Getting into the RV world is way more work than I had anticipated. The real cost of buying a brand new RV; has me in tears. I thought I had done my research and was feeling pretty good. Since I had zero knowledge about this lifestyle, I thought buying brand new would save me a lot of issues. I know it is like buying a car, and I lose a lot of money when I take it home. However, I was not willing to risk buying someone else’s problems when I knew nothing about how to fix them.
After almost a year of researching, I chose the style and manufacture that gave me what I need. The 2600RB Imagine travel trailer from Grand design. https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2019/travel-trailer/imagine/floorplans
I had assumed. And I can hear my dad saying, ” You should never assume, because when you assume, you make an ass of “u” and “me.” Not sure if I feel like an ass, but I am not too impressed. You see, I assumed an RV would be just like a car. That you would pick it up and other than personal items, you would be good to go on your first trip! The RV would come with everything you needed to have a successful week away. Unfortunately, I learned very quickly that is in fact not the case.
The new trailer cost me $39,500CAD plus tax and some additional insurance. Great. I was expecting that. Personal items like bedding, small BBQ and cookware cost me another $850.
But here is where I cried… I spent an additional $3,890 on additional items that I needed to be on the road with my RV.
The great debate of NEEDS vs WANTS? Maybe. But I am not sure. I scoured the internet of a list of MUST HAVE ITEMS needed for a new RV and couldn’t find one. Some people listed five things, some ten and a couple even had more than 20! Trying to compile all of the things that I would need to spend my money on made my head spin.
Here is the list of things that I am putting in my personal need category. The items that I chose to spend an additional $4000 on so that I can get into my brand new RV. Once I spend some time on the road and get a chance to use all of these items I will write another blog. At this moment, I am not sure if some of these items were actually things that I ‘needed’. But I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?
RANDOM STUFF – $1710.18CAD . On top of the personal items I mentioned above, these are the other items I needed. A 20ft black water hose, clear connectors, fresh water drinking hose, water filter system, surge protector, extension cord, amp adaptor, stabilizer jack pads, wheel chocks, hitch lock, cell booster, extra battery, dehumidifier, small portable BBQ, large outdoor matt, tire patch kit and portable a air compressor.
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EQUALIZER HITCH – $636.55 – Several people told me if I am careful when I drive, I don’t need this. Giving me this piece of advice without asking about my trailer weight or length. Many more people told me the complete opposite. They wouldn’t dream of not having one. Once again doing my own research. I came to the personal conclusion that a weight distribution system is the safer choice. For me, my safety is a need that I am not willing to compromise. Period.
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GAS GENERATOR – $1543.27 Being able to boon-dock is important to me. If you are planning to only stay at full service RV sites than this is something you will not need.
Solar is next on my list. But at this point it is something I can’t afford to spend the money.
At the end of the day, so many of these item seem to come down to personal choice. RV toilet paper is super expensive! However, I can not seem to find a solid answer on wether you actually do need to use it. This has been the most frustrating part of the journey so far. It looks like trial and error is a huge part of this lifestyle.
My major complaint with purchasing a brand new RV: I have learned that manufactures think consumers will want to make their own choices with the additional items people want. Fair enough. My question though, why was all this additional money not discussed when you walk into the sales room of an RV dealership? I went to all three in my local area. I spoke to six different sales people and not one of them mentioned this massive list of additional items needed for my RV.
I told each and every one of them that I was new at all this. As much as I did my own homework, I think this is one reason why salesmen in general get a bit of a bad rap. Did they even listen to what I was saying?
This is what I have learned. After you make your purchase, the day you are coming to pick up your rig. This is when they tell you what else you will need. It is separate department from the sales guy who sold you the rig. Someone from the parts department walks you through everything else they think you will need. This was also frustrating because it meant I had to explain my situation all over again. You can just include this extra amount it on the price of your purchase and roll it into your financing.
Would I have spent $40000-$5000 less on my actual RV if I knew I had to budget all this additional stuff? Yes. I had a budget and was doing what I could to stick to it. I don’t know how I could have been more diligent about this? I had hoped to pass on some inspiring guidance at this point for other RV newbies, but at this point I have nothing.
I have my RV. I have all this stuff. Moving into it next week. The money has been spent. I can only go forward. Thinking I have this great RV and all the stuff to go on some adventures, why do I need to stay here?
Knowing that life is short and I bought this trailer so I could get away from all this stress, I am pondering if I really want to stay here this winter? As I finish this blog, I am now going to research how I could spend winter in Mexico.
