Before we bought both of our RV’s (which have both been Class A motorhomes), we did lots of research, put lots of thought into our decisions, figured out the purpose of our RV, and talked to LOTS of other RV owners. We knew we were going to full-time so lots of space was important, but, budget was certainly a concern. It was important to get the features that we deemed important – like a large kitchen, multiple opposing slide outs, a king size bed, etc. We looked, thought, discussed, and pondered for nearly three years before buying our first RV. The planning paid off and we were very happy, satisfied RV owners. We are glad to say that both of our experiences at Sherman RV in Mississippi and Colerain RV in Cincinnati have been very positive and we would recommend both to prospective buyers.
If you are thinking about buying an RV, ask yourself lots of questions:
- Where will you be camping? RV Resorts, state parks, or boon docking in the desert?
- How often and how long will you be camping? Will you be traveling every three or four days or parked for extended periods of time? Are you going full-time or just a few months out of the year?
- What are the “creature comforts” you want? A large living area, bunks for the kids/grandkids, outside kitchen? Do you need space for your pets?
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to tow a car or tow a trailer?
Step 1: The “Looking” Period
On-line resources are great and can help you narrow in on what you want but going to dealerships and RV shows are a great way to see the unit in person and get a feel for the quality. Locate nearby dealers and spend time browsing their lots. Hopefully, you will find a dealer where you are free to look on your own and not have to be in the presence of a pushy, under-knowledged salesperson. Local RV shows are a great way to see a plethora of RV’s and get feedback from other owners and prospective buyers. We found that when looking at shows we were able to talk to other owners and get their feedback – a much more honest opinion than a salesperson. What did they like about their RV, how was the warranty, did they like the dealership and get good follow up service? Talking to other owners will give you a better perspective than a salesman working on commission. But beware: what some people like or don’t like may not be an issue or concern for you.
![]() |
Lazydays in Florida has a huge inventory and was a good place for us to look at the manufacturers we were interested in. |
![]() |
The Tampa RV Show is one of the largest so you might want to plan on spending a few days there. |
Step 2: Negotiating and Purchase
Here comes the agonizing part. So you know what you want and have picked out the make, model, color scheme, options and now it comes down to money. Go back to the computer for some on-line research to see what prices and inventory are out there as you may have to order it. Whether new or used you want to get a feel for what you will be paying as that sticker price you saw is NOT what you should be paying. Spend a lot of time online looking and talking to dealers around the country. Call them and talk to them directly. Putting them in competition with each other only benefits you. And DON’t tell them what the other guy is offering on price because it pays to keep them wondering whether or not they are offering you the lowest price. Be nice, be firm and play hard ball. After you buy your rig you may never see them again and they really won’t care, trust our experience. You can be nice but don’t think they are emotionally involved with your happiness as the reality is, they need to make a living and your purchase helps them do that! They will want you to call them the next time you want to purchase so that adds up to a bit of their caring. Many of them are very nice people and will take your calls for a while when you have questions but they have bosses that are telling them to make sales and your purchase is pretty much what matters to them. We hope dealers are reading this because we would sure like their feedback when it comes to how they get to the bottom line.
Our approach was to call all of the dealers around the entire country and see if they could provide what we wanted (and we were very specific about the model, colors, and options). Next we provided them with details on our trade. Be aware: you have much more bargaining power if you do not have a trade. What mattered to us was the amount we were going to have to pay for the new coach after the trade-in. Not so much what the value of our trade was and the price of the new one because those numbers are very flexible. Trade-in values for our Phaeton fluctuated by nearly $60K. This approach let us compare apples to apples and not figure out how much our trade was worth and how much off the MSRP we were getting. There was one bottom number we cared about that easily let us evaluate whom we were going to buy from.
After the dealer has given you their bottom line, walk away, and tell them that you have a lower price from another dealer. They want your sale and you can keep the discussion going. Give it a few days and you may get a call from them, or, it may only take a few hours. But beware: sometimes it is worth paying a little more if the dealers reputation is really good and others have had good experiences with buying RV’s there. We did our homework regarding where we bought and had a great experience.
Step 3: Pre-delivery Inspection and Delivery
Congratulations! The big day has arrived and you are super excited to feast your gleaming eyes on your new RV and can’t wait to step inside, plop down on the couch and look at all that is yours. Before your eagerness gets the best of you to start hitching up to drive off the lot remember the pre-delivery inspection (commonly referred to as PDI) is one of the most important steps. You want a dealer that will spend hours (if not days) with you going over the inside and outside of the RV. None of this, “here are the keys”, see you later. Sure you may have had an RV in the past, but things are always different on new and different RV’s. The fuses are not in the same place, the bathroom sink may drain into the black water tank instead of the grey, you now have an aqua hot instead of a Suburban water heater, the generator compartment opens differently, etc. Depending on the RV you buy and the complexity of it should dictate the length of the PDI – not the amount of time the dealer wants to give you.
