RV Territory

Buying and operating your first (or fifth) RV is a complicated process with many variables to consider. Recently, I have recently found a very good resource that will help you navigate all of the various choices and decisions that need to be made during your RV purchase and the following shakedown process.

These folks have have been full-time RVers for over 6 years and have taken the time to put together a very comprehensive and easy to use checklist format of hard-earned knowledge. They have also brought in experts to help build out some of the sections.

For a measly 12 bucks, I think this handy book of checklists can prove to be very helpful for you and maybe save you thousands of dollars and many headaches in your RV buying process. Check out their site here .

This custom-designed checklist provides guidance in the following areas:

1. Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI)

– Checklist for Motor Homes
– Checklist for 5th Wheels and Trailers
– Comparison Checklist for Buying Pre-Owned

Separate detailed lists for interior and exterior elements to check out.
Drive Test - how’s it handle? What to watch for.
Helps keep track of different ones you’ve seen and how to inspect them.

2. Preparing for that First Step

– Shakedown Cruise
– Checklist to use before hitting the open road
– Inventory - Stuff to Bring
– Contents and Price List for Insurance Purposes

What to look for on your maiden voyage.
Notifications, things to consider, safety checks.
One forum contributor solution: “Just stock it with money and it will turn into anything you need.” You get 3 pages of more specific things to consider.
You might as well do this now while you’re stocking it - hopefully it will never come in handy.

3. Getting In/Out of Campgrounds

– Campground Arrival
– Campground Departure
– Campground Etiquette

Site inspection, setting up procedures, safety checks.

4. Hitching and Unhitching

– Travel Trailers
– 5th Wheels
– Towing a Car

General instructions for basic hitch setups are provided. Manufacturers have specific instructions to their brands, so be sure you understand their recommendations and procedures.

5. Storage Procedures

– Putting RV in storage
– Getting RV out of storage

Steps to take to assure your rolling home is safely tucked away and then ready to hit the road again safely.

6. Miscellaneous

– Checklist Related Links
– Tales of Woe from RV forums

The RV Check-List product sells for about 12 bucks…which I think is cheap for all of the hassle and heartache that you can avoid with 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!