I never did RVing but I have traveled by car across country and stayed at campsites that also cater to RV. If you are worried about safety stay at the franchised parks. I would highly recommend KOA. Some of the smaller independants are scary (not all.)

One thing about the franchises is that you always know what you are going to find when you get there. For instance KOA sites must have hot showers available, they must offer breakfast, they must have a pool(?), they must have internet, sell firewood, laundry facilities, cabins must always have a fan, there is free coffee and a microwave to use at the lodge, and many other things they list. (Some of this I may have not remembered correctly so check.)

When you go to the independants you do not know what they offer without calling and checking and it can crimp your good time if things are not as expected. There may be a question that you forgot to ask about, and it may cause a problem - like bringing pets, or the fact that some do not have laundry facilities available and you have to keep wearing dirty clothes. It is just like having a favorite hotel chain and always knowing that there will be a hairdryer or iron in the room as opposed to an independant bed and breakfast inn that while being nice may not always have what you need for your stay.

I'm sure there are other great RV franchise or chain sites too. I have no connection to KOA. I am just one happy camper!

There are lot of discussion boards of RVers. Check out:
http://rv.net/Forum/

RV people that I have met have always been the nicest people and many RVers who live along side each other at these campsites form life long friendships and run into each other over and over around the country. They also keep in contact through email and even plan their trips around meeting up again with each other.

Here is a link that might be useful: KOA

I just noticed that you will not be towing a car. Have you carefully thought this so that it will work with your lifestyle? You do know that you cannot park on city streets with a 25-ft Winnebago Class A. You may not be able to park it close enough to museums and places you wish to visit. Do you really want to have to reave the thing up just to run to the store for soda? What if you want to eat at a nice restaurant occassionally instead of cooking you may be very limited on where you can eat?

If you do not want to waste gas towing a car around the country, maybe get a trailer so you can detach the car when you get there. Have a plan to get a cabin at the RV sites during your longer stays so you can have extra room to spread out during your stay. Cabins do not cost that much extra and you park right in front of them.

Since you are not selling your house and living year round in your RV you could probably get away with a much smaller unit - living cramped for a week or a month at a time and returning home to "normal". Those with the huge units are usually those who live year round in them and do not have home to go to.

There is a lot to consider when RVing. Do you know what you have to do to get your mail while on the road? Do you know ahead of time whether there will be a mechanic in the rural areas in case you need one if the thing breaks down while on the road? Do you know what is all involved with the cost and maintenance of water, sewage and electric for you unit? Is your health insurance going to be adequate in all the states you visit in case one of you should fall ill? Some plans only allow certain clinics or doctors and you might have to get another type of coverage. Even if not, consider that since you are older you may fall ill and you may not want this to happen while travelling through the Badlands or in a small town with the nearest full service hopital for emergency surgery three counties away.

Bring your car.

{{gwi:1589038}}

There are two rules for RVing:

1: Have fun
2: See rule #1

Ok it's a bit corny but the truth is it's a lot of fun to RV and the one really important thing is, you live out of an RV not in it. It's not really cramped unless you don't plan to get out and see things around you or do things that you like. I knit and cross stitch, read and some times I bead, but all of that takes a back seat to getting out and tramping around looking the places we go over.

You really should re-think the idea of a tow vehicle, it might be necessary to get you to the next town if you have a breakdown of some sort.

There are some great sites on the internet for RVer's I personally like motorhome magazine, that will fill you in on some of the things you are asking about.

One of my pluses is the fact I have a traveling bedroom, and bath and I don't have to share with the public... but that is just me ;o)

Another is it's pretty cost effective if you make most of your meals which I like to do, but again, I like to "play house" in mine so it suits me pretty well.

Another thing if you are planning to spend the night on a walmart parking lot please go in and ask the manager if it's ok first. Some places don't allow overnighting on their lots and you need to know about it before you do it.

