ABCs of RVing

ABCs of RVingCheryl LeJune and Mark Darby

RV – The Movie

Getting Started• What is an RV?• What are the types of RVs?• What is in an RV?• Who RVs?• Where can you go?

What is an RV? RV = Recreational VehicleOr, motor home, travel trailer, converted 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– Fifth Wheel Trailer– Travel Trailer– Pop Up Trailer– Pickup Camper

RV Types Class C Motor HomePop Up Trailer Travel Trailer Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel TrailerClass B Camper Van Class A Motor Home

Class A Motor HomesLiving 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• 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 VanA 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 attributes• Disadvantages – Small size – Relatively high cost• Size – 16 to 21 feet• Cost – from $35,000 to $65,000

Class C MotorhomeBuilt 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• 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 TrailerTrailer 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 – 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 TrailerTrailer 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 – 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 TrailerAlso called tent trailers, have collapsible wallsmade of canvas or fiberglass. Have many of the same amenities.• Advantages – Low profile and light weight – 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 CamperA 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 – 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• 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 – 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• Hot water heater – gas fired• City water connection

Who RVs? Everyone!Young 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 water Or, 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• Frugal-RV-Travel.com

Our Story• What about an RV?• Leisure Learning class• Started looking around (took about one year) – PPL - http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/• Bought used Class C in January 2007

See you down the road!

ABCs of RVing

by LSC-CyFair Academy for Lifelong Learning

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

ABCs of RVing Presentation Transcript