RVs are a personal thing. Some people like the versatility of a lightweight trailer while others wouldn’t be caught dead in anything less than a forty-five foot bus conversion. In any case, there are a few features and characteristics that are nice to have in any RV. Some are usually only feasible in larger motorhomes or fifth wheels while others are viable in any RV. Keep these in mind when you’re purchasing an RV or planning your next remodeling project.

1)  Easy to Maintain Floors
Regardless of the type of flooring you prefer – the key is maintainability. If the floors in your RV are hard to keep clean and difficult to maintain, you’ve got the wrong flooring. For ease of maintenance, look into vinyl tile, linoleum, or plastic-laminate wood. For a good compromise, consider carpeting in the living room area and tile (or linoleum) in the kitchen and bathroom areas. In heavy traffic areas, use a carpet or vinyl runner for extra protection.

2)  A Re-Configurable Dining Area
Removing a fixed dinette and replacing it with a free-standing set of table and chairs is one of the most commonly performed remodeling projects. Unfortunately, some manufacturers make this task a great deal harder than it should be. Nevertheless, it’s still worth the effort for those that want the flexibility and the breathing room that this particular arrangement offers.

3)  An Island Style Bed
An ‘island style bed’ is not an exotic bed that’s designed by indigenous islanders for ritualistic purposes. Instead, it’s merely a bed that can be accessed from three sides. Beds that have two sides against a wall can be a real challenge when changing the sheets. Furthermore, when two people are sleeping in the bed, the person against the wall not only has less breathing room – they also have to find some way to get up without climbing over their partner.

4)  A Flip-up Kitchen Counter Extension
RV kitchen are frequently short on useful workspace. A large flip-up countertop extension can provide badly needed surface area whenever you need it. You can make your own using plywood and hardware from your RV dealer. Alternatively, IKEA (www.IKEA-usa.com) sells a wood drop leaf table (called the NORBO) that can easily be adapted to serve as a countertop extension. It cost around $30 (plus shipping).

5)  An Adjustable Television Set
Most RVs come with televisions that are mounted inside a cabinet. As a result, people have to twist their bodies, turn sideways, or move their chairs to get a good view (assuming their chair even moves). It makes a lot more sense to have a television that can be configured for the viewer. A good alternative is a flat-screen television attached to a flexible TV mount that can be extended, rotated, and tilted in all directions. You can find them in good appliance stores or on the Internet.

6)  Flexible Wardrobes
When it comes to closets and wardrobes, most RV manufacturers throw in a closet, install a closet rod, and call it good. That works great if everything you own can be hung on a coat hanger. However, with some adjustable shelving and a few bins, wardrobes and closets can be easily configured to meet the storage needs of everything and everyone.

7)  A Dedicated Workspace
Most RV manufacturers haven’t yet addressed the fact that RVers need a dedicated place to work. A few RVs have token desks but they frequently don’t offer enough surface area for serious use. Moreover, many of these desks are located in the bedroom rendering them useless for those that work after hours. Genuine work areas should have enough surface area for a laptop computer as well as a printer. They should also have enough space for a real office chair with wheels.

8)  Separate Vanity and Toilet
When a bathroom vanity is in the same room as the toilet, both fixtures are tied up when either one is being used. When they’re separate, one person can brush their teeth while the other uses the toilet. This may sound trivial but in a one-bathroom ‘house’, issues like this can make a big difference.

9)  Well-designed Food Pantries
The best RV kitchens have pull-out food pantries that are specifically designed for canned goods, spices, and other commonly stored items. Look for adjustable, display-style shelves that are removable for easy cleaning.

10)  An Accessible Bathroom
Some RVs have ‘private’ bathrooms that are located in the rear of the bedroom. The concept is similar to the master bedroom that is often found in houses. However, in a real house, there is usually more than one bathroom. In an RV, this design means that everyone has to parade through your bedroom to use the toilet. Not always a good idea.

11)  Real Doors
Privacy is no less important simply because you’re staying in an RV. Accordingly, bathroom and bedroom doors should be solid and capable of being locked. Likewise, in toy haulers, there should be a solid door separating the living quarters from the ‘garage’ to keep fumes out of the living quarters.

12)  Lots of Windows
RVs are largely about experiencing the great outdoors. Windows help to bring the outside in. They also make an RV seem brighter, bigger, and more cheerful. Many RVers routinely install extra windows in their RV. Ask your dealer for a list of companies that sell RV windows.
This article was provided by Desert Winds Press, publishers of The RV Makeover Bible. Click here for a free 38 page eBook,The Smart RVers Guide to Saving Money

Taking a few basic precautions will help to ensure that your camping adventure becomes memorable for all the right reasons!

