More and more people, in pursuit of peace, away from cities and noisy resorts, are choosing independent road trips. There are quite a few organized auto camping now. Most of them are in the forest and near the sea coast. Besides, during open-air events, equipped places for caravanners have become an obligatory part of their infrastructure.
But buying an RV is not a cheap pleasure. Even a used recreation vehicle costs at least $13,000. Experienced users say that buying such a vehicle will be profitable if you cannot imagine life without long car trips to other countries and spend at least two months traveling with the whole family in a year.
But if you do not plan to travel for months, and you need a campsite for two weeks once a year, you can rent it. At the same time, keep in mind that if you are going abroad on a caravan, warn the lessor about this (some rental companies require you to coordinate the route with them in advance) and demand from him a certificate of vehicle registration in your name. You must return this certificate within 10 days after your return from abroad. Also, to legally cross the border, you will need a compulsory insurance contract issued in your name. We figured out what conditions you can rent a campsite.
How to buy RV correctly
Decide on the choice of vehicle. One of the most obvious but difficult points. In addition to the price, you need to take into account a lot of nuances. We will try to tell you about the most important ones. A modern motorhome can be:
- Self-propelled (motorized);
- Look like a big trailer.
Types of recreation vehicle
RVs are divided into motorized and trailers. Motorized, in turn, are:
Class A – buses. Large and comfortable, but voracious. This class weighs the most. This RV can accommodate my passengers, there is a lot of space, you can have a good rest and sleep. Some RVs in this class can reach 45 feet in length, and the shortest RVs are often 25 feet.
In such a trailer, you can find two king-size beds and possibly bunk beds for children. It is very convenient because everyone will have a comfortable sleeping place.
These trailers have the highest ceilings. If you are tall, then you will be comfortable in such a PB. There are also many closets for storing clothes, shoes, food, and equipment. Many of them are visible, but some are put forward and hidden.
Also, there are many ways to increase the living space of a mobile home. This can be done by small pull-out boxes that are designed to store things. These boxes are usually installed in the kitchen area or bedroom. Also, a retractable bay window can be installed along the entire length of the wall of one of the area-rooms of the motorhome. Yet these luxury mobile homes have one drawback – the amount of fuel they use. Class A motorhomes are divided into two types depending on fuel: motorhomes that run on diesel and motorhomes that run on gasoline. The price will also depend on this. For example, Thor Motor Coach Hurricane 35M Class A Motorhome costs $144,675, or the 2019 Jayco Embark 37MB Class A Motorhome will cost you $295,200+.
Class B – minivans, suitable for a couple. Of the three RV classes, these are the lightest mobile homes. This trailer can comfortably accommodate 2-3 passengers. Such a house offers a single queen-size or king-size bed. In some, you can find a sofa bed. There is much less space here, but you can still fit all the essentials on the shelves. There are not many windows in a house like this, but it is the cheapest type of camper. Therefore it is beneficial.
Class C. This is a mobile home in which the space is above the cab with a berth. Perhaps the best option for traveling with a company of 2-4 people. In terms of money, a motorhome in this class will be more expensive than a class B motorhome, but not as expensive as a class A motorhome. Most often, these options cost a little less than six figures.
There is little room in these RVs. Where the bedroom should be, there will be a hanging bed, maybe a second queen-size or king-size bed. This RV will be comfortable for two people. Driving such a house is also much easier. These RVs are 24 feet long. You will find a place to store clothes, groceries, and all the essentials. There is also a kitchen, shower, and toilet.
What do you pay attention for before buying?
The categories are completely different in terms of cost and capacity. When choosing, you need to consider the number of travelers. The more there are, the more the motorhome should be. A trailed model is enough for two people. But a large family in such transport will be cramped. Trailed models rarely have comfortable conditions. Don’t expect a shower or toilet. The minimum set is water, gas, a small stove for cooking, a compact bed. In terms of manufacturability and free space, trailers are inferior to autonomous motorhomes.
The main advantage of such a house is its low initial cost. But there are also enough cons. Firstly, it is rather difficult to travel comfortably in such a house. Secondly, you need a quality tractor to transport heavy motorhomes. If one has already been purchased, there are fewer problems. Otherwise, you will have to buy a pickup or SUV right away, and there is already a trailer for it.
Choose the RV brand
In America, more than 10 thousand motorhomes are sold monthly for every taste and budget. At auctions, you can find standalone models, trailers, and simpler trailers. Local brands have an undeniable advantage and are ahead of European models. Today automakers Ford, Chevrolet, American-Motors sell comfortable and safe motorhomes.
If renting a mobile home is not for you, then you should consider buying it. Buying a mobile home depends on the type of home.
- Price from $10.000 – $50.000
- Price from $50.000- $120.000
- Price from $5.000 – $10.000
As you can see, the cost varies from 12 thousand dollars to 280,000+ The purchase budget should be calculated in advance and very carefully. The amount will depend on the condition of the vehicle, its mileage, year of manufacture, and the nature of the damage. The best choice would be a motorhome without an accident. Transport under 20 years old will cost about 12-15 thousand dollars. Older models will cost about half the price. Brand new good options will cost at least $ 30,000. The price for elite options starts at $ 50,000.
Important points when choosing
Good motorhomes are found in almost all states. But it is necessary to give preference to transport from the southern part of the country. Low temperatures in the north and changes in humidity quickly wear out a car, not only outside, but also inside. Hurricanes and floods are also common in the east, so versions with damage from above (after branches fall), overturned, or flooded models are often sold.
Some sites sell profitable options with excellent finishes inside, oak kitchens, expensive bedroom sets. Above-average RVs usually offer extra space (retractable walls). During stopover and parking, the bedroom can be enlarged slightly. Solar panels on the roof will allow you to quickly charge small appliances or use energy to operate a refrigerator or air conditioner. Along with the motorhome, they often sell various useful things for tourism, for example, extension cords, hoses, camping tables and chairs, repair tools, spare parts.
Related Video: How Much RV Living Full Time Cost
Conclusion
In the United States, an average of 200,000 RVs are sold annually, excluding motorhomes, and the market is about $12-17 billion. In Europe, trailers are even more popular – about 360 thousand units are sold there annually. In our article, we tried to talk about the features of the choice and approximate prices for each RV class.
Buying a motorhome or caravan from the United States is a profitable investment in your comfort outside the home. And for those who are not going to travel, but want to settle down on their site, you can buy a cottage trailer. Since living in a van is common in America, there are always a lot of offers on the local market.
You can buy a used mobile home in different trim levels. Previously, the filling was limited to sleeping space and minimal furniture, and the kitchen and sink were mobile. Now air conditioners, multimedia centers, household appliances, a bathroom, water, and waste water tanks are the norm.
