RVs & Campers For Dummies (eBook)

Christopher Hodapp and Alice Von Kannon are a husband-and-wife team who've had a lifelong love affair with the RV lifestyle. Alice grew up with travel trailers, and Chris traveled and worked out of a motorhome for many years as a commercial filmmaker. Veteran RVers, they've explored 44 of the 50 U.S. states so far, staying in literally hundreds of campgrounds and parks.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with RVs and Campers 7

Chapter 1: Joining the Cavalcade of Rolling Nomads 9

Chapter 2: Surveying the Wide World of RVs and Campers 25

Chapter 3: Decisions, Decisions: Knowing What You Need 55

Part 2: Buying Your RV 73

Chapter 4: Fitting an RV into Your Budget 75

Chapter 5: Doing Your Homework 85

Chapter 6: Dealing with Dealers 99

Chapter 7: Adding a Tow Vehicle to Your Trailer 111

Chapter 8: Getting Hitched and the Alchemy of Weight 127

Part 3: Taking Your First Camping Trip 139

Chapter 9: Stocking Up on Accessories: What Your RV Didn't Come With 141

Chapter 10: Packing for the Road 159

Chapter 11: Driving, Parking, and the Dread of Backing Up 173

Chapter 12: The Shakedown: Your Maiden Voyage 193

Chapter 13: Setting Up Your Campsite 209

Part 4: Understanding How Your RV Works 227

Chapter 14: Electrical Systems 229

Chapter 15: Water World: The Wonders of Plumbing 247

Chapter 16: The Propane Gas System 279

Chapter 17: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 301

Part 5: Tackling Some Advanced RV Topics 313

Chapter 18: Storage and Old Man Winter 315

Chapter 19: Tow, Tow, Tow Your Toad: Towing Your Car Behind Your Motorhome 333

Chapter 20: Boondocking and Living off the Grid 343

Part 6: The Part of Tens 357

Chapter 21: Ten Potential RV Catastrophes and How to Avoid Them 359

Chapter 22: Ten Smartphone Apps You Can't Live Without 369

Chapter 23: Ten Great Attractions Just off the Highway 375

Index 383