January 2020 - Courvelle's RV Blog

RVing Tips for Beginners

by admin | Jan 29, 2020 | RV Lifestyle

You’ve given it a lot of thought, research and time, and you’ve finally decided it’s time to get into RVing. First of all, welcome! Secondly, there are quite a few things you need to know before you get started. Courvelle’s RV is ready to help!

The world of RVing is massive, but always supportive. Campgrounds are a great place to meet new people to hear their experiences and for them to even warn you to not make the mistakes they did. There are so many things to consider if you’re considering the RV lifestyle, but we’re here to walk you through each step. Keep reading to get started!

Find the right RV

First, you’ll want to decide on the type of RV that best fits you and your lifestyle. This might be the most important thing to consider for many reasons. You’ll have to decide what you’re using your RV for, then you can begin the search for the perfect rig. Here’s a list of things to ask yourself first:

How often do you plan on using it? If you’re only using it for a weekend or once or twice a year, renting is a great option. You won’t have to worry about any regular maintenance or where to store it in the off season.
What’s your budget? Find your budget and stick to it! It can be difficult to do this when you see that your perfect RV is wildly out of budget, but there’s more than likely a more affordable option.
What about size? Here, you should consider how many people you’ll bring with you and where you’ll be parking it. If you plan on going to smaller campgrounds, then a Class A motor home probably isn’t a good idea.
Will you need a vehicle to pull it with? Do you already own a truck or SUV that is big enough to pull it? Or, will you want a detachable rig?

Make a campground checklist.

Until you get into your own routine, create a packing list and a setup checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten. Depending on the RV you choose to purchase, the list could be pretty extensive or rather short. Either way, always create a digital copy so you can edit and change things quickly.

When RV packing, less is more

It might go without saying, but you really must take advantage of every square inch in your rig, and you don’t want items to constantly be in your way. There are a ton of neat toys and trinkets these days to pack along with you, but you really just need the necessities to have a great trip! You’re RVing to escape reality for a while, anyway – right? Not exactly sure what you need? Do a quick Google search online for templates of what other people found handy.

Learn how to drive your RV.

All RV makes and models and created differently, so even if you’ve driven one before, your own probably won’t drive the same way. A class B is going to drive and feel different than a travel trailer or toy hauler, so it’s important to get the feel of your rig before taking it out on adventures.

Practice parking it, too! Set out a few traffic cones and work on backing in and out of the spot till you become a pro. It does take time, but you’ll thank yourself later when you see the tight camping spaces you’ll soon encounter. If you still aren’t getting the hang of it, sign up for a few classes to ease the process along.

Document your adventures.

Even if it’s taking just a few minutes each night to reflect back on the day and write it down, you’ll thank yourself years down the road when you stumble upon your old notebook. And, as amazing and memorable as your travels will be, you’ll forget details eventually. Writing down the sights you saw, restaurants you ate at, your side trips or highlighting your route from that day will make it easier to remember everything, and you’ll be able to pass these memories down to your family members and other travelers you meet along the way.

Always have tools and extra parts.

You won’t need one of everything, but having a few basic tools to fix a leaky pipe or a squeaky door is always a great idea. Most the time, you’re also trying to get away from the city which means you’ll probably be pretty far away from any sort of services you might need. If this is the case, it’s that more critical to becoming self-reliant for repairs. Something will likely go wrong, so plan accordingly!

Test camping in your driveway.

This will be the true test in finding out if you’re fit for the wild or not. And, if you’re going to fail, at least you’ll be at home! Pack as if you’re ready to really leave, then begin your “trip” in the driveway or yard. As you find things you’ve forgotten, add them to the list. Once you’re sure your RV is fully packed and ready, only then can you really begin the fun. This will prevent lots of stress and worry from taking place, and you’ll feel much more confident because you’ve essentially already camped once! (We won’t tell anyone it was in your driveway.)

