Buying A New RV

How to Buy a New RV - Motorhome, Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel, Pickup Camper or Park Model

Article provided by: NADAguides.com
Buying a brand new RV can be a daunting task. The experts at NADAguides.com , the leader in RV pricing and specification information, offer these tips to help guide you in the right direction.

Do your Homework.

According to Lenny Sims, Vice President of Operations and NADAguides.com RV Editor, nothing can replace honest to goodness research when it comes to buying a new RV.

“Be sure to determine the Recreation Vehicle that best fits your needs, your wants and your lifestyle,” says Sims, “before you sign on the dotted line.”

His advice? Spend a lot of time researching different types of RVs, various makes and models and a variety of floor plans, as well as new RV pricing information and pre-owned RV pricing information to determine the potential price your used recreation vehicle might fetch if you’re offering it on trade or selling it outright. Sims suggests visiting a local RV park, talking to RV owners, (asking their opinions and getting their advice), joining a local RV club, subscribing to recreation vehicle magazines and newsletters, going to local RV shows to evaluate various makes and models first-hand, as well as renting an RV for the weekend to get some invaluable hands-on experience.

Finally, Sims suggests working closely with an RV sales associate at a local RV dealership to examine various features of the recreation vehicle you’re interested in purchasing, including its creature comforts and living space design, its engine specifications (when applicable), its tow-ability (when applicable), and the ins-and-outs of its optional equipment, including exactly how the refrigerator, stove, awnings, toilets, water pumps and holding tanks work.

“When you educate yourself with as much up-front information as possible, the entire RV purchasing experience becomes much more comfortable and enjoyable,” says Sims.

Check your Wallet.

Next up? Determine your budget ahead of time and stick to that budget, says Sims. If you’re financing, be sure to take into consideration all other monthly expenses, including the cost of your RV payment, to determine what you can afford.


Find your Ride.

Today’s RV buyer has a convenient medium at his fingertips – the Internet – and Sims says there are a variety of online resources RV buyers can turn to, without having to drive all over town (or all over the state for that matter), to find their perfect ride.


“The sky’s the limit when it comes to finding your perfect RV online,” said Sims. “It’s super convenient and much easier than it ever was before.”

Take a Test Drive.

As with any vehicle purchase, Sims suggests test driving your new RV to get a feel for its maneuverability, handling and power. “When buying an RV, nothing is more valuable than taking a test drive,” says Sims, “so stay focused, pay attention and spend quality time doing it right.”

Sims urges buyers to pay attention to the overall length and maneuverability of a recreation vehicle during the test drive, since this is one of the most important considerations when owning it.

“When an RV is over 38 feet, it will need to be maneuvered in ‘pull-through’ spaces at campgrounds,” says Sims. “What’s more, any towing requirements, such as a tow dinghy, trailer or boat will also dictate the size of RV you’ll need to buy, and hence, how it performs.” Depending on the type of RV, trailer or motor home you need, Sims suggests finding one with a greater turning radius if you plan to tow with it.

Sims says that during the test drive, buyers also need to keep in mind where they plan to store their RV (whether or not they have the accommodations to store and park it depending on its size) where they plan to go with their RV (and whether or not those places provide easy in-and-out access), how often they will use it (whether they’re an RV weekender or full-timer), and as mentioned earlier, whether or not they have any towing requirements (such as a boat, a smaller car, or a trailer with ATVs or motorcycles). All of these factors come into play when assessing an RV’s overall drive-ability and ease of use and the test drive is the most important time to evaluate its handling characteristics he says.

Get the Best Price.

According to Sims, there are a variety of resources a potential RV buyer can investigate to make sure they’re getting the best deal on a new RV.

“Check out online resources such as RVTraderOnline or RVSearch at NADAguides.com,” says Sims, “to compare prices of comparable new makes and models. Delve into your local newspaper to determine retail prices at local RV dealerships in your area or go online to your local RV dealer’s website to research inventory and new RV pricing information there.”

Finally, if you have a pre-owned RV for trade or for sale to a private buyer, Sims urges consumers to check out NADAguides.com used RV pricing information to determine exactly what their pre-owned recreation vehicles are worth.

“Knowing what your pre-owned recreation vehicle is worth is an extremely important part of the new RV buying process,” said Sims. “Not only does the value of your used RV determine a potential new RV down payment, but that information can also be used to determine what you could potentially net in the form of a trade-in or outright sale, to offset other ancillary costs of owning an RV – such as insurance, warranty and service expenses.”

