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Is the RV Life for You?

Recreational Vehicles Have Much to Offer

By Brie Hellbusch

As the temperature rises and summer nears, many folks are excited to hit the road in an RV. Recreational vehicles are more popular than ever! Whether you want to take a road trip without the hassle of hotels or are planning to live in your RV for an extended period, RVs come in shapes and sizes that will fit any type of budget and lifestyle.

The most popular type of non-motorized RV is the travel trailer, which can be pulled down the highway hitched to a car or truck. These come in all sizes, including tiny models with a chuckwagon kitchen in the rear or larger ones with features like picture windows and a sliding glass patio door.

The fifth wheel trailer (or “fiver”) is especially popular with those taking extended trips or traveling full-time in their RV. The overhang that rests above the tow truck bed is frequently employed as a bedroom suite, a living room, or even a kitchen. This option provides ample storage for large or bulky items. If you need room to store another vehicle in your trailer, consider a toy hauler. This type of trailer features a garage area in the rear with a large ramp door, making it easy to load and secure motorcycles, ATVs, or even a sedan.

Lightweight RVs, which can be towed with light-duty trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles, are made from lighter materials and are shaped more aerodynamically to keep towing weight down without losing features. For more space, you can go with an expandable trailer. These have pop-up or slide-out features that increase living space when parked.

Frequently seen on TV or in movies, Class A motorhomes are some of the largest vehicles on the road. This means lots of room for comfort, including spacious sleeping and lounging areas, full kitchens, and upscale bathrooms. Many come with desirable home-like features such as a washer and dryer, induction cooktop, and residential refrigerator. They can take RV travel to a new level of luxury!

Class B motorhomes, on the other hand, are smaller and streamlined, offering living space best suited for smaller groups. Most Class B motorhomes do not include slide-out features but still offer home comforts like galley kitchens, beds, and bathrooms.

Class C motorhomes are a good option for those who would prefer outdoor experiences for larger families. These include raised sleeping or storage areas, which are located over the cab of the RV, offering more living space than Class B motorhomes but a lower price point and better gas mileage than Class A motorhomes.

The benefits of owning an RV are many. RV travel is known for its flexibility—you can travel when and where you please, on your own schedule. It’s the best of road tripping, since you can take frequent detours to experience nature, landmarks, or national parks, without having to worry about housing.

In the long run, owning an RV can save money, since your family’s trips won’t include expenses like airfare, car rental, hotel rooms, and constant restaurant meals. Perhaps the best benefit, however, is the quality time that you and your family can spend together while traveling and exploring.

When it’s time to settle down for the night, travelers can hunker down in an RV park, in which they can choose to spend the night, week, month, or season. Commercial campgrounds range from a parking lot with electric hookups to a five-star RV resort. While most offer electricity, water, and sewer hookups, some camping resorts also offer amenities like workout rooms, hiking trails, a bar or restaurant, and on-site RV repairs. These sites are typically larger and more private. They might even include features like full-service garbage pickup and RV washing.

The lure of RV travel has caught the attention of many retirees who are looking to take frequent trips, to visit family without sleeping on the couch, or to ditch the traditional home concept entirely. Whether you’re looking to hit the open road during retirement or start a tradition with your young family, take a thorough look at all of the options before making the leap. With so many sizes and varieties of RVs, it’s best to evaluate how much space is needed prior to purchasing new wheels. Would you prefer to tow a small trailer or drive a full-size Class A? Finding the perfect fit takes time and research, and the best choice heavily depends on lifestyle and financial commitment.

Purchasing and owning an RV can be a big venture, but the return you’ll get in the form of unforgettable trips and memories is priceless.

Sources for this article included: thorindustries.com, cruiseamerica.com, and aarp.org.