You love to travel. You love being on the open road and going wherever it takes you. You’re not afraid to do without some of the comforts of home in order to have an adventurous life full of unexpected surprises. You think you might be ready to purchase your first RV. So, first things first – congratulations! You’re about to embark on a lifestyle that delivers a variety of benefits, from cost savings to meeting new people to exploring places you’ve never been. But before the fun can start, you need to purchase your first rig and that’s where a lot of people get nervous and shy away.

There’s no question that purchasing an RV, regardless of the make, model or age of the vehicle, is a big commitment and a big investment. You can make the process less stressful by breaking it down step by step, and the first decision you’ll need to make is whether you want to purchase a new or used RV. There are pros and cons to both new and pre-owned RVs, and you’ll feel more confident in your purchase if you thoroughly research all of your options before making a decision.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Pre-Owned RV

One of the obvious benefits of buying a used RV is cost. It is estimated that new RVs can lose as much as 10 to 15 percent of their value as soon as they are driven off the lot. This means you can often get fantastic deals on late-model RVs that haven’t logged a lot of miles and are already updated with many of the newest features and amenities. There is also a good inventory of relatively new, pre-owned rigs since many avid and full-time RVers make trade-ins every few years. Buying a pre-owned RV may be an especially good idea if you are new to RVing and aren’t totally sure that it will be the right fit. The financial commitment of buying a new rig may not be worth it. Be sure to check the market value of any used (or new) rig that you are considering purchasing. Kelley Blue Book and the NADA Appraisal Guide are two good market value resources

One of the disadvantages of buying a used RV is that you may get stuck with a vehicle that has existing problems. Not all RV owners are conscientious when it comes to preventative maintenance and RV care, so there is always the chance that you could purchase a vehicle with internal wear and tear that will soon require attention. However, purchasing a pre-owned RV from a reputable reseller that offers a warranty as well as a vehicle history report helps mitigate the risk of buying a lemon.

Pros and Cons of Buying a New RV

The obvious benefit of buying a new RV is that it’s new. No dings, scratches, previous crashes, or neglect, and no need to worry that the previous owner’s carelessness is going to stick you with costly repairs right away. Most new rigs will also come with a comprehensive warranty for peace of mind on any fixes that are necessary in the first few years of ownership.

Buying new also allows you to look for a rig that already has the latest and greatest built right in. Whether you’re looking for an RV with solar panels, large appliances, slide-outs, GPS, or the newest safety technology, you’re sure to get all the features you want in a new RV if you’re willing to pay the asking price. If you’re planning to resell or trade in your RV within a few years, buying newer is better because you’ll get a better price for later models.

The primary drawbacks of buying a new RV right off the lot are that the vehicle will experience instant depreciation and you will likely have to pay a higher insurance premium and higher taxes due to the higher value of the vehicle.