While there are a lot of reasons that you shouldn’t buy an RV, I would like to look at why an RV might be a good purchase. Whether you are considering a small camper van, a travel trailer, or a large Class A motorhome, there are benefits to owning each.
While people often shudder at the price of an expensive RV, whether or not it is worth it will ultimately depend upon how much you will use it. It’s a big decision and with some RVs, you are going to have to spend a lot of money for ownership. You probably have a lot of doubt building up as you wonder whether it’s a good decision or not.
While many will tell you to avoid the purchase, I’d like to be the positive one and tell you why you SHOULD purchase one. However, these reasons are just my opinion as someone who has owned RVs and spent years working for one of the largest camping and RV dealers.
I currently have fun traveling in my camper van and enjoy it much more than any other type of travel. It brings a whole new level of enjoyment to my trips.
While you are doing your research and learning about why you shouldn’t purchase an RV, take the time to consider the 11 reasons below. They might just help to balance out your list and give you enough confidence to go for it!
11 Reasons To Buy An RV
1) You’ll Have The Time Of Your Life!
There is no doubt that traveling in my camper van has been one of the most amazing things I have ever done! In fact, I have been camping in lots of different RVs over the years and have always had lots of fun. It’s just hard to beat what an RV has to offer in terms of getting you away from the norms of life yet still allowing for some of the same routineness.
It’s unlike camping in a tent and for those who aren’t keen on “roughing it,” an RV can be a great compromise. You’ll still get to spend time outdoors but you’ll do so in luxury. Imagine being able to pack up your home and head to whatever location you wish to go. This is the benefit that you’ll enjoy by owning an RV.
An RV can take you anywhere (depending on the size and type) and can allow you to see things you might not ordinarily see. You’ll have the time of your life as you drive to locations and enjoy the leisurely lifestyle that is so popular within the community. An RV provides you with the opportunity to reduce stress, live life to the fullest, and enjoy every second of it.
2) Traveling Will Feel More Like Home
One of the worst parts of traveling is spending time in someone else’s bed. The typical vacation involves you spending time in hotels or rental homes that just aren’t home to you. You have to lug around a suitcase and then either live out of it or spend time setting up some semblance of home.
While it can be fun to break away from ordinary life and live in a strange place for a few days, too much of this can get old. This is where an RV will come in as the clear winner when compared to normal vacation travel. An RV allows you to take your home with you no matter where you go. Whether you are at the beach, in the mountains, east coast, or the west coast, your home will be set up the same.
You can count on your clothes being in the same closet, your pots and pans in the same drawer, your favorite chair being there just the way you like it. Home will be set up the same in your RV wherever you go and you won’t have to spend time getting used to a strange location.
3) You Might Save Money
Saving money with an RV isn’t always possible or even expected depending on the type of RV you have. However, it is possible to save money if you purchase a good used RV and then live with the intention of saving money. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, an RV can be a great way to do it while spending less money. The cost of stays at RV parks are much less than stays at hotels.
Of course, there are other costs associated with owning an RV that could add up so you’ll need to do the research before assuming money will be saved. Insurances, poor fuel efficiency, repair costs, and depreciation will all need to be considered. However, when you compare RV travel with other types of travel, you may be surprised at how much money you can save.
There are many ways to ensure that you are saving all that you can while living the lifestyle. Cooking your own meals, choosing lower-cost destinations, boondocking, and choosing an RV with great fuel economy are just a few.
4) You Might Make Money
When you own an RV, you own something that other people might want to use without buying for themselves. This means that you may be able to rent out your rig to others. By doing this, you will be able to earn some additional income from something that might otherwise sit dormant for periods of time.
I wrote a post here about renting out your RV. There are some things you should know before doing it and it’s definitely not for everyone. However, it’s a great option if you want to recoup some of the costs of RV ownership.
You might not make enough to pay for the RV itself but it can provide you with an additional income to supplement the cost of the RV.
5) Less Stress
How stressful is it to drag your luggage through an airport, stand in crowded lines, and deal with all the other stresses involved on trips? It’s getting worse and worse as more people are flying and more restrictions are being put into place. Taking a flight can be a nightmare and might make you want to pull your hair out if you aren’t the patient type.
On the other hand, traveling in an RV is like living life on your terms. You have your home on wheels and there is no checking in, no waiting in lines, no dealing with other rude people. You just hop in and go wherever it is you are going. The only trouble you might have are crowded roadways but you can always plan around that.
There may also be the occasional overcrowded RV park but even those are better than crowded airports.
The point is that you have options with an RV. You can avoid crowds and the normal stressors that might be present on normal vacations. There is a sense of peace that goes along with having all of your belongings with you no matter where you go. It always makes me feel less stressed knowing that I don’t even have to stop somewhere to find a bathroom. The flexibility you have when traveling in an RV makes it a more pleasant experience.
6) You’ll Have A Cleaner Stay
Owning an RV gives you a clean place to stay no matter where you go. Just knowing that you are the only one sleeping in your bed can be the reason for more satisfaction over staying in hotels and other places. You’ll enjoy the fact that others aren’t sleeping in your bed, sitting in your chairs, using your bathroom, and doing gross things in the same living space as you.
