Is there really such a thing as a "perfect" RV? Well, it depends. There could be a perfect RV for your personal situation, your income, your travel schedule - right now. But, any of those things could change overnight! And, with that change, your perfect RV would no longer be perfect.

So, how do you choose the RV that best meets your needs? First, you need to understand that your needs will change over the years. Second, your first RV will probably be the first of a series of many different types of RV's you will have over the years.

The good news is that you will enjoy every one of them for a variety of reasons. Some you will like better than others. It is often said that the two best days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells it. Some RV's can be like that, too.

So, what are your needs right now?

* Are you single? Married? With kids?

* What kind of time do you have in which to travel with an RV?

* Do you prefer a two-week vacation once a year or a series of three- or four-day outings spread throughout the year?

* Do you have a place to store an RV?

* What is your travel budget?

* What about your budget to buy an RV?

There are countless other questions to be answered in your quest for an RV that will meet your needs right now. Each question has an answer that will point in one direction or the other. The chances are excellent that the answers won't all point in the same direction. That means that, whatever you do decide to buy, it will be a compromise.

Sometimes, the compromise will be between various factors in your lifestyle. The compromise might be between you and other members of the family. "Perfect" will be pretty hard to find but there will most likely be several options that are "pretty good."

Another thing to remember is that you might come to love one of the options you didn't think you would like at all. You bought it because your spouse wanted it or it was a great deal you just couldn't pass up.

In the next couple of postings, I'll talk about RV's that are motorized vs. those that need to be towed. They all have their advantages and disadvantages - depending on your lifestyle at the moment.

Motorized RV's

There are a few things to think about before you decide whether a motorized RV is the best choice for you. First, how often will you be traveling? Remember, an RV is about living space away from home. Between trips, it has to be stored somewhere. You'll also be paying license fees, taxes and insurance - whether you're driving it or not! And, some engine and transmission parts can start to deteriorate if they're not used for long periods.

If your travel schedule allows you to take several short trips throughout the year, a motor home is a great way to travel. One person can drive while the other takes a nap - on a real bed! Or, makes a sandwich in the kitchen - while going down the road at highway speeds. Or, uses the bathroom. A motor home can make the trip, itself, enjoyable and relaxing. You can actually get up and move around unless, of course, you're driving.

The design most easily recognized as "a motor home" is the Class A. These motor homes are designed from the ground up as motor homes. The outline shape of the Class A is, basically, a box on wheels. It makes the most efficient use of the square footage by concentrating on living and storage space. Speed and handling are secondary. It's a compromise between the comfort of your house and the ability to drive down the road. Like all other compromises, it doesn't do either job very well.

However, the motor home lifestyle takes that compromise into account and becomes something you enjoy for its own sake. You know that the Class A motor home will never handle like a sports car. You also know it will never be as comfortable and spacious as a house. But, you don't care because you enjoy the freedom of having your own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom wherever you want it to be. None of the other RV types can quite match a Class A in this area.

The downside is that a Class A motor home is more expensive to buy and maintain. It is larger than most other vehicles on the road and harder to drive safely. Depending on the size, you could be somewhat limited on where you can park for the night. Some older campgrounds are unable to handle the larger units. Every choice involves making compromises as to living space and comfort vs. size and ease of handling.

The next type is the Class B motor home. It is, basically, a van that has been modified to serve as a compact motor home. Storage space is at a premium and the variety of floor plans is limited. You can only do so much with so little space.

However, being a standard-sized van makes the Class B usable as a "daily driver." Fuel and other operating costs are lower. It's much easier to drive because of the smaller size. You can also have it serviced at your local car dealership. However, it is not a good solution for a family with children. The Class B motor home is best for a couple who enjoy being close together for hours at a time.
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