The RV Buying Mistakes We Made (So You Don’t Have To!) 🚐💥

April 6, 2025

Hi there! We’re Mark and Paula, longtime RV travelers who’ve loved sharing our adventures and tips with you all. Today, we’re getting real and sharing a side of RV life we don’t usually show — the not so perfect parts. Specifically, the mistakes we made buying our new RV. Spoiler alert: we overpaid, got caught by hidden fees, and made some rookie moves along the way.

If you’re thinking about buying an RV or upgrading your rig, this post is packed with lessons we learned the hard way — so you can avoid the same pitfalls. Let’s dive in!

Why We Didn’t Expect to Buy a New RV (But Did Anyway)

About a month ago, while in Quartzsite, Arizona (RV heaven!), my husband Mark was curious about getting a new toy haulers — those big campers with built-in garages for side-by-sides or bikes. I was hesitant. We loved our current toy hauler, Miss Kitty, even with its quirks.

But there were issues. When traveling, we couldn't sleep inside with our side by side present. The kitchen lacked counter space — forcing me to cook on the stove itself, which was annoying. And although I’d painted the cabinets to brighten things up, Mark wasn’t a fan.

So, technically, we weren’t looking to buy a new RV — but when our friends Steve and Diana decided to check out some campers with us in Parker, AZ, we thought, why not just look around?

Big mistake.

Mistake #1: Walking In Without a Plan 🎯

We parked our truck right at the front lot, where all the salespeople were waiting, clearly looking like prospective buyers. Rookie error.

If you’re just browsing, park away from the main entrance. Otherwise, you’ll be bombarded by eager salespeople looking to close a deal ASAP.

Our sales guy was friendly and quickly got down to business, asking what payment we wanted and how much we’d get for our trade-in. We were vague — after all, “we’re not going to buy this RV,” right? But we ended up giving him some unrealistic numbers, which only complicated negotiations.

Mistake #2: Don’t Talk Financing Too Soon — Stick to Cash First 💵

We let the dealer know some absurd payment figures because we thought it was just talking. The truth is, you should always start negotiations based on a cash price. This keeps everything clear and simple.

Loan terms and financing can come later. This way, you avoid confusion and hidden costs creeping in under the guise of monthly payments.

Mistake #3: Salespeople Aren’t Your Friends — Keep Your Guard Up 🕵️‍♂️

We made the classic mistake of lowering our guard and chatting with the salesperson like he was a buddy. Spoiler: he wasn’t.

Despite repeatedly telling him “we’re not buying,” he kept us engaged. This dragged negotiations out over two days, with him walking back and forth to his boss to meet our demands.

Lesson? Stay professional and focused. Be polite, but don’t share too much personal info or “why” you’re buying or not buying. It’s all about the numbers.

Mistake #4: Don’t Trade Your RV Without Knowing Its True Value 📊

We thought trading in Miss Kitty would be straightforward — but it wasn’t. The dealer raised our trade-in value as part of the negotiation.

Always research your RV’s value in your local market before discussing trade-ins or selling privately. Different regions and seasons affect prices a lot.

Mistake #5: Always Read Every Word You Sign! 📝

This one was the worst.

We agreed to have the dealer remove our solar panels from Miss Kitty and install them on the new RV as part of the deal. Sounds great, right?

But we didn’t read the fine print carefully. Hidden fees for the solar work and other “extras” were buried in a huge pile of paperwork. By the time we saw them, Arizona law said there was no going back.

Our new RV sat on their lot while they did a rushed job transferring the solar panels. It wasn’t cleaned properly, wires were cut and left on the floor, and muddy footprints everywhere. Repairs we expected didn’t get done — including a ripped screen, stove cover, and missing backup camera.

When we finally took it off the lot, the inverter didn’t work and we discovered a water leak.

Mistake #6: Skip the Dealer Inspection — Hire an Independent Expert! 🔍

If we had hired a third-party RV inspector before signing papers, we’d have had more leverage to negotiate repairs or back out.

Inspectors know what to look for and won’t let hidden problems slip by. It’s worth the extra cost and peace of mind.

What We Did Right ✅

• We had lots of experience owning and traveling in different RVs, so we knew our needs vs. wants.

• We stayed realistic — we bought a “starter RV” to fit our budget, not a luxury rig.

• We knew our truck’s towing capacity and chose an RV that wouldn’t overburden it.

• We understood loan terms, insurance costs, taxes, and registration fees beforehand.

• We asked questions, even if we didn’t always get great answers at the dealership.

What We Learned About Negotiation and Extras 💡

• Always negotiate the cash price first.

• Know the exact trade-in value of your current RV or camper.

• Read every contract page carefully. Don’t sign until you’re 100% sure.

• Beware of extra fees — ask what you’re paying for.

• Insist on written answers to your questions.

• Take into account additional expenses like mattresses, repairs, insurance, and registration.

The Solar Panel Transfer: A Silver Lining 🌞

While the deal wasn’t perfect, we were lucky to connect with Bill and Tim — solar installation experts recommended by our dealer.

Bill’s free consultation was incredibly helpful. Watching Bill and his son Tim work together to install our solar system was impressive — their teamwork and expertise blew us away.

After leaving Quartzsite, Bill continued to support us remotely, answering questions and making sure our system worked smoothly.

Final Thoughts: Buy Smart, Stay Realistic, and Know Your Rights

Buying an RV is exciting, but it’s easy to get caught up in the moment — especially when a friendly salesperson is involved.

Here are some final takeaways from our experience:

• Plan ahead. Know exactly what you want and what you can afford.

• Do your research. Understand brand reputations and model issues.

• Inspect your purchase. Hire a third-party inspector before signing.

• Read everything. Don’t rush the paperwork — hidden fees can cost you dearly.

• Be cautious with trade-ins. Know your RV’s true value.

• Stick to cash pricing first. Talk financing later.

• Prepare for extra costs. Including repairs, insurance, and accessories.

Ready to Buy Your RV? Start Here!

If you’re thinking about buying an RV, start by browsing quietly, researching models, and setting a clear budget. Don’t rush into deals, and always keep your guard up with salespeople.

We hope our story helps you avoid the headaches we went through — and gets you on the road faster and happier!

Thanks for reading! If you want to follow along on our adventures and get more tips about RV life, travel, and camping, subscribe to our channel. 🚐✨

Have your own RV buying stories? Drop a comment below — we love hearing from fellow travelers!