How To Buy a Used RV - Part 1


If you are on a tight budget and can't afford a new model RV you might consider buying a used RV. Here are a few suggestions for finding a used, affordable RV:

1. Check newspaper listings. Look in the listings of your local or state daily paper's classifieds. Most towns and cities have a free shoppers circular that is mostly classified listings.

2. Check for any consignment lots in your area. RV owners who aren't interested in having strangers to their home often will park their RV at a consignment lot.

3. Run a "want to buy" listing in the classified section of your local paper.

4. Watch for campers parked curbside, in driveways, or front yards with "For Sale" signs posted on them.

5. Drive through local RV and Mobile Home Parks and watch for RV's with for sale signs posted on them.

When you find an RV you are interested in purchasing, don't fall in love with it and be too eager to buy. You could regret a hasty decision for a long time. If you aren't familiar with the functioning of an RV, bring a friend along who is. The chances are excellent that there will be one or more (usually more) components not working that will have to be repaired.

Keep a notebook with you when you do an inspection and make note of every fault. You'll find problems, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. RV's can be repaired and you'll use your inspection checklist to negotiate a price on your terms.

It is a good idea to have the owner with you while you inspect the RV so that he or she can observe your inspection notes. When you have completed your inspection you'll likely have a lengthy list of repairs needed. This will be your leverage to make a low-ball offer on the trailer. After all, you will either have to pay for the repairs or live with them as is.

If the RV owner doesn't accept your low offer, don't worry too much about it and go on to the next RV. Give them your name and telephone number and tell them to call you if they change their mind.

Let two or three weeks pass and call them back to see if they have sold the RV yet. They may be very happy to hear from you and accept the offer you made. If you are really interested in the RV, offer a slightly higher price this time. If they don't accept your offer, don't worry about it and call them back in another three or four weeks.

Sooner or later, you're going to pick up a genuine bargain on an RV. You'll have possibly saved quite a bit of money and in the process learned some negotiating skills.

In part 2 of this article, we'll explore the things you should be looking for when you inspect a used RV you're considering buying.

William Smith lived, and traveled fulltime in an RV travel trailer for over 12 years, and maintains a website dedicated to educating people about the RV lifestyle.

Visit http://www.happyvagabonds.com to learn more about RV living.







Related News



Outdoors Report: Steelheaders getting in some early punches - Seattle Post Intelligencer

Outdoors Report: Steelheaders getting in some early punches
Seattle Post Intelligencer -5 hours ago
By GREG JOHNSTON The winter steelhead season is well under way, not spectacular so far but definitely early and spread throughout the traditional streams of ...

Gift giving – the outdoors versus the non-outdoors - Evening Sun (subscription)

Evening Sun (subscription)

Gift giving – the outdoors versus the non-outdoors
Evening Sun (subscription), NY -6 hours ago
Usually they were given by a non-outdoors person who had little or no knowledge about the lifestyles of avid outdoors people. Often, the gift idea came from ...

Want a holiday gift for an outdoors lover? Here are some ideas - Dallas Morning News

Want a holiday gift for an outdoors lover? Here are some ideas
Dallas Morning News, TX -20 hours ago
It's not long until Christmas. Here are some gift ideas, most of them under $100, for the sportsman on your shopping list: • Frogg Toggs Pro Action rain ...

Outdoors enthusiasts still want trucks, SUVs - The Flint Journal - MLive.com

Outdoors enthusiasts still want trucks, SUVs
The Flint Journal - MLive.com, MI -Dec 3, 2008
... about those of us who do drive trucks and SUVs. Dave Graham is an outdoors writer for The Flint Journal. He can be reached at (810) 766-6306 or by e-mail.

Outdoors calendar - Green Bay Press Gazette

Outdoors calendar
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI -11 hours ago
Listings are subject to change, so call to check availability. All telephone numbers are area code 920 unless otherwise noted. To submit a notice, ...

Outdoors by Wayne Baughman - Pittsfield Pike Press

Outdoors by Wayne Baughman
Pittsfield Pike Press, IL -1 hour ago
The tally is in for the first portion of the firearms deer season that was held Nov. 21,22, and 23. Statewide hunters took 71894 deer, which is a decline of ...
Fisheries biologist hatches plan in dark of Marquette ParkJoliet Herald News
all 3 news articles

How to Tame a Cat With a Taste for the Outdoors - Washington Post

How to Tame a Cat With a Taste for the Outdoors
Washington Post, United States -14 hours ago
He has had a taste of the outdoors and wants to go out again. We regularly have to get chairs to reach him when he jumps onto curtain rods and bookcases, ...

Outdoors briefs - Dallas Morning News

Outdoors briefs
Dallas Morning News, TX -20 hours ago
By RAY SASSER Outdoors Writer rsasser@dallasnews.com With the 2009 Panhandle pheasant season looming Saturday, Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking hunters ...
Outdoors notebookAustin American-Statesman
all 3 news articles

Great Outdoors Almanac - Green Bay Press Gazette

Great Outdoors Almanac
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI -11 hours ago
A few anglers are starting to fish frozen portions of rivers and harbors, but it's still slushy, open water throughout much of Green Bay. ...


GI Janes get outdoors - News & Observer

News & Observer

GI Janes get outdoors
News & Observer, NC -14 hours ago
Deanna Lampley, MWR business manager for outdoor recreation, told the group of 29 participants the day was designed to show that the outdoors is for ...