| A recreational vehicle, RV, or motor home is | | | | rear tow hitch with which to pull a small tow |
| any road vehicle which includes room for | | | | car or chase car, which can be detached once |
| sleeping and food preparation, for camping, | | | | the motor home is 'deployed', and driven |
| short term accommodation, and travel. Motor | | | | around with much greater freedom and |
| homes are typically self-powered, in the form | | | | flexibility. The most obscene RVs, which can |
| of a fully enclosed van with immediate access | | | | fetch more than 2 million dollars, have |
| to facilities, or a shell built over a light | | | | independent bedrooms and en suites, and an |
| commercial truck chassis and cabin. Other RVs | | | | internal garage in which another vehicle can |
| are in a trailer configuration, where the | | | | be carried. |
| caravan is towed behind a separate vehicle, | | | | |
| and can be detached and driven independently | | | | There are more than eighty manufacturers |
| while the trailer stays in place. | | | | supplying RV dealers within the United States |
| | | | and Canada, filling more than ten distinct |
| There is a really wide variety of sizes, | | | | classes. One of the most important markets |
| shapes, features, and of course, price ranges | | | | are those catering to middle aged and retired |
| to choose from. Some RV dealers stock only | | | | Americans who wish to travel the continent - |
| new vehicles from the manufacturer, however, | | | | either on vacation or indefinitely - in |
| most good RV dealerships realize that a motor | | | | comfort and style. It is possibly this group |
| home is going to be a big investment for | | | | that has led to the RV becoming a feature of |
| anybody, and so they offer trade-ins and | | | | modern American life. Almost 8 million |
| second-hand vehicles for sale. | | | | American households can claim ownership of |
| | | | (at least) one RV. Common on movie sets and |
| Some RVs and motor homes have only basic | | | | television, motor homes are now considered a |
| facilities. Class B camper vans and folding | | | | luxury championed by the rich and famous. The |
| campers come under this category. Such | | | | best part is luxury motor homes are more |
| vehicles may have room for beds, seating, and | | | | affordable than ever, so you don't need |
| possibly a sink and counter area for food | | | | millions of dollars to have this ability to |
| preparation. Some components such as tables | | | | travel with freedom and comfort.. |
| may double as beds in a different | | | | |
| configuration. | | | | The smallest camper vans are about 13 feet |
| | | | long, and can be found for as little as |
| As the price goes up, so too does the feature | | | | $5000, while the largest Class A behemoths |
| set. Larger vehicles might include the wiring | | | | can approach 50 feet, priced anywhere between |
| for an external electrical hookup, reservoirs | | | | $80,000 and $300,000. In the long term, a |
| for fresh and waste water, on board batteries | | | | motor home can offer you advantages in price |
| with an inverter to allow you to run | | | | and flexibility that no alternative can |
| household appliances from the RV mains | | | | match, whether you intend to use one for |
| outlet, a shower, on-board generator | | | | camping, recreational travel, emergency or |
| (possibly powered by the vehicle's engine, if | | | | medium-term accommodation, for on-site office |
| available), gas bottle and stove, | | | | facilities, or any of numerous other common |
| refrigeration, and for very large vehicles, a | | | | applications. |