Make yourself at home on the road
Live down by the beach one week and way up in the mountains the next? It sounds like an impossible dream, but motor-homers do it all the time. Whatever draws you to the mobile life—adventurous domestic vacations or permanently itchy feet—RVs & Campers For Dummies helps you feel right at home. The book explores the key aspects of glamping-with-wheels. Discover how it’s possible to bring beauty spots right to your doorstep without sacrificing domestic comforts like a comfy bed, private bathroom, and wholesome, healthy home cooking!
In a down-home, friendly style, mobile-living veterans and husband-and-wife team Christopher Hodapp and Alice Von Kannon welcome you inside to discover everything from deciding to rent or buy the vehicle that best suits your needs to planning and prepping your first journey and then setting yourself up wherever you arrive at the perfect spot. Along the way you’ll learn how to adapt your driving skills to pilot your home on the road, as well as how to keep every aspect of it shipshape and ready for action.
- Explore your RV and camper options
- Stock up with the right supplies
- Get a snapshot of the mobile home lifestyle
- Troubleshoot common problems
Getting there is half the fun—and this guide shows you how to do it safely and in style. So, buckle up (or relax in the back) … it’s going to be a wild but incredibly comfortable ride!
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with RVs and Campers 7
Chapter 1: Joining the Cavalcade of Rolling Nomads 9
Chapter 2: Surveying the Wide World of RVs and Campers 25
Chapter 3: Decisions, Decisions: Knowing What You Need 55
Part 2: Buying Your RV 73
Chapter 4: Fitting an RV into Your Budget 75
Chapter 5: Doing Your Homework 85
Chapter 6: Dealing with Dealers 99
Chapter 7: Adding a Tow Vehicle to Your Trailer 111
Chapter 8: Getting Hitched and the Alchemy of Weight 127
Part 3: Taking Your First Camping Trip 139
Chapter 9: Stocking Up on Accessories: What Your RV Didn’t Come With 141
Chapter 10: Packing for the Road 159
Chapter 11: Driving, Parking, and the Dread of Backing Up 173
Chapter 12: The Shakedown: Your Maiden Voyage 193
Chapter 13: Setting Up Your Campsite 209
Part 4: Understanding How Your RV Works 227
Chapter 14: Electrical Systems 229
Chapter 15: Water World: The Wonders of Plumbing 247
Chapter 16: The Propane Gas System 279
Chapter 17: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 301
Part 5: Tackling Some Advanced RV Topics 313
Chapter 18: Storage and Old Man Winter 315
Chapter 19: Tow, Tow, Tow Your Toad: Towing Your Car Behind Your Motorhome 333
Chapter 20: Boondocking and Living off the Grid 343
Part 6: The Part of Tens 357
Chapter 21: Ten Potential RV Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them 359
Chapter 22: Ten Smartphone Apps You Can’t Live Without 369
Chapter 23: Ten Great Attractions Just off the Highway 375
Index 383
