RV's - The Best Kept Travel Secret in
America
by Mark Polk
What would you say if I told you I knew the best
kept secret for traveling in America? A safe, cost effective, hassle-free way
to see more of this beautiful country we live in. A way to travel at your own
pace, on your own schedule, while building lasting memories with your family
and friends. It sound too good to be true doesn’t it? Wait, it gets even
better. What if I told you it’s not by plane, train, bus or your family
automobile? Are you curious? Would you like to be let in on the secret that
over 7 million households in America already discovered? If so, let me
introduce you to the wonderful world of Recreation Vehicles (RVs) and
camping.
I'm not talking about roughing it in the backwoods
with tents and sleeping bags, not that there’s anything wrong with camping
like that. What I'm talking about is your home away from home. An RV is your
living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom on wheels. Not to
mention air conditioning, satellite TV, and being able to take a hot shower. An
RV offers you the freedom to roam Americas back roads and the flexibility to go
whenever and wherever you want. Imagine this, you wake up one weekend on a
beautiful crisp fall morning and just outside your front door is a 20-acre lake
full of hungry rainbow trout. How about a two-week summer vacation 50 yards
away from the tranquil sound of waves breaking on the beach, or just a Saturday
afternoon tailgate party at your favorite college football game. Your RV is a
private guesthouse for relatives when they come to visit and a weekend getaway
to your favorite campground.
It’s a 30-day cross-country history lesson.
It’s whatever you want it to be and best of all it’s fun and
it’s safe. Perhaps this slogan used in a Go RVing advertisement sums it up
the best. Waiting for the fish to bite you wonder how smart your daughter has
gotten and how much your son is starting to look like you and you wonder why
you never noticed until now. But you might as well head back to camp; the fish
seem to be as relaxed as you are. Rediscover your family while you discover
America. Wherever you go you’re always at home. Go RVing was formed in
1994 by representatives of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA),
Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), National Association of RV Parks
and Campgrounds (ARVC) and leading state RV and campground associations. Go
RVing works to distribute information about the benefits of RV travel and
ensure the quality of RV products and services. You can call 1-888-Go-RVing or
visit the Go RVing website at www.gorving.com to get a free CD-ROM or video
that will introduce you to the world of RV travel and camping.
Traveling in the United States and life in general
changed dramatically after the cowardly terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001. A nation of people who always felt safe and secure against any type of
outside threat, and a nation of travelers who never gave a second thought to
their mode of transportation are now weary about what to expect next. RV
travel, already at an all time high, is more appealing since the tragic events
of 9/11. Recognized travel authority and former President of RVIA, Mr. David J.
Humphreys had this to say, "Families want to escape to America's outdoors in
these uncertain times, spend quality time together, and avoid hassles
associated with flying–all long-term trends likely to sustain continued RV
market growth."
U.S. ownership of RVs has reached record levels,
reveals a 2005 University of Michigan study commissioned by Recreation Vehicle
Industry Association (RVIA). Nearly one in 12 U.S. vehicle-owning households
now owns an RV. That's nearly 8 million households–a 15 percent increase
during 2001-2005 and a 58 percent gain during 1980-2005. The study also stated
demographic trends favor substantial RV market growth. As baby boomers enter
their prime RV buying years over the next decade, the number of RV-owning
households is projected to rise to nearly 8 million in 2010, a gain of 15
percent, outpacing overall U.S. household growth of 10 percent. Other
contributing factors to RV market growth are low interest rates, long term
financing and the lure of the great outdoors. RVs can be financed for periods
of 10, 15 and in some cases even 20 years, resulting in low monthly payments
and tax deductible interest. RV vacations are more affordable than travel by
personal car, commercial airline or cruise ship, according to vacation
cost-comparison studies by PKF Consulting. Even factoring in RV ownership
costs, and considering resulting tax benefits, a family of four can spend up to
70 percent less when traveling by RV.
What exactly is an RV? RVIA describes an RV as a
vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel,
recreation and camping. RVs come in many different types, sizes and price
ranges. Some are very basic starting around $ 4,500 providing sleeping
arrangements and cooking facilities. On the other end of the spectrum there are
$1,000,000 plus luxury land yachts on wheels.
