| A used 5th wheel toy hauler is a better bargain than | | | | Take it on the road and listen for any unhealthy |
| a new one. New RVs depreciate quickly. You will get | | | | running noises. Are the brakes and the steering |
| many more options for your money going used. Here | | | | satisfactory? Look for any fluid leaks under where |
| are some tips and tricks when shopping for a used | | | | the RV was parked, and look for dry rot in the tires. |
| travel trailer or any other RV. | | | | Verify that the vehicle batteries and the house |
| What to do first | | | | batteries are fully charged. Look for the owner's |
| There can be an almost alarming number of used | | | | manual. |
| RVs for sale by owner, or by an RV dealer. That's | | | | Words of wisdom and caution |
| good news because you can take your time, and | | | | If a bumper pull travel trailer has rust on major |
| work within your budget. Spend some time looking at | | | | structural areas, you probably do not want to buy it. |
| the layouts, and the amount of space in each one to | | | | A "fixer upper" often never gets on the road – |
| see if it will work for your family. | | | | think it over carefully before you purchase a diesel |
| Look for travel trailers for sale by owners. If older | | | | pusher that needs a lot of work. Always have an |
| people who have become sick and are no longer | | | | independent RV tech and mechanic go over the rig |
| traveling are selling them, you may get a bargain on | | | | you are considering. |
| an almost new RV. | | | | If you like a Class C motorhome, and it needs |
| Things to check out when you find what you like | | | | repairs, verify that the parts you need and someone |
| Get the RV dealers to demonstrate how everything | | | | who can manage the repairs are available. You don't |
| works so you know things function. Check for water | | | | want to end up with an RV that can't be fixed. |
| stains in cupboards and closets. Unroll the awning and | | | | If you live where the weather gets cold in the fall, |
| roll it back up again. Go around the whole outside and | | | | do your RV shopping then. Sometimes RV dealers will |
| look for dings, scratches, walls that may bulge, and | | | | offer their used RVs late in the year since few |
| stressed seams – are they things you can live | | | | people camp in winter. |
| with? | | | | |