EVERYONE’S FIRST RV BUYING EXPERIENCE is completely different, good or dangerous. However as a four-time RV proprietor—now on my newest Campsite Extremely 26BW—I can confidently say you be taught from each RV you personal (and sure, you continue to make errors!). My first RV was a used 1983 Fleetwood Tioga Class C motorhome, excluding the Fleetwood Bounder my dad and mom purchased in 2000.
Was I subconsciously a fan of the Fleetwood model when looking for my first RV? Possibly. A 2025 examine accomplished by the RV Trade Affiliation (RVIA) prompt that 83% of RV house owners are prone to buy the identical model for his or her subsequent RV.
However what in the event you don’t have any model expertise to go on? What different elements lead you to desire one RV over one other—and may you belief them? What elements ought to you prioritize to search out an RV in your tenting type?
That’s exactly what I plan to discover. My expertise shopping for a Class C motorhome, a Class A RV, a small rear bathtub journey trailer, and my present entrance kitchen camper has taught me so much about deciding on the appropriate RV sort, selecting between new or used fashions, and deciding whether or not to purchase from a dealership, a producer, or a personal vendor. Plus, there’s the essential ultimate criterion: what’s your finances?
Of the numerous elements to contemplate when buying your first RV, right here’s what I think about an important.
Key Takeaways
- Begin Small and Easy: For first-time patrons, compact journey trailers, Class C motorhomes, or camper vans are ideally suited on account of simpler driving, towing, and maneuverability. Consolation with towing or driving ought to information your RV sort choice.
- New vs Used RVs: New RVs provide warranties, trendy options, and simpler financing, however used RVs could be extra budget-friendly and depreciate much less. Finances, regional availability, and the way lengthy you propose to RV ought to affect your determination.
- The place to Purchase: Dealerships provide probably the most assist, inspections, and selection for novices, whereas personal sellers could provide higher costs however include extra threat and fewer sources, making dealerships the higher selection for many first-time patrons.
RV Kind
For many patrons, the very best first RV is a journey trailer, Class C motorhome, or Class B camper van. There’s a standard thread that I consider makes these the very best RV varieties for novices: they’re typically simpler to maneuver.
Compact journey trailers are best for brand new house owners studying to tow a camper. For many who don’t need to cope with towing, small Class C motorhomes and van campers are generally called the simplest RVs to drive.
Constructed on a Ford truck chassis, my first Class C RV didn’t really feel like driving a bus, and there was no hitching and towing studying curve. It supplied glorious inside versatility with the first mattress, convertible dinette, and cabover bunk—all commonplace options in most Class C motorhomes.
Storage was plentiful below the mattress and dinette and in exterior storage compartments. The rear hitch receiver was simply geared up with a rack for hauling our bikes, and a mounted rear ladder—a normal function on most Class Cs, however one thing that’s rarer to search out on entry-level journey trailers and camper vans—made roof and awning upkeep straightforward.
The principle disadvantage? We lacked a secondary car to get round as soon as we reached our vacation spot. And belief me, commuting to a brand new job in a brand new metropolis whereas driving a 26-foot motorhome isn’t ideally suited.
As I’ve since discovered, a small journey trailer has some advantages over a small motorhome for first-time house owners. It supplies the liberty to unhook and use your tow car to discover. For brand new tenting households, this alone could also be a swaying issue. Whereas I’ll always remember loading the complete household into the motorhome for journeys as a child, you’ll additionally love the flexibility to discover a bigger radius with a truck and trailer, fairly than being restricted to your campground.
Key Takeaway
My major recommendation on selecting the very best first RV is to maintain it small and easy. Compact trailers are a wonderful selection in the event you’re comfy towing and have a car that may deal with a small RV below 5,000 kilos. Small motorhomes are ideally suited if everybody desires the liberty to journey contained in the camper as you journey.
First-Time RV Purchaser Tip
Select a camper that you just really feel comfy driving or towing. You’re naturally dreaming about utilizing your RV in a campground, however keep in mind you must get there with as little trouble as potential. Irrespective of how stunning your campground is, a anxious street journey could be exhausting to shake.
New or Used?
The choice between shopping for a brand new vs used RV is considerably just like automobile purchasing: all of us need the latest, newest, and untouched mannequin. However we’re seemingly paying a big value to take action.
