The RV lifestyle continues to increase in popularity, with motor homes offering all the amenities of home and then some. The fun of an RV is that you can choose from a wide variety of vehicles, from rustic pop-ups that are perfect for a weekend getaway to full-sized motorcoaches that will take you across the country in extreme style and comfort. Whether you are looking for a way to camp more comfortably with the family or a whole new travel lifestyle, there is the perfect RV waiting for you. However, before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few basics to learn about RV travel.

Types of RV’s
The first choice is the type of RV that you want to travel in. Beginners might do well to select a more modest variety to test the waters of the RV lifestyle. Dealers like Ameri-Camp offer the perfect solution in fifth-wheels and travel trailers that offer plenty of creature comforts without breaking the budget. A fifth-wheel is designed to be towed behind a vehicle through a fifth-wheel hitch. This model offers a bi-level floor plan that provides plenty of space for a retired couple or a family to live comfortably for a number of days or even weeks. Travel trailers are towed by a bumper hitch and can be used with a van, sport utility vehicle or pickup truck. The advantage to a travel trailer is that you can unhitch your vehicle and leave your trailer in one spot as you tour the countryside during the day.

Class C motorhomes, built onto a truck chassis, are often referred to as mini-motorhomes. These RV’s can offer the same amenities as larger vehicles, but in a compact space and for a smaller price. Bus style motorhomes are the granddaddy of them all, with many modern conveniences and luxuries and plenty of space to spare. These are perfect for the retired couple who has the cash and wants to enjoy the RV experience full time. You can find these coaches in a wide price range, depending on how luxurious and loaded you want to go.

RV Destinations
The sky is the limit in RV travel, whether you want a mountain retreat or a beach destination. You can find RV camps in national parks, near major tourist attractions and just outside of large cities. Nearly all will come with basic hookups and a bath house, while some of the nicer parks will also include cable access and Internet connections. You can find parks that include playgrounds, swimming pools, general stores and game rooms. Of course, the most enticing attraction to most RV areas is the beautiful surroundings that will provide the opportunity to hike, boat, bird watch or just sit back and enjoy the view.

There are so many things to enjoy about the RV lifestyle; the greatest challenge may be to choose between the many wonderful destinations and activities available. Select a vehicle that will best suit your needs, find a destination that you want to visit and get ready to enjoy your RV!

Recreational vehicles combine transportation and temporary living accommodations for travel, recreation and camping. new or used RVs cover a wide range of interests and budgets. At one end of the spectrum, there are folding camping trailers that sell for a few thousand dollars while at the other end you can find luxurious motorhomes that feature all the comforts of home and come with a pricetag to match.

Before you buy or rent an RV, it pays to gain a basic understanding of how RVs are categorized. The RV world is generally divided into two broad categories: motorized RVs and towable RVs. Motorized RVs combine a motor vehicle chassis and living quarters in single unit. Under motorized RVs, you’ll find class A, class B, and class C motorhomes. Towable RVs are designed to be towed by a car, van, SUV, or pickup truck, but are small enough so as not to require a special highway movement permit. Under towable RVs, the accepted sub-categories are travel trailers, folding camping trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers.

Motorized RVs: Class A motorhomes are generally the top dogs of the RV world. Units range in weight from 15,000 to 30,000 pounds and stretch from 30 to 40 feet in length. Describing them as “motorhomes” is no exaggeration. Class A units come with almost every creature comfort you would expect in a home, minus the front lawn. They are frequently constructed on custom undercarriages or on a 3-10 ton truck chassis. Many Class A motorhomes also feature an automatic slideout. At the touch of a button, motorhome owners can extend a portion of their RV’s exterior wall outward to expand their living space. Class A motorhomes usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, a separate 100-125 volt electrical system, and a full array of appliances and entertainment features. They can sleep up to eight people, depending on the model and the floor plan. Of course, all those features don’t come cheap.

Class B motorhomes, also commonly known as van conversions, are the smallest fully enclosed motorhomes. They are constructed on a van chassis with elevated roof lines but no modifications to the length or width of the original chassis. Class B motorhomes generally weigh 6,000 to 8,000 pounds and are 17 to 19 feet in length. Although living space is limited, Class B motorhomes receive high marks for economy, versatility, and handling. When not RVing, many Class B owners make use of their units as family vehicles. Class B motorhomes usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator or an ice box, heating, a self-contained toilet, a fresh water tank, a waste water tank, a faucet, a sink, convertible/folding beds, a LP (propane) gas supply, and 110 VAC and 12VDC electrical outlets. Class B motorhomes can sleep from two to four people depending on the model.

Folding Camping Trailer Folding camping trailers are the least expensive RV. Also commonly referred to as tent trailers or pop-up trailers, folding camping trailers are designed from the ground up to be lightweight and inexpensive while providing many of the conveniences found in a basic travel trailer. Because of their relatively small size, folding camping trailers can easily be towed by a typical mid-size car, and even compact cars in some cases. A folding camping trailer can be thought of as a large, expandable tent built on a trailer.

Fifth Wheel Fifth-wheel trailers are similar to larger travel trailers, but they have an extension on the front of the box that extends over the tow vehicle and a horizontal plate that looks like a wheel (hence the name “fifth wheel”) that rests on the tow vehicle for support. This hitch arrangement requires special equipment on the tow vehicle. Still more living space is afforded by slideouts that come as a standard feature of many fifth wheels. Fifth-wheel trailers usually provide cooking facilities, a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, a shower, water tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water), faucets, sinks, a LP (propane) gas supply, and a separate 100-125 volt electrical system. They can sleep up to six people depending on the model and the floor plan.