You don't have to look too closely at this motorhome cabover bunk to realize that the TV cabinet blocks a good part of the bed. Anyone less than five foot tall may be able to fit, but someone taller would find it almost impossible. How did this design get approved?

By Chuck Woodbury

I was interviewed last week for a Canadian TV show. The segment will air in January and be about buying an RV.

The crew and I walked through a few Class C motorhomes to illustrate some of the points that consumers need to know. We chose mostly inexpensive units, the kind a young family might select as a starter RV.

In the first motorhome, I quickly observed that there was virtually no kitchen counter space. The only space was behind the sink -- worthless as a food preparation area. As always, it baffled me why a manufacturer wouldn't look at the design of this coach and say, "No, this is not acceptable. Where will the cook prepare a meal?" In this same coach, the microwave was at about knee level -- very awkward.

Meanwhile, the double bed was hard -- it felt like a three-inch pad atop plywood -- I'd end up with a sore back if I slept on it. Anyone who purchased the rig would probably want to replace the mattress with a more comfortable one, a few hundred dollars of expense.

In other coaches, we found showers that would not accommodate anyone taller than six feet. We found interior walls that felt like they were made of cardboard. And we found couches and lounge chairs with no head support. Try relaxing in one of those -- not easy.

We tracked down the often well-hidden documentation of how much weight an RV could carry. In some, it was not adequate to easily accommodate a family with a fair amount of gear. To load up such a coach would be inviting severe strain on the RV resulting in unnecessary repair bills and a shorter life. An overweight coach, too, is a potentially dangerous coach.

What we observed was the superficial stuff -- the deficiencies that can be spotted within a few minutes. To be fair, you can't expect the best quality in an inexpensive coach any more than you expect the same quality from a pair of shoes costing $10 and $200. Still, many entry level RVs are far better than others. Anyone who is just getting started RVing should take his or her time to closely inspect many makes and models. If they do, they will likely end up with an RV that fits their needs with the least amount of quirks.

Oh. . . the same inspection process must be taken on more expensive coaches, which are not created equal, either.

Did you miss last week's RV Travel newsletter? Read it here.

Last week's survey question
How old are you? Read the results.

Past reader surveys and results

Beware of products with gas saving promises
Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of advertising for "fuel saving" products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage as explained in the article above, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been small. Downlown a PDF file that explains more.

Man killed in RV at Utah Wal-Mart
A man was killed last week after he forced his way into a motorhome parked overnight at a Cedar City, Utah, Wal-Mart. Steven Stubbs, 26, may have been intoxicated, police say, when he forced his way into the RV at about 10 p.m. The RV was occupied by a family of four from Florida. "The tourists inside were in fear for their life," Sgt. Jerry Womack told the Deseret Morning News. "There was a scuffle inside the motor home and the man shot (the intruder) in the head with a shotgun." The family had been traveling through the area and stopped for the night. The Cedar City Police Department said it was investigating if the use of deadly force is justified. The Iron County Attorney is expected to make a final determination.

Why RVers are not necessarily campers and vice versa
Some people criticize RVing because it's not really camping. What they do not understand is that RVing and camping are not the same, although sometimes they overlap. Read why.

Would-be fulltimers: How to tell friends, family you're leaving.
How do you tell your friends and family that you are going to become a full-time RVer? Sometimes it takes guts to reveal your dream to anyone else. Well-meaning, usually positive and supportive loved ones will sometimes trounce on you in an attempt to keep you "safe." Read this essay by full-time RVer Malia Lane.

And pack along an inexpensive guide to Wal-Marts that do NOT allow you to stay overnight.

The good and bad of Fifth Wheel trailers. Forum members discuss what they like and don't like.

Cracker Barrel stores are popular among RVers. But not all. Join the discussion.

How long is "too long" an RV for a public campground? Readers offer their thoughts.

In this lively discussion, forum members discuss additives to black water holding tanks. Plenty to learn here.

And in the FreeCampgrounds.com forum:
Forum members getting ready for a trip inquire about free places to stay along their route.

How to prepare for a crash
Heaven forbid we are ever involved in a crash with our RV. But if it happens, it is very important to be prepared about what to do. Here's good advice.

Traveling to Alaska by Ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway?
Visit the official website. Check out summer deals plus save 20% now on Snowbird Specials. Hurry! It ends August 15th. Click here.

Volunteering with the Corps of Engineers
The Corps of Engineers is one of the nation's largest providers of outdoor recreation, operating more than 2,500 recreation areas at 463 projects (mostly lakes) and leasing an additional 1,800 sites to state or local park and recreation authorities or private interests. The Corps hosts about 360 million visitors a year at its facilities, and estimates that one in ten Americans visits a Corps project at least once a year. Many RVers help the Corps by volunteering to help with its projects, including camp hosting. Learn more.

Boondock gardening?
You really can "take it with you" when boondocking. Some folks think they have to give up gardening when spending time in their RV. Try plants that produce in a small area, like a potted tomato plant. We built a special "bumper box," a 3' x 1' cedar planter that bolts to our RV's rear bumper. We have strawberries and tomatoes wherever we go. Water scarce? Save your rinse water when you do the dishes -- plants love it, and it cuts down on holding tank dumping. -- Russ and Tiña De Maris are the authors of RV Boondocking Basics.

Guidebooks and DVDs about RVing in Mexico .

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RVing Resources. . .

Why We Need English Teachers (as witnessed along the highways of America)

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