Choosing An RV

So you want to upgrade your camping experience from the humdrum tedium of using a tent and facing the elements to something that’s safer and more comfortable and more secure? Buying a recreational vehicle is your answer to this quandary! RVs have been improving campers’ lives since the mid-20th century, and the current assortment of them on the market is nothing to sneeze at. 

But how do you know what to look for in an RV when you’re a first-time buyer? Cedar City RV, serving Lebanon, is your Tennessee RV dealer. Below, we’ve provided some of our best tips for choosing an RV to help you make a wise purchasing decision.

Where Do You Want To Go?

First, think about where it is you’d like to go in your RV. Climate matters, as does the type of camping you plan to do. If you want to spend a lot of time in the deep South or along the coast, you’ll probably want air-conditioning to keep cool in the summer. And if you like the idea of full-time camping in the winter and heading north for some skiing, you’ll need heating and insulation. Think about whether you’ll want to go up in the mountains, since this may eliminate some of the larger RVs that aren’t as easy to control while going uphill.

If you’re going to campsites, then you’ll probably have access to water, power and sewage hookups, but if you choose to dry-camp or boondock, you’ll want to have larger tanks and possibly even solar panels or a generator for electricity.

How Much Can You Spend?

Knowing how much RV you can afford before you even set foot on a dealership lot is essential to getting the most bang for your buck without going overboard. You can immediately rule out RVs that are too pricey for you when you stick to a firm budget. When thinking about how much to spend, don’t forget secondary and tertiary costs like maintenance, insurance, upgrades and accessories. Those who are strapped for cash may wish to start small with a lightweight, towable RV, while those who have money to burn could go with some of the bigger rigs. It all depends on what you can afford and what you’re willing to put money towards.

What Are Some Options?

Now it’s time to go into a bit of detail about some of the available RV options on the market. There are a number of different types and each one is suited to different purposes.

Travel Trailers

This is the broadest RV category, since it encapsulates every towable RV that makes use of a bumper-pull hitch to anchor to a towing vehicle. Within this category, you’ll find things like pop-up campers, lightweight trailers, teardrops and more. If you have a sturdy towing vehicle and don’t want to fork out a lot on RV engine maintenance, then a travel trailer may be the way to go.

Fifth Wheels

This is another type of towable RV, but instead of a bumper-pull hitch, they have a two-part coupling system that anchors into a truck bed. This provides the trailer with increased stability and allows for more weight to be carried, which means that fifth wheels are some of the biggest RVs out there. They are often rather luxurious inside and are great for families, but you do need to have a half-ton or larger pickup truck to haul them around.

Toy Haulers

A subset of both the fifth wheel and travel trailer categories, toy haulers can be defined as any towable RV that has its own separate enclosed garage space in the back. This easy-to-clean area often has a fold-down ramp that allows you to load up bikes and powersports vehicles. It can also be used for other cargo, but many powersports enthusiasts who like to off-road while camping will benefit most from a toy hauler.

Motorhomes

Sometimes described as “self-contained RVs,” motorhomes have their own engines, so you just hop in the cab and go without having to hitch up anything. They come in three styles: Class A, or bus-type motorhomes; Class B, which is built on a van chassis; and Class C, which resembles a truck with an overhanging alcove above the cab. Your choice will depend on how much space you need and what you’d prefer to drive.

We hope this guide is helpful to you! Still have questions? Stop by one of our two locations in Lebanon, Tennessee, to look at our wide selection of new and used RVs for sale in many styles by leading brands. We offer financing options to help you get the camper you need and we’re happy to be your outdoor adventure store! Cedar City RV proudly serves the cities of Smithville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.