RVs are categorized as either motorized or towable.
Motorized RVs are built on a vehicle chassis and powered by either a gasoline
or diesel engine. There are three classifications for motorized RVs, type A, B,
and C. Type A motor homes are the largest of the three ranging from 25 to 45
feet. They are the ones you see that look similar to a bus, and depending on
the price they can be equipped with features like washers and dryers, multiple
slide out rooms, satellite dishes, home entertainment systems and much more.
Type B motor homes are the smallest of the three ranging from 16 to 20 feet.
They are conversion vans that have been modified and equipped with all of the
comforts and amenities found in other RVs in a compact size. Type C motor homes
also referred to as mini-motor homes are built on a cutaway van chassis and
range in size from 20 to 31 feet.
Towable RVs are towed behind a vehicle then
disconnected and set up when you arrive at your destination. This allows you
the benefit of using the tow vehicle to make a trip to the store, or go sight
seeing while you are camping. Towable RVs include folding camping trailers,
truck campers, travel trailers and 5th wheel travel trailers. Folding camping
trailers, often referred to as pop-ups, are the least expensive RV and the
lightest in weight. Some pop-ups offer the basic essentials while others come
equipped with features like a water heater, bathroom, furnace and refrigerator.
When set up they can range in size from 15 to 24 feet. Truck campers are
campers loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck. This makes for a very versatile
RV that can access back roads and remote areas other RVs can't get to. Travel
Trailers are a popular choice among RVers because of the wide array of floor
plans available. Whether it’s for two people or eight you can find a model
that will suit your needs. They range in size from 15 to 35 feet and offer all
the comforts of home. Fifth wheel travel trailers are the ones you see that
extend over the bed of the pickup or custom tow vehicle. Because of their
bi-level design 5th wheels offer the most living space of any towable RV and
are often times the choice for full-timing RVers. They range in size from 21 to
40 feet.
Traveling by RV makes even more sense when you take
into account there are over 16,000 campgrounds, both public and private, for
RVers to use in the United States. We also have 367 national parks that offer
over 400 campgrounds with 29,000 campsites and our 156 national forests offer
more than 4,000 campgrounds. While you visit these campgrounds across the U.S.
you don't need to be concerned about staying in touch with your family and
business contacts. On a Travel Channel Program titled “Secrets of
RVs” hosts and publishers of former RV Companion magazine, Mike and
Beverly Wieber, discussed the latest technology for RVs involving in motion
satellite systems and high speed Internet access. With this technology you can
access online maps, travel information, and weather reports. More and more
campgrounds are offering telephone connections as part of their full hook-up
and the latest trend is to provide RVers with wireless high speed Internet
access at the campground.
If you're concerned about purchasing an RV only to
find out the RV lifestyle is not meant for you try renting one before you buy.
There are over 400 national rental chain outlets and RV dealerships that rent
all types of RVs. Another way to learn more about RVs is to attend a local RV
retail show or visit an RV dealer near you. For more information about rentals,
RV shows, and RVs in general visit www.RVIA.org. To locate an RV dealer check
your yellow pages or visit www.rvda.org. So what are you waiting for? Come join
the other 30 million RV enthusiasts in America and remember wherever you go
you're always at home. Happy Camping, Mark
Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education
101
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for AutoRentalPro.
To learn more about renting a car and
luxury
car rentals, visit us.
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer
& host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books,
and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com
Mark Polk is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant
Officer Three, specializing in wheeled and track vehicle fleet maintenance
operations. In addition to owning and operating RV Education 101, (based in
North Carolina) since 1999, Polk also has a very extensive RV background
working in RV service, sales and management. Polk has a degree in Industrial
Management Technology and his 30 plus years of experience in maintenance
includes working as an RV technician, a wheeled vehicle and power generation
mechanic, an automotive maintenance technician, Battalion and Brigade level
Maintenance Officer, an RV sales manager and also in the RV financing
department as the Finance & Insurance manager.
http://www.rveducation101.com
