Purchasing a new RV can be extremely expensive and is difficult for many families to afford. However, there are thousands of used RVs that you can find available today for much less.
To ensure you are getting the best used RV possible, you want to ask several questions and dive deep into the vehicle’s past. Here’s 12 things to keep in mind when looking at a used RV.
#1. What Is the RV’s Mileage?
As with most vehicles, you want to inquire about the mileage of the RV. The major difference between an RV and a car or truck is that the mileage is far less important. The real way to ensure the potential RV you are looking at has a long life ahead is to inquire more about the maintenance.
Ideally, you can find a newer RV that has lower mileage, but do not discredit an older model. If an older model has been cared for properly, you can expect it to still have a long life ahead of it. However, if an RV is much older or has excess miles, you definitely want to be more cautious.
You also want to take into consideration any promises that you may get when buying used. Some dealerships that sell used RVs will come with a warranty to ensure you do not get a RV that has unsuspected issues once you drive off the lot. On the other hand, most independent sellers who sell their RVs do not offer any form of warranty and are a riskier bet.
#2. What Type of RV Is It, Exactly?
You do want to take into consideration the different types of RVs, and which will fit your needs the best. Before going to check out a used RV, ask the dealer or seller what type is it, exactly. You should have a top choice for your family and maybe a second or third choice to consider if the price is right.
The RV choices that you will come across on your search are:
Class A Motorhomes – These are what you want when it comes to an ideal RV but may also be the most expensive and difficult to find. These RVs will have every amenity you could ask for when adventuring. This may not be the best RV for those who aren’t going to use it often, as the price may not justify the use.
Class B Motorhomes – These are much smaller options than the Class A RV, and you may find them referred to as camper vans by some dealerships, but they actually look like a big SUV. These will not work as well for large families but hold a few people comfortably. These do come with traditional amenities and are great for quicker trips, weekend getaways, or a little home on wheels.
Class C Motorhomes – If you’re looking for something in between, Class C options are great. They can hold more people comfortably like the Class A options, but are lower in cost similar to a Class B option. For most families this is a great option that’s comfortable but not over the top.
Popup Trailers – If you want something very budget-friendly, but lacks the amenities of the previous options, a popup trailer is the choice for you. This is a very small option, working best for a couple or single-child family for quick trips. You will not get an engine or extra space, but you can add many standard RV options for a few thousand dollars.
Travel Trailer – This is RV option is towed behind a standard truck, SUV, or even minivan. They can come in both smaller and larger sized, you will want to consider the size of the vehicle you will use for towing when you pick your trailer size. These often come with some amenities that can make your trip nicer.
Fifth-Wheel Trailers – These are similar to the travel trailer mentioned above, but come with a large hitch pin and a special mount that attaches the RV to your pickup truck. Many like this option due to the stability when driving. You can also find avid fifth-wheel users who prefer them as they’re easier to back into campsites.
Truck Campers – You may not find these up for sale often, but they are a good RV option for those who want to travel on rougher terrain. They often feature smaller amenities like a kitchen. These are also good for smaller families, couples, or those who want to take short trips.
SURV Trailer – This is the best option if you plan to bring along some toys for your stay. These RVs come with a special garage built into the back that can haul your jet skis, motorcycles, four wheelers, or even bikes and scooters; It’s also great for storage use.
#3. What Is the Price?
Clearly, this is a major factor for any purchase you plan on making. You need to take your budget into serious consideration and never jump into a large RV purchase without a lot of thought. Consider both the maximum you can pay for an RV, and your ideal price.
Once you know what you can spend, educate yourself before visiting a dealership or checking out an RV that’s up for sale. Some things to consider:
- Research the exact make and model of the RV you’re considering. You can ensure you are getting a price that fits the market value.
- Remember, Class A RVs are typically the most expensive. These are easy to fall in love with when you see all the amenities offered, but if you have a limited budget, it may be best not to consider these.
- Make sure to ask the base price of the RV when you speak with the seller. You can almost always get the price lowered on used RVs with a little convincing. Of course, this may be minimal so you should not expect to get a very pricey RV on a low budget.
#4. Ask About the Basics
You’ll want to ask a series of questions regarding all the basics that come with the RV you’re considering. You may be able to find some of these answers in the RV’s listing, depending on where you are purchasing from. For any unanswered questions regarding the RV, always ask.
Some of the basics you will want to consider before making any purchases are:
- How long is the RV, in feet? This is important so you know if you have room for storage, for parking in regular parking spots, choose proper campsites, etc.
