Words by Steve Fennell
Deciding to buy a new or pre-owned RV is an age-old contemplation among enthusiasts. While it can be exciting shopping for any RV, there are certain advantages and slight disadvantages of buying new over pre-owned RVs and vice versa. However, by doing proper research and knowing your priorities, you'll be hitting the road in an RV – new or pre-owned – and be happy with your purchase.
GoRving.com
New vs used RV
Buying a Pre-Owned RV
The "used RV" market is vast. Visit any dealer or browse an online classified advertising service (such as Kijiji) and you'll be amazed at what is available at a reasonable value. However, purchasing anything used – including RVs – also means "buyer beware." Nonetheless, many good deals have been made through reputable, certified RV dealers and even private, online sales.
Buying a pre-owned RV from an online classified is popular and yes, the prices are a fraction compared to a new unit. Yet, not realizing where the RV has been, how hard it was used or how much it was maintained should all be considered. Not knowing these details may cost you more in the long run. Plus, financing from a bank is limited or may not be available at all if the rig is more than 10 years old. This means you need to have all the cash up front and may need to cover any repairs should they be needed down the road – as there is no luxury of an iron-clad warranty on any parts of the chassis.
"When you buy a used unit you're exposing yourself to a few concerns," says Kevin Erdman, director of sales and marketing for Renegade RV. "Mileage (for motorized rigs) doesn't necessarily indicate how much it has been used. You may know the age of the unit, but that doesn't indicate how much it had been used or how well it was taken care of. These are all questions that you need to consider."
Nonetheless, a good, trustworthy option when considering a pre-owned RV is contacting a local RV dealer. Trade-ins are common and the prices are reasonable. Plus, many offer financing as well as warranty options.
"Buying a pre-owned RV from a dealer is a lot different than a private sale," says Mikayla Schaub, marketing coordinator for Woody's RV World in Calgary, AB. "All of our used RVs are inspected and go through a reconditioning phase to ensure they are in top form. They are also certified by the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) and have a vehicle history report and a mechanical assessment report."
Eliminating the "buyer beware" adage is a great first step when considering a pre-owned unit. However, knowing what to buy will also greatly influence your decision. Not all RVs are everything to all RVers. For example, while some hit the road to escape the day-to-day emails, texts, and streaming TV in exchange to enjoy the great outdoors, others can't live without it. Technology plays a huge role in our lives and it even extends to RVs. But if you can live without Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, solar panels, or USB ports on the road, then perhaps a pre-owned unit is worth considering as it still provides the shelter with lots of form and function you want.
"If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors and not a lot of time in the RV, maybe you just require the basics of an older unit as you won't take full advantage of the newer RV features and comfort," says Schaub. "Then there are those who plan on using an RV as a second home for months at a time - or those who can't live without the new tech. They are more apt to buy a new unit. Also, it's common to see a used RV upgraded from a previous owner where they installed the solar panel system, new upholstery, or anything else that made the RV more attractive and current."
With any big-ticketed item for recreational use, not all RVs – including new ones – are perfect. This can be an advantage for the used RV buyer. One aspect that's often overlooked is the fact the previous owner may have fixed all the initial glitches or "debugged" the unit while it was still under warranty. This means whatever could've happened with the unit has been determined, rectified and repaired without any future concerns.
"There's always the thought process that if you buy a used RV someone else has hopefully debugged the unit and taken care of any initial issues while it was under warranty," says Erdman. "At the same time, you'll be getting it at a lower cost."
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Hjjanisch
Many good deals have been found when buying a pre-owned RV
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Winnebago Industries
A new RV is just that. New with the latest designs and styles.
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Terry Bone
Depending on the unit, enthusiasts can often refurbish a new rig to mint condition, like this 1962 Airstream Overlander.
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Punk Toad
If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, then maybe it's the basics of a pre-owned RV that you require.
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Colton RV
Buying a new RV also means that you can observe all the designs of many popular manufacturers at the shows and your local dealer.
Buying a New RV
While there are many incentives for buying a pre-owned unit, there are just as many benefits when buying a new RV. First off, it's shiny, clean, never been used, and it's all yours to go pretty much wherever you want without too much concern if any.
One of the most obvious benefits of a new RV is a manufacturer's one- or two-year warranty with an extended warranty offered by the dealer. So, if something breaks, it will be fixed under warranty, free of charge to the owner.
While a warranty may make you lean towards purchasing a new unit, another advantage is you're getting exactly what it is you want. It's no big secret that the cost savings of a pre-owned unit outweighs that of a new RV. Yet, if you're in the market for a new unit, there's access to many more manufacturers and allows you to broaden your buying experience.
This is a great way to learn about certain models and even about all the financing options – you just might be surprised at what is available to you.
"There are many new cost-efficient RVs now that are within reasonable price ranges," says Schaub. "However, buying a new RV eliminates the years of weather or wear, it hasn't seen miles on the road and will not be dated. You'll also be confident about its design and working systems."
The resale value is always a concern for a late model RV (that can be similar to a car, truck or even a boat). Erdman explained the quality and reputation of select RVs will have a higher resale value when the time comes to trade up or sell.
"You will likely spend more on the new sale price up front, but when it comes to selling or trading up the RV, the value will be much higher than your average RV if the manufacturer has a good reputation for durability, reliability, and quality," said Erdman. "Plus, chances are there will be fewer models of that type of RV available in the used market. Supply and demand can also dictate a higher resale price down the road."