The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Right Motorhome for Your Trip

Motorhome can be one of the most significant purchases of your life! First of all, it will give you the freedom you’ve dreamed about. Secondly, it will literally change your life because you will need to devote so much time to your ‘home away from home.’ Owning something huge like this is a real commitment, so make sure you choose the right type of RV.

Keep in mind, there are a lot of different things to consider about your future house on wheels. The good thing is that you are in the right place to do so. Check out this ultimate guide and let’s get it started:

Used or new motorhome?

Buying a new motorhome can be a fantastic experience. Everything will look nice and work properly. Also, you will have a warranty. It means you will be able to get some help from manufacture if something goes wrong. The only drawback of the new RV is its price.

You can also take a look at second-hand motorhomes. You will be surprised, but there are a lot of  old RVs in good condition. If you don’t know much about it, ask other motorhomes owners to help you out. Another great thing is that you can buy a used one and invest some money in renovating it, so it can look the way you want.

All about ‘the classes’

You can divide all motorhomes into three classes: A, B, and C.

The type A motorhome is the largest type you can get. So, if you want to have a lot of space and all of the comforts of your house, this option will be ideal for you. There is everything your family will need for comfort travelling: kitchen, bathroom, sleeping quarters. It usually has two queen beds, one double bed, eight seat belts and two slide outs. It is important to mention that Class A in the most expensive motorhome. The new one would cost up to $200.000; all the prices depend mostly on the manufacturer.

Class B is considered more economical compared to Class A. It also has all the necessary things such as stove, shower, refrigerator, toilet, sink, and one queen-size bed. You can take up to two passengers with you. If you want to travel with a bigger family, consider buying Class A motorhome.

Class C motorhomes cost less than Class B and A. However, they are the smallest you can find – their average length is around 24 feet. If you plan to travel with Class C, consider keeping your passenger limit to two.

Testing

It doesn’t matter whether you want to buy a new motorhome or used one, you should test all the systems in the first place! Don’t buy a pig in a poke; touch and click everything you see especially when you are dealing with individual sellers. So, don’t hesitate to bring personal things such as a water hose, a phone charger, and an outlet adapter, and check everything in boondocking mode (camping without hookups).

First of all, test water systems. You will need to hook a hose up, one end attached to the water intake line in the motorhome and the other to a source of running water. It will help to check if the toilet, shower and the sink work the way you want. You can also take a look around the bathroom and underneath the sink to spot signs of leaks.

Besides the water system, you will also need to check the electricity. To do so, connect a battery to the motorhome and turn on some lights. In addition, check the air conditioner and the breaker box to see the switches.

Propane system is another important thing on the list. Basically, it serves as fuel for your heaters and stovetop. To test it, you need to find the existing propane cylinders and check all the available burners.

Keep in mind, it will take some time for the refrigerator in the motorhome to get cold. So, if you want to verify if it works, call ahead and ask the seller to turn it on before you come.

After you check water, sewage, electrical and propane system, let’s go further. Take a look at the motorhome roof. Ideally, try to sit there. The motorhome roof should be able to support at least two adults without any problem.

Ask questions

To make up your mind and buy your first motorhome, you will need to ask yourself a lot of questions. That’s right, no seller will answer what you want to do with your future house on wheels. However, they can guide you after you tell them about your plans and intentions. Think how many people and pets will be travelling with you. Every motorhome has limited space, so you’d better like your ‘passengers.’

Also, answer what you plan to do with your RV. If you want to travel on the weekend only, consider getting a smaller motorhome, so that it will take less fuel.

Before buying a motorhome of your dreams, calculate how much you will have to spend on it. Once you decide on your budget, you will be able to determine whether you will buy a used or a new RV. Also, make a list of supplies you will have to buy extra. The list of essential things includes a quiet generator, sheets for the bed, first aid kit, dump hose, and water pressure regulator.