Expert Advice
What To Know About The RV Purchase Process
After you narrow down your RV type and floor plan of choice, it’s time to head to the dealership — here’s everything you need to know about the RV purchase process.
Real Adventures
From family bonding to affordable getaways to spontaneous road trips – the reasons to buy an RV are endless. RVing empowers you to customize your own adventure and go on a real vacation.
Explore StoriesPre-Owned RVs
Buying a pre-owned RV is a great way to make your vacation dream a reality for less. Whether you’re looking for a towable or motorized RV, check with an RV dealer because they often receive RVs as trade-ins on new vehicles. Just like buying a pre-owned car or truck, RV dealers provide a thorough predelivery inspection of the used RV.
Affordability
Families of four can save up to 64% on RV vacations compared to traditional vacations and couples can save up to 53%. Financing options are available to qualified borrowers and you may qualify for a tax deduction because the interest on your RV loan is generally deductible as second-home mortgage interest.
Which RV is Right For You?
RV travel provides an appealing vacation option for American families, groups of friends, outdoor enthusiasts, and couples. For those with a new interest in RVing, renting can be a cost-effective way to try RVing before you buy one. Renting allows people to experiment with different RV types, layouts, and get first-hand experience using an RV before committing to one particular model. You may realize that you need less space than you anticipated. Or that you need a unit that allows you to bring your kayaks and bikes. Or that you want a solid entertainment set up for tailgating. Whatever your reason, renting is a great way to become acquainted with multiple RV options and experiment with models that you may never have considered.
Choosing Your First RV
Want to find that perfect RV? The first thing you have to do is narrow down the RV type that will work best for your needs. Here are five questions you should ask that will help you decide which RV type should be on your short list.
Real RVers Living Their Dreams
Having an RV, you really choose your own adventure.
As a kid, I said that when I retired, I was going to buy an RV and travel the country. And then I finally realized, why do I need to wait until I’m older? How often do you get to live out your life dreams while you’re still young?
We wanted to connect with our kids more. We wanted to be together more because we know this time is fleeting and we’re not going to get these moments back.
I grew up camping in various different recreation vehicles my entire life with my entire family. I got to try and catch fish with my bare hands and sleep with the wind blowing through the redwood. It was just magic.
Expert Advice
The Go RVing Guide To Buying A New RV
If you’re in the market for a new RV, there are more options out there than ever before. From lightweight travel trailers to motorized RVs with powerful diesel engines, there’s an RV for every shopping budget.
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Spacious Living
Travel Trailers often have large living room areas and dedicated dining and kitchen space with full size appliances and large windows for lots of natural lighting.
Large Bathroom
Travel trailers are large enough to offer extra storage cabinets and full size showers and bathtubs.
Separate Bedroom
Travel Trailers are large enough to offer a private bedroom, sometimes with king size beds, and additional closet and cabinet space.
Bunk beds
In addition to couches and dinettes that convert to beds, some travel trailers have full sized bunk beds with additional storage space.
Towable
Travel Trailers
Travel Trailers are the most popular type of RV because they come in all shapes and sizes and can accommodate solo travelers all the way up to large families.
- Sleeps up to 10 people
- Extra storage
- Full-sized bathroom and toilet
- Large living space & separate bedroom
- Large Entertainment Systems
Living and kitchen area
Kitchens in fifth wheels go beyond offering full appliances and can even have a kitchen island making it seem like you are cooking in your kitchen at home.
Bunkhouse
Kids love sleeping in their own cozy spaces separated from parents. The bunkhouse is usually claimed as a fort within the first five mintues. Kids don't mind sharing a room in this setting and the conversation and fun can continue for siblings, cousins, and friends even after the lights go out.
Raised living room
The raised front section boasts a comfortable and spacious living area with large windows as well as entertainment systems.
Private Bedroom
5th wheels have ample space and are able to efficiently divide the living space and a private bedroom.
Bathroom
5th wheel bathrooms contain a full sized-shower, toilet, cabinet space and large sinks.
Towable
5th Wheel RVs
Fifth wheels often come with the same amenities as a motorhome or travel trailer but are constructed with a raised forward section that provides a more spacious bi-level floor plan. These models are designed to be towed by a pickup truck.
