There's never been a better time to take up the RV life. Whether you're a weekend wanderer, a snowbird or a full-timer, there's an RV to suit any travel budget and any taste. With baby boomers starting to hit retirement age, more and more people are taking to the road with their motor home, RV or travel trailer. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association recently reported that nearly 8 million American households have and RV, motor home or travel trailer and that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts in the US.

Seeing the country in an RV offers many benefits to the traveler looking for an affordable and exciting way to spend quality family time. According to one study, a family of four can save up to 74% traveling by RV instead of more conventional ways. And with more than 16,000 public and privately-owned campgrounds in the US, there's a site to fulfill everyone's vacation fantasy, whether it's an oceanfront view, hiking trails, casino gambling or tennis.

RV travel is easy to learn, and once you've got the hang of it, there'll be no going back! Here are six helpful tips that will come in handy for both the beginning and seasoned RV enthusiast:

Map it Out

A large part of the RV appeal is the exhilarating freedom of the open road to go wherever you want, whenever you want. But it helps to have a solid travel plan in place. If you know where you're heading, you can determine the best route, which offers the most interesting places to see. Look in travel guides, contact tourism boards in states you'll be passing through, and search on the Internet. Make sure to have the correct road maps with you; a GPS system is a good idea as well, especially if you're new to this kind of travel. If you've carefully designed the route you'll be taking, it makes it easier to do spur-of-the moment things like checking out that oddball museum you just spotted on a roadside billboard!

Have A Checklist? Just Checking

During your pre-trip prep, in addition to working out what needs to be in the RV, put together a thorough checklist of things to do when setting up at a campground. There are the basics, like finding out where all the campground connections are, making sure your RV is level and properly hooking up your water, gas and electric systems - but don't forget comfort concerns, like making sure you've packed your favorite CDs and DVDs and those new lawn chairs. Equally important, you should have a second checklist of what has to be done when you break camp, both in terms of setting up your RV for departure (quick hint: when you think the job is done and everything is ready, check again).

Be Prepared - Have A 'Just-For-The-RV' First Aid Kit

Always make sure you have a fully stocked, up-to-date, just-for-the-RV First Aid kit, and keep it in an outside storage compartment. It should include basic medical supplies (bandages, ointment, OTC pain reliever, insect repellant, scissors, etc.) and items like a flashlight, paper and writing implements, and a disposable camera in case you have to take photos of an accident site. If you don't feel up to the task of putting one together yourself, an extensive range of ready-made First Aid kits are available for purchase. Also include an emergency supply of must-have medications and a list of important contact names (family members, doctors, insurance agents etc).

Camping with Kids

If you're traveling with children, make sure to set aside time during the day for outdoor activities, as even the roomiest RV can be confining for kids. And give each child his or her own space in the RV, no matter how small, for personal stuff and toys and games. RV traveling is a unique opportunity for your children to see new and different places and faces. There are often plenty of other kids at campgrounds - but be sure to walk around a new campground with your children when you first get settled there. They need to know which campsite you're in and how to find it from other places on the grounds. If you're also taking the family pet, check beforehand to see if they're allowed at the campground

A Little Help From Your Friends

When in doubt, ask your fellow RVer. However well-traveled you might be, odds are there's someone you'll meet along the way who has been somewhere you haven't, solved a problem you haven't yet encountered, or spotted an out-of-the-way delight you've never heard of. No matter how much research you've done, there's bound to be a campsite you haven't read about, a storage system that has escaped your notice - or a funny anecdote that you'll laugh about for years to come. The new folks you meet may or may not become close friends for life, but they're an important part of the journey.

By: John Noble
http://www.skyriverrv.com
John Noble is the Marketing Consultant for Sky River RV Inc - a California-based sales and service RV dealership featuring Itasca and Airstream RV, motor home and travel trailer units.

Featured by the camping directory in the lifestyle section at Resources For Attorneys, a legal resources and lifestyle directory.

The beauty of traveling in a motorhome or RV is the ability to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and take your whole home with you when you do. And RV parks and campgrounds let you do that easily and safely. But there are things that you can do to help make your stay at a campground or park better and more pleasurable. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration:

* Match the park to your needs and wants. It's a good idea to plan ahead for each night's stay and know what facilities are available in the area you will be going to that will meet your needs. To do that, owning a copy of both Trailer Life and Woodall's camping directories can give you plenty of great information about thousands of parks and campgrounds across the country before you even get there. Once you find the ones that can accommodate your size RV or motorhome, and has the hookups you need at the price you want to pay, call in advance and book a reservation. Nothing can spoil a trip easier than arriving at a campground only to find that it is full and having to scramble at the last minute to come up with a place to stay.

* Make sure that you use a water pressure regulator and water filters . As you travel around the country you will encounter hookups that can run the gamut from modern and updated to very old. One of the sensitive systems in many RVs is the plumbing system and some campground hookups use such high pressure that it can cause damage very easily. So have a water pressure regulator in place to prevent this. Also changing your water source daily can be problematic as you don't really know how good the water is from one area to another, so having a top notch water filtration unit can be huge help here.

