2025 RV Buying Guide: Checklist and Tips from a Technician
- Chris Arredondo
- Jan 7
- 10 min read
Updated: Jan 28
Are you in the market for a used(or new) RV? Have a look at our checklist items from a Certified RV Technician.
All summer we had clients asking us "what should I look for when buying an RV?". This checklist is our answer to help you through the difficult and sometimes overwhelming process of purchasing your new-to-you recreational vehicle. Let our RV experts be your buying guides in 2025!
Check it out.
Contents:
Choose a layout that you like.
This is the most important part of the process, and you may find that one layout is offered by many different brands across price points and weight. It is also worth researching manufacturers. Not everyone brings the same build quality to the table. Consider the following:
Weight ratings of the rig, and your own personal towing capacity if towing.
We aren't going to go deep into this here, as everyone’s towing setup is different. We will say that before you sign on a dotted line, you need to match your tow vehicle to your trailer in terms of pin weight, cargo weight, GVWR, and finally towing capacity. There are a lot of fabulous resources online to explain these numbers, and it’s the best way to keep yourself safe and happy while underway. Not every vehicle can pull every rv.
If you are planning on a Motorized RV you do not get a free pass! Pay attention to the cargo weight rating, which determines how much weight you can add to your vehicle - including water and even you!
Number of slide outs.
Slides can really open up a floor plan. However, they are typically very heavy and can be tedious to maintain. Not to mention pretty expensive and time consuming to repair should a problem arise. If you're prepared for that, they really can offer the best options for space and extra amenities for kids or pets who need lots of floor space.
Photo: Grand Design Solitude 310GK Window Locations.
Windows will be your main source of light, as well as your access to the beautiful views you’ve worked hard for. You want to be able to see the Tetons from your bedroom or workspace, and you'll need a properly placed window for that. Keep in mind, that this also comes with views of your neighbors, or their views of you. This isn't always a great thing. Just consider your window locations.
Storage Space.
Do you have a lot of gear? You'll need a safe space to store bikes, fishing gear, tools, clothes, etc. Look at layouts that offer plenty of underbelly and cabinet storage space. Bonus points if you can get extra storage under the bed.
Walls/Rooms.
Do you value quiet/alone time? Consider how many walls or "rooms" there are in the RV. Consider the proximity of the bathroom to the main living spaces… acoustically. Do you have a little one who will need dark and quiet space for naps away from the kitchen chaos?
Be realistic about extra amenities.
When looking at RV's it can be very easy to get caught up in the salesperson's fantasy. All of the great campsites you'll visit, the great views you will have. Be realistic about the places you'll go. The goal of an RV is to take the things that will keep you comfortable so that you can adventure far from home. A way to boil water and stay warm at night is technically all you need, but some of the extra amenities built into today’s rigs do make the outdoors feel extra luxurious. Which ones are right for you and which ones can you skip?
Outdoor Kitchens.
The idea of an outdoor kitchen, cooking the smelly food outside in the middle of the party, is sweet right? Cooking in the great outdoors can be a great option for some. However, it's not always the most space effective, taking away real estate that might otherwise be a closet, bigger bathroom, or lower bunk. A portable gas grill and table can serve the same purpose without the limitations of an outdoor kitchen. We have seen that they just don’t get used.
Outdoor Showers.
Dog owners rejoice! When Spot or Sparky finds the Elk offerings at your campsite, you'll have a place to wash them off. It can also be beneficial to mountain bikers, surfers, or anyone with dirty hobbies. Just make sure you have an option for hot water as well, or your post-ride shower might be a bit frigid.
Multiple Bathrooms.
Most RV’ers will be able to make it with one bathroom. You will either be in a campsite with a toilet, or in a space where an emergency can happen behind the bushes. Big family? Consider an extra bathroom. It will take up valuable floor space, but smaller families or solo RV'ers can get away with one. More bathrooms means more complicated plumbing and plumbing fixes, and you can experience reduced water pressure at times.
Solar.
