Traveling By RV

Me Camping?  Hah!

Why not? You have all the comforts of home: food, drinks, a clean bathroom, a place to rest or nap, heat when its cold, and A/C when its hot. And you only unpack once!

What is a slide-out?

This is a section of the side-wall of the RV that automatically slides the sofa and dinette out of the way, creating a 5-foot wide living room floor where only a 2-foot aisle had been. Great for a larger group where you need the elbow room.

Do I need hookups?

The RV is completely self-contained. Hookups to electric and water utilities just give you unlimited supplies vs. having to ration your use. You can usually be quite comfortable without hookups for a day or two. However, your air conditioner and microwave oven will not operate without either running the generator (not allowed in many campgrounds due to the noise) or external electricity.

Can anybody drive an RV?

Smaller RVs are only a few feet longer than a Chevy Suburban or Ford Excursion. Class C models - the most popular - are built on a full-sized Ford or GMC van chassis. These same truck bodies are the foundation for ambulances, delivery vans and airport shuttle buses. The driving position and controls are very similar to a passenger car and the vehicle handles very predictably. Even the big Class A models (they're the ones that look like a bus) are easy to drive once you get used to them. What requires extra attention from the driver is the additional length and height. In no time you'll get used to taking turns a little wider than usual and watching your overhead clearance.

How much does an RV vacation cost?

We use only the best recreational vehicles (priced from $70,000 to $125,000), the most experienced outfitters and the most appealing campgrounds available. This vacation experience rivals anything else you have ever done. Our clients have told us that their camping trips won hands-down over Disney, all-inclusive island resorts and escorted tours of every kind.

What's the difference between Public and Private Campgrounds?

Campgrounds run the gamut from expensive "RV Resorts" with hot tubs and scheduled activities (usually with a distinctly senior orientation), to rustic, no-frills campgrounds in a forest at the end of a long gravel road. Each has advantages under certain conditions. In the middle is a vast assortment of options - some heavenly, some horrific. We'll help you choose safe, attractive campgrounds that suit your style whether you're in San Francisco or the San Rafael Swell (look it up!). Campgrounds fall into two categories - Public and Private. Here's how they compare:

Do we need reservations at a campground for every night of our trip?

Yes, especially if you're visiting major national parks in mid-summer. All of our trips include campground reservations. (If you've ever tried to book a national park campsite, you know the value of this service!) We choose the best campgrounds in each area and the best sites in each campground when possible.

How do we get around once we've set up camp?

You just pull the power cord, unscrew the water hose, and go. Some national parks have shuttles that serve the campgrounds. Your Tracks & Trails Adventure Kit will have all the details.

Do RVs have TVs?

Some do and some don't. It depends on the size of the RV and the supplier. But please allow us to make a radical suggestion. Even if you can't imagine a week or two without a TV, give it a try. Almost without exception, families tell us that their kids seldom, if ever, watched TV and that this accounted for much of the family "magic" that took place during their trip.