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Learning Hub

RV failure points to watch out for in your first year of ownership

What Breaks First (and Why It Matters)

What's Inside

  • Top‑15 most common RV problems – A breakdown of the most frequent warranty and service issues RV owners face, from cabinetry to solar Bish's RV.
  • Appliance failure deep‑dive – A closer look at which RV appliances (like refrigerators, furnaces, ACs) account for the bulk of complaints Bish's RV.
  • Repair timelines & delays – Insights into why RV repairs often drag on for months and the underlying process bottlenecks Bish's RV.
  • RVFix: a faster solution – Introducing Bish’s RVFix program—how it speeds up warranty repairs and simplifies service logistics
RV financing guide: lower your interest rate and avoid dealer traps

Outsmart the Finance Office

What's Inside

  • Why financing your RV makes sense – Learn how financing preserves cash, boosts negotiating power, protects your investments, and helps build credit 
  • 7 insider financing tips – From improving your credit score to choosing the right lender and down payment strategy—expert advice you won’t hear elsewhere 
  • Decoding loan terms – Understand how factors like credit scores, loan duration (up to 15–20 years!) and interest structure impact your payments 
  • Extra costs & negotiation tactics – What to expect beyond your loan (trade‑ins, add‑ons, fees) and how to negotiate the best overall financing deal

 

True cost of RV ownership including insurance, repairs, and storage

Surprise Expenses That Catch Owners Off Guard

What's Inside

  • Breakdown of supply & maintenance essentials – The typical one‑time cost range for RV parts like hoses, adapters, and surge protectors is between $264–$1,220 
  • Seasonal prep & upkeep expenses – Winterizing and dewinterizing range from $75 to $200 DIY, or $85–$150 (winterize) and $75–$200 (dewinterize) professionally 
  • Ongoing fees & fuel considerations – You'll face insurance premiums (~$712/year on average), sales tax/title/registration according to your locale, campground fees ($0–$175/night or $100–$1,500/month), and fuel costs that vary widely by RV class
  • Service, repair & long‑term warranty support – Expect repair labor at ~$155–185/hour, typical out‑of‑pocket repairs around $416, plus access to remote tech support (RVFix) that keeps downtime minimal

 


 

Common RV breakdowns chart with solutions to reduce repair time—includes air conditioner failure, plumbing leaks, slide-out malfunctions, and electrical issues

Stay Ahead of Costly Repairs

What's Inside

  • The longest RV repair delays – Warranty work often takes months, averaging 66–83 days across regions, even for minor fixes 
  • Top 15 warranty repair categories – Cabinetry (16.8%), appliances (16.4%), electrical (14.5%) and plumbing (13.6%) lead the complaint lists 
  • Which appliances fail most often – Refrigerators (27%), furnaces (23%), AC units (17%) and water heaters (14%) top appliance breakdowns 
  • 4 tactics for faster fixes – From documenting issues early and timing service visits, to expanding repair options and asking the right questions—from drop‑off to actual work
Checklist titled ‘Reasons Not to Buy an RV’ with items like ‘high costs’ and ‘maintenance’ highlighted

The Truth Most Dealers Won’t Admit

What's Inside

  • High add‑on and upkeep costs – Beyond the camper price, owners face ongoing expenses for accessories, maintenance, insurance, storage, and more
  • Frequent service hassles – RV ownership often requires unexpected repairs and service visits, which can be costly and time-consuming.
  • Limited flexibility & hidden headaches – From insurance stipulations to lifestyle constraints, owning an RV can introduce commitments and complications that don’t fit everyone.
  • Missed travel alternatives – For some, renting or taking traditional vacations may offer better value, convenience, and freedom without the burden of ownership.
Person holding a checklist titled ‘Questions to Ask Before Buying an Out-of-State RV’ next to an RV

The Ultimate Buyer’s Checklist

What's Inside

  • How to virtually inspect before you buy – Learn why asking for live video walkthroughs or detailed photos is essential to avoid lemons when purchasing long-distance
  • Warranty support & remote service options – Explore how sellers handle post-sale warranty service and technical support from afar—highlighting solutions like Bish’s RVFix
  • Delivery logistics & pricing transparency – Understand your options for RV transport—including fees, damage protection, and delivery guarantees
  • Financing, paperwork, and virtual closing – Know how to manage remote financing, sign documents electronically, and finalize purchases across state lines

 

Frustrated RV buyer reviewing a surprise invoice with hidden dealer fees highlighted

Exposing the Fine Print

What's Inside

  • Dealer “prep,” delivery & admin fees exposed – Learn how dealers tack on extra charges like destination/delivery, prep, advertising, and admin fees—and how to spot them
  • Only two unavoidable costs – Understand that documentation (doc) fees and state sales tax are typically standard and often regulated
  • Real-world markup horror story – Follow a cautionary tale of a $16K RV ballooning to over $30K after undisclosed $5K prep, $2K delivery, “extended service” add-ons, and more
  • 7 savvy strategies to dodge hidden fees – From asking for out‑the‑door pricing to negotiating, walking away, and buying from reputable dealers—get actionable tips to avoid overpaying

 

Downloadable Resources

avoid getting hosed front cover-min

Avoid Getting Hosed: RV Dealer Scam Tactics Exposed

What's Inside

RV dealers get away with some shady stuff. We don't get everything right ourselves, but we don't intentionally do it the wrong way either. Here we expose some of the red flags to look out for when buying an RV from a dealer. Some topics we cover are:

  • Get your money's worth
  • Finance add-ons
  • Junk fees
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Nationwide Buying: A Guide For The Long Distance RV Shopper

What's Inside

Buying an RV locally is quite the process, then throw in buying from far away or out of state. How do you do it? What changes? What's the same? We talk about all of this and more in the long distance buying guide for the RV shopper.

  • How to save from far away
  • Things to ask and know before you buy
  • What to look for in an RV dealer
rv buying secrets edges2-1

RV Buying Secrets: How to Haul Away The Best Deal

What's Inside

The one thing people don't want to have happen when they buy an RV? Get a terrible deal. In this guide we show you how to haul away the best deal. We've included some insider secrets that might just make you reconsider who you choose as your go to RV dealer.

  • What to ask your RV dealer
  • How to get the best deal
  • How pricing works
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We're Bish's RV

RVing is about having fun. Buying one should be as well.

Bish's RV has set out to make the RV buying experience better for RVers like you.