Photo credit: spieri_sf / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Check In:

• Make sure you are at the correct camp site and it’s available.

• Don’t block your neighbor’s access route to facilities or the exits.

• If you’re arriving late, keep loud noises and bright lights to a minimum.

The Grounds:

• Treat it like your home. For many, campgrounds are a home away from home.

• Know the rules and policies on dumping trash, smoking, parking, fire wood, washing dishes, showers, quite hours, speed limit, etc.

• Use only the designated fire pits.

• Leave no trace. Always leave your site as you found it (or better)

• Leave enough wood to start a fire for the next person.

Community: 

• Be friendly and say hello to people passing by.

• Don’t cut through other people camp sites without warning.

• Teach your kids to have fun camping while respecting the rules.

• Help your neighbor out if they need it.

• I love dogs, but not everyone does. Keep pets under control and pick up their dodo if it’s on the trail!

Need a campground directory? Check out the 2013 Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory.

If you look ing for campgrounds that are less crowded check out Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting.

 In no particular order, here are 8 books that focus on the small camper / RV lifestyle we really enjoyed and think will be very helpful to you:

Repair/Maintenance Category: RV Repair and Maintenance Manual (RV Repair & Maintenance Manual) by Bob Livingston. This is just a great resource to have with you on the road. It has step by step instructions with lots of pictures for trouble shooting any random mechanical issue you may encounter.

Frugal Camping Category: 10-Minute Tech, Volume 2: Over 600 Time and Money Saving Ideas from Fellow RVersThe title says it all. This is the camper’s hacking guide. Its full of truly great tips on frugal camping. A lot of the advice in this book I haven’t seen anywhere else.

Cooking Category: The Original VW Camper Cookbook: 80 Tasty Recipes Specially Composed for Cooking in a Camper by Lennart Hannu, Steve Rooker and Susanne Rooker It’s full of fantastic easy to use recipes, but this book is more than just an outdoor friendly cookbook, it’s total eye candy. It has tons of great photos of food and vintage campers.

Camper Living Category: How to Live in a Car, Van or RV–And Get Out of Debt, Travel and Find True Freedom by Robert Wells. The author has lived in his small camper for 10+ years and know his stuff. This book focuses primarily on the economics of living on the road and how to get the most bang for your buck.

Renting Campers Category: RV Rentals: A Vacationer’s Guide by Kay Corby. This is a great book for people just starting out who are interested in getting a camper. You should always rent before you buy to make sure it’s a good fit for you and your family.

Beginner Category: Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home by Phil White and Carol White. This is probably the most thorough book I’ve seen on the process of planning and preparing for hitting the road. It’s also extemely well written.

Beginner Category: So, you want to be an RVer? by Kathy Huggins and John Huggins. Also owners of the “Living the RV Dream” podcast, Kathy and John are very knowledgable full-timers. This book covers all the basics of fulfilling the RV dream.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Jay Nelson‘s custom small campers:

1.  The 1986 Toyota Pick-up Truck Camper

Somehow he managed to give it a classic, yet futuristic look at the same time.

http://jaynelsonart.com/

http://jaynelsonart.com/

2. The Honda Civic

I love the shape, it’s almost like being in the hull of a ship.

http://jaynelsonart.com/

http://jaynelsonart.com/

3. Last but not least, The Golden Gate:

This is an electric car that tops out at about 20 mph and gets about 10 miles per charge. It’s really got it all: sink, stove, toilet, and bed.

http://jaynelsonart.com/

http://jaynelsonart.com/

http://jaynelsonart.com/

Want to know more? Got to: http://jaynelsonart.com/

Unlike small campers and RVs there is no nation wide company that offers popup camper rentals. So I’ve put together a list of good popup camper rental companies by region:

