Is the road calling? Are you ready to explore the beauty and wonder of America from the comfort of your very own RV.
While
the phrase "recreational vehicle" usually brings the iconic image of a
luxurious motorhome to mind, there are actually seven types of RVs to
choose from, each suited for different needs or uses.
So, when buying an RV you should ask yourself these six questions in order to choose the right one for you:
What Type of Camping or Travel Will I Do?
For
many, a camping adventure can be as brief as a weekend, while others
will opt for a few weeks at a time. And for the more enthusiastic (and
fortunate) "full-timers," a real road trip is nothing less than several
months…or forever!
Other considerations to keep in mind are who will be traveling with you and how many "essentials" you'll be taking.
What Kind of RV Should I Get?
Once
you've determined what kind of camping or travel you plan to do you can
then figure out which type of RV to buy. Here's what's available:
Class A Motorhomes
What
most people think of when they think of motorhomes. These palatial
rolling estates feature just about any amenity you can imagine and are
ideal for long distance travel, a sizeable family and living in style.
It's
not unusual to find these big rigs outfitted with captain's chairs in
the cockpit, a living room with large sofa, dining table and HDTV,
complete kitchen with granite countertops, full-size refrigerator, oven,
stove, microwave…even a dishwasher.
Further
back, there's a complete bathroom with real shower and flushing toilet.
And many units also offer a washer and dryer. At the rear is the master
bedroom with queen size bed and plenty of closet space.
Many
Class A's come equipped with as many as five slide-outs…those extra
rooms that electrically extend from the street and curb side walls to
give you even more space. Plus, there are cavernous storage compartments
below deck (often called the "basement") that provide enough room for
anything you might need on a l-o-n-g vacation.
No
surprise, Class A motorhomes are the most expensive, with prices
generally starting at about $60,000 for a basic model to custom beauties
that sport price tags well over $1 million.
Class B Motorhomes
More
commonly known as Camper Vans, Class B motorhomes offer many of the
features and craftsmanship of Class A's, just in a smaller, more
maneuverable package.
Using
a full-size van as its foundation, a Class B motorhome can provide you
with many of the comforts of home such as a compact bathroom, small
kitchen and a TV. Ideal for 2 to 3 travelers and suitable for multi-week
trips, the Class B is akin to driving a large SUV.
Class C Motorhomes
A
cross between Class A's and Class B's, you see a lot of Class C rigs
rolling around the country during the summer as it's a popular unit to
rent.
Generally
easy to drive, yet with enough sleeping room for the family, the C
class can range from a petite 20 feet to an ambitious 40 feet, putting
the latter in the same league as the Class A but with a smaller price
tag. Plenty of features, including some with slide-outs, make it a good
choice for a long weekend or weeks away from home.
Travel Trailers
A
big advantage of travel trailers is their lightweight but sturdy
construction that makes them towable by standard pickup trucks, SUVs and
even some minivans.
Travel
trailers range in size from mini "teardrop" units of about 12 feet, to
33-foot triple axle giants. The newest generation models offer much,
including designer-grade interiors, slide-outs, bunk beds for the
troops, built-in generators…even satellite TV.
Most
in this class can sleep up to six, and prices range from $7,000 to
nearly 70 grand. A big plus for the travel trailer: you can leave it at
the campsite and take the tow vehicle out to explore.
One
important consideration is to make sure your tow vehicle can safely
pull the unit you decide on (including all your gear), because there's
nothing sadder than not being able to pull your new rig over the next
hill.
Fifth-Wheel Trailer
The
fifth-wheel trailer gets its name from the large hitch pin that
attaches the trailer to a special mount in the bed of a heavy-duty
pickup truck. This arrangement makes the fifth-wheel trailer more stable
to pull than a comparably sized travel trailer, since a good portion of
the fifth wheeler is above the truck's rear axle as opposed to hanging
off a trailer hitch behind the truck. The fifth-wheel trailer is also
easier to back up into a campsite than a conventional travel trailer.
Excellent
for long distance travel or a run to the local mountains, fifth-wheel
trailers can range in size from 18 to 40 feet long. And because of their
generous size, it's critical that your truck be able to pull the load
safely.
Pop-Up Trailer
At
the opposite end of the spectrum from Class A motorhomes is the
elfin-sized pop-up or folding trailer. Small in size (although some can
sleep six), the pop-up is the smallest, lightest member of the trailer
family, and the most economical to own, with prices starting as low as
$4,000.
The smallest versions can be towed safely with a minivan and are the easiest to park.
A
pop-up trailer doesn't actually pop up. Rather, the hard roof rises on
telescoping metal legs and then the bed trays, with canvas sides
attached, slide out from the front and back. Amenities can include a
small kitchen, shower and toilet.
Pop-ups
are a terrific way to get your feet wet in RVing without putting out a
lot of money. They're also great for weekend trips and occasional longer
trips by determined families.
SURV Trailer
The
newest member of the trailer family, the Sport Utility RV is often
referred to as a "Toy Hauler" because of the garage area built into the
rear. This space can be used for hauling motorcycles, quad runners, and
personal watercraft, and is separated from the rest of the trailer by a
solid wall and an access door.
Once
your "toys" have been unloaded at your site using the built-in ramp,
the garage can then be used for storage or as additional sleeping space.
Keep in mind the weight of your toys and the towing capacity of your vehicle when considering an SURV for purchase.
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.
Where Should I Look when buying an RV?
RV Shows
are an excellent venue for your search. Usually staged during spring,
summer and fall throughout the country, the shows offer the opportunity
to see the different styles all in one place to help you determine the
best fit for your needs. Also, manufacturer and dealer representatives
are on hand to answer your questions.
RV Dealers are
plentiful and usually have a good variety of examples on hand. And like
car lots, the salespeople are out in force to greet you. So keep your
guard up and don't let yourself get pressured into buying immediately.
Manufacturers have their own websites, with plenty of literature that you can download or order free of charge.
