RV Territory

Recreational vehicles- just like your cars and home - require some care and feeding to keep them working properly and protected. Just as you can’t own a house without maintaining it, you will need to perform some basic maintenance on your RV to preserve your investment and to get the most out of your RV travel experiences.

In general, an RV is like any other motorized (or towed) vehicle. It does require periodic checkups, maintenance and service by trained professional mechanics. There area some things you can perform yourself, however others will require “adult supervision”

Give Your RV a Pre-Trip Inspection Each Time

Most of us know what it is like to be sitting on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck or mechanic to help us because we forgot to check fluids, tires or something basic on our cars. The same goes for RVs. It is always a good idea to check and inspect your RV before you head out on the open road.

We suggest the following checks at a minimum:

• Check the important fluids like engine oil, transmission oil, and any other fluids that area accessible.
• Check your tire pressure and get any slow leaks fixed before heading out on a trip.
• Check your critical water and plumbing systems (you might need these )
• Inspect any hitches or coupling systems
• Check for leaks underneath and in the engine and systems compartments
• Fire up your generator (if you have one)
• For cold weather adventures, test out your heating systems and run your water systems to check for frozen pipes.

Don’t Skip the Scheduled Maintenance Services

Most people have mechanics or dealers perform scheduled maintenance on their vehicles - mostly to avoid voiding any warranties and to help sell the vehicle later. It is easy to think that your RV doesn’t need the same attention, but don’t make that mistake!

RVs are actually far more complicated than the average car. Imagine taking your new computer-monitored truck and installing all of the service of your home in it (e.g. shower, toilet, stove, oven, microwave, etc.). You get the idea - your RV needs even more professional service than your car.

We always recommend finding a qualified mechanic or dealer shop to perform complex maintenance. These individuals have hard-earned experience on how to see and fix problems before they appear and keep you on the road (instead of on the side of the road). It does cost some cash, but it’s worth it!

Call me a wanderer, but it seems to me that an RV would be the ideal vacation home. My thought is why limit yourself to one cabin, one beach cottage, or one lake house? An RV can become any of these, depending on your mood. The best part is that you can leave when you get bored.

If you combine this versatility with the low entry price and equal tax advantages of a second vacation home, it is hard to argue with this idea. Imagine your dream vacation home and then put it on wheels to give you a never ending, always changing view out your window. This is something to think about!

A Cabin, Beach House & Touring Bus in One Package

I can’t tell you how much this idea of owning a multi-purpose vacation home in the form of an RV excites me. For years, I have been pondering (and buying) cabin properties, hoping to build my hideaway. After a couple of years, I am ready to sell the property and buy a new one to get a new view.

How cool is it to think that instead of having to buy a new property, I can just turn the key and drive to a new vista with my “mobile cabin”!

Not only is a dedicated vacation home expensive to buy, but it is also expensive to maintain (think taxes, maintenace, utilites, etc). Depending on where you live, the property taxes of an RV are very low compared to real estate. Maintenance is slightly more than maintaining your car.

I wanted to plant this idea into your head to get you thinking about the potential benefits of having your mobile vacation home in the form of a recreational vehicle. It is worth a thought!

Hi folks! You have found your way to our new Web site that focuses on recreational vehicles and the infinite adventures that you can have with RVs. We are not selling RVs here…just providing you with the best information on the Internet about how to get the most out of your RVing experiences.

Most sites out there are run by RV dealers and give you in-depth details on the specifications of the RVs they are selling. Since we do not sell RVs, we are going to provide articles, product reviews and insights into RV living.

Here is a list of what we will be focusing on in upcoming posts:

• Beginner RV Basics
• RV Travel Tips
• Buying Your First RV
• Maintaining Your RV for the Long Haul
• The Best RV Accessories

So sit back and enjoy what is to come.

Brad Roberts
~The Editor