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The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing, 2nd Edition

by: Peterson, Brent

The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing, 2nd Edition

by: Peterson, Brent

ISBN 13:
9781592574667
ISBN 10:
1592574661
Edition: 2nd
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 04/04/2006
Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
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Summary

Roam if you want to … Updated and revised, this guide is for the more than 30 million Americans who are living the RV lifestyle and the millions of others who are thinking about taking the plunge. It provides the necessary information to get the most out of the RV experience, including basic facts regarding the different types of RVs, advice on buying an RV, driving tips, information on how to choose a campground, and much more.

Part 1: To RV or Not to RV?

(48)

Why RV?

(16)

The ABCs of RVs

(2)

Different Strokes, Different Folks

(1)

Motorized RVs

(4)

Converted Buses

(1)

Class A Motorhomes

(1)

Class B Motorhomes

(1)

Class C Motorhomes

(1)

Truck Campers

(1)

Towable RVs

(4)

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

(1)

Conventional Travel Trailers

(1)

Sport-Utility Trailers

(1)

Lightweight/Hybrid Travel Trailers

(1)

Fold-Down Campers

(1)

What's in It for Me?

(5)

Independence

(1)

Togetherness

(1)

Cost

(1)

Commercial Break

(1)

Comfort

(1)

The Great Outdoors

(1)

Special Needs

(2)

Who RVs?

(10)

Who's Doin' It?

(1)

All Aboard

(4)

Small Start-Ups

(1)

Howdy, Pard'ner

(1)

Hyper Active

(1)

Retirees

(1)

All in the Family

(1)

Motor Heads

(1)

Disabled Travelers

(1)

Pet Lovers

(1)

Snowbirds

(1)

Special Interest Groups

(1)

Types of Travel

(1)

Day Trippers

(1)

Weekend Warriors

(1)

Seasonal Travel

(1)

Full-Timers

(1)

Restrictions

(3)

License to Chill

(1)

Driver's Ed

(2)

Where to Stay?

(20)

Campgrounds

(2)

What's What

(1)

Size Matters

(1)

Hooking Up

(3)

Electric Avenue

(1)

Water World

(1)

Sewer

(1)

Cable Anyone?

(1)

Back That Thing Up

(1)

Length of Stay

(1)

An RV for All Seasons

(1)

Accessibility

(1)

What's to Do?

(1)

Active Endeavors

(1)

Facilities

(1)

You've Been Served

(1)

What's This Gonna Cost Me?

(3)

Beloved Price Breaks

(1)

RV Clubs

(1)

Franchise Clubs

(1)

AAA

(1)

Senior Perks

(1)

Length of Stay

(1)

No-No's

(1)

Types of Campgrounds

(2)

Private Campgrounds

(1)

Franchise Players

(1)

Upscale RV Resorts

(1)

Government Campgrounds

(3)

State Parks

(1)

National Parks

(1)

Bureau of Land Management

(1)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects

(1)

National Wildlife Refuge System

(1)

Membership Parks

(1)

Boondocking

(2)

Conventional Lodging

(1)

Part 2: Choosing the Right RV

(76)

The World of Motorized RVs

(26)

More Than a Motor

(2)

All-in-One Vehicle

(1)

Easy Street

(1)

In-Motion Access

(1)

One-Time Costs

(1)

Hitchin'a Ride

(1)

Motor Woes

(1)

Sticker Shock

(1)

Getting Cocky

(1)

Mobility Issues

(1)

Floor Plan-o-Rama

(1)

You Are Depreciated

(1)

Converted Buses

(4)

What Is It?

(1)

Get Some Sleep

(1)

Just Relax

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Price Tag

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Class A Motorhomes

(4)

What Is It?

(1)

Get Some Sleep

(1)

Just Relax

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Price Tag

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Class B Motorhomes

(4)

What Is It?

(1)

Get Some Sleep

(1)

Just Relax

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Price Tag

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Class C Motorhomes

(4)

What Is It?

(1)

Get Some Sleep

(1)

Just Relax

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Price Tag

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Truck Camper

(6)

What Is It?