Do you plan on camping for long periods off-grid? Solar can help to extend your battery life. However, it usually requires a lot more than a couple of solar panels and a battery to keep you off-grid with all of your onboard systems. We aren't going to go deep in the solar here, but this is something worth looking into.
Consider the environment in which you will be using the RV.
You'll figure out your camping style and preferences pretty quickly. It's the environment and weather that you need to consider. How cold does it get where you plan on camping? Are you planning to travel all over the country, and in many different types of weather? Maybe you'll be in the high humidity and heat of Florida full time? These are essential questions to ask yourself.
Do you need a 4 season rig?
A 4 season RV will typically be more of an "all weather" RV. Generally there is more insulation in the roof and walls. And the holding tanks are also enclosed and lots of times even heated to prevent freezing. They also benefit from the extra insulation, keeping it cooler in the extreme heat.
Do you need multiple air conditioners?
The short answer is, probably not. However there are a few caveats to this. Longer 5th wheels and travel trailers will often have multiple "rooms" or "zones". This can make a second AC unit necessary if you will be in a tropical or very hot climate like Texas, or Florida.
Are you full-timing it?
Full time RV life can be tough. So, you should grab any and all extra amenities that you prefer. A tankless hot water heater might not be the wisest choice for the weekender, but can be a huge boon to the full-time RV'er. Especially if you have a big family that needs lots of hot water. Residential refrigerators are a good option as well. Go big and you won't be unhappy. Just, forget the outdoor kitchen.
Weekenders.
If you're just looking to RV on the weekends or even less often, a lot of these extra amenities will not make sense for you. However, the dealership will still try and sell them to you. Consider the bare minimum setup. You can always add features in the future. But taking them away is a lot harder and can cost you a lot of extra money.
RV storage.
Consider where you will store your RV. Does your HoA allow them to be parked in front of or behind your house, or will it need to be in a paid spot? Does your state require you to keep it in a fenced off area? How close is the closest RV storage facility to your house?
Research the price, monitor it closely.
The used RV market has wild fluctuations, and can be hard to predict. Following the boom in camping in 2021, sellers have been throwing prices at the wall to see what sticks.
The New RV market is a little different. Manufacturers are competing for your business in a saturated market, so prices are often competitive and very reasonable.
RV prices fluctuate heavily. Be patient.
I have seen RV prices tank almost over night since I have been observing the market starting in 2023. Private Sellers and Dealerships are two different types of beasts.
Private sellers are usually motivated to sell because they want to upgrade or offload. This can cause them to jump on the quicker offer rather than wait for the highest. For the most part, people have no idea what their RV is worth and will often jump on the first offer that is in the ballpark asking price.
Dealerships on the other hand have less incentive to make the deal quickly, and more to make it worth their while. It doesn’t cost them much to have it sitting on their lot. They will rarely reduce prices and are happy to sit on old model RV's for years without selling them.
Consider visiting multiple dealerships.
Not every dealership carries the same manufacturer RV's or even floor plans. Even fewer of them have a great reputation. Consider visiting multiple dealerships and exploring all that they have to offer.
Talk to the salespeople, walk through many of the RV’s on their lots, and take in reviews with the appropriate grain of salt. Visiting multiple times and speaking with multiple people can give you a feel for how they might do business. Plus, this can work in your favor. If a dealer really wants to make the sale, they might offer to throw in extras or even lower the price if they know you are shopping around and waiting for the right fit.
Consider buying privately.
As I mentioned above, many dealerships have bad reputations. They often try to hide damages or broken appliances. Many of them do not even complete inspections on the RV's, they just want to sell them. This is not always the case, and there are definitely reputable dealerships out there, but you need to do your research. Private sellers are not as skilled in deception as dealerships, so often they are more honest and willing to work with you on price.
Buying used from a dealership. Food for thought.
