Getting StartedIf you are new to the recreational vehicle (RV) lifestyle, you owe it to yourself to become well informed before jumping in. Uninformed RV consumers are likely to make unwise choices financially, emotionally, and concerning safety. Experienced RVers should also review this list when goals change and before buying a new RV. Below we have compiled a list of steps to guide you through the planning and purchase of an RV. We stopped short of numbering the steps because many can be done out of sequence. We do recommend the sequence as listed below, especially when it involves buying decisions. Our text contains glossary terms underlined with green dashes to indicate that you can hover your mouse or click for the definition. You may also take advantage of our full listing in the Glossary of RV Terms.
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Changin' Gears (http://ChanginGears.com)
Recreational vehicle information for RV camping and the RV lifestyle
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If you are new to the recreational vehicle (RV) lifestyle, you owe it to yourself to become well informed before jumping in. Uninformed RV consumers are likely to make unwise choices financially, emotionally, and concerning safety.
Experienced RVers should also review this list when goals change and before buying a new RV.
Below we have compiled a list of steps to guide you through the planning and purchase of an RV. We stopped short of numbering the steps because many can be done out of sequence. We do recommend the sequence as listed below, especially when it involves buying decisions.
Our text contains glossary terms underlined with green dashes to indicate that you can hover your mouse or click for the definition. You may also take advantage of our full listing in the Glossary of RV Terms.
Getting Started |
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Define RV goalsHow do you plan to use your RV? Is it for weekend outings, longer vacations, as a snowbird, or as a fulltimer? |
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Become familiar with RV typesTake some time to review the introduction pages to each RV type. No need to research each type in detail at this point—that comes later. |
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Review issues important to different RV lifestylesAll RVing lifestyles have many things in common, yet each has its own special requirements. Review our RV Lifestyles Examined article to learn about the differences. |
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List RV amenitiesCreate a list of amenities that you would like to have in an RV based on your selected lifestyle. Divide the list into "must have" and "optional" sections. Use our RV Amenities checklist as a guide. |
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Create a budgetAt this point you should have a rough idea of your desired RV lifestyle and the specifics are coming into focus. Now is the time to create a budget. See Budget for the RV Lifestyle to help you get started. Knowing what you are able and willing to afford will save you precious time by narrowing down your choices. |
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Rent various RV typesIn the following steps you need to make decisions on the type and size of the RV. Consider renting several RV types to help you decide. Living in an RV for a few days will give you insights that you can not get on the sales lot. See our Rent an RV page for guidance. |
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Choose RV typeReview the RV Type Pros & Cons checklist and then decide which one will suit your needs best. |
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Choose RV sizeAfter choosing the RV type, determine the size based on your needs. Review Understanding RV Weights and research all relevant weights. For large RV's also review RV Driver's License Requirements. |
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Tow vehicle type and sizeIf you chose a towable RV such as a travel trailer or fifth wheel, determine the size of vehicle required to tow it. See Tow Vehicle Sizing for guidance. |
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Choose RV manufacturers to considerChoose the RV manufacturers that meet your criteria with the help of RV Consumer Group resources in the "Must Read" section of our books list. The "Ratings" CD's are especially important to quickly select manufacturers with good track records of quality and safety. Consult our Manufacturers list where you can search by RV type. |
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Choose RV models to considerChoose a small number of RV models that meet your needs from each manufacturer selected previously. Keep in mind that the average owner keeps their RV for five years, so do your best to anticipate your needs for this span of time. |
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Request RV insurance quotesRequest one or more preliminary RV insurance quotes using the likely RV and truck models you are considering.
A good starting point is
Good Sam VIP Insurance. If you request a quotation from your existing insurance agent, be aware that he may or may not have specialized RV insurance. To understand the differences between auto and RV insurance, see the RV Insurance FAQ's. |
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Determine fair market valueBefore heading out to buy, do some research to determine the fair market value of each RV model you selected. Do this even if you are planning to buy a new unit. See Determining an RV's Fair Market Value. |
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Inspect before buying new or usedWhen you find an RV that you are interested in, give it a thorough inspection before signing any papers. See the RV Inspection Checklist. |
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Practice runSet up your RV as soon after buying it as possible. If you do not have immediate travel plans, find the nearest RV park and set up your unit there. Live in your new RV a few days to find potential problems before you head out on your big trip. See the RV Departure Checklist: Motor Homes or RV Departure Checklist: Trailers. |
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Join the communityBy now you have gained a lot of knowledge about RV's and the RV lifestyle. Join the RV community to further your knowledge, find helpful information, and share your experiences with others. Next steps:
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See our complete list of RV checklists at http://ChanginGears.com