Still looking for government auctions or seized auctions?

There are now even more motorhomes and RVs being bought at auctions than ever before. This seems as if it is becoming an acceptable way to get a dirt cheap vehicle. This is great for cash buyers but some of the auction houses will even offer you credit terms.

One thing you must be sure about however is to check out the rig you are buying thoroughly… you have to be confident about this. Take some other experts along with you to help you give the vehicle the once over.

Check out the auction alert site below…  This one works out a lot cheaper than the others.

Seized Auctions is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying a motorhome, government auctions, motorhome auction, motorhome auctions, POLICE AUCTIONS, rv auction, SEIZED AUCTIONS

You could see the amount of tread on your tire and consider that the tire is in wonderful condition where as it is actually in an exceedingly risky state and on the point of blowing out. The most hazardous thing about this is that as Motorhome tires are normally changed as sets or at least as axle sets then if you have one blowout it is extremely likely that you will have more within a very short time. When you are thinking about purchasing a used Motorhome at an auction, from a supplier or a private vendor then it essential that you inspect the tires thoroughly. If the tires have a decent amount of tread then this will undoubtedly be pointed out by the vendor or the dealer, this is not the most significant thing to consider here.

Tires on an Rv need to be changed every seven years. Because of exposure to the sunlight and the elements, the side walls of a tire will tend to lose its natural oils. Small cracks will start to materialize to start with and these will shortly convert into larger ones until finally your tire blows out on you.

If you do not have your tires inflated enough then this can be an additional reason for a blowout to occur. Certain owners wanting a ‘soft ride’ will intentionally run their Motorhome on lower tire pressures, this will just generate a load of heat and will cause major problems.

Here are some photos of a blown out tire to show you the gravity of the effect:

Verify the tires of a vehicle with attention to detail by searching for the small cracks in the side wall, then attempt to locate the DOT number. The DOT numbers should be somewhere on the side wall of the tire and will consist of a sequence of numbers and letters. It is normally in the format of DOT xxxxxxxx0393, the last digits will correspond to the month and the the year of manufacture. In this example the tyre would have been made in March 1993. Scary if you are recommended to change every 7 years regardless of the mileage of the tire.

A blowout on the freeway can be truly serious. If it’s a front tyre it has the result of slamming the brakes on one front wheel only. The possibly of striking the crash barrier and maybe rolling over is high. Should you be ill-fated enough to have a front blowout you will need to struggle with the steering wheel to control the Rv and steer it to the side of the road.

Your steering is not affected if the blow out is on one of the rear wheels. If you have twin rear wheels and the blowout occurs between the two tires on one side of the Rv, The blast from the one tyre can often kiss the other and cause that to go as well. If the blowout is on the outer wall of a tire then this too puts your bodywork at risk.

With a blowout occurring at the top of a wheel rotation the damage from the blast can literally rip away any fiberglass bodywork. If you were to have a blowout on your vehicle then the best place to have it (if there can be a best place) would be on the inside wall of one of the rear tires.

As an ending note, Unless you are really athletic and have all the right gear, don’t try changing the RV wheel by hand. Always call the insurance or rescue truck as these are heavy duty wheels and need qualified and experienced people to handle them.

The Deadly Secret Behind Rv Tires is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: camper, motorhome, motorhome safety, motorhome tire, motorhome tyre, RV, Tire, Wear and tear

When buying a used motorhome great care should be taken as you are not only buying a vehicle but also a home. The risks of buying only to later encounter problems can be quite high if you don’t know exactly what to look for.

I have written a brief checklist of things to check over when looking at a used motorhome, this can be found on the checklist page.
The information presented is only a guide as only the surface of the subject has been touched. There is however an eBook available for download called the RV Buyer’s Guide which takes you through the buying process with illustrations and tips on exactly what you need to look out for.

Read the RV Buyers Guide here.

Where To Find them

Seized Auctions or Police Auctions are probably the best place to find a great bargain on a your used motorhome. There are thousands of vehicles seized by the government each month, they get auctioned off quickly and tend to sell at incredible prices. Most of the vehicles have low mileage and are hardly used being in excellent condition.

There are a couple of websites which give you access to browse the listings of these auctions. Seized Vehicle Auctions where bidding starts as low as $100 and Auction pass where you can browse the listings of upcoming government auctions for a small one time fee.

Private Sales are probably the next cheapest way of purchasing. Great care should be taken here and you really need to have read the RV Buyer’s Guide to be able to sort out the wheat from the chaff as it were and not to get ripped off.

Motorhome Dealers are a fairly safe bet but overall you will pay a little more than buying from a private buyer. Guarantees are sometimes available but care should still be taken so as to find a model that will last well beyond the time limit of the guarantee.

New motorhomes are without a doubt the best way to buy if you can afford it. Finance plans are usually available with comfortable monthly payments and long guarantees. The latest models of motorhomes for sale come with all the latest accessories, comforts and safety features.