Think about it. Someone went to the dealership and traded in their RV for a new one. Why? Often times there was something that they did not like about the RV, or expensive damage. Occasionally, trade ins happen when RV’ers need to upsize or downsize, so this isn’t always the case. It’s just some food for thought. If you are looking at used RV's, definitely take a lot of photos and consider videotaping the walk through. We'll also provide a handy little checklist at the bottom of this page so you can know what to look for.
Ask for Maintenance Records and consider having an RVTAA certified technician or inspector look at the RV prior to buying.
Private sellers.
Typically, maintenance records are easily accessible when buying privately. Any time I am on a call, I ask about any previous work and try to get records if they are available. You'd be surprised how many people have their records packed together in a nice little folder.
Though, remain a little cautious. Like I mentioned before, deception and hiding of damages is very common in the RV market. If you stumble upon your dream RV, it can be hard to know if you're getting a deal or if you're being taken advantage of. I also want to be clear, not everyone is aware of the problems that their rig has. Just because they don't disclose an issue, doesn't mean they were trying to hide it. They could honestly just not know about it. That's why we put together this nifty checklist. It can be applied to buying used or new, and should be used in both cases. In recent years, new RV's have been known to have more issues than older model ones.
Special note* Be sure that your chosen technician is CERTIFIED with the RVTAA. There are a lot of bozos out there that are "registered" and it's not the same level of training. A certified technician has gone through extensive hands on training, registered techs have just watched a couple of videos. You can check their status here: https://rvtaa.org/locate/
RV buying checklist.
Here we're going to go over a few things that I look for in RV's. I have done many technical inspections for prospective RV buyers, and even sellers. Let's jump in.
Things to look for during the walkthrough.
Consider recording. This can only help you. And it can give you valuable insight to the seller or dealership. If anyone gives you grief about recording, chances are they are being dishonest, and you should immediately leave. Do not chance this. You are the one paying potentially thousands of dollars.
Slide bottoms.
Check out the bottom of the slide outs. This is an easy thing to check and can let you know immediately if it is water damaged. Look for soft, or even bowed out floors, holes or discoloration in the wood. Slide floors should be solid, and straight. No bowing or swelling and definitely no chipping or holes.
Bottom Slide Out Damage Slide Seals.
Check the slide seals. The blade seals can be a good indicator of use or improper storage. They should be very flexible and clean looking. Cracking or missing chunks can be an indicator that it has been sitting in the sun, and even that water may have seeped in.
Roof.
This is the big one. Nobody can hide a bad roof. Places to check will be the seal on the front cap, the corners, and the skylights/vents. These are the first places that will crack and start to allow water to seep in. Next thing you know, your roof flies off. I've seen it happen. The roof should be clean and, depending on the type of roof, one solid color. Be wary of black spots or yellowing seals. This can be an indicator of age, or even mold in some cases.
Heavy Roof Damage Rear of the appliances.
The refrigerator, furnace and water heater should all be accessible from outside of the rig. This isn't always the case, but most of the time this is true. These access panels can hold important information about how the RV was cared for. If you get behind the unit and find lots of dirt and debris, consider moving on or asking for a lower price. Dirt and debris are the things that will cause these appliances to have issues in the future.
Rear view of a refrigerator. Underbelly/Storage areas.
Storage compartments are a good place to check for rodent dropping or infestations. Not only can they be damaging to your families health, but rodents can wreak havoc on an electrical system.
A peek behind our storage compartment wall shows some signs of potential water damage. And at the very least, a water heater with a leak. Inside roof, walls and floors.
This is a great place to look for discoloration. Discoloration in the roof is a sure fire way to know if water has worked it's way in. Yellowing or an uneven roof should be avoided at all costs. Soft spots or discoloration in the walls and floor - can indicate use, age, and water damage.
Just below the sink. You can see the soft spots in the floor.
Thank you so much for checking out our 2025 RV Buying Guide!
I really hope this has helped! For more tips, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook or subscribe to our email list for some exclusive content, including an additional technical inspection checklist. Keep us in mind for your RV needs in the Arkansas River Valley.
Comments