RV Vacations For Dummies^®, 3rd Edition

by Shirley Slater; Harry Basch

• ISBN13: 9780471772583
• ISBN10: 0471772585
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

From New England to the Oregon Coast, from Texas to the Tetons, America is full of fascinating and friendly places - and your RV is a great way to get to any one of them. This fun, friendly guide shows you how to get the most out of your RV vacations with fun itineraries and handy tips on: Choose the right route and the right season for travel Picking the RV that will get you where you want to go on a budget you can afford Eating and sleeping comfortably on the road Tying up the loose ends before you leave Planning ahead to take care of special travel needs Tips on fun museums and special getaways for snowbirds Like every For Dummies travel guide, RV Vacations For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn't miss - and what you can skip The best restaurants and hotels for every budget Lots of detailed maps

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
About This Book	1	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	3	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	4	(1)
Part I: Getting Started	4	(1)
Part II: Ironing Out the Details	4	(1)
Part III: Exploring the East	4	(1)
Part IV: Discovering Mid-America	4	(1)
Part V: Seeing the West	5	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	5	(1)
Appendix	5	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	5	(1)
Where to Go from Here	6	(1)
Part I: Getting Started	7	(38)
Chapter 1: Top Reasons to Take an RV Vacation	9	(10)
Being Your Own Boss	9	(1)
Discovering Something for Everyone	9	(2)
Ten Ways to Save Money in a Campground	11	(2)
Becoming a campground host	12	(1)
Best New England lobster spots	13	(1)
Best campgrounds around the USA	14	(1)
Best museum visits	15	(1)
Best national parks along the way	16	(3)
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into RVing	19	(7)
RV History: The Tin Can Tourists	19	(3)
Remembering Our First RV Journey	22	(2)
Uncovering the Myths about RVing	24	(2)
Chapter 3: Deciding Where and When to Go	26	(12)
Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons	26	(1)
Scoping Out Your Perfect RV Vacation	27	(11)
The Coast of Maine: Lobster Land	27	(1)
Western New York: Cooperstown to Niagara Falls	28	(1)
Blue Ridge Mountains: Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway	29	(1)
The Gulf Coast: Tallahassee to New Orleans	29	(1)
The Natchez Trace: Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN	30	(1)
Texas Hill Country: Bluebonnets and Barbecue	31	(1)
The Heart of Ohio: A Circle Around Circleville	31	(1)
Northern Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Country	32	(1)
The Ozarks and Branson: Hot Springs to Springfield	33	(1)
Montana and Wyoming: Tracking Buffalo Bill	34	(1)
New Mexico: Billy the Kid Meets E.T.	34	(1)
The Oregon Coast: California to Washington	35	(1)
California Central Coast: Malibu to Monterey	36	(1)
Route 66: OK to L.A	37	(1)
Chapter 4: Packing It In	38	(7)
Stepping on the Scales	38	(1)
Stocking the Optional Essentials	39	(1)
Stowing Your Gear	40	(2)
Outside the RV	41	(1)
Inside the RV	42	(1)
Selecting the Right Kind of Wardrobe	42	(3)
Part II: Ironing Out the Details	45	(66)
Chapter 5: Managing Your Money	47	(8)
Adding It Up: Your Vacation Budget	47	(2)
Transportation	47	(1)
RV and camping supplies	48	(1)
Campgrounds	48	(1)
Food	48	(1)
Attractions and activities	49	(1)
Shopping and entertainment	49	(1)
Testing the Waters: RV Rentals	49	(3)
When to rent	50	(1)
How to rent	50	(1)
How to get the best rate	51	(1)
Taking the Plunge: RV Purchases	52	(3)
Why go to an RV show?	52	(1)
How to deal with dealers	53	(1)
Where not to shop for an RV	54	(1)
How to finance your purchase	54	(1)
Chapter 6: Selecting Your RV	55	(14)
Getting to Know the RV Types	55	(11)
Folding camping trailers	56	(1)
Truck campers	57	(2)
Travel trailers	59	(1)
Fifth-wheel travel trailers	60	(2)
Van campers (Type B)	62	(1)
Mini-motorhomes (Type C)	63	(1)
Motorhomes (Type A)	64	(2)
Selecting the RV for You	66	(3)
Matching an RV to your lifestyle	66	(1)
Asking yourself ten questions	66	(3)
Chapter 7: Dealing with Your RV	69	(13)
Driving Your RV	69	(3)
Learning the basics	69	(1)
Going beyond the basics: Our tips	70	(2)
Controlling your speed	72	(1)
Saving Money on Fuel	72	(1)
Detecting Gas and Smoke	73	(1)
Equipping Your RV	74	(2)
Monitoring Electrical Hookups	76	(1)
Preparing for Winter Camping	76	(1)
Furnishing Your RV	77	(1)
Cleaning Your RV	78	(2)
Outside the vehicle	78	(1)
Inside the vehicle	79	(1)
Holding tanks	80	(1)
Storing Your RV	80	(2)
Chapter 8: Eating on the Road	82	(8)
Stocking Your Kitchen	82	(1)
