How do you go about buying the right RV? Most people understand how to buy a car or truck, but they’re not sure which RV best suits their needs.RV Insurance Coverage: Have you looked at your recreational vehicle insurance policy lately? If you own a motorhome or travel trailer, you should occasionally review your RV insurance policy. Why? Because you could be over-paying for your motorhome insurance coverage, and not getting the specialized coverage offered by companies that specialize in motor home or travel trailer insurance . RV America knows how to insure RVs.

“How To Buy An RV Without Getting Ripped- off!” cuts to the core of the matter.”The correct order for choosing an RV is as follows: 1) type, 2) size, 3) quality, 4) floor plan, and 5) price.” The rest of this article will discuss RV types.

The TYPE and USE of the RV make a good marriage. When you consider how you will USE the RV and consider planning ahead five years, the specific TYPE of RV you’ll need becomes clear. Renting an RV before buying is an excellent idea.

What is an RV? According to the RVIA definition, “A recreation vehicle, or RV, is a motorized or towable vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation and camping. RVs do not include mobile homes, off-road vehicles or snowmobiles. RVIA classifies all RVs into two groups: towables and motorized. (Travel Trailer or motorhome)

Towables, according to RVIA, are “…designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle (auto, van, or pickup truck) and of such size and weight as not to require a special highway movement permit. It is designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use and does not require permanent onsite hook-up .” The towables include conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailer, folding camping trailer and the truck camper.

Motorized RVs are “A recreational camping and travel vehicle built on or as an integral part of a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis . It may provide kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities and be equipped with the ability to store and carry fresh water and sewage . Motorized RVs include motorhome (Class A), Van Camper (Class B), Motorhome (Class C) and conversion vehicles.

The size, shape and configuration of these RVs will be referred to frequently. For now, a brief description is all that is required. The Conventional Travel Trailer will cost about $18,000. The length ranges from 12 to 35 feet. It is towed by means of a bumper or frame hitch attached to the towing vehicle.

The Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailer has a wide cost range, from $25,000 to over $150,000. RVIA defines it as “….can be equipped the same as the conventional travel trailer but is constructed with a raised forward section that allows a bi-level floor plan. This style is designated to be towed by a vehicle equipped with a device known as a fifth wheel hitch.”

The least expensive RV is the Folding Camping Trailer, or Tent Trailer. With a price range from less than $5,000 to about $18,000 , it is designed for temporary living quarters. The quarters are mounted on wheels and connected with collapsible sidewalls that fold for towing by a motorized vehicle.

The Truck Camper has an average price of about $10,500. RVIA defines as “A recreational camping unit designed to be loaded onto or affixed to the bed or chassis of a truck, constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use.”

“Full-time RVing” describe Class A motorhomes as “…resemble buses in shape although many models are sleeker and more streamlined.” The living unit has been entirely constructed on a bare, specially designed motor vehicle chassis. The price range for Class A is extensive, from $60,000 to over $500,000.

They describe the Class C motorhome as being “…built on a van cutaway chassis and have a van cab with the engine located under an extended hood. The distinguishing feature of all Class Cs is the cabover bed.” The price range is fairly narrow, from $35,000 to $75,000.

A very popular RV that is creating it’s own niche is the Van Camper (Class B) Most are a “panel type truck to which the RV manufacturer adds any of the two following conveniences: sleeping, kitchen and toilet facilities. Also 110-volt hook-up, fresh water storage, city water hook-up and a top extension to provide more head room.” These RVs start at $42,000 and can cost as much as $68,000.

The Conversion Vehicles are vans, trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured by an automaker then modified for transportation and recreation use by a company specializing in customized vehicles. These changes may include windows, carpeting, paneling, seats, sofas, and accessories. Ambulances and airport.