AARP Membership: Just $16 a Year

Highlights

Open

AARP® Prescription Discounts provided by Catamaran

Members can print a free Rx discount card

AARP Salutes Our Heroes

Thanks to the veterans who served our country

Savings Icon

Tanger Outlets

Access to a free coupon book

Technical Icon

Black Community

How to live your best life

Tell Us Your Story

Ever had trouble paying for
health care?

Contests and
Sweeps

You Could Win $50,000!

Plus you’ll get free tips and tools to help you find your 
perfect path to retirement
See official rules.

spring 2013
national event

AARP presents Life@50+

Viva
LAS VEGAS!

May 30 -
June 1

Enjoy three fun-filled days of activities while discovering your Real Possibilities!

Travel
Poll

So You're Ready to Drive an RV

Everything you need to know before hitting the open road.

  • Text
  • Print
  • Comments
  • Bookmark
  • Recommend

Are they hard to handle?
“It’s different—not difficult,” says Kevin Broom, a Recreation Vehicle Industry Association spokesperson. “Today’s motor homes come with automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes.”

Are all motor homes the same?
Nope. There are three types. Type A looks like a bus. Type B (such as the one used by our writer) resembles a tricked-out van. Type C is a truck­motor home hybrid. Mileage is between 5 and 18 mpg.

How do I find a rental outlet?
Check the yellow pages or visit www.rvra.org for a searchable online rental directory.

How much will it cost?
Luxury rigs range from $90 to $200 per day; more modest travel trailers run $28 to $85. Multiday deals are usually available. You’ll pay a fee for the number of miles you drive (some companies sell miles as a package), and you’ll pay for your own gas. Generators (used in places without electrical hookups) cost about $3 per hour. Thinking about buying? “A new RV will cost anywhere from $4,000 to $400,000 depending on size and amenities,” says Broom, “but you can often find good deals on used RVs.”

What about campgrounds?
Campgrounds range between $10 and $50 per night, though five-star digs charge up to $200. For holidays, book well in advance. Carry a good campground guide such as Woodall’s North American Campground Directory, 2007 ($23.95 at bookstores; $11.95 at www.woodalls.com).

How do I get started?
Call 888-467-8464 and order a free getting-started DVD or CD-ROM. The 40-minute program walks newcomers through the basics of renting, trip planning, and campground amenities. Or go to www.GoRVing.com, a one-stop website for novices.

Topic Alerts

You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”

Manage Alerts

Processing

Please wait...

progress bar, please wait

Tell Us WhatYou Think

Please leave your comment below.

You must be signed in to comment.

Sign In | Register

More comments »

AARP Travel Center

Discounts & Benefits

From companies that meet the high standards of service and quality set by AARP.

train couple on train, grand canyon railway

Members get 25% off of rail packages & 15% off train tickets on Grand Canyon Railway.

Smiling couple leaning on cruise ship railing

Members can get discounts from a selection of cruise and tour companies.

Red car fuel door with dollar bill, Fuel cost calculator

Members can estimate their fuel costs with the Fuel Cost Calculator powered by Cost2Drive.

Member Benefits

Members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. Join Today

From The
Community

lake louise

Vacation Photos

Ah, vacation! Get ideas for your next getaway—or just enjoy a mental escape—by browsing our Community photos. View

cruising

Cruising Tips

Rank top cruising destinations, from Nova Scotia to the Mexican Riviera. Discuss