Mike Patterson asked:

When looking to set out on your RV road trip, you might find yourself at RV dealers staring down prices that you’d rather not be forced to pay. But, if you want a good deal and a decent RV, a used diesel RV might be the way to go instead.

Used diesel RVs are a great decision for those who want to save a few dollars, but the used RV market can be a bit overwhelming. Like any used vehicle, a used RV needs to be thoroughly checked out before purchasing. Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before purchasing any used RV:

Age of the Recreational Vehicle

Any vehicle depreciates immediately upon purchase. There’s a fine line though, as to how long to wait when buying that vehicle used, especially with an RV. For a used diesel RV, you’ll want a vehicle at least a year old, probably two. At that point the price depreciates substantially, but you’re still getting a nearly new RV with all the newest features.

If you wait until the RV has been used for more than four or five years, you face a lot of issues, including high mileage, expired warranties, and necessary repairs.

RV Maintenance

Which brings up the next point. If you’re looking to buy a used diesel RV, you’ll want to make absolutely sure that it’s as cleanly maintained as possible. It’s likely that you might buy from a private seller. If so, make sure to have a certified diesel RV mechanic look at it before you cut that check.

And while it may be cheaper to buy a used RV from a private seller, keep in mind that getting a warranty is impossible unless they still carry one from their original purchase. Dealer’s used diesel RVs might cost a bit more, but they’re often better maintained and carry certain guarantees of quality.

Why Diesel?

A diesel RV is going to be a top of the line RV. Not only are you looking at some of the highest quality, feature packed RVs on the road, but it’s going to save you money on fuel as well, with the higher mileage rate of most diesel engines. A used diesel RV as opposed to a gas RV is generally the best choice.

Regardless of the features or mileage options you’re seeking, a used diesel RV is the best choice for any road warrior looking to set out on a cross country trek. And most important, you save a decent bundle of money by buying one used.

RVs are an American tradition that can become quite pricey if one doesn’t do the right research before making a purchase. Reading as much as you can on the available RVs in your area and establishing just which features you want is a great first step in any major purchase. If you know exactly what you want in a used diesel RV, you won’t spend as much time looking at a vehicle that doesn’t fit your needs.

Family Tips

David Chandler asked:

As the baby boomers retire, the recreational vehicle industry has seen an upsurge in sales. For many people, nothing measures up to the independence and flexibility of enjoying the open road in a recreational vehicle (RV). There is certainly much to be said for taking your hotel with you wherever you go, and the savings on hotel costs can more than pay for the initial cost of an RV.

RV travelers realize the cost savings of this type of travel. There are no hotel rooms to book and dining in your RV can save an enormous amount of money compared to eating in restaurants every day. Owning a fifth wheel or travel trailer, whereas you can unhook your RV from your truck, saves you from having to book a rental car. For those in motor homes, many travelers will tow a vehicle behind them.

When considering the purchase of an recreational vehicle, you will be faced with three choices; a fifth wheel which is pulled by a pick up truck and attaches to a wheel inside the truck box (hence its name fifth wheel), a travel trailer which is usually pulled by a truck with a rear hitch, or a motor home. All three types of RV’s have their pros and cons and each point will need to be considered based upon your needs and your budget. Other consideration for the RV lifestyle is the price of gas. However, it is still more economical than staying in hotels and eating at restaurants every night.

Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is often a good choice for those who want to travel to different locations; however, it may be less suited to those who visit the same location year after year. Travelers who visit the same location every year may find it more economical to buy a vacation home. Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is not being used, can be a good way to both save money on lodging and build equity for the future.

Many RV travelers come to love the freedom of the open road and the easy care lifestyle. Traveling cross-country and stopping a various parks along the way is a wonderful adventure. The traveler can choose to stay a day or as long as they want at a particular location.

A well-known fact in the RV community is the free camping at Walmart. In most states, you are allowed to camp in a Walmart’s parking lot for as long as you like. I am sure you have seen recreational vehicles lined up in Walmart’s parking lot at least on one occasion. This is a win-win situation for the traveler and Walmart. The traveler has a well-lit place to camp for the night, at no cost, and Walmart receives income from those RV owners who frequent the store. However, recently there has been an uprising among campground owners against Walmart’s free camping policy. Therefore, it is well advised that you check with the local chamber of commerce before you decide to stay a week at Walmart.

Family Tips

Andrew Stratton asked:

There’s nothing greater than cruising down the road on your own home on wheels. People love RVing because it gives them freedom. A recreational vehicle allows you to travel and live in style.

Our beautiful country has so many great places to take your RV. Every little nook and cranny of the country, from all the way up at the tip of Alaska to way down by the heat of Miami, has something to offer the recreational enthusiast. It all depends on how you want to live.

Explore The National Parks

Few countries in the world have a huge national park system like the United States. From the Mojave Desert to Niagara, the Everglades in Florida to the Cascades in Washington.

The national park system has both federal and state parks. Federal parks are usually more convenient and closer to civilization. The only problem is that sometimes they can get crowded. They’re popular spots. You also might find that you don’t have enough space to park a full-sized RV at some federal parks.

State parks are usually more rugged. Often they don’t have the little creature comforts like electrical hook-ups and showers. Depending on the style of your RV, that might be just fine! State parks are often in more remote locations where you can get further away from everything.

All the national parks are beautiful and are well worth the drive.

