| OK, you are going to buy an RV and you want the | | | | delivery on motor homes, fifth wheels, and travel |
| best deal possible. Whether it is a motor home, fifth | | | | trailers with problems that eventually "wear them |
| wheel, or travel trailer, you know MSRP | | | | down" as they continually drag their beloved RV back |
| (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) is the baseline | | | | to the dealership to be repaired. |
| in establishing price and your goal is to pay 20% to | | | | Anyone visiting an RV dealership or going to an RV |
| 30% below MSRP. | | | | sale should be aware of two things the RV Industry |
| If you are buying a used RV, you will be using NADA | | | | has mastered. The first is marketing their product |
| or Blue Book price guides and you should be aware | | | | and second is making it look good. Any RV owner |
| these guides inflate their internet quotes | | | | knows appearance is only "wall panel and veneer |
| approximately 10%. In addition, you are aware these | | | | deep" and there is more to inspecting an RV than |
| prices are arbitrary and are to be used only as a | | | | pushing on cabinets and pounding on walls. If only it |
| guide. | | | | was that easy. |
| You also know you'll save money by securing your | | | | RV shoppers quickly discover there is no shortage of |
| own financing rather than using dealer financing and | | | | used RV's on the market. This should lead us to ask |
| you know it is in your best interests to be wary of | | | | why. Through my experience, I have learned it is a |
| any other "add one's" the dealer may pitch you. | | | | combination of issues with the major one being |
| You are now in a position to secure a good deal on | | | | buying the wrong RV. If RV "type" (motor home, |
| that motor home, fifth wheel, or travel trailer except | | | | fifth wheel, travel trailer, camper, etc.) is wrong you |
| for one tiny matter. You really do not know that | | | | are doomed. RV size is almost as important as you |
| much about RV's and even if you do very few | | | | have to be able to use it in the environment you |
| recreational vehicle buyers know how to conduct a | | | | want to RV in. The smallest RV is larger than most |
| thorough inspection. In addition, take it from | | | | vehicles we are comfortable with so an adjustment is |
| someone who works on them every day. You have | | | | necessary whether driving an RV or towing one. The |
| no business taking delivery on any RV, new or used, | | | | other issue is RV'ing (and RV maintenance) may not |
| unless you know exactly what you are getting. | | | | be what the buyer anticipated. Believe it or not |
| As an RV technician, I have a number of guidelines in | | | | RV'ing is not for everyone. |
| inspecting an RV and the first one is NEVER ASSUME | | | | Considering an RV has three complete and individual |
| ANYTHING! I work with many RV'ers six months to | | | | energy systems (110V, 12Volt DC, and LP gas), |
| a year after they bought their RV's and I cannot | | | | chassis and frame considerations, quality check points |
| believe what they are telling me. They are buying | | | | inside and outside, an appliance system consisting of |
| RV's knowing certain things are wrong and they think | | | | a refrigerator, water heater, furnace, stove and |
| they will just live with it. It is not long before they | | | | oven, a fresh water and holding tank systems, and |
| tire of that. Let's face it. There are numerous facets | | | | more, analyzing an RV may seem overwhelming to |
| involved on these little "houses on wheels" and | | | | you. The good news is there is a lot of information |
| considering what they cost today it is only prudent | | | | available to assist anyone willing to learn and I always |
| consumers do their homework before they take | | | | implore RV'ers to avail themselves of this information |
| their RV home. | | | | and learn as much as possible. Anyone doing this will |
| The biggest trap RV buyers fall into when buying a | | | | quickly realize it will be time well spent and more |
| new RV is placing too much emphasis on the | | | | importantly, it can save you money...and lots of it. |
| manufacturer's warranty. The manufacturers | | | | Happy RV'ing! |
| warranty is crucial but too many RV buyers take | | | | |