(1)

The Perfect Fit

(1)

Get Some Sleep

(1)

Just Relax

(1)

Important Add-Ons

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Price Tag

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

The World of Towables

(32)

Tow: The Way to Go

(2)

Like the Bird Says, ``Cheap, Cheap''

(1)

Double the Fun

(1)

Longevity

(1)

Space: The Final Frontier

(1)

Viva Variety

(1)

Vacation Home

(1)

Towing Woes

(3)

The Big Tow

(1)

Separation Anxiety

(1)

Meeting Your Match

(1)

Accessorizing

(1)

Types

(1)

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

(5)

What Is It?

(1)

Life Onboard

(1)

Sleeping Beauty

(1)

Inside Out

(1)

Towability

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Costly Matters

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Travel Trailers

(5)

What Is It?

(1)

Life Onboard

(1)

Sleeping Beauty

(1)

Inside Out

(1)

Towability

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Costly Matters

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Sport-Utility Trailers

(4)

What Is It?

(1)

Life Onboard

(1)

Sleeping Beauty

(1)

Inside Out

(1)

Towability

(1)

Typical Specs

(1)

Costly Matters

(1)

Final Analysis

(1)

Lightweight/Hybrid Trailers

(5)

What Is It?

(1)

Life Onboard

(1)

Sleeping Beauty

(1)

Inside Out

(1)

Towability

100

(1)

Typical Specs

100

(1)

Costly Matters

100

(1)

Final Analysis

101

(1)

Fold-Down Campers

102

(7)

What Is It?

102

(1)

Life Onboard

103

(1)

Sleeping Beauty

104

(1)

Inside Out

104

(1)

Towability

105

(1)

Typical Specs

105

(1)

Costly Matters

106

(1)

Final Analysis

106

(3)

Narrowing Down Your Choices

109

(16)

Talking the Talk

110

(3)

The Bottom Line

110

(1)

Motorized or Towable?

111

(1)

Who's Coming Along?

111

(1)

Where Are We Going?

111

(1)

How Much Room Do We Need?

112

(1)

What's My Driving Mood?

112

(1)

What Do I Need Onboard?

112

(1)

Even More to Think About

113

(1)

Gas or Diesel?

113

(2)

Today's Diesel

114

(1)

Diesel Dilemmas

114

(1)

What's Their Rep?

115

(1)

Walking the Walk

115

(4)

Showtime

116

(1)

Kick the Tires

116

(1)

Overdue Rent

117

(1)

Take a Sunday Drive

118

(1)

A Friend in Need

119

(1)

Read All About It

119

(1)

Buyer's Guides

119

(1)

Do Your Homework

119

(1)

Campfire Chats

120

(1)

New or Used?

120

(2)

Secondhand Views

120

(1)

More for the Money

121

(1)

They Don't Make `Em Like That Anymore

121

(1)

Used and Abused

121

(1)

Buying Trouble

122

(1)

Mechanical Difficulties

122

(1)

New

122

(3)

Choice

122

(1)

Rest Assured

123

(2)

Part 3: Buying Time

125

(50)

What to Buy?

127

(16)

Livability Tests

127

(6)

It Sleeps How Many?

128

(1)

Food Fight

129

(1)

What About My Ukulele?

129

(1)

Going Through the Motions

130

(1)

Live and Let Live (Inside)

131

(1)

Other Keys to Victory

131

(1)

Take It Outside

131

(1)

Storage

132

(1)

Awnings, Steps, and Little Extras

132

(1)

The Inspection

133

(3)

Take It Inside

134

(1)

Floor It

134

(1)

Woodworking

134

(1)

Furnishings

135

(1)

Seals of Approval

135

(1)

Appliances

136

(1)

Out and About

136

(2)

Chassis

136

(1)

Tired Out

137

(1)

Sidewalls and Roofing

137

(1)

Don't Get Hoodwinked

138

(1)

Rev Your Engine

138

(2)

The Towable Exception

138

(1)

Prior to Take-Off

139

(1)

The Course

139

(1)

Warning Signs

140

(3)

Rentals

140

(1)

Barely Driven Vehicles

140

(1)

Lean and Mean

140

(1)

Water, Water Everywhere

141

(1)

Wish List

141

(2)

The Art of the Deal

143

(18)

The Hard Sell

144

(1)

Private Sellers

144

(2)

RV Dealers

145

(1)

Dealer's Choice

146

(4)

Dollars and Sense

146

(1)

Money for Nothing

147

(1)

What's Their Rep?