There will be hiccups along the way, but that’s what makes it all worth it. Don’t let the problems and speed bumps discourage you from chasing the RV life you’ve always dreamed of. Contact us to speak with a team member for any questions you may have!

RV Classes Explained

by admin | Jan 15, 2020 | Courvelle's RV, RV Lifestyle

The decision to purchase an RV is no small task, and there’s so much to learn in the process. Whether you’re a RV novice or a RV connoisseur, there’s always something new to discover about motor homes.

There are many different ways to categorize RVs, but we’ll be dividing them into six in this article. It’s sort of a bird’s eye view of RV classes.

The main difference in all RVs is that you’re either towing something, or you aren’t. It sounds simple, but that’s the first step in understanding the differences in RVs. If you aren’t towing anything, that means you have access to the full RV and the engine and interior are on the same chassis. If you are towing, you’re pulling a trailer that has the living space behind you. It’s the size and features of each rig that differentiate them all, and that’s what we talk about here.

Class A

The biggest RVs on the road, Class As are huge homes on wheels. They can be simple or come with luxury kitchens, garages, pools and even helicopters. You get lots of space with Class As, and you can normally tow your vehicle behind it. But, they tend to be incredibly expensive, have low fuel efficiency, and have limitations on where they can travel due to their size and hookup needs. Here are our Class As we have available right now!

Class B

Class Bs are much smaller than the giant Class As and are sometimes called camper or sleeper vans. They are the smallest class of RVs, which means they’re more nimble than other classes. Their biggest drawback is that you don’t get the space you would with Class As and even Class Cs, but there are still quite a few on the road because they get great gas mileage for their size, are easy to drive, can fit in most parking spots and come with a four-wheel drive option. They don’t normally come with a lot of space. But these vans are strong and mighty. They can come with room to sleep up to six, bathrooms and dining areas.

Class C

An option between the two above, Class Cs are a midsize option for those that want the space of a Class A but the size and price of a Class B. Sleeping areas are often above the cab and in the back, and their slide outs are similar to those in a Class A. Class Cs often have a separate bathroom area, but many Class Bs do not. Class Cs also aren’t normally big enough to tow a vehicle, so keep this in mind while shopping. So, if you want a motor home that easy to drive, a big bigger than a Class B but still comes with many of the features, a Class C might be for you!

RV Towable Trailers

Now that we’ve discussed the different types of motor homes, let’s talk about your towable options.

The first thing to know about trailers is that you’ll need a separate and rather powerful vehicle to tow them with. For smaller trailers, a half-ton truck will probably work, but you’ll need closer to a ton truck if you choose a larger trailer. This is something to keep in mind if you don’t plan on having to purchase a new vehicle along with your rig.

Here are your options for towable RVs

Fifth Wheels – These are among the largest trailers, which means they’re some of the heaviest and even require a special hitch. Fifth wheels are also some of the most luxurious trailers.

Toy Haulers – Toy haulers, you guessed it, come with space for your larger “toy” like an ATV.

Travel Trailers – A wide variety of travel trailers are made in different sizes, shapes, measurements and floor plans.

Pop ups – Possibly one of the niftiest options, pop ups fold down to almost taking up no space at all, but still come with small kitchens and even bathrooms and showers. They must be unfolded before use, so if you don’t mind a bit of manual labor for set up and tear down, look into pop ups.

Remember to not rush into buying an RV. It is such an exciting time, but doing your research will serve you well. Don’t be afraid to try out a few RVs by renting or taking for a test drive before you buy. This way, you’ll have a truer sense of what traveling will feel like.

If you’re looking for a vessel to travel alone or with just one other person, a small camper van or travel trailer will do the trick. But, if you’re needing to transport a family of five across the country comfortably, a Class A is probably a better fit for you. It’s all about you and your personal needs. The different kinds of RVs to look at can be overwhelming, but the fact that there are so many to choose from is a good thing! It means there’s a rig out there that’s perfectly suits you. We hope this guide helps, and as always, contact us for any questions you have. Happy RV shopping!