Time to buy an RV? - AmericaNowNews.com

Time to buy an RV?

Have you ever thought about owning an RV? Our auto expert, Steve Strope, says you should consider the pros and cons of maintenance before you commit to buying one.

Shannon Nill, the president of Guaranty RV Super Centers in Eugene, Oregon, says RV ownership isn't for everyone. Determining if you are a good candidate is the first important step.

"The first thing you want to do is determine your usage that your family would be needing," says Shannon.

There are three categories:

  1. Weekend Warrior. These are families that still work for a living, kids are in school. Their vacations are three-day weekends and summer or holiday vacations.
  2. Then the next category is folks whose kids have grown, perhaps moved out. They're going to be doing some extended-stay RV-ing.
  3. Then there's the full-time group, a couple that like to get out and spend more than six months a year on the road.

The next question would be whether to purchase a new or used vehicle.

"Both have merit," says Shannon. "A pre-owned is going to save you money, but you're going to need to be doing more research on the quality of this motor home. You're going to want to ask about service records. And there are some good buys in pre-owned."

New motor homes have the benefit of a factory warranty, and this is a budget item, too. If you're in a position to buy new, you will be the first ones to sleep in that unit.

Next on the list is, how will you pay for it?

"Budget-wise, you'll be spending a lot less at once," says Shannon. "You might have a small down-payment, but you're going to be making a monthly payment. And terms on RVs are able to be extended a little bit longer than cars. You also get to take a deduction as a second home."

What about storage? What does somebody do about that?

"If a family has room, parking the unit by the home is ideal," says Shannon. "For folks who don't have room, there are qualified rental or storage areas that will give you a safe place to park your unit."

And the number one mistake you see people making when it comes to buying an RV?

"An impulse purchase at an RV show," says Shannon. "It's easy to get razzle-dazzled, you're looking at a lot of products and you're talking to a lot of people. They might try to force you into something you're not ready for. Doing your homework is a very important part of the RV purchase."

The RV lifestyle has a lot to offer, but think of buying a motor home like buying a house. It is a financial commitment.

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