Motorhomes for sale is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying a motorhome, buying an rv, motorhomes for sale, rv for sale, USED MOTORHOME, used rv

These hefty vehicles are designed to cross virtualy any terrain and still they mange to keep all the pots and pans from being thrown around…

They have just launched a new “Safari Expedition” model built on a Unimog U-500 chassis. Twenty-six feet long on a 154 inch wheelbase, with a 31.5 feet turning radius. The Safari model is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder (6.4-liter) diesel engine, water-cooled, turbo-charged and intercooled. However it is the all-wheel drive system that really sets the GXV Unimog apart. It has a fully synchronized transmission, 16 forward, 12 reverse gears, portal axles with inter-axle differential lock at front, rear and center axles, coil springs, telescopic absorbers, and stabilizers front and rear. “It is simply the best expedition vehicle to drive in any terrain or condition” said Mike Van Pelt, CEO of Global EXpedition Vehicles. The extreme expedition vehicle is able to camber over rocks or fallen trees three feet high and yet reach 70mph on the highway.

The expedition cab is enhanced with cab suspension shock absorption and a ceiling console with AM/FM and satellite radio, CD, and iPod connection. The sandwich-panel composite coach is attached to the chassis frame with a 3-Point Kinetic connection to eliminate torque transference to the expedition unit. While the extreme GXV is a rugged 4×4 expedition vehicle, inside of the camper it has all the luxuries and comfort of home.

There is premium solid wood cabinets, a 4-person dining area which converts into a 2^nd bed, stainless steel refrigerator and freezer, 2 burner diesel cooktop,  convection microwave/grill, LED lighting, dry-bath with separate shower and toilet, queen-size bed, 2 flatscreen LCD TVs with full sound system, and plenty of storage areas.

For additional information on Global EXpedition Vehicles, call 417-582-5050 or visit www.globalXvehicles.com

Off Road Motorhomes is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

This pedal powered RV is rumoured to have travelled the length of North America and well into Mexico. It’s current location however remains a mystery.

Here are some more images.

The Bedroom

Here are a few other sites that feature this The world’s smallest motorhome.

• Motorhome bike makes Portland appearance
• Beloved motorhome bike “torn to shambles” in NE Portland
• Bicycle Winnebago — Exhibit B

Worlds Smallest Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying a motorhome, campers, largest motorhome, luxury motorhome, motorhome, RV, smallest motorhome

This 5 wheel motorcycle RV was originally featured on a family blog but the source is no longer available so there is very little information available. It is however featured on the following websites:

• Motorcycle Motorhome – Well, that’s no longer a problem with this crazy motorcycle motorhome which has the front end of a chopper and the back end of an RV. Of course the RV part has flames on the side so you can maintain your street cred with the biker set. …
• Motorcycle motorhome – Customized motorcycle motorhome. This customized 5-wheeler was posted on the “Johnson Family Blog.” No additional information was provided about the owner or who built this unique “fuel friendly” rig.

Motorcycle Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

The vehicle has two decks with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining area, guest berth and bathroom all on the upper deck. The lower deck consists of the driver area, 8 passenger seats, conference area, reception, bar, vehicle garage and storage room.

Floorplan – Upper Deck

Floorplan – Lower Deck

You can check out all the details and many more images at this website

World’s Largest Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

For the next the ‘‘Unusual Motorhomes‘ series we have this amazing Unicat vehicle. This is not really a garbage truck as it seems but actually a fantastic off-road motorhome designed and built by [tag]Unitcat[/tag].

This company specialise in off-road 4 wheel drive RVs. The owner started out converting a vehicle for his personal use travelling through Africa.

They now make a series of vehicles to choose from all with have individually designed interiors.

As you can see from these photos,  the workmanship in the vehicles is superior.

The living area

The Lounge / Bedroom

Great storage space for those bumpy off-road tracks.

There are a loads more pictures of this model and of several other interesting models too at the Unicat Website Gallery

[tags]motorhome, off-road motorhome, 4wd rv[/tags]

Motorhome or Garbage Truck? is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: 4wd rv, motorhome, off-road motorhome, Unitcat

[tag]Motorhome Racing[/tag] – New Sport.

Be warned, some motorhome owners may find this video disturbing.

Motorhome Racing

The rules are simple:

• Drive to the event in your [tag]motorhome[/tag]
• Preparations to the vehicle must be completed the night before the race
• The driver must spent the night in the rig
• After the race you should drive home in it

[tags]RV racing, RV, motorhome video, RV video[/tags]

Motorhome Racing is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: motorhome, Motorhome Racing, motorhome video, RV, RV racing, RV video

Well after having rented for a while there are those who do their calculations and discover that they might as well keep on renting.

For example, if you are going to go for say 8 weeks in every year then you can easily work out the payments on rental. Depending on the size and quality of [tag]RV[/tag] you need and the time of year then the cost for this could be anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000.

Now this is not cheap by any standards but when you take into consideration the depreciation of price on a new or used RV along with any routine maintenance and repairs combined with any off road storage you might have to pay then you might be better off financially renting on a permanent basis instead of buying.

