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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 The benefits of owning an RV are many. RV travel is trailer, which can be pulled down the highway hitched to a known for its flexibility—you can travel when and where car or truck. These come in all sizes, including tiny models you please, on your own schedule. It’s the best of road with a chuckwagon kitchen in the rear or larger ones with tripping, since you can take frequent detours to experience features like picture windows and a sliding glass patio door. nature, landmarks, or national parks, without having to worry The fifth wheel trailer (or “fiver”) is especially popular about housing. with those taking extended trips or traveling full-time in In the long run, owning an RV can save money, since your their RV. The overhang that rests above the tow truck bed is family’s trips won’t include expenses like airfare, car rental, frequently employed as a bedroom suite, a living room, or hotel rooms, and constant restaurant meals. Perhaps the best even a kitchen. This option provides ample storage for large benefit, however, is the quality time that you and your family or bulky items. If you need room to store another vehicle in can spend together while traveling and exploring. your trailer, consider a toy hauler. This type of trailer features When it’s time to settle down for the night, travelers can a garage area in the rear with a hunker down in an RV park, in large ramp door, making it easy which they can choose to spend to load and secure motorcycles, the night, week, month, or seaATVs, or even a sedan. son. Commercial campgrounds Finding the perfect fit takes time Lightweight RVs, which can range from a parking lot with be towed with light-duty trucks, electric hookups to a five-star and research, and the best choice SUVs, and crossover vehicles, are RV resort. While most offer made from lighter materials and electricity, water, and sewer heavily depends on lifestyle and are shaped more aerodynamicalhookups, some camping resorts ly to keep towing weight down also offer amenities like workfinancial commitment. without losing features. For more out rooms, hiking trails, a bar space, you can go with an expandor restaurant, and on-site RV able trailer. These have pop-up or repairs. These sites are typically slide-out features that increase living space when parked. larger and more private. They might even include features like Frequently seen on TV or in movies, Class A motorhomes full-service garbage pickup and RV washing. are some of the largest vehicles on the road. This means lots The lure of RV travel has caught the attention of many of room for comfort, including spacious sleeping and loungretirees who are looking to take frequent trips, to visit family ing areas, full kitchens, and upscale bathrooms. Many come without sleeping on the couch, or to ditch the traditional with desirable home-like features such as a washer and dryer, home concept entirely. Whether you’re looking to hit the induction cooktop, and residential refrigerator. They can take open road during retirement or start a tradition with your RV travel to a new level of luxury! young family, take a thorough look at all of the options before Class B motorhomes, on the other hand, are smaller and making the leap. With so many sizes and varieties of RVs, it’s streamlined, offering living space best suited for smaller best to evaluate how much space is needed prior to purchasgroups. Most Class B motorhomes do not include slide-out ing new wheels. Would you prefer to tow a small trailer or features but still offer home comforts like galley kitchens, drive a full-size Class A? Finding the perfect fit takes time beds, and bathrooms. and research, and the best choice heavily depends on lifestyle Class C motorhomes are a good option for those who and financial commitment. would prefer outdoor experiences for larger families. These Purchasing and owning an RV can be a big venture, but include raised sleeping or storage areas, which are located the return you’ll get in the form of unforgettable trips and over the cab of the RV, offering more living space than Class memories is priceless. B motorhomes but a lower price point and better gas mileage Sources for this article included: thorindustries.com, cruiseamthan Class A motorhomes. erica.com, and aarp.org. 52
May 2021
