If you read my article from last week (here), you know we started our searching process a year before it became a reality for us. We watched *all* the youtube videos and looked through *all* the rv websites. We knew we needed a bunkhouse, good sized living space, place for Zach to work and our own *private* bedroom space (if you know what I mean). We also knew we didn’t want to be strapped for cash and buy the biggest and greatest RV that was out there (more about this later).
Here are some questions we asked ourselves…
Do we need a work space or can we do our job from a kitchen table with a laptop? Do our kids need separate sleeping spaces? Do we need a large fridge because we eat a lot of food? Do we need a bathtub or will a shower work?
So, let’s go back to us attending our first ever RV show. We spent all day walking through the RVs (pre-covid). We fell in love with all the expensive ones, but knew our main focus was finding an RV with a bunkhouse that could also be used as a workspace for Zach and be pulled easily by a large SUV. We decided on an SUV because a Ford F-250 didn’t have enough seats to fit our growing family comfortably. So, we had to scratch all the 5th Wheels (sadness) and focus on the travel trailers.
We found a few we liked, but we soon realized buying new was not financially smart. The RV dealerships try and give you these HUGE “discounts” at the RV shows and then you realize that they are really just selling you a fake discount. In reality, you are still buying “full” price. So, we started to look online for models that were 2-3 years old. Also, come to find out, new RVs have just as many problems, if not more problems as the 2-3 year old RVs. Do the newer ones have a warranty? Yes. But our 2 year old RV also had a warranty and was deeply discounted down to what you could reasonably resell.
Zach at one point thought he found THE RV in another state. He took an RV guy with him (shout-out to Zach at Rolling Restoration) to inspect the RV before we rolled it home only to find out it had $3k+ in water damage work that needed to be done. HIGHLY recommend hiring someone to look over your rig BEFORE you buy it. When we found our current RV, we brought him along again and he inspected it AT the RV dealership. It passed! Of course you will probably pay for someone to do this (like we did) unless your friend is an RV expert, but it can save you $$ in the long-run.
I also want to talk about RV payments, which are stretched over longer terms, so the payments seem low. Buying the bigger/nicer RV is so easy to justify when you move from a house payment of $2k+ to an RV payment of $600+, but DON’T DO THIS! We wanted to be able to live off less than 70% of our income and still afford to travel around under that 70%. We also weren’t sure we were going to like being in a small space all together, so we didn’t want to be stuck with our RV if we wanted to purchase another house in a year. I would challenge you to buy something older and less expensive. You can always sell your RV and buy a nicer one if that is what you end up wanting a year or two down the road. Just a tip, but you can do what you want.
Now to the tow vehicle. Thankfully, our new RV expert friend had recommended we get the car we have now. We have a 2002 Ford Excursion. Yes, it is 19 years old, but the towing capacity is terrific on the Beast and it can hold up to 8 people COMFORTABLY with ample storage space in the back. Come to find out, there is QUITE the Excursion Club among other full-time RVers. Again, we got a diesel expert to take the car for the day and give a full detailed inspection before we purchased it. The dealership let us do this! Just ask! Don’t just settle on the first vehicle you find that might work for your situation. Really wait for the *right* car at the *right* price for your family.
After being in our RV for almost 6 months now, I still like our choice of RV, tow vehicle and (most importantly) price point of them both. I would challenge you to go in low so you have more money for emergencies, savings, and fun adventures!
What are some tips you have about purchasing an RV? Do you have any questions for us about how to pick the perfect RV or tow vehicle for your family or yourself?
We would love to hear from you!
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XO,
The Fabulous Life of an RV Wife
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