Hitting The Road

Probably just like the crusty ole seaman running the bait shop at the marina who will argue that he's seen about every sort of boat, rig and rod, I've been directly involved for the past 14 years with motorhomes and the folks that have determined this way of life was for them. Like the seaman knows his fishermen, I believe I have seen and heard a large cross section of the RVing community, and have an understanding of what this community is all about. You don't usually pick up a motorhome or travel trailer for "no particular reason". Explanations as to why folks have an RV can be wide. These vehicles are not cheap, the maintenance is a constant battle and if you do not use yours they can become as big and sometimes a bigger monetary "black hole" than you can imagine.

So why do so many of us cruise around the highways in these machines? Others who do not share an RV owner's enthusiasm often look at the RV community as wasteful. They just cannot understand why someone would spend "all that hard earned money" for a huge monstrosity and waste all that fuel. I have heard those words and that logic close to daily being in the RV business and when it comes out it tells me the person wheeling the comment has not been exposed to the possibilities an RV affords. Those that own a unit come in and all I need to ask is how the rig is doing and I'll get a complete dissertation as to how exciting their relationship with their RV is, where it came from, how it's doing but also why they have made the decision to have it-- oh and usually they will give me their plan. The "plan" is how they are fulfilling some part of their lives by using the RV and that is what I wanted to talk about here.

The story of why Don Fink and company, the editor of this magazine, is messing with RVs really says volumes and is a great reason to invest in a unit. He still has places he wants to go and things he wants to see in this country before it gets too complicated to get out there. If we become rich through our experiences, through gathering knowledge and relating to many schools of thought, we need to make it our goal to see and do as many things as we possibly can. The RV lifestyle can give you this freedom and this is what Don points out. You can read more about his explanation on the magazine web site.

Now, just saying this and getting a machine to travel in is not enough. You need that "plan" I referred to before. I have seen folks purchase a motorhome in preparation for their retirement. They have listened to others say "just get out there and travel". They have studied their options, have purchased the RV and all the trappings that go with it but do not have a plan as to how to use the coach to fulfill their dreams. In fact their dream is to own the motorhome, not to use it. So when they finally reach the point that the gold watch is in their hand, the key to the executive wash room is passed to the next seat in the room and they are out to see what comes next in their lives there is nothing there to do. They have all of the stuff but have no plan to use it and that is truly a sad situation.

Before you go, prepare your coach to meet your needs and then get out there. Yes, there will be an investment but anything you want to do requires an investment and having an RV is no exception. If you are looking to go "off the grid" and see things few people see then your unit will need special considerations. If your desire is to simply run the highways and criss-cross the country seeing family, friends and well described points of interest then your RV should be set up to be reliable and comfortable for that purpose.
Have a plan!