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    CHOOSING THE RIGHT RV

    If the idea of camping in the wilderness, sharing public restrooms and showers, and preparing food over a fire makes you uncomfortable, you are not alone. Many people who enjoy camping will only do so in an RV. These days, many people including retired people and families are traveling in RV’s.

    But there are many questions you may have about RV travel including:

    Is it safe?

    Is it expensive?

    Will my family enjoy themselves?

    Is the camping experience ruined?

    How do I rent an RV?


    RV travel is just as safe as other modes of transportation. If you have never driven an RV before, you may want to take a few lessons so that you will be able to merge with traffic on the highway, park the RV into a camping spot, and make turns easily.

    RV’s can be expensive if you want to buy them, but renting will only cost you a couple hundred dollars for the week, which is comparable to a small hotel room. But you will be able to camp outside and you will be able to move around more frequently.

    The camping experience for most people is not ruined. You will still be able to commune with nature, but you won’t have to sleep on the cold ground at nighttime or worry too much about bugs. You will be able to enjoy nature at a distance when you like.

    Renting an RV is easy. Check your phone book for RV dealers and rental agents, or ask friends and family where they rent their RV’s.

    ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RV TRAVEL

    The advantages of RV travel are many. Some of the advantages include:

    Saving money on food costs

    Saving money on hotels

    Ability to travel as long or as far as you want

    Do not have to share restrooms and showers

    Do not have to unload camping equipment and clothing when camping

    Ability to stay in a variety of campgrounds


    With the many advantages always come a few disadvantages. These disadvantages include:

    Price of gas

    Limited amount of privacy when traveling with a group of people

    RV automotive problems along the way

    If you own an RV, you will have to find a place to put it when not using it

    Some campgrounds can be expensive


    If you have decided that renting or buying an RV for family camping trips is for you, then you should do the following before making a purchase:

    Research models and styles on the internet

    Visit showrooms

    Visit RV shows

    Ask RV owners what they like/dislike about their RV

    Decide what you are looking for in an RV

    Figure out a budget

    Decide whether to buy or rent

    Buy or Rent an RV


    For many people, buying an RV is an investment because they can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $90,000 or more. Depending on what you are looking for in an RV, you will see some that have a very high price tag. If you want to rent an RV, you should expect to pay about $350-$750 a week.

    Research models and styles on the internet

    This is your first stop when looking into renting or buying an RV. There are many styles to choose from including traditional motorhomes, pop-up trailers, truck campers, mini RV’s, and much more. You will be able to look at pictures, read descriptions, and ask questions via email.

    Searching the internet first will allow you to learn more about RV’s and the terminology used to describe parts. You will be educating yourself for when you will visit showrooms and dealers. You will be able to compare prices online to the ones in the showrooms and negotiate a better deal.

    The internet has made it possible for those who do not know much about RV’s to learn and become experts so that they will not be swindled out of money.

    It is not a good idea to buy a used RV online without first looking at it and deciding if it is worth the investment. Most people who own an RV agree that buying a used RV is not a good idea. While they may cost less, you do not fully understand the condition it is in until you drive it on your first vacation.

    Visit showrooms

    After you have compared models and prices of the RV’s you are interested in, visit showrooms in your area. You will be able to walk through RV’s to get an idea of the amount of room you will need and the amenities that are offered.

    If you want to rent an RV, many showrooms have some on site for you to look at. Ask questions about gas mileage, cost of a weekly rental, and the terms and conditions. You can also ask questions about insurance and liability in case there is an accident.

    Visit RV shows

    If there will be an RV show in your area, you should attend so that you can meet dealers from your area that have deals on RV rentals and purchases. You will also get an idea of what is available in your price range.

    Ask RV owners what they like/dislike about their RV

    If you have friends or family members who vacation often in RV’s that they rent or own, you should ask them what they like or dislike about their RV. Getting an honest opinion will help you narrow down your decision. You should also ask where they purchased or rented their RV from.

    Decide what you are looking for in an RV

    Once you have seen what is out there, you will need to decide the type of RV you want to buy or rent. If you have a large family, you will need something with plenty of bedding areas, hot water for showers, and a full kitchen. But if you have a smaller family or if you will be using the RV with one other person, then you will be able to find a smaller one the will cost less. Smaller RV’s may not have hot water heaters, or full kitchens, so you should take into consideration what you will be using the RV for.

    Taking long vacations may require you to buy an RV that has many of the comforts of home, while shorter vacations will not.

    Figure out a budget

    For most people, what they can afford is the overwhelming factor when purchasing or renting an RV. Now that you are more familiar with how much RV’s cost, you should determine what amenities you will need and budget from there.

    Most RV showrooms have financing available if you choose to buy an RV. You will also be able to finance one through your bank or lending institution.

    Decide whether to buy or rent

    If you plan on using the RV after retirement and camp in various places for months at a time, then it may be worth it to invest in an RV. Since they can be very expensive, you will have to consider your budget, and the amenities that are included.

