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Buyers remorse is a fear that many people have any time they are making a large purchase. It can be scary to sign on the dotted line when there is a lot at stake. Even when we feel excited about bringing an item home, there is usually still a nagging feeling that we might be making a mistake. Being an informed buyer can help us navigate some of the negatives that can come with the purchase. Today we want to help make sure you don’t have any motorhome regrets when purchasing your next motorhome.
Top 5 Regrets of Buying a Motorhome
When purchasing a motorhome, you can’t simply just take it back if you regret your purchase. Knowing why others have regretted their purchase can help determine your purchase plan. Let’s take a look at a few of the top regrets people have regarding buying a motorhome.
Massive Depreciation
Motorhomes are a lot like cars in the way of depreciation. The moment you drive it off the lot, you’ve immediately reduced the value. Some reports say that driving the motorhome off the lot results in a 20% loss of value. After owning your motorhome for five years, it will already be worth 30-50% less than you paid for it. RVs are certainly not seen as an investment that will benefit you financially.
How Much You Pay with Financing and Interest
Motorhomes don’t come cheap. On average purchasing, a new motorhome will come with a price of $100,000 to $200,000. Some luxury Class A motorhomes can be over half a million dollars. The cost varies quite a bit depending on brand, class, and features, but all in all, a motorhome can cost more than a traditional home. Unless you are paying for it with cash, you are going to spend a lot more than the purchase price by the time you’ve paid off your loan.
Things Break (A Lot)
There is a saying in the RV world that says, “At all times, something is either broken or getting ready to break.” It helps to be handy when you own a motorhome. It is a home on wheels subjected to an earthquake each time it travels. With all of the moving parts, things are bound to break. You will want a good set of tools and a bit of knowledge on how to make minor repairs. Repairs can usually be done at your dealership if needed, but be prepared for your motorhome to be in the shop for several weeks, sometimes months.
Not The Best for Boondocking
Motorhomes can be challenging to maneuver over unlevel terrain and difficult to turn around in tight spaces. Boondocking in a large motorhome can be done but isn’t the best RV choice for campers looking to do a lot of boondocking. Boondocking can often lead you down tight, bumpy roads that motorhomes just aren’t built for. Motorhomes do not usually come with high clearance capabilities, making it a probability that you will damage your RVs underside on rough terrain. Those looking to get off-road might find themselves having some motorhome regrets.
Not Much Cooking Space
Counterspace is a source of frustration among many motorhome owners. There isn’t a lot of space to work with when it comes to RV kitchens. Part of the novelty of bringing along the RV is having meals at the RV versus at restaurants for every meal. If you find yourself giving up on cooking due to a lack of cooking space, that benefit is thrown out. There are some RVs with great kitchens out there, but there is only so much space to work with.
Motorhomes Aren’t All Bad; Here Are Some Benefits
While there are some common regrets among those who have purchased a motorhome, they aren’t always a lost cause. There are many benefits to owning a motorhome, which is why so many people love them. Take a look at some of the positive things that will help balance out those negatives of owning a motorhome.
Access to Living Space while Traveling
Motorhomes allow you free reign of the RV during travel. While we don’t recommend that you get up and move around while traveling down the highway, it is nice to have the option. Whether or not you are comfortable with getting up to use your restroom while in motion, there is something to be said about being right in the RV during travel. When it is cold or raining, it is nice to pull into your campsite and have complete access to your RV while you wait for the rain to stop so you can fully set up.
Interior and Exterior Storage Space
If there is something about a Class A motorhome that other RV owners find themselves jealous of, it is usually exterior storage. There are typically humongous pass-through storage bays the entire length of the motorhome. When storage space is at a premium on RVs, this feature makes motorhomes more desirable. While the large storage bays should be enough to hold everything you need them to, there is still typically ample storage inside the motorhome itself as well.
Ability To Pack Up and Go At a Moments Notice
Many motorhome owners also appreciate the safety they feel in simply driving away in an unsafe situation such as a suspicious person. You can pack up and go away without ever leaving the motorhome. This makes motorhomes appealing to solo travelers. Additionally, if there is an emergency such as a sudden forest fire or flash flooding, a motorhome makes for a fast getaway. Being able to leave quickly could sometimes help you avoid a disaster.
Are Motorhomes Worth It?
Motorhomes are complex machines that come with a whole host of pros and cons. Deciding if a motorhome is worth it likely comes down to your travel style. If you will be often traveling and want an easy setup and tear down but still have luxury, a motorhome is likely worth it to you. Those who want to boondock may not see the value of having a motorhome. Additionally, those who do not want to tow a vehicle behind the motorhome might feel a motorhome is too restricting when trying to explore a destination.
Only You Can Decide If a Motorhome Is Right
There can be many reasons to overlook a motorhome when buying an RV, but it is undeniable that they are well-loved by many. Motorhomes have begun to increase in popularity in recent years with families, a demographic that is new to motorhomes. Do the pros outweigh the cons for you? Can you see yourself traveling in a motorhome, or do you prefer to stick to towable units?
“Boondocking can often lead you down tight, bumpy roads that motorhomes just aren’t built for. Motorhomes do not usually come with high clearance capabilities, making it a probability that you will damage your RVs underside on rough terrain.”
With a large motorhome, most of the time it is not the underside that is the issue, but the roof. When boondocking, you MUST watch out for low branches that can shear a $20,000 A/C unit right off the roof.
For us, the single best reason for having the coach is to just get away. Both my wife and I are in healthcare and when we work 60 hours a week we feel giddy because it is usually close to 80, but there are times that we just clear our schedule and head out.