Pop Up Tent Campers

We just got in a big shipment of 2008 Rockwood Pop up tent campers. We have the Premiere and Freedom models. The 1940 LTD and 1640 LTD.Freedom 1910, 1920 BH and 2280 as well as the Premiere 2514G. Prices start at $5,995. You can see floorplans and pictures of all the units on our website briensrv.com

2000 Fleetwood Prowler 37W

2000 Fleetwood Prowler 37W
$16,995
Stock #2512A


This 37 Foot Prowler Bunk House made by Fleetwood RV, just came in on a trade. The unit sleeps 9 and has A/C, Microwave and Stove w/Oven. 2 Door Refrigerator, Barrel Chair, and Queen Bed. See more pictures of this unit at www.briensrv.com

RV Jobs

Brien's RV is expanding and looking to hire new employees. We are looking for a qualified person to run our parts department and also have openings for service techs and qualified drivers to deliver vehicles purchased by our customers. We are located in Fairless Hills PA, close to Philadelphia and only 10 minutes from Trenton NJ. If you think you have the qualifications you can give us a call at 215-946-9530 or stop by our website Briens RV and contact us using our online contact form.

Technorati Tags rvs rv jobs motorhomes recreational vehicles

Sunline Saturn 18T

1992 Saturn by Sunline. This 18ft. Travel Trailer has a Queen Bed, Microwave plus 3 Burner Stove and Oven, Air Conditioning and Heat. This unit is very clean and is one of our specials of the week at only $3,995.

Ready For That First Camping Trip?

Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner! But before you pile the family into your RV and hit the road for that first camping trip of the season, take the time to look over this maintenance checklist I found at koa.com

1. Check that chassis: Give your rig a good going over by checking all fluid levels, the engine battery and even the lights, brakes and wheel lugs. Don’t forget the tire pressure.
2. You might need that generator: Clean up your rig's generator by servicing the air cleaner, check the oil level and make sure it can carry a full charge. Clean the connections, the governor and the choke linkage.
3. Ya gotta keep the beer cold, too: Check your refrigerator by operating it on gas and looking at the burner to ensure that the flame burns blue. Make sure there are no obstructions in the ventilation system. Even check the knobs to make sure they aren’t stripped. That could cause a false thermostat reading.
4. It might get hot: You paid for that air conditioner, so make sure it works correctly. Check all of the air filters, and make sure the coils are clean and free of debris. Check the voltage at the outside panel. Most systems are designed to operate at 120 volts plus or minus 10 percent.
5. Now go inside: Turn off the water pump switch, close the windows and vents and cabinet drawers. Make sure the refrigerator door is closed tightly. How about your fire extinguishers? Are they in working order?
6. It’s the little things you forget: Don’t leave without your prescription medicines and copies of those prescriptions; your sunglasses; camera and film; stationery and stamps; your address book; a tire gauge; spare parts for your generator; a first aid kit; pet supplies, extra toilet chemicals and paper and maps you'll need.
7. Don't forget the "big picture": Be sure your RV insurance is current. Avoid carrying too much cash. Confirm all of your reservations, discontinue your mail and newspaper delivery and notify your neighbors of your return date.
8. Are you towing a car with a bar?: Check all of the connections and welds. Make sure the safety chains are crossed under the coupling and hooked. Check the lights, transmission, drive shaft and parking brake. Take a spare set of keys and don’t attempt to back up when you are hooked up.
9. And finally, just before you pull out: Disconnect and stow the electrical cord, sewer hose and water hose. Check to make sure the TV antenna is down. Turn off the propane. Raise the leveling jacks. Secure the awning, retract the steps, lock the outside door, adjust the rearview mirror, buckle up and GO CAMPING!

RV's on TV

RV Road Home:

RV Road Home is a four-part series on HGTV, that explores the unique ways people use their motorhomes. In this episode, one family travels to the desert outside of Las Vegas to play in the sand with their ATV. Then experience life on the dog show circuit, and travel to Florida for an amazing night launch of the space shuttle. Also, learn about the amazing electronics, sound systems, TVs, and satellite and GPS capabilities in today's RVs.

Show Times :
Sunday - April 08, 2007 9:00 PM ET/PT
Monday - April 09, 2007 1:00 AM ET/PT
Sunday - April 15, 2007 5:00 PM ET/PT