    But if you are planning on using the RV only once or twice a year, you should stick to renting one. This will cost a lot less and you will not have to find a place to store it when not using it.

    Buy or Rent an RV

    Your last step is to buy or rent an RV for your next vacation. Learning about RV’s before shopping one will make this experience a lot easier and will help you make the right decision.

    RV AMENITIES

    These days, RV’s are more than just an easy way to travel. RV’s have many amenities that you may be interested in having for your next camping trip. Amenities include:

    Kitchens

    Bathrooms

    Showers

    Hot water heaters

    Multiple bedrooms

    Living areas

    Built-in television

    Mini-bar

    Storage space


    While there are certain amenities that you can live without when camping, they are nice when on the road. If you are planning to buy an RV and will be using it for camping trips that last a month or more, you may want to spend a little extra and purchase one that has a television and a hot water heater. These little extras will make traveling long distances a lot more comfortable and will also make your camping experiences more pleasurable.

    TYPES OF RV’S

    When begin your search for an RV, you will find that there are a few different types to choose from. Some of the types of RV’s you may find include:

    Folding Camping Trailer RV

    Motorhome RV

    Travel Trailer RV

    Van Conversion RV

    Truck Camper RV

    Mini Motorhome RV


    These RV’s each have pros and cons, and each can be rented or owned.

    Folding Camping Trailer RV

    If you are planning at staying in a public campground with toilet facilities, then this type of RV may be for you. This RV is transported on a hitch that is attached to your vehicle and unfolds when you are ready to use it. Amenities include kitchen, bedrooms, and living area. You can sleep up to eight people. These RV’s do not have bathrooms, so you will have to rely on public restrooms and showers when camping.

    Motorhome RV

    These are the RV’s that most people picture when they are looking for an RV for their next camping trip. These RV’s have kitchens, bedrooms, living area, bathrooms, hot water heaters, and more. When camping, these RV’s can be connected to the campground electrical supply and can also be hooked up to sewage and water lines.

    For those that have large families or groups that they enjoy camping with, these RV’s make the most sense.

    Travel Trailer RV

    Similar to motorhome RV’s, these RV’s are pulled by large trucks to their destination. These RV’s are the kind that people leave at a campground and return to each season to spend time in. If you will be traveling with your family, you may want to rent a travel trailer that is already parked in a campground, otherwise they are not the best choice for those who will be camping far from home.

    These RV’s have kitchens, living area, bedrooms, and bathrooms in side.

    Van Conversion RV

    These RV’s look like conversion vans except that the roof is higher than normal. They have small kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping spaces, but they are not that big and will only fit two or three people comfortably. If you want to buy a van conversion RV, you will be able to add all sorts of extras like carpeting, hot water, and living space. But if you are planning on renting one, you will get a standard van conversion RV without much else.

    Truck Camper RV

    These RV’s are attached to a truck bed and transported this way. Most of these RV’s have kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping space. They can fit up to six people comfortably and are available for rent. These RV’s are great for those who enjoy traveling but who do not want to drive a large RV.

    Mini motorhome RV

    These are just smaller versions of motorhome RV’s but are easier to drive. With less room than the standard RV, you may find that you and your family are a little crowded. Also, you may not have a bathroom or a full kitchen. But if you are planning to go to a public campground that has facilities, you should be fine renting an RV like this one.

    Knowing more about what is available for rent or for purchase will make choosing an RV much easier. When choosing an RV, keep in mind the following:

    Number of people who will be traveling with you

    Ages of the people who will be traveling with you

    Bathroom and shower are needed

    Type of kitchen you would like

    Type of campground you will be going to

    How long you will be traveling in the RV

    How long you will need to rent the RV

    How difficult it will be to drive the RV

    Size of the RV in terms of storage and sleeping spaces

    INSURING YOUR RV

    If you are planning on traveling for weeks on end in your new RV, you may want to look into traveler insurance. This type of insurance can be bought from your insurance company or from a private broker. Travel insurance will cover items such as:

    Items that have been lost or stolen

    Medical costs

    Any cancellation fees

    Retrieval of body in case of death


    When looking for insurance, you should also contact your auto insurance to see if they cover RV’s. Depending on your driving record and experience driving RV’s, they may require you to take lessons to learn how to drive one. Most insurance companies will cover damages that are caused by or happen to your RV. It is always a good idea to check with your insurance company just to be sure.

    Many rental agencies offer temporary auto insurance for the time that you have to RV. This may be a good idea to pay a little extra each day so that you will be covered in case your insurance refuses to pay for damages or only pays part of the damages caused in an accident. These insurance policies usually provide roadside assistance services if you have a flat tire or engine trouble. This is good to have if stranded in the middle of nowhere. Ask at the rental counter when you rent the RV for more details.

    Having medical and auto insurance are an important part of traveling. You need to protect yourself from harm when you are so far away from home.

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