Finding the Perfect RV

Purchasing an RV(Recreational Vehicle) is a major decision. The newer models can cost more than a new car, and if you decide to purchase a used RV, the repairs could cost you even more! There are many things that you need to consider when making your decision. You need to decide which type of RV is right for you and your family. It’s equally important to know your budget and how much you are willing to pay for your new RV. Will you pay cash or purchase on credit with monthly payments? You will find that each dealership has access to its own financing so interest rates can vary. There is a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices to choose from.

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself;

How much do you want to pay?
How do you intend to use it?
Used or New?
Length?
Weight?
Slide outs or no slide outs?
How many people will it sleep?
Bathroom with shower or tub, or not at all?
Full kitchen?
Separate bedroom?

Comparing 3 types of RVs

Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel, or Motorhome

Our first RV was over 20 years old. We were not sure if camping was right for us, so we didn’t want to spend too much money on a travel trailer. These are the things we were looking for; shelter, a bed, stove, toilet, and a working air conditioner. We found this RV through an ad on craigslist, locally. After camping for a few years, we decided that we really enjoyed it! We decided to upgrade our RV to a newer model with more bells and whistles! I will tell you more about our new RV later in this post.

Travel Trailer

A Travel Trailer is towed behind your vehicle. You need a vehicle that can tow it and know how much weight your vehicle can tow.

PROS: Many sizes and options to choose from, the least expensive RV, can be easily towed with a pick-up or SUV. While at the campground you can detach it from your vehicle.

CONS: Requires a vehicle capable of towing it, you will use more gas while towing, it can be challenging to tow.

Fifth Wheel

A Fifth Wheel camper is attached to the bed of your Truck. You need a truck that can hold the added weight. Some of these are quite large and are set up more like a house.

PROS: you will have more room inside than a Travel Trailer, can be easier to tow, have less pull on your vehicle, can be detached from your vehicle at the campground.

CONS: Requires a vehicle that can hold the additional weight, a more expensive option

Motorhome

A Motorhome is a great option for some people. It allows you to take your home with you as you head down the road. You may need to tow a car behind the camper. We had a used motorhome for a short time. It didn’t have air conditioning or heat, but the main reason we didn’t keep it was because gas prices were over $3/gal at that time. Motorhomes don’t get good gas mileage!

PROS: You can just start heading down the road, your vehicle and home are both in one.

CONS: This is the most expensive option, can not detach the camper part of the vehicle, and you may need to tow a vehicle behind.

…

Finding the Perfect RVRead More »

Finding the Perfect RV Read More »

Raleigh RV Park – Raleigh NC

48 Comments / Camping / Cathy

We have been wanting to get out of the house and have an adventure. Have you? The coronavirus has ruined many of our travel plans for the last few months and into the future. I have been thinking lately that maybe Camping is a good option, Camping The campgrounds in our state, North Carolina, have started to open, so we decided to go. This is our first trip this year, and only the third time we have camped since we bought our camper last year! We chose a campground fairly close to home, only about 90 miles away, Raleigh Oaks RV Resort. They are located at 527 US Hwy 701 S., Four Oaks, North Carolina.

Raleigh Oaks RV Resort – Campground Review

Choosing the Campground and Checking in

The way we chose this campground and RV resort was in our Good Sam club guidebook. We are Good Sam club members and the guidebook provides information about their campgrounds throughout the United States. We looked up our state and found Raleigh Oaks RV Resort, they have a great Good Sam rating of 10! We looked up their website which provided us with all the information we needed to make our final decision. We called the campground to make a reservation. Due to the Coronavirus, the office building was not open so they took our payment over the phone and told us we could pick up the map and site information from the “dropbox” when we arrived.

…

Raleigh RV Park – Raleigh NCRead More »

Raleigh RV Park – Raleigh NC Read More »

6 Great Camping Destinations

72 Comments / Camping / Cathy

North Carolina

It’s the time of year when lots of us start planning our camping trips. In our state, North Carolina, the camping season runs from April-October. This year is different, as we all know, with the coronavirus rearing its ugly head, everything is up in the air! We don’t know when this thing will end, we don’t know when life will get back to normal, what is normal anymore? Despite all that, we are choosing to move forward and plan some camping trips for the summer and fall. I’ve put together a list of new and existing campgrounds that would provide a great camping experience. I am choosing to stay within our home state of North Carolina for the time being. I have a few reasons for staying close to home;

Limited vacation money
Save on gas money
Our State has some awesome places to see
Mountains
The Ocean
First time camping in over a year(camper breakdown)
My elderly Mom lives with us(in case we have to get back home quickly)

View from the Blue Ridge Parkway — **View from Blue Ridge Parkway**

…

6 Great Camping DestinationsRead More »

6 Great Camping Destinations Read More »

Is Camping a Good Option during the Pandemic?

64 Comments / Camping / Cathy

Misinformation or the Truth?

As the news about the coronavirus seems to get worse, I think it’s important to keep a clear head and try to separate panic & misinformation from the truth. It’s definitely not time to panic or load up on toilet paper and bottled water. As far as I know, we will be able to find toilet paper and our water supply will not be cut off. My water is from a well so I think we’ll be ok.

I understand that many people have been asked to stay home if possible and avoid crowds. This sounds like good advice to stop the spread of this virus. We have my 88-year-old mother living with us, so we are isolating her as much as possible. People can also be “carriers” without showing symptoms, so I have to keep my distance from my Mom. I use Lysol spray and wipes and wash my hands often.

Truths

The symptoms of the coronavirus are; a cough, high temperature, and shortness of breath. Simple measures like washing your hands often with soap and water can help stop this virus from spreading. It’s not known exactly how this virus is spread from person to person but like other viruses, it could be by cough droplets.
It is spreading quickly across our country and across the world.
We have been asked to avoid large gatherings.
Large events are being canceled, sporting events, concerts,
Schools and churches are being closed
Some businesses are asking employees to work from home
The stock market is taking a hit
We don’t know what the long-term effect will be on our economy
A vaccine is being developed
It is unknown if the virus doesn’t like the heat of warmer weather and will subside in the summer

UPDATE: We now have answers to these questions. When I first wrote this, it was early in the Pandemic.

…

Is Camping a Good Option during the Pandemic?Read More »

Is Camping a Good Option during the Pandemic? Read More »