Hope that helps some and I bet I think of at least 30 more things right after I post this lol ;0)

Here is a link that might be useful: Motorhome mag forum

Where does one begin on this thread! All the advice is good....but I could easily think of dozens more. We began 9 years ago with an Excursion and trailer...loved it but towing was too "exciting" wrestling with those 18 wheelers on the Interstate. Moved up to a Cab-over..now a Winnebago, our 2nd or 3rd and hopefully final. The Winnebago Family has become our "family" and we have never experienced better fun times and friendship in our lives. Every state has clubs (plural) that are open to visitors from every state...and they have monthly outings and fantastic tours that are organized and chaperoned almost anywhere you can think of. (We are off to Alaska next summer...47 days from Dawson and return)Every state has a State Rally that is usually 3 to 5 days of great times and lasting friendships. The only "catch" is you have to be a Winnebago owner. One word of caution: Ten year old coaches
are sometimes discriminated against at the more up-scale parks. The newer parks are really like resorts, with many amenities..club houses, pools, exersize rooms, sauna. I didn't think I was interested in "up-scale" resorts, but after spending the winter in the southwest in some pretty dusty, rocky patches of dirt, the cement and grass with picnic tables were the places we want to return to.Granted the east coast is not as dusty camping as the west and southwest.

Advice: Check with your Winnebago Dealer. The State President of NC Winniebago Clubs will have a person to talk to you, probably local. We all love new members.
Winnebago is not the only "RV Mfg Club", it has just been around about the longest. We were in Forest City Iowa for their 50th Celebration this past summer. What a Good Time!
Actually...I look forward to meeting you along the way sometime.
Nanny

www.winnebago.com or google will find you a good bit of info.

Just a tiny PS. Hubby is President of Oregon State Club and our club has just put up a new web site. Check it out!
www.otwi.org

Here is a link that might be useful: Oregon Trail Winnebago Itasca

Since your longest trip will be no more than 1 month, reconsider the purchase of an RV. Look at the purchase price and calculate how many nights that would buy in a low to mid-scale motel. Then consider the cost of ownership - license, maintence, and fuel. I think its more fun to scoot over the country-side in an easy to drive automobile than driving a RV. Driving an RV is the same as a large truck.

Going by automobile makes it easy to take off on a spur-of-the-momment 2 to 3 day trip. If you wish to duck into out of the way places, maybe off road, consider a 4 wheel drive vehicle. However, as you age (as my wife an I have), there is personal safety to consider when going into remote places. You should notify someone of your whereabouts and agree on a check-in time after the jaunt, or at least, do not go in any farther than you can walk out.

Before you take the plunge investing in an RV why not travel around your state using your auto and stay at the RV campsites to get a feel for life staying at one of those places. You can rent a primative cabin or a cottage, and some even rent out parked RVs. Give it a trial run. See if you like it.

This way you can meet other RVers and find out how they like it. Ask them! Spend enough time there to really know the life. These places usually have things like 'movie night' or card games going on. The make-up of the people will be mostly other retired people and families with young children. See if you are comfortable with lots of children running around all the time or if you find other retired people as interesting and sharing your point of view.

Renting a primitive cabin at one of these campsites is CHEAP. It's something like $12-15/day. They look like tiny, little log cabins. You have to bring your own sheets and towels. You just get a sturdy wood frame with a plastic mattress to toss your sleeping bag or blankets on. No kitchen. No bathroom. (There is a community bathroom building.)

If you want luxury, like your own bath or a small kitchen, upgrade to a regular cabin or a cottage or a lodge for more money. After you "test the waters" then maybe get something small to travel with. See what your home state has to offer or go off for a couple weeks in with a car and trailer. You may love it. You do not spend a lot of time inside the trailer as there is plenty of room to move around at the RV parks and sit by the pool or whatever. After you get to your destination you can detach the trailer and use the car to drive in the area and see the sites. This saves a lot of gas not having to do this scenic driving in a big RV. Use the car to get to the museums and restaurants and art galleries. When it's time to leave hitch the trailer up and go. If you find you do not care for the travel lifestyle you can sell the trailer a lot easier than you can unload a Class A motor home. If you love the travel lifestyle you can easily sell the trailer to upgrade to the motorhome.

