Rig: RV

There are many things to keep track of with a rig like these, especially campers with bathrooms.  Unless you're okay with hauling poo, I would suggest using rest area bathrooms.  It really depends on what you want to use your rig for.  If you're buying it to stay stationary for weeks, months, or even years at a time, you might want to find a long term campsite where you can hook up the black and gray water evacuation lines to the site.  It will save you the trip to the dump station.  If you're really new to this, gray water is used water that wasn't in the toilet.  Black water is poop.  In all seriousness though, if you plan to get a rig like these, learn, learn, learn, as much as you can about all the different utilities, appliances, repairs, and what its preventative maintenance requirements are.  Even changing a tire on something like this isn't what you're used to.  The equipment must be rated for the weight, and dual tires make it only more unconventional and unfamiliar, just for example.  You will learn to have a healthy respect for your rig, and vicariously, a stronger respect for the road.  Knowledge equals safety, and the more you train yourself to get into safe practices, the more it will become second nature, and the more you can focus on enjoying the road!  Besides poo and flat tires, lets see what else I have to say about this.

For virgin or nubile travelers, the graphic above details the differences between each RV type.  Each one has a myriad of options, like towing your car, an extra trailer, a hitch carrier, etc.  It really boils down to what your personal needs are.  If you're looking for a pull-behind camper, the travel trailer might be what you're looking for.  Fifth Wheel trailers require a plate attachment to be installed into the bed of a very strong pickup truck.  I have seen the plates in the $500 range.  This is what it looks like:

This is the inside of a Class A, diesel RV.  In case you've never been inside one.  They are massive, and sure to drain your bank account with every mile.  The repair and preventative maintenance costs are astronomical, as I've mentioned before-- the larger and heavier the vehicle, the more stressful it is to drive.  The Class A is nice, but it's too rich for my blood.  They might be good for a fiscal person who plans to park it, and use it as a home, rather than a travel vehicle.  Be warned, these things can easily become the cost of a very expensive house.  Literally hundreds of thousands of dollars.  If you have that kind of money, more power to you, really!  Stop by my store and spend some of it!  Just kidding.  Or am I? 😁

I'll be the first to admit, I was enamored with these tiny homes when I first discovered their existence over a decade ago.  Then I saw the price tag, and not to mention... they scream "look at me!"  I don't mean that to be rude, but lets be honest, it's not something you see everyday going down the highway, or pulling into a rest stop.  Campers and RVs enjoy a certain amount of stealth in that respect.  You've seen one, you've seen them all.  I won't opine over the tiny home, but I did want to bring it to your attention, in case it's something that you are actually looking for.  It is my hope that this site can provide a plethora of "ah hah! It does exist!" moments.  If you're new to this kind of research, like I once was, you might find that magic sparking about now and then. 😉

If you can, travel with a friend, or a convoy.  Strength in numbers.  Plus, it's nice to share the memories of travel with someone you can reminisce with years from now.  Having a traveling companion has always enriched my experience, as opposed to the many times I would travel alone.  You have someone to talk with, joke with, and an extra pair of eyes.  Never separate while traveling.  Always establish meeting points if separation is necessary.  It's never happened to me, but I couldn't imagine how it would feel if I my traveling companion became separated, lost, or god forbid--worse.

This looks like a cross between a Class B and a Class C, but the difference is most evident in the price.  Years ago, when I wanted an RV, I thought a Class B would be the affordable option, since they're smaller than both the Class A and the Class C.  No, no they're not.  As the kids would say these days, "they're expensive AF."  You might be able to find an older one, quite used, and still cough up coin for it.  If I had to speculate, I would say they they are probably built stronger than the Class C, and by virtue of their smaller size, do better on fuel consumption, making them a sought after commodity in the RV world.  Perhaps it just comes down to supply and demand, and nothing else.

👈  In that moment, he knew...

👆 Click on the picture with the F***ed up truck for a calculator that will prevent you from becoming that guy.  Bookmark the page if you find it useful.

This may only be conjecture, but I would venture to guess that this accident was caused due to excessive or unsafe speeding.  There's a difference, by the way.  Excessive would mean they were driving too fast for the road--speeding.  Unsafe would mean they were driving too fast for weather/roadway conditions.  I insert these pictures throughout your reading to remind you of the very real reality that, despite the siren call to of adventure, there is danger.  I don't want to scare you, but I do want you to have a healthy and grounded respect for the road.  It will only come to serve you well in the end.  All things have some inherent danger; the thing I seek to accomplish is to help you avoid the avoidable dangers.  Beyond that, life will do what it may, so live the best you can, and simply let come what may.