Buying a Used Motorhome - What You've Got to Know

Purchasing a new motor home can be very expensive and the many used recreational vehicles (RVs) on the market can be an attractive alternative. Nevertheless, if you are not very careful when undertaking a second-hand motor home purchase, you can find yourself in hot water.

To start with, it is not a good idea to simply fall in love with a motorhome and decide to buy it. It is far better to have worked out what you actually need and want beforehand. What size do you need and how does this fit with the size you can comfortably drive? Where do you want to take the vehicle? If you are planning to use it on dirt tracks, maneuverability will be important.

There are three classes of motor homes: Class A, Class B and Class C. Advertisements will use these designations so it is important to understand them. Class A motor homes look like coaches and are built on either a bus chassis or a truck chassis. They range in size from twenty two feet to over forty feet and usually have a double or queen bed in the rear, the kitchen in the middle of the floor plan and the living area behind the driving cabin. Class B motor homes are really just mini-vans. Class C motor homes are built on a cut-away van chassis or small truck chassis and can be reasonably large but more maneuverable than a Class A motorhome. They can range in length from twenty feet to thirty six feet.

Ideally, you will plan for the motor home you would like to own first. Once you have done this, the next step is to decide what you can afford or are willing to pay. Now, you are ready to look for your used motor home.

When you find a motorhome with a description that fits your parameters, go and look at it but don’t feel pressured to make a decision. If you have to decide quickly because someone else will grab it, it’s better to let them have it rather than commit to a purchase without adequately checking the motor home and related paperwork.

Before you purchase a used motor home, go through the following pre-purchase checklist:
o Oil Analysis. It is important to see records indicating that the engine and transmission oil have been regularly analyzed. If the current owners have not done this, the price should be lower than otherwise. However, you will also need have your own oil analysis done to detect any dilution of lubrication oil, dirt contamination, incorrect grade or type of lubricants, evidence of antifreeze in the oil and excessive traces of metal in the oil indicating excessive wear of internal components. Early detection of these potential problems can provide a warning of likely high maintenance and repair costs or give you additional bargaining leverage.
o Rust. If you find rust in the structure, frames, fenders or hood-hinge mounts be aware that it will get worse and cost you a great deal to replace the parts. You need to take rust seriously. If the price is low enough, a small amount of rust on the body may be allowable but nothing more.
o Service Records. You need to see the original purchase paperwork, service records and paperwork for all repairs and in particular receipts for recent repairs. Not only will service and repair records give you an indication of the motor home’s track record of reliability, they will also give you a good idea of how much it costs to service and repair it. Be aware that the VIN number on the paperwork must match the number on the vehicle, so check that first.
o Replacement Costs. Make sure you know how much it costs to replace parts on the model you are considering purchasing. Take the time to find out. If replacement costs are far too expensive for you to manage, you need to know now. You also need to make sure that replacement parts are still available. You won’t have a problem for the most popular makes, but you need to check for less popular ones. Imported models, models that were unsuccessful and had short production runs, or unknown brands can be a problem to replace parts for.
o Motor home insurance. Make sure you can insure the used motor home before you buy it. If you can’t, you have to be willing to risk the loss of your investment. More than that, however, an insurance company will give you the reason it won’t insure a vehicle which can be very important information.

Buying a used motorhome can be an affordable way to gain a quality recreational vehicle that you can enjoy for years to come. If you plan before you look and then carefully check the vehicle’s service and repair history, check for rust and oil contaminants, you will be able to relax and enjoy your purchase knowing you have covered all your bases.