A young man, just getting started, wonders if living in an RV might be an alternative to ‘pounding sand down a rat hole’ in making apartment payments he’ll never see again. Life’s journey stretches out a long way for him, and he’s still not fully settled on how he wants to live it. Is RV living a possibility? Any RVer…
Read MoreAuthor: nrv staff
Outfit your RV and still save money
By Russ and Tiña De Maris Having an RV is like having a second home. You have a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, etc. Unless you crave the thought of toting stuff back and forth, though, you’ll need to “fit it out” for your RVing trips. Is there a way to handle outfitting your rig without busting the bank? Sure!…
Read MoreRV holding tank levers: Which is which when they aren’t marked?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris You don’t have to be new to RVing to be a bit confused by some of the things RV manufacturers do. For example, here’s a quote from an RVer: “I have a 2008 Pilgrim Lite. And in my old age, I can’t remember which is my black tank lever and which is the gray…
Read MoreOwn a pickup truck? A fifth wheel might be your best option
If you are one of the millions of Americans whose family “car” is a pickup truck, you hold the key to what is fast becoming the most luxurious recreational vehicle lifestyle in North America! The power and weight-carrying capacity of the pickup make it the ideal tow vehicle for the modern fifth wheel travel trailer. While mini-vans and passenger sedans…
Read MoreWhat’s the point of a brake controller?
A New RVer reader asks, “I’ve been looking into buying a travel trailer for taking my family camping. I keep running into information about brake controllers. I’ve towed boats on trailers for years without any such thing as a brake controller; what gives? And how do they work, anyway?” Smaller boat trailers with typically light loads don’t usually require trailer…
Read MoreSteps to take before buying an RV
Whenever a discussion around a campfire or at a party starts up about RVing the most-frequent question from non-RVers is: “How do you buy an RV and know it’s right for you?” Buying an RV sounds simple – go to RV shows, visit a dealer, or search Craigslist then make a purchase. With hundreds of RVs on the market in…
Read MoreThe largest club for RVers – What are the perks?
Of all American RV clubs, none has a more loyal membership or offers more to its members than Escapees. The group was founded in 1978 and now includes more than 10,000 member families throughout the U.S. and Canada. The essence of the group is to share knowledge and provide support to those who love the full-time RV lifestyle. Founders Joe…
Read MoreAre you a woman RVer? Consider this club
The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) estimates that there are more than 9 million RV-owning households, many of them women. Nonetheless, several years ago, while traveling across country by RV, Zoe Swanagon and Lovern King rarely saw other women on the road by themselves. “I think part of the reason is that women don’t tend to let it be known…
Read MoreWeight terms you should know
Every RV owner should have a basic understanding of weight terms. Do your research to avoid becoming a statistic in relationship to overloaded RVs. Here are the basics you should know: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) The maximum permissible weight of the vehicle when fully loaded for travel including the vehicle, cargo, liquids and fuel, passengers, and any towed vehicle…
Read MoreThinking of bringing your pet camping? Read this first
Most American campgrounds welcome pets. Most often there is no additional charge beyond the regular campsite fee, but many commercial RV parks charge an extra dollar or two a night per pet. While there are few formal rules about camping with pets, most campgrounds do require that pets remain on a leash or be otherwise contained. Many campers bring along…
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