Saturday, June 26, 2010

Compare Insurance and Financing Costs For New RV

Then of course there is for most of us the question of financing.  Once again the Internet is a good place to start.  I checked the rates at Bank of America where we had financed our first RV.  I also talked with my local bank.  Armed with that information I let the dealer see what they could do and wound up with a 5.99 per cent interest rate for 180 months.  This rate is very competitive.

Insurance is another matter to be considered.  As an example, we will be paying a little over $800 per year for insurance on our new Class C.  When you drive your brand new RV off the dealer’s lot it will substantially depreciate.  An accident could leave you financially upside down.  Having replacement insurance provides more protection.  When comparing rates be certain to check with companies that do a great deal of RV insurance.  The company that provides your homeowners and auto insurance may do very little insuring of RVs and therefore not have a product that really protects you.  GMAC and Progressive both do a lot of RV insurance and while I’ve had both of them, I currently use GMAC.

As we continue discussing the purchase of a new RV you can see that there are a lot of costs.  This all goes back to the first decision you need to make and that is whether an RV is a good use of your money.  Check out my web site and you will see some great pictures we have taken while on RV trips.  We wouldn't have seen these beautiful places without the RV.  


How Much To Pay For Your RV?

A question often asked and seldom answered to my satisfaction is how much should you pay for an RV or to put it another way what type of discount can you expect to get off the MSRP? When buying a car it is relatively easy to determine the dealer cost, but such is not the case for RVs. After weeding your choices down to one or two you can again hit the internet. You will find some dealers advertising a discounted price on line. Check dealers all over the country, because you are only interested in getting an idea about price.

If you are able to find forums on the internet that relate to the particular unit you want to purchase it is a good place to ask. I spent several months on the Yahoo Rialta group sites (3) before purchasing my first RV and gained a tremendous amount of knowledge. In any event expect a substantial discount from MSRP. I’ve seen units with an MSRP of $99,000 quoted at under $70,000. You might find it worthwhile to pay a little more and purchase from a local dealer, if that dealer seems able to provide good service.

I have not discussed buying a used RV though this can save you a lot of money. Many web sites provide good pricing information about used units. I am willing to pay more in order to have the security of a full warranty for at least the first year and in some cases two years. However, if you are able to take a little risk there are bargains galore. There are also a number of companies that will sell you an extended warranty, though that is a subject unto itself.

Scroll toward the bottom of my web site and you will see a link that will get you a tip on saving thousands when buying a new RV.  You will also find some really great RV links.  http://www.keanwriter.com  

Friday, June 25, 2010

Thursday, June 24, 2010

What Size RV Is Right For You?

Whether a motorized unit (motor home) or a trailer is right for you another big decision relates to the size you need and/or want.  The best way to begin making this decision is to hit the RV Dealers on weekends or whenever you can.  If you live in a large metropolitan area you should have a great deal to see.  Finding a large RV Show is also a plus.  It is worth your time and effort even if you have to travel to one, but make certain there will be plenty for you to see and evaluate.

 Comparing a Class A (usually the largest) and a Class B (usually the smallest) and a Class C (you will note the overhang over the cab) is a lot like the old saying about apples and oranges.  One thing you will quickly learn is that, like life, there are trade offs.  If you want all the comforts of home be prepared to get 8 miles per gallon or less.  If you are willing to make do in a smaller unit (they have most of the same amenities only in much less space) then you can improve your gas mileage to as high as 18 to 20 mpg.  Before you decide, spend some time in one.  By that I mean sit and walk around and think about how you would cook, use the shower, or watch TV.  Where would you store dishes and clothes or whatever you would be taking along.

If possible drive a variety of sizes and determine how comfortable you are with each.  No matter how nice that 40 footer is, if you don't want to drive it, you won't.  Buying an RV is an expense, but buying one you do not use is simply a waste of money.      

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Trailer or Motorhome?

After you determine how much you can afford the answer to the question trailer or motor home may be made for you.  Buying a trailer is much cheaper than buying a motorized unit.  It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out why.  When you buy a motorized unit you are buying a truck and a house.

