{"id":4361,"date":"2022-05-16T10:36:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T17:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=4361"},"modified":"2022-05-04T10:38:11","modified_gmt":"2022-05-04T17:38:11","slug":"what-to-know-before-buying-a-motorhome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/what-to-know-before-buying-a-motorhome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Motorhome in Washington?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You should have an idea of whether you want new or used, how many people you intend to sleep in it and how much you want to spend on your new RV or motorhome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with a definition: A motorhome is a self-propelled recreational vehicle, or RV. What that basically means is that you\u2019ve got living quarters behind the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a Washington state resident considering buying a motorhome, you probably already know you\u2019ve got plenty to think about in addition to the whole issue of RV insurance in Washington<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we\u2019ll go into that as well as three other topics that should be top of mind as you go shopping online or in the dealerships for the road vehicle of your dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What RV Are You Buying?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This includes debating whether you\u2019re going to buy new or used<\/a>. Keep in mind that new RVs in Washington start at about $100,000. You can spend less\u2014much less\u2014by purchasing a towed camper or trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the lower-priced alternatives don\u2019t come close to the five-star luxury associated with the plushest RVs. Some come with queen or even king-size beds, full bathrooms, spacious floorplans, and flat-screen televisions throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another issue worth thinking about is what you (or your spouse) can realistically drive. RVs can range in length from twenty-five to forty-five feet. That extra twenty feet can mean heaven in terms of living comfort and hell to whoever will spend most of the time behind the wheel. Now imagine driving into a heavy rain or an early snowstorm \u2013 which is quite possible in Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our advice would be to always test drive a vehicle that draws your interest to see if you can operate it safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. How Will Your RV Be Used?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is related to the first question, but now we\u2019re focusing on whether you\u2019ll mostly be driving or parking. That is, are you hitting the open road with your Washington RV and going on cross-country journeys for weeks, months, or a year at a time? Or will you mainly take it to nearby RV communities for brief and occasional weekend trips?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put it another way, will your new purchase be used primarily for transportation or for long-term living quarters<\/a>? That will determine whether you might want to invest in luxury interiors or you consider scaling down in size (and comfort) to save money on fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Father<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. What Your RV Will Really<\/em> Cost in Washington <\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By this, we\u2019re looking at the sticker price and well beyond. It might be shocking to spend as much as you might have spent a few years ago for a home on a\u2026vehicle. But if that vehicle will serve more like your home for extended periods of time, then the expenditure of $100,000 or more might not seem quite so painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you basically see your RV as being a weekend retreat a few times a year, maybe that hefty cost can\u2019t be so easily justified. So talk it over and see if you think your plans justify the expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now consider the hidden costs beyond what you\u2019ll pay for your new or used RV. These can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n