HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT RV

WHICH RV IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you’ve been considering buying an RV, you’ll no doubt be well aware that there is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the right one for you.

Anyone looking for an RV in New Zealand will find themselves spoiled for choice. It can feel like a daunting task; everything is on offer, from massive modern fifth wheelers to converted buses, old and new motorhomes and caravans of all sizes as well as cool and quirky little vans. While it’s great to have so many options, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to deciding which one will best suit your needs.

Part of the challenge is that there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ option. What might be perfect for one may be completely unsuitable for someone else.

If you’re considering buying an RV it’s worth taking some time to think about your individual priorities, preferences, and travel plans. To help you do so, we have compiled some key considerations for you to work through to find your perfect home on wheels.

1. MOTORHOME OR CARAVAN?

One of the first questions most people looking for an RV will ask themselves is whether a motorhome or a caravan is right for them. To help answer this question, it’s important to really understand your intentions behind your purchase and what kind of lifestyle you have in mind. For example, are you looking to travel during the weekends only or do you want to hit the road for weeks at a time? During your research you should be asking yourself a few key questions.

• What is your lifestyle dream? • Will you mainly travel as an individual, couple, or family? • Do you have a specific hobby you need to accommodate while you’re travelling? • How important is it to you to have a sought-after brand and model, should you choose to sell it or upgrade? • Where do you see yourself exploring, and at what time of the year? • Will you stay in campsites, or do you want to freedom camp? • How long do you want to be away?

Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of each:

MOTORHOMES A motorhome will suit those whose preference is for a combination vehicle and mobile home; the freedom camper; a person who values maximum manoeuvrability in campgrounds, and anyone who wants to set up camp with minimum fuss.

Pros • Motorhomes are relatively quick and easy to park and set up. • You can be spontaneous and go from place to place quite easily. • With a bit of practice, most confident drivers will easily handle driving a motorhome.

Cons • Once you’re set up at a campsite, it can be a hassle to pack up and unhook your motorhome if you realise you need extra supplies and have to drive to get them. • Motorhomes are generally more expensive than caravans to purchase. • With cab space taking up room, there’s less

‘living’ space inside a motorhome than a caravan of the same length. ⊲ 23

CARAVANS Caravans can go most places a motorhome can go; and they can also be used for freedom camping providing the driver is competent at towing and at getting in and out of awkward places. You will of course need a suitable tow vehicle and set up time is usually a little longer than with a motorhome and less convenient when it’s raining. However, once camp is set up, the tow vehicle is free for travel without the need to unhook power and pack everything away.

Pros • A caravan can double as extra accommodation for friends and family to stay in at home. • Caravans are generally less expensive than motorhomes. • You can set up at your campsite and still have a vehicle to go exploring or shopping.

Cons • You’ll need to factor in the additional cost of the tow vehicle and its maintenance. • You can’t be quite as spontaneous – it’s not as easy to pull over and take in a view or check out a shop when you’ve got to park with a caravan. • You’ll need to be confident at towing.

2. NEW OR USED?

It’s fair to say that if money is no issue, buying new is the preferred option for many. Not only do you get a brand-new home on wheels, but often you also get the chance to personalise it to your specific wants and needs, and warranty gives you peace of mind. However, for most people, money is a factor, and we all want the best we can find for our needs.

Buying used has its advantages. For example, you can view and test drive the exact vehicle you’re looking to buy. If you like it, you can usually take it home right away without any waiting periods. In addition, if you buy an RV that’s only a couple of years old, most teething issues that can come with brand new vehicles should be sorted, but you should still have a few good years before you need to prepare for more significant repairs (though there are no guarantees, of course).

If you’re looking for a renovation project, second-hand caravans and motorhomes can be a dream. You’ll pay less upfront for the vehicle, and you can spend as required; bear in mind that this could mean your new baby won’t be on the road for a while though!

3. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

No matter how much you’re champing at the bit to sign on the dotted line, you won’t really know what you’re looking for until you’ve tried a few options out. Plenty of places offer rentals; it’s a good idea to test-drive a few different vehicles to see what you like. Another good idea is to visit a trade show, or a local dealer with lots of different models onsite. That way you can view and experience different layouts and configurations to see which ones are likely to suit you best.

Plenty of people have assumed they want a big motorhome, right up until the point they get tired of trying to find a big enough car park for it; similarly, others will get hooked on the idea of a caravan until they realise they’ll have to get a new car as well to handle the weight. ‘Try before you buy’ is always the way to go with a big purchase like this. It will teach you more than all the desk research in the world.