The costs of latest, entry-level leisure automobiles have modified lately, resulting in extra favorable choices for first-time RV patrons. There are small journey trailers with an MSRP below $10,000 and month-to-month funds under $200, relying on financing phrases. Once I purchased my first RV, the brand new market didn’t have a lot I may afford, however that might not be the case immediately. So, comparability purchasing will assist you to decide in the event you can afford a brand new RV or if a used camper with related options will likely be your best choice.
Nonetheless, shopping for new is a tempting provide and has appreciable attraction. In accordance with that RVIA examine, 71% of RV house owners surveyed purchased their camper new, and 70% of those that expressed an intent to purchase one other RV within the coming years stated they’d desire shopping for new vs purchasing used. A number of elements could also be chargeable for this statistic:
New RV Advantages
- New RVs are nonetheless below producer guarantee, making some repairs simpler for novices of their first yr of possession.
- New RVs have extra favorable rates of interest, just like new vs used automobiles. Whereas a shocking 45% of householders surveyed reported shopping for with money, it’s typically simpler to get extra favorable mortgage phrases in the event you finance a brand new RV vs a used camper.
- There’s a broader number of new RV ground plans and have packages to discover at dealerships.
New campers even have improved applied sciences that make tenting simpler. Trade improvements like tankless water heaters and 12-volt fridges make new campers extra enticing to first-time patrons.
In addition they don’t have any put on and tear from the earlier proprietor. There’s no threat of lingering odors or unknown injury from a previous proprietor that you just’ll have to repair down the street. And eventually, it’s simpler to search out on-line sources that can assist you learn to use, keep, and restore a brand new RV vs a used camper.
Nonetheless, that’s to not say {that a} used RV may not be your good first RV. Evaluate the advantages of shopping for new vs used:
Used RV Advantages
- Used RVs are typically extra reasonably priced than fashions with related options on the brand new RV market.
- The RV depreciation price slows for used campers after the common 20% depreciation that happens with new campers of their first yr. Apparently, journey trailers are inclined to depreciate extra slowly than different RV varieties.
- There’s much less threat of monetary loss when shopping for used vs new. A decrease beginning value and fewer depreciation imply a decrease likelihood of shedding cash in the event you determine the RV life-style isn’t for you after a trial interval.
Moreover, the earlier proprietor could have put in upgrades or added options not usually present in a brand new entry-level RV. Used RVs mean you can acquire useful buying and tenting expertise to information you when, and if, you commerce in your used RV for a brand new mannequin.
Key Takeaway
The choice between new vs used warrants a case-by-case method. For instance, my dad and mom acquired an unimaginable deal on a barely used Tiffin motorhome due to an unlucky occasion within the earlier proprietor’s life. However my first RV buy may’ve been a colossal failure if my brother hadn’t been a mechanic and we hadn’t put aside a further finances for fixes.
The perfect recommendation I may give is to forged a large web. Which means checking pricing and availability of latest and used RVs at your native dealerships. You would possibly evaluate that info to non-public listings on-line through RVs.com. Create a shortlist of candidates on each markets earlier than you begin taking a look at something in particular person.
Regional availability can also sway your considering. Some markets are extra saturated with new or used RVs. For instance, states which might be fashionable winter getaways, reminiscent of Florida, Texas, and Arizona, are inclined to have the next collection of used RVs than others.
Tip for First-Time RV Consumers
Your selection of latest vs used RVs could merely come all the way down to finances. If no new choices exist in your vary, your hand is considerably pressured. But when your finances isn’t the limiting issue…
My take is that new RVs are higher for individuals who are fairly certain they’ll stay RV house owners for a minimum of 3-5 years.
In case you’re unsure if RV life is for you, a used possibility generally is a higher first RV as a result of its worth gained’t depreciate as a lot in your first yr of possession.
How A lot To Spend On Your First RV
In accordance with that very same RVIA examine, the median age of RV house owners has dropped to 49 from 53 4 years in the past. Whereas the examine reveals that house owners are getting youthful, their common annual revenue has remained roughly the identical. In response, dealerships and producers have sought methods to make entry-level campers extra reasonably priced for first-time RV patrons.
Once I purchased my Sunlite Basic journey trailer in 2021, discovering a compact ground plan with standing room for lower than $20,000 was exhausting. There have been cheaper choices, however most have been teardrop or micro campers that didn’t boast a full kitchen, dinette, bed room, and loo. My major shopping for elements have been a devoted workspace, a purposeful indoor kitchen, and a mattress I didn’t must convert every day.
Since then, the variety of RVs below $20,000 that meet these standards has undoubtedly elevated. There are even entry-level choices just like the Coleman 13B with beginning costs below $10,000. With the appropriate financing phrases, these reasonably priced campers could be the very best first RVs for patrons with a most month-to-month finances of below $200.
