RVs – or recreational vehicles – have been a familiar sight on highways and at campgrounds for decades. Millions of people own an RV, and many more plan to buy one in the future. Some people use theirs for weekend vacationing while others live in their rig full time. Many plan their retirement around an RV lifestyle. RVers come from diverse backgrounds, but all share a sense of adventure and an appreciation for the type of freedom that life on the road can offer. Whether you already enjoy RVing or are just thinking about checking it out, keep these valuable resources close at hand.
Today, there are a lot of different styles, sizes, and models of RVs. Some are fairly basic and others are loaded with luxury features. There’s something to accommodate almost any taste or budget. Get some help figuring out what would work best for you by taking a look at the following articles. Each has useful insights and important information to help you decide for yourself.
Types of RVs – Check here for a tutorial that will take you through each of the most commonly used kinds of RVs. You’ll get some insight into industry terminology as well.
RVs by Class – This guide, created by a 40-year veteran of the RV lifestyle, is well written and very informative. You’ll learn what differentiates the classes of RVs, along with the pros and cons of each.
Recreational Vehicle FAQs – If you’re still not sure whether committing to RV ownership is for you, look through these FAQs by The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association to help you decide. There are answers to questions about everything from the environmental impact of RVs to demographical information about RVers.
Basic Advice for Buying a Motor Home – This article gives a really good rundown of all the things you should consider when you’re in the market for an RV – especially a used one. From the test drive to the warrantee, this guide covers all the basics of RV-buying.
There’s a lot to know before you hit the road in an RV, and one of the most important things is to familiarize yourself with any laws pertaining to recreational vehicles and/or oversized vehicles. Always find out the particulars for the area you plan to visit or drive through so you won’t be caught unaware. It’s true that ignorance of the law isn’t a valid excuse once you’ve been pulled over and you can save yourself a lot of trouble by being proactive about it.
RV Road Laws – Keep this information handy if you’ll be doing any interstate traveling. Traffic and towing laws vary by state, so it’s important to know how they work wherever you are.
RV Towing Laws – This site displays state-by-state towing law information in a different way, using an interactive map to help you find applicable rules and laws.
How RV Towing Regulations Work – From How Stuff Works, this extensive article gives a thorough rundown of everything you need to know about towing safely and legally with your RV.
RV Driver’s License Requirements – Some states have specific driver’s license requirements for RV operation, so look through this table to find out whether you’re qualified or not.
When you set out in an RV, your route is usually determined by the locations of RV accessible campsites. It’s imperative that you plan ahead and know where you’ll be able to pull off along the way. Use these sites and directories to find RV parks and other helpful places.
Trailer Life Directory – Try this free searchable directory of RV parks and campgrounds throughout North America. You can click over to the site’s blog for ideas and advice about traveling in an RV.
RV On The Go – This site is also a great place to find RV friendly campgrounds and parks. There are also special deals on RV rentals, accommodations, dining, and more.
KOA Locator – Use this site to find KOA locations anywhere. There’s also an interactive map for trip planning, a blog, and even an information center for those interested in purchasing their own KOA campground.
RV Dump Stations – This is another site you’ll probably want to bookmark if you plan to travel by RV. You can click on the state or province you’re driving through and find the locations of nearby sanitary dump stations, complete with pricing information.
Before you head out on your first RV adventure, be sure to brush up on the etiquette associated with the lifestyle. Camping in an RV park, even if you effectively live there, is different from living in a neighborhood in many ways. There are some things you need to know so that you don’t inadvertently cause problems. The last thing you want to do is be a bad neighbor. There are also some general codes of conduct that should be followed when driving and using parking lots. Read up on how to be a respectful RVer on the sites and pages listed below.
Boondocking Etiquette – “Boondocking” or “overnighting” is when an RV is parked somewhere outside a designated camp area (usually a parking lot or wilderness area) for one night while the driver gets some rest. This practice is permitted in most places, but that could change if RVers don’t follow the rules of etiquette, as outlined in this nicely written article.
RV Campground Etiquette – If you’re new to the RV way, please be sure to read through these tips for being a good neighbor when you’re parked in a campground. There are some major do’s and don’ts that you should be aware of before embarking on your first RV camping trip.
19 Surprises I Learned About RVs – This blog post is both funny and honest. The author de-glamorizes RVing a bit with his blunt observations about the unexpected aspects of RV life (like the lack of space and the need for bathroom etiquette), but it comes from a genuine love of living on the road and you’ll gain some valuable insights by reading through the short post.
RV Etiquette Guide – This, part one in a three part series, addresses not only etiquette but also goes through some vitally important advice about operating an RV on the open road. Driving a recreational vehicle, especially a larger model, is a lot different than driving your regular family car. In order to be a responsible RVer, you need to make sure you are capable and comfortable.
If you feel the RV lifestyle calling you, you’re far from alone. There are RV enthusiasts all over the place, and many of them love to share their stories. The blogs and sites in the section below are all run by avid RV enthusiasts and are filled with travel tales, advice, instructions, photos, and more.
Your RV Lifestyle – This site, created and maintained by a husband and wife team of full time RVers, is an excellent place to go if you’re considering such a lifestyle yourself. There are lots of great resources to help you out, and the homepage has an excellent article telling you what you need to ask yourself in order to determine if the RV way is right for you.
Frugal RV Travel Blog – This lifestyle blog is all about RVing on a budget. There are all kinds of helpful tips and ideas to help you save money while enjoying all that RVing has to offer.
Full Time Adventure – A full time RVer keeps this blog that is always worth a read. There are reviews of travel destinations, on-the-road recipes, and every post is accompanied by beautiful photographs.