Choosing which new RV to buy can be a tough decision. With so many styles, sizes and manufacturers to choose from, it can be difficult to even know where to start. With this in mind, here are some simple tips to help you narrow down your choice and decide which RV is a best fit for your needs. For more information, contact River City RV or stop by our location in Grants Pass, Oregon, also serving Medford. 

Decide on a Style

The very first thing you should do is decide on which style of RV you prefer. Both towable RVs and drivable RVs have their own unique advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, this is something you’ll want to think about carefully. 

Towable RVs can be a great option, but only if you have the vehicle to pull it. Typically, this means at least a half-ton truck or SUV. However, larger fifth-wheel RVs usually require a vehicle with even more power and better towing capabilities.

Drivable RVs, or motorhomes, are great in terms of convenience. However, going this route means you’ll have another engine to maintain and take care of. In addition, you’ll probably also need to tow another smaller vehicle behind the RV to allow you to explore more easily.

Focus on the Floor Plan

Once you have decided on the type of RV you want, the next step is to find a floor plan that fits your needs. This means carefully considering factors like the size of the kitchen and bathroom, how many people the RV can sleep and whether you want a model with or without slide-ins. Floor plans can vary greatly based on the style and size of the RV, which means that your desired floor plan could limit you in terms of the type and style of RV. For instance, you might have your heart set on a Class A motorhome only to find that the floor plan you want is only available on a fifth-wheel model. 

Research the Manufacturer

Now that you have narrowed down your choice further, it is time to start researching the specific manufacturers that make the type of RV you want. This means paying careful attention to factors like the RV frame, the type and brand of appliances and even seemingly more minor details like the flooring, cabinetry, etc. If you are looking for a drivable RV, you should also pay close attention to the engine, drivetrain and other similar factors just as you would when shopping for a new car. 

Any reputable RV dealer should be able to provide you with a huge amount of useful information on all of these various factors and features. Online owner’s forums are also a great source of information that lets you see how satisfied or dissatisfied people are with any of the models you’re considering. 

Give it a Full Test

One final piece of advice is to make sure that you thoroughly inspect and test everything before making your purchase. For instance, you’ll want to see how easy it is to access your holding tanks, batteries, electrical connections. Is the RV easy to level?

If the RV has slide-outs, you’ll also want to see how easy they are to use and how much space you’ll have with both the slides in and out. This means that it isn’t enough to simply take a tour of the RV with them extended. Instead, you should also see how the RV is with the slide-outs retracted. Can you still access the refrigerator or bathroom? How much storage space does it have? Could you still sleep in the bedroom with the slides in? 

The last thing you want to do is buy an RV only to find out that it doesn’t work well for what you need it to. Luckily, paying attention to all of these factors should make it far easier to simplify your search and ensure you end up with an RV that perfectly fits your wants and needs. To learn more, contact River City RV. We are located in Grants Pass, Oregon, and also serve Medford.