RV Buying Mistakes to Avoid: RV Dealers WILL HATE Us for This

I have been an NRVIA Certified Inspector in Alabama for the last 4 years, I appreciate you educating people interested in getting into RVING about the importance of getting an independent certified inspection. If I had a dollar for everytime I've heard "The dealership said they were going to do a PDI" The truth is, in most cases the dealership is going to dust it off , throw some lipstick on and get it off the lot with a smile without blinking an eye. Once it's off the lot, those issues they didn't find or correct are now your issues.... I am doing more and more post purchase inspections than ever because buyers are having so many issues after the purchase and their RV has either been at a dealership for months on end or going back to the factory and they want an inspection so all the issues can be corrected. Do yourself a favor and get the inspection prior to purchase and don't give the dealership a dime until everything is fixed. If the dealership does not allow a 3rd party inspection, RUN !!!

Best advice you will ever hear, "Rent your Fun and Buy your Needs."

Hello. My name is Brandi. I work at General RV in Ocala Florida. I want to let you know about our keep you camping program. Even if you don’t buy your tv from us you can be a part of the program. It was set up for people so they can have access to same day appointments and we offer electric hook up and a place to stay the night if we don’t have a part that day. I agree most sales people don’t care after the sale. I did come over from car sales and I’m watching your videos to learn about RV life. You guys are awesome! Keep up the good work!

As the former owner of 1 motorhome, 2 travel trailers, 5 regular 5th wheels and 2 toy haulers over the last 54 years I can say you are SPOT ON about these RV dealers. What shisters!!

Never be afraid to walk away from a deal. I walked away from 2. Seattle RV show was great for looking. The “special prices” were the same as what the dealerships were advertising. Great video! 🙌

Way to go!!! And this is coming from a retired RV salesperson of 17 years, and I will add, I was camping with RV's 20 years before you guys were born. 😂 I wished that more people would have done their homework, it would have made my job much easier!

We bought our RV used. We actually got a great salesman. He told us that all new RVs spend most of the first year in the shop correcting all the problems so buying used was better because someone else had already worked out all the bugs. He told us to be patient and he would find us the perfect motorhome. We knew we wanted a Class A diesel pusher for my wife. She is handicapped with a bad back and everyone said the diesel pushers had by far the best ride. I also learned something else from our salesman. Diesel pushers can have anywhere from four to ten air bags which makes a huge difference in the ride. We wound up with a 2006 42' Monaco Dynasty. It has all the high end features and has 10 air bags in the suspension. We have been super happy. We got a copy of the original order with the sale. By buying used we saved 75% off the original sale price. We have had the coach now for five years. Safe travels.

I went to camping world in hopes to buy an RV and they literally tried to get around $50,000 out of me so I went home and found the same RV on marketplace for about $13,000 same year same model everything. I thank God I didn’t make that mistake.

My wife and I have been camping/ RVing for 50+ years. Not tooting my own horn, but we know a lot. After watching this video, we realized there's always something to learn. Thanks for these videos, keep it up.

AWESOME VIDEO!!! YOU nailed every point! As RV inspectors, we've seen this happen to our customers over and over! Thanks for making this video and getting the word out to every RVer...its an emotional buy, and the salesperson can smell the excitement a mile away. Thank you!

Buying mine was an easy process....Owning it... Now that is where the nightmare begins....I now own a 2006 "driveway paper weight"!

I’ve been researching rvs to buy for a year . Planning on full time in a few years for retirement and you guys were my first rver follow. Everything you’ve said here is what I’ve learned both online and in person . Won’t be buying late 2024 but it’s been a great education. You two have given great content for how to live the rv full timer life. THANK YOU. But … I used your example of why we don’t need a washer /dryer when my wife insisted. Now you guys installed one and I’m gonna have to buy for and plan for one too 🤣🤣🤣

I applaud you for saying "looking to avoid one of the biggest finacial mistake you'll ever make?" with a straight face, while standing in an RV.

Totally agree! I fortunately have a husband who can fix ANYTHING! We have RV ed on and off for over 30 years. When we went full time , thank goodness we knew what to look for. If you don’t…most even salespeople have never owned an rv so you need to be prepared to research everything. When we purchased our 5th wheel that we lived full time in…we saw it at an RV show and got a written quote then when we returned home we went to our local shop. They were 10,000 more, but did come down because we were going to get the one from the RV show. Our local dealership price matched to get our business. It worked out for us.

I did a lot of research before buying to learn all the design problems and common issues with RV and RV Sales knowing that I was almost certainly going to buy a used rig. I found a vintage Nomad for $300 in horrible condition but with a solid trailer and intact tin and figured worst case scenario I'd have to raze it to the ground and build a new RV, then wrap it in that vintage tin. As an engineer, that was more an opportunity than a problem and exactly what I had to do; from the bare metal up. I now have a rig with active sonar, a face recognition security setup, and computer controlled zone heating all wrapped in a double moisture barrier and R30 insulation ceiling to floor. It was a lot of work but engineering and tinkering is my passion, so it has worked out really well! You guys were instrumental in the construction with all your tips!

“You have to be an advocate for yourself.” That was your best line.

RV life is where dreams and reality collide.

I must say, when seeing Youtube videos, there is usually a lack of accuracy, validity, usefulness, when the scene contains attractive persons (straight up serious here). These people really provided info from a top-down, real world, perspective and I wish to extend my appreciation by pointing out their alacrity, clarity, and depth of observations.

As everyone else has said - thank you for the insights. Love the videos. My need is a bit different than most here, but it all still applies. The biggest thing I have learned from buying used is when advertised as "everything works as it should" make them prove it. I just bought a Toterhome and advertised as "everything works as it should" and went to turn on the stove top and it didn't work. He was perplexed and then I opened the cabinet below and quickly discovered it wasn't hooked to any gas. No big deal as the rest of the unit was what I wanted and hooked up a small propane tank. Just want an option to cook inside if it is raining. He did have it powered up for heat and air to demonstrate. If they are not willing to show it works, consider it non-functional.

We have ya beat! Our first RV salesman had also transferred from car sales to RV sales. It was the fourth day of his FIRST WEEK selling RV's! He also had never owned nor planned on owning an RV. You're exactly right, they are SALES people and they're there JUST to make a sale.