RV books

[drocknut]

In looking into buying a travel trailer I found a site that has a bookstore of books about RV'ing and RV's. I am thinking about buying some but don't know what to buy or if I should spend the money on other things and just get information online. Do any of you have any books on RV living or buying that you would recommend or ones you would stay away from?

One of them is all about living in an rv and another looked interesting to me since it is about RV Boondocking Basics.

[JudyJB]

I have not read any books about RVing. The problem I see is that there are so many different styles of RVing and there are so many types of people out there that I don't think a book or two is going to give you a balanced opinion.

Personally, I just did a lot of reading various blogs before I got started and looked for people who had a similar lifestyle to what I wanted to experience. That gave me a lot of different opinions and options.

[Lopo]

Two that I found helpful when I was completely new to RV'ing and overwhelmed with all there was to learn were "RV'ing Basics" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to RV'ing." And when it comes time to travel, Mike and Terri Church have written some excellent guidebooks (for trips to Alaska, Mexico, the Baja, the Southwest and Europe), something otherwise hard to find in the RV world.

[VickieP]

Personally, I wouldn't buy any books when there is so much info online, except like Lopo said for specific areas written by people with experience in those locations. If you prefer books, maybe checking with the library to see what they have.

[BarbaraRose]

The library is a good option. I have gotten books about RV adventures. About real RVer's (and some not real) that tell about their life on the road. They do give you some idea of things that can happen on the road and how people handle those situations. One that was fiction but a very good story is "The Leisure Seeker".

The two books that Lopo recommended are good too. Covers a lot of what you need to know and do to get ready for RVing and explains the plumbing/electrical/mechanical stuff (which still confuses me ).

One I just read is "Millennium Road" about a woman who takes off in a small RV to explore the country. It is a true story and is interesting to read.

Blogs are another good way to find out what RVing is like, but like Judy said, everyone has a different experience and a different perspective. But I still find it fun to read about it, at least until I am out there having my own adventures!

Check the "Books" thread and search "RV" and see what books come up there.

[MelissaD]

I have not bought any books to date. I have a membership in Good Sam http://www.goodsamclub.com and they have informational video as well as run the RV.net message board. Lots of good info if you can get past the testosterone. Plus you get a discount at many campgrounds.

You Tube has a how to video on just about anything to do with an RV. Just remember anyone can make a video but some of the larger dealers put some up there to help new RVers.

Just remember its always a learning process.

Almost forgot, I do get Trailer Life magazine.

[dayspring39]

Most of what you need will be found on the road from experience! With so many rvers you will find as many ideas... each one has a unique way of doing things except the basics...
My advice would be to rent an rv and see what you need that way... in your first rv you will find many things you wish you had... my basic things was I did not want a corner bed or a booth table... so my second and current MH is set up better for me!
If you have a reader you can find many books to help you find out information you need...
I think I will get the 'Millennium Road' that Barbie suggested... sounds like a good read as I sit here in the cold Florida sun...
Good luck and hope to see you down the road...
Kathleen

[chalet05]

We subscribed to Trailer Life magazine and read a couple of books before we even bought an RV - but that was 15 years ago.

With some of the basic/generic operating questions that have come up on this forum, I would have suggested a book on basics if I could have remembered the title!! Nothing wrong with asking questions on here or searching the Internet, but I'd prefer a book in hand for a quick answer - I'm not the most patient person. If I have a basic knowledge before something goes wrong, I don't feel so blindsided or helpless.

Just my 2 cents.

[drocknut]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I may look into purchasing a basic book since I'm not sure how much access to internet I'll have later. I like to have a book in hand especially if my computer isn't handy or my internet isn't available.

[Bethers]

I've looked at several books others have had or at cg's .... never found one that I agreed with everything lol. So, no matter what you buy - take it all with a grain of salt - and ask questions.

As to the Church's books - I find their book for Alaska the only one I needed to go there. I like their Baja book. I'm okay with their sw book, but look at their Pacific NW book almost like having a Trailer Life directory, etc - they don't have many places I've stayed in it (talking legitimate places - not my boondocking spots) so I use it to see what they say about a place I'm considering - but wouldn't necessarily recommend purchasing that one.

[drocknut]

Thanks Beth. I'll probably wait until later to purchase any books other than just basic RV maintenance. Right now I'm only figuring on traveling between Montana and Arizona or maybe a few other more nearby places like Idaho and Oregon.