April Maher - The Complete Idiots Guide to RVing

RVing

Third Edition
by Brent Peterson and April Maher

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

ALPHA BOOKS

Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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Copyright 2012 by Brent Peterson

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THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-101-58911-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2011941056

14 13 12 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the books printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the books printing. For example, a printing code of 12-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2012.

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ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

Introduction

Now in our third edition, The Complete Idiots Guide to RVing was designed to take the novice fumblings out of RVing. Sadly, most RV dealers dont take the time to properly tutor newbies in the hows and whys of owning and traveling in a recreational vehicle. As such, lessons are usually learned the hard way, through sometimes difficult trial and error. Although some consider this steep learning curve a rite of passage, I say malarkey to all that. An informed consumer is more likely to enjoy and benefit from his or her RVing adventuresand more likely to stay and thrive in this pastime.

RVs are amazing creations and one thing is certainthey are not designed to sit. In one big way, this book helps my personal crusade to keep RV enthusiasts behind the wheel. If I could arrange it, I would have a No Parking sign tucked inside every owners manual as a tongue-in-cheek reminder that RVs are meant to be used, not parked by the side of the garage.

Long after the owners manual is put in the glove box and the Welcome to RVing video is played, this book will be around to answer your questions. After three generations of camping, my family and I have been there, done that when it comes to RVing. This book is chock-full of support information to get you out of the weekday box and into new life adventures. It will help your RV trips go smoothly with easy-to-read, practical advice. And by traveling smoothly, where you wentand not what went wrongwill be the focus of your memories.

For me, such memories are priceless. All the beautiful places I have been were first experienced from the front seat of an RV. Imagine awakening in your favorite state parkHenderson Beach State Park on the Emerald Coast of Florida, anyone? Or being the one to replenish the campfire and share stories of the day while visiting Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Eagle River, Wisconsinthe possibilities are endless.

Because I have been fortunate enough to see the beauty of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, burned my share of smores at family reunions lakeside in Wisconsin, and been chilled with patriotism at the sight of Mount Rushmore and the towering redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument in California, I have an inkling of what lies ahead for you. One summer we made it to the Iowa State Fair, just to see the Butter Cow. Im not kidding. Theres fun to be had out there in an RV. Get going!

How This Book Is Organized

, Choosing the Right RV, pares the field of the countless recreational vehicles available to the one that best suits you.

, Buying or Renting an RV, takes you through every step of the buying process, from test-drives to livability tests, from finding the right seller to finding insurance, and all those little extras.

, Operating and Maintaining Your RV, is a comprehensive look at what a recreational vehicle can do and how things work.

, Start Your Engines, details RV driving and towing, the importance of weights, and how to set up when you get there.

, Hit the Road, explains everything you need to know to plan that perfect trip; stay in touch as you go; and overcome such trip-busters as bad weather, accidents, and breakdowns.

Extras

As you read through the book, youll notice sidebars that contain definitions, tips, warnings, and miscellaneous information to help you better understand RVing.