I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
If you are planning a cross-country trip or want to go on a family camping trip, a recreational vehicle (RV) is a great way to do that. RVs are comfortable, spacious for your entire family, and convenient. However, if your intention is to buy a used RV, you need to be careful so you don't end up broken down halfway through your trip. Here are some tips to follow when buying a used RV.
Know What You're Looking For
Before you answer an ad from a private seller or visit a local dealership, make sure you know what you want and need in an RV. Choose between a towable RV that can be towed with your own vehicle and a motorized RV that you drive on its own. This is a good first decision to make. You then need to narrow down your choices based on the size you want, how many people it needs to accommodate, and what type of gas mileage it is. Consider special features in the RV, like plumbing and extra storage. This is all important information you should get sorted out before you start looking.
Bring a Mechanic With You
As with any used vehicle, the RV should be inspected inside and out before you buy it. Unless you have experience with the mechanical system of an RV, it is best to bring along someone who does. This can either be a friend or loved one who has repaired this type of vehicle before, or a mechanic of RVs. They will know exactly what to look for inside and outside the vehicle. They can look for signs that a temporary patch was done and they also know when an RV is a good buy due to how well it was cared for. Even though the RV will hopefully have been inspected before the dealership sells it, this is still a good idea.
Compare Different Warranties
When you start looking at used RVs, also be sure you know what type of warranty it includes, and the details of that warranty. It might be tempting to simply choose the RV with the longest warranty, such as a 1-year warranty over a 6-month warranty, but is it really worth the added expense? Not all warranties cover the same things, such as major repair work or replacement parts. Some are very limited, covering only the basics like flat tires and oil changes. You want the warranty that gives you the best deal and will cover the most variety of repairs that might be needed. Just in case your RV does break down, you will hopefully not have the pay the full amount of repairs.
Know Who the Previous Owner Was
You should also have information about the previous owner, whether buying the RV from a dealership or a private seller. If you are buying from the original owner, ask them why they are selling it and what their history is with the vehicle. Perhaps they didn't get the chance to use it often and it was just taking up space on their property, or they discovered they didn't enjoy having to drive such a large vehicle. These are good reasons to sell an RV. On the other hand, you should be wary when an owner has had a lot of repairs done on the RV and sells it following those repairs. This tends to be a sign that there are major problems with the vehicle. Click here for more info.
Share21 September 2015
