RVT.com RV Trader Blog

RV Shows Offer Chance to Compare Models

Ready to try out the relaxed, enjoyable RV lifestyle? Or perhaps you’ve been RVing for awhile and are considering upgrading to a newer or bigger RV? Maybe you just want to get a look at the hot new green RVs everyone is talking about? If you’re thinking about buying an RV, the place to go is an RV show. One of the nation’s biggest RV shows, the 57th Annual California RV Show, is coming up October 16-25 at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA. You can find other RV shows around the country on the RVT.com website.

At an RV show you can check out all the top RV manufacturers and their most popular models under one roof. It’s a great way to comparison shop. See what’s standard and what new features are being offered. Walk through a variety of models and get a true feeling for the space available and whether it’s a good fit for you and your family. Bring the kids. They’ll have as much fun at an RV show as you will.

At an RV show you’ll find plenty of folks to answer your questions and fill you in on the latest advances in RV technology. You’ll also pick up plenty of useful how to and been there done that tips from veteran RVers. Use the show to create a shopping list of must have features, then do your shopping online at RVT.com where you’ll find hundreds of new and used RVs at great prices.

RV Is a Gift for the Whole Family

Halloween isn’t quite here but stores are already setting up Christmas displays. It’s a little early to get into the holiday spirit, but some gifts take more time and planning than others. This holiday why not give your family a gift that will bring you all closer together. Give your family an RV.

Doing things together as a family, psychologists now tell us, is the best way to keep kids engaged in healthy activities and out of trouble. Numerous studies have shown that when families eat dinner together, children do better at school academically, are better integrated socially and are better able to stand up to peer pressure. If you can get all that from sharing a burger and a little chitchat, think what the togetherness of an RV vacation could do for your children.

RV families not only eat together when they travel, they explore and learn together and have fun together. While RVing, children have an opportunity to help out and contribute to the family which builds self-esteem. Family activities and games give parents and children a chance to bond and talk. When parents spend time playing with their children, children are more apt to come to them in times of trouble. Started when children are young, RVing can form the cornerstone of a positive parent-child relationship that can carry you both through the turbulent teen years.

Who suspected something as enjoyable as RVing could have such deep psychological benefits? Just ask any RVing family; it does.

Get Best RV Deal with RVT Price Checker

The economy has turned everyone into a bargain hunter. Whether you’re making a big purchase or a small one, these days you want to know you’re getting the best deal possible. That’s especially true when you’re buying a new or used RV online. To make it easy to compare RV models and prices, RVT.com recently introduced a new RVT Price Checker feature to make sure you get the best possible deal when you buy a new or used RV online.

RVT Price Checker lets you find and compare the low, high and average asking prices for any RV make or model listed for sale on RVT.com. Click View a Demo to see how the feature works. Compare prices by RV make, model, type, new/used, private/dealer ad, year of manufacture, length, location state or distance from your home. With a click, you can even view the listings that match your search criteria.

The North American leader in online RV sales, RVT.com has 10 years of experience in online sales and has helped facilitate the sale and purchase of thousands of RVs over the Internet. RVT Price Checker is just the latest innovative feature we’ve created to make it even easier to sell or purchase an RV online. Visit our website at RVT.com and give it a try.

Finding RV Repair Services

Just like a car or truck, RVs require regular maintenance, scheduled service and occasional repairs. An RV dealer is a logical place to take your RV when regular maintenance is required or repair issues arise. Even if you bought your RV online or in another state, RV dealers are a good repair source. But just like car dealers, not all RV dealership service departments are created equal. Then, of course, there is the transportation problem of dropping your RV off and arranging a ride to and from the dealership. If your RV breaks down while you’re traveling far from home, this can present a considerable logistical problem. If you’re forced to cab back and forth, cab fares can add significantly to your repair bill.

It’s not like you can take your RV to the corner auto repair shop. Many RV repair issues require specialized expertise beyond the knowledge of the typical auto tech. Your best bet might be a mobile RV repair service. Mobile RV repair services, which are available across the country (check online or yellow page listings), bring the mechanic to your door. You don’t have to arrange transportation, just greet the tech at your door. Mobile RV service providers are particularly great if you break down on the road, in a parking lot or at a campground. Many mobile RV repair services can even provide warranty repairs.

Time Is Right to Upgrade Your RV

Have you been sneaking covert looks at the luxurious Class A motorhome parked at the campsite next door? Are you drooling over your neighbor’s roomy slideouts and extra kitchen space? From the confines of your truck camper do you thirst for the added amenities of a Class C motorhome? Are you ready to trade in your cozy pop-up camper for a more spacious travel trailer? If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a bigger, better RV, this is the time to trade up.

RVers across the country are taking advantage of today’s excellent selection and even better prices to trade up to the RV of their dreams. RVT.com, the North American leader in online RV sales, lists thousands of premium new and used RVs for sale at terrific prices. On the RVT.com website, you’ll find a huge selection of gas and diesel motorhomes in every class, travel trailers, truck campers, 5th wheelers, toy haulers, toterhomes and folding trailers to fit every budget. Ready to stake out your retirement home or looking for a long-term vacation getaway? RVT.com has extra roomy RV park models, many offering free delivery.

