Suggestions For RVing

By: Az Right

In many ways, a RV is much more like a moving house than it is a big car. If you are considering the investment in one, there is much you should probably know. If you are just renting, the same is true.

1. Save Your Brakes – Unlike a car, stopping an RV requires a lot of friction in the breaks. This is particularly true with sudden stops. While your brake pads are built for the extra weight, take care to down shift to slow your speed.

2. RV Rush Hour Driving – You may be tempted to keep trucking along even if you are a big city during rush hour. I highly advise against this. Frustrated drivers can be vicious. You will also put a lot of wear and tear on your RV.

3. Winter RV Storage – If you store your RV in the winter months, you need to take something into account – water. Freezing water expands. Empty everything in your vehicle that contains water or you could be in for a nasty surprise.

4. Your RV Profile – When looking at RV models, consider how you are going to use them. If you plan to stay in luxury resorts, you are going to need one type of model. If you plan to drive out into the middle of Alaska for hunting, you need a different type.

5. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – When evaluating a RV, it is important to understand how much weight it can take. This is known as the gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR. Do not exceed it!

6. Fast Lane RVing – First off, going 80 in an RV is very risky. Stay out of the fast lane. Even if you can handle it, you stick out like a thumb, which means tickets from your friendly highway patrol.

7. Rest Stop Sleeping – For some reason, rest stops tend to attract strange people. If possible, try to avoid sleeping at them. If nothing else, you will not get much rest.

8. Class C Motorhome Prices – Class C motorhomes are often bigger than Class B, but are a bit rougher. They usually have the bed over cab approach and are built on truck chassis. Prices range from $40,000 to $80,000.

9. Class A Motorhome Prices – Class A motorhomes are the top of the market luxury vehicles. That being said, you are going to pay for the luxury. Minimum prices start around $100,000 and go up to whatever you can spend.

10. RV Braking Distance – If you are renting an RV, you need to adjust your assumptions. An RV does not break like a car because it is much heavier. Stay back from vehicles in front of you so there is plenty of room to come to a stop.

An RV is a great investment in a good time. What other option do you have for just spontaneously jumping in and going? Yep, you can do it in a car, but man it gets crowded and uncomfortable.