WHILE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MAKE FOR ENJOYABLE ROAD TRIPS, MANY BOOMERS AND BEYOND ARE MAKING THEM THEIR FULL-TIME RESIDENCE

Have you ever thought about taking a road trip in a recreational vehicle (RV)? If so, you are not alone. Baby boomers and beyond are taking to the road in ever-increasing numbers in these rolling homes that range from the small, used, utilitarian models that start at around $$20,000, to high-end custom-crafted coaches that compete with some of the most luxurious hotels and sell for well over a million-dollars. For most people, the allure of the RV is that it provides the comforts of home no matter where you roam. Most RVs are well equipped with a kitchen that is complete with a microwave, fridge and stove, a dining area, and sleeping quarters that include televisions, beds and bathrooms with showers. Many RVs also have slide out rooms that increase the living area at the touch of a button.

THE RV LIFESTYLE

When it comes to the way RVs are used, there are various choices. Some RVers spend a few weeks out of each year out on the road, while others take off for months at a time. There are even full-time RVers whose only home is their RV. Many of these people started out by taking RV road trips and loved the lifestyle so much they made it a permanent way of life. Those who have embraced the RV lifestyle, either for a short get-a-way, or on a permanent basis, enjoy the fact that, unlike a hotel, the RV allows them to get closer to nature in coast-to-coast campgrounds and RV parks. These facilities offer varying levels of amenities such as swimming pools, lakes, boating, fishing ponds, miniature golf, playgrounds, hiking trails, game rooms, walking or bike paths and tennis courts. You may also find facilities that offer dances, barbeques, concerts or other types of entertainment.

THE COSTS

Many people believe that traveling via an RV is much less expensive then flying to a destination, renting a hotel room and car, and eating out in restaurants. That may or may not be the case. The comparison depends on the type of hotel, motel or bed and breakfast you would choose, the type of RV you would be purchasing or leasing, and what campgrounds you select. For a one-time trip, you can perhaps compare the costs of renting a RV to the costs of hotels, airfare and restaurant dining. If you are considering purchasing an RV vacations, you would of course have to amortize that over many years and trips, and would also have to factor in operating and maintenance coast along with insurance and fuel prices.

YOU’RE THE CAPTAIN!

As for actually driving the RV, it is nice to be able to be the one who is in control – coming and going on your own schedule and avoiding all the hassles associated with air travel. There is no special licensing requirements to operate an RV, although it does take some getting used to. If you have never driven an RV before, it is recommend that before you take off to find America in one of these behemoths, you take a class that many RV dealers and organizations offer and do some local area practicing.

TO RENT OR BUY?

If you have never taken a trip in an RV you really should consider renting one before you jump in and make a purchase. This will give you the opportunity to see if the RV lifestyle really is for you. If you have experienced the RV lifestyle, feel it is right for you, and are ready to make a purchase, you should do a lot of homework on what you may need or not need in your RV. Remember, RV salespeople work on commission. That means they would love for you to get the biggest model with the most in the way of bells and whistles. When you first step foot into an RV dealership it s very easy to become captivated by the incredible comforts of home and downright luxury they can provide. There is a huge variety of RVs to chose from, and if you have not actually been out on the road for one for an extended period of time, you are not going to know what it is that you really need and what you may never use. Remember, as with purchasing any large ticket item, it is imperative that the final deal is a better one for you than for the salesperson. As for prices, just as with purchasing a car there are online pricing guides and the Kelly Blue Book that can arm you with information to help you keep the purchase price within a reasonable margin of what would be considered a good deal. You should also consider doing business with a local dealer, preferably one who has been in business in the same location for many years and has a good reputation. One of the best things you can do to become knowledgeable when seriously shopping for your first RV is to purchase a “NADA Consumer Recreational Vehicle Appraisal Guide."

IS A ROLLING HOME FOR YOU?

Full-timing RVers have made their RVs their primary residence. In some cases these folks do not own a traditional house, while others do maintain a home or condo that they use as their “base. While living in an RV on a full-time basis may have an allure to some, it is not a decision that should be made without great thought and understanding of the various concessions must be made. The following is a checklist of just some of the many questions you should ask yourself before making the decision to become a full-time RVer:

1)ARE YOU READY TO DRASTICALLY DOWNSIZE?

Getting rid of the house you have lived in for many years, along with all the personal belongings you have accumulated, can be highly emotional. Before you decide to move into the limited space of an RV, decide what you must keep, what you care willing to give away, and how much it would cost you to store the things you may want to keep but won’t have the room for in your rolling home.

2) ARE YOU REALLY THAT MUCH OF A GYPSY?

Traveling the nation may sound adventurous and romantic, but before you do it, take into consideration the things that you may take for granted. While you may not be aware of it on a day-to-day basis, you do have a lot of contacts that may include neighbors, friends and family. Are you ready to cut all of those ties? While the idea of taking off to find America can be exciting, once the initial excitement has worn off, some have become depressed. Still, others love the idea that they can arrange to have even more of a social life than they did by living in a traditional home being as that they visit with friends and family who are scattered throughout the country.

3) HOW WILL YOU KEEP CONNECTED?

You will still have to have an address where you can receive bills and important mail. Fulltime RVers still need a home base for a variety of reasons including voting, medical coverage, insurance and taxes to name just a few. Some people use a friend or family member’s address to have their mail forwarded, while others use the various services that can accommodate the forwarding of mail. Of course you can always be connected via e-mail, Internet access, cell phones, and the other devices of communication technology.

4) ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE LOSS OF SPACE?

As mentioned earlier, space (or the lack thereof) will be an issue. An RV does not have the closet space, garage, sheds, attics or basements of a permanent home. Not only will you have to understand that you will be living a more sparse lifestyle when it comes to your possessions, but also one on which your own personal space will be limited. The loss of personal space and privacy is one of the major problems associated with full-time RV living. If you are considering doing this you had better have a great relationship with your spouse or partner because you will be experiencing a lot more togetherness than you did during your life of traditional living.

5) DO YOU KNOW THE COSTS?

A freewheeling lifestyle isn’t free. Many people make the mistake of thinking that if they sell their home and buy an RV they will cut their expenses to the bone. That is not necessarily true. The first thing to remember is that a traditional home is usually an appreciating asset, while an RV will depreciate with every mile and year that goes by. Fuel costs and campground space leasing must be taken into consideration, along with maintenance and repair costs – especially when they may be needed in some remote area of the country where knowledgeable mechanics and parts are not available.

6) HOW’S YOUR HEATLH?

Today there are many options for accessorizing and customizing an RV for those with disabilities, and most RV campgrounds now have facilities designed to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. That said, you should be extremely aware that if you are a full-time RVer you will have no regular physician and potentially find yourself in an area where emergency medical services are limited and the nearest hospital is hours away. Taking your overall health into consideration is clearly something that should be seriously considered before taking off for a life on the road. If you do have health issues, you should discuss them with your physician before making the decision to adopt this nomadic lifestyle. It is also advisable to have a plan is in place as to where you will settle if the times comes that your health declines to a point that you must return to a more conventional lifestyle.