We explored the world of RVs. What are the types, how they work, and where to go.

1. ABCs of RVing
Cheryl LeJune and Mark Darby

2. RV – The Movie

3. Getting Started
• What is an RV?
• What are the types of RVs?
• What is in an RV?
• Who RVs?
• Where can you go?

4. What is an RV?
RV = Recreational Vehicle
Or, motor home, travel trailer, converted
van, caravan, camper, toy hauler, pop up
trailer, 5th wheel, ….
Normally includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a
bedroom and a living room.

5. Types of RVs
– Class A Motor Home
– Class B Camper Van
– Class C Motor Home
– Fifth Wheel Trailer
– Travel Trailer
– Pop Up Trailer
– Pickup Camper

6. RV Types
Class C Motor Home
Pop Up Trailer
Travel Trailer
Toy Hauler
Fifth Wheel Trailer
Class B Camper Van
Class A Motor Home

7. Class A Motor
Homes
Living unit constructed entirely on a bare, specially designed
motor vehicle chassis.
• Advantages
– Relative ease of driving
– Does not require a 2nd vehicle
– Single level floor plan
• Disadvantages
– Need to tow small car to get around locally
– Difficult to back up while towing
– Fewer places to get engine work done
• Size – 21 to 45 feet
• Cost – from $50,000 to $500,000

8. Class B
Camper Van
A panel-type van to which RV manufacturer adds living
amenities and a top extension for more headroom.
• Advantages
– Retains versatility of a large family car or SUV while
providing self-contained motor home attributes
• Disadvantages
– Small size
– Relatively high cost
• Size – 16 to 21 feet
• Cost – from $35,000 to $65,000

9. Class C
Motorhome
Built on a self-propelled motorized chassis. The living area is
attached to the chassis’s cab section.
• Advantages
– Offer most of the same comforts, features of Class A
– Generally less expensive than Class A
• Disadvantages
– Tend to be smaller with lower weight capacity
– Smaller and fewer cargo compartments
• Size – 20 to 32 feet
• Cost – from $45,000 to $75,000

10. Fifth
Wheel Trailer
Trailer with raised forward section (gooseneck) which
connects to bed of tow vehicle with special hitch.
• Advantages
– Better handling than conventional trailer.
– Large storage area
• Disadvantages
– Higher profile than conventional trailer
– Hitch limits use of truck bed
– Split level floor plan
– Cannot be towed by cars or vans
• Size – 21 to 40 feet
• Cost – from $13,000 to $97,000

11. Travel Trailer
Trailer towed by bumper or frame-mounted hitch attached
to rear of towing vehicle
• Advantages
– Single-level floor plan.
– Lower profile than fifth wheel trailers
– Allows use of truck bed
– Can be towed by truck or car
• Disadvantages
– The longer the trailer, the more sway and handling problems
– Somewhat more difficult to hitch than 5th wheels
• Size – 12 to 35 feet
• Cost – from $9,500 to $63,000

12. Pop Up Trailer
Also called tent trailers, have collapsible walls
made of canvas or fiberglass. Have many of the same
amenities.
• Advantages
– Low profile and light weight
– Sleeps up to 8 people
– Combines open-air camping with RV comforts
• Disadvantages
– Need to set up and take down tent
– Often require using bath facilities at RV park
• Size – 15 to 23 feet (open), 8 to 15 feet (closed)
• Cost – from $9,500 to $63,000

13. Pickup Camper
A camper that slides on to the bed of a pickup truck.
• Advantages
– Load on and off a pickup with relative ease
– Popular for weekend RVers who use truck during work week
– Choose truck camper when wanting to tow boat or other
recreational equipment
• Disadvantages
– Relatively small size versus cost
• Size – 18 to 21 feet
• Cost – from $4,500 to $21,900

14. What a top-of-the-line
Class B looks like

15. What is in an RV?
• Living areas (kitchen, bedroom, bath)
• Electrical System
• Water System
• LP Gas System
• Engine (in motor homes)

16. Electrical System
• 30 Amp Or 50 Amp Rig?
– 50 amp can run two A/C units
– 120 volts AC
• House battery
– Powers some lights and indicators
– 12 volts DC
• Generator
– Self-contained power unit
• Converter/Inverter

17. Water Systems
• Water storage tank – 20-50 gallons
• Terminal components – sink, toilet, shower
• Waste removal – black and gray water
• Demand pump
• Hot water heater – gas fired
• City water connection

18. Who RVs?
Everyone!
Young families with children/pets
Empty nesters with pets
Full-timers

19. Where to RV?
• City, County and State Parks
• National Parks
• Private Campgrounds
• National Forests
• Public Lands
Places with power and water
Or, boondocking without
Costs vary from free to
$75/night (at Disneyworld)
Texas State Parks - $15-20/night w/water & electricity
plus entrance fees

20. RV Information and Clubs
• Good Sam’s Club
• Escapees
• Passport America
• Frugal-RV-Travel.com

21. Our Story
• What about an RV?
• Leisure Learning class
• Started looking around (took about
one year)
– PPL - http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/
• Bought used Class C in January 2007

30. See you down the road!