Money-Saving Tips for RV Travelers

The economy has everyone looking for ways to save a few bucks, especially during vacation season. Savvy RV travelers know they’ve already started saving money the minute they start packing up their RV. Compared to the cost of traditional vacations that rely on expensive air travel, rental cars, hotel accommodations and restaurants, RV vacations offer a significant savings of from 25% to well over 60%.

Want to save even more? Try these tips from seasoned RV travelers:

• Don’t rush. Slow down and enjoy the ride and the scenery. Driving at slower speeds increases your fuel economy, saving you money at the pump. The faster you drive, the harder your engine works to overcome wind resistance, which rises more steeply at higher speeds. Every 10 mph faster you drive costs 4 mpg in fuel economy. So sit back and relax; getting there is half the fun.
• Park cheap or free. Search out low-cost campgrounds online or stay in state parks that generally offer good services at low rates. You can also camp free at many sites, including many Wal-Marts. Check availability along your travel route at www.freecampgrounds.com.
• Eat in. It’s fun to splurge and eat out occasionally, but you can save by cooking your own meals. RV appliances are comparable to home ranges and ovens, making cooking easy. Many also have microwaves for quick meals. Pick up a bag of charcoal and exercise your grill master skills with a nightly barbecue. Build a campfire and treat the kids to hotdogs cooked on a stick with s’mores for dessert. RV camping never tasted so good!
• Explore the unusual. Avoid vacation hot spots where camping fees and prices are higher. Explore America’s less traveled, but equally delightful, locations. Enjoy the adventure of RV travel!

RV Driving Tips

If you’re new to RVing, making the switch from driving a car to driving a taller, longer, heavier motorhome can take some adjusting. Even if your RV is a towable and you’re driving a familiar SUV or pickup, towing an RV takes a little getting used to. A few tips from RV owners and some driving practice will pay off before you take your RV on the road.

• Clearance. Know the height of your RV and post the numbers where you can see them from the driver’s seat. Pay attention to bridge and overpass clearances while driving. Don’t forget drive-thru clearances when you stop for a snack.
• Braking. The bigger and heavier a vehicle is, the longer — in time and distance — it takes to bring it to a full stop. Know how long it takes to safely brake your RV before you take it on the road. Find an empty parking lot and practice starting and stopping until you’re comfortable with the brake action, driving technique and distance required to stop safely.
• Turning. Due to their longer length, RVs require more turning room than cars. Cruise some quiet streets and practice making turns until you figure out how much turning room you need.
• Backing. Flipping your RV into reverse for the first time can be a daunting experience. Learn to use your mirrors. Adjust them to eliminate blind spots. Practice in an empty parking lot, then in your driveway until you feel comfortable backing up.
• Maneuvering. When you’re driving, remember that RVs respond more slowly than cars. Practice on a multi-lane road to get a feel for how long it takes your RV to get up to speed, change lanes or pass before trying it on the freeway.

Pictures Sell RVs

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”  — Napoleon Bonaparte

“When you think something, you think in picture.” — author Grace Speare.

“Before people buy, they want to see what they’re getting.” — RVT.com.

Pictures sell RVs. After 10 years at the top of the online RV sales business, RVT.com knows what sells RVs! If you want your RV to sell fast and for the best possible price, add pictures to your ad. Before they buy, potential RV buyers want to see what they’re getting. Photos are an effective way to convey condition and unique features that make your RV stand out from the competition. Pictures increase the effectiveness and impact of your online ad. Just take a look at the RV sales ads listed on RVT.com.  Notice how much more interested you are in looking at an ad with a photo than one that says “No Photo Available.”

RVT.com’s standard online ad allows RV sellers to include 12 photos in their ad. For just $20 more, you can increase your ad’s sales power and list up to 24 photos. Adding photos to your ad allows potential buyers to take a virtual tour of your RV, increasing interest.

RVT.com makes it easy to include photos of your RV in your online RV sales ad. To accommodate both tech-savvy sellers and those who find technology a challenge, RVT.com allows you to add pictures to your ad in three ways:

• Upload your digital photos directly into your ad using our easy picture uploading service.
• Email us your photos and we’ll add them for you.
• Mail us your printed film photos and we’ll scan them into your ad.

Whichever method you choose, add pictures to get the most from your online RV sales ad on RVT.com.

Tips for Buying Used RVs

Used RVs offer buyers great value. Buying used allows you to get all the great features you want in an RV at a more affordable price than buying new. Buying used is the perfect choice for families, anyone on a budget and first-time RV buyers. Particularly if you’re new to RVing, purchasing a used RV is an excellent way to minimize your investment while trying out the RV lifestyle.

With so many choices available, a little research and planning are necessary before you start shopping for a used RV. Think about how you like to travel. What amenities are most important to you? How big an RV do you need to accommodate your family? Do you prefer a motorhome or towable RV?  You’ll find helpful descriptions of different RV types on RVT.com’s website and blog. Sit down and make a few lists so you know what you’re looking for.

Peruse the pre-owned RV ads on RVT.com. Use RVT.com’s helpful sorting features and Advanced Search to narrow your search parameters. Save your favorite ads and start contacting sellers.

As when buying a pre-owned home or used car, it’s advisable to arrange with the seller for a personal inspection of the RV. Examine the unit inside and out. Pay attention to structural and mechanical details. Test all systems and appliances. Ask to review maintenance and repair records. If the RV is a motorhome, truck camper or conversion van, pop the hood and check the engine. Take the RV for a test drive. If it’s a towable, test drive it with the tow vehicle you plan to use. If you don’t have the experience to make a critical evaluation, arrange to have the RV inspected by a qualified RV service provider.

RVing Brings Folks Together

Owning an RV gives you instant access to a neighborly community of friendly fellow travelers. There’s something about RVing that brings people together. Stroll through any RV resort, community or campground and you’ll be greeted by friendly waves and hellos. Folks visit, stop by to chat, share a cup of coffee, trade stories or gather for a game of cards. Kids congregate on the playgrounds, ride bikes together, call out Marco-Polo in the pool and go exploring. Need a cup of sugar, the low-down on cool sights to see in the area or help with a maintenance problem? Help is as close as the next RV.

It’s that friendliness, that sense of camaraderie, that interest in other people that seems to characterize RV owners. Perhaps it’s the transient nature of RVing that encourages people to make quick and easy friendships. Perhaps it’s the sense of home promoted by RV living that makes folks want to know their neighbors. Perhaps it’s the adventuresome spirit RVers share that makes them want to learn about the people who share their world. Whatever it is, RVers are known for their friendliness. It’s the quality most remarked by newcomers to the RV community, and the quality that keeps long-timers coming back year after year.

Whether you like to camp comfortably in your pop-up or truck camper or  prefer to park your motorcoach or fifth-wheeler in an RV resort for the season, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly folks who share your love for comfortable, convenient, family-oriented RV travel. Many lifelong friendships start in RV parks. RVT.com would love to hear about your experiences. Share a comment and tell us what you like best about RVing and the friends you’ve made.