Buying Used RV May Offer Significant Savings
For many people, owning a recreational vehicle is a realistic goal, however the price of some of the newer units may be out of their reach. When looking for a vehicle, you might want to check out the availability of a used RV that could meet your need while saving a ton of money. Whether you buy from a dealer or a private individual there are some questions you will need to ask before buying a used RV.
The age and mileage of the vehicle should be self-explanatory as well as the physical condition. One of the top questions should be why the owner is trying to sell the vehicle. Typical answers may include they just cannot afford it anymore, or they have outgrown it and are looking to buy a bigger unit. When buying from a used RV dealer, the answers may not be readily available, but from a private individual they should be willing to explain why they are parting with one.
The tricks to finding a quality used RV are pretty much the same as buying a used car. For example, if the vehicle has really low mileage in relation to its age it could be that it wan not used very often. However, it could also mean the odometer was tampered with and the reading may not be accurate.
Verify Ownership Before Handing Over Money
When buying a used RV from a private seller, insure the person has the legal right to sell it. Even if they still owe money on the unit, they should have a certificate of title in their name, indicating they have the right to sell the vehicle. You will also want to contact the lender to insure there are no other liens on the vehicle that could come up later and claim ownership.
Depending on the vehicle's physical condition you may want to consider taking it into a mechanic to be checked out before buying, to make sure you are not buying a lemon in the shape of a used RV. There may be little things wrong the owner may not be aware of, but major problems that were not disclosed could indicate additional issues you are not being told about.
Buying a used RV from a dealer is probably the safest way to insure you are buying a legal unit that has been inspected before it hit the lot. It may not be as cheap as buying from someone's driveway, but it could be less expensive in the long run as private sales almost always come with no warranty.
