If you are on a tight budget and can't afford a new model RV you might consider buying a used RV. Here are a few suggestions for finding a used, affordable RV:
1. Check newspaper listings. Look in the listings of your local or state daily paper's classifieds. Most towns and cities have a free shoppers circular that is mostly classified listings.
2. Check for any consignment lots in your area. RV owners who aren't interested in having strangers to their home often will park their RV at a consignment lot.
3. Run a "want to buy" listing in the classified section of your local paper.
4. Watch for campers parked curbside, in driveways, or front yards with "For Sale" signs posted on them.
5. Drive through local RV and Mobile Home Parks and watch for RV's with for sale signs posted on them.
When you find an RV you are interested in purchasing, don't fall in love with it and be too eager to buy. You could regret a hasty decision for a long time. If you aren't familiar with the functioning of an RV, bring a friend along who is. The chances are excellent that there will be one or more (usually more) components not working that will have to be repaired.
Keep a notebook with you when you do an inspection and make note of every fault. You'll find problems, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. RV's can be repaired and you'll use your inspection checklist to negotiate a price on your terms.
It is a good idea to have the owner with you while you inspect the RV so that he or she can observe your inspection notes. When you have completed your inspection you'll likely have a lengthy list of repairs needed. This will be your leverage to make a low-ball offer on the trailer. After all, you will either have to pay for the repairs or live with them as is.
If the RV owner doesn't accept your low offer, don't worry too much about it and go on to the next RV. Give them your name and telephone number and tell them to call you if they change their mind.
Let two or three weeks pass and call them back to see if they have sold the RV yet. They may be very happy to hear from you and accept the offer you made. If you are really interested in the RV, offer a slightly higher price this time. If they don't accept your offer, don't worry about it and call them back in another three or four weeks.
Sooner or later, you're going to pick up a genuine bargain on an RV. You'll have possibly saved quite a bit of money and in the process learned some negotiating skills.
In part 2 of this article, we'll explore the things you should be looking for when you inspect a used RV you're considering buying.
William Smith lived, and traveled fulltime in an RV travel trailer for over 12 years, and maintains a website dedicated to educating people about the RV lifestyle.
Visit http://www.happyvagabonds.com to learn more about RV living.
Chicago charter limousine Crystal Lake .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HarePrevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
Nightlife in Big Sky, Montana is more exciting than you... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Of course you know about Southern California's premier attraction, Disneyland... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
Oregon's Rogue River is one of the nation's most beautiful.... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
Lincolnshire car service to O'Hare ..There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote primarily about box ovens.... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
Why should you use hiking poles is perhaps the first... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More
How many of you take the time to just relax... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
As the weather cools in late summer and the days... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling,... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
You aren't lightweight backpacking if you are carrying twenty-five pounds... Read More
Outdoors |