See Also

Getting Started

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
	Define RV goals How do you plan to use your RV? Is it for weekend outings, longer vacations, as a snowbird, or as a fulltimer?
	Become familiar with RV types Take 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. Class A Motor Home Class B Motor Home Class C Motor Home Fifth Wheel Folding Trailer Travel Trailer Truck Camper
	Review issues important to different RV lifestyles All 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.
	List RV amenities Create 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.
	Create a budget At 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.
	Rent various RV types In 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.
	Choose RV type Review the RV Type Pros & Cons checklist and then decide which one will suit your needs best.
	Choose RV size After 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.
	Tow vehicle type and size If 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.
	Choose RV manufacturers to consider Choose 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.
	Choose RV models to consider Choose 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.
	Request RV insurance quotes Request 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. Add the preliminary insurance premiums to your budget. After you select the exact RV model, you should request quotes from multiple insurance companies. 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.
	Determine fair market value Before 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.
	Inspect before buying new or used When you find an RV that you are interested in, give it a thorough inspection before signing any papers. See the RV Inspection Checklist.
	Practice run Set 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.
	Join the community By 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: Subscribe to our free newsletter to stay informed Research RV clubs to join Join online discussion groups to share ideas

Getting Started

Experienced RVers should also review this list when goals change and before buying a new RV.

Getting Started

Define RV goals

How do you plan to use your RV? Is it for weekend outings, longer vacations, as a snowbird, or as a fulltimer?

Become familiar with RV types

Take 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.

Review issues important to different RV lifestyles

All 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.

List RV amenities

Create 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.

Create a budget

At 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.

Rent various RV types

In 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.

Choose RV type

Review the RV Type Pros & Cons checklist and then decide which one will suit your needs best.

Choose RV size

After 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.

Tow vehicle type and size

If 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.

Choose RV manufacturers to consider

Choose 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.

Choose RV models to consider

Choose 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.

Request RV insurance quotes

Request 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. Add the preliminary insurance premiums to your budget. After you select the exact RV model, you should request quotes from multiple insurance companies.

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.

Determine fair market value

Before 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.

Inspect before buying new or used

When you find an RV that you are interested in, give it a thorough inspection before signing any papers. See the RV Inspection Checklist.

Practice run

Set 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.

Join the community

By 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:

Subscribe to our free newsletter to stay informed
Research RV clubs to join
Join online discussion groups to share ideas

See our complete list of RV checklists at http://ChanginGears.com