Whether you are purchasing a new Motorhome Class A, or used travel trailers, you need to make some decisions about insurance. You may wish to explore all options in your state before you let the RV dealer clinch the deal.
Why you need RV insurance
Almost all states require RV owners to have insurance.
No one plans to have an accident, but in order to protect the huge investment in your RV, fifth wheel or another model; you should have an insurance policy that covers at least the basic needs.
Any time that you are in an accident there is at the least some damage, and at worst personal injury, death, and potentially the destruction of your travel trailer.
Why you need to shop around
Not all insurance companies are equal in coverage or cost. Shop until you find the one that you need and want for your Class C motor home.
If you don’t like pressure from insurance salesmen, try getting some online quotes which will allow you time to do research and the leisure to make decisions.
Buying direct may be a good compromise where you can get information, but are free to choose the best package for you.
Some companies may offer discounts to you if you are a non-smoker, have safety and anti-theft devices, or have other insurance accounts with them.
What information you need
You’ll need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and purchase paperwork.
Have all of the safety information about your RV handy as you shop.
Find information about the reliability and integrity of the company from whom you choose to purchase insurance.
If you’re planning to dry camp (sometimes known as “boondocking”), you need a generator. There are a number of different generators from which to choose for use with your used travel trailer.
Where do you begin when you look for a generator?
One thing you need to consider is what size generator you need or have room for, and the kind of fuel you will need to use with your diesel pusher. A generator should produce enough electricity to run all of your appliances when you park. You will need to consider how you will transport and store your generator.
Make a chart that lists the amperage that each of your appliance draws, and think about how many of them you need to use at one time. This will give you a round figure of how much wattage you need to generate.
Look for something that is fuel efficient, easy to start, has easy access for repairs, and clearly visible gauges.
Another consideration is the amount of noise a generator makes. A number of campgrounds where you might park your Class C motorhome have regulations about how much noise a generator can make, and the hours during which generators may run. Even when dry camping there may be other campers nearby who will be disturbed by the noise of your electricity-in-the-making, so be aware.
Care tips for your generator
Even when you are not out with your toy hauler trailer, you should start your generator up occasionally to keep it running well. Always warm it up for about 20 minutes before using. Plan to provide regular maintenance.
The RV lifestyle is grand! You go places, see things, and there seems to be no end to the fun traveling in your class C motorhome. No one likes to think about going to the hospital when they are enjoying their freedom on the road. Of course, emergency trips to the hospital are one thing, but you can plan ahead if you know you will need medical support as you travel.
Before you go
As you plan your trip, look up what health care facilities, clinics, and hospitals are available in the major cities along your route.
Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers and keep them handy.
Check them out on the Internet to see their ratings.
Find out if the hospitals take your health insurance.
Learn if the hospitals are accredited.
Look up RV parks in the area, or find out if the hospitals have a place for you to park your lightweight travel trailers. Sometimes you can “boondock” in the hospital parking lot.
Keep your health insurance information in a handy place.
Check with your family doctor to catch anything that might be serious before the trip.
If you are on medications, and you will be on the road longer than a month, get copies of your prescriptions to use along the road.
Keep a list of all of your meds to give to any health care provider you may need.
Take your doctor’s contact information and the phone number of your pharmacy with you.
What do you do with your Class C motorhome in the off-season? What is the most secure place to keep your fifth wheel trailer? What kind of security do you need to have in place? These are questions every Class C motor home owner needs to answer.
Can you park it in your driveway?
The answer is yes, and no. In some communities, parking your Class B motorhome in the driveway is prohibited. These communities feel that an RV lounging in your driveway is an eyesore. If you are permitted, consider these things:
If your vehicle is out doors, and your driveway is gravel, or dirt, you are likely inviting rodents and insects to nest in your travel trailer.
You should consider purchasing a cover for your motor home to minimize the wear and tear of seasonal weather.
Recognize that a lone RV in your driveway with no cars in sight may signal to criminals that you are not home.
Using storage facilities
Investigate several facilities, and check out their business reputation. Not all storage managers are honest. Ask around.
Know that you may not be able to keep the keys to your Class A motorhome. The manager of the facility may take your keys, and depute an employee to park your vehicle in the building.
Find out what amenities are included.
Check to see how much time they need to have your rig ready for you to take out.
There are many promises made about how much you can save on electricity if you install solar panels on your used motor homes. How does performance measure up? Is it cost effective? Can you use solar energy alone to power your lights and appliances?
Are solar panels cost effective?
Solar panels are a big investment. Part of the investment includes installing and maintaining them. After considering all of the expense, is it worth it for you and for your toy hauler trailer to invest in them?
If you’re not sure you want to make a huge investment in solar, you can begin with a single panel and charge controller. That would be a help mainly with your lights – especially if you use LED lighting. If you move on to full-time RVing, your complete system might cost up to $10,000, or more. You might move into the luxury end of solar panels if you’ve got a large, expensive Class A motorhome in order to save money at campgrounds, and on maintenance.
Can you use solar panels alone for your energy needs?
You can, but you will need a lot of panels for the heavy drawing appliances such as a microwave oven. If you are going for the simple life, it would probably be sufficient. Even then, you might want to consider a generator back up, or maybe even an RV wind tower to supplement the solar panels on your fifth wheel.
If you can’t go all the way with solar panels, remember that using even a small amount of renewable energy sources will save some of the nonrenewable ones.