Invest in something small to start. You can always trade up later. You sound rather unsure of the whole thing. Even to the point of worry about driving such a behemoth. After you spend some time staying at RV campsites just doing a road trip with your car, you should have a firm opinion if it is going to be right for you and then consider the purchase of a trailer or RV. One of the benefits of staying at the parks doing just a road trip with your car is you can talk to RV owners and get the scoup on the best/worst RVs. Then after some longer trips consider the big investment.

http://www.burrotrailers.com/

http://www.tab-rv.com/

Read about the oldest and most renown RV, the Airstream and their club:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airstream

Here is a link that might be useful: Tab-RV

Dilly, I don't RV, but I camp. In fact, I ride in to campgrounds on my bicycle. I have to disagree with you on the franchise camping.

I find it WAY to EXPENSIVE! for what I need. I guess, it's cause I come by bike?

Moni

Renting a primitive cabin at one of these campsites is CHEAP. It's something like $12-15/day.

I'd like to know where you can rent a cabin for that price. KOAs are much higher.

I am able to drive our 30' wide body RV with no problems. I felt it was necessary to learn to drive it just in case my DH got sick and I needed to, I can even pull the car on the tow dolly with no problems, you just need to practice a time or two and you can do it. It's not that hard......can't be that hard to drive an 18 wheeler either there are tons of women haulin' freight on the highways here in Texas I see them every day. I think the hard part used to be changing gears but ya know I heard they invented an automatic transmission that some use now on their rigs.

Look guys it's an easy thing to do, and no more dangerous than staying in a low rent hotel/motel. There are at least two of those here that get a call for help from our local police at least once or twice a week, some of them are robberies. You must be heads up every where you go now days it's no different if you are in an RV or a motel.

Pink, if you think this might not be the life for you then go rent an RV (very expensive IMO) and try it for a week at the closest State Park to you. There is a learning curve on RVing so you need to give it at least a week. I have been to NC, in fact for 9 years we lived in SC and the beautiful mountains are in your part lol. If you can, try the Cherokee Indian Nation Park, it's beautiful there and fun to get to/or it was about 18 years ago lol I haven't been back since DH retired from the AF.

The point I'm trying to make is try it before you buy it and see if you really like RVing. I bet you will ;0)

I agree with Zipper. Try it out first. It might cost a few bucks to rent one, but you'll get the feel.
Zipper, I wish I felt brave enough to try to pull mine. I'd love to be able to go south with mine in the winter. I've thought about paying someone to pull it down for me, then pull it back in the spring. It'll probably never happen.
Leslie

Have you thought about renting an RV for a few days or a week? Not sure how or where you find them, but I've seen plenty of them on the road. Also you might try the link below for lots of good information

Here is a link that might be useful: RV Info and Forums

Sorry, zipper already posted the link I just posted. It's really fun to read, even if you aren't a camper.

Leslie, I'm sorry you feel intimidated by pulling your rig. Hugs ;0) I think I need to tell you a story lol.

My DF had a brain aneurysm about five years ago. The aneurysm caused a stroke or vise versa, and he lost most of his sight. My parents have a fifth wheel and a honkin' big truck to pull it with. My Darling Mom decided that they were not through camping and got behind the wheel of that honkin' big truck. My Dad can still see well enough to line up and hook up their camper then Mom pulls the thing where ever they want to go. DM is in her 70's so I know you can do it.

Get your brave on and go to an empty parking lot, those outlet malls are pretty good especially if they are going under (sad that) and practice, practice until you feel comfortable.

The main concern for me is stopping, I KNOW I can not stop on a dime so I start slowing down as far as I can from a light. The rest of it is pretty easy if you just remember the 5 second rule (I know it's usually 2 or 3 seconds) I try to leave at least 5 car lengths between me and the next guy that way the "diver drivers" can get in and out without me worrying so much that I might run them over.

Leslie, go have your brakes checked out and then go practice you really can do it!

