Function

• RVs, or recreational vehicles, provide transportation and accommodation at the same time. They can function as a normal motor vehicle or as a temporary home, providing sleeping quarters for up to 6 people. RVs are usually purchased by people who take long road trips or enjoy frequent outdoor vacations.
  
  

Benefits

• RVs can be expensive to own, making RV rentals a popular choice. Most rental agencies provide RVs in various sizes, classes and types. Options include the number of beds, bathroom facilities and entertainment equipment. RVs are typically rented by the week or month, although many agencies offer weekend rentals as well. Be sure to discuss any deposits and/or additional fees for damage with the agency before signing a contract.
  
  

Warning

• Though a class "C" driver's license is all you need to drive an RV, it is not as easy as driving a car or truck. Due to its large size and long body, an RV must be driven with extra care. The driver must leave more distance between himself and the car in front of him to compensate for the extra time it will take to brake. RVs often struggle when faced with hills, so drivers should keep the vehicle in the right lane, or slow lane, until the incline has passed. Even if you're on flat terrain, it is a good idea to drive larger, slower vehicles in the slow lane to prevent any interruption to the rest of traffic. Drivers must also allow for wide turns, as the RV doesn't have a tight turning radius. Reversing is usually the most difficult skill to master--the easiest way to reverse is to have someone stand behind the RV and guide you backwards.
  
  

Types

• "RV" is a loose term that refers to a few different vehicle classes. A motorhome has a van- or truck-like front with a large cab that extends over the top of the vehicle's front. The travel trailer is an additional unit that provides sleeping accommodations. It has a hitch and can be towed by larger vehicles, such as trucks and sports utility vehicles. A fifth-wheel trailer is larger than a travel trailer and can also be towed by a larger vehicle. It contains one wheel in the back that evenly distributes weight. A commercial bus can be transformed into an RV with the addition of a few sleeping quarters and compartments. This is called a bus conversion.
  
  

Considerations

• Vacations taken in RVs are said to be the least expensive trips a person can take today, according to a study conducted by PKF Consulting, an international travel and tourism consulting firm. The firm came to its conclusion after analyzing the costs of fuel, hotel rooms, other transportation methods and meals eaten out. The ability to eat, sleep and travel in the same facility has greatly cut down on the costs that a family would typically incur on normal vacation expenses. RVs also allow children to pack numerous forms of entertainment, including puzzles, video games, DVDs, books and even outdoor recreational equipment, such as kayaks and bicycles.