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