Interview with Ramblin Ralph
1. In your opinion, what would be the best and most affordable campground or RV park for a family to visit on a tight budget?
U.S Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Corps of Engineers (COE) are the most affordable I've found. They range from $0 to around $25 a night. They don't usually, however, have hookups (i.e. electricity and water) at the camping space, except for sometimes COE. These are the ones I usually stay in, because I don't need hookups. Note: USFS and BLM campgrounds are most prominent in the U.S. West.
Next would be U.S. National Parks and State Parks. Around $20 to $25 a night. You usually get flush toilets and, sometimes, showers.
2. If a family is considering buying there first motorhome, what are some questions the family should ask the dealer?
I suggest the first step in buying a new RV is to educate yourself by reading RVing books, looking at Rving forums on the Internet and talking to RV owners. By doing this you'll learn what you should ask the dealer. You'll also be better prepared to know if the dealer is giving you the "straight skinny" or not. :)
3. What websites or other blogs would you recommend to RVers visit before they travel on there next RV vacation?
I make considerable use of the following:
a) USCampgrounds.info ( http://www.uscampgrounds.info/) lists most of the government (federal, state and local) campgrounds on a map of the U.S. Zoom in on the area of interest and click on the "marker" of a campground to get details like number of campsites, elevation, GPS coordinates, reservaton phone numbers, etc. You can also enter where you are starting from and it will give you directions to the campground.
b) The RV.net forum ( http://www.rv.net/forum) is a great place to learn about RVing and get answers to your questions from fellow RVers. It has various categories, such as, Travel Trailers, Tent Camping, Beginninging RVing, etc.
c) If you have (or are thinking about getting) a truck camper, the online Truck Camper Magazine ( http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/) is full of useful info.
4. Do you recommend RVing as a family event? Would you say it's brought your family closer together?
Yes, for sure! Get out there and see this beautiful country of ours. Seeing a deer walk through your campground for the first time is a real treat to "city folks". Lots of good memories will be made and talked about for years to come. Even somewhat bad experiences (and there will be some) will be laughed about later on. "Hey Dad, remember when you backed into that tree and put a big dent in the trailer?".
5. What experiences should a first time RVer/camper come to expect on there first RV vacation?
On your first trip you'll probably be apprehensive about some things. Like dumping the holding tanks the first time, maneuvering into a gas station, etc. Take it slow and you're less likely to make mistakes. If you do make a mistake, don't sweat it. You probably won't the next time. Overall, though, you'll be looking forward to your next trip as soon as you get home.
6. What's the most exciting RV experience you've ever had?
Getting stuck in dried mud ruts on a lonely dirt road in northern Nevada with no cell phone service. Had to wait for an hour or so for someone to just happen along and pull me out. Whew! Watch out for those ruts!
Thanks Ramblin' Ralph for the interview. Appreciate it.