Category: Buying

Buy New or Used Camper

The big question is do I buy a new camper , or scour Craigslist and Facebook for a used one? Besides your budget there are many things to consider .

When we first started looking for a camper , I asked about warranties. Did you know new campers come with a 12 year warranty on the roof for the original owner only. The rest of the camper and equipment inside it only has a 1 year warranty.

When I heard that it sealed the deal for me. If i wasn’t going to buy new , there was no reason to even buy a fairly new camper from a dealer . Any camper you buy other than new is as is. For me that really didn’t matter since i know how to fix them and enjoy working on them. Lets look at the pro’s and con’s of both to help you decide whats right for you.

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Buying New

Pro’s

Comes with a 1 year warranty and 12 year non transferable roof warranty. No one else has slept, cooked or used the bathroom. The camper shouldn’t require any repairs other than routine maintenance. Financing is available for up to 12 years.

Con’s

You may be paying for this camper for 12 years. No one has lived in it and worked out the kinks.

Buying Used

Pro’s

Significant savings over the price of new. The camper has been used and all problems have probably been addressed. You can often find used campers that are practically like new .

coN’S

Camper has no warranty. You must fully inspect the camper or pay someone to inspect it before purchasing. You may not be able to find the layout that you want.

Water Damaged Rear Wall
This can be hiding behind what looks like may have been a small leak

Whether you choose to buy new or used is a personal decision that you shouldn’t rush into.

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Did you read my post about choosing a camper. http://rvlifehacks.com/2019/08/11/choosing-a-camper/

Choosing a camper

There are many things to consider when choosing a camper or RV.

Your first thing to consider will be a drivable RV or one that will be towed.

You also have to consider where you will store it , what you will tow it with and how many people will be using it .

There are many types of towable campers . Pop-ups, hybrids, travel trailer, fifth wheels, toy haulers and all of these have the option to have a slide out or multiple slides . They all have advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs.

POP UP cAMPERS

Starting with the Pop-up , it is the smallest can be towed by almost anything with a trailer hitch and can sleep up to 8 people . These tiny transformers are an upgrade from a tent and are even available with Air conditioners. They do take some time to setup and don’t have tons of storage . Most pop ups don’t have a toilet or shower.

hYBRIDS

The hybrid campers are half travel trailer half pop up. The beds fold out from the ends and the center is like a travel trailer with a full bathroom and full-size ( camper full size ) refrigerator. These can be towed by a small suv with a tow package.

TRAVEL tRAILER

The travel trailer comes in all shapes and sizes and is the most common type of campers out there. There are many different layouts which are usually abbreviated in the model name.

BH- Bunk House

RK – Rear Kitchen

RL – Rear Living

S-Indicates it has a slide out .

Be sure to look at the trailer weight and know your tow vehicles towing rating before purchasing a trailer that is too heavy. Always use a weigh distribution hitch with sway control to prevent trailers away.

fIFTH wHEEL

Fifth wheel campers are the larger of them all. They are towed by a fifth wheel hitch in the bed of the truck . They are much taller than the other campers and usually have a bedroom in the front over the hitch. Fifth wheel campers don’t experience trailer sway like bumper pull trailers . But you give up most of your bed for the hitch.

Choosing a camper which will work for you is easy, find it may be a little harder sometimes.

Check out my post on buying new or used here