RV Round-Up
RV options
Luxury RVsModest conversion vans can go for a few thousand dollars and get you closer to nature than you thought possible, and some motor homes can ramp up to $25,000 with lots of hidden expenses. Some are meant for off-road adventures, while others should only leave the highway to set up camp. On the upper end of the RV scale is an ever-expanding line of luxury models, which can push the million-dollar mark. If you find yourself in this snack bracket, you'll likely enjoy camping with a satellite GPS, and once you're all set up, you'd probably spend your time basking in a Jacuzzi, cooking on a marble countertop or kicking back to watch the latest flick on a surround-sound entertainment center that would make a Hollywood star green with envy.
But initial layout is only part of the cost. When it comes to RVs, the bigger they come, the harder they fall - on your wallet. Some fuel tanks can guzzle gas for 20 minutes each refill and ring up a receipt that could fund a weekend away in Vegas. Insurance costs will also rise with the value of the vehicle, and storage can be a challenge if the RV won't fit in your garage.
To ensure you meet your travel needs - as well as your budget - do an honest needs assessment and consider both new and used models. Keep in mind that RVing has grown in popularity in the past decade, making a demographic leap from seniors to yuppies. On the upside, this shift means manufacturers are offering more features than ever and that the cost of a basic model will fall as demand increases. Base models now include features that were once considered extras and many luxuries get bundled into packages for a reasonable fee. However, the growing popularity also means that competition for good used vehicles can be fierce.
Whether you opt for a modestly-priced travel trailer or go first class all the way with a top-of-the-line luxury-mobile., all RVs fall under two categories: motorized and towables. No matter which version you choose, RVs are quickly becoming the vacation vehicle of choice.
