Comments on: Mistakes Rookies RVers Make http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/ a camera, a passport, a ukulele Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Flyaway Cafe’s Travel Favorites 9-27-09 | Traveling with MJ http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/comment-page-1/#comment-81922 Flyaway Cafe’s Travel Favorites 9-27-09 | Traveling with MJ Sun, 02 May 2010 12:23:11 +0000 http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-81922 [...] Nerds Eye View advises about mistakes that rookie RV-ers make, and owns up to the one she made herself. [...] [...] Nerds Eye View advises about mistakes that rookie RV-ers make, and owns up to the one she made herself. [...]

]]> By: Chris Clark http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/comment-page-1/#comment-80489 Chris Clark Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:28:29 +0000 http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-80489 VW camper vans might be pretty cool. You might also look up Class B motorhomes - self contained but more like a van than a motorhome. Some of them have bathrooms (albeit very small) and queen sized beds. Our 17ft trailer was not so bad to back up. We just got a new one though - 27 feet and it is definitely going to take some practice. We're planning to go to a big parking lot and set up some orange cones to work on it. Of course, there are also things called "pull-thru" sites in the meantime. We'll be looking for those on our vacation next week for sure! We just love RVing so much, it's hard to hear from someone who didn't love it instantly. I want to think of every reason I can why it would be just right if you tried x, y or z. VW camper vans might be pretty cool. You might also look up Class B motorhomes – self contained but more like a van than a motorhome. Some of them have bathrooms (albeit very small) and queen sized beds. Our 17ft trailer was not so bad to back up. We just got a new one though – 27 feet and it is definitely going to take some practice. We’re planning to go to a big parking lot and set up some orange cones to work on it. Of course, there are also things called “pull-thru” sites in the meantime. We’ll be looking for those on our vacation next week for sure!
We just love RVing so much, it’s hard to hear from someone who didn’t love it instantly. I want to think of every reason I can why it would be just right if you tried x, y or z.

]]> By: pam http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/comment-page-1/#comment-80487 pam Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:56:58 +0000 http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-80487 @chris -- the idea of pulling a trailer absolutely terrifies me. good lord, you have to back that thing up! yeesh. maybe it's the way to go, I have no idea. i'm really happy with the small, self contained package and I remain convinced that what I want, more than ever, is a VW camper van with a popup roof. @chris — the idea of pulling a trailer absolutely terrifies me. good lord, you have to back that thing up! yeesh. maybe it’s the way to go, I have no idea. i’m really happy with the small, self contained package and I remain convinced that what I want, more than ever, is a VW camper van with a popup roof.

]]> By: Chris Clark http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/comment-page-1/#comment-80486 Chris Clark Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:42:48 +0000 http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-80486 Wow, your insights are really interesting. We have done tent camping and RV camping and prefer the RV hands down. Yes, we get fewer mpg but using a truck and pulling a trailer makes the impact a little less (we get maybe 12-15 mpg as opposed to 22 mpg without the trailer). And I think the cost factor of camping really depends on where you are going. We have frequently paid under $20 for a state park campsite with water and electric. Private campgrounds are definitely a little more, but still come in at half the price of a hotel. So, compared to bare bones tent camping a private campground site will be more, but it's still cheaper than a hotel. I think one area where we save the most is in food. We have the choice to pack food from home (for a weekend), buy local special ingredients (like seafood) at the grocery store and cook it up ourselves or go out to eat. It's definitely a delicate balance and it takes a little practice to make it really cost effective. I think, as Linda pointed out, owning the RV (that you hopefully bought used for cheap) is the way to get the best bang for your buck. I hope you give RV camping another try. Maybe with a trailer next time. You might change your mind. Wow, your insights are really interesting. We have done tent camping and RV camping and prefer the RV hands down. Yes, we get fewer mpg but using a truck and pulling a trailer makes the impact a little less (we get maybe 12-15 mpg as opposed to 22 mpg without the trailer). And I think the cost factor of camping really depends on where you are going. We have frequently paid under $20 for a state park campsite with water and electric. Private campgrounds are definitely a little more, but still come in at half the price of a hotel. So, compared to bare bones tent camping a private campground site will be more, but it’s still cheaper than a hotel.
I think one area where we save the most is in food. We have the choice to pack food from home (for a weekend), buy local special ingredients (like seafood) at the grocery store and cook it up ourselves or go out to eat.
It’s definitely a delicate balance and it takes a little practice to make it really cost effective. I think, as Linda pointed out, owning the RV (that you hopefully bought used for cheap) is the way to get the best bang for your buck.
I hope you give RV camping another try. Maybe with a trailer next time. You might change your mind.

]]> By: Jaimie Hall Bruzenak http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2009/09/24/mistakes-rookies-rvers-make/comment-page-1/#comment-80477 Jaimie Hall Bruzenak Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:15:08 +0000 http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-80477 Good advice! Your post underscores why it is important to give RVing some thought before buying an RV. Renting one will give you some information about what you want and don't want in an RV. Buying an inexpensive used RV is also a good idea until you know what you really want. If you are a backroads, camp-in-the-woods sort of person, a smaller RV like Nancy mentioned, could be better suited to your lifestyle. And, many RVs get better fuel mileage than 2 mpg! RVing can be a great lifestyle. There is a whole subculture on the lifestyle with lots of information for those thinking of venturing down the road in an RV. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! and RV Traveling Tales: Women's Journeys on the Open Road Good advice! Your post underscores why it is important to give RVing some thought before buying an RV. Renting one will give you some information about what you want and don’t want in an RV. Buying an inexpensive used RV is also a good idea until you know what you really want.

If you are a backroads, camp-in-the-woods sort of person, a smaller RV like Nancy mentioned, could be better suited to your lifestyle. And, many RVs get better fuel mileage than 2 mpg!

RVing can be a great lifestyle. There is a whole subculture on the lifestyle with lots of information for those thinking of venturing down the road in an RV.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! and RV Traveling Tales: Women’s Journeys on the Open Road

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