RV Camping

The Lure of Road Vacations

Crossing a great expanse of country harkens back to the days of exploring pioneers. One can always venture by train, but there’s something about the freedom to roam, which RV camping provides, that appeals to many. A road trip is also one of first travel memories many adults have.

One of the most iconic recreational vehicles in America is the Airstream. Its silver bullet design was a sign of the future, and its name referenced how it moved, “like a stream of air”. Read about Airstream’s founder, Wally Byam.

Many other RV manufacturers have a rich and varied history, including Winnebago, named after a Midwestern American Indian tribe; Coachman; and Gulf Stream Coach.

The RV Best for You

You don’t have to own a trailer or motorhome to enjoy RV camping. In fact, RVs are easy to rent. But if you’re planning to spend a lot of time on the road, owning an RV may be a better option.

Rent

Renting is a great way to sample life in an RV without making a big commitment. RV dealerships and national chains loan out RVs for a weekend, a long vacation, or an extended getaway.

Most travelers rent motorhomes, and while the thought of driving such a large vehicle may be intimidating to a novice RVer, modern driving features make it simple. You do not need a special license to drive it.

Rental packages may include the RV basics, such as kitchenware, sheets, blankets, towels, (known as “kitchen kits” or “houseware kits”) electronics, camping equipment, and emergency road kits for a nominal fee, or campers can bring their own.

Renters can expect to pay a damage deposit and additional mileage above the package deal. Most packages include 100 miles-per-day-rented. Rental prices for RVs vary considerably, based on model, amenities, and rental service. Weekly or extended vacation rentals are cheaper than daily rates. An average weekly rental, base price, is approximately $2,000-$3,000.

Find a rental service through GoRVing, or rent directly from Road Trek, or Get RV.

Own

If you know that RV camping and road-tripping is the life for you, there are numerous resources for buying RVs. About one-third of American cities have at least one RV dealership and many can be found online.

Consider the purchase of an RV like you would a second home or a vacation property. Most experts recommend financing rather than a liquidation of retirement income to buy the vehicle outright. This is different than a car purchase. RVs are designed to last for 20 years or more. Engines, components, and interiors are built for durability.

Tips for RV Camping

General Guidelines

• For safety and convenience, always use campsites designated for RVs.
• Plot your trek as best you can to reserve popular in-season campsites in advance.
• Expect to pay $15-$75 for an RV campsite with water/electricity hookups.
• Most RVs have generators to provide power, but using electricity at campsites lessens generator usage on rental RVs.
• Be courteous of other campers and keep noise levels to a minimum.
• Water is important to quality of life on your RV, so check your fresh and refuse tanks often.
• Most RVs allow for cooking, and certain things taste perfect over a campfire, so pack ample supplies.
• Keep campfires small to conserve natural resources.
• Recycle whenever you can, and put trash in proper containers.
• Don’t tie animals to trees: use a tie-down stake.
• Pack an emergency kit of road flares, lighter/matches, first-aid supplies, batteries, flashlight, lantern, tools, and folding shovel.

Make a Checklist

Create a list items you’d like to have on hand for RV camping, such as:

• Extra batteries and memory cards for the digital camera (or if you’re old school, film and lenses)
• Binoculars
• Games
• Lawn chairs
• Grill and lighting fuel
• Shade and rain umbrellas
• Field guides and maps
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Easy-dissolve or biodegradable toliet paper

Preparing this checklist of necessities in advance gives you something to cross-check during loading.

Finding RV Campsites

Plan your trip with qualitative information found on these sites:

KOA. Kampgrounds of America established quality camping standards long ago. Their website should be your first stop.

Go Camping America. This is a wonderfully comprehensive website for campers of all levels and desires.

Go RVing. This is a one-stop site for everything involving RVs. It features park and camping details, a list of RV resorts, and other resources.

National Park Service. This site offers a great deal of information about RV camping. Plus, persons 62 or older can buy a Golden Age Passport for only $10. This lifetime pass gives members free admission to all national parks, forest and recreation areas, monuments, and a 50 percent discount on camping, parking, tours, and other federal facility services.

Conclusion

If you want to expand your travel options and explore America in a new way, consider RV camping. Even a weekend trip could help you create a new bank of memories.

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