Motorhome auctions are a great way to save money on your next motorhome. You can save between 50% and 80% by buying your motorhome from an auction. There are three types of auctions: on-line, seized vehicle, and bank or repo auctions. When you buy a motorhome from an auction, you do take a risk, as is the case anytime you buy a used vehicle. Motorhomes purchased from auction are purchased as-is, and there is almost never an option for a warranty. However, with some careful research and planning, you can still find a great value at a motorhome auction.

Planning ahead is essential to getting the best value. In fact, attending several auctions before you actually plan to bid on a motorhome will help you become familiar with the process and the general values of motorhomes at auction. Once you understand how the auctions function, it is time to set your maximum, or ceiling, bid. This is the bid amount above which you will not go. You can set this amount based on what you can afford in general or on what you are willing to pay for a particular vehicle. Having a ceiling bid will help keep you from becoming overly emotional and bidding more than you can afford or are willing to pay.

Once you have decided that you are ready to bid on a motorhome, it is imperative that you inspect the vehicle ahead of time. One good tip is to bring a mechanic with you to help ensure that the motorhome is in good working order. Since you won't be able to test-drive the motorhome, make sure that you thoroughly check through all areas, including the engine, the brakes, the upholstery, any appliances, the heating and cooling systems, and any extras, like TV or satellite internet.

Finally, before placing your bid, you will want to find out the approximate value of the specific motorhome on which you plan to bid. This can best be found in RV magazines. Knowing the value of the vehicle will help you determine your ceiling bid and know if you are getting the best value. You will also want to subtract any major repair costs that you discovered during your inspection from your ceiling bid. Even if there were no glaring repairs, it is a good idea to factor in between 5 and 10% for repair costs. With these tips and tricks, you are sure to get a great deal on your next motorhome.