Recreational vehicles that combine mobility with the comforts of home are an ideal way to take extended road trips. With 2016 marking the centennial of our national parks, it’s a great time to start perusing eBay Motors listings for an RV to purchase. In fact, if you buy from one of eBay’s preferred sellers by July 1, 2016, you will receive a National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass, a shipping credit for 250 miles, and a $500 eBay gift card.
“Traveling with a RV is the best way to be in nature but still have the creature comforts we’ve gotten used to,” said Brad Phillips of the Integrity Media Group that represents a group of family-owned RV dealerships in the Midwest. “Today people work long hours and vacation time is limited. A RV reduces set-up time at the campsite so visitors can spend more time doing what they like, and it enables them to maintain privacy and security to stay comfortable.”
Many RVs provide a full-service well appointed kitchen.
Many of the RV dealerships selling on eBay are family owned and operated businesses that have been selling recreation vehicles for generations. Most of them have close working relationships with leading manufacturers, ensuring access to great deals and specialized custom units. The list of brands is vast—from Airstream and Jayco to MHS2GO for high-end motorhomes. After you make a purchase, most of these dealerships will ship the RV to you via trusted transport services that allow you to track transport and delivery in real time on an online map.
When shopping for an RV on eBay, you can utilize a wide range of refinements in the left navigation to narrow down the inventory to your desired specifications.
Master bedrooms provide comfort and ample storage.
Motorhome, Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel
Most first-time RV buyers probably envision a motorhome when thinking about a recreation vehicle. But that’s just one type of RV, and there are different classes of motorhomes. Class A motorhomes are usually constructed on existing bus chassis, while much smaller Class B motorhomes utilize full-size vans. Class C motorhomes fit in between Class A and Class B in terms of size, utilizing the front end of a van or truck with the remainder of the chassis fabricated by the RV manufacturer.
For a more economical alternative, consider a travel trailer or fifth wheel—sometimes called towables because they attach to your pickup or sport utility vehicle.
2016 Forest River Wolf Pup 17RP Travel Trailer
A travel trailer attaches to the bumper of the towing vehicle with a ball-and-coupler hitch, while a fifth-wheel trailer connects to the bed of a truck using a jaw hitch. (See our guide to tow hitches.) A fifth wheel is usually heavier, longer, and taller—therefore providing more interior room.
Construction methods for travel trailers and fifth wheels are similar: typically ribbed aluminum siding or high-gloss fiberglass over a wooden frame. Larger trailers will have stronger I-beam supports in the base and a more substantial floor to handle the bigger load.
2016 Forest River Cherokee 235B Fifth Wheel RV
Regardless of whether you consider a travel trailer or a fifth-wheel trailer, start by figuring out how much weight your truck or sport-utility vehicle can safely tow. If you can’t find the vehicle’s payload and towing capacity in your owner’s manual, the information is readily available online.
Size, Weight and Cost
You will also need to know the gross combined weight rating: the maximum weight for the truck and trailer. Be conservative with calculations, realizing that a vehicle’s curb weight does not include larger wheels on upscale models, sunroofs, luggage, or passengers. Before beginning any road trip, take the truck and fully-loaded trailer to a weigh station to get an accurate reading and check tires for proper inflation pressures or signs of unusual wear.
A reputable RV dealership, like Lakeshore RV Center, can help you to determine the proper tongue weight: the amount of weight the trailer puts on the hitch. Also make sure the truck or SUV is equipped with a towing prep package and trailer brake controller.
People have varying opinions regarding the ideal size of an RV. A small travel trailer uses less gas and is more maneuverable on challenging roads, but a bigger one is more comfortable, especially for a large family. A larger RV will also have a larger refrigerator, meaning less frequent trips to the grocery store.
Costs vary significantly depending on size and interior furnishings. A small travel trailer can cost as little as $16,000, while fifth wheels range from about $20,000 to $120,000. Expect motorhomes to run from $40,000 all the way to $600,000.
RVs come fully furnished, so consider how many beds or bunks are needed, and preferences for couches, chairs, dinettes, and appliances. Some upscale models come with dishwashers and fireplaces. Pop-up awnings provide shade at the campsite on warm summer days.
See RVs & Campers for sale on eBay.
