The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On Buying a Used RV

Buying a used RV isn't always a walk in the provincial park. It will take you some time, careful consideration, a team of finely curated experts and this blog post to get through the process. Whether you're looking for a small used camper for sale or a used Class A motorhome, the strategy is similar.  Before you start heading down to South Thompson RV to take a look, we have some essential tricks of the trade to help you find the used RV of your dreams.

Before you start shopping there a few things you need to consider. First, let's talk about what you are looking for. Do you want a pre-owned fifth-wheel? A travel trailer? A toy hauler? How important are luxurious features to you? Deciding what you’re looking for is the first step to picking your RV, especially if it’s your first one. Be honest and upfront with what your needs are so you don’t wind up buying more RV than you can handle or, worst case scenario, buy something too small.

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to talk budget. Setting a budget beforehand helps you stay on track and honestly assess what you can afford. Set a budget and shop for vehicles that fall within it. If you need help offsetting the costs, South Thompson Motors & RV has plenty of affordable financing and leasing options that can help. Talk to our Finance Department to learn more.

Review the RV's Exterior

Just like shopping for any other used vehicle, take a look at the quality of the exterior. UV damage, rust, cracked or chipped windshields are all red flags. Luckily when you work with a dealership that only bargains in high quality used RVs, like South Thompson, these glaring signs of damage shouldn’t be an issue. You can discuss the vehicle history with our sales representatives. This assessment should include a look at the engine and braking systems.

Interior Finishings 

When taking a look at the interior there a few functional questions you need to ask and of course, as this is your home on road, some style questions. If you are planning on bringing a gaggle of your closest friends, relatives, neighbours and other camping enthusiasts with you on a trip, you should take a look at how many people you can sleep comfortably and the ease with which it takes to access the beds. Does this feel like something you can do every night? Recent RV models are made with you in mind so don’t feel like you need to sacrifice ease of use just because you’re buying used. Think of the overall layout and make sure it works with your RVing lifestyle.

Now, style. While some older RVs can have less than modern interior finishings, you’ll find the models from more recent years have been decked out in more classic or timeless finishings. If something in the interior isn’t to your liking you can easily redecorate. Pay attention to the quality of the flooring, carpeting and interior coverings. These are not always simple fixes and speak to the overall quality of the vehicle. Also be sure to check out the appliances. Do they suit your needs? Are they in good repair? All of these will impact your ability to enjoy the RV so it’s worth considering.

Talk to Our Team

If you aren’t sure what you need out of an RV or you need some advice narrowing the field, our team of experts at South Thompson Motors & RV are more than happy to help. Contact us online or give us a call at 1-(888) 871-4058. We can help guide you through the process so that buying a used RV is easy and fun. For more information or to start your search, shop used RVs online or in person. Not ready to start? Reach out over the phone before making your first visit.

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