I bought a used RV travel trailer a few years ago, and boy, was it interesting! I did my research for months. I Googled RVs, visited dealerships, and scoured Craigslist. When I started, I had an idea of what I wanted, but as I learned more, those ideas changed. Whether you buy a used RV from a private party or from a dealership, here are a few things I learned.

How to Buy a Used RV Tips

There are several essential things I learned, and my initial advice to someone thinking about buying a new or used RV is:

• Decide the type of RV you want to buy. 
• Know how you intend to use it and determine your budget, as this will dictate the size, age, and features. 
• Research lot’s of makes and models: they’re not all created equally.
• Do lots of research on layouts, features, common RV issues, electric, plumbing, and more.
• Visit a dealership and walk through lots of models. 

I’m not going to go into specifics about different brands. Still, I will talk a little about the 2009 Northwood Nash 27T I ultimately bought and why. It’s never been my intent to write an RV blog; however, I do want to share my experiences and knowledge, so I’ll stick to what I’ve learned and know! Besides, this RV will get me closer to a few more dirt paths, which does tie everything together! 

Types of RVs

There is something for everyone, from motor homes to travel trailers and fifth wheels to teardrops. 

Personally, I chose a travel trailer because I happen to have a fully paid-off diesel truck to pull it with. I have a camper shell with a truck bed set-up made for camping that I didn’t want to lose, so a fifth wheel was out of the question. I still want to go camping without my RV, so a travel trailer seemed to be my best option. 

Someone without a towing vehicle may opt for a motorhome. Owners of SUVs or smaller all-wheel-drive cars may need to go with smaller, lightweight options. Your circumstances will dictate the direction you should go. Still, there is something for everyone out there and in a wide variety of price ranges. 

RV Use and Budget: Buying a Used RV

Here is where things can get a little tricky. Brand new RVs can be EXPENSIVE. They may look really awesome on the lot, but as soon as you drive them off, you’ve lost money. And the kicker is, their layouts usually don’t vary much over the years, just the decor and styles. 

In my research, I learned new RVs can require some break-in time. There may be things that weren’t built properly, plumbing that wasn’t installed right, or many other things. So buying a used RV may mean those issues have been worked out already. 

That’s not to say you still won’t have RV issues, but at least you’re not losing money immediately. 

Additionally, the size and age of the RV will affect the price. Because they lose value quickly, you may be better off buying something 5-10 years old. You’ll pay a lot less and get something that is still relatively modern. 

Of course, you can always buy something much older, for much cheaper, and renovate it, but that can take A LOT of time and effort. However, there are many great resources out there that can help you go this route, such as Ashley Mann at rvinspiration.com. 

What will you use your RV for?

Knowing how you will use your RV will help you figure out what size you need and if you need an all-season or not.

Personally, I am going to live in my RV for a while. Eventually, I want to travel, so I had to find a balance between being long enough to live in and small enough to haul around the country. Additionally, some places like National Parks have RV length limits, so you need to make sure you can take it where you want to go.

Four-Season Packages

I mentioned the all-season, sometimes called Four-Season, or Arctic Packages because I live in Montana. I learned I needed a good Four-Season package if I wanted to stay in an RV in the winter. And I realized they are NOT all created equally.

Things you should look for in a good Four-Season RV Arctic Package include:

• A sealed underbelly. This can be misleading because I’ve seen some that are a sheet of plastic covering the bottom but don’t really do much. These may be sufficient for Three-Season camping, but not for the dead of winter. A sealed underbelly helps keep heat in the interior and around the pipes.
• Insulation. Not all insulation is created equal. A good Four-Season package will have 2″ insulation in the walls, ceiling, and underbelly. Some just have a thin layer of aluminum insulation that, again, doesn’t do much when temperatures drop.
• Double-paned windows. Not many RVs come with double-paned windows, but this will help retain heat in winter and help with condensation. You can also replace your current windows with double-paned ones.
• Heat tape and heat pads. Extra heating tape and heating pads around tanks and pipes can help prevent pipes and tanks from freezing. This is a significant concern when living in an RV in the winter as line breaks, and water leaks can wreak havoc on your RV. 

Research Features and Issues Before Buying a Used RV

Features

This is another area where not all things are created equal. Some models may have electric jacks, while others don’t. Some have slides that give added space, but they can break. Ensure there is enough storage to meet your needs because storage differs according to size and model. The size of the black, grey, and freshwater tanks also varies, so know how much you need to camp the way you want to. 

Issues

RVs are notorious for leaking, which can do lots of damage if not fixed immediately. Previous or current water damage is a risk you run when buying used RVs. However, it will happen to most at some point if you’re not careful (and sometimes even if you are!). The key is making sure too much damage hasn’t already been done and always catching it in time. 

If you buy a used RV from an RV dealer, they should have inspected it before you buy it (if they’re reputable, they will). Some of them will even offer something like a short, 30-day limited warranty. If you’re buying a used RV from a private party, don’t just take their word for it. Make sure you do a thorough inspection, checking for soft spots, delamination, and stains on the ceiling.

Walk Through Lots of Models

Visit a dealership so you can walk through lots of models and check out sizes and features. Most dealerships should be okay with this, although be prepared for them to take your information or try to convince you to buy. However, most aren’t as bad as car dealers as far as pressure goes.

Final Thoughts

I spent lots of time looking for my ideal RV. It just so happened that what I wanted, others did too, so I had a tough time getting to them fast enough. It seems like I was always second in line, even after they’d been posted for only an hour. Of course, I did need to buy in the spring, the hottest time of the year to buy an RV. But, perseverance paid off (and looking at Facebook and Craigslist every hour on the hour). 

I found a 2009 Northwood Nash. Northwood is the maker of Arctic Fox, and they have exceptional Arctic Packages. As I took it apart to paint and clean, I could see how high-quality the build and insulation are, making me feel confident all the research I did paid off. 

Buying Used RV Private vs. Dealership

I had hoped to buy from a private party, but buying a used RV from a dealer actually came with some upsides. First, they did a thorough inspection to ensure everything was working right. The batteries were shot, so they put in brand new ones and they also replaced the sink faucet as it was broken. They did a thorough inspection of the seals and checked for water damage. 

They offered a 30-day limited warranty on some of the components. It only paid for half of certain things if they were found to be broken, but it was better than nothing. Finally, they gave me a “starter” kit, which included a sewer and water hose. However, the RV technician who did the walk-thru with me said, “you get what you pay for,” and advised me to upgrade. 

They did the walk-through with me and showed me how to use the RV, which was excellent. I feel confident if I have any questions or issues, I can give them a call and help me figure it out. 

Finally, the benefit of buying a used RV is often these will come with things like sway bars, a hitch, and perhaps even a bike rack or tool box on the back. These are things you don’t think about when buying an RV, but can cost you several hundred dollars brand new and usually don’t come included. 

Good luck out there! And if you’re an experienced RV buyer, let me know other lessons you’ve learned in RV buying!