Check everything. Make sure the faucet doesn’t come off in your hand, the toilet seat isn’t cracked, the video actually plays a DVD, there are no scratches, awnings go in and out, wall paper isn’t peeling off. . . you get the picture. Depending on your dealership’s reputation and concerns for customer service you may, or may not, get good follow-up once you drive off the lot.
![]() |
Us with Brandon Moore - our super nice salesman at Colerain RV |
So that is our advice on RV buying. Hope it helps!
I assume you guys "traded" the Phaeton in at the dealership for the new Entegra? How did you feel the trade-in price stacked up?
ReplyDeleteWe did trade the Phaeton but never got a price for it and price for the new one. Just settled on an overall number that was the difference from the trade and new one. We were very happy with that number.
DeleteHey guys, as usual great info! One other thing we found to be very helpful to us during our 2 year "looking" stage was to visit the factory and take a tour at each of the coach makers we were interested in. Not only did we see first hand the technical processes that go into making a particular coach - and how that varies widely from maker to maker - but we were able to get a sense for the company, how they operate, how they treat their employees and most of all how they treat their potential and current customers. Getting away from the glitz of the showroom floor and seeing how you are treated directly by the manufacturer will tell you a lot about what you can expect after the purchase. There was at least one builder that immediately got scratched off our list based on their "tour" and attitude.
ReplyDeleteHey great comment. You are correct and we should have added that in. Going to the manufacturers are a great way to help in the decisions.
DeleteWell written post with excellent advice. After having owned four RVs, I try and stay away from RV shows, a new one too often follows us home... ;c)
ReplyDeleteVery helpful information...thanks. This past year we have gone through 2 rvs (each travel trailers). It didn't take long to figure out what did not work for us. The first purchase was on impulse, the second a larger version of the first. Thank goodness we were able to recoup much of our $$ on each as we purchased quality trailers. It took TWO mistakes for us to realize that a Class B will be more suitable to our way of travel. I am thinking now that much more research will ensue before going for Number Three. Certainly we will take the advice to actually view our next rv in person and spend all the time we need before making the final decision. Although the process is fun and exciting it is so important to be rational in the research phase. Thanks for the tips...
ReplyDeleteAn RV is best for people who love to travel and camp around. I believe that you can save a lot of money when you have an RV, because you don't need to book a hotel room or book airfare and bus tickets when you go to places. Thanks for sharing these tips! I'm sure it will come in handy for those who are planning to buy one soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteLiza Pilon @ Prairie City RV
Every one of the tips is superb and I will recollections to tell everyone having RV. As I found out about EPDM Rubber Coatings by my some companion and got advantage for roof leaks. It is stunning and having great results.
ReplyDeleteBuying a recreational vehicle is a big investment. You might want to protect your purchase with an extended service contract that offers coverage beyond the warranty period. Warrantech provides good extended warranties on rv.
ReplyDeleteMid America RV is leading RV Dealership in Missouri, We offers Hugh Selections, Great deals on New and Used RV's in Missouri. Check out our website for our latest deals and discount or stop by. Up to 40% Discount on Current stocks..Don't wait... - Mid America RV at Carthage Missouri RV Dealer in Carthage MO
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteUSED RV Dealer
Affordable and professional RV service and RV repair at Als Trailers. We can help get you and your RV back on the road quickly
ReplyDeleteThe best RV service in Oregon
Al’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories. We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories.
ReplyDeleteRV dealer Oregon
If you buying a used rv then you need to check the history report. History report may include information on whether the vehicle has ever been damaged, rebuilt or stolen. You need to buy an extended warranty on your used rv to avoid costly repairs. AMT Warranty is providing extended warranty on rv.
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletetiffin motorhome for sale
Als trailers is one of the best RV dealers in Salem, Oregon and provides best service to clients in new and used RV sales, dealerships, accessories and parts.
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories.
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteevery one of the tips is superb Als trailers are specialize in building quality RVs including A-frame, Fifth wheel Hwytrailer | Als trailers Toy hauler, Motor homes, Travel Trailers and has a great service team.
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteAl’s Trailers is an Oregon RV dealer and major provider of RV parts, Supplies and Accessories Als Trailer Sales We specialize in New and Used RV Sales, RV Service, RV Parts and Accessories
ReplyDeleteAls trailers are specialize in building quality RVs including A-frame, Fifth wheel, Toy hauler, Motor homes, Travel Trailers and has a great service team.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hwytrailer.com/
Als trailers are specialize in building quality RVs including A-frame, Fifth wheel, Toy hauler, Motor homes, Travel Trailers and has a great service team
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hwytrailer.com/
Al’s Trailers is the best Highway trailer dealers in new & used RV Sales in Oregon along with finance option. We have all the brands of RV parts and Accessories.
ReplyDelete