New Year, New Adventures: How to Plan the Ultimate Family Vacation
By Jennifer McKinney, Austin RV Expo
One of the reasons we look forward to a new year is imagining the fun, exciting adventures waiting for us during the year’s upcoming vacation (or vacations if you’re lucky/brave enough) with our families. That’s the fun part; the stressful part is, without a doubt, the process of budgeting and planning for flights, ground transportation and accommodations. Oh, and don’t forget about crossing your fingers that your schedule isn’t delayed and plans don’t change.
What if there was a way to take the stress out of travel? What if there was a way to travel more affordably (which also translates to more often)?
It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?
I’m here to tell you that a stress-free, affordable way to travel is completely accessible to all of us. It’s a home on wheels that allows you to control your schedule while allowing for an efficient and relaxing travel experience.
If you decide to take the big step and purchase an RV, there are several important factors to take into consideration before shopping around. The following five questions will help you identify the perfect RV for your travel needs.
What kind of RV is right for me?
A Towable RV is mounted on a motorized vehicle. Motorized RVs are vehicles for recreational camping and travel. Specialty RVs cater to interests like carrying large animals or modifications for individuals with physical needs. Park Model RVs are homes connected to site electricity and water. When looking for an RV think about a few questions like, what is suitable for my family? Should it be diesel or gas powered? As you narrow your search, you’ll then be ready to think about price ranges that fit within your budget.
What is my budget?
Just like purchasing any other vehicle, it is very important to set a price range or budget. RV dealers are good at selling the best and the latest vehicles but only you know exactly what you want and how much you can afford. Having a minimum and maximum price in mind gives the salesperson a great start on meeting your needs.
Is there enough seating and walking space?
If you’re touring a Motorized RV, it’s important to think about the floor plan and how accessible everything is. Think about all kinds of questions regarding the living and storage space and your personal needs. Such as, how many cabinets and drawers will you need? How easy it is to move around in the bathroom? Do the seating arrangements make sense with your family size?
What is the purpose behind your purchase?
If your goal is to travel across the country and visit campsites, you can pick an RV with features, like an awning for shade. Or, if you’re looking to tow certain items, it’s important to ask about weight restrictions.
How easy is it to maintain?
One of the more important questions to consider when purchasing an RV is asking about maintenance. Buying an RV is a huge expense and maintaining it is vital to its lifespan. Make sure to read the owner’s manual to see exactly what you should do to keep the recreational vehicle you’re considering in top condition. RVs not only need oil changes, they also require water, roof and generator inspections to name a few.
With these five questions thoroughly answered, you can finally shop for the RV of your dreams and begin planning your next family adventures.
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to shop for great deals on RVs. One of the best ways to shop for a recreational vehicle is by attending RV shows. You can tour many RVs and ask for quotes from different dealerships all in one day!
Now is a great time to plan a visit to the biggest RV show in Central Texas. You can attend the 2016 Austin RV Expo February 18-21, 2016 and finally hit the open road in style. For more information, visit www.austinrvexpo.com.
