Whether your travels are a vacation or a lifestyle, make them a
memorable experience
(Please contact us with any
advice you would like to share with fellow RVers, or
questions you would like answered)
BUYING AN RV? HOW TO FIND A QUALITY UNIT:
Torque windows are considered an upgrade.
They can be left open when its raining, and have a long
lasting mechanism which makes them easy to open and close.
Exhaust fans in all or most of the vents,
especially in the galley, and shower areas. "Fantastic
fan" and "Northern Breeze" are two very good ones.
Look closely at those big sky domes (RV
skylights). Ask the dealer if he will provide a blackout
cover for early mornings or hot sun.
The backs of reclining chairs should be
high enough for a comfortable head rest.
Day/Night shades come in many qualities.
If you see flimsy ones which do not close or open easily,
and are not heavy enough for privacy or heat load, consider
replacing them. Don't let the dealer tell you
they are all the same. At RV shows, units will
frequently have all the shades closed. Feel free to
test each and every one. Three-layer Light-Blocker Lining - Up to 36" W
Day-Night Shades
Check vertical blinds at large rear bay
windows. Do they close adequately to offer privacy, or
protect the unit from heat load.
Blinds.com
prices lower than those big home improvement stores
Electric stabilizers may be inadequate to
minimize bouncing in a large fifthwheel. Leveling jacks
would do better. Yes, there is a difference -
Leveling vs Stabilizers.
Look closely at that fancy trim on the
interior walls or slide out frames. It may only be attached
with double sided tape, and it won't last long in Florida
humidity.
Ceiling fans are not all the same.
Turn them on. Are they quiet? Look for five blades,
attached with sturdy hardware. Some of the metal
castings that hold the blades are made of simple pot metal
which can crack from bouncing on the road.
Cabinets should not be too high for
reasonable use.
A factory installed receiver hitch at
back of an RV is a convenient feature for bike racks, etc.
If you plan on boondocking, check out how
easy it is to use and fill the fresh water tank.
Fiberglass roof may offer more security
against those low hanging tree limbs
Two large, deep sinks in the kitchen
Stand in the shower stall to check for
size
Windows on the sides of your bed are
preferred, versus behind your head
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION AND HELPFUL
LINKS
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Roaming Times is
a kind of yellow pages for RVers with thousands of pages of
information.
-
For links, forums, clubs, products, dealers, manufacturers and
more, go to RV.net.
-
Escapees is an RV
club offering support and information. The forums are
current and provide the answers and
encouragement we need. This is truly one of the best
forums out there.
They may also answer questions you have as
to: how to receive mail, how to pay bills, send
e-mail, and take care of medical problems?
-
Birds Of a Feather (BOF) social
groups are formed when at least six Escapee members share a
common interest and petition the Escapee Board of Directors to
form a group. Click
here to see BOF groups
located on the Escapees site.
-
phrannie.org is a non
commercial site with excellent advice for maintaining and
repairing an RV.
-
For a seasonal job search to supplement your RV lifestyle, go to
Seasonal
Employment.
-
For maps of your travel route, use
Microsoft Streets &
Trips 2004 for driving directions.
-
Before you depart, look for any warnings of severe
weather conditions along
your route.
-
If you want to search your destination by climate, go to
World Climate: Weather
rainfall and temperature data
-
When
stopping at many different campgrounds at days end, leave the
campground office contact number and location next to your cellphone when
you turn in for the night in case of emergency.
-
Consider a membership camping network such as
Passport America. Joining will give you campground
discounts at numerous locations.
-
Coast to Coast Resorts
as part of their "benefits expanded" program has recently
announced to members effective January 2004, the cost of one
night at a Coast to Coast Resort will increase from $6 to $8
(over 30% increase). I have also experienced in 2003 some
resorts asking for an additional fee to offset their
electrical costs (from $1 to $5).
-
List of Public RV Dump Sites for those boondockers
For RV'ing as a lifestyle, the most important word is
compromise, followed by flexibility.
-
If you limit the size of your RV, you can
stay in that tight campground at the popular National Park.
-
You
may be leaving your workshop, or garden behind but their are RV
Resorts that offer both.
-
If you prefer the large "home away from home"
with all amenities, excellent parking options are available for
you. The California
State Park on the Ocean may be a tight squeeze however.
RV Travel Tip:
"Look up" with your big rig, and don't pull into
an unfamiliar campground after dark. Simple advice, but
many accidents occur in just these situations.
Media
Articles:
Camping: Anytime of Year in All Kinds of Weather
more..
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