What Type of RV to Buy
In this video, Jon Goldstein, president of Leisure Coachworks, talks about the RV lifestyle. Jon tells us how he got into the RV life and how to be an educated buyer if you’re shopping for an RV.
RV living is about spending time with family and friends. Find new traditions, explore new places, and make great memories in your RV. What you buy depends on how you plan to live your RV life.
Dry Camping vs Full Hook-ups
One factor that determines what kind of RV you choose is the type of camping you enjoy. Dry camping means carrying everything you need with you as you head somewhere remote. You bring water, a generator, and everything else you need to spend time away from it all. No TV, maybe no cell signal, and lots of time for loved ones and nature.
Camping with full hook-ups is a different kind of RV living. You have neighbors, electricity, and aren’t looking for that remote spot to disconnect. You have all the conveniences of home and are usually in the mix of lots of activity.
Budget
It’s crucial to have a realistic RV budget. Spending too much initially reduces your ability to maintain and upgrade your vehicle. A large payment keeps you from taking the time you want to enjoy your new RV life.
Don’t overdo it on your budget and take the fun out of your RV experience. Leave yourself enough funds for insurance, repairs, trips, RV accessories, and some flexibility.
RV Types
Class A RVs
Class A RVs are the most common type. They come in all shapes and sizes and generally have the comforts of home.
Class B RVs
Class B RVs are converted vans. These RVs are smaller (usually under 20 feet), easier to drive, and don’t always have a bathroom.
Class C RVs
Class C RVs have a cab chassis that looks like the front of a truck. These offer a medium level of RV living with more amenities than a Class B, but not as many as a Class A.
Travel Trailers
You hook travel trailers behind your truck or SUV. They come in many different sizes, usually between 20 and 30 feet, and can have full amenities.
Toy Haulers
These RVs come in many configurations, but all have one thing in common: storage. Not regular storage—storage for kayaks or other large recreational items. Toy haulers often have a lot of water, so are good for a dry camping RV life.
5th Wheels
Often large, 5th Wheels are towed behind your truck and tend to offer a better towing experience than travel trailers. Their weight is distributed differently, resulting in improved turning and a smoother tow.
Pop-Up Trailers
These campers shrink down for easy travel. They’re light and easy to tow behind a car. There are many different expansion configurations and some of these pop-up RVs even have bathrooms.
Tear Drop Trailers
These small trailers tow very easily behind a car. They can sit high for off-road camping and usually do not have bathrooms.
Bus Conversions
On the other end of the spectrum from a small teardrop trailer, you have full bus conversions. Some are DIY, others professionally converted. They are large and costly and generally have the greatest number of amenities.
Truck Camper
These clever campers fit inside the bed of your truck. You can find one for any size truck and in many different configurations. These are good for off-road, remote camping.
Try Before You Buy
Once you determine your budget and the type of camping you want to do, it’s time to try out some RVs. You can rent RVs, go with a friend who owns one, or even rent a U-Haul to experience driving a large vehicle.
It’s important to know what kind of RV you’re comfortable driving before you spend your money.
Enjoy the Journey
The most important thing to do once you make your purchase is to enjoy your RV. Enjoy the places it can take you and the adventures you’ll have. Make your RV lifestyle one that suits your needs and you’ll never look back.
Are you looking for the perfect RV? Contact us at Leisure Coachworks and our professionals will help you start your RV life.