Consider this – Lets say that a 4 year old [tag]class A motorhome[/tag] costs you $125,000. In 6 years time that same vehicle will probably only be worth around $70,000. So, in this case, on depreciation alone, in 6 years it will have cost you $55,000 as opposed to a possible $48,000 rental fees.

It will be worth your while to do your own calculations according to the size of rig you will be using, how often you will be using it and the depreciation, maintenance and storage fees to find out whether it would be financially beneficial to rent or to buy.

Of course, it is always a luxury to have your own RV to hand for any unplanned trips. You will have your own kitchen and food supplies, your own clothes, music and entertainment all to hand and you will get to know and love the vehicle with all its own peculiarities.

So even if the numbers don’t work out and you find that you will be paying a little bit more by buying as opposed to renting then it may be worth the extra investment just to have the luxury and peace of mind of owning your own rig.

Louise at MomReponds.com addresses this very same question well in her blog post Winnebago Motorhomes For Sale Or Rent

[tags]motorhome for hire, rent motorhome, buying motorhome, used motorhome[/tags]

Renting a Motorhome Versus Buying a Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying motorhome, Class A Motorhome, motorhome for hire, rent motorhome, renting RVs, RV, USED MOTORHOME

Here are a few [tag]RV terms[/tag] that you need to get used if you are buying your first motorhome.
If you come across any that aren’t listed here or you know some that you think should be added then leave them in a comment below and I’ll update the list if it appropriate.

[tag]Arctic Package[/tag]:
Extra insulation for the holding tanks and water lines for winter use.

[tag]Backup Monitor[/tag]:
A closed circuit camera that is mounted in the rear of the larger class A rigs which has a monitor installed in the driving area so the driver can see behind the vehicle when backing up. Many of the monitors come with graduated guide lines on the screen so you can see exactly how many feet away from an object you actually are.

Basement or Basement Storage:
This is the area used for storage beneath the floor and is usually accessible from the outside.This usually refers to Class-A or Class-C motorhomes.

[tag]Black Water[/tag]:
The waste water from the toilet which is stored in a special holding tank under the RV known as the black water tank.

[tag]Boondocking[/tag]:
Camping without using electrical hook-ups nor sewer or water. The house batteries, generators, water and holding tanks are relied upon. Also known as Dry Camping.

[tag]BTU[/tag] – (British Thermal Unit):
The heat rating applied for RV air conditioners and heating units. The higher the number the more effective the unit..

[tag]Caravan[/tag]:
3 or more RV travelling together in convoy.

[tag]Chassis[/tag]:
The metal frame supporting the engine and bodywork.

[tag]Class A Motorhome[/tag]:
See RV CLASSES EXPLAINED.

[tag]Class B Motorhome[/tag]:
Also known as campers or camper vans- See RV CLASSES EXPLAINED.

[tag]Class C MotorHome[/tag]:
See RV CLASSES EXPLAINED.

[tag]Converter[/tag]:
The device that converts 120 Volt AC electricity into 12 volt DC. When using electrical hookups most of the lighting and other accessories are designed to work at 12 Volts.

[tag]Dinghy[/tag]:
The name for a second vehicle that is towed behind the RV – also referred to as the Toad.

[tag]Dry Camping[/tag]:
See Boondocking

[tag]Dump Station[/tag]:
The facility where you can empty your black and gray water holding tanks.

DW ([tag]Dry weight[/tag]):
The weight of an RV when empty, i.e. with no water, fuel, passengers, supplies or belongings.

[tag]Fifth-Wheel[/tag]:
An RV that is designed to be towed from the back of an adapted pick up truck – See RV CLASSES EXPLAINED.

[tag]Fiver[/tag]:
A fifth-wheel RV.

[tag]FMCA[/tag]:
Family Motor Coach Association.

[tag]Fresh Water Tank[/tag]:
The tank in which clean water is stored and is connected to the faucets.

[tag]Full Timers[/tag]:
Refers to those who live permanently in their RVs all year round.

[tag]Gray Water[/tag]:
The waste water from the sinks and shower. This is held in the Gray Water Tank.

[tag]GVWR[/tag] (Gross vehicle Weight Rating):
The maximum permitted weight for a RV including passengers, supplies, fuel and propane.

[tag] Hook-ups[/tag]:
Electricity and fresh water connections that can be found at campsites.

[tag] Newbie[/tag]:
A newcomer to the world of RVing.

[tag] Pull-Through[/tag]:
These are RV campsites where you drive into the allotted space forwards and later when you leave you drive out forwards too. This saves having to back up.

[tag]Puller[/tag]:
Refers to an RV that has its engine mounted in the front of the vehicle.

[tag] Pusher[/tag]:
Refers to an RV that has its engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle (usually diesel).

[tag] RV[/tag]:
Recreational Vehicle.

[tag] Slideout[/tag]:
A portion of the RV unit can expand to create more room inside the rig.

[tag] Snowbirds[/tag]:
Refers to those who live in their RV in the south during the winter months and move north in the summer time.

[tag] Toad[/tag]:
The name for a second vehicle that is towed behind the RV – Also referred to as the Dinghy.

