Insider Tips: What do I need to know BEFORE I go camper shopping?

Patrick ended up selling RVs at the lot where we bought ours. Local to our home base, we were impressed with their laid-back approach and honesty—enough that Patrick was willing to invest hours during our time at home to help others find their dream campers. During his time on the lot, he’s seen a wide range of buyers and knowledge levels. Below he offers helpful hints for first-time RV buyers.

By Patrick Lynch

Buying a camper and visualizing the many adventures you’ll embark on is exciting, but it’s important to begin your search prepared. I’ll admit Lauren and I began our camper-buying on an impulse in the beginning. We were lucky. Often, RV shoppers end up with either a camper that’s too small for their needs out of fear or one that’s more than they can handle by buying for interior luxuries. We found a great deal on one that had been only used for a couple of weeks and met most of our needs. While we occasionally dream of upgrading, we love our camper. It was practical, affordable and light enough that we can fill it up with fun stuff. Which leads me to our first point …

Important Things to Consider Before Choosing a Towed RV

Know your limits! It’s very important to know how much your truck can tow – or how much truck you’ll need to invest in to safely move the travel trailer of your dreams. I can’t tell you how often I hear, “My truck can tow 7000 pounds and this camper is only 6500 pounds!” (If you don’t know why that’s a problem, be sure to read on!)

I meet a lot of first-time buyers. I don’t work for commission, so my only motive is to help people find what works best for them. What is important to keep in mind when choosing what style and size of RV you want? The following information is my personal opinion from experience and speaking with other RV experienced people. Here are some things to consider…

• Do your homework beforehand and know what your vehicle is capable of towing — or what tow vehicle you’re willing to buy. What can a vehicle tow? Many learn this number and think that it is the maximum trailer weight they can buy because that is what their vehicle can tow. A more realistic approach is to find what your vehicle can tow and aim at staying at least twenty percent under that (twenty-five percent under is even better). So if your vehicle is rated to tow 10,000 pounds, a max loaded trailer weight of around 7,500 pounds should be your limit.
  
• Know what the various weight specifications mean. Travel trailers will list a dry weight. The dry weight is the eight of the trailer itself after it leaves the factory. Keep in mind that everything you add to the trailer increases that weight—from kitchen supplies to bedding, clothes, and food. Even light-weight goods will add up quickly. (A good rule of thumb is that most campers bring an additional 1500 pounds of gear and supplies along.) Dry weight also does not include water, battery or propane.
  
• Estimate your total load.
  The second thing to consider on your tow vehicle is the payload. Hitch weight, truck cargo, and passengers also add to your vehicle payload. Lighter trucks may boast generous tow capacities but tend to handle less payload.

• Consider hitch weight and look for a good anti-sway weight distribution system. Some think airbags are a good answer to keeping the trailer and truck level but I believe the way the weight gets distributed is bad and does not do much to improve steering safety.

What to Know Before You Go

• Know how much you can afford.
  If you will be financing an RV, there are more than credit score and debt ratios to consider. It’s a good idea to have a cushion of savings available for the inevitable upgrades, maintenance, and repairs you can expect. There will be customizations you’ll likely need to make to fit your personal needs and preferences. [See our post on how to get more space out of an RV bathroom, for example.] Consider how you’ll store it or cover it to protect your RV from the elements. It’s also a good idea to replace factory tires as soon as possible in most cases.
  
  RVs depreciate an estimated twenty percent the moment you drive them off the lot and about five percent more each additional year. If you finance one for fifteen years, by the time you pay it off, it will be worth less than half of what you paid for it. Know what is realistic for your budget. Don’t expect to find a luxury recreational vehicle in the fourteen to thirty thousand dollar range.

• Plan on paying additional fees.
  There is often sales tax (depending on your location) and fees for title and tags. Some dealers may have destination and administration fees. Expect a charge for prepping the camper (cleaning, battery, propane, etc.) that will add on a few hundred dollars. The dealer will likely offer you optional warranties at an additional fee (decide beforehand if this is something you prefer or will want to decline). Additionally, you may be able to purchase anti-sway and weight distribution equipment that they set up for you. You may also need to buy a brake controller, which will cost extra.

• Understand Trade-in Issues.
  Most RV campers change their idea of what is ideal after they’ve been on a few trips and have a better idea of what their preferences actually are. This leads to trade-in challenges. The more you trade in a financed recreational vehicle, the more you are likely you are to get “upside down” in your financing (where you owe more than it’s worth). Take a substantial amount of time to imagine how your camping style will play out in any RV you consider buying. Be as realistic as possible.

