Here is the Genius Way to Buy an RV

Save money, avoid hassles, etc.

[dwightsmith]

Being a retired RVIA Master Certified RV tech of 45+ years, I can fully endorse Steve's philosophy on RVs.

[raystheroadtravel]

We are full timers in a 45’ Class A diesel pusher. We bought a 9 year old very high end one (850k new) and paid 20%. Best decision ever. NEVER BUY A NEW RV!

[robertaylor]

Summary:
-Talk to rv owners at a campground
-rent the one you like
-if it checks out, buy it used and hire an inspector.

Love it. Thanks man

[tuiroakwood]

My wife and I tried full time RVing for 3 years and this man speaks the truth! Don't buy new...

[Absaalookemensch]

My wife was thinking of us buying an RV.
After watching videos from you and a few others, she changed her mind. Thankfully.

[ReidForrest]

I'm glad I did it the almost genius way. I bought a 2021 RV last summer after researching for months. I bought from a good local dealer, and made the sale contingent on the report from a certified RV inspector that I hired. The inspection turned up only two minor things (some missing roof sealant which the dealer fixed, and a cracked shower head.) The inspection cost me around $500, but it was worth every penny. Only a year prior I went through a private seller, but it was an airplane I had inspected. The plane looked immaculate, had a recent $50k instrument upgrade, guaranteed no corrosion. Inspector called after 2 hours and told me essentially it was a great instrument panel that needed an entire new plane around it. I will always hire inspectors from now on.

[hoss]

You're Right Steve.. But, No matter what you buy. NEW or USED don't park or store it at home.
I buy them and store them at the RV Park..
I own a few Travel Trailers and store them at a RV Resort in Myrtle Beach SC.
Then I advertise them for rent on Craigslist and Word of mouth mostly. I have mostly repeat customers every year.
The RV Resort stores, moves them and sets them up for a fee. You just have to keep up with the amount other rental properties are going for and under cut them a little.
If something is or goes wrong with them the Resort has a repair shop and fixes them and sends me a bill.
It's the easiest money I have ever made..

[leecarlson]

My husband and I purchased a used F150 truck, then a used 12 year old slide in camper. For a year and a half, we traveled all over the upper East Coast, making modifications as needed. He retired on June 1sr, and we began a 15, 000 mile adventure to Alaska . Began in Silver Spring, Maryland, ended in Bull Shoals, Arkansas, four months later. Now I am an 80 year old widow, and I would love to have that rig again, and just wander around Texas, where I now reside in Brownsville. I still remember most of that odyssey, and am so grateful we were able to make it!

[Kk-ejvg]

Looked for RV for 2 years, then lucked out a family member was upgrading to a bigger one and I bought theirs and was made aware of all repairs that were completed. This was the reason for taking 2 years to shop but Not buy. Just lucky no problems after using for 3 years.

[lucianovelarde]

Don't be afraid to buy older if you are good with your hands. I found a 1998 Coachman with 16000 miles everything worked slight leak on roof. this RV has aluminum frame and high end parts!! living in it full time and have driven it across country several times with no problem. We are blessed.

[stevenmartin]

I definitely recommend buying used. Steve is correct. I got a 75000.00 unit for 42000 and all the bugs are gone. Living in it full time and loving it!

[supersportimpalass]

My dad built an RV out of a 76 F450 dually flatbed. He used a slide in style camper but the truck didn’t have a box so he made extra storage areas on both sides. Our family took this all over the US. Some of the most memorable stops were DisneyWorld and Carlsbad Caverns. I still look back at the fun memories we made I will never forget.

[Iconoclasher]

In 1975 my parents bought a new 30' Santa Fe travel trailer (division of Travel-Eze) They bought it to live in. After a year something misaligned on the floor, under the linoleum. It was going to require a trip to the factory. The factory was less than an hour away, in Sun Valley CA. Dad told the factory it would be difficult to transport because it was set up in a trailer park. The factory sent dad an agreement, signed by the company, that the warranty on the floor would be extended to lifetime. So sometime in the future when it was moved, he could take it in anytime. Dad was happy with that arrangement. It turned out it wasn't that big of a deal so he fixed it himself. It was great to know they had excellent service. Never see that today.

[AeroGuy]

I rented an RV once. 500 miles was enough to convince me that I never wanted to own one, or drive one again.

[rjay]

My knee jerk reaction 😮
My Dad was a genius❤
He always bought used, and he shopped throughout Arizona. Always check to make sure it hasn't been in a flood.

[joshshoop]

I work for Toledo Mobile RV Repair and almost all of my work is on newer models because everything breaks as soon as you drive away with it. You are 100% correct on everything you've ever said about RVs, whenever I hear someone say "I think I want to buy an RV." I say "are you sure about that?" I also give them a stern look just to try to make sure they know ALL NEWER RVS ARE JUNK

[BrankoRNtheotherBranko]

I was going to buy an RV. Saw the original Lehto's Law video "Don't Buy an RV". Did some more research. Looked at the cheap way they are made. Never bought an RV. I did get a nice two room tent. Thank you Steve.

[arizwebfoot]

Back in the day, my grandparents rv'd with travel trailers (back when the wood used in them was maple). They always bought something that was just a few short years old and then, my grandfather being my grandfather, he inspected the dickens out of it. And there were certain things he did after buying. He would always replace the water pump with one that could pump a greater number of gallons per minute. He always installed a 2nd battery that he could switch from one to the other. He always replaced the propane cylinders with new and bigger ones. He would always re-silver the roof. There were other things he would do. As you said, he learned of some of these things from just walking the campground and talking to people and somethings he figured out himself. If you expect certain things to wear out and are proactive about them, you are less likely to be disappointed.

[rickl]

Absolutely solid gold advice. We bought a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star in 2016 with 45k miles on it and we love it and still have it. Just got back from 9 days at Myrtle Beach Ocean Lakes campground(we love them too). Thanks Steve.

[earlhunt]

Absolutely correct... Research, social reviews, Inspect, video roof, buy used. My wife has serious health issues. We bought a Winnebago Navion motorhome This using this technique and couldn't be happier. Most don't understand the floorplan box on the Mercedes or four chassis mostly the same year after year with cosmetic touches made. The fewer slides, the more trouble free.