Just a short input for now....but we do rving as a way of traveling with hubbys job...we love it...but if you are not going to be towing then I would look at bumper pulls or 5th wheels as you will want to see sites and such.....we are never ever bored and you met the best people...Stacy

Zipper, I just got my car in August. I don't think it's heavy enough to do that kind of towing. I get nervous just driving my car through some of these big cities. I'd never attempt pulling a 30' trailer.
I admire your mom too.
Leslie

Heres my 2 cents. Not many of us have unlimited funds. DH is 52 & I will be 50 in 4 months. In March 2008, we bought a new 30ft. Holiday Rambler Admiral with a full side slide. We DO tow a Ford Ranger pick up behind it. You will find that if you don't tow, you have to take the RV EVERYWHERE you want to go, groceries, museums, occasional restaurants, ect. Many places don't have large enough parking lots/spaces to accomadate an RV. Towing is easy. Especially if there is a rear view camera installed in the RV. If you can drive a full size van or pickup truck, you can drive an RV. Sit in the driver's seat for a while. It's more intimidating to stand out side the rv and look up at it than it is sitting in the driver's seat.

Try renting one for a week. Yes, it IS expensive to rent. Here, it's $200 per day plus extra fees for dumping waste (black water = toilet waste, grey water = sink/shower water), propane refills & cleaning, ect. At least this lets you decide if you will like the life.

Have you ever camped with a tow behind camper? This is even better!

Here are some tips to look for when looking for a new/new to you unit.

1. Is it easy to get in and out of seats.
2. Sit on the toilet. How much room do you have around you. Is it enough room to comfortably take care of your needs?
3. DO NOT BUY A UNIT WITH A CORNER BED!!!! Besides the obvious difficulty in getting in and out of bed for bathroom breaks at night, it's a real PAIN to make that type of bed. If you get a unit under 25 ft, that is your only choice. You really want a walk around bed, even if there is only 10 inches of space on the sides. Been there done that, even after being warned!
4. Look at the storage capacity. How many cabinets do you have for staples, clothes, under unit storage for chairs, hoses,ect.
5. If buying used, get your favorite mechanic to check out the engine and brakes, ect. Make sure you get a NEW propane tank with it. You will probably have to buy your own sewer hoses. You sure don't want somebody elses old used ones. Sometimes the dealer will replace them, but usually just throw them out and make you buy the replacement.

As for towing, we use tow bars instead of the tow dolly. Some parks make you park your dolly in a specific lot, not on your site. We use the Blue Ox tow bar system and it's really easy to use. On the other hand, you can probably hook the dolly to the hitch by hand, then drive the car on to it. You do need either a 4 x 4 transmision or a manual transmission to use a tow bar, with a dolly you can use a car with an automatic transmission.

We have the KOA memebership, but the savings isn't great. Yes, most of them are very convieniently located next to the highways (we stayed at one that was hard to get to), they are VERY clean, but the lots are small and the price is anywhere between $35 and $80 a night depending on where you are. Some charge extra for internet or cable connections. If we don't have cable for the weather channel it doesn't matter as long as we have internet to check the weather channel web site with our laptop.
My best recommendation for camp clubs to join is Good Sam Club and the Escapees RV club. Unlike the Winnebago club, you are not restricted to what kind of camper/rv you have, all are welcome, everyone is super friendly and helpful. We went to an Escapee rally last Aug. as guests. We can do that two more times before we have to join to go to any more. We WILL be joining them! Soon.

We spent a month with Utah as the main destination, stopping along the way to see family and friends. Then in Oct, we headed for Maine for a month with stops along the way.

Please take a week close to home for your first trip. Call it a shake down trip. You will use that to find out what you have forgotten to take with you, what might need fixed, and get used to driving it and doing the every stop maintanance. (Dump station)

Make sure you get a good water filter for out side between the water source and the rv. This will keep from contaminating the system in case of not so good water, and keep you from getting sick. We tend to take our own drinking water, then buy bottled water after that is gone, to drink. But you still don't want to contaminate the system.

If I can think of other things I'll post them later. Have any specific questions? Ask them. We will all try to answer them.

Make sure the furnace and refrigerator and a/c work if buying used.

