Which RV fits your lifestyle?
By Bob Zagami

We are approaching every RVer's favorite season – summer. With the days becoming longer, there is an excitement that fills the air. The temperature steadily rises and the beauty of the colorful leaves, flowers and grasses presents itself. This time of year is one that draws the wanderlust out of all of us – from those on the rocky coast of Maine to those in the California redwoods. It is a season when the excitement of exploring our country motivates families to plan trips around exploring historical destinations, visiting out-of-state family members and partaking in sporting or hobby events. Whether it is by Route 66 or a four-lane highway, RVers head for the open road to create another summer of unforgettable memories with families and friends.

RVers truly love everything that the camping experience brings to their lives. I like to think of Bob Hope's signature song, "Thanks for the Memory," as a song for all ages, but especially for all RV enthusiasts. I know we created many RV memories when our two girls, now 30 and 26, were growing up. Today, these memories are often the topic of conversation at family gatherings or when socializing with friends. I honestly believe that it was the RV lifestyle that enabled us to establish a solid family foundation that aided these now young adults in successfully establishing themselves in their careers.

Although some enjoy RVing year-round in all types of weather, there are many whose travels are limited to the summer months. After all, summer represents vacation time, no matter where you live. for many people, this means trading their current RV and purchasing that trailer or motor home that is going to make this year's travels even more enjoyable. With the spring show season under way, manufacturers are introducing their newest products with innovations were designed to do just this. Read on for a look at the different types of RVing and the many ways RVs can accommodate our needs.

Lightweight Trailers
Lightweight trailers provide the opportunity to enjoy cost-conscious, fuel-efficient RVing with all of the amenities and comforts of home. Smaller and lighter than conventional travel trailers, these RVs are well suited for back-to- nature camping at state parks and nearby beaches as well as weekend jaunts to NASCAR events, college football games, family reunions…you name it!

2008 Keystone Passport 245RB Ultra-Lite Photography by Jeff Fay Styling by Charlotte Jeske

Young families, active twosomes and retired couples longing for outdoor adventure find this type of RV to be very well-suited for providing weekend and vacation enjoyment. A popular choice in this category is the Keystone Passport 245RB Ultra-Lite travel trailer. With a host of well-appointed features, this model is sure to provide many happy memories while at the same taking it easy on the pocket book.

Gone are the days when a large Suburban-style pick-up truck was needed to tow a home-onwheels. The Passport can easily be towed behind the family SUV or half-ton pick-up truck. At 8' wide and just a shade over 27' long, the 245RB has an open floorplan featuring a queen bed in the front, a dinette and refrigerator curb-side and a bathroom in the rear. Opposite the dinette, conveniently located in a compact slideout, are a stove, sink and fold-down sofa. If more than two are traveling, additional sleeping accommodations are available courtesy of the dinette and sofa, which convert into a sleeping area.

2008 Keystone Passport 245RB Ultra-Lite Photography by Jeff Fay

Outside, a slideout cooking center allows the family chef to par take in the fun while preparing meals. To add to the enjoyment of your vacation experience, the spacious pass-through storage compartment , which is accessible from both sides of the trailer, can accommodate your fishing rods, skis, or golf clubs . Two entry doors provide easy access to both ends of the trailer.

Active lifestyles and family obligations sometimes conflict with the desire to get away from it all, but the small investment in big memories is well wor th the price when you can work everything into your schedule. If free time and advance planning is a rare commodity in your life, you will appreciate the fact that you can "hook up and go" with this type of RV. To research more lightweight travel trailers, visit Lazydays.com/TT.

Class C Motor Homes
If you have school age children you are probably challenged with juggling a career, the kid's activity schedules, household must-do's, personal gym time and relaxation. The list goes on and on, which is why finding enough time to do it all plus enjoy special family time oftentimes seems an impossible feat. With a Fleetwood Pulse 24A in the driveway, any amount of time you come up with for a getaway can instantly become a time of unforgettable fun.

2009 Fleetwood Pulse 24A Photography by Jeff Fay

Built on the new Dodge® Sprinter chassis, the Pulse is powered by a 3.0L, 6-cylinder turbo diesel Mercedes-Benz engine and 5-speed transmission. With its independent front suspension, drivability of the Pulse mirrors that of a luxury automobile making the ride an enjoyable part of the experience for all.

Smaller than most motor homes, yet roomy on the inside, the Pulse is incredibly affordable. Not only is it fit for towing a trailer full of toys, or a boat - it is easily maneuvered around town. Its appearance is striking with full-body paint and stylish front and rear caps. Once you arrive at your destination, the Pulse provides all of the comfor ts of home, minus the aggravations you left behind. Living quarters are amazingly spacious given the size of this coach. A curbside slideout houses a sleep sofa that converts to a 40" X 74" bed alongside the galley, which contains a 16" stainless steel sink and high rise, single-lever faucet with sprayer. When preparing meals, you will appreciate the three-burner cook top and Apollo Half Time convection oven.

