New to RVing

Best Time To Buy

/ Sherri Caldwell

Is It Time To Buy A New Motorhome?

Is it ever the perfect time to buy a new — or new-to-you — RV? 

Apparently, the answer is YES. An interactive online survey by RVTravel.com indicates more than 85% of RV owners have purchased more than one RV in their lifetime – while 50% of respondents have purchased four or more!

Screen shot of a phone showing a poll of RV owners and how many motorhomes have they owned.

As a newbie RV owner, I thought we were once and done with the purchase of Charlie-The-Unicorn RV, four years ago. We went through so much to find our 2016 Entegra Aspire, to make her our own, and get her safely back home.

RV Road Trip: How We Survived Our First Epic 21 Day Adventure

Charlie was perfect for us, at the time, and even more so now, as we have settled into full time RV life, work & travel around the country.

But… our Entegra Coach will be 10 years old in 2026.

Some resorts, campgrounds and RV clubs enforce a “10-Year-Rule” limiting access to RVs older than 10 years. Another consideration: It can be more difficult to value, and for buyers to finance, an older RV when it is time to sell.

Anecdotal evidence seems to indicate it might be time to move on:

→ My husband’s parents, although now retired from RVing, owned 12 RVs over 40 years of active RVing, both part- and full-time. In their 80s now, they have settled full time in a lovely condo on the beach in Mexico – no wheels, no maintenance!

→ Counterpoint: NIRVC friends and RV YouTubers, Mark & Sue Chandler of Our Journey in Myles purchased their 2014 Newmar Dutch Star in 2017. Seven years later, they’re still rolling – and making great videos – in Myles, their first, and so far, only RV. However, they recently put us on the fence again with a new YouTube video questioning everything: 

→ Tommy & Bonnie Townsend, President and Treasurer of the All-Inclusive Motorhome Club are famous in our circles, not only for hosting fantastic AIM Club Rallies & Events. Since their first luxury motor coach purchase – a 2013 Entegra Anthem – they’ve moved on up to a brand-new Entegra Cornerstone almost every year. Early in 2024, they took delivery of the 2025 Entegra Cornerstone – their eighth motor coach – one of the first prototypes on the new Freightliner chassis.

Man and woman posing between two RVs.

And that is, finally, one of the incentives that could motivate us to consider making a change: Entegra Coach on a new custom-designed Freightliner chassis.

We do love our 2016 Entegra Aspire. She is truly a unicorn 40-foot Entegra diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis. Most of the Entegra diesel motor coaches are on Spartan chassis. Mid-2015, there was a huge model year and body style transition for 2016. There were not many manufactured on the Freightliner chassis during that transition. We were lucky! Although we hear great things about Spartan chassis…

We absolutely love FREIGHTLINER:

  • We have never had a problem with our Freightliner chassis or components.
  • Annual Maintenance is super easy and convenient at our local Freightliner service facility. If we ever have a problem on the road, there are Freightliner locations all across the country.
  • In an emergency: FCCC My 24/7 DIRECT App & 1-800 # has been a lifeline, several times for us – even when it wasn’t a specific chassis issue. 
  • Freightliner Custom Chassis is a Founding Sponsor of the AIM Club. Representatives from Freightliner, including Jeff Sather, CEO & President, and other technical experts attend the AIM Club Rallies & Events. They are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.

When it does come time to buy our new RV, we know we’re buying right next time, with NIRVC, Entegra Coach & Freightliner! Knowing what we know, we wouldn’t go anywhere else.

As for timing… 

Have you heard about NIRVC’s 2024 Music City Motorhome Expo??? 

This June, NIRVC will launch the very first of this kind of concierge motorhome buying experience – ever! – in Nashville, Tennessee.

In a unique mix of an exclusive AIM Club Rally experience and a private RV Show, NIRVC is bringing the best of the best luxury motor coach manufacturers and their 2025 models to Nashville, along with industry and technical experts, to show and educate and explain and answer every question to help you buy your next brand-new or new-to-you motorhome.