Tami

ps. Good Sam's Club puts out a travel directory with campgrounds rated and a list of the amenities at each. I think it's free for memebers.

if you plan on just state parks, be sure they have rv hook-ups/facilities...we borrowed fil's trailer, stayed at a state park in il over the 4th of july...only had electric, NO sewer or water hookup's. thanks be, they did have a dump station.

i used to like koa, too. (it's been years though)

No matter what you decide to do do not get talked into a membership campground. If you do want to go that way, you can buy a used membership much cheaper thru some advertised in the Good Sam magazines. I sold mine thru them also. Do not get Western Horizons or Coast to Coast. Thousand trails is better. Also there is a campground membership that you can get good sites at 50% off and it is fair. Can't think of the name right now.
I agree with most of the other posters, if you have never done this before, try a trial run with a rental. It is true that it is hard to park most of the motor homes anywhere. That is why we went with the 5th wheel and truck. Also the wind and weather will be a factor. Good Sam does have some excellent programs along with Escapes to help the new people and yes you will meet a lot of great people traveling. Be sure you have a GPS also, as it is easy to get lost because of traveling.
KOA is pricey, but nice especially if you have a family. Good luck and start going to those travel shows coming up and ask lots and lots of question. Keep notes, pick up everything free and again do not get a membership campground program new.
Have a great time.

I thought of something else. If you buy used, be sure one of you checks the roof. Go up to check for any cracks, ect., any sealant around tv antennas, ect. Then, stay off the roof as much as possible. Just like a house roof, you don't want to be on it any more than necessary to keep from doing damage to it.

Tami

And before you pull out to hit the road, be sure and make sure the refrigerator door is locked OR THE MILK MIGHT SPILL OUT and you see, from your side mirrors, milk spilling out onto the highway.

Been there, done that :o)

OP, here. Let me add a few clarifications.

Driving and maneuvering are not problems. DH was raised in a family that owned a bus company and he grew up behind the wheel. He's driven charter buses through the Times Square area with an inch clearance on either side of the mirrors. He can fix anything.

Also, we have vacationed in our own boats, sail and power, and are accustomed to living in a confined area with limited access to services. You just have to plan ahead and simplify.

We have looked at the numbers and the features of both motor homes and trailers, and are leaning towards the motor home category. We think they'd be more comfortable underway, and give more self-sufficiency once parked. Currently we do not have a vehicle that would easily tow a trailer. Also, we have a Beagle, and if you know about Beagles, you know they like to be with their owners, like at my feet or on my lap in the car. The motor home would work better for her than the trailer.

We really do not want to tow a vehicle. I know advice is to the contrary. We could always change our minds after we discover too many failed attempts to get where we want to be (like that little French restaurant downtown DC, or that street of art galleries in Santa Fe.) We see large RVs driving on city streets in places like Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah. Are they just driving through? Or do they go to the edge of town and take public transportation, or something? There must be an alternative to the towed car. Taxis? Bikes? Shuttles? Any one with experiences along those lines?

Another question: What's a typical distance driven in a day?

Thanks for all the input on club memberships, and on what to look for when buying used, the helpful links, and all the other great advice.

Yes there are alternatives to a tow vehicle, but some of them aren't allowed in state parks ;o) The electric scooters aren't allowed they have to be big enough to need a license plate. Golf buggies aren't allowed in some places (don't know why for sure as we don't have one) but bicycles are allowed almost every where so that's one mode of transportation. Some people use motorcycles, but motorcycles and the bigger scooters still need to be either towed, mounted to the back of your RV, or driven inside a toy hauler.

As for distance driven, that depends on how far you're willing to travel and at what speed ;o) The old saying "slow down and smell the flowers" really does apply here lol. You drive until you are tired of moving, or have reached your destination for the night. DH likes to go about 500 miles per day and that's what he is comfortable with.

Years a go, I did a lot of tent camping with my family of 5, and on occasion, did pitch the tent in a RV parks. Also, we have tented for a few days at a private campground near Franklin, NC, and found ourselves in the company of a batch of RVers who were making their last stop before returing to Florida for the winter. By in large, we found RVs to be a nice bunch of people.

I know that I posted earlier and did not recommend an RV for the use you described. However, in our travels over the USA and Canada in good weather, I did find one couple who found their RV very practical. They were volunteer hosts at National Forest campsites. They would stay on site for 1 to 2 months and having an RV to live in was just the ticket.

Consider Quartzsite, Arizona in January and February. Be sure to check on Senior Discounts at Parks. Our favorite RV spot on the Lake is only $9.00 per night.

We have a 36' Motorhome and have never towed a car. We have only had to rent a car once in 10 years. But, we plan ahead pretty good.