Hit A Private Campground

Probably the most popular private campground is KOA. These places are not as scenic as the national parks, but they are sometimes located nearby. Private campgrounds are great for convenience. When we’re on the road for several weeks, we often stop off at a KOA or other private campground to do laundry, make phone calls and other things like that.

At a private campground you’ll find lots of conveniences. They’re also good places to stop if you have kids. They often have pools, video game arcades, and other things to keep the kids occupied.

Why Not Stay At A Resort?

Ask a bunch of seasoned RVers, and I promise you that 9 out of 10 will tell you that RV resorts are the places to go. These are special campgrounds set up exclusively for RVs. They require a membership, but with that you can enjoy any one of their many campgrounds across the country.

RV resorts are comfortable and usually quite cheap. You can stay at one for as little as $4 a night. Most have rules about how long you can stay at their parks, because they know that you’d end up moving in permanently if you could!

Probably the most popular RV club out there is Coast To Coast. Their campgrounds are always in pretty locations, and they are run by RVers. Coast To Coast has 150,000 members and around 400 campsites all over North America. One great thing about these resorts is that you have a chance to meet other RV owners and compare notes. They also have RV clubs that sponsor events.

Recently, Coast To Coast created a system where you can reserve your site ahead of time online. They are always improving their services, and they have a reputation for having the friendliest staff around.

Another similar RV club you can check out is Escapee. There are more out there, but Escapee and Coast To Coast are the biggest and best known.

Really Get Away From It All

Ever heard the term “boondocking?” This is what you do if you really want to get away from it all. Boondocking means to just head out into the wilderness, park your RV, and really get away from it all.

Some RV clubs hold boondocking events where a group of RVers all head out to the Arizona Desert or some distant landscape and hang out. Of course, hiking and other outdoor activities in remote locations have their dangers, but it can be a great experience. You’ll see more stars than you ever thought existed!

Buying that RV is just the first step. After that the adventure begins! With a recreational vehicle, you can head out on the highway and really see America.

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Brian Gore asked:

You’re rolling down the road, late in the day, in country you’ve never been in before. How do you
go about locating a really sweet, remote, RV Boondocking camp?

It’s darn sure a poor idea to just turn your big Motor Home or Fifth Wheel up some narrow forest road,
hoping to luck into a good RV Boondocking campsite!

Many times, with that method, what you’ll find is a dead end. You’ll be maybe two miles in, at a spot
you have no hope of turning around in! The only place you could turn around was a half mile back, down
that little road. Have you ever backed your rig up for maybe a half mile? It’s really not my idea of a good
time. It gets especially bad when your “significant other” told you when you were turning in that, in their
opinion, it was a bad idea!

And now, to compound things, it’s getting dark in a big hurry!

So, how do you go about finding that perfect, dry camping site as you enter new country? Don’t! That’s right. Don’t!

At least not for the time being. Trying to force that issue, in unfamiliar territory, just piles a lot of stress
on top of unpleasantness, while usually, producing nothing.

Instead, find a comfortable enough U.S. Forest Service campground, or even a low cost private park for
a night or two. That will give you the time you need to go exploring. Going out on daytrips, using your
tow vehicle or your “toad”, will allow you to go up those narrow forest roads searching out the perfect,
long term (10-14 day) RV Boondocking campsite.

The side benefits are that first, you greatly reduce the stress of finding an RV Boondocking campsite,
and secondly, you eliminate the worry of getting your big rig trapped in some remote, backwoods, bottleneck.

Paying for a campsite for a night or two, until you find that perfect spot, will sure beat paying to get towed
out of a trap, or to repair the body damage you did getting yourself out!

Take your time and enjoy RV Boondocking! It’s one of those things that, the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it!

Everyday Tips for Everyday People

Manuel Wiggins asked:

Anybody who likes both camping and biking must have had this problem – how on earth can you take your tent and the hundred and twenty seven odd things you really do need when you want to go camping and biking at the same time? Well, the answer is simple – that is what motorcycle camping trailers are for.

So what exactly are these motorcycle camping trailers? Well, that is simple enough. They are very lightweight trailers, with a pull-out tent, that can be pulled by a motorcycle. They are quite tiny when they are neatly folded up, and are very easy to handle.

Tiny as they are when they are folded up, they give you plenty of room on the inside. You can pack in just about everything you need, and a few things you do not need but you think you might, too, into the bargain.

Also, the tent will be attached to the trailer platform, so it will not actually be resting on the ground, so you will have no trouble even if all of a sudden your favorite camping ground is all muddy and soggy.

You can customize your motorcycle camping trailer. Depending on what kind you decide to buy, you will have a lot of storage space and space for other amenities, like a cooler, a small portable air conditioner, portable television – if you are not a fan of roughing it, with a motorcycle camping trailer, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

You can get modern motorcycle camping trailers in different colors and styles, and most of them can be attached to any model motorcycle. All you need is the right trailer hitch, which can be easily attached.

Of course, there are some considerations that you should take into account before you decide to go ahead and buy a trailer. First, you have to check the weight of the trailer. After all, it should be pulled by your bike – you have to get this one right.

Next, when you take into account the weight of the trailer, do not forget to add the weight of the rider – your bike will have to take that, as well. Always stay well within the recommended safety limit. You can cut down on the cost of the trip with these trailers, because you will not need to stop at hotels or motels, but remember to calculate the extra gas consumption, now that your bike has to pull that much extra weight.

Last, but not least, get a trailer that you really like – you will have to spend quite a bit of time in it and around it, so it is important that, apart from efficiency and practical convenience, you really like the trailer.

Household Tips for Everyday