Budget Travel In An RV

By Felicity Walker

The sales of recreational vehicles have really been on fire
lately, as more and more people discover the high level of
freedom, and low level of cost, that an RV vacation can provide.
As air travel becomes more of a hassle, and the cost of hotel
stays continues to rise, many people are discovering the
convenience of taking their hotel room with them wherever they
go.

The attraction of a recreational vehicle, of course, is that it
provides the budget traveler with the freedom to go where he or
she wants, whenever they want to go there. An RV frees the
traveler on a budget from rigid schedules, lines at airport
security, restrictions on luggage, and so much more. And with
over 15,000 RV parks and campgrounds dotting the country, there
is bound to be one wherever you want to go.

And many RV’s have all the amenities of home, including living
rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Many RV’s also have
rooms that slide out to provide even more living space when the
vehicle is parked.

There are some important tips for first time RV’ers to follow
to get the biggest bang for their travel buck. Some of our
favorite tips for a low cost and hassle free RV trip include:

Ø Hit the web for tons of free information on living the RV
lifestyle and keeping costs under control. There are a great
many web sites and newsgroups dedicated to recreational
vehicles, and they can provide valuable tips for those
newcomers.

Ø Try renting an RV before you buy one. The purchase of a
recreational vehicle is a big decision, and one that is likely
to have a major impact on your lifestyle, especially on how you
vacation. With the average RV costing as much as the average
house did a couple of decades ago, it is important to know that
an RV is the right decision before taking the plunge. There are
a number of places that rent RV’s, and these rental agencies can
provide a low cost alternative to RV ownership, or a way to “try
it before you buy it”.

- Do your research. If you do decide to buy an RV, be sure to
research the buyer’s guides, and read the reviews on the
internet. Doing so will allow you to get the most RV for your
money.

- Visit a couple of RV dealers, and attend an RV show. RV shows
are great ways to see a wide range of models quickly, and it is
often possible to strike some very good deals at these events.

- Do the math to be sure an RV is right for you. An RV makes
sense for a great many people, particularly families traveling
together. RV travel can be significantly less costly than travel
by car or plane. Fees for campgrounds are considerably lower
than hotel room rates, and this can really trim the travel
budget.

- Be sure to inset in a quality guide to RV campgrounds.
Knowing where the campgrounds are, and having good directions
for getting there, will save you lots of hassle, as well as gas
money.