Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing
By Brent Peterson

"Complete" is the key word here. (The "Idiot's Guides" are what I always search for at bookstores when I need help with anything from computer programs to minor auto repairs.) I cannot think of one subject relating to RVing that has been left out of this book. Our very own Brent Peterson's new book covers ever so many topics regarding the RV lifestyle. Jody Schaeffer has illustrated The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing with photographs being provided by Gary Bunzer. Peterson was generous in giving credit to those that double-checked and edited his information.

Though Peterson had been taken on camping trips in his young years, he hadn't really been a true RVer until after he had been working for some time as a RV editor. This book has been written with humor and honesty, including many of the mistakes he made along the way, and how and what he learned from those mistakes.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing opens with basic information regarding exactly what advantages RVing can offer you, such as freedom and choices during your trip, and what you can expect from RVing. With nearly 10 million RVs on the roads, it is not just older retirees enjoying the freedom a RV offers, but all types of travelers of all ages are enjoying even weekend getaways. There is an extremely useful pre-trip reference checklist at the beginning of the book that tells you what to check for, step by step, with the engine, exterior, interior, cockpit, towed vehicles and what to check for as you leave..

First you will learn of the various types of RVs and towables that are available and how to zero in on what will fit you and your expectations of a RV. Once you have narrowed your choices, Peterson walks you through the maize of what to look for on the inside and outside of your rig choices and explains what you need to watch out for when purchasing the vehicle. Topics include everything from pushy salesmen to plumbing systems.

Peterson then teaches you all about towing vehicles including information on the amount of weight and the various types of weight ratings, hitches, brakes, safety chains, mirrors, tow bars, tow dollies, trailers, fifth-wheels and how important checking all connections before leaving are. Included are many driving tips, the Seven Deadly Driving Sins, getting lost, navigation systems and the importance of weight limits. Also discussed are how to choose where you will be spending the night, hookups, weather conditions and staying in touch with civilization while traveling.

Throughout the book are listed many helpful hints that include classifications, such as "One for the Road" which has extremely helpful information on everything from weights, amps and volts to where fish are biting. "Road Scholar" which gives extra hints and information on all things concerning RVs and gives a bit of reassurance for the instances you might think you've really screwed up. "Pull Over" sections are the more important issues to look out for. "RVocabulary" covers the special language reserved for the RV crowd. Each chapter ends with "The Least You Need to Know" which boils down all chapter information to the more pertinent facts.

Whether you are a fulltime RVer or just entertaining the thought of buying a rig, this 372 page book is a must have. You can buy the book at any Barnes & Noble bookstore for $16.95, or directly on line at www.amazon.com or at www.idiotsguides.com. The day that I checked at Amazon they were having a sale and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing" by Brent Peterson was on sale for $13.26.

I hate to say it but the "Idiots" guide was perfect for me. I've had some experience with RV's, but found this book didn't talk down to me. It had the perfect mix of technical information coupled with ideas for "Life on the Road".

I just got a used RV and found this book answered all my questions (even the ones I was afraid to ask the dealer) AND was quite enjoyable to read.

Brent Peterson has quite the sense of humor and is well versed in this subject. Obviously he's spend many miles on the road.

If you are going to get one book to go with your new rig...this is the one!

Unfortunately this book spends more time about shopping for an RV than the actual RV and it's systems. The Woodall's guide is both elementary and detailed and assumes you've already purchased the RV.

In short, if you want tips on buying an RV and a cursory glance at the water, LP, and other systems, this is a passable book. But if you want to REALLY understand how things work, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere.

We bought this book before we purchased our first new to us RV. Because we were new to the RV world, this book was perfect for us. The first half of the book explained types of RV, the second half the different systems in the RV. I found the book easy reading and informative and now that we have had our RV for a year, we still refer to this book from time to time. I think it's well written and worth buying and I highly recommend it!

In anticipation of our first ever RV purchase we bought this guide and the "Dummies" one. This guide is humorously written and easy to follow. The "for Dummies" guide barely skimmed the surface of what's-what and left me with more questions than answers. This guide, however, answered all of my questions regarding disposal, electricity, etc.. Because of the author's wit and wisdom, I found it a thouroughly enjoyable read and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a first time RV purchase.

As a new RVer, I found the book extremely accessable and easy to understand. It has plain explanations on all systems, which is helpful for a non-techie like me. My first few times out I kept it at hand while trying to get a handle on the dump stations, and it made the experience a lot less stressful.
Not only is it informative, but it also is a good read, unlike many of the other books that are dry and boring. I only wish I had gotten it before I bought my RV, so I could have benifited from his advice on selecting and buying motorhomes.

Really terrific. A comprehensive guide to all things RVing. Great for novices of veterans alike, no matter if you're taking weekend trips or full-time RVing across the country. Couldn't recommend it more highly.

I made a spur of the moment purchase of a very old camper trailer, then started to buy some books to figure out how the thing works. This is the book I have kept. It told me what was what, and what to do and what not to do. It has probably already saved me several times the purchase price just in keeping me from messing with something before I knew what I was doing. It is well written and informative for the newbie. This is the book you will keep in your RV the whole time you own it.

We bought this book before we purchased our first RV. It helped us know what to look for and how to inspect it. By the time I finished the first 50 pages, it was worth the price. I would recommend this book to anyone purchasing an RV for the first time. It explains everything for before and after the purchase. Well worth the $ and time to read it!

Not that many years away from retirement, I starting thinking about traveling & not having to get a cat sitter each time. Hmm, makebe I could take them with me - maybe an RV would be the answer. In this book, Peterson even says a lot of people got started in RVing for that exact reason.

I read the whole book cover-to-cover in a few sittings. There is a lot of information, but it's not overwhelming because the writing is easy to read, and Peterson is funny - lots of sly humor snuck in in very unsuspecting places. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about buying an RV for the first time. It may not be the ultimate "bible" for using RVs as someone complained, but it has so much information about what to look for in an RV, how to bargain with the salesman, what it's like to go on your first trip, etc., it's a great introduction.

The book was so detailed, it convinced me - I'm not cut out for it. For the price of this book, I've saved over $60k!

I won't sell the book just yet or totally abandon the idea, and I might still go to a few RV shows as he suggests, just to make sure it's not for me. This book is for you if you are also someone who knows nothing at all about the topic but think it might be fun. And if you are better at paying attention to all the little details RVing entails, he will probably convince you in the opposite direction!