{"id":4512,"date":"2020-07-05T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-05T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=4512"},"modified":"2023-04-05T08:42:29","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T08:42:29","slug":"reasons-not-buy-rv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/reasons-not-buy-rv\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Reasons to NOT Buy an RV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself asking “Should I buy an RV or not?” you’re on the right track. It’s a big decision, and owning an RV is not for everyone. While RV camping can be fun, there’s a lot to consider before investing in one. If you’re looking for undeniable reasons why not <\/em>to buy an RV, you’ve come to the right place. I will tell you more than 10 reasons not to buy an RV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So…why is buying an RV a bad idea?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An RV can be a very expensive investment and requires a lot of maintenance. RVing involves lots of planning, cooking, cleaning, and excellent driving skills. Do not buy an RV if you do not like the lifestyle. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will get some idea of the pros and cons of RVs in this article. And you may decide to do something different ~like buy a cabin instead of an RV<\/a>. (If you make it to the bottom, one of the comments has a pretty compelling reason to buy an RV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, read along and find out what to do instead of buying an RV. There are many opportunities other than buying to find out if you want to own an RV (without actually buying one). Then, if you still decide to buy an RV we can show you how to make money by renting it to others as I do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip: If you are on the fence about buying an RV, I suggest you rent one first. I rented a motorhome and loved it. It’s hard to really understand what RV camping will be like until you are out there doing it! We suggest you try the peer-to-peer network Outdoorsy <\/a>for family-friendly campers near you. Plus, by renting from an owner you will get plenty of insider tips. Reserve quickly for this season because demand is crazy this year – I suggest you reserve on Outdoorsy<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update: Popular RV travel sites such as RVshare<\/a> are predicting 2023 to be another record year for leisure travel in America. If you’re considering renting an RV for your next trip you may want to book sooner than later on RVShare.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You are a Bad Driver<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no denying it, driving an RV can be difficult and takes practice. You need good depth perception, especially when backing up. In addition, a travel trailer is different than backing up a car because the trailer goes the opposite way. It may come as a surprise, however, that longer trailers are typically easier to back up than shorter trailers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can cause major damage to your vehicle and\/or RV if you are not great at driving or familiar with towing trailers.  Adding extra length and weight to a vehicle can make it extremely dangerous if you are in an accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad weather conditions are also amplified when you’re driving or towing an RV. High winds and wet roads can quickly lead to disastrous consequences if you’re not a skilled driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to admit, with our 35-foot travel trailer, I don\u2019t drive and I would probably not own such a large RV if I had to drive it by myself.  Instead, I have rented a camper van to take the kids camping by myself, which is much easier to drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You Love Tent Camping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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RV camping may not offer the same night sky view as tent camping.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Some families prefer to sleep in a tent under the sky. I can agree that sleeping inside an RV is not the same as a tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love sleeping in the fresh air under the stars and being able to hear the night sounds. If you would rather be in a tent don\u2019t buy an RV for camping.  Instead, consider trying a pop-up camper. This is more like sleeping outside but with the added luxury of your own bathroom and kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great way to try out a small pop-up is to rent one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find family-friendly hybrid campers and pop-ups. Plus, with our link, you get $50 off your first rental at Outdoorsy.  <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check prices on Foldable and Pop-up campers on Outdoorsy: See Deals on Pop-Ups<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You Despise House or Car Maintenance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Motorhomes and travel trailers take a lot <\/em>of maintenance. Different parts frequently break and need to be replaced, especially if you use them a lot. Routine maintenance needs to be done before every trip such as filling\/emptying water tanks, checking the tires, cleaning the inside, and emptying and flushing the sewage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have a motorhome or are towing a camper with a truck or SUV, you’ll need to consider additional maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a hard time remembering to change your oil or hate dealing with plumbing problems in the house, you will not like the maintenance on an RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buying an RV Could Drain your Savings <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Owning an RV requires regular maintenance and upkeep to help make your trips go smoothly.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Hidden surprise costs can become very expensive. An RV requires regular maintenance and upkeep. In addition, things break frequently. We have gone through more tires than I want to admit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, driving is expensive. Not to mention all the new gadgets you will want to buy for your rig. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to RVing – here is what you need! Must-Have Supplies for your New Camper That You May Have Never Thought Of<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In all, owning an RV is expensive. If you will need to spend all of your savings to purchase your rig, you will not be able to afford the extra costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Own an RV When You Can Rent?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to do an occasional camping trip, renting a rig can be a much better idea.  Renting an RV can be less expensive and easier than owning and maintaining one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another perk of renting from owners on RVShare <\/a>or Outdoorsy<\/a> is the ability to try out different models and layouts.  We rent out our travel trailer and people love the layout of our bunkhouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read our article here about 9 fool-proof ways to rent a Cheap RV<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You May Want to Change RV Style and Size<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frequently, people decide they want a bigger RV than they originally purchased.  Maybe your family size has grown or you use it for longer trips than you anticipated.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, you might buy a motorhome that\u2019s too big and decide you want something smaller. Trading down is actually very difficult at a dealership.  They just won\u2019t make any money so they really don’t want to help you out. In this case, you may have better luck selling your RV on your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting an RV similar to the one you want to buy will help you decide on the size and features you like. You can try out a Class A, campervan, pop-up, or toy hauler by renting on Outdoorsy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: Read <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n