Your RV Buying Guide

Ever stepped onto an RV dealership lot and felt like you’d stepped onto a completely different planet? We’ve all been there! Trying to navigate the RV market can be very difficult, especially for first-time buyers. That’s why you should read through our guide from Golden Gait Trailers & RVs first. We’ll help you break down your options and figure out which RV is right for you. For one on one help, stop by our location in Concord, North Carolina, near Raleigh and Charlotte.

What Are Your Priorities?

When you start looking through your RV options, there are some important priorities to keep in mind. You’ll want to think about your camping preferences and where you want to take your RV. If you prefer remote camping, then you’ll probably want something a little smaller and more streamlined, versus something more luxurious that you might take to an RV resort. Also consider how big you’ll need your camper to be to fit everyone in your camping party and any additional features that might be helpful for you. And, of course, consider your budget and what you’re willing to spend.

RV Types

With your list of priorities in your hand, it’s time to figure out which RV group has your perfect camper. We’ve covered some of the main groups here, but you’ll need to stop by Golden Gait Trailers & RVs for our full selection of available models.

Travel Trailers

A large portion of the RV market consists of towable RVs, which are the kind you have to hook up to another commuter vehicle to move from one place to the next. One of the most popular types of towable RVs is the travel trailer. You’ll find that lots of different looking RVs fall under the travel trailer umbrella. That’s because their only defining factor is their bumper pull hitch, which is the kind that sticks out in front of the trailer, creating a small gap between it and your tow vehicle.

This gives you a number of benefits. Firstly, it leaves the group as a whole free to offer models in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and levels of luxury. Secondly, bumper pull hitches are sometimes easier to understand and use, especially for new RVers. And finally, bumper pull hitches are more compatible with a wider range of tow vehicles, from trucks to SUVs and even minivans. You’ll just need to make sure it can handle the extra weight.

Fifth Wheels

Think of fifth wheels as the next step up in luxury and size. Fifth wheels are easily identified by their unique hitch, which swoops up and over the back of the tow vehicle and connects to the receiver installed in an open bed. This means you’ll need a pickup truck. The reason they come with a different kind of hitch is to accommodate the bigger size and heavier weight that many people associate with fifth wheels. The overlap between the two parts of the towing unit provides more stability and control for the driver. And, as you may have gathered, you’re probably going to have a more luxurious and modern RV experience with fifth wheels.

Toy Haulers

You’ll find toy haulers come in a wide variety of driving and towing styles, from travel trailers to fifth wheels and even sometimes motorhomes. The one feature that sets them apart is the open area in the back, made specifically to hold powersport vehicles. This can be an area built in addition to the living space--often referred to as a garage or bay--or a convertible part of the living area to make room for things like motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. While powersport transport was their initial purpose, you can use that open area for just about anything.

Motorhomes

If you’re not interested in towing your RV, then you’ll want to turn to motorhomes. These RVs come with their own drivetrain so you can simply hop in the driver’s seat and hit the road. Motorhomes are also broken down into subcategories, known as classes. Class A motorhomes are some of the largest RVs on the market, resembling busses with their their flat front and panoramic windshield. They’re also some of the most luxurious RVs and are popular among full-timers.

Class B motorhomes are the smallest, often looking more like big vans than what you might traditionally think of as an RV. They’re easy to handle and great for solo travelers or couples. What you might think of as an in between model is a Class C motorhome. You’ll spot these campers by their truck-style chassis, and they’re commonly the happy middle between the compact Class B motorhomes and the large Class As.

We’ve just scratched the surface when it comes to what you need to know, but this should hopefully give you a starting point in your search. For any additional tips, or if you’re ready to start touring some new RVs, then stop by Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Raleigh, Charlotte, and Concord, North Carolina.