Are you in the early stages of learning how to buy your first full-time RVing rig? It’s tempting to buy the first one you fall in love with, but remember, your new home on wheels is one of the biggest and most important decisions you’ll make as a full-timer. No matter what kind of budget you’re working with, the rig you buy will determine your happiness on the open road starting the minute you leave your previous life behind. Here are some quick tips for buying your first full-time rig.
Make it affordable.
Even if your first full-time RV isn’t the one you dreamed about, when you buy something cheap and affordable at least you won’t be out of a ton of money if the gypsy lifestyle isn’t to your liking. You can always upgrade to your perfect rig if you choose to keep full-timing.
Choose the right tow vehicle.
If you’re thinking of buying a fifth wheel, travel trailer or truck bed camper, you’re not going far without the proper tow vehicle. The right tow vehicle is the one that’s robust enough to pull your RV when fully loaded, with horsepower to spare when climbing steep mountain passes. RVers love arguing about the merits of gasoline versus diesel but the best one is the truck that works for your budget and your specific RV’s weight and size.
Choose the right toad.
Are you considering a motorhome? Then you’ll need a vehicle to get around town without the RV. I’ve known motorhome owners who try to get by with a motorcycle or bicycle, but using two wheels as your only source of getting around can make life tougher than it needs to be during bad weather.
Don’t buy too small
A seasoned RV salesman once said to us: “I’ve had many people come back to me after they bought their first RV, and tell me they bought too small. But I’ve never had someone come back and say they bought too big.” The ideal RV will be large enough to neatly contain your life without having to pile junk in the shower. You should have enough seating area to be comfortable indoors during foul weather. And finally, the rig should have adequate work space that will allow you to either generate income, as I do, and/or continue at least one or two hobbies that rock your world.
Consider Your Lifestyle.
Where you like to go RVing can help you determine the size of RV that best fits into your destination preferences. For example, if you know for sure you only like to visit full-service, newer RV resorts, a large Class A will usually be fine. But if you enjoy getting off the beaten path, or staying in public campgrounds and forests, a smaller rig is likely a better fit. Since many older RV parks and independently-owned RV parks were built for the smaller rigs of yesterday, owners of large RVs often have hard time finding a space during the busiest RVing months.
These are just a few of many tips you’ll find about choosing your first RV. I wrote an entire RV Life column dedicated to this topic, be sure to check it out for even more suggestions.
Are you a seasoned full-timer? What kind of tips do you have for buying a first full-time RV? I’d love to hear them!
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Hello!!
I am reading your blog as my husband and I begin to plan our retirement years, which could happen in as few as 9 years from my career as a governmental employee. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on places to look about the cost of being a full timer vs owning a home? I’ve owned a home before, but I don;t know anyone who owns and lives full time or the majority of the time in an RV. My husband and I really want to experience this life style, and have even downsized our homes in order to see how small we can go and still feel comfortable. Given his height, he’s 6’6″, this was an important issue to think about. Any advice is appreciated and I am going to continue to view your blog to get all the knowledge I can from someone who does what I hope to do!! Keep on rolling!
Hi Ginger, thank you so much for the note! I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog.
You ask a great question, it’s one that everyone wonders about and unfortunately there isn’t one single answer of what the lifestyle costs. These articles may help:
Home Ownership Hassles Vs. Freewheeling Full-Timing: You Decide
http://www.rvlife.com/blogs/entry/the-full-timing-nomad-home-ownership-hassles-vs-freewheeling-full-timing-you-decide.html
My husband and I do own a small piece of property with a cabin on it, which we’ve stayed at for two summers. Doing so enabled us to compare costs of living there versus being on the road. This article talks about it:
What’s Cheaper: Living in a House or on the Road?
http://www.liveworkdream.com/2010/10/12/whats-cheaper-living-in-a-house-or-on-the-road/
As I mention though, everyone’s lifestyles are so different, what one person sees as a lot of money another sees as nothing. Costs vary from person to person. You CAN find cost of ownership for RVs which is super helpful. Just google “RV cost of ownership” and you’ll find tons of resources.
You’re smart to plan now, it will definitely pay off in the long run. I’m happy to talk to you via email, feel free to contact me through my website at LiveWorkDream.com. Good luck! Make that dream happen!
Hi Rene!
Thank you so much for your advice and I am already reading more of your blog on LiveWorkDream.com! We are going THIS weekend to try on some rv’s to see what best fits our needs…given my husband’s height. We are both very excited, and are going to make this happen!! Thank you again!!
Ginger