Buying an RV can be a daunting process.  There is so much to think about and do, but it is all worth it when you can take your very own RV out for an adventure!  Although I searched for the right RV for a very long time, I wasn’t actively looking to purchase during the majority of that time.  However, that eventually changed recently and I started to prepare for the buying process.

I began by researching RV loans, RV insurance, RV storage, and all the other logistical elements involved in the purchasing process.  I was hoping to find an RV that was the right model/year/price and located near my home base in Colorado.  My plan was to avoid the stress of traveling across the entire US to bring an RV home if at all possible.  Although my hopes were high, I also knew it might take time to find the right RV purchase.

The RV that Caught My Eye

While perusing my saved searches on RVTrader and Craigslist, I found a listing for a 2009 Winnebago View 24J.  It sounded like pretty much exactly what I was looking for from the start.  The eye-catching full body paint definitely didn’t hurt things either.  The RV’s owner happened to also be the owner of an RV dealership, so I thought that was a good sign that he knew what he was doing and had probably taken good care of it.  I spoke with him on the phone to determine if it had everything I was looking for.

After hearing about the motorhome and looking at the online pictures, I was ready to go see it in person!  I set up a time on the weekend to avoid taking time off work and headed to Rapid City, South Dakota.  It ended up being a long day, road tripping across the flat plains of Wyoming and Nebraska.  But, I knew that it would be well worth it to find the RV I had been dreaming of!  I hoped the time and place was right to make my RV purchase.  I drove throughout the day to make it to the appointment on time.  And then came the long-awaited moment – seeing the RV for the very first time!  It was everything that I had been wishing for.

The Beautiful Motorhome

RV Purchase Essentials

As a first time RV buyer, I wasn’t exactly sure what all was involved in the process.  Sure, I had watched my parents go through the RV purchase process as a child and had read plenty about it online.  But, experiencing it in person is always so very different.  I decided that a good first step would be to get the RV inspected by an expert.  Although I know some of the basics, I wasn’t at all confident in my ability to determine potential issues.  The owner was amenable and sent the unit over to a nearby Freightliner service station for a full inspection.  Thankfully everything came back good to go!  There were a few small things to keep in mind, but nothing to hold me back from moving forward with the buying process.

Because I had also decided to get a loan for part of the RV purchase price (in order to keep more of my money fluid for upcoming adventures), I filled out a loan application with the bank that has a partnership with the dealership.  I figured that saving time with paperwork and other logistics by working with the dealership’s trusted bank would be worthwhile as long as the rate seemed similar to other banks that I had checked online.  Thankfully, I got a pretty good rate and was able to go with the shorter loan length that I was hoping for.

Making it Official

After a few different logistical discussions, I officially moved forward with the purchase process.  The dealer agreed to deliver the motorhome to me in Colorado.  Picking up the RV in person would have involved an airplane ticket and a 400-mile drive across several states.  So, having it delivered was a very convenient and cost-effective option for me.  I left work a bit early and met the dealer, his wife, and the RV at a local parking lot.  There, we proceeded to go through a 2.5-hour process of checking and utilizing every system on the motorhome.

I had previously printed out an RV inspection checklist and made notes of things to remember.  The process was very thorough and I was thankful for the time to learn the new systems.  Finally, it was time to sign the paperwork and finalize the RV purchase process. The motorhome was finally mine!  It all felt a bit surreal, but I was very thankful to be making this step after many months of searching and dreaming.  Now I can get down to the serious business of taking it out for adventures!  Stay tuned for an upcoming post about my maiden voyage in the RV.

First ever picture with my new motorhome!

To learn more about the research that led me to this particular motorhome, check out my post on The Search for the Right RV.  Have you ever made an RV purchase like this one?  Do you have any tips or tricks for others in the same boat?  Leave a comment below!