Each year millions of Americans are seen driving or pulling recreational vehicles as they discover America up close and personal. For thousands of people, RVing is a great way to discover America's natural beauty, back roads, popular attractions, small towns, and big cities. When asked what it is they like about the RV lifestyle, one gets replies such as: "We enjoy the freedom and flexibility," "It's like having a home away from home," and "We find it brings our family closer together." These are just a few of the many reasons Americans are increasingly considering camping, RVing, and other forms of outdoor recreation vital to their lives.

One purpose of this article is to share a sampling of non-technical ideas, tips, and hints regarding the process of selecting and using an RV. Hopefully, these suggestions will prove useful to both the novice and the experienced RVer considering a change of unit. As in all of life, things change. The recreational vehicle that may have been the ideal at one time may no longer suit present needs. Over the years, vast changes have been made in the comfort, ride, and reliability of RV design.

Selecting the right RV for you and your family depends upon several factors. First, you must take into account your personal needs. You should think about the type of RV you want as well as what standard and optional equipment is available from the various manufacturers. Consideration must be given to the size of the investment that you are able to make. The amount of investment is often determined by the amount of use you will get from your purchase. Your RV purchase should take into account numerous personal factors.

For many first time RVers, the decision to invest in some type of vehicle comes easily; for others it involves hours of difficult decision making. As in most new adventures, the more knowledgeable you become about RV selection and use, the more comfortable and enjoyable the experience winds up being.

Most RVers recall with great pleasure the many hours spent learning about recreational vehicle life. They tell of walking around numerous sales lots, climbing in and out of vehicles, discussing the pros and cons of various floor plans, and talking with individuals already enjoying the RV lifestyle.

The experienced RVer may be able to short-cut some of the efforts required in evaluating and selecting a new unit. However, often the fact that they are experienced enough to know precisely what they expect from a unit can complicate the selection process.

Except for buying a home, perhaps no other purchase in one's lifetime provides an opportunity for so many choices, so many options, so many decisions. Therefore, we'd like to offer suggestions to help in selecting the recreational vehicle that's right for you. Take the time to define what it is you need. Buying an RV is a major expense and warrants a serious--but fun--exploration into the world of RVing. Don't be in a hurry. It's better to go slowly than to buy the wrong vehicle or overpay for it.

Once purchased, your RV provides the perfect vehicle for escaping the pressures of modern life, for enjoying outdoor living in comfort and convenience, and for providing travel flexibility.

Perhaps one of the initial decisions to be made in selecting and purchasing an RV is whether you want to pull it or drive it.

A good way to start is to learn what vehicle designs are available. Having an idea of the basic differences, provides a solid beginning to your selection process.

Just what is an RV? As you read, talk to RVers, and research your selection, you'll hear terms like "mini," "micro," "fifth-wheel," "basement model," "pop outs" and "low profile." For our purposes here, it's helpful to define some terminology.

Recreational vehicle (RV) -- a generic term used to describe a kind of "home on wheels." RVs come in a variety of types, models, and styles. To the uninitiated--and to the professional, as well--the diversity often seems overwhelming. But, don't despair.

Click to Page 2 to Explore the Different Types of Recreational Vehicles or RVs.

The DIfferent Types of Recreational Vehicles
Generally, recreational vehicles can be broken down into two types: those you pull (towable), and those you drive (motorized). Let's begin with the first type.

Towable RV's
Travel Trailers are designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle (auto, van or pick-up truck.) Travel trailers provide temporary living quarters with kitchens, toilets, sleeping, dining and living facilities, electric and water systems and modern appliances. Travel trailers can be one of the following:

Conventional Travel Trailer: Towed by means of a bumper or frame hitch attached to a towing vehicle, these units are typically from 12 feet to 35 feet in length. Today's travel trailers come with kitchens, toilets, sleeping, dining and living facilities, electric and water systems and modern appliances. Conventional travel trailers traditionally have been one of the most popular of the recreational vehicles purchased in America.

Park Model: Manufactured for seasonal or temporary living. Designed to be connected to utilities. Although units are transportable, they are usually used as a cottage or as a vacation or retirement home.

Fifth-Wheel: Constructed with a raised forward section that allows a bi-level floor plan. Equipped much the same as a conventional travel trailer. Usually, but not always, the forward section serves as the primary sleeping area. The unit is designed to be towed by a truck equipped with fifth-wheel towing capability.

Folding Camping Trailer: Manufactured as a lightweight unit with collapsible sidewalls. Sidewalls can be of either canvas or hard-wall construction. These relatively lightweight units, when set up, can provide full kitchen, dining, bathroom, and sleeping facilities.

Slide-on Camper: Although not designed to be towable, the slide on truck camper is included in this category because of its ability to be removed from its transporting truck by using camper jacks. A slide-on camper is loaded onto, or affixed to, the chassis of a pickup truck. Many have kitchen and bathroom facilities plus many of the amenities found on more expensive units.

Motorized RVs
The second major type of recreational vehicle is the motorhome. This vehicle is built on, or is part of, a self-propelled chassis. Motorhomes provide kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities conveniently accessible to the driver's area.

One important factor to consider when purchasing an RV is the need for accessibility to the interior of the unit while traveling. Motorhomes permit passenger movement throughout the RV. Towable travel trailers require stopping in order to enter. (By the way, riding in a travel trailer while traveling is prohibited.)

Class A Motorhome: Constructed on an especially designed motor vehicle chassis. Units usually offer the maximum number of standard and optional amenities of any RV group. Some units contain washers and dryers, dishwashers, and ice makers. Understandably, these units occupy the high end of the price spectrum.

Class B Motorhome: Modified by using a panel-type truck, manufacturers add a variety of standard and optional conveniences such as kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations. With the addition of a top extension, today's Class B Motorhome has adequate head room and storage facilities.

Class CupMotorhome: The Class cup motorhome ranks next to the Class A for standard and optional amenities. Depending on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the motorhome may be further called a mini, low profile or compact. The mini-motorhome is built on an automotive manufactured frame with an attached cab section of a GVWR of 6500 pounds or more and with an overall height of more than eight feet. A low profile unit has less than eight feet of height. The compact motorhome has a GVWR of less than 6500 pounds.

Van Conversion: Originally manufactured by an automaker, a traditional van is modified for transportation and recreational use. A van conversion is often the first-choice vehicle for first-time buyers. The primary purpose of a van conversion is to provide for luxurious daily travel. However, some are equipped with small sinks, ice boxes, and with convertible sofa beds.

The above listings and classifications should provide a general guide to the variety of recreational vehicles available for consideration and purchase.