Lock When You Leave
Make it a habit to lock your RV every time you depart. This RV lockdown should include securing exterior storage compartments, windows, and closing all blinds and shades. Not only will this keep out prying eyes, but will also keep the sun off fabrics and help reduce fading.

Also make sure to put away any items—cooking utensils, chairs, etc.— that you want to be there upon your return.

Set up a “Neighborhood” Watch
Get to know the RVers camping next door to you, and offer to keep an eye on their site when they’re away. They’ll do the same for you.

Consider a Few “Alarming” Options
Although it won’t make you very popular if it goes off accidentally in the middle of the night, a vehicle alarm system can be a useful defense when you’re away from your site. Also consider installing “motion detector” lights, which have the added advantage of startling “critters” as well as humans.

Pick the Right Park
The choice of the RV park or campground itself is also important. Ask management about their security procedures. Do they have security gates? Is the park perimeter fenced? Do they have cameras? Is the park well lit at night? How hard is it for people not registered at the park to come and go? Do they have nightly patrols? If you’re particularly concerned about safety, be sure to pick a visible campsite located in the center of the park or near a well-lit area.

Use the Buddy System
At night, make sure that you (and your kids) travel around the park in pairs, and keep to well-lit paths.

Clear It with the Kids
Keep your kids safe by giving them clear direction on where to go should they (or you) need help. Many campgrounds and RV parks have their staff wear uniforms or shirts that identify them as park employees. Point this out to your kids, as well as where the office is located, first aid, etc.

With a few basic precautions, you can ensure that your trip will bring you great memories for years to come.

So, you’re ready to head out into the great outdoors! The following tips will help ensure that your trip is as carefree and enjoyable as possible by making sure you, and your rig, are “ready to roll.”

Where to Start
The key to any enjoyable RV/camping trip is planning, and although a decision where to camp all depends on your personal preference, a little pre-trip planning can help avoid preventable mishaps. So the question is, “Where to start?”

Right here, of course! Our “Find a Park” section gives you access to thousands of parks nationwide, with complete descriptions, dates of operation, number of RV/camp sites available and more. And many even offer booking directly online. You might also want to look through state campground directories, travel guides, national directories, state tourism boards and other Internet sites.

Another good source of information is local stores that sell camping equipment. Many stores provide bulletin boards that note weather forecasts, trail conditions, tide tables, and other useful information — and talking with other RVers and campers.

There are also a number of specialty sites available depending on your interests. For example, if you love to hike, check out the American Hiking Society at http://www.americanhiking.org/. Or if history is your passion, check out Recreation.gov. This site offers a bounty of information on historic and cultural sites.

Wherever you choose to go, make sure that the park meets your and your family’s needs. Certain parks will specialize in family activities, and include many kid-oriented programs such as day camps, crafts, and hikes for tikes. Others are purposely remote and do not recommend their camp for families with young children.

Do your research in advance, and book as far in advance as possible (many parks book up for summers and popular time periods months in advance) and you’re sure to have a fun and memorable experience!

Escaping to a safe and peaceful wilderness setting-via RV-has wide appeal for families seeking a stress-free vacation in today’s travel climate. And RV camping is perfect for experiencing nature up close-with all the conveniences of home, experts point out.

“Families want to reconnect with America’s great outdoors and spend quality time together on vacation,” explains David J. Humphreys, president of Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. “RV camping offers the best possible way-providing the ultimate in freedom, flexibility and control. Our nation’s parks, forests and campgrounds are rich in natural settings, breathtaking views and scenic spots ideal for RV camping.”

Camping opportunities abound with more than 16,000 campgrounds on America’s public and private lands. Here’s a primer on the range of campground options and how to search for information:

Privately-Owned RV Parks and Campgrounds. More than 8,500 of these popular family-oriented properties are located near national parks and forests, popular tourist attractions, along interstates and in cities and small towns. Many are vacation destinations in their own right, offering pools, playgrounds, organized activities, convenience stores and much more. Information sources include the following:

• The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) offers campground information for 3,700 member properties. A new online reservation system provides campers instant confirmation of their travel plans.
• North America’s largest campground chain, Kampgrounds of America (KOA), offers a free Directory, Road Atlas & Camping Guide when you stop by any one of more than 550 campgrounds. To order the directory by mail, send $3 to cover postage to: KOA Directory, P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT 59114-0558.