147

(1)

Service with a Smile

148

(1)

Location, Location, Location

148

(1)

Good Help Is Hard to Find

148

(1)

Deliverance

149

(1)

Trade Ya'

149

(1)

Common Buying Pitfalls

150

(2)

Where's the Fire?

150

(1)

Getting Hyper

150

(1)

Love Story

151

(1)

Bossy Britches

151

(1)

Paralysis by Analysis

151

(1)

Unreasonable Expectations

151

(1)

Wheelin' and Dealin'

152

(2)

You Scratch My Back

152

(1)

Paying the Price

152

(1)

Patience Is a Virtue

153

(1)

Creative Bargaining

153

(1)

Extras, Extras

154

(1)

Who's Got the Goods?

154

(1)

Viva Variety

154

(1)

Price vs. Service

155

(1)

Tradin' Time

155

(1)

Go Figure

155

(1)

Role Reversal

156

(1)

Warranties

156

(1)

You Break It, You Buy It

156

(1)

Stake Your Claim

156

(1)

Check, Please

157

(1)

The Finance Dance

157

(1)

Livin' on Borrowed Time

157

(1)

How Do They Rate?

158

(3)

To Serve and Protect

158

(1)

Borrow Sorrow

158

(1)

Interest-ed

158

(3)

Life After the Sale

161

(14)

Special Delivery

162

(1)

Walking the Walk

162

(2)

Follow-Up Meeting

164

(1)

Shakedown Street

165

(1)

A Little Insurance

166

(4)

RV Insurers

167

(1)

Types of Insurance

167

(1)

How Much Is Enough?

168

(1)

Border Crossings

168

(1)

The Price Is Right

169

(1)

Rate Adjustments

169

(1)

Full-Timer Policies

170

(1)

Roadside Assistance

170

(2)

Helping Hand

171

(1)

What's the Plan, Stan?

171

(1)

Lemon Aid

172

(3)

Gasp! Is My RV a Lemon?

172

(1)

The Write Stuff

172

(1)

The Killer Bs

173

(1)

The Verdict

174

(1)

Part 4: What's What Onboard?

175

(44)

Electrical Systems

177

(16)

Straight to the Source

178

(1)

Engine Power

178

(1)

Coach Power

179

(7)

Coach Batteries

180

(1)

Hey, That's My Power

180

(1)

Shore Power

180

(2)

Rating Electrical Hookups

182

(1)

What Do I Have?

182

(1)

The Trickle Down (and Up) Theory

182

(1)

Generators

183

(1)

Is It for Me?

184

(1)

Camped or On the Go

185

(1)

Peak Performance

185

(1)

Generator Courtesy

185

(1)

Monitor Panels

186

(1)

Electricity: The Long and the Short(age)

187

(1)

Running Out of Juice

188

(2)

Hooking Up

188

(1)

Generators and Inverters

189

(1)

Drain in Vain

189

(1)

Solar Power

189

(1)

Blackout!

190

(1)

Important Add-Ons

190

(3)

Extra Shoreline Power Cord

191

(1)

Surge Protectors

191

(1)

Polarity Tester

191

(1)

Voltage Meter

191

(1)

Ammeter

192

(1)

LP Systems

193

(12)

LP: It's a Gas

193

(2)

Refrigerator Madness

194

(1)

Mode-Us Operate-Us

195

(1)

The Heat Is On

195

(2)

Use the Force

196

(1)

Catalytic Heaters

196

(1)

You're in Hot Water

196

(1)

Spaced Out

196

(1)

Home on the Range

197

(1)

One in the Oven

197

(1)

Water Heater

197

(1)

LP Containers

198

(1)

Container Types

199

(2)

DOT

199

(1)

ASME

200

(1)

Who Needs a Refill?

200

(1)

What Do I Do?

201

(1)

Gas Crisis

201

(1)

Safety First

201

(4)

Handling the Tanks

201

(1)

Happy Trails

202

(1)

That Rotten Smell

202

(3)

Plumbing Systems

205

(14)

Water World

206

(1)

Fresh Water System

206

(3)

Water Sources

206

(1)

Hose Job

207

(1)

Handling the Pressure

207

(1)

Tastes Great, Less Filling

208

(1)

Going to the Store

208

(1)

Fill'Er Up

209

(1)

Pumping Up

209

(1)

The Heat Is On

210

(1)

Bathroom Talk

211

(1)

Wastewater Systems

212

(1)

When Good Water Goes Bad

212

(1)

Runnin' on Empty

212

(2)

Sewer Hookups

213

(1)

Down in the Dumps

214

(2)

Mr. Clean

216

(3)

Waste Not, Want Not

217

(2)

Part 5: Start Your Engines

219

(80)

Towin' the Line

221

(22)

How Much Can My Vehicle Tow?