* Make sure that you read the rules before you check into a campground. You can avoid a lot of hassle and grief if you familiarize yourself with any posted rules and abide by them during your stay. Rules can vary considerably from one park to another so knowing them in advance is imnportant. If the rules seem ridiculous, just find another place to stay.

* If you haven't stayed at a campground before, only commit to one night initially to test it out. You just don't know what an RV park is really like until you have actually spent a night there yourself. Although many campgrounds offer discounts for multi-night stays it's a good practice to book a spot for only one night at first. If the park just doesn't suit you, go somewhere else for the next night. If all seems well though, you can always go arrange for a discounted multi-night stay after the first night is over.

Hopefully these simple camping guidelines can help you have a safe and successful experience as you travel and stay at RV parks and campgrounds across the country.

By: Jim Johnson
Find out more about rv parks and rv campgrounds by visiting our Motorhomes Review website.

Featured as a Camping Resource by Resources For Attorneys, a legal and lifestyle resources source.

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are, basically, mobile homes. But RVs are not only mobile homes; some, as in Australia, are sports utility vehicles (SUVs). These are enclosed equipment vehicles that provide space for relaxation and entertainment. They also have means to carry bikes, boats, and other recreational items. Comfort and convenience are primary in recreational vehicles.

These recreational vehicles, either bought or rented in North America and Canadian, serve for vacation travel, leisure trips, near or far, for family or groups of people who have shared plans. These look just right at the beach, resorts, picnic and camping areas, amusement parks, golf clubs, music concerts, and state parks. Homes-on-wheels, the larger recreational vehicles provide every convenience for adults and children, including TV (even satellite TV), DVD/CD entertainment centers, food preparation, sleeping areas, spacious tables, living areas, refrigerators, compactable seating, computer and Internet access, and an overall attractive, state-of-the-art appearance. These usually have great gas mileage and cost anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000, depending on size and amenities.

Classes of recreational vehicles are as follows:

Truck Camper--this recreational vehicle has an appended but spatially limited living space appended to the chassis with a cap hooked on the top.

Folding Camper Trailer--this pop-up lightweight recreational vehicle can be compacted for convenient storage. It can be towed by several vehicles.

Travel Trailer--this recreational vehicle is basically a camper trailer with a table, bathroom, sleeping area, and a bumper with a towing hitch.

Hybrid Trailer--similar to the travel trailer, the hybrid trailers recreational vehicle features a pull-out tent section over one part, which are typically beds. The other side has walls and a collapsible roof for towing convenience.

Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailer--this recreational vehicle has a hitch and can be towed by pick ups and other medium-weight vehicles.

Toy Hauler--this recreational vehicle is a motor home with a living area, a "garage" for motorcycle/ATV storage, and a fifth-wheel travel trailer.

Park Model--much like the travel trailer, this recreational vehicle needs a special tow vehicle for movement. A Highway-Movement Permit is required.

Motor Home--this recreational vehicle is also called a Winnebago. This comes in three sub-classes: Class A: Motor Coach - this ranges from 26 to 45 feet long and are built on large chasses, such as those designed for busses and commercial trucks.

Class B: Campervan - a converted van with a raised roof or low-profile body in the rear. These range from 19 to 24 feet long.

Class C: Motor Home - truck- or van-based with some living space. The length of this class varies from 17 to 34 feet.

Toterhome--having an uncommon name, this recreational vehicle refers to a motor Home built on a freighterliner truck chassis and is designed to pull heavy loads while still boasting all the amenities and features of a large motor Home.

Recreational vehicles come in many shapes, sizes, and makes, with varied sets of amenities, depending on the individual's particular preferences and desires. These vehicles, although on a much smaller, can be arguably and comparably considered resorts on wheels (without the casinos), like mini-resorts or mini-hotel suites. Whatever variant is considered, comfort and enjoyment are a sure thing!

Find more RV resources and other great topics at http://www.info-checkpoint.info.

Featured by the Campgrounds Directory from the lifestyle section of Resources For Attorneys

RV Camping is different but not necessarily difficult. Here are some general RV tips to make your RVing experiences safe and enjoyable.

