Full Time RVer

With the economy in a turmoil, some wonder about the wisdom of buying an RV. But for many, the lifestyle will not be denied. In reality, living in an RV is in many respects much cheaper than a stix-and-brix situation. It’s a smaller space to heat and cool, fewer taxes to pay, and while you may not be traveling as much as in times past, changing the scenery is still yours at the turn of the key.

Economic conditions have also broadened the possibilities of what to buy in the RV market. While families that have bought rigs that they find they can’t afford, the market may just be ripe for a used RV purchase. Not withstanding, the huge amount of depreciation faced by new rig buyers isn’t in the picture, and used rigs have usually had “the bugs worked out.”

What should you keep in mind when shopping? If buying a motorized unit, check over the power train carefully. Ask for service records to ensure the previous owner kept up with scheduled maintenance. If you really like the rig, spend a few bucks and have a competent mechanic look it over.

Motorized or towable, the living quarters need to be sound. Walk through the rig and open all cupboards and cabinets. The ones near the ceiling could be hiding stains that could well indicate roof leaks. Soft spots in the floors are other indicators that weather has intruded. A smell of mold or mildew is another tip-off that water infiltration has taken place.  RUN! Don’t walk away from a rig with water damage.

Outside, run your eye along the sidewalls. Fiberglass sided rigs showing signs of layers of fiberglass separating are a bad sign. Check around the wheel wells for any signs of cracking. Always take a look up “topside” if you like the rig–we know a couple who bought their first rubber roofed rig and didn’t. They spent a lot of time and frustration fixing roof problems they never thought to look at.

What about worn carpeting, faded furniture, or out-of-fashion interior fashions? A low price might make the rig an attractive purchase with a little refurbishing in mind.

Photo courtesy Jacob…K on flickr.com

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