miles from home. To avoid problems, RV experts recommend that RV owners allow a minimum 20% safety margin when comparing weight ratings of different tow vehicles. It is always better to have too much tow capacity than too little.
When shopping RV tow vehicles online, RV owners must consider not only the weight of the RV vehicle, but also the weight of everything they plan to carry in it, as well as the way that weight is distributed and the strain the weight of the fully-loaded RV will place on the tow vehicle.
Posted by on Feb 23, 2011
There are a number of different ways to search for the RV of your dreams (see our previous post); and while you should be alert to every opportunity, the smartest way to buy an RV is online.
RV shoppers will find the largest selection of RVs of all types, makes, models and sizes, both new and used, on classified ad websites dedicated exclusively to RV sales. Most people – 80% according to J.D. Power & Associates — begin their search for a vehicle online. Shopping for an RV online gives you access to rigs available for sale nationwide, vastly increasing both selection and price range. And because online RV sales sites like RVT.com attract motivated RV sellers who are ready to deal, buyers are likely to find the most attractive RV prices online. Some online sites like RVT.com also offer RV tow vehicles, allowing for convenient one-stop shopping.
Buying tip: Even if you’re considering buying your RV from an RV dealership, make sure you check their online listings first. Many RV dealerships consolidate inventories from multiple locations and list their complete new and used RV inventories on popular online ad sites like RVT.com. By shopping online, RV buyers not only gain access to the dealership’s entire inventory, but often benefit from special online pricing.
Posted by on Jan 14, 2011
If you own a towable RV, this is a great time to put it on the market and sell your RV online. As noted in our January 10, 2011 post, RV dealers are expecting a banner year for towable RV sales. Nine out of 10 RVs that manufacturers are shipping to RV dealerships are towable RV models. Towables are particularly appealing to first-time RVers and budget-conscious families, in part because they are generally less costly than full-size motorhomes.
The slowly recovering economy is putting more people in the buying mood, but consumers are still keeping a close eye on their budgets. The desire to get the best value for their money has created high demand for used towable RVs. Online RV sales are booming as buyers scour classified RV ads looking for great bargains. Selling your RV on RVT.com is easy. A basic 4-week, text-only ad is FREE with very affordable prices for adding photos or video to your RV ad or extending its run time.
Towable RVs, including travel trailers, 5th wheel travel trailers, truck campers and folding camping trailers, are recreational vehicles designed to be towed by a car, van or pickup truck. Many RV owners prefer towable RVs because the tow vehicle can be disconnected and used for local travel after arrival at your destination. To learn more about towable RVs, check out the RV Buyers Guide on RVT.com.
Posted by on Jan 10, 2011
RV dealer sales are expected to climb across the board this year with towable RVs leading the way. After a couple of years of tight budgets and dreary staycations, the improving economy and loosening credit have American itching to travel and have fun. The cost-effectiveness of RV travel is proving particularly attractive to families looking for affordable vacations.
Unlike full-time RVers and older travelers who, because they spend a significant portion of the year living in their RVs, prefer to travel with all the bells and whistles, families new to RVing are buying less-expensive towable RVs, including travel trailers and folding trailers, popularly known as pop-ups. In pre-recession 2007, towable RVs accounted for 8 of every 10 RVs shipped to dealers by manufacturers; today, it’s 9 out of 10.
The overwhelming popularity of RV travel trailers has convinced Winnebago Industries to return to the towables market after a 28-year absence. The RV manufacturing giant recently signed a letter of intent to buy travel trailer-maker SunnyBrook RV. Winnebago expects a new presence in the travel-trailer market to increase brand loyalty across a larger section of RV buyers and ultimately lead to increased sales of its signature motorhomes.
In discussing the buying trend toward less expensive towable RVs, Winnebago CEO Bob Olson told the Associated Press in an article posted on Fox News.com, “They have to start somewhere. And one thing about this lifestyle, you get hooked on it and you want to upgrade.” That’s good news for RV dealers.
Posted by on Oct 04, 2010
With the summer travel season ending, people ready to buy a recreational vehicle can find some excellent online bargains at classified RV ad websites like RVT.com. RV travel is affordable, and studies show it is the cheapest way to vacation with your family. RVers never have to worry about potential vacation busters like escalating air fares or bed bug-infested hotels (ugh!). Secure in their home away from home, RV families can relax and enjoy being together — and there’s no extra charge for the magnificent view!
Experienced RVers offer these buying tips for folks new to the RV Nation:
1. Rent before you buy to see if you’re a good match for the RV lifestyle.
2. RVs are available in a variety of towable and motorcoach styles and a wide range of sizes and prices. Do some online research to narrow down your choices, then walk through different models at an RV show or dealer show room to check out the features first-hand. Talk to RVers about their experiences at shows, campgrounds and online RV forums.
3. If you plan to use your RV extensively or become a full-time RVer, you might want to consider purchasing a new model from an RV dealer. However, if you plan to use your RV mostly for weekend trips and an annual summer vacation, you can save considerably by purchasing a used RV online. You’ll find the best deals on both new and used RVs from dealerships and private owners online at RVT.com.
More tips next time
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