5 Tips For Buying Your First Motorhome

This is a collaborative post

A motorhome can completely transform your family holidays. No more paying high prices for expensive hotels, or pitching a tent on a soggy campsite field. A motorhome, otherwise known as a campervan, recreational vehicle or RV, offers the complete package. It serves not only as your transport for the duration of your holiday, but also your accommodation too. You can save a great deal of money by investing in a RV, and it can open you up to a world of new travel experiences.

But buying a motorhome does not come cheap, and it’s a big decision to make. There are so many options on the market, it can be difficult for someone with no RV experience to know which one to choose. To help you select your perfect holiday vehicle, here are five key tips for buying your first motorhome.

Do your research

It’s important you don’t rush into buying your RV. Many first time buyers take well over a year to assess all the options and make their decision. The right motorhome will serve you and your family for many years to come, so it’s a major investment and you need to be sure you are making an informed decision. You can learn a lot by searching the internet. Look at RV websites, browse specifications and features, read reviews, and ask questions on relevant discussion forums. Come up with a shortlist of your favorite models.

Visit a motorhome show

One of the best ways to compare different RVs and learn more about them is to visit a motorhome show. There are several events running across the country throughout the year, where you have the opportunity to look at a variety of vehicles inside and out. You can ask the sales reps any questions you might have, as well as potentially getting yourself a significant discount on your chosen RV.

Choose your ideal layout

Motorhomes come in all shapes and sizes, and the exact layout will depend on your individual needs. It needs to be the right size for your family to sleep in, without feeling too cramped if you spend a rainy day indoors. Consider which features you would like. Do you need a chemical toilet or a separate sleeping area for the adults? You’ll be spending a lot of time in your new motorhome so you want to make sure it is perfect.

Try before you buy

You’d never buy a car without test driving it first, and the same should apply to your new motorhome. You could start by renting out an RV for the weekend, getting a taste for the lifestyle as well as what it’s like to handle such a large vehicle. Visit a showroom and ask to take a model out for a test drive before you sign anything.

Work out the logistics

There’s a lot of admin that comes with owning an RV. You need to tax it, insure it, and find a place to store it. Make sure you can afford it before buying, and consider a finance plan to help you spread out the cost. If you don’t have room on your property, find a place to store your RV near you to keep it safe until your next holiday.