Nonetheless, these with bigger budgets can think about manufacturers that particularly goal third or fourth-time patrons. RVs at a barely greater value level can provide considerably upgraded facilities, extra dwelling area, and higher building—making certain that you just get a camper that introduces you to RV life and offers you a dependable journey basecamp for the foreseeable future.
Key Takeaway
Common RV costs fluctuate by RV sort. Journey trailers, thought-about probably the most reasonably priced possibility for a primary RV, typically vary from $10,000 to $100,000+. Class C motorhomes, one other nice sort for novices, usually vary from $50,000 to $100,000. Whereas enticing for van life fans, Class B RVs are a bit costlier, averaging between $100,000 and $200,000.
Irrespective of the place you’re shopping for, it’s good to make use of an RV valuation instrument to examine in the event you’re getting a good value. NADA RV values may also be value monitoring to grasp what particular fashions promote for. These valuations may provide you with leverage in negotiations, particularly if shopping for a used camper on the personal market.
First Time RV Purchaser Tip
How a lot you may count on to spend is determined by your goal RV sort. Whereas journey trailers provide probably the most reasonably priced possibility, it’s possible you’ll have to think about the price of a brand new tow car in the event you’re present one can’t deal with the trailer’s towing necessities. In some instances, a beginner-friendly motorhome could also be extra reasonably priced than upgrading your tow car and shopping for a journey trailer.
Suggestions for the Greatest RV for First-Time Consumers
Listed below are some suggestions for the very best first RV:
Coleman 13B Journey Trailer
Affordability is the important thing right here—there’s maybe no different new RV in the marketplace in 2025 with a greater beginning value than this bunkhouse journey trailer. It’s additionally good for small households in search of their first RV and is towable by most SUVs. Though it’s a compact ground plan, you get a major mattress, two bunks, a kitchenette, and a rest room.
Eddie Bauer 26EB Class C RV
The Eddie Bauer lineup affords among the most reasonably priced Class C RVs in 2025. I like the 26EB ground plan as a result of the first mattress flips as much as create a rear storage space with entry from a rear cargo door. That makes it straightforward for first-time RV house owners to load bikes or kayaks with out further hitch equipment.
Winnebago Solis Pocket 36B Camper Van
The Solis Pocket is probably the most budget-friendly model in Winnebago’s camper van lineup. There are two ground plans, however the 36B is my favourite for first-time RV households as a result of it has an non-compulsory pop-top that provides the youngsters a loft-style tent room. That mannequin can also be eligible for the Winnebago + EcoFlow Energy Professional Equipment, which is a should for house owners who don’t need to be restricted to staying in campgrounds with full hookups on a regular basis.
Listed below are a couple of different manufacturers value exploring in these first-timer-friendly RV classes:
Journey Trailers
- Keystone Coleman Mild: Light-weight ground plans good for towing with mid-size SUVs or compact vans.
- Forest River Wolf Pup: Upscale options in an reasonably priced bundle, together with a number of all-electric fashions.
- Jayco Jay Flight SLX: From compact {couples} campers to bunk room layouts, you’ll discover practically any journey trailer ground plan conceivable on this lineup.
Class C RVs
- Thor Freedom Elite: Finances-friendly motorhomes with distinctive inside layouts and artistic “garage-style” storage options (in choose fashions).
- Forest River Forester: One of the vital various Class C lineups with choices constructed on Ford, Chevy, and Mercedes-Benz chassis.
- Thor Coleman: A wonderful collection of versatile ground plans, together with choices with Murphy beds, twin-to-king mattress conversions, and queen beds in a slide-out.
Van Campers
- Eddie Bauer: Environment friendly layouts with inside design and decor distinctive to the Eddie Bauer model.
- Thor Scope: Two ground plans for first-time RV {couples} who need simplicity—all thrills, no frills.
- Winnebago Travato: Superior heating and cooling programs + upgradable energy administration expertise for simpler off-grid tenting.
The place To Purchase Your First RV
Aspiring first-time RV house owners should buy a brand new or used camper from a dealership, get a brand new RV straight from a producer, or purchase a used RV from a personal vendor. Of the 4 RVs I’ve owned, two got here from personal sellers and two from dealerships. So let’s discuss concerning the route that’s best for you.
RV Dealership
Shopping for from a dealership is without doubt one of the commonest experiences for brand new patrons. There’s appreciable profit to strolling by way of completely different ground plans, asking questions, and evaluating costs. Plus, dealerships streamline financing and paperwork.
