| As the baby boomers retire, the recreational vehicle | | | | Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is |
| industry has seen an upsurge in sales. For many | | | | often a good choice for those who want to travel to |
| people, nothing measures up to the independence | | | | different locations; however, it may be less suited to |
| and flexibility of enjoying the open road in a | | | | those who visit the same location year after year. |
| recreational vehicle (RV). There is certainly much to | | | | Travelers who visit the same location every year |
| be said for taking your hotel with you wherever you | | | | may find it more economical to buy a vacation home. |
| go, and the savings on hotel costs can more than | | | | Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is |
| pay for the initial cost of an RV. | | | | not being used, can be a good way to both save |
| RV travelers realize the cost savings of this type of | | | | money on lodging and build equity for the future. |
| travel. There are no hotel rooms to book and dining | | | | Many RV travelers come to love the freedom of the |
| in your RV can save an enormous amount of money | | | | open road and the easy care lifestyle. Traveling |
| compared to eating in restaurants every day. Owning | | | | cross-country and stopping a various parks along the |
| a fifth wheel or travel trailer, whereas you can | | | | way is a wonderful adventure. The traveler can |
| unhook your RV from your truck, saves you from | | | | choose to stay a day or as long as they want at a |
| having to book a rental car. For those in motor | | | | particular location. |
| homes, many travelers will tow a vehicle behind | | | | A well-known fact in the RV community is the free |
| them. | | | | camping at Walmart. In most states, you are allowed |
| When considering the purchase of an recreational | | | | to camp in a Walmart's parking lot for as long as you |
| vehicle, you will be faced with three choices; a fifth | | | | like. I am sure you have seen recreational vehicles |
| wheel which is pulled by a pick up truck and attaches | | | | lined up in Walmart's parking lot at least on one |
| to a wheel inside the truck box (hence its name fifth | | | | occasion. This is a win-win situation for the traveler |
| wheel), a travel trailer which is usually pulled by a | | | | and Walmart. The traveler has a well-lit place to camp |
| truck with a rear hitch, or a motor home. All three | | | | for the night, at no cost, and Walmart receives |
| types of RV's have their pros and cons and each | | | | income from those RV owners who frequent the |
| point will need to be considered based upon your | | | | store. However, recently there has been an uprising |
| needs and your budget. Other consideration for the | | | | among campground owners against Walmart's free |
| RV lifestyle is the price of gas. However, it is still | | | | camping policy. Therefore, it is well advised that you |
| more economical than staying in hotels and eating at | | | | check with the local chamber of commerce before |
| restaurants every night. | | | | you decide to stay a week at Walmart. |