Rent an RV for a short camping trip: it's the ideal way to explore your true needs before buying.
Put moth balls near the propane lines of the water heater and refrigerator. This will deter spiders.
Consider taking a professional RV driving course attuned to the specialized demands of safely and efficiently operating an RV
To protect your RV's plumbing, use a water pressure regulator when connected to any water source.
Use an auto battery charger to charge your batteries.
A great tip to conserve gray-water holding tank space is to turn water off when shampooing and soaping up in the shower. Also, don't run the water while you are brushing your teeth.
Diluted bleach poured into the freshwater tank, drained, refilled with water and drained again will prevent odors over a long winter.
Check your RV's Tire Pressure Often
Save general wear and tear on your RV air conditioner by parking in the shade when camping or whenever possible.
Use your generator to operate the roof air conditioner instead of the dash A/C. It cools your rig down quicker. Your RV's engine will not get so hot and it will run more efficiently.
Power conservation tip: run the water heater only when necessary.
Use Velcro tape for hanging and fastening things in your RV.
Use prepaid phone cards while traveling and camping. They are generally inexpensive and easy to use.
Cradle modems will allow you to connect to the Internet from the road, even from a pay phone.
When backing up a trailer, put your hand on the bottom of the vehicle's steering wheel and turn it in the direction you want the trailer to go.
A general rule when RVing: Always pay particular attention to your loads. Overloaded trailers can seriously damage the towing vehicle, and overloaded RVs can cause tire failure and worse.
Get a carbon monoxide detector for your RV. Replace the batteries regularly. Make sure your smoke detector works also.
Always drain the black-water holding tank first. Then drain the gray-water. Following this tip will help clean out your hose.
Fabric softener sheets placed in drawers, closets, and other general locations in an RV prevents musty odors and that "closed up" smell.
Take two coolers - one for beverages, one for food - a particularly important consideration on longer camping trips. Think about investing in a thermoelectric cooler.
Put screenwire in your rubber bumper plugs to prevent bees from nesting.
As a camping tip, use paper plates and paper cups to save on dishwashing.
Save power by using fluorescent lights.

By: John Dee
John Dee is a writer for Bornwild.info .

Featured by the Campgrounds Directory from the lifestyle section of Resources For Attorneys.

It's a fact.

Becoming an "rv" family has now reached record levels. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) nearly 1 in 12 US vehicle owning households own an RV. That's a staggering 8 million households, in America alone!

The typical RV owner of today is 49 years old and married, though according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan more RVs are now owned by those aged 35-54 than any other age group.

This raises the question...Why do people use and choose RVs?

"RV" family members can look forward to simply coming home and just driving their RV straight into the park.

Rvers can permanently have their RV packed all ready for their next trip...there's no need to repack your holiday essentials every time you plan a quick break away.

It's a great way to travel as a family. In fact, RV owners say that travelling in a RV actually makes their bond even stronger.

"RV" owners don't have to give up the comforts of their home. Rvers can enjoy small towns, beaches, parks, mountains, campgrounds...wherever they want, whenever they want, with all the comforts of home. The new sport utility RVs make it easy to transport outdoor vehicles right on board too.

There's an RV for every budget and taste. They can start at $4,000 and go up to $400,000 for type A motorhomes.

Today's RVs provide travellers with all the amenities of home with fully equipped baths and kitchens, central air and heat, surround sound stereos and even plasma TVs.

According to a vacation cost-comparison study conducted by PKF Consulting, RV vacations are more affordable than travelling by cruise ship, commercial airline and personal car. The study estimated a family of four can spend up to 74 percent less when travelling by RV, factoring in ownership costs and resulting tax benefits.

"Regardless of gas prices, RV owners still get a bigger bang for their buck when compared to other types of vacations," says Richard Coon, president, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). "Affordability is a key reason why RV travel appeals so much to families."

In all cases, RV trips were more economical than other vacations analyzed, regardless of trip duration, distance or region of the country," says Kannan Sankaran, PKF's lead researcher for the study.

"Even when fuel prices rise, our data show that each RV vacation would still be significantly less expensive," Sankaran explained.

RV owners enjoy the flexibility and freedom to go when they want, where they want. They don't have the stress and worry about inflexible schedules, airport lines, luggage restrictions and advance reservations.

RVs are used every weekend for camping and outdoor recreation but they are also being used for other purposes like animal shows, antique shows, and other hobbies - even furniture shopping.

RV family members look forward to simply coming home and just driving their RV to the park...it's that simple. That leaves more time to spend with a cold beer in front of the fire :O)

There are more than 16,000 public and privately owned campgrounds in the U.S. and Rvers, seeking a resort atmosphere, are catered for by the growing number of luxury RV resorts with such facilities as health spas, golf courses and tennis courts.

According to recent studies, people are travelling shorter distances and on shorter breaks. Weekend trips are extremely popular. Travellers also don't want to spend hours planning a trip, they just want to get into their vehicle and go.

The RVIA estimates that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts, including RV renters, in the United States. If the idea of "roughing it" camping is not your dream vacation, then it's time to consider joining the 30 million RV enthusiasts already out there in the U.S., enjoying the kind of vacations you've always dreamed of!

Karin Manning is the author of The 2006 Guide to Dutch Oven Cooking featuring 101 tried and truly delicious camping recipes using a dutch oven ($14.97 value). To grab your free copy $14.97 value go straight to http://www.easy-family-camping-recipes.com now. Happy Camping!

Featured by the Campground Directory from the lifestyle section of RFA.