- Sleeps 4-8 people
- Slideouts can add three extra feet of width per slide
- Ample Storage
- Large living space & separate bedroom
- Full-sized bathroom and toilet
Lounge, Cook, Sleep
The bench seating teardrop trailers is often used for couch space, seating for meals, and converts to a bed for sleeping. Basic kitchens are standard in teardrops.
Roomy
Despite their exterior appearance, there is plenty of room to stretch out, cook, and sleep.
Towable
Teardrop Trailers
Teardrop Trailers
- Sleeps 2-3 people
- Light-weight, can be towed with a family car, minivan or SUV
- Basic bathroom amenities
- Basic kitchen amenities
- Can be stored in a garage
Living area
Class A motorhomes come with many features similar to what you have in your house. Comfortable furnishings, larger cabinets and sinks.
Full Vanity
Large vanities and double sinks appear in some of these larger RVs.
Private Bedroom
The layout and size of a Class A allows for a private bedroom separate from the rest of the living space.
Cockpit
While there may be a couple more screens to learn about and a couple more buttons and knobs, being in the drivers seat is not dramatically different than other vehicles that may be more familiar - the back up cameras and alert systems will make newbies more comfortable with some practice.
Drivable
Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are designed with the comforts of home in mind equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom, large living and entertainment centers. They are built on specially designed motor vehicle chassis and do not require owning a separate tow vehicle.
- Sleeps up to 8 people
- Ample storage
- Can tow something else for side trips
- Full kitchen and large living area
- Full-sized bathroom and toilet
Full Bathroom
Space is used efficiently in class B RVs and many have full wet or dry baths.
Beyond the Basics
Class Bs offer a kitchen, seating, bathroom and place to sleep.
Drivable
Class B Motorhomes
Class B motorhomes, also known as camper vans, feature all the conveniences of a furnished motor home but are compact enough to make driving one as easy as your regular van or SUV.
- Sleeps 2 to 4 people
- Easy Parking
- Nimble & easy to drive
- Simple Bathroom Facilities
- Compact kitchen
Cockpit and Bunk
Class Cs use the cabin space above the cockpit as a loft bed.
Private bedroom
Class Cs are large enough to include a separate bedroom with a king or queen size bed, closet space, and additional storage.
Full Bathroom
This type of RV is equipped with a full size dry bath with a toilet, sink, and shower or bath.
Living area
The living area can be made larger with slide-outs for a roomy living, dining and kitchen area.
Drivable
Class C Motorhomes
Built on an automotive van frame with a wider body section attached to the original cab, class C motorhomes are easily recognizable by the over-the-cab portion that is often an optional sleeping area.
- Sleeps up to 8 people
- Can tow another vehicle for side trips
- Loft for extra sleeping space
- Full-sized kitchen and bathroom
- Storage
Open-air Sides
The canvas-sided sleeping areas in pop-ups allow fresh air to breeze through the RV so the user can feel like they are sleeping outdoors without sleeping on the ground.
Transforming Furniture
Tables and seating can be folded up and down for multiple uses such as eating, sitting, or sleeping.
Roomy interior
With sides that pop out, there is plenty of space for two sleeping areas and a full dining area within the pop-up.
Towable
Pop-up Camper
Pop-up campers are designed for the RVer that wants to feel closer to nature and connected to the outdoors in a way that feels as though you are sleeping outside in the fresh air. Pop-ups offer plenty of room at the campground but are folded down to a more compact size for easy storage and travel.
- Sleeps up to 8 people
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to store
- Basic bathroom amenities
- Open-air sleeping experience
Cook
Truck campers often feature an efficient kitchen complete with an oven, stove, microwave, refrigerator, and sink.
Bathe Comfortably
Truck campers include full wet or dry baths and some even have a bathtub!
Dining
Truck campers often offer comfortable, dedicated dining areas.
Comfy Bed
The dedicated bedroom area often boasts a queen size bed and entertainment system.
Towable
Truck Campers
Truck Campers are portable units designed to be loaded onto, or affixed to, the bed or chassis of a pickup truck. This type of RV is an easy and economical option for pick up truck owners.
