6 Things to Ask Yourself When Buying an RV

Updated OnMay 31, 2017
Written by
Jeff Adams

Truck Camper

It's the ultimate in mobility for travel where motorhomes and trailers can't go.

A truck camper slides into the bed of a standard pickup bed, yet offers many of the comforts of home--at the fraction of a motorhome's price tag.

A favorite of outdoorsmen because it can be hauled over rough terrain and steep grades, then offloaded at a campsite and left behind, a high quality truck camper offers many great features. Among them you'll find a bedroom over the truck cab, plus small kitchen, toilet and even a shower.

What Else Do I Need to Consider?

There's more to figuring out when buying an RV. A lot more, such as:

  • Maintenance: Rule of thumb--the bigger the RV, the more that can go wrong. Unless you're handy with a screwdriver and a wrench, maintenance can be expensive.
  • Towing: Whether you'll be towing your RV or another vehicle behind your motorhome, make sure you have the right vehicle and equipment to do so (such as a trailer hitch).
  • Miles Per Gallon: Except perhaps for the pop-up trailer, most RVs excel combining weight and wind resistance. Meaning that you can expect to get fuel economy between 8 and 20 MPG depending on the RV you choose.
  • Where to Park: Many homeowner associations don't permit RVs or you have no space at your house. You may need to store your rig at a storage facility for a monthly fee.
  • Cost for Camping: Although the Bureau of Land Management has places where you can camp for free, these are usually out past the boondocks. So assume that you'll be camping at places that charge a fee. And in some cases, the daily rate varies according to the size of your RV.
  • Meals: Hungry campers have to eat. Does the RV you're considering offer kitchen options? Will you have to cook over the campfire? Or does your camping crowd like to dine at restaurants outside the campground?
  • Insurance: Same as with maintenance, the bigger the rig the larger your insurance bill. You should check several insurance companies for the best rate and service BEFORE you buy.
  • Connectivity: If you want to stay connected, you'll have to make sure the RV you're considering can be outfitted with Mobile Internet, Wi-Fi Booster, GPS or Satellite TV.
  • Purchase Prices: Buying an RV is like buying a car--you fall in love with all the features until it comes down to price. Brace yourself for sticker shock.