RVING 101: How to become an RVer

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The following information is for those people curious enough about RVing to have reached this Web site, but who've barely begun the journey that culminates in buying a brand new rig.

Step 1: Decide whether RVing is for you. Take a personal inventory of your likes and dislikes and think about how RVing might or might not suit you. Think about your goals as a traveler or adventure seeker. You might want to take our "Are you an RVer" test.

Step 2: Decide which kind of RV best suits who you are and the kind of RVer you think you want to become. You may not be able to afford your dream RV yet, but you can start thinking about the goal and making RVing decisions now that will help you reach that goal. Take a look at our descriptions of RV types, which includes some thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of each kind. Since you have Internet access, start participating in RVing forums, such as RV-Talk, where you can learn more about your RVing options.

Step 3: Start visiting RV dealerships, just to get an idea of what an RV is, what's inside and what features are available. This is a good time to take a closer look at the differences between a Class A and a Class C or a travel trailer and a 5th wheel. Be up front with any salesmen you meet that you're just exploring right now and have no intention of buying anything soon. A good dealership will let you wander in and out of the units on its lot without pressuring you to buy. If pressured, leave.

Step 4: Subscribe to an RVing magazine, such as Trailer Life or MotorHome. Join an RV club, such as the RVClub. This is part of your education process and the knowledge and information you gain will heighten your enthusiasm for RVing.

Step 5: Rent an RV. Ideally, pick a rig that is like the one you would buy now if you could. Your first trip out should just be a short weekend outing to a nearby campground with full hookups. You're just testing the water at this point: Does RVing really appeal to you?

Step 6: Rent again. This time, take at least a week and travel further from home. Try staying at two or three different campgrounds. If you feel confident enough, try boondocking one night.

Step 7: It's not a bad idea to rent at least two more times. At least one of those times, you should try a different kind of RV. If you rented a Class C the first two times, try a Class A or a Class B. If you rented a pop-up, try a small travel trailer. The goal is to see if another style RV might actually suit you better.

Step 8: Join the RV Consumers Group. Now you're getting ready to make your first RV purchase. You'll want to get a copy of the RVing Rating Book and start increasing your knowledge about who the good and bad manufacturers are. Some of this you will have learned from your participation in the RVClub, but now you want to start organizing your thoughts.

Step 9a: Start looking for a used RV to buy. Even if you can afford a brand new, luxury class RV, it's best to start with a used unit. Ideally, you'll spend two or three years RVing in a used model. In those two or three years, you will learn a lot about RVing and what you like and don't like about your own RV and the kind of new RV you will potentially purchase some day. You will make a much better buying decision on a new unit if you have gained some solid RVing experience.

Step 9b: You should visit five to 10 RV dealers (hopefully, from your previous window shopping, you've identified which dealers seem to be the best to deal with in your area) and look over various RV classifieds before making a buying decision. Take notes. On every RV lot, you will identify at least one unit that has potential. Write down the maker, model and year of each potential unit. List all of its good and bad points. Take along your RV Rating Book and eliminate any units that are poorly rated.

Step9c: After you've identified five to 10 potential purchases, sit down and compare them. Which units score the highest on your personal likes and dislikes scale? Narrow the list to three choices. Find out as much as you can about them. Ask questions about them on RVing forums, such as RV-Talk. Try to find out the Blue Book value of each unit. Look at classifieds on the Internet and other sources and see how these units are priced. Are your picks priced fairly?

Step9d: Decide on your top pick. Decide on a fair price range -- the low end that will be your initial offer and the high end that, if pushed, you will pay.

Step9e: If the offer is accepted, congratulations. If not, move to your second or third choice. If necessary, expand your search area.

Step 10: RV as often as possible. Take several extended vacations over a two or three year period. Take several weekend trips. Keep a journal of your adventures and your RVing experience. You can review these notes later when you begin the process of buying a brand new RV.

Step 11: Start preparing to buy a new RV. Review your notes and thoughts on your RVing experience so far. What have you enjoyed? What have you disliked? What could be improved? What kind of RV would best suit a more serious RVing lifestyle (especially if you plan on becoming a fulltimer -- the rig you buy now is likely to be your fulltiming vehicle). Buy the latest copy of the RV Rating Book.

Step 12: Read the RV Rating Book carefully. Pick out two to five makes and models that interest you and are well rated. Find out the dealers in your area that carry these brands and visit them.

Step 13: Visit the dealerships that carry the units that interest you. Make it clear that you don't plan on buying anything soon. You're just looking. If you feel pressured, leave the lot and go to the next closest dealer that carries the same units.

Step 14: Narrow your favorites to one make and model. Find out from the manufacturer (this information may be on the manufacturer's Web site) what options are available. Write down the options you want. Find out from the manufacturer which dealers within a 500-mile radius of your home carry the make and model you want.

Step 15: Call each of those dealers. Tell them exactly what you want. Ask them how much they would sell that unit for. Make sure they know you are calling other dealers asking the same question. Let them bid against each other. Remember, however, the best price doesn't necessarily mean the best deal. You should only buy from a dealer that you feel comfortable with and that you are confident will continue to provide you good service after the purchase. A solid relationship with a reputable dealer can be worth a few extra hundred dollars on the purchase price.

Step 16: Arrange your financing, order your coach, get excited.

Step 17: Take delivery and embark on your shakedown cruise, which should probably be a short trip to nearby campground. You don't want to get too far from the dealership until you're confident that your new rig is problem free and ready for the open road.

Step 18: Begin your new adventure and have fun.

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