In the News:

RV Education 101 Simplifies RV Ownership by Releasing RV DVD Value Packs

[tags]Motorhome[/tags]

RV Terminology is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: Arctic Package, Backup Monitor, Black Water, Boondocking, BTU, Caravan, Chassis, Class A Motorhome, Class B Motorhome, Class C MotorHome, Converter, Dinghy, Dry Camping, Dry weight, Dump Station, fifth wheel, Fiver, FMCA, Fresh Water Tank, Full Timers, Gray Water, GVWR, Hook-ups, motorhome, Motorhome Terminology, Newbie, Pull-Through, Puller, Pusher, RV, RV lingo, RV terms, Slideout, Snowbirds, Toad

[tag]Motor Vehicle Defects[/tag] and Safety Recalls:

What Every Vehicle Owner Should Know.

I forgot to include this useful resource in yesterday’s post on recalls.

The NHTSA have put together a very large FAQ on the whole recall process and what it involves. If you are [tag]buying a motohome[/tag] you should definitely check out to see if it has been recalled before making the purchase final. You can also download the booklet free of charge. To download the booklet follow the link below.
Recall Process and Booklet from the NHTSA. (you will need Acrobat Reader to view the downloaded document)

[tags]rv, rv recalls, motorhome, motorhome recalls[/tags]

Motorhome Recall Process is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying a motohome, Motor Vehicle Defects, motorhome, motorhome recalls, RV, RV recalls

If you are considering buying a motorhome then you should especially check on the model you will be purchasing because in some cases insurance companies will not insure a vehicle that has been recalled until the appropriate work has been undertaken.

There is a list of the most recently recalled models over at the Motorhome Magazine web site. I believe they update this list on a monthly basis.

If you really need to check out if a certain rig has ever been recalled then you need to look up the make and model in the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration) Recalls, Defects and Complaints Database. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
[tags]RV, RV recalls, motorhome recalls[/tags]

Motorhome Recalls is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: motorhome, motorhome recalls, RV, RV recalls

Now to the other end of the scale completely we have this [tag]Nissan Micra Motorhome[/tag].

Note the electric ‘Hook Up’ at the front.

The Kitchen

The Bedroom

The Dining Area

This is a wonderfully thought out and inventive one off vehicle – The small family RV. (i.e. family of one)

Thanks to My Local Motorhome Hire for putting me onto this.

The photographs are copyright James Harland.
There are a few more photos on James’ Flicker album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/james-msc/sets/72157594198736850/

[tags]camper, camper van, rv, mototrhome[/tags]

Nissan Micra Motorhome – The small familly RV is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: camper, camper van, mototrhome, Nissan Micra Motorhome, RV, Unusual Motorhome

The first site is called RV Buying Tips and contains loads of down to earth advice about [tag]buying a motorhome[/tag]. It has a section with useful articles including “The Biggest buying mistakes” and the “To do before buying” list.

The second site is basically the [tag]beginners guide to RVing[/tag]. The site is NewRVer.com and is full of great resources for the first timer. It contains articles angled at the inexperienced including driving tips, buying advice, help in choosing the best model for you etc. There is also an active user forum where many basic questions get asked and answered by other RVers.

Another great site you need to visit is RVtravel.com´s Forum This is probably one of the most active [tag]RV forums[/tag] around. There are discussions on all aspects of RVing from choosing vehicles to tips and discussion for daily use. Some of the discussions include; Advice for Beginning RVers, [tag-ice]RV Lifestyle[/tag-ice], Boondocking, Frugal RVing, Full-Time RVing, RVing with Children, RVing with Pets, RV Safety, “on-the-road” RV recipes, Fuel Issues, Routes and Road Conditions, Campgrounds and [tag]RV Parks[/tag], Working on the Road and many many more.

And to end this post I would like to point you to a review of the RV Education 101 site where you can download videos and ebooks galore on all aspects of RVing. Check out the review here:

RV Education 101 Simplifies RV Ownership by Releasing RV DVD Value Packs

Look out for more resources that I will be posting here over the next few days.

[tags]RV resources, motorhome resources[/tags]

Some good RV resources is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: beginners guide to RVing, buying a motorhome, motorhome resources, RV forums, RV Parks, RV resources

What To Look Out For – Questions To Ask

Whether you are [tag]buying a motorhome[/tag] from an auction or from a reputable dealer you still have to take great care and spend a long time meticulously checking out all aspects of the the vehicle to safeguard the purchase that could most likely be one of the largest in your life second to your house. Don´t let yourself get rushed and take your time making notes as you go. Anything that needs attention or replacing should be written down (there will always be something) and the cost of the repairs need to be taken into account when negotiating the final price.

Take a reputable and mechanic with you to look over the mechanical side of vehicle, preferably one who is experienced in RVs.