On RVT.com you’ll also find a great selection of tow behind cars, trailers, hitches, RV equipment and furniture. We have fun ride ‘ems of all kinds from motorcycles and scooters to electric cars. Tow them behind your RV for quick and easy transportation when you reach your destination. RVT.com is your one-stop shopping source for everything you need to enjoy the RV lifestyle.

RV Economy Luring New Crowd of Fans

Easy affordability in a difficult economy is luring a new crowd of fans to the RV lifestyle. People who formerly spent their vacations being pampered in upscale luxury hotels are giving RV camping a try. RV campground owners are reporting a noticeable increase in a new class of RVers totally unfamiliar with – and often unprepared — to “rough it” in the great outdoors. Neighboring campers may smile at the fledgling attempts of these newbies to interact with nature or shake their heads at the whir of espresso machines in the morning, but in the accepting way of RVers and campers the world over, they’re tolerant, helpful and welcoming.

That’s the aspect of RV living that quickly turns newcomers into lifelong fans — the welcoming acceptance and comfortable sense of community that permeates RV parks. Help is never farther than the neighboring campsite. Having trouble with your cooling system? Not sure how to connect to the dump station? Need a new recipe to spice up tomorrow night’s dinner? Want to know the best place to rent bikes or take the kids horseback riding? Feeling a little out of your element and need some reassurance? When you RV, you have only to introduce yourself to your neighbors to feel welcome.

It’s that easy camaraderie and friendly acceptance that draws celebrities like Dolly Parton and Matthew McConaughey to the RV lifestyle. That same sense of neighborliness creates enduring friendships between RVers. What starts with a “Could you help me?” question more often than not turns into a lifelong friendship that crosses social, economic, cultural, and often state boundaries. Ultimately, that’s the attraction of RV living that will bring this summer’s RV newbies back next year. They may be green now, but next year they’ll be dispensing advice like old pros!

Toterhomes: Heavy Haulers of RV World

Looking for an RV with real hauling power? Toterhomes and truck conversions are recreational vehicles built on heavy-duty commercial truck frames. These heavy haulers of the RV world have comfortable truck cabs and powerful truck engines with more than enough juice to haul heavy toys long distances without sacrificing power or comfort. It’s that hauling capacity that makes toterhomes the RV choice of NASCAR and motocross race teams.

Offering living space and creature comforts similar to Class A and Class C  motorhomes, toterhomes are the commercial version of the RV toy haulers featured in our June 12 post. Extending from 12 to 36 feet behind the truck cab, toterhomes generally have one or more slideouts that expand their living space. With the push of a button, walls slide out, increasing interior space by as much as 3 1/2 feet — instant addition! Depending on the model, toterhomes generally sleep 2 to 6 people.

Besides extra space, toterhomes often offer state-of-the-art technology and first-class luxuries found on high-end RVs, including back-up cameras, hydraulic leveling, security systems, washer/dryers, satellite dishes, basement storage, home theaters, full-size kitchens and much more. Prices range from $25,000 to well over $500,000, depending on size and features, with the average retail price being $125,000. Online RV sales sites like RVT.com offer incredible bargains on used toterhomes with prices often less than half the retail price.

While some states may require special licensing if you’re hauling particularly heavy or long loads, in most states non-commercial use of toterhomes or truck conversion RVs requires no special driving license. Their heavy-duty truck frames make RV toterhomes extremely safe and with proper maintenance toterhomes can easily outlast the lifespan of conventional RVs.

Tips for Buying Used RVs

Used RVs offer buyers great value. Buying used allows you to get all the great features you want in an RV at a more affordable price than buying new. Buying used is the perfect choice for families, anyone on a budget and first-time RV buyers. Particularly if you’re new to RVing, purchasing a used RV is an excellent way to minimize your investment while trying out the RV lifestyle.

With so many choices available, a little research and planning are necessary before you start shopping for a used RV. Think about how you like to travel. What amenities are most important to you? How big an RV do you need to accommodate your family? Do you prefer a motorhome or towable RV?  You’ll find helpful descriptions of different RV types on RVT.com’s website and blog. Sit down and make a few lists so you know what you’re looking for.

Peruse the pre-owned RV ads on RVT.com. Use RVT.com’s helpful sorting features and Advanced Search to narrow your search parameters. Save your favorite ads and start contacting sellers.

As when buying a pre-owned home or used car, it’s advisable to arrange with the seller for a personal inspection of the RV. Examine the unit inside and out. Pay attention to structural and mechanical details. Test all systems and appliances. Ask to review maintenance and repair records. If the RV is a motorhome, truck camper or conversion van, pop the hood and check the engine. Take the RV for a test drive. If it’s a towable, test drive it with the tow vehicle you plan to use. If you don’t have the experience to make a critical evaluation, arrange to have the RV inspected by a qualified RV service provider.