Frequently asked questions about RVs
Why choose RVing? Recreation vehicle (RV) travel offers you freedom from schedules, the conveniences and comforts of home, high quality family time, a child-friendly atmosphere, closeness to nature, relaxation in campgrounds, and escape from the stresses of commercial travel. What are the different types of RVs? RVs may be towable or motorized. Towables are designed to be towed by a car, van, or pickup truck. They include travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, folding camping trailers, and truck campers. Motorized RVs are living quarters with a motor in the same unit. They include Type A, B, and C motorhomes. What types of RVs do you recommend in each category? Each type fills a need for a specific individual or family. For example, a folding camping trailer would be just right for families who want to enhance their camping trips without spending a lot of money. Is RVing really cheaper than going by car? Yes. A recent cost-comparison study of vacations by the international travel and tourism research firm PDF Consulting showed that, even after factoring in RV ownership costs, travel by RV costs less than going by car and staying in hotels and motels. It's up to 70 percent less expensive. Your savings come from spending less on lodging and restaurant meals. Even the most expensive RV trip is one-third the cost of a budget cruise excursion and one-fifth the cost of an all-inclusive package getaway. Can we really afford an RV? In each category of motorized or towable RVs, at least one type is not all that expensive. Costs for new RVs begin at about $6,500 for a folding camping trailer, $16,000 for a travel trailer, $28,000 for a fifth-wheel travel trailer, $15,000 for a truck camper, $57,000 for a Type A motorhome, $42,000 for a van camper (Type B), and $59,000 for a Type C motorhome. More good news is that you can get a used RV for about one-third the cost of a similarly equipped new unit. What about tax deductions? The interest on a home equity loan for an RV purchase is tax deductible because it is for a second home (when the RV makes not more than two homes). The RV must have a kitchen, bed, and bath. How will I know what kind of RV to get? Learn about RVs. Get a free video that introduces you to RVing from www.GoRVing.com. Read RV magazines and books. Talk with people you know who own an RV. Go to RV shows. Visit RV dealerships. Rent an RV for a week or so. Think about how you will use the RV, that is, how many people will sleep in it, the length of time you will travel in it, the amount of storage space you will want for special interests like golfing and swimming, any special needs such as wheelchair access, your budget, and whether you like the RV itself. It all boils down to your own use, budget, and what you like. Did you rent an RV before you bought yours? What did you learn? Yes, we rented a 27-foot Type A motorhome from a local dealer for a week. We learned that we wanted a separate living room area in which to relax. We also decided to have a separate bedroom rather than converting a sofa to a bed every night. We learned what campgrounds were like and met friendly people who helped us learn even more about RVing. I recommend renting first. This will let you find out what you like and don't like about an RV or need and don't need. You can get more information on where to rent and rental costs from www.rvra.org. One last word: When you rent, don't give up too easily. As with anything else there is a learning curve in RVing. Just keep on RVing. You'll love it! Is it difficult to drive a motorhome? It is more intimidating than difficult. RVs usually have automatic transmissions similar to your automobile's. You just have to remember that the RV is wider and longer and heavier than your car, which means that it will take a longer time and more room on the road to pass, turn off, or cross traffic. Be aware that the speed you are traveling relates directly to the time needed to brake safely. In slick road conditions, allow more time for braking. One way to stay centered in your lane is to look at the center of your lane five or six car lengths ahead. Many RV dealerships offer driver training. See also Driving Schools on the Resources page. What kind of mileage do you get in a motorhome? Motorhomes with gasoline engines get between 6 and 12 miles per gallon depending on the size and weight of the RV, wind, terrain, and whether you're towing anything. Wind and mountains affect mileage more than towing a car. Motorhomes with diesel engines average 10 miles per gallon. As someone at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association has said, "A motorhome gets great mileage for a house!" Once I have an RV, what do I need to know and do to get on the road? You will want to load your RV and get organized. Being organized includes having a checklist and to do list. Turn on the refrigerator a day ahead of you trip so it cools and is ready for food. Make arrangements for your mail while you're away. You can have it forwarded to another address by the post office, or ask the post office to hold it if you're only going to be away a week. For extended trips or full-timing, use a mail forwarding service. Fill your fuel and propane tanks; look in the yellow pages for "gas-propane" locations. You may want to sleep in your RV the night before starting on a trip to give yourself a chance to think of something that you might need to do or pack. How do you know where to camp? There are more than 16,000 public and private campgrounds in the United States. Most RVers use a campground directory. Directories list driving directions, utilities, price per night (previous year), facilities (swimming pool, laundry, and others), and ratings. Other ways to find campgrounds include the Internet, mapping software, travel books, welcome centers, word-of-mouth, and