My 20 Years of RV Adventures [Paperback]

Everett L. Gracey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1998

This book is not meant to discourage anyone from buying an RV and enjoying this beautiful United States with a "home on wheels." There are many states, national parks, lakes, cities, and historical sites to visit. Sometimes it is fun driving around and making new friends at the various places of interest. The author is not evaluating one RV manufacturer over another; the information is about the author's experiences only. A retired couple can really enjoy owning an RV to visit friends and family. You will not be imposing on their lifestyle or home because you have your own "home on wheels" to stay in. Normally you can park in front of their home for a few days while visiting. If you are towing a car you can stay in an RV park and drive to your destination. If the family is gone during the day you can visit the surrounding area

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The growth of ownership with recreational vehicles is amazing! The "RVIA" (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) reports that over 8.6 million owners of recreational vehicles are in the US and growing in number.

This book will help the newcomer to RV'ing on what to look for when buying an RV for pleasure, business or full-time RV'ing. This book is not meant to discourage a person from buying an RV, it will suggest to the new buyer of an RV on the pitfalls and has a fairly good check list of things to look for when purchasing your new "Home on Wheels."

The book also makes suggestions on "Full Time RV'ing" or "Part Time RV'ing." What is best for you? Do you sell all of your belongings to go full time? Or do you just use it on occasional trips? An RV will give a couple or family a chance to visit many beautiful places in the United States, National Parks, Historical sites, Lakes, and visiting families.

This book has many pages of tips and tricks that I discovered the hard way, by trial and error.

About the Author

The author used his RVs under several different applications. Most of the use was in his electronics business travelling throughout the United States visiting electronic shows and also visiting his established dealers that sold amateur radio and commercial two-way radio equipment. He had a travelling office on whells with computer, printer, fax and cellular phone.

One important item is that the RV was not used as a business only. His wife had one to two days a week that was "her day" to check out flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops to add to her many collectibles. She now has a better collection than most antique stores. Without "her day" set aside for her, the trips would be very boring for her.

The author and his wife enjoyed many trips, but it was not all "peaches and cream." They experienced many nightmares with the six RVs that they had over a period of 20 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 55 pages
• Publisher: Everett L. Gracey, Author - Publisher; 2 edition (August 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096658421X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966584219
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,904,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A complaint letter disguised as a book...., May 11, 1999

By 

Roger Williams (Lost on an Island) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My 20 Years of RV Adventures (Paperback)

First, I was surprised at the small size of the book, 5 ½ by 8 3/8 inches. Second, I was surprised that the entire text was double-spaced. Third, I was surprised that there were only 44 tiny pages of double-spaced text. There is not even an index. This is not a book, it is a short report, written as if it were for a high-school composition class. The whole thing would probably fit on 5 regular-sized pages, single spaced.

He begins by saying "We enjoyed our RV" and from that point, tears it all apart. He continually uses the term "RV when referring to his motorhome. On page 8, he makes a distinction between an "RV" (meaning motorhome) and a travel trailer. A travel trailer IS an RV! A motorhome is also an RV. RV is the industry term for travel trailer, motorhome, 5th wheel, truck-camper, tent-trailer, etc. He doesn't know the difference.

The author spent 27 pages complaining about his motorhome, which he constantly refers to as an RV. He began on page 21 complaining about the ordering process, the pick-up process, the way the rig is constructed, and the lack of English-speaking employees in the factory. Then on page 45, he rips apart "snowbirds." He takes plenty of time to complain about buying a "park model" and his problems with it, with his lot, and with Yuma, AZ. This guy doesn't like anything!

This is nothing more than a big complaint letter, disguised as a book. It took me less than one hour to read during dinner. Rather than waste your money on this "report," spend in on a REAL book about RVing from Joe and Kay Peterson or some of the other GOOD books by actual RVers.

Those who think it is a good book need to read some REAL RV books!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mention the good with the bad., January 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: My 20 Years of RV Adventures (Paperback)

The author makes some very valid and helpful points to be aware of when purchasing an RV, new or used, and in deciding if you should use it for the occasional trip or go full-time. He does, however, seem to focus entirely on the negative aspects of rving. He mentions that he and his wife enjoyed their rv trips at the beginning of the book, so I think it would only have been fair to have shared some of his enjoyable experiences with rvs as well as the unpleasant ones. Still, overall, it was not a bad book; I found it quite easy to read, and again, it does bring up some very important Buyer Beware warnings. Perhaps he would consider writing a less one-sided sequel?

1.0 out of 5 stars Very little info about actual rv'ing, full or part time..., February 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: My 20 Years of RV Adventures (Paperback)

I awaited this book to help us decide on what type/make of rv to purchase, as we are not very knowledgable on the subject. I was dissapointed to receive a book with only about 50 pages, several of which were copies of other pages, and about 20 of the 50 were about an rv that is no longer on the market. I was hoping to learn some of the differences, the plus/minus between the different types of rv's, ie 5th wheels, trailers, motor homes, truck campers, etc. I think I've learned much more reading the advertising brocures of the different manufacturers and talking to salespeople about their product. I do not recommend this book. So as not to sound like sour grapes, I have purchased many how to and information type books and have never felt compelled to give a review such as this. I've wasted my money, don't waste yours.