• Budget for accessory and gear expenses.
  There will be additional supplies you’ll need before your first trip: water hoses, water filters, sewer hose, sewer hose storage (read our blog post on hose storage ideas), surge protector, water pressure regulator, locks (for anything left outside the camper at any point), leveling blocks, linens, kitchen supplies (see our kitchen favorites), and cleaning supplies to name the basics.

RV Shopping Tips

• Have a general idea of what you want before you go.
  I have had customers ask to see campers and that is all they could tell me. They would be very happy to have me walk around with them for six hours and unlock camper after camper (on our lot, we only unlock all the campers on the weekends when we allow visitors to freely explore on their own). For better use of everyone’s time and energy, do some research beforehand. Visit manufacturer sites to get an idea of what your favorites are and look for a dealer that offers them. Then visit a dealer to view your favorite floor plans. (Visiting dealer websites will give you an idea of what to expect for pricing and specials before your visit as well.)

• Airstream (airstream.com)
• Coachmen (coachmenrv.com)
• Dutchmen (dutchmen.com)
• Forest River (forestriverinc.com/rvs)
• Jayco (jayco.com)
• Keystone (keystonerv.com)
• Winnebago (winnebagoind.com)

Consider the features and construction materials that are important to you beforehand. Do you prefer a wood frame or aluminum? Smooth-sided exterior or traditional metal-sided? Do you want a drop-in air conditioner or ducted? One or two AC units? 30 amp or 50 amp?

• Imagine yourself camping in the RV. Open drawers and cabinets. Be sure there is adequate storage for the gear you like to take along. Check out appliances, sleeping arrangements, storage and most of all … sit on the toilet to make sure it offers the legroom you need (big & tall men, in particular). Just don’t use it! Allow for plenty of time to look over campers in your desired weight range. (If there is no salesperson with you, you can often find a dry weight listed on the trailer tongue or inside the door frame.)
  
• If possible, shop at dealers where the sales staff is not on commission. Call before your visit and ask. See if there are days when they have all the campers unlocked so you can check them out on your own. Some dealers keep their prices low and won’t haggle (if you’ve done your research before buying, you’ll recognize a fair deal when you see it.)
  
• Be considerate of your salesperson’s time. Stopping by late in the day for random viewing with a salesman who has been at it all day is not very considerate. Ask questions but don’t expect the salesman to know absolutely everything (on busy lots, inventory can change rapidly and the selection is often extensive). Be willing to read a brochure for more specific details.
  
• Focus on the positives. Complaining about what each camper should have but doesn’t or what is wrong with each camper will not change it. The salesperson does not have any connection to the factory or a way to influence design changes. What you see is what is available. Most manufacturers have been building RVs for many decades and focus on making improvements each year. Designs are created with safety, weight distribution, and cost-effectiveness in mind. While some of the interior arrangements may seem odd, there is usually a very specific reason for the location, size, and materials used.
  
• Take notes. You will likely have many questions as you explore the various models. Take a pad of paper along and jot down all the details to refer to later. Take photos on your cell phone of floorplan features you especially like.

• Be prepared to be flexible. By all means, prepare a list of what you hope to find, but remember that a list of wants is just that. A dealership will do their best to help you find what will come closest to making you happy. That said, it is likely you will need to compromise on a few items or be willing to customize after you buy. (RV salespeople are usually RVers themselves and have gone through this same process themselves. Most will be willing to offer tips and recommendations, but can’t work miracles.)
  
• Understand that detailed inspections are done at the final walk-through after purchase. You are not likely to find many campers powered up on a lot during the shopping process. Reputable dealers will ensure that new purchases are in good working condition and you have the right to insist on this before you take possession. (Used purchases may require more negotiation.) However, don’t expect to be able to do this during the shopping process. If you want to know what an awning looks like out, you will need to refer to manufacturer brochures. Dealer lots are not the place to do this.

• Understand that it’s unlikely you’ll find the “perfect” camper.
  At times I find myself helping buyers to set more realistic expectations. After showing one couple many campers one day the wife commented that they should have women design them. The man laughed and commented that no one would be able to afford them. (Or tow it, I thought to myself.) I’m sure there are plenty of women designing great campers. The real problem is, everyone has different personal preferences and needs—so the odds of one camper meeting every desire are low. And there is only so much that can be done with an eight-foot-wide space while keeping it safe and light enough to tow.

Despite the somewhat overwhelming aspects of shopping for an RV, it can also be fun! That is especially true if you start the process prepared. Some of the floorplans are truly amazing and it’s exciting to imagine a life on the road with all the amenities they offer. Take your time, do your homework and you can find a camper that will keep your family happy for years to come!

If you have any questions or want to pick the brain of an RV salesman before you head out to shop, comment below!

© Patrick Lynch and artofrv.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Lynch and artofrv.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.