Eating Takeout Food	83	(1)
Shopping for Food	84	(1)
Cooking across the U.S.A.	84	(6)
Chapter 9: Sleeping on the Road	90	(9)
Understanding Our Campground Recommendations	90	(1)
Using Campground Directories	91	(1)
Comparing Private and Public Campgrounds	92	(2)
Choosing a Site	94	(1)
Parking Your Rig	95	(1)
Hooking Up	96	(2)
Sleeping by the Side of the Road: A Good Idea?	98	(1)
Chapter 10: Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests	99	(6)
RVing with Kids	99	(1)
RVing with Pets	100	(1)
RVing for People with Disabilities	101	(1)
RVing for Seniors	102	(1)
Joining an RV Club	103	(2)
Caravan tours and rallies	103	(1)
RV clubs	104	(1)
Chapter 11: Tying Up Loose Ends	105	(6)
Mapping the Way	105	(1)
Staying Connected on the Road	106	(2)
Cable TV	107	(1)
Satellite TV	107	(1)
Cellular phones	107	(1)
Computer online services	108	(1)
Buying RV Insurance	109	(1)
Staying Safe and Secure on the Road	109	(1)
Carrying a Gun	110	(1)
Part III: Exploring the East	111	(100)
Chapter 12: The Coast of Maine: Lobster Land	113	(19)
Getting There	113	(2)
Planning Ahead	115	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	116	(1)
Driving the Coast of Maine	116	(9)
Must-see attractions	119	(3)
More cool things to see and do	122	(2)
Weekend wonder	124	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	125	(6)
Our favorite campgrounds	125	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	127	(1)
Good eats	128	(3)
Fast Facts	131	(1)
Chapter 13: Western New York: Cooperstown to Niagara Falls	132	(20)
Getting There	132	(1)
Planning Ahead	133	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	134	(1)
Driving through Western New York	135	(10)
Must-see attractions	139	(3)
More cool things to see and do	142	(2)
Weekend wonders	144	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	145	(5)
Our favorite campgrounds	145	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	147	(1)
Good eats	148	(2)
Fast Facts	150	(2)
Chapter 14: Blue Ridge Mountains: Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway	152	(20)
Getting There	153	(1)
Planning Ahead	153	(3)
Stocking the Pantry	156	(1)
Driving on Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway	157	(6)
Must-see attractions	160	(2)
More cool things to see and do	162	(1)
Weekend wonder	163	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	163	(7)
Our favorite campgrounds	164	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	166	(1)
Good eats	167	(3)
Shopping along the Way	170	(1)
Fast Facts	170	(2)
Chapter 15: The Gulf Coast: Tallahassee to New Orleans	172	(20)
Getting There	173	(1)
Planning Ahead	174	(2)
Stocking the Pantry	176	(1)
Driving the Gulf Coast	176	(7)
Must-see attractions	180	(2)
More cool things to see and do	182	(1)
Weekend wonder	183	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	183	(7)
Our favorite campgrounds	184	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	186	(1)
Good eats	187	(3)
Fast Facts	190	(2)
Chapter 16: The Natchez Trace: Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN	192	(19)
Getting There	194	(1)
Planning Ahead	194	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	194	(1)
Driving the Natchez Trace	195	(8)
Must-see attractions	200	(2)
More cool things to see and do	202	(1)
Weekend wonder	203	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	203	(6)
Our favorite campgrounds	204	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	206	(1)
Good eats	207	(2)
Shopping along the Way	209	(1)
Fast Facts	210	(1)
Part IV: Discovering Mid-America	211	(76)
Chapter 17: Texas Hill Country: Bluebonnets and Barbecue	213	(20)
Getting There	213	(2)
Planning Ahead	215	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	215	(1)
Driving the Texas Hill Country	216	(8)
Must-see attractions	220	(2)
More cool things to see and do	222	(2)
Weekend wonder	224	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	224	(8)
Our favorite campgrounds	224	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	226	(1)
Good eats	227	(5)
Fast Facts	232	(1)
Chapter 18: The Heart of Ohio: A Circle Around Circleville	233	(19)
Getting There	233	(2)
Planning Ahead	235	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	236	(1)
Driving the Ohio Heartland	236	(10)
Must-see attractions	239	(4)
More cool things to see and do	243	(3)
Weekend wonders	246	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	246	(5)
Our favorite campgrounds	246	(1)
Runner-up campgrounds	247	(1)
Good eats	248	(3)
Shopping along the Way	251	(1)
Fast Facts	251	(1)
Chapter 19: Northern Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Country	252	(16)
Getting There	252	(2)
Planning Ahead	254	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	255	(1)
Driving the Paul Bunyan Trail	256	(6)
