OKEMOS, Mich.-For a hassle-free outdoor vacation surrounded by the comforts of home, consider a recreation vehicle (RV): motorhome, travel trailer, fifth-wheel, folding camping trailer or truck camper.
Why? A Louis Harris and Associates survey showed widespread agreement that whatever the type, RVs provide the freedom to travel where you want, when you want; offer the convenience of a home away from home; and are the best way to travel with family or children. RV vacationers avoid problems of canceled and delayed flights, lost luggage, and moving in and out of hotel rooms, Harris found.
RVs comprise a whole family of vehicles that combine transportation and temporary living quarters for recreation, camping and travel that, as an added benefit, are treated similarly to second homes for tax deduction purposes. Some provide a simple place for sleeping and eating, while others are virtually luxury lodges on wheels equipped with conveniences ranging from running water and complete bathroom facilities to air-conditioning and a power source (either electricity, liquid propane or a gas-powered generator). RVs are also great year-round for trips to museums, amusement parks, shopping excursions, visits to family and friends, and attending festivals or events.
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) specifies RV types by their characteristics and provides their typical prices.
Folding Camping Trailer-A lightweight unit with collapsible sides that fold for aerodynamic towing by a motorized vehicle, even some compact cars. When set up, they provide kitchen, dining, sleeping and, in many models, bathroom facilities. Folding camping trailers sleep up to eight people and are available from $4,000 to $13,000.
Truck Camper-A camping unit that is loaded onto, or affixed to, the bed or chassis of a pickup. Most models have kitchen, dining, sleeping and bathroom facilities. Truck campers sleep up to six people and sell from $4,000 to $26,000.
Travel Trailer-A unit designed to be towed by a car, van or pickup. Travel trailers provide comforts such as kitchen, bathroom, sleeping, dining and living facilities, electric and water systems and modern appliances. Like all towable units, they can be unhitched from the tow vehicle, which is then free for convenient local travel to and from the campsite. Travel trailers sleep up to 10 people. Travel trailers range in price from $8,000 to $65,000 depending on size and features. Fifth-wheel models, which are built to be towed by pickups with a special hitch, sleep up to six and sell from $13,000 to $100,000.
Motorhome-A recreational camping and travel vehicle built on or as part of a motorized vehicle chassis. Kitchen, sleeping, bathroom and dining facilities are all conveniently accessible to the driver's area from inside. Living systems generally include electricity, heating,
air-conditioning, water and propane gas. Motorhomes come in a variety of sizes and types and sleep up to eight people. Class C models range in price from $48,000 to $140,000 and Class A models range in price from $58,000 to $400,000.
The Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) is celebrating its 65th anniversary, making it one of Michigan's oldest trade associations. MARVAC is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging growth in the recreation vehicle and private campground industries while contributing to the quality of Michigan tourism. For more information, visit MARVAC's Web site, www.marvac.org. MARVAC, 2222 Association Drive, Okemos, Mich. 48864-5978; 517.349.8881.
For additional information, please visit our All About RVing section of this web site. Here you will find various articles spotlighting the people and places that makeup the RV and Camper lifestyle.