Nonetheless, some patrons have reservations about RV high quality or getting “tricked” into shopping for one thing they don’t truly need. However after I take into consideration my shopping for experiences (dealerships vs personal sellers), the numerous dealership profit that stands out is the effectivity of evaluating and contrasting many RVs in a single afternoon.
Vetting choices from personal sellers usually took months, and I used to be fortunate to see one or two choices every weekend. As time passes between seeing used RVs from personal sellers in particular person, it will get powerful to recall what you favored or disliked about earlier fashions, making it simpler to fall sufferer to recency bias.
After which there’s the RV’s situation. Each proprietor has completely different requirements. I’ve seen some used RVs on the market from personal sellers that have been a tough no as quickly as I walked in. There’s no commonplace for what situation a camper ought to be in earlier than promoting it when shopping for on the personal market.
Alternatively, any good producer rigorously assessments their campers earlier than they’re shipped. One vital profit of shopping for from a dealership is that almost all will conduct a further pre-delivery inspection earlier than they hand you the keys. This inspection varies relying on the dealership, however will typically embrace testing {the electrical}, propane, and water programs, checking for exterior injury, filling holding tanks and checking for leaks, and extra.
Don’t hesitate to ask about inspections and what has been examined, and have a salesman or technician stroll you thru an RV’s programs earlier than shopping for.
In case you’re shopping for used, many dealerships put the fashions they purchase by way of a used reconditioning program. Once more, the precise course of varies, however it should usually be extra complete than the efforts made by personal sellers.
When shopping for from a dealership, educated gross sales and technical employees may stroll you thru the method and reply your questions. From making certain there aren’t any points with the RV’s crucial programs to understanding the nuances of RV financing, extra sources can be found when shopping for from a dealership than with every other shopping for route.
These involved about shopping for from a dealership after listening to about damaging experiences ought to concentrate on the appropriate inquiries to ask an RV salesperson. Like purchasing for a automobile, their objective is to steer you to purchase. You will need to keep in mind that you management the timeline and should have your questions and issues addressed earlier than you signal on the dotted line.
Non-public Vendor
The first profit of shopping for from a personal vendor is negotiating energy. Nonetheless, as a first-time RV purchaser, figuring out what to search for when analyzing campers from personal sellers is difficult. And in the event you can’t acknowledge injury, defects, or areas the place upkeep has been uncared for, you lose a few of that potential to barter for a greater sale value.
Once I purchased my first Class C RV from a personal vendor, it wasn’t till a number of weeks of possession when temperatures dipped and we fired up the furnace for the primary time that we found the in depth wasp nest hiding within the burner tube. With my Class A motorhome, a free becoming on the again of the bathroom created fairly the chance for water injury the primary time I related to metropolis water.
These examples aren’t meant to scare you from buying an RV. Hopefully, they reveal that lacking checks in your pre-purchase RV walkaround is simple, particularly as a first-time RV purchaser. Many skilled RVers have discovered nice offers shopping for from personal sellers, however there’s added threat whenever you’re a brand new, aspiring proprietor.
Key Takeaway
Shopping for from a good dealership or producer is arguably the very best route for first-time RV house owners. Throughout your buy, you’ll have probably the most sources to information your determination and perceive the nuances of RV insurance coverage, guarantee protection, and non-compulsory plans like Prolonged Safety, Roadside Help, and Journey Help.
Earlier than you signal and make a down cost, an authorized RV technician ought to stroll you thru to reveal the situation and operation of all RV programs. That is your likelihood to double-check the whole lot from roof to border and ask questions of an skilled skilled in the event you’re uncertain easy methods to function some points of your new camper.
After your buy, there’s somebody on the finish of a helpline or assist contact to deal with points, in contrast to with a personal vendor, the place the percentages of being ghosted as soon as the sale is full are a lot greater.
My ultimate tip so as to add to your first-time RV proprietor guidelines?
The good thing about having an RV technician full a radical pre-delivery inspection when shopping for new or used at a dealership can’t be overstated. As a first-time purchaser, it’s difficult to completely take a look at all crucial RV programs and home equipment when buying from a personal vendor. In my expertise, the percentages of shopping for an RV that has unseen points are a lot greater when buying used on the personal market.
In case you’re able to dive into your seek for the very best first RV in your life-style, try these further sources:
What questions do you will have about shopping for an RV for the primary time? Tell us within the feedback under.
