Should I buy an RV with 100000 miles? (7 checks)
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Should I buy an RV with 100000 miles? We will help you decide whether a used RV is a good deal and tell you what are the basic seven checks you must make before signing the deal!
Should I buy an RV with 100000 miles?
Any RV that has over 100,000 miles is considered an old RV. You may not have the best deal in front of you, but still, there are some exceptions to this rule. Thus, you must take the time to test the motorhome. Here are seven basic checks for any used RV:
- Check the cleanliness of the vehicle inside and out. If he is well cared for, he is likely to have been treated well.
- Operate the faucets, toilets, water drains and all electrical equipment. If it trips, the battery is probably at the end of its life.
- Test the locking of the vaults. It is a sign of safety.
- Make a list of options and accessories: air conditioning, awning, bicycle rack, satellite dish, etc. and their condition.
- Test drive the RV. After a collision of the vehicle against a sidewalk, the steering could be damaged, for example.
- Check the fluid level and the condition of the tires. Yes, they can be changed, but why pay more?
- Check that the number of beds corresponds to the number of places indicated on the registration document and to the number of seat belts.
How many miles is too many for a used RV?
Any RV that has close to 200,000 miles is deemed an old RV and has too many miles to be considered a good investment. Besides the number of miles, obviously, you need to ask the dealership all kinds of questions regarding the condition of the recreational vehicle. Here are some questions and tips to consider:
- What model is the RV and how old?
- How many people have owned this RV and how many times have they driven it?
- Do they have maintenance records?
- How many kilometres are there on the tires and when were they replaced?
A short guide for buying the most reliable used RV
The goal here is to avoid a bad surprise and in the end, to get a good deal. Here are a few tips to take into consideration if you plan on acquiring a second-hand RV.
- Choose the right RV: Not all RVs or motorhomes are the same: a small utility vehicle is not the same as a converted bus. It is essential to consider:
- How many people are going to travel in the RV?
- What amenities do you want to have available and what are you willing to sacrifice?
- Are you planning long-term or short-term trips?
- What type of routes are you planning to do?
- The resale price: As much as it may seem to anticipate a lot in the future, buying a vehicle should always come hand in hand with the sale process when we do not want to use it anymore. It is not a good financial decision to buy something on a whim without considering the market value, especially for fairly expensive vehicles in general.
Once you find some alternatives that you like, contact the seller and ask as many questions as possible about:
- the mileage,
- fuel consumption,
- the previous owners,
- the use they have given the vehicle,
- the comforts it has,
- the main problems or necessary fixes.
- An inspection is a must: Beyond what the vehicle owner tells us, nothing compares to a first-person inspection. This will give us the opportunity to see all the parts of the motorhome closely and detect any possible problems. Some of the things we recommend you pay attention to are:
- Mould: Beyond an aesthetic issue, the presence of the fungus can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as rotting of the structure or leaks in the ceiling or walls.
- The floor and underfloor: If the floor makes a lot of noise or gives way easily, it may be a sign that there are rotten or broken parts underneath.
- The ceiling and the roof: Water leaks are one of the most typical problems that motorhomes often have, and also one of the most difficult to solve.
- The exterior and seams: Once again, the roof is a key part, so go upstairs and do an inspection for leaks and past fixes that have been made with glue or membranes. In addition, it is important to check the condition of the walls (push them in to see if they give a lot) and observe if there are rusted parts on the bottom.
- The wheels: The wheels of a motorhome are one of the most important components of the vehicle, and one of those that suffer the most from the load weight and the passage of time. Beyond making sure that the tire surfaces are not smooth (which implies an immediate change), it also helps to look at the DOT code.
- Other things to check are:
- Extra battery, inverter, charge indicators and solar panels
- Water pump, taps, shower and toilet
- Heating and air conditioning
- Refrigerator (either in 12V, 110/220 or gas mode)
- Water heater
- Water tanks (clean, grey, black) and valves or loading/unloading systems
- Lights, plugs and electrical system
- Cabin amenities (seats, radio, etc.).
- Take a driving test: Whether you want to make sure you have no trouble driving or detect any other issue, a test drive (a little longer than a short drive) is the best way to go. If the seller has no problem, it may also be helpful to take the vehicle for a short ride on the road to see how it performs at higher speeds.
- Take the RV to an authorised mechanic: For a price that is probably less than what you can pay for any problem later, a mechanic will know with certainty if the motor home you are thinking of buying has serious damage.
- Set a limit on expenses: It is easy, in the search for our perfect motorhome, to get carried away by the options on the market and lose sight of what we need. Therefore, and to avoid overspending, it is essential to have a number in mind and limit ourselves to the options within that range.
Beyond the cost of the motorhome itself, it is also important to consider all the extra expenses that our purchase will entail.
In this way, you must take into account the costs of taxes, registration fee, insurance, safety or environmental checks. In addition to these expenses, keep in mind that the cost of a motorhome does not end with the purchase, since then we will have to maintain it during the trip.
Therefore, it is also important to think about fuel costs, spare parts costs, typical maintenance costs, toll costs and shipping costs.
Should I buy a new or used RV?
Whether you should buy a new or used RV will depend on several factors, such as your budget and your main purpose. Price is the main advantage of buying a used unit. With a used RV, you get more for your money.
A new RV, on the other hand, offers the best and newest in terms of design, it will not have been previously manned and there will be no mileage carried out.
To decide whether you should buy a new or used RV, answer the following questions:
- What use will be made of it?
- When will it be used?
- Who else will use it?
- Where will it be used?
If you have answered the questions with confidence, if you are a seasoned enthusiast, you should go for a new RV.
If this is your first time buying and you are not sure what you want, you better buy a used RV. You could buy an RV that is only a few years old, that includes many features, at a much more affordable price as you determine your style of RVing.
The bottom line
Buying an RV, especially a used vehicle, can be a tedious and overwhelming process; it requires intelligent and strategic thinking, as well as the intelligence to get a reasonable offer based on quality. Make sure you follow the directions above for a good deal.
Contact us for more information about RV life or if you have any questions about the subject.
FAQ on Should I buy an RV with 100000 miles?
How many miles is too many for a used RV?
Any RV that has close to 200,000 miles is deemed an old RV and has too many miles to be considered a good investment. Besides the number of miles, obviously, you need to ask the dealership all kinds of questions regarding the condition of the recreational vehicle.
What do you have to take into account when buying a motorhome?
When buying a motorhome, you have to take into account so many things that it is best to involve each member of the family in the process. Give each person precise instructions. Do an eye check of the tires, electrical system, the condition of the furniture, etc.
How much does an RV cost?
RV costs depend on whether they are pre-owned, new, large, luxurious, simple, etc. However, an estimate (from a used one to a new luxury one) is between $ 15,000 USD to $ 100,000 USD.
What to consider before buying a used RV
Buying a used motorhome or RV is an option that many consider. Whether it is because of social isolation or the desire to explore life in nature in a more independent way, buying a used motor home opens up a new range of travel.
How do I get rid of my RV?
To get rid of your RV you could try reselling it, donating to a local charity or renovate and repurpose it.
How do you modernize an old RV?
You can modernize an old RV by repainting it, changing some of the furniture, changing the interior lighting, adding a few chairs and an awning, adding some abstract art pieces or changing the wallpaper.