As for us, parking our 30' RV in Council Bluffs, IA was almost impossible. We took up two or three paralell parking spaces after checking with the police dept. We stopped with the truck hooked to the back to see the railroad museum and meet Pattico and her DH. After the tour, they showed us how to get to Walmart, where we parked the RV and drove the truck to their house, where Patti graciously had dinner waiting for us! I think most of the RV's you see in cities and towns must be passing thru, because I have no idea where they are going to park it to go see anything. But, we do see quite a few on the road not towing another vehicle, so maybe you will be ok with out one. Try it and see.

As for your DH not having a proble driving it, great! The next thing is for you to learn to drive it, even if it's only for emergency purposes. My SIL's mother will NOT learn to drive thiers. Her DH got sick with the flu and couldn't drive for a week. They sat there. If she would drive it, they could have been home before he got over the flu! She lays on the bed and watches movies while he drives!

tami

Someone mentioned Quartzite, AZ in January or February. You don't want to do this site duirng the huge Rock and Gem Show in Tuson, unless you have an interest in this subject. This annual show happens sometime in Jan or Feb. The site is overloaded during this time and facilites are short. RVers are all over the desert. Campers and RVs at Quartzite are using this as a place to sleep during the show and a base for rockhounding trips. People from all over the world attend this show. During the show, traffic is a mess for locations near the show. This group of people contain hobbyists and professionals. They are a friendly bunch, but of single mind - rock collecting, jewelry, and gems. Check for facilites at Quartzite. My last information says there are none. Gotta bring your own water and there is no waste dump.

We have a pop-up camper. We've camped in several western states at various campgrounds including national parks, forestry service, BLM and a few others. Most are a lot less expensive than the KOA costs mentioned above. Most have cost $15-$25 per night. Some spots are even free. It all depends on your wants and needs. We have a generator and don't necessarily have to be attached to water or electricity.

If you're going to be camping in certain states on a regular basis, it would be worth it to buy a couple of books that detail the campgounds within a state, their views, amenities, comfort, etc. You can also look up some info on-line so you know what to expect. My dh always likes to plan his trip before we go. Sometimes we get the campgrounds we want and sometimes they are full. Some campgrounds are reservable and others are not. The book can usually give us ideas on other areas to look. It will also let you know if the camping area is big enough for your RV. The books are also good for sightseeing ideas that we would have otherwise missed. There are also on-line forums for those who like to camp. It's nice to have a first hand account on whether an area is worth your time or not.

Marie, is that campground membership Passport America where you can get up to a 50% discount? We have it and have used it a few times, but didn't get it until just before we left for Maine in Oct., so didn't get much opportunity to use it. So far so good. DH has been looking into campgrounds and stuff for the upcoming season.

Tami

Yes, tami, it is Passport America. Much better that the membership campgrounds especially Coast to Coast.

We have a 23' RV, never tow a vehicle, never have trouble parking.
Get a golden passport from any national park. We camp at Badlands National Park in SD for $5.00 a night (primmitive, no elec., no water). In Theo. Roosevelt NP in ND, same price. The bison come walking right past your rig, it is so cool!

And unlike a hotel/motel, you are using your own bed and toilet. We have pulled over by lakes, started up the generator, and made bacon and eggs. It's nice to be able to nap if you get tired. We even camped in a church yard one night when we couldn't find anywhere to stay in Louisiana (I wouldn't recommend that, though).

We have traveled to Utah, TX, FL, LA and all over in MN. We like the state and national parks the best.
Another good safe place (we think) are truck plazas, like Flying J.

I wouldn't want to live in the RV, but it's sure a great way to travel!
JoanMN/FL

Something I thought of today for you. When we bought the tow-behind camper 12 years ago, we had trouble sleeping on the bed with the mattress that came with it. We both have back problems. We went to originalmattrassfactory and ordered the queen size, asking them to take off one row of springs from one end, the equivalant of the 4" the mattress was longer than the one already in the camper. I still use regular queen size sheets on it, and we still sleep on that mattress now, finally having to add a foam egg crate top for it because it started giving us trouble sleeping on it again. So if you have a problem sleeping on the bed, you now know how to fix it!

Have fun planning.

Tami