2009 Fleetwood Pulse 24A Photography by Jeff Fay Styling by Charlotte Jeske

With numerous amenities coupled with the ease of drivability, it is no wonder that the Fleetwood Pulse is setting a new standard in the RV industry. Whether you are looking for your first RV or your tenth, the Pulse is an all-around RV that will satisfy all of your travel needs. To research more Class C motor homes, visit Lazydays.com/classC.

Class A Gas Motor Homes
With the mobile culture that we have today, it is not unusual to have family members scattered throughout the country in several different states. For active families that want to stay in touch with each other, this evolution brings on quite a challenge. not only is trying to visit all of them wearing, but doing so and bringing the kids and pets along is both incredibly stressful and expensive when trying to accomplish the task by train or plane.

Not true with the Monaco Monarch 34SBD Class A gas motor home! This home-on-wheels provides everything you need as you traverse the country, whether for the weekend or for a longer jaunt. The Monarch 34SBD offers plenty of room and comforts for your kids not to mention the family's clothing, food and toys. There just is not a better way to travel with your family today. You can even comfortably include your pets in the family vacation.

2008 Monaco Monarch 345BD Exterior on-cover Photography by Jeff Fay Styling by Charlotte Jeske

This family-friendly motor home can be ordered with bunk beds in the street side slideout just forward of the beautifully appointed master bedroom, which features a 60" X 74" queen-size bed. Your family will be able to take in all of the sights through the large, one-piece Panaview™ front windshield and the Alumaframe® Superstructure and steel cage cockpit provides safety and security along your journey.

The Monarch can be ordered with a Ford 22,000 lb. chassis powered by a 6.8L 3-valve V-10 engine or a Workhorse 22,000 lb. chassis with Vortec 8.1L V-8 power plant. Its platform, the SmartStructure II, adapts the principles of Monaco's diesel chassis technology for use with a gas chassis. The floor and storage bays are all one piece and the truss system works with the chassis rails to channel weight toward the center of the motor home, providing a smooth and effortless driving experience for many wonderful miles on the road.

Bringing your own home with you solves the problem of where to stay once you arrive and you can enjoy the comforts of home when it is time to count sheep. Whether parked in their driveway or down the street at a local campground or RV resort, you are still at home. To research more Class A gas motor homes, visit Lazydays.com/gasA.

Celebrating 50 years of manufacturing RVs this year, Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a family name in RVing. What better way to enjoy your family than traveling to memorable destinations in the comfo t and style fit for royalty? The Tour 40WD is built for the long haul and features the all-new Maxum™ chassis. The lowered rail design of this chassis provides a cavernous basement for enhanced crosscoach storage as well as a lower center of gravity for improved ride and handling. And when an outside source is not available a 8,000-watt Cummins Onan® Quiet diesel™ generator provides electrical power.

2008 Winnebago Tour 40WD

Imagine touring the Trans-Canada highway or visiting archaeological wonders along the Yucatan Peninsula. You will travel in comfort and style in the Tour 40WD motor home. With 7'2" of head room, it has three slideouts, two of which provide the interior appearance and roominess of full-wall slide construction.

In the rear slideout you will find the master bedroom suite complete with a king-size bed, 27" LCD TV, ceiling fan, two night stands and a large wardrobe. There is also a storage closet, which can be replaced with an optional washer/dryer. Located mid-ship is a large bathroom, accessible from both the bedroom and living room area. The expansive front section of the coach boasts a 37" LCD TV over the cockpit, as well as a Home Theater Sound System.

2008 Winnebago Tour 40WD

The engineers left nothing to the imagination with the creation of this floor plan. The Rest Easy® multi-position lounge is certain to become everyone's favorite chair. It converts from a sofa to a recliner to a comfortable bed – all at the touch of a button. dining will be an experience all in its own with the centrally located U-shaped dinette featuring an adjustable table.

So here we are, fast approaching another summer season of RVing. Do you really want to do it in the same RV out there in the driveway? I am sure it has provided you many amazing memories, but if you are like many RVers today, you may be experiencing a strong desire to generate new and exciting memories this year in a new trailer, fif th-wheel or motor home. RVers know something others have yet to discover: the wanderlust of the open road and enjoyment of the great outdoors brings a level of family togetherness that will have you humming Bob Hope's "Thanks for the Memory" each time you seek that next adventure. To research more Class A diesel motor homes, visit Lazydays.com/dieselA. RVS