Everybody needs a break now and again, but with travel restrictions in place all over the world, this can seem like an impossible dream right now.
The good news is, that if you own an RV, you can travel safely wherever you go without fear of breaking any rules or endangering your family.
Yet, there’s no doubt that the biggest benefit of RV ownership is cost savings. A family of four can save up to 61% on accommodation costs by vacationing this way.
There are even more benefits to investing in an RV and here they are.
RV Travel is Free-Wheeling Fun
There’s an abundance of affordable RV campgrounds available all over North America. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever come across a destination that’s fully booked.
That means you can head off on vacation at the drop of a hat and check-in wherever the wind blows. If one campground’s already booked to capacity, you simply head off to the next one.
If all the best places are already taken, you’ve nothing to fear from substandard accommodations when you’re pulling your own home behind you. When necessity dictates, you could always tailgate at a designated spot for the night too.
It’s a Sociable Way to Vacation
You’re bound to meet new friends on your adventures. RV travelers are a friendly bunch of people, always willing to share advice and lend a hand to those who are new to the game.
Whether you’re looking for directions or wondering where to spend your next day of leisure, there’ll be a fellow RVer with the necessary information to hand.
When you stay at an RV campground, there’s always some or other social activity on the go. These are the perfect places to meet fellow travelers and swap tales about your RV travels.
These destinations are specifically geared for families, so your children will have no trouble meeting new playmates either. They’ll come across their peers in playgrounds, around the pool, and while wandering around the campsite in search of fun.
Relaxation at Its Best
An abundance of RV parks also means you’ve got a huge amount of choices within similar price ranges. You can set off for a seaside spot, head for a hiking adventure in the mountains, or even contemplate a city stay when you have an RV.
There’s also a lot of variety when it comes to amenities at RV campgrounds. You’re sure to find a spot that appeals to your interests whether you enjoy golf, nature, or lots of action-packed family activities.
You can’t beat the relaxing ambiance of evenings spent cooking around the campfire either. There are no set dining times to adhere to, and you can come and go as you please without undue scrutiny in an RV park.
Enhanced Sightseeing
Huge windows and the elevated aspect of a large motorhome or other motorized RV ensure panoramic views wherever you go, so you can sightsee in comfort at all the best spots.
There’s no need to pack a picnic if you’re taking your RV along for the ride. You can simply park, enjoy your meal and worry about the washing up later.
Most national parks and landmark sites have ample parking for RV’s but if you want to enjoy a spot of city-sightseeing, it’s best to bring an extra vehicle along.
There are plenty of downloadable RV travel apps to guide you towards the best RV-friendly tourist spots.
Pet Friendly
If your heart breaks at the prospect of leaving your beloved pets behind, or you can’t find a suitable caregiver for them, an RV vacation’s a good choice for you.
There are plenty of pet-friendly RV resorts to choose from all over the country, so there’s no need to deal with the worry and expense of leaving your pets at home or in boarding kennels.
It’s virtually impossible to find a pet-friendly hotel and unless you’re driving to your destination yourself, pet transport’s a nightmare to arrange. With an RV all these pet lover’s problems disappear.
Try Before You Buy
One of the best parts about RV’s is that you don’t need to incur huge expenses to enjoy the RV lifestyle. You can always rent one first to see if your family agrees with the pro’s of RV vacations before you buy one yourself.
RV rentals are a convenient and cost-effective way to explore RV ownership without committing to buying one yourself.
It’s a good idea to experiment with a few different types of RVs before making a purchase decision though. It’s important to figure out how the spaces and amenities of various models work for your travels first.
It’s Easy to Find the RV of Your Dreams
Once you’ve made the choice to switch over to a future of RV vacations, it’s easy to find the ideal one for you.
Most RV dealerships, have great websites where you can compare prices, look up finance options, and view the different models in stock from the comfort of your home.
Have a look at Blue Dog RV, Leisureland RV, and Crestview RV for examples of what you can expect. You’ll find a huge range of RV travel trailers and motorhomes for sale on these websites and many more.
More on Savings
Although accommodation costs are by far the biggest bonus of owning an RV, you’ll also save money in other ways when you indulge in this type of vacation.
An RV vacation is a self-catering getaway so you don’t need to eat out every day, or even order takeout during your trip. You can cook and eat according to your budget.
There’s no worry about paying full all-inclusive rates for family members with small appetites or those who are picky eaters either.
If you’re following a diet or specific health plan, you won’t have to spend any time worrying about counting calories or finding a restaurant that suits your needs.
The Drawbacks of RV Ownership
It’s important to look at both sides of the coin before you spend money on any type of vacation. Let’s face it, RVs are expensive to buy and you don’t want to end up with a white elephant that you never use.
Fortunately, there are only a few cons associated with RV ownership, as follows:
An RV is a Depreciating Asset
Like any vehicle, when you buy an RV, it starts to lose its value the minute you drive off the dealer’s lot. The average length of RV ownership is about 7 years, so you stand to lose around 40% of what you paid for it if you sell at that point.
However, you can’t put a price on the amazing adventures you’ll enjoy in your RV. Doing the math about how much you’ll save on accommodation over that time can also ease the sting of owning a depreciating asset.
Most enthusiasts feel that their RV’s paid for itself several times over during its lifetime.
Additional Costs
Buying your RV isn’t where the expenses end either. You’ll need to keep it maintained and serviced if you want to enjoy safe and convenient vacations too.
Just like any vehicle, your RV experiences wear and tear. It will need new tires every so often, and you’ll also need to ensure your motorized RV has mechanical attention as needed.
Unless you have space at home, storing an RV when it’s not in use can also work out to be an expensive undertaking.
If you opt for an RV trailer, you’ll need to purchase and maintain a suitable towing vehicle too.
The Fuel Conundrum
It’s expected that towing an RV trailer’s going to result in higher fuel costs for your journey.
However, some modern-day mechanized RV’s are surprisingly fuel-efficient, which can help ease the burden of high fuel costs a little.
Once again, it boils down to comparing the costs of other types of travel with driving your RV to your destination. Since it’s a large, heavy vehicle, an RV’s always going to cost more to run than an ordinary sedan.
However, the cost pales in comparison to buying air tickets for an entire family or taking two cars along to accommodate extra family members on a road trip.
It’s Time to Hit the Road
While all vacationing styles have their owns benefits and drawbacks, RV ownership comes with a range of pros that far outweigh the cons. So why not get out there and start exploring a new way to vacation?
If you’re hesitant to head out on the open road just yet, you’ll find plenty more travel inspiration on our blog. Keep reading for more ways to make the most of your time on Earth.