ABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVingABCs of RVing

Cheryl LeJune and Mark DarbyCheryl LeJune and Mark Darby

RV – The Movie

Getting Started• What is an RV?

• What are the types of RVs?

• What is in an RV?• What is in an RV?

• Who RVs?

• Where can you go?

What is an RV?RV = Recreational Vehicle

Or, motor home, travel trailer, converted van, caravan, camper, toy hauler, pop up van, caravan, camper, toy hauler, pop up trailer, 5th wheel, ….

Normally includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room.

Types of RVs

– Class A Motor Home

– Class B Camper Van

– Class C Motor Home– Class C Motor Home

– Fifth Wheel Trailer

– Travel Trailer

– Pop Up Trailer

– Pickup Camper

RV Types

Pop Up Trailer

Class C Motor Home

Pop Up Trailer

Travel Trailer

Class B Camper Van

Fifth Wheel Trailer

Class A Motor Home

Toy Hauler

Class A Motor Homes

Living unit constructed entirely on a bare, specially designed motor vehicle chassis.

• Advantages– Relative ease of driving– Does not require a 2nd vehicle– Single level floor plan– Single level floor plan

• Disadvantages– Need to tow small car to get around locally– Difficult to back up while towing– Fewer places to get engine work done

• Size – 21 to 45 feet• Cost – from $50,000 to $500,000

Class B Camper Van

A panel-type van to which RV manufacturer adds living amenities and a top extension for more headroom.

• Advantages– Retains versatility of a large family car or SUV while providing self-contained motor home attributesproviding self-contained motor home attributes

• Disadvantages– Small size– Relatively high cost

• Size – 16 to 21 feet• Cost – from $35,000 to $65,000

Class C Motorhome

Built on a self-propelled motorized chassis. The living area is attached to the chassis’s cab section.

• Advantages– Offer most of the same comforts, features of Class A– Generally less expensive than Class A– Generally less expensive than Class A

• Disadvantages– Tend to be smaller with lower weight capacity– Smaller and fewer cargo compartments

• Size – 20 to 32 feet• Cost – from $45,000 to $75,000

Fifth Wheel Trailer

Trailer with raised forward section (gooseneck) which connects to bed of tow vehicle with special hitch.

• Advantages– Better handling than conventional trailer.– Large storage area

• Disadvantages– Large storage area

• Disadvantages– Higher profile than conventional trailer– Hitch limits use of truck bed– Split level floor plan– Cannot be towed by cars or vans

• Size – 21 to 40 feet• Cost – from $13,000 to $97,000

Travel Trailer

Trailer towed by bumper or frame-mounted hitch attached to rear of towing vehicle

• Advantages– Single-level floor plan.– Lower profile than fifth wheel trailers– Allows use of truck bed– Allows use of truck bed– Can be towed by truck or car

• Disadvantages– The longer the trailer, the more sway and handling problems– Somewhat more difficult to hitch than 5th wheels

• Size – 12 to 35 feet• Cost – from $9,500 to $63,000

Pop Up Trailer

Also called tent trailers, have collapsible walls made of canvas or fiberglass. Have many of the same amenities.

• Advantages– Low profile and light weight– Sleeps up to 8 people– Sleeps up to 8 people– Combines open-air camping with RV comforts

• Disadvantages– Need to set up and take down tent– Often require using bath facilities at RV park

• Size – 15 to 23 feet (open), 8 to 15 feet (closed)• Cost – from $9,500 to $63,000

Pickup Camper

A camper that slides on to the bed of a pickup truck.• Advantages

– Load on and off a pickup with relative ease– Popular for weekend RVers who use truck during work week– Popular for weekend RVers who use truck during work week– Choose truck camper when wanting to tow boat or other recreational equipment

• Disadvantages– Relatively small size versus cost

• Size – 18 to 21 feet • Cost – from $4,500 to $21,900

What a top-of-the-line Class B looks like

What is in an RV?• Living areas (kitchen, bedroom, bath)

• Electrical System

• Water System• Water System

• LP Gas System

• Engine (in motor homes)

Electrical System• 30 Amp Or 50 Amp Rig?

– 50 amp can run two A/C units

– 120 volts AC

• House battery• House battery– Powers some lights and indicators

– 12 volts DC

• Generator– Self-contained power unit

• Converter/Inverter

Water Systems• Water storage tank – 20-50 gallons

• Terminal components – sink, toilet, shower

• Waste removal – black and gray water

• Demand pump • Demand pump

• Hot water heater – gas fired

• City water connection

Who RVs?Everyone!

Young families with children/petsYoung families with children/pets

Empty nesters with pets

Full-timers

Where to RV?• City, County and State Parks• National Parks• Private Campgrounds• National Forests• Public Lands

Places with power and waterPlaces with power and waterOr, boondocking without

Costs vary from free to $75/night (at Disneyworld)

Texas State Parks - $15-20/night w/water & electricity plus entrance fees

RV Information and Clubs• Good Sam’s Club

• Escapees

• Passport America• Passport America

• Frugal-RV-Travel.com

Our Story• What about an RV?

• Leisure Learning class

• Started looking around (took about • Started looking around (took about one year)– PPL - http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/

• Bought used Class C in January 2007

See you down the road!