5 Essential Things to Know About Owning an RV

Whether you’re an empty nester looking for a way to spend your retirement, or you just want a way to travel extended distances with the family, RVs are a great choice. However, before you hit the road on that first trip, there are five essential things you need to know about owning an RV.

Consider Renting First

Yes, you already know you want an RV, but renting one will help you get a better idea of how it feels to drive one. Additionally, this will allow you to determine if that four-person sleeper really does offer enough space for everyone out on the road. Once you’ve discovered which fits your needs best, you’ll be ready to buy with confidence.

Classes

There are different classes of RVs. Class A’s are the large behemoths that range from 22’ to 45’ and include everything you’d expect to have at home. Class B RVs are much smaller, and are essentially van campers that hold one or two people. Class C’s are generally smaller versions of the Class A options. There are also fifth wheels, which offer larger living spaces and are hauled with medium or heavy-duty trucks.

Driving Skills

Owning an RV doesn’t require you to get a special driver’s license, but it does require you to be more aware. You may be larger than any other vehicle except for semis, but that comes with a lot of responsibility. Understand that the sheer size means you’ll require more stopping distance and you’ll have to rely on your mirrors to avoid hitting other vehicles. You’ll also have to learn how to turn this massive vehicle without taking out trees and telephone poles.

Protect Your Investment

When you aren’t traveling, you’ll need to store you RV properly. Ideally, an enclosed space would be best, but if that isn’t possible, at least use a cover. The buildup of snow on the roof can cause serious damage that will lead to leaks – and potentially expensive electrical repairs.

Prepare for the Costs

Owning an RV can be expensive, even beyond the initial purchase price. You’ll need to keep up on maintenance and prepare yourself to spend hundreds at the pump – especially if you are traveling long distances.

If you are considering a used RV, make sure to contact YourMechanic for an inspection before you buy to make sure it’s in good condition.


Next Step

Schedule Pre-purchase Car Inspection

The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Pre-purchase Car Inspection. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. We currently cover over 2,000 cities and have 100k+ 5-star reviews... LEARN MORE

SEE PRICING & SCHEDULING

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Recent Pre-purchase Car Inspection reviews

Excellent Rating

(5,493)

Rating Summary
5,137
193
39
38
86
5,137
193
39
38
86

Jermaine

25 years of experience
382 reviews
Jermaine
25 years of experience
Dodge Durango V6-3.6L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Silver Spring, Maryland
Awesome mechanic! Very reliable !! Awesome personality! Explained everything and now I feel less stressed.
Hyundai Ioniq - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Chevy Chase, Maryland
Jermaine was very friendly, efficient and professional. He kindly explained to me those things that did not score well in the service report, so that it didn't come as a surprise, and I would know what to do about it.

Caz

18 years of experience
146 reviews
Caz
18 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz GLA250 L4-2.0L Turbo - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Woodstock, Georgia
Caz was extremely knowledgeable, personable and provided excellent service. He was on time for the appointment and answered and explained everything I asked concerning my vehicle. I will definitely use the company again and I would love to have Caz as my mechanic! Excellent!
Mercedes-Benz S550 - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Mableton, Georgia
Caz Arrived on time much earlier than scheduled. He was very professional in inspecting the car and made excellent recommendations.

Brian

19 years of experience
138 reviews
Brian
19 years of experience
Lexus RX350 V6-3.5L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - McDonough, Georgia
Brian was very informational and knowledgeable about the Inspection. He throughly inform me what issues on vehicle. Great Mechanic !!!
Ford Transit-350 HD - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - McDonough, Georgia
Great service. Honest , respectful and truly cares about making sure you get the best options possible at an affordable price. Finding a mechanic you can trust is rare. I highly recommend Brain.

Jay

24 years of experience
262 reviews
Jay
24 years of experience
Honda CR-V L4-2.4L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Glendale Heights, Illinois
Jay did a great job! Excellent at taking time to explain things about your car. And provided sound recommendation on repair. Courteous and responsive. I would definitely recommend Jay!
BMW 535i xDrive - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Des Plaines, Illinois
Excellent ! Jay is very detail oriented and forward thinking. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How to Check the Quality of a Used Car
If you’re looking to purchase a car, buying a used vehicle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-used-car) is a great way to save money. Used cars are usually cheaper than new ones and you may be able to buy them without having to take out...
How to Register Your Car
Vehicle registration is an important part of owning and buying a car. The process to register your car varies by state but luckily it's an easy task.
How to Make the Most Out of a Test Drive
Test Test driving a car is a crucial part of the buying process. When you test drive (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-to-look-for-when-test-driving-a-used-car) a car, you can see how a vehicle you are considering will handle your day-to-day activities and driving routines. By test driving...

Related questions

is it worth fixing the timing belt and timing pulleys?
If the belt is broken (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/timing-belt-replacement) or the engine is noisy and having problem, then no, it probably wouldn't be worth purchasing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-used-car). For whichever car that you are seriously considering moving forward with, I suggest having a certified mechanic...
P0328 code - 2008 Hyundai Accent
Hello. P0328 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0328-obd-ii-trouble-code-knock-sensor-1-circuit-high-input-by-spencer-clayton) is the code for a knock sensor. If the knock sensor fails, or there is an issue with the wiring, the code may be set off. You also mention that the Check Engine Light was not on....
The car was rebuilt after a front end collision and looks new Ford Fusion se 2015 it looks new they listing it for 9000 is it fair
You should be cautious of purchasing a vehicle with a rebuilt title or has been in a major accident. The vehicle typically never gets back to 100% of what it was before the accident and the value for you will...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com