electronic navigation systems. The average cost of a campground site per night is $23. Carry a membership benefit card or two to receive a discount on camping fees. How do you get connected to electricity and water? Your RV will come with an electric cord, a water hose, and a sewer hose. You simply plug the electric cord into the outlet on the campground post, attach the water hose to the spigot on the campground post, and turn on the water. Attach the sewer hose to the RV and connect the opposite end of the hose with its nozzle to the concrete opening provided by the campground. For more detailed information, see the owner's manual or ask a fellow RVer to demonstrate. Connecting to these utilities is called "hooking up" by many RVers. When you leave the campground, make sure you disconnect all utilities and leave your campsite clean. Deposit your trash in the provided facilities. How will I stay in touch with my family and friends? You have many choices—cellular telephones, voice mail, pay phone, message services, e-mail, U.S. mail, and satellite Internet. Cell phones prove very useful: (1) Give your cell phone number to those you want to reach you in case of emergency. (2) Use your cell phone during cold or rainy weather or when the pay phone is a long distance away. (3) Use it to call ahead for reservations as you drive, using the toll-free numbers you'll find in campground directories. (4) Use it to call for roadside assistance if needed rather than the CB, which everyone might overhear. (5) Use it to get e-mail through a special cable connected to your laptop computer. (6) Call from your RV on the road to get directions personally from the friends you'll be visiting. What are some of the most important safety tips for RVing? The most important safety tip is always wear your seat belt. Other tips include: - If you must walk inside a motorhome when it is on the highway, hold on to solid furniture or the walls and try to look forward as much as possible to see what curves, hills, or traffic is ahead. A sudden stop can throw you down.
- Read all operation manuals, especially the safety information in them. Pay attention to the warning symbols (a triangle with an exclamation point inside) and follow the instructions.
- Wash the windshield every day so that you have clear vision when driving.
- Use a cellular telephone to call for help rather than your CB radio because you do not know who might be monitoring your radio.
- See for yourself where the RV's main LP gas shutoff valve is located.
- Stay in RV parks or campgrounds overnight.
- In a prominent place in your rig, keep the name and number of a person to call in an emergency.
- Leave information about your rig with a relative or friend at home, such as brand, size, color, type, and license number. 16. We've come home from our trip and had a great time. What should we do to maintain the RV and store it?
- Unload the RV by taking out perishable food and seasonal clothes or linens that need laundering. Turn off the refrigerator and the leave the doors ajar. In cold climates or if you're storing your RV for the winter, remove any liquid drinks that would freeze.
- Vacuum and clean to make sure all crumbs and such are removed to avoid an insect problem.
- Winterize the RV by following the instructions in your owner's manual. Winterizing includes draining your RV's water system so no water is left in it to freeze and crack the pipes.
What are some ways to get on the road faster and with less bother? Outfit the RV in the beginning and keep it stocked. Make a checklist and a To Do list. Turn on the refrigerator as soon as you decide to go on a trip. Take food that is on hand and shop either at home or on the road for other items needed. Fuel up and go! When you return from a trip, refuel and then you'll be ready for the next trip. In an RV you're in close quarters with not much space to move around in. How can RVers deal with that? Being in the great outdoors makes the inside of the RV seem bigger. You can eat outside. Try an RV with slideouts or walls that extend the living space when the RV is parked. Even these few square feet add a feeling of spaciousness to the interior. Have a place for everything and put things back in their place, thus cutting down on clutter. What about travelers with special needs? Would it be difficult to adapt an RV? Many people with special needs find that they can travel in comfort and convenience in an RV. Selected manufacturers offer RVs and conversion vans with features such as wheelchair lifts or ramps, roll-under sinks, and lower kitchen counters and cabinets. For a list of manufacturers of RVs for special needs, go to Recreational Vehicle Association Web site. What are the advantages of a diesel pusher? Generally, a diesel pusher has more power and a longer engine life. Other features of a diesel pusher include (1) inside floor layout is on one level, (2) all engine noise is in the rear, (3) better mileage considering the gross vehicle weight, (4) a greater gross combined vehicle weight rating, which means it can tow a heavier load, (5) air bags because their inherent characteristics provide a better ride and (6) longer period between maintenance requirements. For some RVers, more status is attached to a diesel pusher. How do you work on a book while you're on the road? On the road I keep a log of basic information such as fuel purchases and names of campgrounds. I also handwrite in a spiral tablet or key into a laptop computer my observations, impressions, and feelings about places and happenings. I take photographs and record where, when, and why at the site. At night, I put into the laptop computer the day's notes and whatever else I want to add. At home, I determine the significant parts to include in a book and actually outline and write the manuscript there.
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