Buying Your First Motorhome: A Step-by-Step Guide – Camping is constantly gaining popularity. In fact, the number of campers in the United States has surged by nearly 70 percent just over the last decade with nearly a quarter of Americans now making it part of their routines. Though some people prefer to sleep under the stars and stick with a minimalistic approach during their outdoor adventures, many feel that there’s no harm in bringing along all the comforts of home.
Several types of campers and RVs are available. They come in numerous sizes with a variety of possible amenities. Of course, many people opt for motorhomes as opposed to pull-behind campers. Those, too, come in a wide range of models, which can make choosing one particularly difficult. Keeping the following points in mind as you’re perusing motorhomes for sale will help you find the perfect one to take your camping trips to entirely new levels.
Think About Your Budget
One of the first factors to consider is your budget. That may seem a bit obvious, but many people fail to fully think it through. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a motorhome. Quite a few people choose one that’s a bit outside of their price range to get more space, features, and amenities.
They convince themselves that they can simply cut back on unnecessary spending to make the monthly payments more manageable. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out the way they plan. They ultimately find their budget so restricted that they can’t afford to take their new motorhome out for all the adventures they originally had in mind.
Before looking at motorhomes, set a reasonable budget that won’t leave you financially restricted. Stick to that budget no matter what. In the end, it’s better to choose a smaller model or sacrifice a few non-essential features than to be unable to enjoy your motorhome after you buy it.
Extra Expenses
Additionally, don’t forget to plan for expenses beyond the payments on the motorhome itself. Like any type of vehicle, you’ll need to register it, pay taxes on it, and have a license plate for it. Those are a few of the basic ongoing expenses. There’s also insurance to consider. Almost all states require motorhome owners to maintain insurance coverage with Virginia and New Hampshire being exceptions to the rule. Even if you happen to live in one of those states, insuring your investment is certainly recommended.
Furthermore, consider the costs of maintenance and repairs. Motorhomes are both vehicles and mobile homes. That means they have the combined maintenance requirements of both from their drivetrains and brakes to their electrical systems, appliances, and plumbing. Upkeep is the key to making them last as long as possible, but it’s also an ongoing cost. Fuel is an important consideration too. Winterising and storing your motorhome may factor into the equation as well.
Size
Think about which size motorhome will best meet your needs as well. This point needs to be considered from a couple of perspectives. First of all, you’ll need to find one that’s big enough to accommodate your family and other people who may come along on your camping trips. Motorhomes generally range from 18 to 45 feet long. They can comfortably house anywhere from two to 12 people depending on their size, the layouts of their sleeping quarters, and other factors.
From another angle, though, the larger a motorhome is, the more difficult it is to drive and maneuver into tight spaces. At the same time, many campgrounds have regulations in place regarding the maximum motorhome sizes they allow. If you’re not accustomed to driving larger vehicles or the campgrounds you’d like to visit have restrictions on motorhome lengths, you may want to consider buying a smaller one. In certain instances, operating a larger, heavier motorhome may require a CDL, so that’s something to think about as well.
Features and Amenities
After working out a reasonable budget and determining which size would be best, it’s time to look into features and amenities. Some smaller motorhomes may only have sleeping quarters and dining areas. Larger ones can offer full kitchens and bathrooms and even washing machines and dryers. Certain luxury models come with smart appliances, radiant heating in the floors, remote levelling, and a variety of other high-end options.
Most people look for models that fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Having a functional kitchen and bathroom can certainly make camping trips more pleasant and convenient. On the other hand, having a laundry area, porcelain tiles, and granite countertops may not be essential, especially if you’re working with a restrictive budget. Try to prioritise the features you need, and if your budget allows, you can branch out further.
Off-Grid Capabilities
Motorhomes have water and electrical connections that allow you to tap into campgrounds’ utilities. If you don’t want to be limited to designated campgrounds and other areas with power and water connections, though, you’ll need to look into off-grid capabilities. That includes how much fresh water, as well as gray and black water, a motorhome can store.
Alternative power sources is also a point to think about. Some motorhomes have appliances that can run on either electricity or propane while others are wired for their appliances to run off of their engines if need be. Some have appliances that can run on built-in battery packs. Others are even equipped with solar panels for the ultimate in off-grid camping experiences. Though you may not always need water storage and alternate power options, they’re definitely nice features to have.
Finding the Perfect Motorhome for You
You’ll find an array of motorhomes on the market these days. They come in different prices ranges and various sizes. They also come with a wide range of features and amenities. If you’re planning to buy a motorhome, start by determining how much you can comfortably spend on one, being sure to factor in added expenses.
From there, decide which size would suit you best based on how many people you’ll need to accommodate and what you can handle when driving and parking. Then, think about the features and amenities you need versus those that may not be absolutely necessary. Beyond those points, consider how important off-grid capabilities are to you and how much versatility you may need when it comes to alternative power sources. All those factors can help you find the perfect motorhome for you.
Poppy Watt