Choosing The Right RV

RV buying has flourished since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as travel trailers, campers and other types of recreational vehicles offer a safe way to get out of the house with family. 

"RVs can be a very affordable way for people to travel, especially in a time where people are a little bit more hesitant to get on a plane," says Phil Ingrassia, president of the National RV Dealers Association. 

But, pandemic or not, the process of buying an RV is largely the same as it has always been. Ingrassia says that the process is similar to experiences you've probably had before. "If you bought a car, you're going to have a similar experience at an RV dealer," he says. 

Here's what you need to know about the process if you're thinking about buying an RV. 

HOW TO BUY AN RV

1. Think long-term about the type of RV you want

RVs come in many different shapes and sizes, from simple, towable pop-up campers to full-size motorcoaches. Ingrassia says two questions will largely determine what size RV you need. "How long are you going to be in the unit, and how are you going to use the unit? Are you more of a rustic, backcountry camper, or are you going to be in a KOA that's got a pool?"

Ingrassia also urges shoppers to think about their current car or vehicle before buying a camper — it may or may not be a good fit. "The bulk of RVs being bought and sold right now are on the towable side, and I think people need to take care to match their tow vehicle that they already have with the proper RV," he says. 

Whether you're planning to tow with an SUV or a super-duty truck, make sure your tow vehicle can handle the load before you buy. Information on this should be available in your car's manual or manufacturer's website. And make sure that your towing vehicle has a tow package already attached — if not, you may have to get one installed.

Check out the full article from Business Insider here. 

Photo credit: Elisabeth Schmitt/Getty Images