Palomino

California: Tow Tally Camping

Colorado: Colorado Camper Rental

Florida: Family First Camper Rental

Georgia: Atlanta Rv Rental

Illinois: Art’s RV

Kansas: Midwest Camper Rentals

Kentucky: Louisville Greenwood RV Rentals

Maine: Destinations RV Maine

Michigan: HallMac RV Rentals

Missiouri: Byerly RV Center

New Hampshire: North East RV

New Jersey: 84 RV

North Carolina: Southern Pop Up Rentals

Pennsylvania: Freedom Rentals & Shady Maple RV

Texas: Campers 4 Rent & Austin Boat Camper

Wyoming: Adventure Camper

If you’re towing a pop up camper, your bike rack options are unfortunately somewhat limited. No matter what kind of pop up bike rack you buy, DO NOT purchase one that requires you to drill holes in your camper. Having holes in you pop up will lead to many problems down the line. That being said, I recommend you go down one of these two avenues:

Option One:

ProRac Tent Trailer 2-Bike Carrier (or the 4-Bike version)

pplmotorhomes.com

Why we like it? Unlike many of the other pop up camper bike racks, you don’t have to drill into your trailer or bummer. The rack is easy to install and even easier to load and unload the bikes. Because the rack attaches to the hitch, it will fit on just about any pop up camper. I really like the fork mount style bike racks, mainly because it gives you peace of mind knowing the bikes are very secure on the rack and you’re not checking to see if your bikes are still attached in the rear view mirror every 5 minutes.

Option Two:

Hollywood Racks F4 Heavy Duty 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack

squidoo.com

Although this style of rack is not as secure as option one, it has one simple advantage. The big advantage of this type of rack is you can still drive with the bikes after you detach the pop up trailer. The tent trailer is not needed to haul the bikes like it is in option one.

Though I’ve never used a motorcycle camper, I’ve seen many in my travels and I have to say they look pretty damn cool. 

For those of you who are not familiar with motorcycle campers, they’re essentially smaller popup campers that are light enough to be hauled by motorcycles.

I’ve also seen a few teardrop motorcycle campers as well.

go little guy

Full-timing in a motorcycle camper is not common; these are more designed for smaller trips. Even though the motorcycle camper trailers are light, they still require a bike that has quite a bit of power. Most motorcycle pop up campers triple in size when set up and they still sleep a maximum of two people (and maybe a dog). Prices can range from $800 to about $5500.

There are many manufacturers, but from my research the top Motorcycle pop up camper makers are:

Time Out Trailers

Easy Rider

Canvasworks

Trailmasters

Lees-ure Lite Trailer 

SylvanSport

Photo credit: fiddle oak / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Life is way too short to read bad books. Here are my 6 favorite road trip books, that really changed everything for me:

1. Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

This is classified as a novel, but it’s really a memoir. The author wanders across America with Rocinaate, his custom made truck camper, to find out what the country and life is really all about. This book will undoubtedly change your view on what America really is and appreciating life.

2. Off the Leash: How My Dog Inspired Me to Quit My Job, Pack My Car, and Take a Road Trip Across America to Reclaim My Life by Jean Ellen Whatley

I have to admit this one is heart-wrenching. Jean has some serious issues in her life. She hits the road with her dog libby; not to run away from her problems, but to face them. As a reader you can’t help but learn and grow from the authors experiences during her epic journey.

3. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

This american classic was written in 11 days on a 120 foot scroll without a single break in the text. It’s fun and timeless story that you can read over and over again. An autobiographical novel of a cross country ride based in the early 50s that you will never forget.

4. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

This book is one of a kind. It combines philosophy with driving cross-country, relationships and a little maintenance into a truly amazing story. This book will make you appreciate the journey a little more and not so much the destination.

5. Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat Moon

William Least Heat Moon, age 38, loses his job and his wife. Not knowing what to do he hits the road with his camper van avoiding highways and interstates at all costs. He finds himself again, while traveling on the backroads throughout America. This is such a great ride.

6. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

I know by putting this book on the list it may start a little controversy, but this is truly a one of a kind adventure that should be read. America wasn’t ready for these three tripping hippies when they drove a psychedelic painted bus across the states. How could it not be a fun read when you mix drugs, hippies and a cross country adventure.