- Does it have slide outs? These are used to make the camper larger, widthwise. They also require maintenance and are costly to repair.
- Do all the lights function? Are they LED? LED lights are more efficient than traditional RV lights.
- Are any supplies included with the purchase? Sometimes sellers will include a sewage hose, or left-over maintenance items.
- What type of engine does the RV have? Is it gas or diesel?
- What kind of transmission is used? How old is it?
- Has there been any major engine, transmission, radiator, or other repairs completed?
#5. How Has the RV Been Maintained?
As mentioned, the maintenance of the RV is one of the most important things you will want to consider. Even older RVs can have a long life ahead of them if they have been properly maintained over the years. You will want to ask a few key questions regarding the maintenance and the life of the RV before purchasing.
Make sure to ask who has owned the RV previously and how often it was used. Being able to track the life of the RV will help you see if it was taken care of, and if it’s worth the asking price.
If you see that the RV was used often, make sure it was also maintained regularly. Older owners and those with families tend to care for their RVs a bit better than younger owners. If the RV is older but has very low mileage, it may not have been used or maintained as often and this can actually be a warning sign.
#6. Ask for Maintenance Records!
Background info and maintenance records on your potential RV are very helpful. These records will provide you with necessary information such as transmission repairs, roof repairs, and part replacements. Knowing what the RV has been through will help you make the best buying decision possible.
If you find an RV with meticulously documented maintenance records, this is great! These are harder to find because many owners lose or forget about these records over time. However, a good maintenance record often equates to a good RV.
#7. Ask for a Test Drive
You always want to test drive an RV before making any purchases. Almost any dealership or seller will allow for this- if not, consider this a red flag. You will want to take the RV out onto an open road and drive it quickly, slowly, make turns, brake, etc. to test how it drives fully.
Of course, if you are not buying an RV that drives but rather a pull-behind option, this may not be a factor. You want to inquire about how the RV pulls behind a vehicle and ensure that you can use it fully. You may want to go as far as to ask if you can pull it behind your vehicle prior to buying, to ensure everything is working smoothly.
However, if you’re purchasing a traditional RV, some things to keep in mind when test driving it are:
- Does it seem too big? Is the RV too hard to drive? Some Class A Motorhomes are large and sometimes overwhelming. If you don’t feel comfortable driving it, perhaps switch to a smaller RV.
- Does the A/C and heat work? When you are driving, turn on these basic functions to ensure everything works properly.
- Listen during your drive for any alarming sounds. If you notice rattling or other weird sounds, you’ll want to ask about this and consider it a warning sign.
If you do notice any alarming sounds or other red flags, ask for an inspection. You can usually get the RV inspected by a mobile mechanic who will meet you at where the RV is being stored for a hundred (or so) dollars per inspection. It might hurt to shell out the cash for an initial inspection, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the future!
#8. Ask for a Full Tour
Most sellers should have no issue with you walking through the RV and doing your own basic inspection. This should help you spot any superficial issues. You’ll want to take note of any issues you see that are deal breakers, or that can help you bargain for a lower price.
A basic checklist of things you will want to look for are:
- Mold or Water Marks – Always look in the corners of the roof or edges of the floor for mold, water marks, or other weird spots. Check in the backs of cabinets for mold as well. This can be challenging and dangerous to deal with, making mold a major red flag.
- Leaks – If you notice water marks, it can be a sign of leakage which you will want to ask about. Make sure to check around the corners of carpeting, windows, doors, etc. for water or leaking.
- Weird Odors – Sniff around the RV a bit, though this can feel weird, it can save you a lot of money. Check near drains, tanks, bathrooms, appliances, etc., for any funky odors. These can be a sign of internal issues that must be addressed.
- Check Roof and Awnings – Make sure the awning works properly, as they’re expensive to repair. Look over the roof for any cracks or bubbling, and ensure that it’s been well-maintained.
#9. Ask About Past Damage
There are very few used RVs that do not have at least a scratch or ding somewhere on the body of the vehicle. However, if there have been more serious repairs, you may want to inquire further. Make sure to do a complete inspection of the RV’s body and check for noticeable concerns.
Most owners of used vehicles will be pretty upfront about basic scratches or dents. These can easily occur with RVs that have been taken off road or used several times. If they seem very secretive about issues or are selling an older vehicle that has no damage, this is a big red flag.