Energy prices seem to be going up every time you plug in an appliance, or flip a switch in your used motor homes. Many motor home owners are looking for ways to cut back on energy costs. Electricity and propane are generally the choices for motor homes, but which is more efficient and cost effective. The answer varies depending on the purchase price of kilowatt-hours and propane gas.
Additionally, some of the newer possibilities have something to offer. Perhaps the answer lies in a combination of several.
Electricity vs. propane: which is more economical?
Some RVers use electricity whenever they are in a place where it is part of the flat parking fee. If the electricity is extra, they switch over to propane gas. At first glance, it would seem the propane is the more expensive energy source. That is not always the case. You need to crunch the numbers. The RV Forum has a downloadable program that will do your calculations for you. Propane is often the cheaper form of energy.
Some renewable energy resources
One green energy source is the wind. This is not a new idea – people have used windmills for centuries to harness the power of the wind. New technology maximizes the amount of energy obtained no matter how hard the wind blows. You can mount these wind towers on your Class C RV giving you a cost effective, clean energy source.
Another renewable energy supplier is the sun. You can use solar panels to harness sun power on your fifth wheel camper. It will help you save money, and add value to your rig if you some day opt to put it up for sale as a used RV for sale by owner.
If you like to stay connected by computer while you’re on the road in your RV rental, one way to do it is to find the free WiFi as you travel. WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity, and it is a local area network – sometimes referred to as a “hot spot.” It uses high frequency radio waves to receive and transmit over relatively short distances.
Places you can find free WiFi
Starbucks gives two free hours of WiFi to their customers. You have to register.
Many Panera Bread, McDonalds, Schlotzky’s Deli locations have free WiFi. Schlotzky’s has free computer stations, too.
Barnes and Noble offers WiFi.
Big Boy, Bob Evans, and Hooters are connected.
Take your motor home to RV parks and campgrounds, libraries, areas near universities, and some rest areas to find good WiFi places.
Online directories have listings of free locations.
Tips about free WiFi
The best WiFi service is closest to the source of the signal, and in places where fewer people are using it.
Public places that offer free WiFi are often not secure networks. This means that someone may be able to hack into your computer and steal your personal information, and have access to your passwords. If you use them, make sure your anti-virus software is up to date, and activated. Keep your firewall up at all times.
Don’t do any personal transactions involving credit cards or passwords on these hot spots.
Do check the internet for more specifics on WiFi safety as you roam in your travel trailer.
“Are we there yet?” Sound familiar? Anyone who has ever traveled with young children knows this question by heart. Your RV rental trip will be no exception. What are some fun things families can do on a road trip in a Class A motor home?
Things to do with children
Play, “I’m Going on a Road Trip.” Start with something that begins with “A” and work your way through the alphabet with each participant naming all that went before. If you miss, you drop out until the last person is the winner.
The License Plate Game is an oldie but goodie. Players keep track of the states on the license plates. First person to get all 50 states wins. Vary it by looking only at motor homes.
Take along some Model Magic for kids to sculpt something they see. It’s non-messy, and it dries in a short time. Guaranteed to keep most kids quiet for awhile!
Things for teens to do
Have a backpack of goodies for each of your teens. Some of the contents might be an iPod, or an Mp3 player – preferably with ear buds.
If your teen has a cell phone, that should be in the backpack along with the charger so he can keep in touch with his friends at home.
If you have both teens and younger children, encourage the teens to set aside some of the day to play a game with the youngsters.
If you can find a book on CD that everyone would enjoy, take it along to put in the player.
One of the joys of the RV lifestyle is being able to pare down the “stuff” in your life. So, after you’ve been to the RV sales, give yourself some time, and a few short trips in your RV before you begin accessorizing your motorhome. Purchase only whatever accessories will enhance your life. Here are some ideas.
Some useful RV accessories
If you like to cook, and plan to eat most of your meals in your Class B, a counter extension will come in handy.
A small crock pot makes cooking easier on days when you’re out hiking or otherwise occupied.
Step rugs will help you keep the interior of your travel trailer cleaner.
If your Class A, or Fifth Wheel do not come with a washer and dryer, you might like to have some installed. You can do small loads more often, and more conveniently than you can using Laundromats.
Your own RV tool kit makes it easier to do small repairs.
A cover is a good way to protect your investment from inclement weather if you are parking it somewhere for awhile.
It’s nice to have a GPS – but don’t leave the paper maps behind.
Pick up a small carpet sweeper, or vacuum to clean the inside.
A good campground directory may not qualify as an accessory, but it is worth its weight in gold. Take along a couple of them.
How can you tell if you are an RV enthusiast? Is there a way to recognize other enthusiasts at RV sales? Here is a list that might help.
You might just be an RV enthusiast if you:
Like to imagine you are crossing the prairie in a covered wagon.
Picture yourself as a rock star while you’re driving down the road.
Dream about driving the Alaska Highway some day in your Class A.
Enjoy the extreme challenge of living in close quarters with your significant other on a daily basis.
Like connecting with family in a lot of places – and having the freedom to “disconnect” your Class B when you’ve had enough.
Never have to worry if your suitcases will arrive at your destination at the same time that your travel trailer does.
Get high when you take a deep breath in a brand new RV.
Take pleasure in sleeping in your own bed every night no matter where your diesel pusher is.
Network with other off-road vehicle owners about the best toy hauler.
Trade horror stories with other enthusiasts about draining your black water tank.
Have ever modified a funny story to fit RV life in your fifth wheeler.
The best way of all to tell if you are an RV enthusiast is that each time you get you motorhome ready to move on down the pike you start singing “On the Road Again”!
