RVers come from many different backgrounds and interests. Yet we often find that their phases of ownership centralize around four common areas. It starts with a dream, evolves to education and learning more about RVs, continues with practical road experience, and ends with deciding whether to be a part-time or full-time RVer

Phase 1: Starting with a vivid dream
Most RVers have always had a dream of traveling on the road. They love the lifestyle that RVing has to offer - the freedom and exploration of the country, seeing national landmarks, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. They always had the thought that living on the road would be the ultimate way to live. How did they get that idea? Perhaps they camped as a kid, read about it in a travel magazine or met someone who was an RVer. Regardless, there seems to be an immediate connection to windshield sunsets and captains chairs.

Phase 2: Learning about RVs and RV lifestyles
When the time approaches for the dream to become reality, prospective RVers usually start visiting the dealership, scoping out products, and reading books on the lifestyle, maintenance and care of RVs. Taking classes is highly recommended at this stage to get the fuller context of what RVing has to offer and to get more hands-on experience. Many dealers offer courses on driving, maintenance and lifestyle tips. Whichever your mode of research, you will find the education to be fun and well worth your time.

Phase 3: Gaining practical road experience
After the books have been read, most RV dreamers find ways to get practical RV experience. They may rent an RV for a week-long trip, travel with friends, or simply buy a unit and plan trips throughout the year to get real experience in managing and traveling with an RV. This phase is all about learning what kind of traveler you and/or your companion will be. Exploring your interests and trying different destinations and campgrounds is important in learning your preferences. Also, reading your manuals and course materials again are great ways to better absorb the information and apply it to your style.

Phase 4: Deciding on part-time or full-time travels
After some practical road experience, this next decision is usually easy and may evolve into the desire for more or less travel as time goes on. Most people know what amount of travel best suits their lifestyle. Here are some considerations for deciding whether to be a part-time or full-time traveler.

The Part-Time RVer
A part-time RVer is an individual or family that uses the RV for day trips, weekend getaways, vacations, seasonal and extensive travel. Vacations can be one day trips or extended travels that can last for a number of months or seasons. For instance, snowbirds often have a primary residence in the north and travel to the south in the winter months. Regardless, part-time travelers have a primary residence as a place they call home to return to. Part-time travelers come in many forms - there are no rules - just have fun experimenting and making it work for you.

Considerations for part-time RVers are:

• Do you want to do limited or extensive traveling? Will your travels be made of smaller trips, or a few longer trips? This will help you plan your destinations and itineraries.
• Be sure to plan your itinerary well in advance. The more organized you are, the more you will be able to see and enjoy in your limited time. Unless of course, you are looking for a more unstructured, adventurous trip.
• If you are a sports enthusiast, consider an RV when attending sporting events, tailgating and overnights to avoid high traffic times.
• RVs are also a great homebase when traveling to visit relatives and friends, spending days at the beach, antiquing, shows and fairs, picnics and other sightseeing and travel interests.
• Utilize books, referrals and websites for gathering information about the best campgrounds to visit. Once you get some experience you will be able to more easily identify those which are best for you.
• Be aware that April and October are transitional months when campsites, restaurants and shops may be closed or have limited hours.

The Full-Time RVer
Full-time RVers live, travel and work on the road with their RV as their primary residence. These adventure-driven people are looking for new experiences every day. They love the freedom of going where they want to, when they want to. They are motivated by the outdoors and freedom from the confinement of lives and jobs that seem stagnant and limiting.

Considerations for full-time RVers are the following:

• Will it be acceptable to not see family, children and grandchildren on a regular basis?
• Plan family reunions and get-together at parks with lodging accommodations. This will help you stay in touch and see everyone on a regular basis.
• Is your spouse or travel partner your best friend and someone you can closely travel with?
• Will you need to sell your home to afford to be on the road?
• Find ways to limit or eliminate your belongings: give items to family members, have a garage sale, or rent a storage unit.
• Make arrangements to have mail forwarded to you and pay bills electronically.
• Decide which state will be "home" so you can register to vote.
• If you aren't living on a comfortable income, consider a part-time or seasonal job. Many RVers have RV-related jobs such as hosts at campgrounds in exchange for utilities and campsite, or even a salary for full-time work. Many work at theme parks as performers, speakers and service staff. Some write for publications.
• Add to your budget any hobbies you want to support during your travels such as painting, sewing, golfing, scrap booking, or writing.
• Develop a strategy for handling friends and family who may resent or envy your lifestyle. They may think you are irresponsible to have such a lifestyle. Most books on RVing can help you with this dilemma in more detail.