The Complete RV Handbook

<h4>Introduction</h4><h2>Part OneGetting Started</h2><h3>1.Why RV?</h3><h4>Convenience</h4><h4>Affordability</h4><h4>A Wider Range of Choices</h4><h4>The Chance to Bring Along Family Members</h4><h4>Flexibility</h4><h3>2.Choosing an RV</h3><h4>Truck Campers</h4><h4>Motor Homes</h4><h4>Towables</h4><h3>3.Choosing the Features and Options You Want</h3><h4>The RV Kitchen</h4><h4>The Bathroom</h4><h4>Washer/Dryers</h4><h4>Bedrooms</h4><h4>Electrical Features</h4><h4>Awnings</h4><h4>Slideouts</h4><h4>Storage Space</h4><h4>Diesel versus Gasoline Engines</h4><h3>4.Buying a New (or Used) RV</h3><h4>Planning Your RV Purchase</h4><h4>How Much Is It Worth?</h4><h4>Financing</h4><h4>Making the Best Deal</h4><h4>Taxes, Registration, and Insurance</h4><h4>The Walk-Through</h4><h2>Part TwoUsing Your RV</h2><h3>5.Driving Basics</h3><h4>Driving Forward</h4><h4>Turning</h4><h4>Highway Driving: Entering, Exiting, and Passing Safely</h4><h4>Driving Safely: Wind, Storms, Steep Grades, Clearance</h4><h4>After You Arrive: Backing into a Site, Parking, Leveling, and Stabilizing Your RV</h4><h3>6.Towing and Hitching</h3><h4>Motor Homes: Towing a Car</h4><h4>Hitching and Unhitching a Trailer or Fifth Wheel</h4><h3>7.Understanding and Caring for RV Systems</h3><h4>The RV Toilet</h4><h4>Gray- and Black-Water Drainage</h4><h4>Fresh-Water Supply</h4><h4>The RV Stove</h4><h4>The RV Refrigerator</h4><h4>Washer/Dryer</h4><h4>Heating and Cooling</h4><h4>Air-Conditioning</h4><h4>Awnings</h4><h4>The Roof</h4><h4>Floors</h4><h4>Power Supply/Electrical Systems</h4><h4>Using External Power</h4><h4>Batteries</h4><h4>Solar Power</h4><h3>8.Engine, Tires, Suspension, Brakes, and Transmission</h3><h4>Engine</h4><h4>Tires</h4><h4>Suspension</h4><h4>Brakes</h4><h4>Transmission</h4><h3>9.Finding Places to Stay</h3><h4>County, State, and National Parks</h4><h4>Membership Campgrounds</h4><h4>Dry Camping</h4><h3>10.Preventing and Responding to Disasters</h3><h4>Dealing with Roadside Mishaps</h4><h4>Personal Safety</h4><h4>Fire Safety</h4><h4>Propane Safety</h4><h4>Preparing for Medical Emergencies</h4><h3>11.Leaving Your RV</h3><h4>Choosing the Right Storage Location</h4><h4>Preparing Your RV for Storage</h4><h2>Part ThreeThe Joys of the Open Road</h2><h3>12.Loading the RV and Preparing to Leave</h3><h4>Getting It All In</h4><h4>Running through a Final Checklist before Leaving</h4><h3>13.Arranging to Be Gone</h3><h4>Mail Services</h4><h4>Getting Cash</h4><h4>Internet Banking</h4><h4>Cellular Phone Service</h4><h4>Medical Care</h4><h3>14.Traveling with Kids and Pets</h3><h4>On the Road with Pets</h4><h4>RVing with Kids</h4><h3>15.Taking Long Trips</h3><h4>The Advantages of a Long Stay</h4><h4>Becoming a Snowbird</h4><h3>16.Crossing Borders: Taking Your RV to Canada or Mexico</h3><h4>Visiting Canada</h4><h4>Adventuring in Mexico</h4><h4>Returning to the United States from Canada or Mexico</h4><h3>17.Technology for the Traveler</h3><h4>Television</h4><h4>Audio Entertainment</h4><h4>Internet Access</h4><h4>Digital Cameras</h4><h4>Using GPS: Never Get Lost Again</h4><h3>18.Going Full-Time</h3><h4>Getting Started at Full-Timing</h4><h4>The Full-Timer's Dilemma: What to Take and What to Leave</h4><h4>The Frugal Full-Timer</h4><h4>The Full-Timer's Social Life</h4><h4>Citizens of Everywhere: Selecting a Domicile</h4><p><h4> Appendix</h4> <h4> Index</h4>