Customer Reviews

RV Vacations For Dummies (Dummies Travel)

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

 

 

I was initially struck by the early sections, which so clearly laid out all the elements of preparing for an RV vacation, including renting or buying, eating and sleeping on the road, and everything from cell phones to the pros and cons of carrying a gun. The remainder of the book has 14 trips around all parts of the US from New England to Florida, Route 66 to California, and the Northwest.

Very handy are details of attractions and campgrounds, which are laid out simply and enjoyable to read. Each trip has a detailed map showing the locations of campgrounds and things to don't want to miss. Anyone who's thinking about RVing will want to get this book.

A terrific book for anyone thinking about giving RVing a try. "RV Vacations for Dummies" opens with about a hundred pages of information on planning an RV vacation and about actually living in an RV. Some of the information in the first two parts of the book ("Getting Started" and "Ironing Out the Details") is a bit sketchy; however, it is more than adequate to get the traveler on the road. And that, after all, is really the point. Books are helpful in gathering the information needed to get started, but RVing is about "doing" . . . not just reading about "doing".

Our favorite parts of "RV Vacations for Dummies" are the 14 driving tours presented over nearly 200 pages in the latter part of the book. There is nothing like having a trip actually planned to stir up a severe case of "hitch itch" in the most experienced of RVers. The trips set forth in "RV Vacations" are enough to get even RVing "Old Timers" off of the sofa and onto the road.

We highly recommend this book for those new to RVing; however, even those with hundreds of thousands of RVing miles behind them will find value in these pages.

Used this book before renting an RV out of our area (eg we flew to AZ, then rented RV), so we had to pack in advance. This book was the most helpful of the few I purchased. Packing Checklist and chapter on packing was invaluable. I would recommend this book to first time RV camping families!

When hub and I decided to go on our first RV vacation we ordered up a batch of books from Amazon on the subject. This is BY FAR the best. Clearly written, funny, sympathetic to newbies, and most important, full of suggestions and tips to make your trip easier. It also has the best "what to bring" checklist of any of the books we looked at. We liked the book so much we took the author's advice and rented an RV for our vacation. We liked that so much we are now about to buy an RV just like we rented - and, just like the authors did with their first RV. Highly recommended - don't leave home before reading it.

If you are thinking about trying an RV vacation this is NOT the book you should start with.

There are only 108 pages about RVs and RVing; the other 326 pages are just descriptions of trips you could take in an RV, or on a motorcycle, or by bus, or by car, or on a unicycle. The latter section contains many things of great importance when driving an RV, such as that 479 is the area code for western Arkansas.

I wish that the 108 pages about RVs would contain information about the toilet systems in an RV or how to do common repairs or advice on how to level your RV on an inclined camping site. Unfortunately you'll find nothing at that level of detail here.

The book does provide a URL to a packing list on the dummies.com web site. Unfortunately, the first time the URL is provided it's wrong, although they got it right when they repeated it on the next page. When you do find it, the packing list is only marginally useful. For example, it tells you to pack "Amperage adapters" but it fails to tell you what these are, where to get them, or why you want them.

This is the only book on RVs that I've read, but there have to better ones.

I was looking for a guide that explains me how a vacation in RV is. Pros and cons, suggestions, how to have a nice vacation if you are new to RVing. In the first 30 pages they explain all this, then it's just a bunch of chapters with vacation ideas. I already knew where i wanted to go, and my destination was not included in their suggestions so this book was completely useless for me. But if you are in your 40-50s, have an RV and don't know where to go in vacation, this is a good book for you.

Good read for someone needing ideas for RV trips. Provides Maps, directions, campgrounds, where to eat, and what to visit. Quite detailed and also allows for possible problems - weather, narrow roads etc. Also gives a newbie ideas on purchasing an RV and steps on packing, driving, picking a campground, and setting up.

If your new to the world of RVing or want some tips to make your trip more successful, this is a great book. I especially liked the suggestions on what to pack. It also has detailed information on what roads to frequent as well as roads to avoid. For those new to the RV scene it's a must read. Towing a big trailer or driving a 40' motor home will be far less intimidating. This book will coach you through the hurdles. Please check our book out too - The United States Radio Director and never hit the seek button again! Happy trails!! Ken Fritz author of The United States Radio Directory: A Traveler's Favorite Companion 2008-2009

Such a pratical, user friendly support for us! Gives sensible suggestions for new RV users (we just bought a used travel trailer & will upgrade to a 5th wheel in 5 years in hopes of going full-time.)
Simple language and directions for basic itms you'll need, things you'll want, places to go, assumptions to make and not make about camping and RV travel.
Pros and cons for types of units to consider make this book a good purchasee before you commit to spend the big bucks.
Not a read and discard book, but a read, reread and carry with you book!

We are considering buying an rv and have never owned one before. I was looking for a book that would be very detailed about how to chose and take care of a rv. This book gave very little advice on that topic. It was very informative about chosing where to go, giving routes and suggesting campgrounds and more than half of the book is dedicated to that information.