Is the road calling? Are you ready to explore the beauty and wonder of America from the comfort of your very own RV.
While the phrase "recreational vehicle" usually brings the iconic image of a luxurious motorhome to mind, there are actually seven types of RVs to choose from, each suited for different needs or uses.
So, when buying an RV you should ask yourself these six questions in order to choose the right one for you:
What Type of Camping or Travel Will I Do?
For many, a camping adventure can be as brief as a weekend, while others will opt for a few weeks at a time. And for the more enthusiastic (and fortunate) "full-timers," a real road trip is nothing less than several months...or forever!
Other considerations to keep in mind are who will be traveling with you and how many "essentials" you'll be taking.
What Kind of RV Should I Get?
Once you've determined what kind of camping or travel you plan to do you can then figure out which type of RV to buy. Here's what's available:
Class A Motorhomes
What most people think of when they think of motorhomes. These palatial rolling estates feature just about any amenity you can imagine and are ideal for long distance travel, a sizeable family and living in style.
It's not unusual to find these big rigs outfitted with captain's chairs in the cockpit, a living room with large sofa, dining table and HDTV, complete kitchen with granite countertops, full-size refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave...even a dishwasher.
Further back, there's a complete bathroom with real shower and flushing toilet. And many units also offer a washer and dryer. At the rear is the master bedroom with queen size bed and plenty of closet space.
Many Class A's come equipped with as many as five slide-outs...those extra rooms that electrically extend from the street and curb side walls to give you even more space. Plus, there are cavernous storage compartments below deck (often called the "basement") that provide enough room for anything you might need on a l-o-n-g vacation.
No surprise, Class A motorhomes are the most expensive, with prices generally starting at about $60,000 for a basic model to custom beauties that sport price tags well over $1 million.
Class B Motorhomes
More commonly known as Camper Vans, Class B motorhomes offer many of the features and craftsmanship of Class A's, just in a smaller, more maneuverable package.
Using a full-size van as its foundation, a Class B motorhome can provide you with many of the comforts of home such as a compact bathroom, small kitchen and a TV. Ideal for 2 to 3 travelers and suitable for multi-week trips, the Class B is akin to driving a large SUV.