Talk to nearly any RV owner and they will extol to you the advantages of living the recreational vehicle lifestyle. They may be full-timers who live every day in a recreational vehicle, or they may be just part-timers who like to use their RV for weekend camping trips, or for short visits to family. Or they can be anywhere in between these to ends of the spectrum. But, the basic appeal to owning a recreational vehicle is that you can take some (if not all) of the comforts of home out on the road with you. "Roughing it" just took on a whole new meaning.

Types of RV: Towable and Motorized. These titles are pretty self-explanatory.

Towables can include any thing from a pop-up trailer to a fifth wheel. They are generally cheaper than the motorized varieties. Some, like the fifth wheel require a special hitch that is hooked into the bed of a truck. Others compress for travel and pop up (or slide out) when they are at their destination to increase the living space. This type of RV may be better for individuals and families who are just starting out in the recreational vehicle lifestyle and are not sure if it is for them. Then, if they really like it and they want to go to the next level, they may want to move up to a motorized RV.

Motorized recreational vehicles come in 3 different classes: Class A (diesel or gas powered motor coach), Class B (the camper van) and Class C which are the mini-motor homes. The diesel powered coaches are supposedly more efficient and powerful than the gas model recreational vehicle. Motorhomes (as they are sometimes called) are practical because you do not have to worry about towing them.

You can find a lot of information about new and used recreational vehicles of any kind by getting on the internet and looking at manufacturer's and dealer's websites. You will find information about the different makes and models, what kinds of features to expect in any RV and even some color and floor plan samples. When you are ready to buy, you can even get pre-approved for financing with one of the many recreational vehicle lenders.

The recreational vehicle is not for everyone. But if you have a taste for adventure and independence you may definitely find something that appeals to you and your family or loved ones.