RV-Insight. Your Guide to RV Living: 2015 Edition

RV - Insight

Published by Bernie Martin at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Bernie Martin

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

http://www.RV-Insight.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - The Intro

Chapter 2 - RV Living

Chapter 3 - RV Utilities

Chapter 4 - RV Fulltiming

Chapter 5 - RV Websites

Chapter 6 - RV Vehicles

Chapter 7 - RV Tow Vehicles

Chapter 8 - RV Campers

Chapter 9 - RV Slide-In Campers

Chapter 10 - RV Pods

Chapter 11 - RV Pop Up Campers

Chapter 12 - 5th Wheels

Chapter 13 - Diesel Motor Homes

Chapter 14 - Class A Gas Motorhome

Chapter 15 - Class B Campers

Chapter 16 - Class C Campers

Chapter 17 - Towable Vehicles

Chapter 18 - Guideline Questions for Decision Making

Chapter 19 - Weighing Your RV

Chapter 20 - Weighing Your Trailer

Chapter 21 - Purchasing A RV

Chapter 22 - RV Trade Shows & Rallies

Chapter 23 - Purchasing a New RV

Chapter 24 - Purchasing a Used RV

Chapter 25 - Renting an RV

Chapter 26 - Driving an RV

Chapter 27 - RV Appliances

Chapter 28 - RV Weather Considerations

Chapter 29 - RV Legal Issues

Chapter 30 - RV Mail Service

Chapter 31 - RV Financing

Chapter 32 - RV Insurance

Chapter 33 - RV Expenses

Chapter 34 - How to Avoid Disasters

Chapter 35 - RV Accessories

Chapter 36 - RV Destinations

Chapter 37 - RV Campgrounds

Chapter 38 - RV Pets

Chapter 39 - RV Boondocking

Chapter 40 - Living Green

Chapter 41 - Slide Out Rooms

Chapter 42 - Workamping and Jobs

Chapter 43 - RV Kitchens

Chapter 44 - RV Associations

Chapter 45 - RV Charities

Chapter 46 - RV Foodie Places

Chapter 47 - RV Crafts & Hobbies

Chapter 48 - RV Maintenance

Chapter 49 - RV Tires

Chapter 50 - RV Repairs

Chapter 51 - Contact Us

Chapter 52 - About Us

Note: Typically, the last word in a Chapter will be a link to return here.

CHAPTER 1: INTRO

What’s your favorite RV experience? That's a question that always seems to be asked when we travel. We started living the Recreational Vehicle Lifestyle in late 2009 - and haven't looked back!

We were your typical American couple - had a house, car, pet, etc. However, the daily grind was just getting worse and worse! After some serious soul searching, we decided to research living and traveling in an RV. Could we live in a smaller space (and still be friends!)? Could we afford it? Where would we travel?

Could we find jobs as we traveled? Where do you park it? What about all our friends and relatives (You're Going to Do what?)? Would we miss the stick and brick house? What should we keep/store/giveaway?

You get the idea!

After almost a year of seeking answers and trying to think of everything - from a mini motorhome to a 5th wheel - we took the plunge! We purchased an incredible used 2000 Monaco Motorhome that was a 38' Diesel Pusher from a wonderful gentleman in Alabama and hit the road!

As we drove away from our stick and brick, we couldn't even walk down the aisle, it was so cluttered! We had decided to sell everything or give away most of our things. Naturally, that first go around we kept too many items! We've whittled it down to only real necessities and are actually much happier!

We have since traveled in our home on wheels from the Northeast, to the Southeast, we enjoyed boondocking all across the Southwest, then up to Utah (worked there) and all the way up through Canada into Alaska and back down into the Northwest.

We've seen some incredible sights along the way and learned so much more - we wanted to share with you! We don't know all the answers, but we have experienced so much since we left. Fortunately, all our researching has paid off - we love it!!

To achieve the right decision for you, you really need to get your mindset around what RV Living is or can be and is it really for YOU and your Partner?

After all, you both will be living it!

Just like choosing a house and its best location; different, but very similar points, must be researched first to be truly happy in your new lifestyle!

Some topics to research are:

* Where will you Park?

* New vs. Used?

* Legal Issues?

* Rent One First?

* Towable Vehicles?

* Maintenance?

* Live in Small Space?

* Types of Vehicles?

* Boondocking for You?

* Clubs/Websites/Associations?

* Diesel vs. Gas?

* Essential Accessories?

* Fulltime vs. Part Time?

* Work while Traveling?

Please enjoy our eBook - we’ll try to give you the best RV-Insight possible.

CHAPTER 2: RV LIVING

Understanding life in an RV takes a different mindset! It's a break from the typical lifestyle of most Americans. RV living today is occupying either permanently or temporarily a vehicle that is designed to provide most of the basics of a house - but, licensed as a Motor Vehicle. This RV will be either self contained or pulled behind another vehicle.

The RV'er will stop and stay at various types of places - a public or a private full utility campground, free open spaces with no utilities, or even a Wal-Mart parking lot! These Houses on Wheels may be very primitive or massive multi-million dollar Mansions on Wheels!

Is it for you?

It may not be! Just because we love it, doesn't mean it is for everyone. We are living our dream of seeing the country through a massive windshield while still enjoying life! Our goal is to help you see and understand RVing and why so many people are enjoying the lifestyle - it's different! While living in an RV, you'll start to realize that you are becoming more and more flexible to life itself. Soon, the demands of getting there just don’t exist anymore!

It is a great transformation when it hits you! Granted, not everyone can do that, but, if you can let go - wow, it is an amazing feeling!

If you make the choice to join the ranks of the Fulltimers, please realize that it will evolve as you go. It is very tempting to have all kinds of neat RV gadgets and gizmos - start with the basics!

