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If you enjoy going on long road trips with your family or close friends, then surely you have noticed that your car is not the most comfortable vehicle for this type of adventure. Due to this reason, you should consider buying an RV. Yes, getting one of these is almost the same as investing in a completely new car, so you might want to consider purchasing a used one.

Still, there are numerous things you have to consider in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong. We are not only talking about finding the right vehicle for you, which definitely should be your first concert, but also where to find and buy one. There are some useful buying guides you need to know from this article.

source:pxfuel.com

In this article, we have gathered a list of tips that you should definitely use when on the hunt for your new RV. If after reading the text you still have some doubts, you can look for additional advice on the Skoolie Livin website. 

Know Your Requirements

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Before you start contacting the sellers in your area or even researching them online, the very first thing that you have to do is to figure out what kind of vehicle you are looking for. Think about the size you need i.e. the number of people you want to travel with. Don’t forget to take the terrain into consideration. Also, do you want a motorhome or a towable one? How often are you going to use it, once a month or once a year? Clearly, you also have to think about maintenance fees.

There is no point in starting the search because not only is this a big investment which means that it is also a quite expensive one, but you might end up with a vehicle that you simply cannot use as you have initially intended to. If you have never owned one of these, our advice is to start by researching what is available on the market. Then, once you have found one that meets all your requirements, you can begin to look for people selling it.

Dealer or a private owner?

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As you probably know, when purchasing a new vehicle, you have two options – you can get it from a licensed dealer or a private owner. Both of these have their pros and cons but you should make sure to look at all the options available. 

Start by search some of the dealers nearby and check out their offer. At the same time, you shouldn’t forget about visiting some websites and looking for ads posted by private owners that are selling their RVs. You never know where you will find the best deal.

Never buy something that you haven’t seen

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The first rule of purchasing anything, let alone an RV is to always go and inspect it in person. No, reading an ad online and exchanging a few sentences with the owner, is not enough. You have to go and meet with them and also investigate every part of the vehicle by yourself. Look for any signs of damage or mold, check the ceiling for leaks, test the walls and the floor, and so on.

If for any reason, the seller tries to avoid this meeting, then you should immediately forget about them, and move on to the next person. It doesn’t matter how cheap the vehicle is, if you do not have the opportunity to inspect everything, then there is probably a catch and you will be throwing the money down the drain.

Inquire about the history

Upon finding a potential seller, it is time to learn some basic information. Learning about the previous owners and how often the RV was driven will allow you to assess is it really worth your time and money. You can get complete records online and find out whether it’s been ever stolen or gravely damaged, and so on. 

If you want to conduct this search, all you need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that the owner can provide you with it. In addition, you are also going to learn about the manufacturer’s specifications and other details about different parts of it.

Moreover, do not forget to talk with the seller. Ask them about the maintenance fees, warranties, and even about the reason why they are selling it. You can get a lot of useful information just by asking the right questions.

Don’t forget about the mileage

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This is another thing that you should ask about. Most people would opt for buying an RV with low mileage, but you have to consider that there might be a reason for this. Maybe there is some issue that is not visible.

On the other hand, generally speaking, vehicles that haven’t been driven for a long time require a detailed service. This can be just another expense that you might have to pay. Experts recommend that you consider an RV that has between 10,000 and 35,000 miles on it.

Go on a test drive

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This is another step that you cannot miss. Once you have gathered all the information, it is time to test it. Again, if the seller won’t allow you to try it out, it should be a red flag for you. You cannot put down the payment without going for a ride. Without a doubt, this is the most important thing, especially if you have never owned an RV before. 

It doesn’t only have to meet all your needs, but also, it has to be comfortable for both the driver and the passengers. Clearly, you also have to ensure that it is easy to navigate.

Make an offer

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Upon finding the right vehicle, testing it and gathering all the information, it is time to make an offer on it. Our advice is to check out its market value, take into consideration all downside if there are any, and then come up with the price. 

sefinancial.com is a great resource for RV financing. They offer a wide variety of options for financing your RV, and they have a team of experts who can help you find the best option for your needs.

This is important because you want to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Let’s be realistic, no one will go below the value, and on the other hand, you do not want to overpay for it.