Click here to sign up for reminders when new blogs are posted.
Buying new vs buying used in the world of RVs is not an easy question to answer. One would assume that buying a new trailer would always be a better idea vs buying a used trailer. Yet, many times new trailers have warranty issues that have to be tackled and mods desired before the unit gets “dialed in.” If interested, I have an R-Pod 2nd Birthday video that talks to the 20 issues I had in the first two years – so it’s not always smooth sailing! It’s important to have proper expectations.
Here are a few pros and cons of buying new. If you decide to buy new, you will be the first and only user of the RV, no one else has slept in it or use the bathroom. In our current environment this may be important to you. Also, if you buy new, you get the very latest features from the manufacturer, which may be considerable upgrades compared to previous versions of the RV. Also, don’t forget the RV warranty. This can be tricky, and we do have a video that talks more about RV warranties, but generally some manufacturers’ warranties are NOT transferable, meaning they extend only to the original owner.
What this doesn’t mean is that your new RV will be problem free. In fact, some people will only buy used RVs that have had the kinks worked out. Often there are several build-quality issues that have to be worked out during warranty that can take away from useable time in your RV. There can be considerable amounts of construction debris you deal with for a while and let’s not forget the depreciation hit you will take as a new buyer.
Construction Debris under the wet bath in my 2017 R-Pod 179
Buying used has several advantages, including the potential cost saving over new RVs. Sometimes this can be several thousand dollars as the new owner has taken the initial depreciation hit. One of the bigger deals in terms of leaning toward a used RV is that the prior owner(s) may have added considerable upgrades to the unit. These prime used units may be dialed in in terms of having the kinks worked out and warranty work completed, so you may be able to enjoy the fruit of someone else’s effort. If you find an excellent well cared for used unit, it may be worth purchasing.
Of course, with a used unit, more than likely you have no warranty against future defects. Even the best kept RV will likely have some issues down the road, so make sure you are aware of this. Any repairs would be out of your own pocket. For some manufactures, even newer units (less than a year old) lose their warranty once they transfer to a new owner, so you may think you are getting a new and lightly used unit and find out it has issues and you have no warranty.
If you are considering new RV, remember that there may be “new” RVs for sale at a dealership, but they may have sat on the lot for a long time. So be aware that a dealer may have new units that can be a year or two old in terms of model year. So, your new RV may not have the very latest features.
If you are considering a used RV, try to understand the seller’s reason for selling. Also, you will need to do a thorough inspection of the unit before you buy. We can help on this point as we have a Used RV Inspection Guide video on the YouTube channel that will give you the steps to take so you can be more confident on your purchase. If the used unit seems expensive, remember to take into account any upgrades, like solar or lithium batteries. Some previous owner upgrades can be a huge benefit to you as the next owner. Also, if you have allergies in any way, make sure you understand if the previous owner smoked or had pets in the RV. A solid seller who has taken good care of the RV should also have some sort of maintenance records, and it is especially important to understand all about the tires on the unit and how old they are.
Buying new vs used isn’t all that easy a question to answer, so take these tips into account when you decide which way to go. No decision is risk-free and if you have ever owned an RV, you’ll know that every RV requires maintenance and diligent care and inspection to maintain it properly.
All the best in your camping endeavors!
We’d love for you to join the On The Road Team by subscribing to the YouTube channel. If you want to dive deeper, we put more content and photos on Instagram and Twitter @JohnMarucci. You can also follow John on Facebook @JohnMarucciOnTheRoad.
As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by watching the YouTube Ads and by starting their shopping from the On The Road Amazon Storefront at: amazon.com/shop/johnmarucci. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Watch the more than 100 videos from John Marucci – On The Road!