AND
GET THE BEST HOME ON WHEELS YOUR MONEY CAN BUY
You may not have to be a motorhome specialist, but
you'll be driving, hauling and living in this thing, so it's a good
idea to know as much as you can about it before signing on the dotted
line.
So where do you start?
Well, first you should sit down in front of your laptop with a pad of
paper and a pencil and decide just exactly what you want and need.
Spend time browsing and comparing types, prices and year models. The
best way to understand values is to see what motorhomes are actually
selling for now. Sounds simple, but it's not always.
Begin by browsing makes and models at NADA Guide for RVs & Motorhomes. Also see RV
Buying Tips for a guide on what to do once you find something
you like. Think of these as "Motorhome Specialist 101."
The
3 BASIC TYPES OF MOTORHOMES:
CLASS
A
These are the largest and most luxurious of them all. Some are as big
as a bus and, when all the sliders (those room extensions which
enlarge, usually by power or hydraulic systems, the interior space) are
extended, seem as large as a small house! You can have these outfitted
with any and all of the modern conveniences your home has ... and more.
Full size bathrooms, complete kitchens, large flat screen TVs,
comfortable bedrooms with closable doors and almost anything else you
can imagine.
If you're in this league, and are purchasing new or near-new, your
motorhome specialist job will be to find the brand, size and feel
of the rig that lights your fire and simply locate a reputable dealer.
As with cars and trucks, though, its smart to let a previous owner take
the big depreciation hit. A Class A, one or two years old, with a good
warranty is best.
Older Class A's are another story. Here you'll need help. You can still
be the motorhome specialist, but, depending on what you know about
electrical systems, holding tanks, hydraulics, mold, gas or deisel
engines and running systems, you'll probably need a good RV mechanic.
Before you spend a dime, however, go over the motorhome carefully and
jot down anything you find that's not working or
seems odd. And remember, low mileage on a really old rig could just
mean its been sitting out in a field for a decade or so! Ask questions.
For remodeling tips click Used
Class A Motorhomes and let your imagination run wild!
CLASS
B
These little beauties are ones you can live in and park in a regular
parking space at the mall. Some have pop-tops or high-top roof, swivel
captains chairs, built in TVs and even showers! Most have nice beds,
stoves, refrigerators, stereos, dinettes and toilets. Built on van
frames (mostly) these are also among the most fuel efficient, with some
getting up to 18-20 mpg.
Its best to always have a mechanic look at anything you're planning to
buy (in these cases a competent RV mechanic) and
the Class B Motorhome is no exception. Since its so small, the more
amenities it has, the tighter and more complex it is.
I lived in an older Winnebago LeSharo with everything
and found that sometimes it took longer to remove stuff to get at a
problem than it took to fix the problem! Not to mention having to put
all that stuff back in.
Call around and ask a few RV mechanics what they'd charge to look over
your prospective purchase and choose the one you feel the best about.
Talk to the mechanic and let them know what's important to you. You
don't want them spending time—and charging you—to check things you plan
to replace. Class Bs are, in my opinion, the easiest to operate and
maintain and the most fun ... especially if its just you or you and a
partner. Most can be driven through a McDonalds (watch the top!) and
parked anywhere SUV's park.
Most auto mechanics can work on the drivetrain (or, as a motorhome
specialist, you can) and road-trips are much more spontaneous than
Class A's. For remodeling tips click Used
Class B Motorhomes. You might just decide to buy an older one
and put your money in a really rad re-deux!!
CLASS
C
Class C Motorhomes look sort of like those cab-over camper shells on
pickup trucks, but they're far from that. Close to Class B's
interior-wise they (like Class B's) are mostly built on van frames or
beefed-up cargo van frames and make use of the swivel captains chairs
in the cab.
Also, like Class B's these can be worked on,
mechanically, by most auto mechanics and owners.
Fuel economy takes a back seat to Class B's because of the increased
weight and, by necessity, bigger engines. Several models have 4 wheel
drive, though, so the larger motors are needed.
The area over the cab is usually the bed, leaving more room
"downstairs" for the rest of the living area. For remodeling tips click
Used
Class C Motorhomes for ideas on ways to get off-road in style
and comfort!!
Whichever motorhome you choose, remember you'll be with this thing for
some time, and you should really try and be the best motorhome
specialist you can ... before you buy! Happy hunting!