If you can go either way then you need to take a look at how you will be using the RV.  Is the trip itself part of your enjoyment or are you the type of person who just wants to get there?  If you have a motorized unit all of the amenities are yours to use by pulling to the side of the road or parking.  If you have a trailer it is much easier to use the various amenities after you arrive at your destination.

If you own a truck or even an SUV or minivan in some cases, that will pull a trailer then that is one way to save a bundle.  And you can see how many folks with a motorized unit wind up towing a car, so you are just reversing that process.


Just after figuring out what you can afford comes the next decision, whether to buy a trailer or a motorized unit.  This was quite easy for us because I can’t pull much with my subcompact and we enjoy being able to just pull over and have the amenities readily available. 

Each person's situation and enjoyment is unique so there are no answers that apply to all.  Read more at the web site It's A Kean World.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Know What RV You Can Afford



The first decision is whether to purchase an RV, but after that comes what you want and what you can afford. The absolute best advice that I can give is to know what you can afford first. You will be better off having a slightly less opulent camper if you can comfortably deal with the costs. Overspending will result in the RV becoming a burden and you won't have the fun you dreamed about.

Think about how much you can put down and what monthly payments you can comfortably make including insurance and parking fees, leaving room for traveling money. Don't forget the cost of a tag. The tag for my class C in Alabama is going to cost around $800.

Also put something aside to stock your RV the way you want it. This might include silverware, dishes, towels, extra toiletries, and assorted items to keep your RV clean as well as a variety of tools.

Finally, and this is important, put aside at least a few hundred dollars for those unexpected things that you will absolutely, positively want to buy.

Don't overspend and your RV will be a great asset for your entire family.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Is An RV Right For You


An RV is an expensive investment that will not appreciate in value. In other words, no matter how you slice it an RV is going to cost you money. Make certain that this is where you want to spend your hard earned income.
A recreational vehicle, like any equipment, has to be maintained. That means washing, changing oil, preparing it for winter, protecting it when stored, repairing what isn't working and in general keeping it in shape for your use.
Many suggest, and I certainly do not disagree, that one way to learn about RVs is to rent one at least for a weekend. This experience will likely hook you on RVing or send you packing, but that is the purpose. A week would be even better. It will also help you determine what size is right for you. The experience of hooking, unhooking and dumping will bring home the realities of RV life.

I have heard of so many stories about people who spent many thousands of dollars to purchase an RV and took one or two trips before parking it. After a year or two of just sitting they decide to sell it and this costs them a lot of money.

We love taking trips in an RV. It is a kind of freedom and convenience we haven't found in any other mode of travel. But what we love and what you love may be entirely different things. Before making such a large investment, commit yourself to using your RV.

If it is right for you then the money will be well spent.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

What Does Ready Mean to JAYCO?

It was right there in front of the RV, just like it was supposed to be. It has GPS, AM, FM, backup camera and DVD and I thought it was Sirius Ready. I thought that because the radio has a sign attached to it that says: "Sirius Ready." So when checking all the gadgets on the RV, I didn't call Sirius to subscribe since I knew that I had a Sirius Ready radio as promised by JAYCO and I could subscribe at any time.

Not so fast English reader. I checked with Merriam Webster who defines the word ready as follow: 1 a : prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action b : prepared for immediate use 2 a : willingly disposed : inclined b : likely to do something indicated
3 : displayed readily and spontaneously 4 : immediately available

Please take special note of 1b: prepared for immediate use and 4: immediately available. That was, in fact my take on the words attached to the radio in my new JAYCO RV. Yes, immediately available.

Upon arriving at home in my new RV I was preparing to call Sirius to have them start my service on my Sirius ready radio when I discovered ready means only that it is ready to have some more parts installed to become ready. In other words in spite of Mr. Webster's definitions, in the world of JAYCO ready ain't ready.

I pass this on to you in case you are thinking of buying a JAYCO RV. If ready doesn't mean ready, one might wonder if two year waranty means two years or if JAYCO has another definition of that as well.