Buying a Used RV (2024)

FAQs

What questions to ask when buying a used RV? ›

Questions to ask when buying a used RV

Does the RV's vehicle identification number (VIN) match the one on the title? Does the owner have maintenance records? What issues, if any, have occurred and how often?

New RVs depreciate very quickly, whereas used RVs don't depreciate as fast. It has cheaper insurance. Used RVs typically have much cheaper insurance options than brand-new vehicles.

Is an RV a Financial Investment? The short answer is no. With the exception of some in-demand vintage models, the value of an RV depreciates over time. An RV is an investment in a lifestyle, but you can mitigate the expense by renting it out when not in use through a third-party rental site like Outdoorsy or RVshare.

Just like any other vehicle, though, RVs run best when they're used often, well-maintained, and adequately protected from the elements. Proper care and attention can significantly impact how long your RV lasts. The average life of an RV can range from 10 to 30 years or 200,000-300,000 miles with proper maintenance.

If an RV is over 10 years old, you might find yourself running into issues staying at certain upscale RV parks. You could find yourself running into the “10 Year Rule”. Though it may not be accurate all the time this rule is based on the assumption that an RV over 10 years old might be too weathered or worn.

However, anywhere between 100,000 to 200,000 miles is generally considered the lifespan of an RV. So once your old RVs odometer hits six digits, it's probably close to the time you should consider getting rid of it.

What's the best month to buy a used motorhome or travel trailer? On average, motorhomes and travel trailers are at their cheapest at the end of the year. You can also benefit from good deals in the neighboring months of November and February — after the high season ends and before the next spring season starts up.

How long an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer lasts depends on various factors. However, generally speaking, two decades is reasonable for a well-maintained vehicle. The average lifespan of a Class A or a Class B RV or motorhome is between 10 and 20 years.

What Are the Downsides of Owning an RV? Paying for Maintenance: There is the price of buying the RV, but there are other costs to be aware of, too. Proper maintenance is essential to getting the most out of your RV, and you can expect to spend money annually on repairs and preventative maintenance.

Is it better to pay cash or finance an RV? ›

They're using other people's money for that.” Basically, if the same amount of money invested in something else could be earning more in interest or appreciation than what you'll end up paying in interest on that RV loan, you're better off taking the loan.

They require a significantly greater amount of maintenance than a car. And they require a very different kind of maintenance than a house. You are also going to, inevitably, need some RV repair. Things break, accidents happen, and sometimes parts just wear out.

RV Warranty Repairs Can Take Months

New buyers are often happy if their rig comes with a warranty, but most people don't realize that warranty repairs can take your RV away from you for months at a time. The service center must diagnose the problem, get your manufacturer's approval, order parts, and then do the repair.

Although these trailers are built to last for years, shoddy maintenance and poor upkeep can render a model unusable in just a few years.

It costs a lot of money to buy an RV, maintain it and store it, but it may be worth it in the long run if you plan to use it multiple times a year. If you want a simpler way to use an RV that doesn't require you to be responsible for maintenance and upkeep, renting is the better option.

Look High and Low for Damage

Don't just assess the tires for signs of wear and tear. Look for signs of water damage, rust, dents, cracks, and other problems throughout the motorhome. Although many of these issues are repairable, some are not, such as extensive water damage or significant undercarriage issues.

Asking how often the RV was used, cared for, and stored are telltale signs of a good or bad RV. Before buying a used RV: make sure everything works, thoroughly check for signs of damage like water spots inside and outside, and ask for a test drive if you're considering a used motorhome.