- Sleeps 2-6 people
- Nimble and easy to drive
- Easy to Park
- Entertainment Systems
- Simple Bathroom Facilities
Garage
The back of the RV drops down to create a ramp to easily access the garage for storing bikes, ATVs, kayaks, motorcycles, and other toys to bring along on the RV adventure. Some garage areas also have fold up bunk beds to increase sleeping areas while the garage is not being used.
Living area
There is plenty of space in this type of vehicle including a large living area with a kitchen, couch, entertainment system, and a full bathroom.
Private Bedroom
The larger sport utility RVs have a separate bedroom area for occupants. This can be found in travel trailers, 5th wheels and motorized sport utility RVs.
Towable
Sport Utility RVs
Available as travel trailers, 5th wheels, and Class A motorhomes, sport utility RVs are built for those who want to take motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, or other motorized toys on the road with them while RVing. The back of the RV drops down forming a ramp for access into a garage area to easily store and access sports equipment.
- Sleeping capacity for up to 8 people
- Garage for storing and accessing large sports equipment
- Full-sized bathroom
- Kitchen Amenities
- Entertainment Systems
Living area
Park model RVs living areas could easily pass for the interior of a home or apartment. They often have larger doors, multiple windows and high ceilings to accommodate additional loft spaces.
Lofts the kids love
The loft area in a park model can be used as storage but is most often utilized as bunkhouse and fort for the kids. It's just enough to give kids the privacy of their own space but allows them to feel connected to the main living area.
Large Bedroom
Bedrooms in park models are completely closed off from the rest of the unit and the high cielings make it feel like a private oasis. Often equipped with a queen size bed, many are large enough to include a king size bed with plenty of closet space, cabinets, and more.
Specialty
Park Model RVs
Park model RVs, used for seasonal camping, are recognizable by their similarity in design to a home. These RVs are built on wheels so that they can be moved easily from campground to campground or around a campsite and they need to be hooked up to site electricity, sewer and water as with any RV.
- Sleeping capacity for up to 10
- Full-sized kitchen
- Large living space & separate bedroom
- Ample storage space
- Full-sized bathroom and toilet
Living Space
There is a traditional living space with a kitchen and bathroom, bench seating that converts to an eating area and sometimes bunks that fold up and down.
Pop-out sleeping
Much like a pop-up, the sleeping areas pop out from the sides creating extra space and the canvas sides give you a view of a starry sky.
Functional Kitchen
There is enough space to prep and cook meals as well as wash up with the basic kitchen amenities.
Counter Space
The stovetop area is covered when not in use creating more prep space.
Towable
Expandable Trailers
Expandable RVs are a cross between a hard-sided Travel Trailer and a Pop-up camper. Parts of the RV can be expanded on the ends or on top of the RV to provide more room that is usually additional sleeping areas.
- Sleeps up to 8 people
- Light-weight, can be towed with a family car, minivan or SUV
- Budget-friendly
- Bathroom amenities
- Open-air sleeping experience
Living area
The living area of horse trailers is are often equipped with a full couch, dinette, kitchen, and entertainment system.
Full Bathroom
Horse trailers include a full bathroom with a shower, sink, and storage cabinets making it easier to camp during equestrian events.
Efficient Design
The raised loft area is used as the sleeping quarters and can range from two twin beds toa large, king-size bed.
Specialty
Horse Trailer RVs
Horse Trailers make traveling to equestrian events convenient, comforting, and economical. Each RV Horse Trailer includes human conveniences such as kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and entertainment area, as well as secure stalls for each horse.
- Sleeps 2-4 people
- Kitchen amenities
- Full bathroom amenities
- Ample storage for your gear, horse feed and tack items
- Easily bring your horses to equestrian events
Living area
Equipped with 6-10 ice holes, these RVs are built with basic kitchens, bathrooms, and couches. Some even have pull-down bunks for those long weekends.
Dinette
Tables are often not secured to the floor in ice fish houses so that they can be easily stowed, opening up more living space and access to ice holes.
Specialty
Ice Fish Houses
Fish Houses are designed to shelter you from the element while ice fishing with friends and family. These fish houses are easy to tow into place and have specially designed floors with several ice holes throughout the RV that can be opened and closed.
- Sleeps 2-6 people
- Lightweight
- Basic bathroom amenities
- Basic kitchen amenities
- Can go ice-fishing without exposure to harsh elements
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