Here are some general points to look out for:

• Batteries:
  There are normally two lots of batteries in the [tag]motorhome[/tag]. The house batteries for the living area and the vehicle batteries. The vehicle batteries should be able to hold enough charge to start the engine with little effort even from cold and after a period of non movement.
• Oil:
  Check out the color and constancy of the oil. If the oil is burned then it is a sign that something is wrong with the engine. If the oil is thick and gooey and has a white foam then this might indicate that additives have been used in an attempt to seal up leaky engine gaskets.
• Brakes:
  The brakes should be tested thoroughly on the test drive making sure that they are responsive and bearing in mind that when fully loaded the vehicle will be even more difficult to stop. Check the handbrake will hold the vehicle well too.
• Rust:
  Make sure that the frame of the vehicle is not rusted as this is a sure sign that the motorhome is nearing the end of its life. Occasional small rust spots on certain parts of the bodywork might be possible to repair without presenting further problems but beware of bubbling under the paint work as this signifies rust that has been painted over. At the first sign of rust you need to discover the extent of the damage and ask yourself how much work is involved in repairing it taking into consideration any paintwork that might need to be done at the same time.If you purchase a motorhome that has been used exclusively in the south of the USA then you can virtually eliminate all possibilities of rust.
• Paperwork:
  Ask to see as much of the paperwork as you can including the full service history along with receipts for any other work that might have been undertaken. Look for the number of previous owners and most important of all make sure that the VIN number of the vehicle itself matches that on the accompanying paperwork.Find out how much weight the vehicle can carry. There should be a notice inside (normally on the back of a wardrobe door) stating the net carrying capacity. This is the maximum weight the RV can carry. This is known as the CCC. There are actually many models that are so heavy in themselves that they leave very little margin for anything else and once loaded up with your family and their possessions there is a serious danger of overloading the rig.

  Somewhere on the outside of the vehicle near to the door you should find the seal of the RVIA. This is the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and their seal denotes that the RV has been made according to standards set by them. Do not buy an RV that doesn’t have the seal.

• House batteries:
  The house batteries provide current for all of the internal electrical systems when an external hook up is not available. You need to discover if these are holding their charge. Check the battery terminals for corrosion. If the vehicle has solar panels fitted you need to discover exactly how much charge is being put back into the batteries.
• Propane system:
  Inspect the propane tanks, hoses, and regulators. There might even be certificates of safety for these. Make sure that the refrigerator switches over from gas to electric with no problems when an external hook up is connected.
• Toilet:
  The toilet needs to be able to hold water or the smell from the black water tanks will come back up into the bathroom.
• Flooring:
  Check over the floors very carefully especially around the sink and in the bathroom. Make sure there are no soft spots. Any damp or mold could lead to rotting of the wood or rusting of metal. Soft spots will most likely be as a result of a leaky plumbing system.
• Ceilings:
  As with the floors you need to check thoroughly for signs of damp or mold. This will most likely start to appear in hidden places, up the corners and at the back of the lockers. Any damp patches on the ceiling are more than likely a sign that the roof is leaking. A leaky roof can be extremely difficult and expensive to repair.
• Heating:
  Test out the heating system well making sure that there is enough power to heat all parts of the motorhome at once. Make sure that there are heating vents in all the rooms including that bathroom and that when on they blow enough hot air to keep the whole vehicle warm on a cold night as well as providing hot water.
• Air conditioning:
  As with the heating make sure that this is adequate and that it still blows cold air. Recharging an air conditioning unit can be quite costly.
• Insulation:
  Ask about insulation. How will it stand up to the cold nights? Are the water tanks insulated?
• Comfort:
  Spend some time sitting in the chairs and lying on the bed. You need to know if these are comfortable and positioned correctly.. Can you lie on the bed without your feet hanging off the end? Can you see the TV from the chairs without straining your neck? Is there enough room to eat comfortably at the table? Are there enough stove burners? Is the kitchen counter space adequate? etc.
• Overall check:
  Finally, make sure you do a thorough general check of everything. This includes tuning on and off everything you can. Make sure that all the lights are working, both inside and outside. Open every cupboard and locker, check all electric items and the electrical outlets. Are the electrical outlets located in sensible conditions and is there enough of them? Open every door, every vent, every window and panel, both inside and out.
• Insurance:
  Just before you make your purchase you should check that you are able to insure the vehicle by providing your [tag]RV insurance[/tag] company with the exact make and model you will be purchasing. Be warned that there are certain models that for one reason or another are classed as un-insurable. This is normally due to recalls of certain models (see the post on vehicle recalls), weight and size restrictions amongst others.

A Word About Quality:

Be aware of Cheap. Not all motorhomes are built to the same standards. Though most are quality build there are some models that are constructed with cheaper materials in order to lower the overall. The cheap models will probably be perfect if you plan to use them for a couple of camping weekends a year but if you plan on spending any long periods in the RV then you should go for a high quality model. [tag]Cheap motorhomes[/tag] tend to have uncomfortable beds, noisy heaters, cabinets with sharp corners, drawers and doors that don’t close properly and thin walls. If you lean against the walls and there is some give then the plywood is probably less than 1/4 inch thick, a good sign of a cheaper quality coach.

