Are you tired of paying to stay in hotels and eat out at restaurants while traveling? Are you looking for an easy way to see places in the country that you’ve never seen before? If you are, you might want to invest in an RV.
RVs provide their owners with so many benefits, not least of which include a convenient and efficient way to travel around the country.
But how much does it cost to buy an RV? And what are some of the factors that go into that cost?
Keep reading to learn all about how much you can expect to pay when you’re looking at buying an RV.
How Much Does the Average RV Cost?
How much is an RV? If you’re looking for a quick answer, it would be: that depends.
There are a huge variety of models and brands available, which means that the price you pay to buy an RV depends on you and what you want. If you’re after a cheap, budget-friendly RV, then you can get that for around $10,000.
On the other hand, if you want to get the best of the best, you can buy a luxury RV for $500,000. Most people end up paying much less than that, though.
What Are the Different RV Classes?
To give you an idea of what you can expect to pay, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of the different RV classes.
Pop-up campers are going to be some of the cheapest RVs that you can buy. You use a minivan or SUV to tow these, and they’re essentially tents on wheels. You can choose from a hard or soft roof.
Travel trailers and 5th wheels are both two types of RVs that you also tow behind your vehicle. They offer traditional RV features, like beds, tables, and even small kitchens.
Check out this site to see a discounted 5th wheel for sale.
Class A, B, and C motorhomes are different variations of RVs that are built into the back of a truck or van. They range in sizes and amenities, so again, the price can vary exponentially.
What Are Some of the Additional Costs to Take Into Account?
As is the case when you own a car, owning an RV requires you to take different expenses into account.
Let’s take a look at some of the major costs that you’ll have to consider after you buy an RV.
Registration and Taxes
Just like when you buy a car, you also have to pay to register your RV. On top of that, you’ll have to put down some additional money for taxes.
It’s difficult to pinpoint how much you’ll need to pay as every state has its own specific laws. The DMV offers a calculator that can help you figure out exactly how much registration and related taxes will cost in your state.
RV Insurance
RVs are unique in that they are part-vehicle and part-home. Unfortunately, that makes the insurance situation a bit confusing. You’ll need to pay for a combination of both vehicle and home insurance.
Vehicle insurance keeps you covered while doing things like driving and parking the RV. Home insurance provides you with coverage while camping, sleeping, and cooking inside of it.
Aside from vehicle and home insurance, you can also look into getting other types of coverage. Other plans can cover everything from pet liabilities to roadside assistance.
Fuel
One thing that you need to think about is the cost of fuel. In most cases, you’ll end up paying much more to fill up an RV than you do to fill up your car.
RVs are much bigger than most vehicles, so they have much bigger fuel tanks. They’re also much heavier, which means that they burn through fuel faster than traditional vehicles.
Most RVs also use diesel, which costs more than standard fuel options.
Maintenance Fees
As everyone who owns a car knows, maintenance is a necessary cost to consider. There might be years where you don’t need to spend any money on maintenance, but the year after might have you paying a lot.
To make sure that repair costs don’t catch you off-guard, it’s a good idea to set some money off to the side. If you then have a problem while on the road, you won’t have to worry about struggling to cover the cost.
Camping Fees
While you won’t have to worry about paying exorbitant hotel rates, most campsites will charge you a small fee each night. The exact amount you need to pay depends on location and amenities, so make sure to check the prices beforehand.
In most cases, you can expect to pay between $10 to $100, with the majority of campsites charging on the lower end of that scale.
Storage Fees
If you don’t have a place to store your RV at your house, then you’ll need to pay to store it somewhere else. It’ll stay there whenever you’re not using it.
You can choose from unheated and heated storage options. Expect to pay between $50 and $400 a month.
Understand the Prices Before You Buy an RV
Before you buy an RV, it’s important to understand what exactly you’re paying for.
We think that the freedom an RV provides you with makes them worth the cost. If you can afford it, then it might be worth splurging on some luxury features. Otherwise, a basic RV will do just fine!
Do you now have a better idea of what RV prices are like? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other posts for more helpful guides and tips.