4. PLAN YOUR BUDGET

Before you fall in love with that million- dollar motorhome, do a budget check. Your budget will have a direct impact on many of the other decisions you have to make, so it’s a good idea to get a rough idea before you start looking.

When you determine your budget, keep in mind that a more expensive RV will also mean higher insurance costs. On the other hand, a cheaper vehicle – especially an older or second-hand one – will more likely require repairs and maintenance, which can quickly add up. Old or new, all RVs come with additional costs for maintenance, registrations, insurance and more. Make sure you plan for this in your budget.

5. THE SPACE DEBATE

No matter how big the RV is that you buy, your living space will be compact compared to a house. As such, getting the layout and configuration of the living space right is a crucial step in choosing the right motorhome or caravan for you. Here are some of the key things you may want to consider: 1. Be realistic: How many people will actually be travelling in your RV? The kids or grandkids might want to come with you every now and again, but do you really want ⊲

to be hauling around a six-berth motorhome for the sake of having a couple of little ones for a few days once a year? 2. Beds: How many beds do you need, and what’s your preferred configuration? Do you want a big double bed or singles? Do you prefer an island bed? Are you happy to turn your living room into your bedroom at night, or do you want a permanent bed separate from the living space? 3. Kitchen: How much kitchen space do you need? Do you like to cook and want room to do so properly, or is a small kitchen all you need? Do you need an oven or a microwave? Will you need a big fridge/ freezer, or will a small one do? 4. Bathroom: Do you want a full bathroom with a shower that’s separated from the toilet, or are you happy with an allin-one wet room? Do you prefer a cassette toilet or one that leads into a black water tank? 5. Dining & living: How many people need to fit around the dining table? Are you happy with your dining area also being your living area, or do you want them separate? 6. Storage: How much storage space will you need? Will you need storage that’s accessible from the outside for skis or wet clothes, for example? Are there specific items you want to take with you (think SUPs, fishing gear, bikes, diving equipment etc) that have specific storage requirements? 7. Everything else: Think about what else you might need to consider. For example, people who plan to work from their RVs should think about where they will do so. If you’re planning on travelling with kids, you might want to think about a play area for rainy days, and those travelling with pets need to think about where they will live and sleep. 6. POWER UP

Another vital factor to consider when choosing your RV is its power setup. RVs generally run on battery power when not plugged in. How much power you have while off-grid – and therefore how many appliances and devices you can use – generally depends on the size and number of the batteries and how they are charged. Most RVs have solar panels to charge the batteries, and most batteries will be charged while you’re plugged into power at a campground. In some cases, you can charge them while you’re driving.

If you plan to spend most nights at a powered camp site, batteries and solar panels are less important. However, if you want to be off-grid for several days – or even permanently – make sure you have the power setup to support this.

While it is generally possible to add more battery capacity and extras such as solar panels later, these are all ideas you should take into consideration when you’re doing your research before buying an RV:

• What is the current setup? How much power does it generate, and what lifestyle will it support? • If you’re buying used, don’t just take the previous owner’s word for it; get an expert to check the setup. • Keep in mind that all batteries have a limited lifespan (older batteries will be much less efficient than newer ones) and the efficacy of solar panels can vary, based on age and quality. • The quality of batteries varies significantly, so two batteries of the same capacity might provide vastly different output.

Check with an expert before you buy. • If you think you might want to upgrade your power setup at some point later, make sure there is enough space on your RV for you to be able to install extra batteries and solar panels.

7. BEWAREOF SCAMMERS

Unfortunately, people looking to buy RVs have occasionally been targeted by scammers. These range from people who don’t even have an RV to sell and are trying to steal your money, to those trying to sell RVs for much more than they are worth. Here are a few tips to protect yourself from becoming the victim of a scam. 1. Never hand over any money until you have met the person and have seen the RV (or have other evidence that they are trustworthy, such as people you know vouching for them). 2. Be very careful about what personal details you share over email or other online communications channels such as Facebook. 3. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t hand over any money until you’ve done your due diligence and know what you will get for your money. 4. If you buy used, always get a prepurchase inspection done. You might also ask an RV expert to check features such as the power setup, the self-containment certification and other RV specific features not covered by general pre-purchase inspections. 5. Check the paperwork to make sure the person you’re buying from is the owner of the vehicle they are selling. Websites like thatcar.nz are great for checking if the ownership details you’ve been given are correct.

This may seem like a lot of thinking, but when you consider how much money you’re about to fork out, it’s worth doing your research, especially if this is your first RV purchase. However, once you’ve done your due diligence, you’re well on your way to finding your perfect RV. 