8 Costly Mistakes RV Buyers Make (4 Simple Solutions)

Do you suffer from freedom envy?

The feeling of “my life sucks” every time you hear about it, read about it and see others casting their worries aside as they skittle away in their RV.

Another adventure in the making.

Sigh…

Could this be the year you cast aside your humdrum life and join the adventure seekers?

Perhaps follow that dream of discovering a hidden tunnel filled with exotic treasure in some ancient forgotten temple.

Grab your favorite sable fedora, strap on that bull whip you’ve been keeping in the closet and grab life by the horns!

If Indiana Jones can find the holy grail, save the girl and crush those bad ass evil doers than so can you!

But…

Before you snap the whip there’s a few things to consider.

Like where to go, how to get there and where to stay.

And we have the perfect solution.

A mobile vehicle to carry your gear that goes anywhere (almost) and shelters you from the fire ants, tarantulas and anything else that tries to stop you.

Thats right, an RV and not just any RV. A Vintage RV.

So let’s get this adventure started on the right foot.

To help you through the first step lets begin by outlining 8 common and costly mistakes RV buyers make.

And most importantly the 4 simple solutions to help you avoid the dangers of making an errant first step.

Because, we don’t want you falling into the pit of doom.

The adventure begins now.

The Buyers First Adventure

Imagine a life of total freedom, just you, the open road and your trusty steed Winnie the RV.

No more head banging alarm clocks.

No more mind numbing work commutes.

No more pointless projects or dumb ass bosses.

And No More meetings!

Task number uno.

Getting your very own shiny pristine RV.

Nothing fancy, just a simple, reliable, comfortable and inexpensive motorhome that gets excellent fuel economy.

A few Minions will be helpful to drive, navigate, wash and wax the beauty. We need the RV ready to go when those bad ass evil doers are hot on our tail.

But, as the saying goes you can have simple, reliable, comfortable, inexpensive and excellent fuel economy. I’d settle for just 3 minions.

You are free to pick any 1 option, maybe 2 or 3.

Excellent fuel economy for an RV is anything over 10 MPG.

Expect MPG in the 5-8 range.

But here’s the key thing about fuel economy.

It’s the least expensive part of owning an RV.

So before you venture off with high hopes and starry eyes lets cover some of the common mistakes that RV buyers make.

Mistakes that I’ve made and made for an interesting introduction to the What Everyone Ought to know about owning a Vintage RV.

Mistakes that are costly and have swallowed the dreams of many hopeful enthusiasts.

The Critical Mistakes Buyers Make

To be clear, these are not all the mistakes buyers can or will make. These are the common critical mistakes that will chew through money faster than a college student at the free taco bar.

Here they are in no particular order:

Focusing on the glitz, glamour and good looks.
A good looking RV is desirable. We all want to look good traveling the roadways. We should be happy to be seen in our Vintage RV. The problem is buyers often get distracted with the eye candy. Interior upholstery, flooring, furniture and window coverings are easily updated. The main problem with focusing on the looks is we often fail to notice underlying problems. Problems like musty odors, lifting wallpaper and brittle walls. All signs of water intrusion and a major repair.
Shopping for an RV alone
The anticipation of traveling the world, discovering new places and exciting adventures is fantastic. The adrenaline and anticipation can be overwhelming. The temptation to get through the inspection and onto the adventures often leads to missed details. Another set of eyes to catch these details, redirect your attention and focus can save time, money and grief.
Going unprepared
Touring and inspecting an RV thoroughly requires you to climb on top, crawl under and stick you nose into every cabinet, closet and storage compartment. Plan on spending hours inspecting the RV and getting dirty in the process. Bring a good flashlight, rags, notebook and pencil, camera and coveralls.
Rushing the process
The desire to begin your adventures is great but a hasty inspection can be very costly. Take your time and don’t be afraid to walk away. There will be other opportunities and you may find that hidden gem that’s been tucked away in a barn nearby. A diamond in the rough.
Under estimating the extent of repairs needed
Replacing flooring may appear simple but you also need to consider the time for removal the old flooring. For every quick and simple repair there will be surprises. Rotted underpayment, rusted metal and poorly designed systems. A good rule of thumb is to double the time estimates for simple repairs and triple the estimates for medium to large repairs.
Under estimating the costs
Repair shops and mobile mechanics are in short supply. And experienced technicians are nearly extinct. Carefully consider the time and costs when estimating repairs and updates. A good rule of thumb is to double the time estimate and triple the cost estimate. Of course the more work you can complete yourself the lower the labor costs but material costs add up shockingly quick.
Letting emotions drive
FOMO is a real thing. And it often motivates people to down play potential problems and risks. Letting your emotions override your instincts, that Gut Feeling, is a real threat. Sometimes walking away or running away is the best solution. (Dr Jones runs away when prudent).
Trusting the seller
The seller may answer all your questions. And in rare occasions the seller will tell you everything they know about the RV. But, often the seller is only sharing what’s asked and underestimates the severity and cost of the “little things”. A documented service history is ideal. An inspection from an experienced service technician is money well spent. Be wary and when in doubt present your question to the our group of experienced RVers on FaceBook.

The Costly Mistakes Buyers Make

No RV is perfect, new or used. They all have problems. Small things like a sticky door latch are easily remedied. Larger problems are often found after spending time using the RV. The generator that starts hard and smokes excessively. The water leaks that have resulted in rotted wood. The clogged radiator that causes the engine to run hot. These are problems that can get very costly and crush your dreams of adventure. Focus your inspection time on the high cost items like the drive train, chassis and structure.

How to Avoid Making the Same Mistakes

The sad truth is identifying every problem is near impossible. The internal components of the motor, transmission and wall structure are sealed and unrealistic to inspect prior to making the purchase. That doesn’t imply that you can’t detect signs of underlying problems. Here are some steps to minimize the risk of repeating these common mistakes:

Make a list of questions and ask before you see the RV, then ask again when inspecting.
- Why are you selling?
- How long have you owned?
- How many miles have you driven the RV?
- What repairs and updates have you done?
- What repairs are needed.
- How long has it been since you last traveled in the RV?
- Is it stored indoors or outdoors when not in use?
- Do you have records of service and repairs completed?
Bring a friend
Bring tools, notebook, flashlight, coveralls.
Take your time

Buying your first RV is exciting and can be stressful. Don’t make the mistake of rushing through the process. The search should be fun, like a treasure hunt and the first of many new adventures.

Besides, Indiana Jones didn’t travel in an RV. You will be blazing a new trail.