How to Find the Best RV for the Money

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler
(Greg and Jan Ritchie/Shutterstock.com)


When it comes to finding the best RV for the money, it takes some work on your part. Fortunately, we’ve got some ideas to help you on your way.


For many of us, the economy has come around now to the point that we can afford to buy a few toys again. This means that RV sales have improved and the industry has stabilized some. Let’s face it; there was a time not too long ago when things were getting a little sketchy. Now we can relax and take a breath and think about getting into a new RV.

But just because things have stabilized some, that doesn’t mean we should go throwing cash at the dealerships like it was Monopoly money, right? I would hope that we’ve all learned to be a little more frugal. I know I have for sure. So when looking at getting a new RV, we want to get the right one. Here are a few tips on getting the best RV for the money.

What Can You Live Without?

This is a question you really need to know the answer to before you shop. Go to an RV show this winter and you’ll find plenty of awesome RVs loaded with cool features and options that will have you ready to sign on the dotted line. However, you really need to know what you need to have versus what you want to have. When getting the best RV for the money, you don’t want to spend extra on options that aren’t really needed, and won’t, in the long run, add any additional value to your purchase.

My wife and I looked at a bunch of RVs before we bought one. We came really close on this one unit that was only $2,000 over our ceiling budget. It had a bathtub in it and that was the big cost increase. We liked it, but had already decided we didn’t need the tub. It hurt some, but we walked away.

Do Your Research

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I may sound a little like a broken record, but do your research. We’ve talked in the past about looking at the different models, but if you’re going to the best RV for the money, you need to look at how the different options affect the costs. The best place to start is right on this very website.

Check the Used Marketplace

Getting a used RV is a decent option for saving some green. It can also give you good insight into how well your RV will hold its value if you go new. Check classified listings for similar RVs to what you’re considering and see what is going on. You may be able to score a great deal on used equipment that will work great for you.

Check Rates

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RV insurance is something you will want anyway, but there is another side to checking rates before you buy. The insurance for a truck is different than those for a Corvette. That will tell you something. It’s also higher for cheap cars that are basically throwaways if wrecked. If possible, talk to your agent about which RVs you’re looking at. Insurance agents will give you lots of information you might not have known.

Talk to Other Owners

There’s no replacement for experience, so find some folks who have a similar RV to what you think you want and see how it is working for them. This is a great way to see if the options you want are worth it. In addition to helping you find the best RV for the money, there is a decent chance that you’ll end up making some new RV’ing friends, too. Not a bad deal all the way around.

Feel free to comment on here with what you’re thinking. Maybe there’s someone else out there that can help!

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