222

(1)

How Do You Rate?

222

(1)

The Big Three

223

(1)

Unloaded Vehicle Weight

223

(1)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

223

(1)

Gross Combined Weight Rating

224

(1)

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

224

(1)

The Hitching Post

225

(1)

Which Hitch?

225

(1)

Conventional Trailers

226

(6)

Weight-Carrying Hitch

226

(1)

Weight-Distributing Hitch

227

(1)

What's What---Hitches

227

(1)

Getting Hitched

228

(1)

Get Wired

229

(1)

Brake Time

230

(1)

Control Yourself

231

(1)

Safety Net

231

(1)

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

231

(1)

Fifth Wheels

232

(1)

The Big Tow

233

(1)

Final Steps

234

(1)

Towing Behind a Motorhome

235

(1)

What Can My Motorhome Tow?

235

(1)

Towed Vehicles Come in Threes

236

(7)

Tow Bars

236

(2)

Hello, (Tow) Dolly

238

(1)

Trailers

239

(1)

Proper Wiring

240

(1)

Safety Chains

240

(1)

Give Me a Brake

241

(1)

Inspections

241

(2)

Drive Time

243

(10)

The Only Thing to Fear

243

(1)

Start Your Engines

244

(5)

Take a Brake

244

(1)

Cornering

245

(1)

Lane Changes

245

(1)

Steep Grades

246

(1)

Park It

246

(1)

Clearance

246

(1)

What's the Rush?

247

(1)

Backing Up

247

(1)

It Takes Two

248

(1)

Practice, Practice, Practice

249

(1)

Class Act

249

(1)

Fillin' Up

249

(1)

Must-Have Gear

250

(3)

Side Mirrors

250

(1)

GPS/Navigation Systems

250

(1)

Rearview Monitoring System

251

(2)

Weighing In on the Weight Issue

253

(14)

Weighty Concerns

254

(1)

Does My Rig Look Fat?

255

(2)

Weight and See

255

(1)

Tipping the Scales

255

(1)

The Tale of the Tape

256

(1)

The Painful Truth

256

(1)

Leader of the Pack

257

(1)

Know When to Say When

257

(1)

You Weigh How Much?

258

(2)

Passengers

258

(1)

Holding Tanks

259

(1)

Gear

260

(1)

Packing Up

260

(3)

What to Pack

260

(3)

Common Pitfalls

263

(2)

Food Follies

264

(1)

Storage Pods and Nooks

264

(1)

Child's Play

265

(1)

The Loading Zone

265

(2)

Even Steven

265

(1)

Double-Duty

266

(1)

Campground Life

267

(18)

Home Away from Home

267

(3)

Location, Location, Location

268

(1)

Money Matters

268

(1)

Special Needs

269

(1)

Fun, Fun, Fun

269

(1)

Extras, Extras

270

(1)

Finding Mr. Right

270

(2)

Campground Directory

270

(1)

Internet

271

(1)

Tourism Agencies

271

(1)

Word of Mouth

271

(1)

Setting Up Camp

272

(1)

Checking In

272

(1)

A Site for Sore Eyes

272

(2)

Initiate Docking Sequence

273

(1)

On the Level

273

(1)

Hookups

274

(3)

Electric

274

(1)

Fresh Water

275

(1)

LP Gas

276

(1)

Sewer

276

(1)

Cable TV

277

(1)

What's Next?

277

(1)

Rules and Etiquette

278

(2)

Shhhh ... Quiet

278

(1)

Gone to the Dogs

278

(1)

Generating Ill-Will

279

(1)

Don't Get Fired

279

(1)

Trashy Behavior

279

(1)

Walking the Walk

279

(1)

Kids at Play

280

(1)

Breaking Camp

280

(5)

Pretrip Checklist

280

(5)

Roughin' It

285

(14)

Why Oh Why?

