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RV Facts & Figures

Before we know it, our least favorite time of year will be coming around again:  April 15th, the deadline to file your taxes.  

There’s nothing wrong with paying taxes; our country is one of the best places in the world to live thanks to what our taxes do for us.  On the other hand, there’s no reason to give Uncle Sam any more money then he’s entitled to.

The purchase of an RV is a large investment for most families.  One thing that may help soften the blow to your budget is that, in many instances, your recreational vehicle purchase will be partially offset by some very helpful tax deductions that are completely legal and fully supported by the IRS. 

Yes, even Uncle Sam tries to help when he can.

Nothing would ruin your day faster than the instant you realized that your RV was too tall to fit below the bridge you just went under. 

Every state is different as to whether they mark the height of bridges or not. 

Some clearly label their bridges and low overpasses well in advance, so you have the opportunity to take an alternate route around.  However, not all states are this thoughtful; some give no indication at all that the bridge you're approaching is 6 inches too low to clear your RV's rooftop.

When it comes to interstate bridges, they are designed to clear semi trucks which are limited in height to be under 13’- 6“.  But here again, each state may be different.  

Most states don’t require Oversize Load permits for vehicles and loads that are under 13’- 6”. 

However, the interstate bridges in some states are higher at 14’.

And a few states allow loads up to 15’ to run their highways.

Full time RVers have many advantages over the house-bound population.  Not only do they get to travel and enjoy new vistas, meet interesting people, and relish new experiences, they can also choose exactly where they want to declare home!

However, our country’s legal system was established around the premise that people are stationary in their places of residence. 

Next to your social security number and drivers license, the most required piece of information that all levels of authority and government officials want is your physical address.

Enter the full time RVer.  All you want is the freedom to go your own way, as financially prudent as possible. Of course, stretching your income is also important.  With today’s hard economic times, getting the biggest bang for your buck is mandatory. 

To that end, it’s only common sense that you would try to find a state that has its taxation system set up to your advantage.

This is just cool...

In an unprecedented move, Go RVing television ads will run during coverage of three of sports' biggest events -- the Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and Summer Olympics."
Source: RV Trade Digest

The question is... if you're a fulltime RVer, where do you vote?

In the state where I live (Tennessee), this is a very hot topic right now.

As you know, you have to claim a permanent place of residence in order to obtain a valid drivers license to drive an RV. However, despite the fact that many hold a driver's license and register their vehicles in a particular state, they otherwise have no permanent presence in that state.

Therein lies the controversy.

Jim and his buddy Terry are riding around the eastern U.S. in a RV. They are en route to a series of IHRA drag racing events.

It seems like we learn something new about RVs on every trip, and this one was no different.

Do you know how much gas an RV generator uses when it's turned on?...

As recent as July 5, 2007, the sale of recreational vehicles is still on the rise. This, despite the fact that you're lucky to get 10 miles to the gallon and each fill-up can cost as much as $200!

(We recently spent $1,000 -- in gas alone -- on an RV trip from Elkhart, Indiana to Edmonton, Alberta Canada. We drove approximately 1,800 miles and got about 6-1/2 miles per gallon.)

Americans are defying high gas prices and jumping into gas guzzling recreational vehicles for their summer vacations... RV parks say changes in how the vehicles are used along with a rise in ownership among affluent people is driving higher sales." Source