Your first RV brought you into the RV lifestyle – and you couldn’t be happier! But over time, you start to wonder what other RVs that might be out there. Is it time for an RV upgrade? It can be hard to tell, but if you’re on the fence, here are some of the most common things that may mean it’s time for an RV upgrade.
Bigger Family? Bigger RV!
The most common reason for an RV upgrade is an upgrade to your family! Whether you started out as a single camper, a pair, or with room for your first child, the addition of new members to your family can mean your old RV just doesn’t have the space you need. RVs can have sleeping capacity for a massive range – from just a few to 10 or more people!
It’s not always just about getting more space for sleeping, either. You may be able to find ways to give your growing family places to rest, but that doesn’t mean your original choice in RV still makes sense today. RV floorplans and sizes vary dramatically, and a new RV with a more open design could reduce some of the constant shoulder-to-shoulder feel of trying to move four people through an RV built for two.
On top of that, storage space is at a premium when it comes to RVs. The more people you bring along, the more you need to pack. Clothes and toys are one thing, but you’ll also have to consider the increase in food you need to keep everyone full and happy for even a short weekend trip.
Upgrading an RV for more space is easily one of the most likely reasons to sell your old RV and start fresh. It’s an investment that’s worth it, too. Those family trip experiences are things that will stay with your kids forever, and it helps keep your family close in an age where it’s easy for everyone to go to their corner of the home and plug into a phone or TV!
Shifting Camping Preferences
How long ago did you buy your RV? Was it a few years ago or a decade? The person you are today doesn’t necessarily reflect the preferences you had when you first dove headfirst into the wonderful world of RVing!
One of the biggest things that may change from when you start RVing to when you’re an experienced camper is how often you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle that can take place at popular RV campsites. Sure, the hookups are nice and there’s always a friendly face nearby, but when you’ve seen it all, you may be comfortable going off-the-grid and enjoying some peace and quiet!
Of course, the RV you purchased a few years ago may not be the ideal dry camping RV. Maybe it lacks the battery capacity you need, or you’re looking for a newer model that’s ready for solar power.
Alternative, if you started off camping to get away from it all, but discovered a love for living on the road with your gadgets and gizmos perpetually powered, your boondock-ready RV might not have everything you wanted to enjoy your trip. If that’s the case, your shifting RV preferences may lead you to our next common RV upgrade cause…
Need More Features
RVs can accommodate all kinds of campers. From those who just need a retreat after a long day in the sun, to those who want to travel but don’t want to lose the comfort of “home” amenities. And if your RV doesn’t reflect your desires, you may not be enjoying it as much as you could!
Like cars, the more modern your RV, the more features you’re going to have access to. Newer RVs come with all sorts of things that may not have been available when you first purchased your RV. Or maybe you’re just tired of sleeping on a smaller RV bed and want a luxurious residential-style king mattress in your RV retreat.
No matter the reason, shopping for an RV upgrade can be just the thing to revitalize your love of RV travel. New spaces, new gadgets, and new features are all great reasons to find enjoyment in replacing your dated RV with a new (or new to you) RV.
Exhausting Maintenance
An RV is really a home – and every home comes with maintenance. No matter what that maintenance is, it costs time and money to stay current on. Over the years, maintenance for an RV can become more frequent, more costly and more frustrating. While this isn’t always true (and good RV maintenance can extend the lifespan of an RV by plenty of years) it’s something that some RV owners experience.
Especially if it was your first RV, you may have realized down the road that you were skipping critical parts of maintenance and now you’re paying the price. Whatever the reason is, if maintenance hassles or costs are starting to turn your dream RV into a bit of an unwanted expense, an RV upgrade could offer you a chance to start fresh.
RV Downsizing Can Be an Upgrade
It’s easy to think bigger RV means better. For many campers, that’s simply not the case. An RV upgrade can be more than, well, getting more. Small RVs offer several benefits that can easily outweigh the smaller space for living:
- Easier to tow
- Easier to find places to park it
- Less square footage to maintain
- Lighter weight means less fuel usage
For RVers who just need a retreat after a long day of enjoying their destination, a smaller RV can be smart upgrade from a larger model with space you just aren’t using!
Questions to Ask Before Finalizing Your RV Upgrade
What Are We Gaining from an RV Upgrade?
If you’re planning to upgrade your RV, chances are you’re doing it for a reason. But with all the new RVs out there, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement! When you’re making your plans to upgrade your RV, you should really focus on what’s changing from your old RV to your new one.
Like a home, the best RV is one that feels right to you. Now that you have some time RVing under your belt, you’ll better understand what you want (and don’t want) out of an RV. So when you hit the lot, you can make a much more informed decisions.
You should make sure it really fulfills your goals for the upgrade. There’s nothing more frustrating than making the switch to a new RV only to realize it’s still lacking. Fortunately, good planning and consideration can make sure you avoid this problem.
Watch Your Towing Capacity
It’s easy to have eyes for an RV that are a bit bigger than your tow vehicle can handle. When you expand your RV to fit more family members or just to enjoy a more spacious interior, you need to make sure your tow vehicle can still pull its weight.
You can usually find your vehicle’s gross towing capacity pretty easily from the manufacturer. This number is critical to know when you’re shopping, so write it down. Keep in mind that an empty RV isn’t going to weigh as much as one loaded with all your travel supplies!
Contact RV Wholesale Superstore
The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126
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