286

(2)

Let There Be Peace

286

(1)

Money for Nothing

287

(1)

Location, Location, Location

287

(1)

No Vacancy

287

(1)

Because I Can

288

(1)

The Path of Most Resistance

288

(2)

Is It Legal?

289

(1)

Is It Safe?

289

(1)

Can the Rig Handle It?

290

(1)

Ready for Action

290

(2)

Inspection

290

(1)

Practice

291

(1)

All Systems Go

291

(1)

Stock Up

291

(1)

Conservative Thinking

292

(2)

Power Outage

292

(1)

Water Logged

293

(1)

Waste Not, Want Not

293

(1)

Don't Touch That Dial

293

(1)

Cold-Weather Camping

294

(1)

One Cool Customer

294

(2)

Let There Be Heat

295

(1)

Insulation

295

(1)

Tanks and Pipes

295

(1)

Tank Capacities

296

(1)

Winterizing Hookups

296

(3)

Icy Conditions

297

(2)

Part 6: Hit the Road

299

(96)

Travel Planning

301

(14)

Kids and Families and Babies, Oh My

302

(2)

Get Them Onboard

302

(1)

Man Your Positions

303

(1)

Take It Easy

303

(1)

Rules of the Road

304

(1)

Heavy Petting

304

(3)

Pack Animals

305

(1)

Cat Call

305

(1)

It's a Dog's Life

305

(1)

Campground Behavior

306

(1)

Abandoned Ship

306

(1)

The Group Mentality

307

(2)

Rally Ho

308

(1)

Tours and Caravans

308

(1)

Border Patrol

309

(2)

Oh, Canada

310

(1)

Mexico

310

(1)

The Full-Timing Life

311

(4)

Can I Afford It?

311

(2)

What Is My Purpose?

313

(1)

Will I Strangle My Spouse?

313

(1)

Can I Give It All Up?

313

(1)

How Do I Stay in Touch?

313

(1)

What RV Do I Need?

314

(1)

Staying in Touch

315

(8)

Dial Away

316

(1)

Cell Out

316

(1)

Calling Cards

317

(1)

Campsite Hookup

317

(1)

E-Mail

317

(1)

Pagers

318

(1)

CB Radio

319

(1)

Mail Call

319

(4)

Mail-Forwarding Services

320

(1)

General Delivery

320

(1)

The Buddy System

321

(1)

Address Unknown

321

(2)

Playin' It Safe

323

(14)

Fair-Weather Fan

323

(3)

Wind Breaker

324

(1)

Stormy Monday

324

(1)

Snow Day

325

(1)

Ice Capades

325

(1)

In a Fog

326

(1)

Disaster Plan

326

(1)

The Accidental Tourist

326

(1)

Watch Yourself

327

(1)

Don't Be a Hero

327

(1)

Motion Sickness

327

(2)

Circle the Wagons

328

(1)

Road Worrier

328

(1)

Back-Up Plan

328

(1)

Mr. Fix-It

329

(1)

Camping Calamities

329

(8)

Pride Goeth Before the Fall

329

(1)

Medical Emergencies

330

(1)

Sound the Alarm

331

(1)

House Warming

332

(1)

Where the Wild Things Are

333

(1)

Trouble at Home

334

(3)

Basic Care

337

(14)

Time for Storage

338

(1)

An Idle World

338

(1)

Where Do You Want It?

338

(1)

Winterizing

339

(5)

Everybody Out

339

(1)

Plumbing

339

(1)

Mr. Freeze

340

(1)

Impenetrable Fortress

341

(1)

LP Gas

341

(1)

Assault and Battery

342

(1)

Tired Out

343

(1)

Engine

343

(1)

Spring Shakedown

344

(3)

A Quick Look Around

344

(1)

Systems Check

344

(1)

Motor City

345

(1)

RV Tune-Up Checklist

346

(1)

Trailers

346

(1)

Drive-Thru

346

(1)

Clean Machine

347

(4)

Exterior Care

347

(1)

Interior Care

348

(3)

Where To?

351

(44)

New England

352

(2)

Mid-Atlantic

354

(4)

The South

358

(4)

The Midwest

362

(3)

The Great Plains

365

(3)

The Frontier West

368

(3)

The Southwest

371

(3)

Pacific Coast

374

(3)

Alaska: The Last Frontier

377

(2)

Appendixes

A Resources

379

(6)

B Glossary

385

(10)

Index

395

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