RV Buyer’s Guide

This is only a superficial checklist and should be used to give you an approximate idea of some of the things you should be looking for when checking over a motorhome. There are several guides, books and videos on the market which go into the whole process a lot deeper. The RV Buyer’s Guide is full or tips and useful information on how to purchase your motorhome without getting ripped off. It shows you exactly what to look out for and gives examples of some of the hidden tricks you might come across.

Another publications that might help you is the Better Business Bureau DVD, “Buying a Recreational Vehicle.”

Buying A Recreational Vehicle
from Better Business Bureau

Further Information:

RV homebase 2008 – A great guide for buying motorhomes. Gives you loads to think about.
Guide helps fulltimers decide on an RV homebase

Here are a few more things you might want to consider.
RV – A Guide to Choose A Recreational Vehicle

If you need solar power check this out.
Solar Power – The New Way To RV

Before you take the plunge and buy your first rig have a look at this.
Buying an RV

Here are a load of useful RV Maintenance articles that will increase your knowledge when looking at used rvs to buy.
Check out the roof before you buy
RV Travel — Your RV Roof

And finally, before you buy or even rent your first motorhome you should learn a little about driving it. Here is a review about the new book “Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro” by professional bus driver Lorrin Walsh.
New Book Teaches How to Drive a Motorhome

[tags]recreational vehicle,[/tags]

Used Motorhome Buyer’s Checklist is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying a motorhome, Cheap motorhomes, motorhome, recreational vehicle, RV BUYER’S CHECKLIST, RV insurance

Each post I will be featuring an ‘out of the ordinary’ RV.

To start off lets take a look at this brand new custom built [tag]Volkner Mobil[/tag] [tag]RV[/tag] and its accompanying Mercedes. For more images check out the Luxury Tunned Bus

Also check out the following for more information on this model:

Volkner Mobile Unveils Luxurious Motorcoach With Built-In Garage

Volkner Mobil’s latest luxury RV with built-in garage

Volkner Mobile RV With Garage

[tags]luxury motorhome, motorcoach[/tags]

RV with built in Mercedes is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: luxury motorhome, motorcoach, motorhome, motorhome garage, RV, Unusual Motorhomes, Volkner Mobil

BUY NEW:
This is by far the best option if your finances will allow it. Every year more luxurious and more comfortable models are produced with better accessories and fittings. They are extremely high priced but well worth it if you can afford it. Most of the dealerships can offer a selection of good financing options with comfortable monthly payments.

PRIVATE SALES:
You can often get some pretty good deals when buying from a private seller. You can find adverts in the motorhome magazines, or online at a selection of RV CLASSIFIEDS sites dedicated to putting buyers in touch with sellers. Great care should be taken if you are considering buying your motorhome in a private deal. Take an experienced mechanic with you and if possible an experienced RVer too as an extra set of eyes, eyes that are less likely to get clouded with the enthusiasm and emotion that creeps in at the prospect of obtaining a beautiful new motorhome. Make notes as you check over the vehicle and make a list of modifications or repairs that need to be done. Use your notes later on at the time of negotiating the final price.

[tag]POLICE AUCTIONS[/tag] – [tag]SEIZED AUCTIONS[/tag]:
Organized by the government these auctions are held regularly across the US where seized, repossessed and confiscated vehicles are sold off to the public at extremely low prices. You can often find hardly used RVs in extremely good condition with very low mileage. Bidding typically starts at around the $100 mark and there are times when you can get real bargains with motorhomes being sold for a fraction of what they are worth. There are times however when the bidding get insane and the price is raised up to and beyond the going rate for that particular vehicle. Great care needs to be taken when buying from any auction and you really need to know exactly what you are doing or you could end up purchasing a vehicle that isn’t worth what you paid for it. I will be covering some of the things to look out for in the next post.

Regularly updated information and details about when and where these police auctions will be held along with information on the vehicles that will be up for sale can be found at the web sites Seized Vehicle Auctions and Auction Pass.

[tag]USED MOTORHOME[/tag] DEALERSHIP:
If you are buying your first motorhome or have little experince then this is by far the best way to get a decent used RV. Most dealerships carry a wide range of vehicles of all classes. If you purchase from a reputable dealer you will get that little bit more sevurity and peace of mind as most will offer some sort of guarantee and also have their reputation to consider too..

Another positive point about buying from a dealer is that you will be offered a selection of finance plans which are unavailable if you choose to buy in a private sale or at an auction. The prices of the RVs at a dealership are somewhat elevated in comparison to private sales due to their overheads. In most cases the extra cost is well worth it. Even though a dealership might have a good reputation you should still be just as diligent and as thourough when looking over the vehicles as you whould when buying in a private deal or at an auction.

When interacting with a dealer you need to give them as much information as possible in order for them to offer you what you need. Tell them the type or RV you are looking for and tell them how you plan to use it. A well trained salesperson should be able to show you a selection of vehicles appropriate to your needs. Feel free to ask questions about construction of the coaches, whty they are made this way or that and what one brand and model has to offer over another.

