As the number of families contemplating RV travel vacations in the outdoors grows, so do the crowds attending RV shows. Living in the United States, we are very lucky to have such varying landscapes, sights, and environments to choose to visit. The only downside is that much of what we desire to see is spread out over large sections of the country.
The appeal to life on the road and, specifically, life in an RV, begins when you think about covering long distances. Shopping at RV shows can lead to many questions about style, features, and price. Most often, these questions boil down to one important one: Can RV travel vacationing (or living for longer periods) in an RV be the right choice for your family?
Try Out the RV Travel Life Before You Commit
In the past, there were only a few choices for families who didn’t own an RV to travel in one. Recently this has changed.
First, you don’t have to own an RV to camp or travel on the road in one. Even if you’re shopping at RV shows, many of us don’t know what type of RV we want (or if we want one at all.) Platforms like RV Share let us test the waters of life in an RV before committing.
How RVShare and RV Rentals Work
RV Share works kind of like vacation home rental sites in that it is an outlet where owners of RVs rent out their own rigs. That might mean renting an RV to take on the road (our choice) or having an RV delivered and ready for you at a specific camping destination.
One of the main perks of RV Share is that instead of having a specific type of RV which a rental company has a ton of, travelers rent from owners with an array of makes and models. With a wide range of RVs to choose from, you can begin to think about your family’s camping style. Figure out if you’re called to Vanlife, a tow behind which allows for more adventure capabilities, or a more luxurious motorhome model like a Class A.
Why RVs Work Well for Families
RVs combine transportation and lodging in one package. We believe vacationing in an RV is a great option for families depending on your travel style.
For example, visit many epic sights on a long driving trip which adventures into all the national parks of Utah and Arizona. Or explore the cave systems and many lakes of the Midwest – and other spread-out areas – by vehicle. Rather than staying in houses or hotels near some of the destinations, camp in or near many of these beautiful world wonders in your own RV.
Why We Bought Our Own RV
Our family recently purchased a travel trailer.There were a couple of factors which led us to make the leap. The main factor was the cost savings. When we calculated time in an RV and the amount of traveling we did, purchasing an RV made sense.
My wife is a jeweler, and she travels for work to galleries and trade shows. So when we calculated the cost of plane tickets and hotel rooms, we found traveling in a trailer would be most cost effective.
Another factor in buying our RV was that our work trips coincide with vacation trips. We love that the stay and the means of travel are tied together into one option. Ride in a traveling home and you’ll see how it allows you to take your time and enjoy the best of both worlds.
RV Shows Don’t Explain These Hidden Benefits of RV Ownership
Another plus to RV travel? We had grown tired of unpacking bags at each stop and repacking as we continued our trips. Now we won’t have to.
Figuring out the means of travel at a destination is no longer a hassle. Our family doesn’t require car rentals or private taxi services to get around.
Our Favorite Perk of RV Travel!
The trip from Colorado to Kansas to pick up our travel trailer took three full days of driving. We took our young daughter, our cat, and our dog with us. Needless to say, we stopped a lot.
I don’t mind stopping on the road and letting the dog out. I myself can often wait and calculate when I need a rest stop. Every time our daughter had to go, it was urgent and felt out of nowhere.
The second we got our trailer though! Having to stop frequently on short notice for her showed us that having a bathroom on wheels was a game changer.
Having that toilet all our own, accessible at any time, on the road or in the woods, is truly a fantastic perk. I was driving home for only an hour before she asked to go. That stop changed my life.
I pulled off the highway to a safe spot, we took her to the trailer to use the toilet, and we have been in love with our trailer ever since.
Questions to Ask About RV Travel Before Going to RV Shows
Now you know our reasons for buying an RV. We understand that everyone’s life is different. While life on the road seems dreamy, it does come with its obstacles.
Ask yourself a few more big questions before attending RV shows, signing a contract and diving in.
- How do I find the right RV for me and my family?
- What do I do once I get an RV?
These were the two big questions for me.
No matter how much you research or how many RV shows you attend, you will always have more questions.
GoRVing.com Helps Answer All Your RV Travel Questions
This is where I would recommend a site like GORVing.com. First-time buyers find a questionnaire that helps you dial in the type of RV you may be seeking. Next, explore the database which covers almost all makers of RVs with links to their specific sites. In this way, the trade association GORVing helps you discover the right RV for you without bias toward certain manufacturers.
Once you have your rig, GoRVing.com can continue to be a resource for all things RV travel.
They have constantly updated content, tips, and How To’s for both beginners and experienced RVers.
For us, our knowledge came from staying in a trailer before buying. However, having our own black tank took us from the level of knowing a trailer to the level of really understanding one.
Life on the road comes with its own quirks and complications. Use GORVing as your go-to resource to research, maneuver, and become a successful RV owner. It will only enhance the joy of travel on the road with your families.
Victor Aziz is a Colorado dad, an avid traveler, and a philosophy and literature scholar. His passion for writing and love for travel are only surpassed by seeing his daughter take joy in the new sights his family sees on their adventures.
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