As a Commercial Driver’s License holder I am appalled that in most states a Commercial Driver’s License is not required to operate a large motor home and / or a recreational vehicle in tow. While some states do require a special license which is fashioned after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s CDL Class A & B, most RV’ers travel around the country without adequate driver training and are grossly under qualified to operate their vehicles.

It seems to me that there should be a Federal requirement which mandates all RV’ers in all states be trained and then satisfactorily demonstrate their proficiency in their vehicles before they can hit the road.

So my question is, “Even though in my state I do not need any special training or license to drive a large motor home or to haul a trailer, is there any organization that currently offers such training for those safety-minded RV’ers that want it?

Answer:

We contacted Dennis and Carol Hill at Dick Reed’s RV Driving School to ask them this question. They were great at getting back to us with information on what they have to offer RVers that want to drive their RV confidently and safely!

For many years Richard (Dick) Reed has been very active in the RV life style. He realized that many people, who would love to travel in a recreational vehicle, were fearful of driving or towing the larger vehicles. Having many years experience in truck driving instruction and a long time love for travel and camping Dick proposed a school that would offer students instruction in how to safely drive their own Recreational Vehicle unit.

In 1991 Dick realized his dream and started the RV School. From its modest beginning, the RV School now has thousands of satisfied customers from over 48 states. We attribute our success to our instruction techniques and patience. Our students learn proper driving habits to safely operate and maneuver all types of vehicles.

In addition to private instruction, Dick has also developed a very unique training program through seminars and classes fro those who wish to refine and expand their driving skills. This program helps the experienced RVer become a safer and more knowledgeable driver.

Because of the RV School’s rapid success, it soon become necessary to add more instructors. Dick was extremely careful with his choice of instructors. They had to have the ability to teach driving techniques in all the various types of recreational vehicles with knowledge and patience.

With many years of experience and background in truck driving, operation of large equipment and bus driver training as well as many years experience in RVing. Dick and his instructors have built a very successful program aimed at offering the RV industry a more satisfied customer, and the customer a more enjoyable lifestyle.

In January 2007, Dick retired and sold the RV School to one of his instructors, Dennis Hill. Dennis and his wife Carol have been RVing for over 35 years and have owned a variety of RVs over those years. They have been full timing since 2000 and will continue to do so making the RV School more visible. Dennis comes from a military background and has experience in over the road driving of 18 wheelers, transporting new RVs out of California and Indiana. Dennis and Carol also give seminars on various RV topics and RV driving at shows across the country. Their goal is to continue the school with its high tradition of excellence and to expand into more states and grow with other organizations.

There are very few RV Driving Schools. I think they are generally good and we basically all teach the same thing. We, at Dick Reed’s RV Driving School, have been doing it longer with very qualified instructors. We teach pre-trip inspection, proper mirror adjustments, how to test air brake system, safe braking, backing straight back on a curve and into a campsite, how to make turns, how to measure and allow for tail swing out, city and interstate driving, defensive driving AND A LOT MORE. This is done one on one with an instructor in the student’s RV at one of our locations. There is no classroom time. It’s all behind the wheel training. All regular lessons are 2 days for four hours each day for a one person lesson OR 2 days for six hours each day for a two person lesson. If it’s a one person lesson, we encourage the spouse to ride along at no extra cost. They can watch and listen, of course, but no participation. The instructor’s focus will be on the student.

Dennis and Carol’s blog for their Alaska trip can be seen at http://www.rvdrivingschool.blogspot.com - this blog has great information and pictures. It will give those people who have not driven to Alaska a fun inside view. This is their third trip to Alaska.

For more information on Dick Reed’s RV Driving School please click on http://www.rvschool.com and meet people today that want to give you the confidence and knowledge to drive your RV confidently and safely.

Price Setting is one of the most important and frustrating part of any sale. You want to get the most money working with what you are selling. Depreciation is not your friend when it comes to trying to set that price because setting a price to high could have you keeping your RV for longer than you wanted. Go to NADA (www.nadaguides.com ) to help with fair market value on your RV keeping in mind that overall condition of your RV, mileage and accessories can be play into getting you a fair deal.

Tip #2: Showing your RV to buyers

Make all possible repairs to prepare your RV to show potential buyers.

Tip #3: Advertising

Thanks to the internet, you can now reach more potential buyers than ever - and at a more affordable cost compared to typical print advertising.

Tip #4: Closing the Sale

Understanding that for most people, buying an RV is most likely the second largest purchase of their life after their home - real prospects will contact you several times with many questions about your RV before committing to a purchase an RV. Be patient and answer all questions completely

Tip #5: Have all Paperwork Ready To Go

Prepare to have a clean title ready at closing and if you still owe money on your RV, having the appropriate paperwork ready making closing your sale run more smoothly.

If you want to keep your residency in your own state but move around the country - then you will have to have to take an address of a family member and get a mail forwarding service to accommodate forwarding your mail to you (unless you have your family do it for you instead). A list of mail forwarding services is listed here used by RVers around the country to assist in getting their mail to them in a timely manner, keeping in mind that all your mail will be delayed due to a detour through the mail forwarding service that you use. Heck, some mail forwarding support companies will open and read your mail to you. A feature you can sign up for! Okay, let’s list some mail forwarding services that is available to accommodate full time RVers:

 Escapees
(936) 327-2870
(800) 231-9896
101 Rainbow Drive
Livingston, TX 77399

Good Sam Club offers Good Sam Mail
(888) SAM-MAIL
P.O. Box 2428
Pensacola, FL 32513

Earth Class Mail
(971) 250-5000
(866) 625-6245
14525 SW Millikan Way #101
Beaverton, OR 97005-2343

 Voyagers Mail
(305) 852-1101
(800) 860-9256
88005 Overseas Hwy #9
Islamorada, Florida Keys 33036-3087

 USA2Me
(281) 361-7200
5715 Will Clayton
Humble, TX 77338

 Home Sweet Home Mail, Inc
(866) 352-8582
100 South Main Street
Humboldt, SD 57035

 Access USA
(941) 227-4444
1899-1905 60th Place E.
Bradenton, Florida 34203

5th Annual Colorado RV Liquidation Super Sale
August 14-15, 2009
Denver, Colorado

15th Annual Summer Boat & RV Super Sale
August 28-30, 2009
Richmond, Virginia

8th Annual North Carolina Fall RV Show & Sale
September 11-13, 2009
Greensboro, North Carolina

12th Annual Fall Rhode Island RV Show
October 2-4, 2009
Providence, Rhode Island

2nd Annual Chantilly Fall RV & Boat Super Sale
October 2-4, 2009
Chantilly, Virginia

21st Annual New Jersey RV Show
October 16-18, 2009
Edison, New Jersey

16th Annual Fall Atlantic City RV Show
October 30-November 1, 2009
Atlantic City, New Jersey

Here are some  Rallies coming up!

June 17 - 21
Oregon “Forty Years of Fun, Fellowship, Food and Freedom” Samboree

June 18 - 21
Wisconsin “North to Alaska” Samboree
South Dakota State Samboree

June 19 - 21
Rhode Island “Halloween” Samboree

June 25 - 28
Wyoming “Western Energy, Present and Future” Somboree
Washington “Treasure Island” Samboree