Must-see attractions	258	(2)
More cool things to see and do	260	(2)
Weekend wonder	262	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	262	(5)
Our favorite campgrounds	262	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	264	(2)
Good eats	266	(1)
Shopping along the Way	267	(1)
Fast Facts	267	(1)
Chapter 20: The Ozarks and Branson: Hot Springs to Springfield	268	(19)
Getting There	268	(2)
Planning Ahead	270	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	271	(1)
Driving the Ozarks and Branson	271	(7)
Must-see attractions	274	(2)
More cool things to see and do	276	(2)
Weekend wonders	278	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	278	(7)
Our favorite campgrounds	279	(1)
Runner-up campgrounds	280	(3)
Good eats	283	(2)
Fast Facts	285	(2)
Part V: Seeing the West	287	(102)
Chapter 21: Montana and Wyoming: Tracking Buffalo Bill	289	(20)
Getting There	289	(2)
Planning Ahead	291	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	292	(1)
Driving Buffalo Bill's Montana and Wyoming	292	(10)
Must-see attractions	295	(5)
More cool things to see and do	300	(2)
Weekend wonder	302	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	302	(5)
Our favorite campgrounds	302	(3)
Runner-up campgrounds	305	(2)
Good eats	307	(1)
Fast Facts	307	(2)
Chapter 22: New Mexico: Billy the Kid Meets E.T.	309	(20)
Getting There	309	(2)
Planning Ahead	311	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	311	(1)
Driving Southern New Mexico	312	(9)
Must-see attractions	316	(3)
More cool things to see and do	319	(2)
Weekend wonder	321	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	321	(6)
Our favorite campgrounds	322	(1)
Runner-up campgrounds	323	(1)
Good eats	324	(3)
Shopping along the Way	327	(1)
Fast Facts	327	(2)
Chapter 23: The Oregon Coast: California to Washington	329	(20)
Getting There	331	(1)
Planning Ahead	331	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	332	(1)
Driving the Oregon Coast	332	(9)
Must-see attractions	336	(2)
More cool things to see and do	338	(2)
Weekend wonder	340	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	341	(6)
Our favorite campgrounds	341	(3)
Runner-up campgrounds	344	(1)
Good eats	345	(2)
Shopping along the Way	347	(1)
Fast Facts	348	(1)
Chapter 24: California Central Coast: Malibu to Monterey	349	(20)
Getting There	349	(2)
Planning Ahead	351	(1)
Stocking the Pantry	351	(1)
Driving California's Central Coast	352	(10)
Must-see attractions	356	(3)
More cool things to see and do	359	(3)
Weekend wonder	362	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	362	(5)
Our favorite campgrounds	362	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	364	(1)
Good eats	365	(2)
Fast Facts	367	(2)
Chapter 25: Route 66: OK to L.A.	369	(20)
Getting There	369	(3)
Planning Ahead	372	(1)
Driving Route 66	372	(9)
Must-see attractions	377	(3)
More cool things to see and do	380	(1)
Sleeping and Eating on the Road	381	(6)
Our favorite campgrounds	382	(2)
Runner-up campgrounds	384	(1)
Good eats	385	(2)
Shopping along the Way	387	(1)
Fast Facts	388	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	389	(14)
Chapter 26: Ten Great Snowbird Getaways	391	(4)
Lake Havasu City, Arizona	392	(1)
Borrego Springs, California	392	(1)
Indio, California	392	(1)
Long Beach, California	393	(1)
Long Key, Florida	393	(1)
Kissimmee, Florida	393	(1)
Pismo Beach, California	393	(1)
Donna, Texas	394	(1)
Mission, Texas	394	(1)
South Padre Island, Texas	394	(1)
Chapter 27: The Ten Best Factory Tours	395	(4)
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream	395	(1)
Cape Cod Potato Chips	395	(1)
Crayola Crayons	396	(1)
Hallmark Greeting Cards	396	(1)
Jelly Belly Jellybeans	396	(1)
Louisville Slugger Baseball Bats	397	(1)
Sechler's Pickles	397	(1)
Tabasco Sauce	398	(1)
Virtual Factory Tours with Mr. Rogers	398	(1)
Winnebago Motorhomes	398	(1)
Chapter 28: The Ten Zaniest Museums	399	(4)
American Sanitary Plumbing Museum	399	(1)
Colonel Harland Sanders Cafe/Museum	399	(1)
John Dillinger Museum	400	(1)
Miss Laura's Bordello	400	(1)
Metropolis, Illinois	400	(1)
Mount Horeb Mustard Museum	401	(1)
National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame	401	(1)
The Pest House Medical Museum	401	(1)
Shady Dell RV Park and Campground	402	(1)
Spam Museum	402	(1)
Appendix: Quick Concierge	403	(10)
Fast Facts	403	(1)
Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	403	(1)
Where to Get More Information	404	(2)
Helpful Web sites	404	(1)
Campground directories	405	(1)
Publications for campers and RV owners	406	(1)
RV and Campground Lingo	406	(3)
Making Dollars and Sense of It	409	(1)
The Right Rig: Choosing Your RV	410	(1)
Sweet Dreams: Choosing Your Campground	411	(2)
Index	413