The joys of RV life: recreational vehicles open up new horizons - Statistical Data Included

Travel America, May-June, 2002 by Robert Meyers

Truck camper--Designed to be loaded onto or affixed to the bed or chassis of a truck, the truck camper is popular for backroad journeys and accessing remote locales. With the boom in pickup sales, adding a camper is an easy, economical way to get into RVing. The truck camper sleeps up to six and may include such options as toilets, showers, kitchen facilities, air-conditioners, and pop-up roofs. Price range: $4,500 to $21,900 (without tow vehicle); average cost $13,380.

For those who want to sample the RV lifestyle before committing themselves to buying a unit, renting an RV is a good way to "test drive" the concept. More than 400 national rental and local RV outlets offer late year models.

For more on RV travel, contact Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 2999, Reston, VA 20195-0999; (888) Go RVing; www.rvia.org or www.GoRVing.com.

MEMBERS ONLY

Membership camping Certainly has its advantages. When you buy into a private membership campground, you are able to spend your free time enjoying the amenities as often as you choose according to the terms of your purchase.

In 1972, an innovative concept emerged that added even more value by linking together a network enabling campground members to have access to the others as they traveled. It is this idea that shaped the first nationwide, reciprocal-use network--Coast to Coast Resorts.

As Coast to Coast membership grew, it became eligible for a group discount benefit package that now includes emergency road service, low-cost RV/auto/homeowners insurance, RV and boat financing, special banking for "people 0n the go," discount telephone calling cards, a special Coast to Coast Visa credit card, health insurance, motorhome and car rentals, Coast to Coast travel magazine, and the annual Great North American RV Rally. Members can also participate in discounted dining, hotel stays, cruise and vacation packages, and access to a worldwide network of condominiums.

Thirty years after its founding, Coast to Coast Resorts is the oldest and largest membership camping and recreation system in the world, boasting a network of nearly 1,000 private campgrounds all over North America and nearly 200,000 members at three membership levels.

In order to join, you must first purchase a membership or ownership at one of the private affiliate resorts in the Coast to Coast network. Owning an RV is optional; many of the resorts offer cabins, park models, trailers, and other accommodations for rent. To learn more about Coast to Coast Resorts, call (800) 368-5721 or visit www.coastresorts.com.