Vacations are usually something most people save up for and plan carefully. The goal is to have a memorable, fun vacation and, oftentimes, to see and do as much as you can fit in. Vacations are not a time to waste money on unnecessary service or items, but rather a time to research your trip and plan to save as much money as you can. If this sounds like your approach to vacationing, you may want to consider a road trip and even better, RV vacation. Road trips are one of the best vacations in which saving money is easier, and RVs offer the most convenient transportation choice for travel on road trips. Here are a few simple steps to make your RV holiday one of the most memorable, fun and cheapest vacations you have taken.
RVs come in a variety of sizes you can purchase, and which one you should choose depends on the number of people traveling and the types of accommodations you desire. One of the benefits of an RV is that you will save money on lodging during ever trip. You will also be able to take more personal items from home when traveling in an RV as compared to traveling in your car.
If you are traveling with children, you will probably face the challenge of keeping them entertained during the trip. RVs offer much more room than a car allowing children to play, spread their wings and roam around a little if they get bored. Some RVs include DVD players so the kids can watch movies or even possibly hook up their video games to the television.
Investing in an RV for your vacationing needs will help cut the cost of lodging, which will provide you extra money for other things you come across during your trip. Basically, you can take your family with you on your new “home on wheels” whether you want to go on a quick mountain getaway or a trip to the beach.
With a little research on vacation in an RV, you will find that there are many scenic places you and your family can experience along the way to your ultimate destination. For example, a family of four can go camping for a week at a national park or state forest. Campground fees, which are usually charged per night, camping gear and miscellaneous travel expenses will more than likely keep you under a $1,000 budget. You can bond with you family enjoying the beautiful outdoors during the day and enjoy the amenities of the RV at night.
Yellowstone National Park is popular vacation spot for RVing families, and you will find that it has plenty of entertainment and activities for your family. There are may other campgrounds and RV parks available, though. You will find them all throughout Canada and the United States, all offering ideal vacations for your family. A little research and planning will have you on your way to an unforgettable RV vacation with your family!

You’ve purchased an RV and the one thing that will help you have many years worth of enjoyment from it is without doubt a regular maintenance schedule. You may have negotiated a maintenance plan into your purchase price, if that’s the case great. If you have bought a second hand RV, you may be able to do a lot of the preventative maintenance yourself.
Like any expensive item you cherish, you’ll no doubt make sure that it’s well protected and well looked after. Preventative RV maintenance is all about keeping a check on those parts that are either known to cause problems or will probably cause problems if left poorly maintained.
A few of the more common things to keep a close check on when maintaining an RV are very similar to that of a car. These maintenance items will ensure that the basics are covered.
Fuel System Check
Regularly check that the fuel filter is clean and free from debris that may have come from the fuel tank. Clogged filters will make it harder for the RV’s engine to operate efficiently as the correct mixture of fuel to air may not be maintained within the combustion chamber. This can cause what’s known as “kangaroo” jumping or juddering and is not a pretty sight.
Air Filter System
Check the air filters and replace them regularly at least 3 to 4 times a year depending on how dirty or dusty the local environment is. Air filters keep the air that’s introduced into the engine combustion chamber clean. When these filters become blocked or compromised they will affect the efficiency and hence MPG of your RV. Check them regularly and replace when required or at the interval you have decided upon.
Braking System Check
Be sure to check the brake pads and brake fluid before attempting any long journey. Brake pads will get worn down fast in more difficult or challenging terrain. Check the brake fluid lines regularly for damage or leaks.
Ignition System Check
The contact points on the ignition need to be checked at least once every six months. Your engine may be having a hard time starting and this is exactly the type of problem caused by poor contacts. If you have a direct injection engine, clogged injectors could cause the same problem.
Cleaning products are readily available that you can put into the fuel tank that can add some life to your injectors. You should though know that if this does not work, your injectors may be past the point of saving and will need to be changed.
Suspension System Check
Tires that have uneven wear patterns are often the result of suspension problems or may just be incorrect inflation pressures. If the RV leans heavily in turns or the front end drops low when braking, there is a real possibility that you have suspension problems.
The old test for shock absorbers was to manually bounce each corner of the RV, if possible and watch to see if there are more than just a few bounces. Excessive bouncing will probably mean that the shocks need changing. If you have a large RV, then it would be best to get the above symptoms checked out at a local garage that offers RV maintenance.
Preventative maintenance will help your RV run for much longer and give you extra years of service. Look after your RV and it will look after you. It would be safe to say it’s a bit like a marriage.