Hitting the Road this Summer with Fleetwood RV

If you're a first-timer considering an RV adventure, get ready for an exciting journey filled with flexibility and exploration. RVs, or recreational vehicles, offer a unique way to travel, combining the comfort of a home with the freedom to roam. Whether you opt for a motorhome, camper van, or travel trailer, RVs provide a comfortable living space equipped with essential amenities such as sleeping areas, a kitchenette, and bathroom facilities. With an RV, you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary, making spontaneous detours or staying longer in your favorite destinations. It's an excellent opportunity to experience the great outdoors, discover new places, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Just remember to plan ahead, familiarize yourself with the RV's systems, and embrace the spirit of adventure as you embark on your first RV journey.

Pride Journeys recently sat down with Fleetwood RV about the ins and outs of first-time RV ownership.

What are the main things people should consider prior to purchasing an RV?

As you can imagine, there can be any number of considerations that go into purchasing an RV, especially the first time. People have different reasons for purchasing an RV and different life situations, which is a big reason why Fleetwood offers a wide range of RVs that can fit just about any lifestyle.

While not an exhaustive list, the most important things for potential RV buyers to consider include:

● Purpose – what types of activities do you expect to primarily use your RV for?

● Frequency – how often do you anticipate using your RV on a monthly / yearly basis?

● Distance – how long do you anticipate most of your RV trips being?

● Size / capacity – how many people do you expect to generally have with you when using your RV? What kind of floorplan would you like?

● Storage / capacity – how much “stuff” do you plan to bring with you on most trips?

● Cost – what is your budget for purchasing an RV?

● Storage / maintenance – Where will you store your RV? And how will you keep it maintained?

Thinking about – and answering – these questions will help people have a clearer understanding of the type of RV that’s best for them – and a smoother process when it’s time to purchase one.

If a person is not mechanically savvy, is a motorized RV a good option? Are hookups/maintenance simple?

A motorized RV, or motorhome, is a great option for many different people, including those who wouldn’t consider themselves “mechanically savvy.” Fortunately, there are an incredible amount of resources that can help RVers – especially new ones – learn the ins and outs of basic maintenance when it comes to their coach.

Those resources start with the RV dealership itself. Another important consideration for RVers to research prior to purchasing a coach is the dealership itself. You should look for a dealership with an experienced, knowledgeable staff that will train you on some of the basics – including hookups – as part of the purchase process.

In addition, you can find an incredible wealth of videos, forums, articles and other resources online that explain how to do just about anything when it comes to maintaining an RV. For example, each member of the Fleetwood Family of brands – Fleetwood, Holiday Rambler, American Coach – maintains an active, informative blog full of useful tips and how-to articles.

Simply put, RVers have no shortage of resources – starting with the dealership they purchase their RV at – to help them understand the ins and outs of their coach from Day One.

Chad and Zac Sweet-Wright, proud Fleetwood RV owners / Follow them on Instagram @seeking77degrees

When purchasing a used RV, what should people look for prior to purchasing?

The year, make, and condition of a used RV will greatly impact its price – and therefore should be primary considerations for someone in the market for one. In addition, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of the coach: make sure everything works, thoroughly check for signs of damage like water spots inside and outside, and ask for a test drive.

At the same time, one of the risks of purchasing a used RV is that there may be damage or degradation that’s not easily visible, especially to an untrained eye. This is why it’s generally preferable to purchase a used RV from a dealer as opposed to a private seller. A dealer will inspect and, if necessary, perform necessary repairs or maintenance on a used RV before listing it for sale.

When a user arrives at a campsite, what should they expect to do/see?

The first thing you should see is a smiling, welcoming face at the entry gate! A member of the campground team should welcome you, get you assigned to a campsite, and answer any questions you may have.

After arriving at your campsite, the most important thing you’ll see will be hookup lines for water, electricity, and, if applicable, sewage. You’ll also see what amenities, if any, your campsite comes equipped with – a picnic table, for example, or a spot for a fire pit. You can also meet your campsite neighbors if you like.

Once your coach is parked, leveled, and hooked up, the next thing to do is explore the campground. See what other amenities, events, or attractions it may offer, as well as opportunities to explore nature.

The bottom line: Once you arrive at your campsite, you should expect to have fun!