Rev Up Your RV and Join the Growing Trend
by Cathy Burford
Have you ever watched your neighbors load up their RV and head out to exciting locations for a couple of weeks, or maybe even a couple of months? It's easier than you think to join the growing ranks of the RV generation! According to RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association - rvia.org), there has been a 58% increase in RV ownership since 1980 in the US. That amounts to 7 million RV-owning households, or 1 in 12. In fact, of the non-RV households 1 in 6 wants to buy an RV; so what are you waiting for?
Perhaps the thought of buying something with wheels that's roughly the same size as your first apartment is a little daunting. Not to worry, there's a great way to 'try before you buy'. That is exactly what we did before we made our purchase, and I would highly recommend it. The RV rental market grew by 34% in 2004, as families wanted to 'try it out'. The term RV encompasses a variety of designs, with everything from pop-up tent trailers (a great place to start) to million dollar motorcoaches. If you are renting for the first time, you might want to think small & bear in mind a style that will best fit your lifestyle and interests. There is a surge in 'toy haulers' primarily for the 30-40 something crowd, but there is no reason to stop riding your dirt bikes or motorcycles just because you've passed the mid-century mark. Other great options are; 5th wheels, Class C, standard trailers, and Class A motorhomes. The price ranges for each category will help you determine your target RV model. Each has their pros & cons, so it's fairly easy to choose what will suit your family best. As with any major purchase, do your research first, as there is a huge price range and many options in the used market. A couple of great sites to check out are www.rvtrader.com and www.rvonline.com.
There are so many upsides to living the RV lifestyle, but for me, the best is the relaxation it affords. When you find a spot & set-up, you are free to enjoy your favorite activities; hiking, boating, cycling, fishing, climbing, shelling, reading, writing, painting, making music, walking on the beach, exploring new villages. For me, the most important advantage of the RV is relaxing in a way that we just can't manage to do at home. There is no yard work, practically no maintenance, and it only takes about 20 minutes to clean the thing from top to bottom! It used to be a sanctuary to get away from it all, but with improived cell phone coverage and wireless technology that is changing. Good and bad can be said about that, as the advancements in communication have allowed many of us to travel while still taking care of business. Perhaps that accounts for the upsurge in ownership in the 35-54 age market. Not to mention the fact that many of us didn't have the luxury of taking two week vacations during the peak of our careers, especially business owners. Five day mini-vacations were the order of the day, and it gave us a chance to get our feet wet in the RV world. Now that we have the time to take extended, and in some cases full-time RV trips, a whole new world has opened up.
There are some advantages of RV travel that might not be apparent before you embark on your first journey. Everyone knows that it affords a way to explore your inner gypsy, but you might not realize that it also turns you into the ideal 'houseguest'. While many of your friends may not have enough property to accommodate your RV for a few days, some of them do & they will be so happy to have 'guests' that are completely self-sufficient. No sheets & towels to wash, no coffee to make, no snacks to provide. They will ask you to come back again and again! With airline travel being what it is these days, you can travel with the knowledge that no TSA agent will ever ask you to throw something essential away. They have no power over you whatsoever. And let's not forget that hotels have other people's dirt & germs; personally, I prefer our own.
Depending on your home state, the places you can visit are indeed boundless. The western states, for example, offer a plethora of destinations; beaches, rivers, lakes, mountains, deserts, and foothills. If you can't find it here maybe it just doesn't exist. An accurate summation is that you could spend 3 months in each quadrant of each of the western states and still hardly make a dent in all the places to experience. We are blessed with an amazing array of nature's most incredible scenery-unequaled in all the world.
Now that we have determined some great reasons to see this fabulous country via RV, let's discuss some of the basics. Resist the urge to over-plan your first few trips, and know that you will forget a few essentials in the beginning-it's a rite of passage. As with any vacation home, and that's essentially what this is, think utilitarian at first & add items based on need only. The first thing I bought was a journal to log in places we stayed, because it's possible that you will forget the name of some fabulous hidden treasure. Our first trips out I even recorded gas prices and mileage, always great for the nostalgia factor. For the first few months you will also need to keep a pad handy to write down a list of essentials needed before your next trip. Rather like setting up a nursery for the first time, you won't really know what's necessary until the baby arrives. Just make sure that you have safety essentials to start with; fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flashlights and spare batteries, and perhaps an adult beverage or two.
Your 'shakedown cruise' should be within a couple hours of home, just in case. There's nothing quite like that first trip in your new RV; as you are setting off into uncharted territory. You will have some adjustments to make, such as, prepare for a level of camaraderie not seen since 'Leave It To Beaver' went off the air. It really doesn't matter what you are driving when you arrive at an RV park, you are a peer of everyone else in that park-enjoying a lifestyle that gives you all a common bond. In fact, you won't have to wait until you arrive at your first RV park to experience it-the first RV you pass will give you 'the wave', proving that you've joined the ranks of the mobile. Another fun 'first' is when you get everything set up and roll out that awning for the first time. You have 'arrived' and now your time is your own-so start doing what you do best, whether it's meeting your new neighbors or watching your grandkids explore the campsite.
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