Hopefully, this event will be the first for a new annual tradition. The Music City Motorhome VIP Experience will definitely be the place and time to buy our next Entegra! See you there?! 😉

National Indoor RV Centers blogger Sherri Caldwell profile image

Sherri Caldwell is the founder of RVWorkLifeBalance.com — Full-time RV Travel Blog & PODCAST! With her husband, Russ, she is currently living, working, and traveling full-time in their 2016 Entegra Aspire: Charlie-The-Unicorn RV.

Which RV Class is Best for You?

/ National Indoor RV Centers

Not all RVs are created equal. The perfect adventuring companion for one RVer might feel clunky or limited to another. A family that enjoys the practical coziness of a Class B RV might not get the same benefit out of riding in a roomy Class A RV—and vice versa!

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a weekend warrior or a regular cross-country adventurer: the RV lifestyle has something to offer you. There’s a sense of freedom and authenticity that comes from seeing America (or the world beyond). By picking the right RV type, you can ensure your trip is off to the best possible start before you’ve even left your driveway.

Read to the end for a link to a downloadable NIRVC motorhome buyer’s guide with in-depth RVing 101 videos from NIRVC’s Angie Morell.

In the meantime, here’s the best RV class for you …

… If You Mainly Do Weekend Trips

You’ve got a lot of options to choose from for weekend trips! Which RV can depend on how much time you plan on spending inside once it’s parked at a campsite. RVers who want to spend time inside, watch some TV, and do some cooking will likely benefit from a Class C RV or Super C RV—both of which offer ample space to lounge around while remaining relatively easy to maneuver in and out of campsites.

Meanwhile, Class B RVs are perfect if your adventures are mostly happening outdoors. These compact RVs are often called camper vans or sleeper vans for a reason: they offer a reliable place to sleep and little else. While many provide indoor cooking spaces and bathrooms, they’re an incredibly affordable and practical option for drivers who are planning outdoor activities.

… If You’re Planning a Cross-Country Adventure

Making long-distance trips requires a combination of space and practicality. On the one hand, having enough room to stretch out and relax is vital for recharging after long distances on the road. On the other hand, larger RVs come with trickier considerations for driving and parking, and this can be a hassle if your trip includes mountain roads.

Class C RVs are the most reliable if you’re planning to go coast-to-coast. They offer enough amenities to maintain a comfortable life on the road while their truck chassis provides an accessible, maneuverable drive.

… If You Want to Live in Your RV Full-Time

This one can also vary, both on what the terms of your living condition are and what you’re planning to get out of life in an RV.

Life on the road full-time is possible in any size of RVs, but smaller ones can start to feel cramped, fast. A Class A RV means you’ll never have to worry about space, comfort, or features, but it does mean some parts of the country can be frustrating to drive through during the winter months. Meanwhile, a Super C RV might not offer as much space, but it more than makes up with extra flexibility and maneuverability.

… If You Want to Travel Like a Rockstar

This one is easy: pick a Class A RV. No other class of RV offers the same degree of luxury and amenities as these palaces-on-wheels. Each one is a comfortable, completely self-contained living situation, meaning you’ll never have to worry about feeling cramped, bored, or restless on the road.

… If You’re Traveling for Work

From indie musicians to nature photographers, Class B RVs remain the favorite for professionals on the go. While picking one means making a few compromises in sleeping space, they’re incredibly easy to get on (and off) the road, which can make a huge difference for a professional on-the-go.

SUMMARY:

Of course, no two RVers are exactly alike. Every person gets something different out of adventures on the road, which means a different type of vehicle best suits every person. That’s why there’s no substitute for taking the time to explore the ins and outs of your prospective RV to understand the unique advantages of your vehicle. There’s also no substitute for having an RV expert on your side when you’re shopping for one.

National Indoor RV Centers would love to be your go-to resource for all things recreational vehicles. Our staff of certified RV Lifestyle Specialists will work with you to find the best possible ride. We don’t just get people on the road, we keep them there with a full suite of RV maintenance, storage, and detailing services.

Download Angie’s NIRVC Motorhome Buyer’s Guide below.

f_NIRVC_BuyersGuideDownload

Then jump on our website and search our inventory today at NIRVC.com or call 800.250.6354 to begin the next chapter of your RV journey. See you soon!