This is a typical concern of travelers as they check-in and out of hotels in hopes that the room they are staying in has been properly cleaned. You don’t have control over the cleanliness you may experience and the only option you’ll have is to complain to management, or leave for a different place.
With an RV, you are in control! It’s your environment inside and yours alone. You will know how clean it is because you and your family are the only ones inside. This makes for a more pleasant stay knowing that you are in control of everything that goes on inside your living space.
7) More Family Time
Family RV trips can be a lot of fun as you travel to different places with your loved ones close by your side. It gives you the perfect opportunity to share some amazing experiences with your family. You’ll be packed in close and tight with each other. While this may lead to some uncomfortable situations and general annoyances, you’ll make some wonderful memories along the way.
Families that travel on RV trips spend a lot of time at the campground or enjoying the outdoors together. It’s a relaxing experience and there is plenty of time to enjoy the simple things like playing games and just enjoying each other’s company.
While some children might get bored with the whole idea, there are many ways you can add variety and fun to the schedule. Traveling in an RV with a family can give you the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together. It’s a fun way to add a different type of vacation to your family’s repertoire.
8) You’ll Vacation More
Having an RV gives you an always-ready option for going on short excursions. Rather than the once-a-year vacation that families typically enjoy, you’ll be ready to get away for a weekend anytime throughout the year. What’s more, you’ll also spend less on these short trips depending on where and how far you travel.
I go on lots of weekend trips in my camper van because it’s just so easy to load up and head out. I can plan on staying at a Harvest Hosts location, a Hipcamp location, or find an RV park off the beaten path. I can head out for a few days and spend a minimal amount of money. The only costs may be the cost of my location or goods purchased at a business.
With this convenience, you are more likely to take more time for enjoying it. Packing the family into the RV where everything is already set up is much easier than driving somewhere in a car and paying for hotel stays. Besides that, you paid a good amount of money to obtain the RV in the first place so you’ll want to use it as often as possible.
9) Travel With Your Pets
One of the main reasons I love to travel in my camper van is that my dog can go with me. It’s more comfortable for her to be in a place she knows than to take her from new place to new place. She knows that the camper van is home and her food and water bowls are always in the same spot. It gives her more of a feeling of home when we are traveling and helps to take the edge off. She is naturally very anxious on trips and being in the camper van helps her, even if just a little.
Besides that, it’s easier to deal with a pet in a larger RV than it is when traveling in a passenger car. Since space isn’t as cramped, the pet can stretch out rather than be packed in the back seat or your lap.
Most RV parks are dog friendly and the RV community, in general, is full of pet lovers. You will see many dogs and cats with other RVers if you spend much time out on the road. It’s why many of them choose the lifestyle. It makes a great way to travel with your furry friends and include them in the family fun.
10) No More Public Bathrooms
Finding a place to stop and use the bathroom may be a thing of the past once you own an RV. For me, it has been a great part of the whole experience. If I feel the urge to go, a stop at a rest stop or a service station is all I need. The only difference is, I only use the location to park and I never have to leave my van. I do my business in my van and then I’m on my way without having to deal with public restrooms.
I really miss it during the times when I am traveling without my camper van. I find myself wishing that I could just pull over and have that same convenience that I have been spoiled with. I like my privacy so having a toilet in my van is one of the best parts.
11) You Can Live In It Full-Time
Not only can you enjoy owning an RV for the fun adventures it can take you on, but it can also be your primary residence. Living in an RV is a popular option that many people are choosing in this day and age. Many people retire and hit the road full-time in their RV. Most large RVs have everything you need to live a comfortable life while traveling to anywhere you wish. With an RV, you are no longer confined to an area that you may or may not like. Instead, you can travel to different locations and enjoy life in whatever location you desire.
An RV can also be used as a temporary living arrangement if needed. If you are having work done on your home or building a new house, your RV can serve the purpose of a temporary home while you wait. Although not as livable as a large home, an RV can give you a permanent shelter to travel in and spend time crossing off items on your bucket list.
Bottom Line
An RV can be a great purchase if you buy it for the right reasons. However, if you are expecting to purchase an RV, use it for a while, and then sell it, you will likely lose money. You will have to be okay with this before you decide to purchase. Purchasing an RV is almost always a bad investment so you will need to justify the purchase in other ways unrelated to coming out ahead financially.
An RV isn’t right for everyone and many people would list an RV as something that they regretted purchasing. This is subjective and will all depend on your intentions. If you have a longing to get out and explore the great outdoors, an RV can be a great start towards achieving this. However, if you have never been on an RV trip before, you might consider renting one before you pull the trigger on buying one.
While an RV isn’t right for some people, it’s perfect for others. If you have the budget for one, do your research and choose one that is best suited for you and your family. The best one for you will be judged by the cost, size, type, ease of use, future sell-ability, and other factors that you deem important. After you have done your research, chosen the perfect RV, you can look forward to enjoying some awesome adventures with it!