RV Camping

A recreational vehicle (or RV) is a motorized or towed camping trailer that is used for traveling or staying at various locations. It can be a van with a bed in it, a portable trailer that is small but functional, or even a 30 foot long airstream with all the comforts of home. No matter how it looks, if you can sleep in it, pull it with a car or truck, and possibly even cook in it, it qualifies as an RV.

You should ask yourself a few questions before you buy an RV if you don’t own one yet. Many people get eager to get an RV after years of camping in a tent. They finance it, have big plans, take it out a few times and then it gets parked in the yard, driveway, or beside the house as an extra bedroom for overnight guests. That is the sad truth for many people so be sure to use it enough to get your money’s worth. What do you want in an RV? Will the whole family stay with you, or just a few? Do you need a lot of beds? Are you bringing your dogs and cats with you? Will you need a lot of space?

The RV needs to be towed, right? Can your truck or similar vehicle pull the unit up and down mountain highways? Make sure to check the weight limit your vehicle can pull as well as your tow bar. A purchase of an RV that is too heavy for the truck you already own would be a shame. Most of us have seen a vehicle pulling a trailer with the back end squatted down so far the frontend is almost off the ground. So be sure you have the right vehicle.

How much money do you have available? You can buy a used RV for several thousand dollars or you can spend over $100,000 on a luxury RV.

Your RV needs to be the right size not just for your personal comfort, but also for where it will be parked. You may not want to purchase the biggest RV available if you like to camp int he backwoods or small campgrounds. The reverse is also true: if you prefer campgrounds with cable TV hookups and sites with drive-through lots, you might want a larger RV. Are you planning on camping a lot during certain times of the year? Winter camping or camping in colder climates may lead you to consider a four-season camper. In addition to better insulation, heated water tanks, and other features, you’ll be protected from freezing pipes and even yourself. In warmer climates, make sure that you choose an RV with air conditioning and perhaps tinted windows or better insulation overall.

Are you looking at buying a gas or diesel RV? Everyone has their own opinion on the matter, but we’ll go over a few pros and cons, and you can make the ultimate decision.all of the fossil fuels are more expensive at the pump nowadays, but in the long run Diesel will save money on miles per gallon (mpg). Diesel engines also tend to last longer, so when you get around to selling your RV for the next best model, you will get a higher overall price. If you keep up with regular maintenance. Diesel engines have more torque than gas engines do. To put it in simpler terms, a diesel engine has more ‘push’ power at lower revolutions, as well as more power at higher elevations. This can be crucial when driving through mountainous areas or up and down numerous hills. Most diesel motorhomes also have a heavier chassis, thus allowing a higher tow capacity.

But diesel engines have cons as well. They tend to be more expensive in your initial purchase, and maintenance costs might be in the higher range as well. Changing the oil can cost more and take a bit more time. If any maintenance is needed on the engine, the parts and the time needed to fix it might be a bit more labor intensive and expensive than you are willing to pay (or want to pay for that matter).

Gas fueled motorhomes have their place as well. If you are looking for a more inexpensive RV to get out on the road, then you might want a gas powered RV. They are typically more abundant on the market, as well as being cheaper to fix. Parts for any maintenance will also be less expensive and easier to come by. Mechanics are more likely to know how to fix a gas engine than a diesel one, which might come in handy if you are in the middle of nowhere when something breaks.

Gas engines do have cons, although most of them have already been mentioned. They don’t have the torque (pulling power) to pull some of the larger RV’s at a quick speed from a slow start, but how fast do you really want to go while driving a big RV?

Don’t forget to test drive it! Make sure and hook it up with the vehicle you will be pulling it with, and drive it around. Try to find some hills and drive up and down. Practice backing it up, to see how difficult that will be for future trips.

Before you head out, make sure you can drive and back up the RV. It will be much harder to back it up when you are exhausted, trying to avoid hitting trees, and with other campers watching. You can practice backing up, turning around, and hooking up the RV to your truck multiple times in a large parking lot if necessary. As soon as you can drive into your campground the first time, you’ll feel like a pro.Before you head out, make sure you can drive and back up the RV. It will be much harder to back it up when you are exhausted, trying to avoid hitting trees, and with other campers watching. You can practice backing up, turning around, and hooking up the RV to your truck multiple times in a large parking lot if necessary. As soon as you can drive into your campground the first time, you’ll feel like a pro.

When maintenance or repairs are needed, consider what tools and spare parts you might need on the road. When you are out in the middle of nowhere and something breaks down, a basic toolbox will be of great help. The best thing to do is buy the manual for your model of RV, so you can find and diagnose problems when they arise. With some tools, the manual, YouTube and a little bit of mechanical skill you might be able to fix many of the problems yourself.

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