Some dealers are affiliated with one or two specific brands and deal soley with them. This can be an advantage as the dealers will have undergone specialized training and the dealership will have access to original spare parts and service departments. If you are looking for a wider choice however you will be better off by using a general purpose dealer.

Here are a few more ideas on buying motorhomes:

Interesting article on used motorhomes
Getting the Most Out of a Used Motor Home Sale

Some useful advice on choosing your motorhome
How to Pick RV’s & Pop-Up Campers

Advice on some of the different ways Motorhomes can be sold
Steps For Selling Used RVs

Of course you could always build your own as set out by
Converting a School Bus into a Motor Home

RV and motorhome financing explained here
RV Camper Financing, Low Rate Interest Is Affordable

[tags]RV, Motorhomes[/tags]

Where to Buy Your Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: motorhome, motorhomes, POLICE AUCTIONS, RV, SEIZED AUCTIONS, USED MOTORHOME

To spend a few days on the road will give you a very good idea as to how it will be.

• Is the vehicle big enough?
• Is it too big?
• How is the gas consumption?
• Do you have enough space for your belongings?
• Is there somewhere to store your golf clubs/cycles/canoo or whatever it may be?
• Are you comfortable driving it and parking it?
• Can you get it in your drive or parking space?

…. the list goes on.

Taking a trip in a rented vehicle will present you with many teething problems that might have a solution but on the other hand the solution might be to consider a different class of vehicle beore it is too late.

There are many places to [tag]rent RV[/tag]s accross the US and in other contries too. Rental costs sem to vary between $100 and $300 a week and what ever the cost it will give you peace of mind in the long run.

Renting a Motorhome is also a great way to see a foreign country or a place too far away to drive to.

Check out this site about [tag]Alaska RV Rentals[/tag]:
Cut Travel Costs with an RV Vacation

And this one with information about [tag]Canadian RV Rentals[/tag]:
Renting an RV

Or this one about [tag]New Zealand Motorhome Rental[/tag]:
RV rental New Zealand

And for the UK [tag]Europe RV Rentals[/tag]
Motorhome Hire – Two Beginners’ Tales

And finally,
Finding the Best Place For RV Rental in California

If you are thinking of renting you should also consider joining the [tag]Good Sam RV club[/tag] – This is the major [tag-ice]RV club[/tag-ice] in the Us and you don’t have to be an RV owner to join. Some of the benefits you can enjoy as an RV Renter would be;

• Camping Discounts (Save 10% on nightly rates at over 1700+ Good Sam Parks)
• FREE Subscription to Highways magazine
• Specialized RV Trip Routing
• Tips & Guidance from Online Forums
• Enjoy Club Activities
• and much more

Use this link for a special discount coupon.

Join Good Sam Club Today and Get a FREE Night of Camping!

[tags]RV Rental, Motorhome Rental[/tags]

RV Rentals Try Before You Buy is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: Alaska RV Rentals, Canadian RV Rentals, Europe RV Rentals, Good Sam RV club, Motorhome Rental, New Zealand Motorhome Rental, rent RV, RV Rental

Class B Motorhomes:
The [tag]Class B Motorhome[/tag] or camper van is the most compact of the classes, it is little more than a converted van. Some can be quite luxurious and come fitted with bathroom, kitchen, TV and microwave but the norm is that they have just enough space to accommodate a sleeping area which doubles as a living space, a small cooking area and some storage space. These are great for short camping breaks, they are very easy to drive and maneuver with parking not presenting a problem. These vehicles can easily double as a second family vehicle when not being used for camping.

Class C Motorhomes:
[tag]Class C motorhomes[/tag] are the middle of the range class. They are coach built on top of a special chasis which is basically a truck chasis with the engine at the front. These can be quite a lot larger than the previous Class B motorhomes with lengths ranging from 20 to 40 feet. The more recent models all include slide outs that increase the living space and come with a bathroom, living area and bedroom, The driving area is connected to the living area is set lower down so passing from one to the other at times can be a little awkward. These vehicles are best suited to those who take frequent short breaks, Most have gas engines and are fairly economical to run. Parking is less of a problem than with the larger class A motorhomes.

Class A Motorhomes:
[tag]Class A Motorhomes[/tag] are the real luxury vehicles. They have the appearance of a bus with a flat front and large front windows, the coachwork is built onto a special bus chasis and they can have a rear deisel engine (pushers) or a front engine gas or diesel (pullers). They are fully self contained coming with a separate bedroom, living area, kitchen with refrigerator and stove and oven, a dining area with table and chairs, a complete bathroom with shower and a spacous living area with sofa and armchairs. The driving area is integral and when parked the driver and passengers seats can be rotated to face into the vehicle to form part of the living room. The later models come with up to 4 slide outs in the lounge and the bedroom which greatly increase the interior space. These vehicles are very large and cannot be parked anywhere. They can be tricky to manouvr if you are not used to them. A little training is advised if you have never driven one before. In some countries special driving permits are required as the sheer size makes drivng them comparable to driving a bus. They can be diesel powered or gas powered.

