Cruising around in a recreational vehicle is the dream of many. You can set up shop anywhere, and have a travel experience that is so much more unique than heading right to a destination and checking into the hotel. But, like any type of travel experience, there are advantages and disadvantages, things you will like, and things you may not like. Nothing is perfect. You want to carefully consider whether you think this way of traveling is right for you, and your choice of vehicle. Here are a few tips to help you out.
Talk with Experienced Owners
Talking with experienced owners is important if you are thinking about taking the plunge into RV ownership—whether you are thinking about going full-time or extended vacations, they can give you valuable information that will help you decide on the best vehicle, and whether this is the right move for you. Like anything else in life, it is easy to romanticize life on the open orad, and totally gloss over the things that might not be so great.
Being you don’t have any experience, there are things that will not even occur to you when considering this lifestyle or your RV purchase. Reach out to people you know who own RVs. The internet is a great resource as you can connect with people all over on various forums, who would be more than happy to answer your questions and share their expertise.
Test the Waters First
If you have not spent any significant amount of time in an RV, it is probably a good idea to do so before buying one. Besides a house, this is probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy, and jumping in without having any real idea of what it is like to actually travel and live in one, may not be the smartest idea. Again, there may be lots of romanticizing going on, and you want that first-hand experience to determine if the ‘drawbacks’ are ones you can live with. You are in a small space, and if you are traveling with a spouse, it will feel even smaller. You may not love the cramped shower or that you can’t indulge in certain hobbies because they are not feasible aboard a recreational vehicle.
Choose Your RV Carefully
Don’t rush into your purchase. There are many different types of RVs, from big, fancy luxury homes on wheels to columbus fifth wheels that you hitch to a back of a truck. You might consider renting different kinds to experience each first hand, and compare them more accurately. Whether or not you will buy used will depend on many individual factors, and you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each purchase against your financial situation, how often you plan to travel, and other individual factors. RV shows are a great place to see what is on offer, but don’t fall prey to the temptation to buy one there. Your lack of experience, and getting swept up in the excitement, paired with an aggressive sales environment could spell trouble.