There will be plenty of time to buy all the things you must have. Just be sure you spend your hard earned money on the RV Accessories you REALLY must have - water houses, sewer drain hoses, extensions, etc. All the neat grills, chairs and fluff can be added after you understand what's really necessary.

You may find you like boondocking much more than staying in a RV Park. That will change what is really essential to have. Little steps will keep you out of trouble and financially stable! Personally, we enjoy boondocking so much more than staying in a Park.

When there is such beauty in this great country, why not see it and wake up to it, as well?!?

OK - LET'S BREAK THIS RV LIVING DOWN INTO BITE SIZE PIECES!

TYPES OF RV's

There are two basic Groups -

Motorized (Self-Contained - Engine in RV)

Non-Motorized (Pulled by or attached to another vehicle).

Once you chose how you want to travel in an RV, the type of vehicle will be easier to choose as well. Even the most basic camper will have provisions for some type of a utility. Perhaps it is only a small water storage tank or a Propane system to provide basic heat or a cook-top?

Usually, the larger (and more expensive units) will have all utility connections and conveniences - just like a house.

CAMPGROUNDS

There are several types of RV Campgrounds available to choose:

Government: These could be Federal, State or Local

Private: Most are small privately owned and will provide all amenities.

Membership: These are usually corporation parks that provide sites in various regions of the country. No matter who owns the RV Park, it could be just a basic road in with sites off to one side, all the way up to a beautiful layout of roads and campsites around pools, clubhouses, lakes, etc.

Best of all, there are several sources of Campground Ratings to assist you before making that reservation!

CHAPTER 3: RV UTILITIES

RV utilities sure help make RVing easier! Today's RV's themselves are built better with improved water tanks, better filters and more of everything to make life easier. Also, RV hookups are usually better and easier to use than they were 10 years ago.

Water and RV Utilities

Water is essential for all humans. It must be properly handled and preserved or serious illness can result. Years ago, the water storage tanks were steel and had to be flushed and maintained regularly. Today's water tanks are a special plastic that doesn’t need much to stay clean.

The most serious part of water is the source and filtration used. The source should always come from an outlet that is for drinking water - only! NEVER use the hose or outlet next to the dump station. It will appear to be fine, but the previous dumper probably used that outlet for washing out their dirty sewer hose. Your stomach will confirm it within 24 hours!! Look around - there will usually be a hose outlet away from the dump area to use for drinking water!

Filter(s) for your water should be used as well. We recommend the larger type RV water filters for ALL the water coming into your tanks. Then, use smaller particulate filter(s) for your actual drinking water. Remember, humans need clean drinking water above all else.

A very important tool to have, as part of your water inlet/refill system, will be a water pressure regulator. RV plumbing is designed to handle up to about 45 - 55 lbs pressure MAXIMUM. Remember your RV is a rolling earthquake. Guess what happens to plumbing fittings? They get bounced around as you cruise down the highways!

All you need is too much water pressure while filling your tanks, or while just parked in an RV Park that happens to have very high well or city water pressure. That extra pressure from the city water supply must be regulated to not go past 55 lbs pressure. Be sure to always use a good pressure regulator to help control the water flow into your tank or various plumbing fixtures within your RV.

Hoses for putting your water into your RV are just as important. Obviously, the hose and end junctions need to stay clean. It should also be a drinking water hose - not just the hose from your garden or garage - remember how important it is!

The typical water pump in your RV pumps water from your holding tank to your faucets. It is usually well hidden within the bottom of your storage area - usually near the water tanks and hot water heater. Not easy to get to or change, but not impossible either.

If you find your water pump getting louder and louder - change it while it still works! Otherwise, Murphy will make the decision for you on a cold, windy and rainy day when you really don't want to do it yourself!! It only has 2 fittings - inlet and outlet to plastic pipes and 2 or 3 electric wires - very basic really - you just need to be able to work in small spaces!!!

Depending on the style or type of RV, will dictate how much water you can store.

Since we boondock a lot, we always keep our tanks full. If you are going from park to park, it won't be necessary. But, things happen and you'd feel really silly in a long traffic jam with no water - always carry a minimum, at least!

Black and Grey Dump Storage Tanks

These are 2 different storage tanks within the RV sub-floor. Each will have its own separate waste valve to allow the dumping of these tanks.

Black dump tanks are designed to store only your waste from the RV Toilet(s). Some older RV's may mix, but not very common. The RV toilet will have a special system for flushing itself directly into the black tank. The black tank is vented.

Gray dump tanks are the catchall for all the sinks, showers and washing machine. The plumbing system is similar to a house in that it will have p-traps and vents for each trap and then one common roof vent for the tank itself.

The gray tanks will have kitchen and food residue in it so it should never be dumped on the ground - it will attract animals!

The 2 waste gate valves of the black and gray tanks will meet in a special fitting. It will allow one common hose to drain both tanks.

Drain procedure is to always verify the hoses are all hooked up to the RV and the dump site with just a little gray water dumped FIRST - much easier to clean that up!! Then, if all sealed and ok, drain the black tank entirely, before emptying the remainder of the gray tank. Three steps for two tanks that will keep your life much cleaner.

Since your tanks will drain better when closer to full, you will want your tanks pretty full when you drain. Since the gray water valve is opened last, it will then help clean your RV sewer hose of the black tank residue left inside the hose. Sure makes it easier to handle the hose for storage! Even if you’re parked in a RV park with your drain hose hooked up, do NOT leave your gray or black dump valve open. The tanks need to be near full to properly drain and self-clean the tanks while dumping.

If you leave the gray open all the time, the tank will never self-clean. Worse, it will get real stinky around your RV every time someone dumps their tanks