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New verses used RV

Published: Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Luxury, comfort and fabulous traveling experience- a good quality recreational vehicle offers you it all. From going out on relaxing weekend trips with you family and loved ones to traveling across the country during long vacations, you can enjoy some of the best travel experiences of your life in a luxurious recreational vehicle. With both the senior retired generation and younger people opting to go RVing during leisure hours, the activity is fast becoming one of the nation's favorite recreations. However, in order to enjoy the best trips, choosing the correct recreational vehicle, suiting your specific requirements, plays a crucial role. A recreational vehicle is your home on wheels and like other private vehicles, a costly investment to make. For this reason, before you decide on a particular make or model, it is best to survey the RV market and understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various models available for sale. Today, the recreational vehicle market is flooded with different types of RV makes and models among which travel trailers, tent trailers, truck campers, park models and Class A, Class B and Class C Motorhomes form some of the chief options. Structured in a large range of floorplans and available in various sizes, you can choose from a variety of RV models and select the one suiting your budget, space requirement and personal preferences best.

While buying a recreational vehicle, one of the main decisions that all potential recreational buyers must take is whether to opt for a first or second hand vehicle. A brand new recreational vehicle undoubtedly has a unique charm of its own. However, if the expense of the vehicle seems way over your budget, you can also look for well maintained, slightly used recreational vehicles coming with similar comfort facilities. One of the main factors that you should take into consideration while purchasing a recreational vehicle is how frequently (or, infrequently) you plan to use the vehicle. Many young couples and retired people buy expensive RVs with long term plans of going vacationing in the same only to find out that due to lack of free time, busy schedules or other reasons, they cannot go for extended trips more than a few times a year. If you are most likely to go for only a few times in a year, a used recreational vehicle may prove more economic for you. On the other hand, if you love to travel extensively and prefer to go on extended cross country trips whenever you get the opportunity, a new recreational vehicle with warranty coverage may prove a better bargain in the long run.

One of the main advantages used recreational vehicles have over their brand new counterparts is that in case of the former, the depreciation is already absorbed. Modern research has revealed that during the first few years of ownership, new recreational vehicles can depreciate up to one third their value. Even after purchasing a new recreational vehicle, once they start living in the same, many users find the need for various repair works and alterations before they feel perfectly comfortable and at home in the RV. In contrast, a well maintained used recreational vehicle may not only prove more cost effective but may also require far lesser repair works. However, while most new recreational vehicles are covered under full warranties, if you are buying a used recreational vehicle from a private owner, chances are there is no warranty coverage coming with the same. However, today these are various RV clubs and websites from where you can avail service plans for used vehicles if the vehicle you are purchasing falls under certain specifications. Depending on the age of the vehicle and cost of the service plan, there are different types of coverage offered. As any repair or appliance replacement in your recreational vehicle can prove rather expensive, make sure while purchasing the service plan that it covers as many repair facilities as possible. The price of a used recreational vehicle is determined primarily by factors like its age, mileage, facilities offered and current working condition. The NADA website is one of the best sources that can inform you on various features of used recreational vehicles and give you an estimate of the average retail prices of the same. Depending on the make and model of RV you are selecting, it is better to check the NADA price of the unit before making your purchase.

Financing of recreational vehicles is another main factor you must always keep in consideration while buying a RV. Compared to new recreational vehicles, the finance terms offered by banks for purchasing used RVs is are shorter. If the vehicle you are opting for is second hand, the interest rates charged are also much higher. Today, various banks, finance companies and credit unions offer different types of RV financing schemes. In buying both new and old recreational vehicles, you can negotiate better deals if you possess pre-approved financing. Whereas, the insurance cost for new recreational vehicles is higher than that charged for used vehicles, new RVs are less expensive to maintain than their second hand counterparts. While buying a used recreational vehicle, it is best to ask for details regarding the vehicle's past history, servicing records and accident cases if any. Once you decide on a used recreational vehicle, it is wiser to inspect every aspect of the RV in minute details. From checking whether the electrical and water connections work properly to finding out whether the recreational vehicle is free from leaks, cracks, hidden damages and bugs, a detailed study of the RV at the time of purchase can save you a lot of inconvenience and extra expenses later on. While buying an old RV, it is best to ensure that the roof is leak free, beds comfortable to sleep in and window sealants in proper condition. Any signs of ceiling stains or droops or peeling panels can indicate a threat of water leakage. Both in buying old and new recreational vehicles, it is best to spend a night in the RV and find out if the living conditions will suit your lifestyle.

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