Pros & Cons: Buying a Used vs New RV

Pros & Cons: Buying a Used vs New RV

By Peggy Dent

Whether you’re upgrading or just starting out, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make when shopping for an RV is whether you want to buy new or used. There are passionate arguments on both sides of this debate, so let’s look at some pros and cons.

Buying NEW

PRO:

The biggest benefit of buying new is being the first owner. No one has had a chance to alter or damage the RV, and you know every detail about it from day one. RVs straight from the factory have the manufacturer’s engineering and parts, and a manufacturer’s warranty in case something isn’t quite right. Minor defects can happen, but they are typically corrected through the warranty. Another benefit of buying a new RV is the ability to customize it to fit your needs and preferences.

CON:

The biggest downside of buying a new RV is cost. RVs, like cars, depreciate greatly over the first few years, and since most people don’t keep new RVs for very long, the loss of value can be sharply felt. Many people quickly realize their new RV doesn’t fit their needs and decide to trade it in, in which case the new vehicle depreciation is a significant negative factor.

Another reason people avoid buying new RVs is the need to resolve manufacturer defects. RVs are complicated, and things can go wrong in the assembly process. While they typically undergo rigorous quality control inspections, and most problems are resolved before the RV is shipped, sometimes things slip through the cracks. Even minor problems can be a nuisance—after all, you just paid full price for a new RV so you could take it camping, so you’re probably eager to begin your RV adventure! And arranging for an inspection of a new RV is virtually impossible, so there’s no real way to ensure you don’t run into these problems.

Buying USED

PRO: The benefits of buying a used RV are numerous. First the used market represents a much larger selection of models, floorplans, styles, ages, conditions, and price points. In the used market, buyers can find everything from like-new to “project” RVs. The original owner has already absorbed the early depreciation, so used RVs are less expensive, and any new-RV bugs have likely already been taken care of. Since many people discover their first RV purchase wasn’t the best choice for their needs and quickly trade it in, all these lightly-used RVs become available in the used market with deeply discounted prices.

Another pro of buying used is that it’s easy to hire an RV inspector to evaluate the RV and give buyers confidence that it’s in good working order. If you’re overwhelmed by the logistics of buying used, you can even hire professional help through a company like National Vehicle (NationalVehicle. com), which helps RV buyers and sellers transact business in the used market.

CON: A downside of buying used is that sellers may not candidly disclose the true condition of the RV, and some defects are hard to detect until the RV is in use. Additionally, after buying a used RV, you may not understand or know about any adjustments or modifications the former owners may have made. Knowing how everything in an RV works can be challenging, even if it’s straight from the factory, and modifications can make that even more difficult.

Whether you decide to buy new or used, remember to do your due diligence, research brand integrity, and get professional help if needed. And always remember—the goal of RVing is to have fun! ■