Fifth Wheel Trailers:
The [tag]5th wheel[/tag] trailor is just as luxurious inside as the typical Class A rig. They are self contained having a closed bedroom, bathroom with shower, kitchen and living room. They come in various sizes up to about 40 feet long. Most of them come with slide outs to increase living space. A Medium or heavy duty pickup truck is required to pull them which needs to have a special hitch fitted in the bed. The beauty of these is that once you are camped you can un-hitch the truck and use it independently without having to break camp. Ideal for those who want to camp in rural areas where the roads may not be very good and the 4 wheel drive of the truck can be engaged.

Standard Travel Trailer:
These are the most poular type of [tag]RV[/tag] to be sold today. They come in various sized from 10 to 40 feet long and can be pulled by most medium to large vehicles. Some of the larger models have slide outs, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, dining and living rooms.



Toy Haulers:
These are a fairly new invention and are a variation of the standard travel trailer. [tag]Toy haulers[/tag] have a room usually at the back which is used as a garage to store anything from motorbikes to ATVs or even small mini cars. Some have folding beds which can be opened once camped and the vehicles have been removed. The rest of the rig is just like any other with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room complete with slide outs.

3D Virtual Tour – This is in interesting 3d virtual tour of some of the different [tag-ice]classes of RV[/tag-ice] available.

Get To Know Your Way Around Researching Motorhomes Sales Online – Great general guide.

Al Qasr and Camel Safari – Includes a description of the 9 different types of RVs.

Tuscan Wine Tours In A Motorhome – an out of the ordinary vacation idea: renting a motorhome and touring Tuscan wineries

Take the kids on a motorhome holiday - NZ Motorhome rentals

[tags]camper van[/tags]

RV Classes Explained is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: 5th wheel, camper, camper van, class a, Class A Motorhomes, class b, Class B Motorhome, class c, Class C motorhomes, classes of motorhome, fifth wheel, motorhome, RV, Toy haulers

Trailer Life 12 issues Trailer Life is Americas #1 RV magazine. Loaded with features on RV products and technical advice, Trailer Life Magazine makes RV travel safer and a lot more fun! With destination features in every issue, the RV traveler who reads TrailerLife is not only well-informed, but inspired with new ideas! 12 issues Only $1.33 per issue. That is 67% off.

There is a great video all about the RV lifestyle which you can get for free from RVIA. You can have a copy mailed to you or you can watch it online.

Send for your free RV DVD from the [tag]RVIA[/tag] (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) that provides a valuable overview of the [Tag-ice]RV lifestyle[/Tag-ice].

Whilst investigating you will realize that there are several main classes of vehicle to chose from. In the next post I will explain about the different MOTORHOME CLASSES and some of the different models available. [tags]buying motorhome, motorhome dealer, rv, trailer life, rv dvd, motorhome classes[/tags]

Before Buying a Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buying motorhome, motorhome classes, motorhome dealer, RV, rv dvd, trailer life

As you will already have begun to realize, [tag]motorhomes[/tag] today come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes with a host of different features and layouts on offer. For a first time buyer it can be a little confusing to say the least. There are models that contain all of the luxuries and fittings you would expect in a normal residence in which you could quite comfortably live in for many months on end. There are others that are more basic but perfectly adequate for short camping trips and if you are used to camping then you might even find these somewhat luxurious.

The first thing you need to do is to determine your own requirements. Ask yourself the following questions.

• How many people will be sleeping at vehicle?
• How often will you be using it?
• When you do use it, will it be for weeks on end or will it be for short weekend breaks?
• How many times a year do you plan on using it?
• Will you be using it in the winter?
• Where do you plan to take it and where will you be camping? On camp sites or will you just stay on the road?
• How long will your average stay in one place be?

Once you have some of the above clear then you will be ready to start investigating just what is on offer with a mind to how you plan to use you [tag-ice]new motorhome[/tag-ice].

In the next post I will be explaining how to familiarize yourself with the world of RVs so you can become truly informed before you purchase your motorhome.

[tags]used motorhomes, used rvs, buy motorhome[/tags]

Used Motorhomes – A Beginners Guide To Buying An RV is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: buy motorhome, used motorhomes, used rvs

I’m Barry Bushnell and over the next few weeks I’ll be posting some information for those of you who are looking to buy a used camper or are looking for a motorhome for sale.
My aim is for this site to become a repository of motorhome knowledge and that it will fast become an authority site on how to [TAG]buy a motorhome[/TAG] or RV.
The first article will be split into a few parts as it covers several subjects, it is the complete beginners guide to [Tag-Ice]buying a motorhome[/Tag-Ice].

For the experienced RV’ers out there don’t go quite yet, we have some good stuff planned for you too. Bookmark this page or add it to your blog reader and check back soon.

[tags]amercian motorhome, campers, motorhomes, rv[/tags]

Welcome to American Motorhome is a post from: American Motorhome, the used motorhomes for sale blog.

Technorati Tags: amercian motorhome, buy a motorhome, buying a motorhome, campers, motorhomes, RV