The idea of simply packing up and driving, traveling around to see the sights, has been something that many people long for. It used to be something that only retired people could do both in terms of money and time. Still, today, thanks to technology and the chance to work from anywhere in the world in many cases, it’s now something that anyone and everyone can take advantage of.
One of the most popular ways to do this is to buy or rent an RV. These ‘recreational vehicles’ are big enough to store everything you need, comfortable, and can be driven wherever you want them to go, within reason, of course; they’re not made to go off-road. So with this in mind, what are some of the things to think about when getting an RV? Read on for some ideas.
Where Will You Be Going?
When it comes to vehicles, as you might expect, there are many different types of RVs, and the one you buy will need to be right for whatever it is you’re planning to do. This is why, when purchasing an RV, you need to have at least an idea of where you will be going and what you intend to do.
Some people like to roam all over the country, stopping here and there when something interesting catches their eye. Others like to find one camping spot and stay there for many weeks, if not months, at a time. Knowing what you want to do once you have your RV is crucial because it will determine the type of vehicle that will be best for you. For example, if you plan on buying an RV to go on a long road trip, you may want one with additional technology to help make driving easier, safer, and more comfortable. If you plan to stay located in one spot, you won’t need all this tech, which means you might be able to buy a larger vehicle that might be more comfortable when it comes to the living quarters. Once you know what you want and need, you can narrow down the shortlist of potential RVs.
Know Your Budget
Whether you are buying or renting an RV, the cost is going to play a big part. Let’s look at buying since if you intend to use it on a regular basis, this is probably the option you’ll consider most cost-effective. So, of course, the first thing to consider is whether to buy a new or used RV.
As with anything, new items will cost more, and they will be more up-to-date, so the safety and comfort we mentioned above will be standard. However, an older, used vehicle won’t automatically be unsafe, especially when you can consider you can add extras to make it easier to drive if need be. In many cases, you can get a lot more for your money with a used vehicle.
In the end, it’s going to come down to how much you have to spend, how often you’ll be using the RV, and what you’re comfortable with – you’ll even need to factor in what type of RV you like the best. It’s just important to explore all the different options before parting with any money.
RV Repairs
Even if you buy a brand new RV, that doesn’t mean nothing will ever go wrong with it, and sometimes you’ll need to get your RV repaired while out on the road. This is why it’s crucial to be aware of specialist RV shops wherever you go and to ensure you know how to contact them should you need to. You don’t want to be stranded somewhere and not know who you can call on for assistance.
However, it’s just as important to know some of the basics of repairing an RV yourself. If you can make minor repairs, such as changing tires, fixing broken bulbs, and changing the oil, for example, you can save a lot of time and money. These things can be learned through books, websites, and online videos, although if you know someone who already has the expertise, it’s a good idea to ask them to teach you.
The point is, although you won’t necessarily need to know how the engine works, it’s worthwhile learning how to make small fixes to ensure your RV can stay on the road for longer.
Storing Your RV
The one thing you’ll have noticed about every RV you’ve looked at is that it’s a large vehicle. It has to be, you’ll be living in it, so it can’t be tiny. As great as that size is when it comes to enjoying your road trip, it can be problematic when it comes to finding storage space. After all, a big RV might not fit on your driveway, and leaving it in the street may not be possible either.
What are your options? The safest and most cost-effective is to search out self storage near me. This might sound like a strange idea, but many storage facilities such as Storage Area specialize in RV storage. This means you can rest assured that your RV is kept safe and secure for a good price, and you’ll have access to it whenever you need to.
How Much Time Can You Devote To It?
Buying an RV isn’t quite like buying a car; it’s more like buying a house, although obviously on a much smaller scale. What this means is that you’ll need to dedicate some time and money to make it feel like yours. If you buy a brand new RV, there will probably be less to do in this regard; it will be decorated neutrally, so you can add whatever décor you want. If you buy a used RV, however, you’ll likely find the previous owner’s design ideas inside, which might not be to your taste.
So how much time can you devote to making the changes you want to make? This might help you determine whether or not to buy new, and it can also ensure you have an idea of what changes you want to make in advance, allowing you to budget better.