You also want to ask if there are any issues that may be alarming inside of the RV; Look for issues during your walk-through, but also ask if there are any issues that they need to divulge. Some minor wear and tear is not a major issue and is to be expected, but any major problems should be reconsidered.
#10. How Old Are the Tires?
Tires for an RV are fairly expensive and if the tires on the used RV you’re considering are still good, this is a big bonus! Ask the seller how old the tires are, and if they have any record or the last replacement. The basic rule most RV owners follow is to replace the tires every 5 to 7 years, but you can find quality tires that are up to 10 years old.
If the RV owner does not know when the tires were last replaced, take note. Tires are a big purchase, and if the RV’s tires are old or haven’t been cared for, it will be a large additional cost to you. Of course, a newer model that is less than 5 years old may not have had a tire change at this point and this is usually not an issue.
Make sure you educate yourself on how RV tires should look, you can look over the current tires for any red flags. Look over each tire, noting if it is a good quality brand like Michelin or Goodyear. Look for any signs of wear, holes, low tires, worn tread, dry rot, and any other signs that the tires are worn out and need to be replaced.
#11. What Amenities or Entertainment Options Offered?
You can check out a lot of the amenities when you walk through the RV, but you will want to ask what types of extras come with the RV. Some common amenities offered in RVs are bathrooms, kitchens, bunk beds, storage, power sources, TV hookups, WiFi, and more!
When considering the bathroom, something to check out are:
- The size of the shower. The shower head. Is there a shower seat? Does it look like water could spill out easily? If there any mold or mildew?
- Is the toilet porcelain, plastic, or a composting toilet? Is the bowl big enough? Does the toilet make the bathroom feel too cramped?
Consider the furniture offered, and keep the following in mind:
- Is there somewhere for everyone in the family to sit? Is there a couch? Chairs? Dining table?
- Check cushions for tears and stains.
- How many beds are there? What sizes are the beds? Is there a bed for every family member? Is there a convertible bed for extra guests?
- Do the beds look sturdy? Well maintained? Are they large enough for your family?
What are the entertainment options, and will they fit your needs? Some things to keep in in mind are:
- Is there a TV? If not, is there a spot to hook up a TV? Is there a disk player for Blu Rays, DVDs, or other device hookup area?
- Is there a remote for the RV if provided?
- Are there hookups for internet services?
Look over the kitchen area and consider if it will fit your needs. Most larger RVs will have kitchens available, but you will want to take into consideration the following:
- How large is the refrigerator? Is it big enough for your family’s needs? Does it have a freezer?
- How big is the kitchen? Is there a stove? Is there an oven? Is there a microwave?
- Are there enough cabinets for storage? Can you fit enough food and supplies for your family?
- Do you notice any safety devices? Are there fire extinguishers?
#12. What Are the Benefits of Buying a Used RV?
Now that we’ve completed our list of 12 things that you must ask before buying a used RV, it can feel overwhelming. While this may look like a ton of work, these questions can all be easily answered during your RV walk-through. You should feel at ease speaking with the seller and feel they are being honest with you, but if you get the sense that they’re holding back information, reconsider purchasing your RV from them.
While on your search for an RV, remember some of the benefits of purchasing a used RV versus buying new:
- They are more affordable – Preowned RVs are dramatically more affordable in terms of saving money. You can find an RV that still has years of use ahead of it for much less than you will buying entirely new, in fact, most new RVs drop in value almost immediately after purchase. Buying an RV that is two years or older will allow you to miss this depreciation time, save a large amount of money, and still get an RV that works wonderfully.
- These RVs are researchable – When it comes to buying an older RV, you can learn about the make and model, and take a look at reviews online. When RV models are newly released, you cannot find as many reviews and it can be challenging to know exactly what the vehicle is like. However, models that are a few years old will often have thousands of people who describe their experiences and you can even speak to RV owners to learn more about their favorite models.
- You can customize or remodel more easily – If you buy an older model that needs some work, you can gut the inside of the RV and make it your own: Redoing the upholstery, flooring, cabinetry, etc.. You can spend more money on these projects since the original purchase price will be so much lower.
Wrap Up
So, if you are hoping to purchase an RV, consider a used one. Keep in mind the 12 key questions to ask while searching for your own home on wheels. If you see any red flags, hear any weird noises, or smell any odd odors, hire a mobile RV mechanic to check it out, and don’t be afraid to walk away.
Never sacrifice quality when it comes to a used RV for a lowered price tag, especially on issues that are difficult or expensive to fix. While it make take a bit more time and energy to find a well-maintained used RV, it can really pay off in the end.