When you step foot on the RV dealer’s lot make sure you are prepared with these 16 crucial questions so you don’t get taken to the cleaners.

1. Can you deliver the camper?

Photo credit: Alien Ted / Foter / CC BY-SA

You’re giving them a lot of your hard earned money, take advantage of any services they provide like delivering the camper to your home. This can be a deal breaker if you are buying online.

2. What other fees will I be charged? OR What’s my out-the-door price?

Photo credit: bindermichi / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

The total cost to take the camper home is always more than the cost of just the camper. There is sales tax, documentation fees and registry costs. Other than these three listed, I would question any other add-ons. Make sure you aware of any extra expenses and fees that go along with buying the camper so you’re not surprised when the bill comes. Yes, the documentation fee can sometimes be negotiable.

3. What is the cost if I pay for the camper in cash?

Photo credit: Neil Melville-Kenney / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Most RV dealers will make money off you financing, but it’s a lot less paper work for them if you pay with the green stuff. Expect to get close to a 5% discount by paying in cold hard cash.

4. Is there any equipment that comes as part of the purchase?

Photo credit: Jon Delorey / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

If the camper need new tires, mud flaps, touch-up, wipers, etc. See if you can get the dealer to throw them in as part of the deal.

5. What is the Term of the Loan and What is my Interest Rate?If you going down the financing road, thats fine, but do not sign anything until you completely 100% understand the details of the loan.

6. Has the Camper Been Used as a Demo or Rental?

Photo credit: elstro_88 / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

You don’t want to buy the camper thats been rented and abused 100 of times at tailgate parties.

7. Do You Have The Repair History For This Camper?

Photo credit: Timitrius / Foter / CC BY-SA

If the camper is used, the dealership should be able to provide you with a record of any professional repairs that were done on the camper from an RV dealership’s garage. While it may not include all repairs It will help you get a good idea of what you’re buying.

8. Where Is The Buyers Guide?

According to federal law, every used camper with a motor must have some sort of “Buyers Guide” available. The Buyers Guide tells you things like if the dealer is selling the camper as is and if there is a warranty. The Buyers Guide will also tell you what the warranty will cover and how much money the dealership is responsible for contributing to repair costs. If  they say there is no Buyer’s Guide, I would walk away.

9. What Is Your Return Policy?

Photo credit: Slideshow Bruce / Foter / CC BY

Believe it or not a lot of dealerships will except you returning your camper. You should ask so you know what your options are. If you feel like you got sold a total lemon, some states have lemon laws for used vehicles.

10. Can I See The Camper’s Title?

Title’s sometimes have a lot of information. In some states, a vehicle’s title must include if the camper was a salvage, a lemon buyback, or a rebuilt vehicle.

11. Will You Put That In Writing?

A dealer who is eager to sell, will sometimes say whatever it takes to get you to agree. Putting things in writing will make sure you get what you are promised.

12. Can You Confirm The Odometer Reading is Correct?

Photo credit: Jack Snell. / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Unfortunately, Odometers are easy to tamper with and it happens all the time. If the dealer compares the recorded milage with the date of past repairs they can usually tell if everything is on the up and up.

13. Is There An Unexpired Manufacturer’s Warranty On This Vehicle?

If the camper is on the new side, it may still be covered under the original warranty without them even realizing it. It can’t hurt to ask.

14. Is that the best you can do? (watch the tone on this one)Some people are negotiating than others, this is a important question to make sure you are getting the best possible price.

15. Can I have a test drive?

Photo credit: s_mestdagh / Foter / CC BY-SA

Much like buying a car, you have every right to see how the camper sounds, steers, takes bumps, etc. before buying

16. Does this camper make me happy?

Photo credit: Owen’s / Foter / CC BY-NC

Last question. And this one is for yourself. Weather you admit it or not, hopping for campers is an emotional task. In the heat of the moment you can forget what brought you there in the first place. Make sure you are buying a camper hat is right for you and is going to fulfill your needs.