Camping on Public Lands. The United States is rich with public lands and parks, many offering campgrounds and facilities for RV travelers. Search for camping areas by state, recreational activity, agency, or map at www.Recreation.Gov, a partnership among federal land management agencies. This easy-to-use website provides information about all federal recreation areas, including National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Army Corps of Engineers projects, and Tennessee Valley Authority sites.

• National Parks – At the nation’s 384 national parks there are over 440 campgrounds offering 29,000 campsites. Camping facilities are generally simple and rustic, but set amid the nation’s most spectacular scenery. To make reservations at some of the busiest National Parks up to three months in advance, contact the National Park Service toll-free at 1-800-365-2267 or visit its website at http://reservations.nps.gov. The site provides campground layout maps and availability. RV travelers planning to visit numerous National Parks during the next year may be interested in the National Parks Pass, a $50 annual passport to all National Parks charging entrance fees. Purchase the National Parks Pass online at www.nationalparks.org/index.html, by telephone at 1-888-GO-PARKS or in person at Park entrances and visitor centers. In addition, U.S. residents age 62 years or older may purchase a $10 Golden Age Passport, which entitles the bearer to 50 percent discounts on camping fees.
• National Forests – The USDA Forest Service boasts more than 4,300 campgrounds in its 155 forests, covering more than 192 million acres of forest and grassland in 48 states, with 133,000 miles of trails, 95 wild and scenic rivers, 136 scenic byways and 1,500 picnic sites. A list of Forest Service campgrounds is available free by writing to: USDA Forest Service, Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-6090. Make reservations for Forest Service campgrounds through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) toll-free at 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.ReserveUSA.com.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects – Discover some 2,375 parks with campgrounds and 103,000 family campsites located mostly near lakes, created through Corps projects, in a series of brochures provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To obtain information, please indicate regional preference or “nationwide” and write to: USACE Publication Depot, 2803 52nd Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781-1102. The NRRS, mentioned above, also handles reservations for Corp’s projects campsites. Visit www.usace.army.mil/public.html#recreation.com.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Sites – The BLM oversees 264 million acres of scenic outdoor recreation land in the western United States, including Alaska. Recreation activities from hunting to hang gliding abound in BLM areas. For BLM camping and recreation information, visit www.blm.gov or write to: BLM, Department of Interior-MIB, 1849 C Street N.W., Room 5600, Washington, DC 20240.
• National Wildlife Refuges – The 520 National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to wildlife conservation. Camping is allowed if compatible with conservation efforts at each location. A free list of refuges that permit camping is included in National Wildlife Refuges – A Visitor’s Guide, which highlights facilities and activities offered on refuges. Write to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Conservation Training Center, Shepherd Grade Road, Rt. 1 Box 166, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. Or call toll-free 1-800-344-WILD (9453).

• State and Local Parks – In addition to federal and privately owned campgrounds, the nation is dotted with thousands of state and local-run facilities. To find out what’s available in particular areas, contact local travel and tourism bureaus for camping information. A free brochure of state travel offices, Discover America Vacation Guide , is available by writing to: Travel Industry Association of America, 1100 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005. Please include a self-addressed, business-size envelope with requests for the guide.

A recreation vehicle is the ticket to get away from the stress of today’s society, as well as a way to get a little relief from today’s high taxes. That’s right; owning a recreation vehicle saves on taxes and keeps money in your pocket instead of in the hands of the government.

In order for a vehicle to save jingle at tax time, it needs to pass the test of being a second home. To be considered a “second home,” all an RV needs is cooking, sleeping and bathroom facilities. Virtually all RV types-motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers and even some folding campers-may be equipped with these facilities. Tax savings depend upon the monthly loan payment, the length of the loan and the interest rate. For example, a $15,000 loan for a term of ten years with an interest rate of 8 percent will shave about $15.45 a month from taxes. For the entire 120-month loan period, the total savings will be $1,854.

Getting a loan for an RV is easy because recreation vehicle owners are considered good credit risks. In fact, less than 1.9 percent of all RV loans are delinquent. As a result, lenders are extending RV loan terms and making monthly payments more affordable, according to a survey of RV lenders. Loan terms for both new and used, large RVs typically extend up to 15 to 20 years. Whether the purchase is financed through a bank, savings and loan, finance company, credit union or RV dealer, the average minimum down payment is 10 percent. This makes it easy for the family on a budget to get into the RV lifestyle economically.

For more information, visit the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) Web site, marvac.org MARVAC is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging growth in the recreation vehicle and private campground industries while contributing to the quality of Michigan tourism. MARVAC, 2222 Association Drive, Okemos, Mich. 48864-5978; 517.349.8881.