Here we have compiled a list of books and other resources for all stages of your RV adventure. Click on the title to go to the merchant website for additional information and to buy.
- Looking for a cool group of people to meet on the road? You’ll find some cool people in these social and meetup groups!
- Also, if you like saving money, join one of the popular RV membership clubs and pass programs listed here.
- Wanting to consult the hive mind? We’ve listed social media discussion groups and online forums by topic and/or RV model here.
Apps
Navigation & Camping
ULTIMATE RV CHECKLIST
- System: Android and Apple
- App Price: $1.99
Ultimate RV Checklist is a brilliant app created to help you get everything organized before departure, arrival and setup. You can even personalize your own lists!
GASBUDDY
- System: Web, Android and Apple
- App Price: Free
Finding gas prices lower than freeway prices is made simple with the Gasbuddy app. This community-driven app collects information on gas prices all over the map, and you can find preferred brands (for those who collect points), fuel type, and area served.
AUTOSIST
- System: Web, Android and Apple
- App Price: Free
Keep your maintenance records, schedules checklists, and store receipts. Autosist allows you to scan and store documents, set reminders for standard maintenance, and complete routine or mandatory inspections.
STATE LINES
- System: Web, Android and Apple
- App Price: Free
State Lines is an indispensable traveler’s guidebook to highly variable state regulations. Over 50 pieces of travel relevant information including state sales tax, time zones, towing & RV specific laws, gas/diesel taxes, rest area overnight parking rules, default speed limits, open container laws, state park camping entrance fees, cell phones & texting while driving, and more.
TRUCKER PATH: TRUCK GPS & MAPS
- System: Web, Android and Apple
- App Price: Free
950,000+ truckers rely on Trucker Path to find vital information while on the road: truck stops, overnight parking, fuel prices, CAT scales, navigation, weigh station status, etc.
ALLSTAYS CAMP & RV – TENT & RV CAMPING
- System: Apple/Desktop
- App Price: $9.99/Less
AllStays is one of the most popular camping location websites. The AllStays iOS app has been the #1 Camping App for a decade! The apps shows you hookups, big rig access, dump stations, internet access, etc. AllStays operates eight (8) apps on the iOS marketplace and has a PC/Mac desktop app Pro subscription.
RV LIFE – GPS & CAMPGROUNDS
- System: Android/Apple/Web
- App Price: Free
RV LIFE Pro subscribers get access to RV Trip Wizard and Maintain My RV (maintenance tracker). Over 10 million data points including 350,000+ reviews covering over 18,800 campgrounds, RV parks, & RV resorts.
For a full list of boondocking, dry camping, free overnight parking and primitive camping services, apps and locations, please read our Guide to Boondocking.
Internet
- FREE ZONE WI-FI (ANDROID)
- COVERAGE?
- TV TOWERS USA
- FREEROAM
For more information on getting Internet on the road, please see our RV Guide to Phone and Internet.
Discounts and Savings
- STOCARD – REWARDS CARD WALLET
Resource Websites
AnyPlaceAmerica
Looking for your next getaway? Search millions of national landmarks, biomes, and popular places at AnyPlaceAmerica.
ADCO: Windshield Covers
Gain Privacy and sun protection for your Pick-up Truck, SUV or Class C Motorhome. Extra heavy-duty vinyl snooze bonnet covers windshield and side windows. Magnetic fasteners for easy on/off with anti-theft tabs. Includes storage pouch.
American Stonecast: Replacement OEM Sinks and Counters
American Stonecast Products supplies recreational vehicle kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks to distributors, manufacturers and rv owners. Our products include single-bowl surface mount and undermount bathroom sinks, and double-bowl kitchen sinks.
Custom Car Covers
Choose the material and color to meet your needs for a truly custom car cover.
Mobile Internet Resource Center
The Mobile Internet Resource Center is run by Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy. The site provides in-depth educational content about getting internet on the road. Most content is free, although you can pay for a premium membership.
Neighbor
Find peer-to-peer RV storage near you! Costs less and is safer than traditional storage at a commercial unit.
Read more about RV storage options.
Pelland Enterprises
Pelland Enterprises is a leading supplier and distributor of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and name-brand RV repair parts. Specialties include Custom RV Windows, RV Entry and Baggage Doors, RV Tanks, and RV Shower Pans.
State Flags
Flag Co is the biggest source online for flags for states of the world.
TrailerSaver
Makers of the TrailerSaver Air-Ride hitch.
Associations & Industry
RVCG
The RV Consumer Group is an independent consumer advocacy group for RV owners. The organization publishes annual consumer reports ratings for thousands of RVs and provides valuable safety seminars and training.
RVSEF
The RV Safety & Education Foundation provides excellent RV education resources, courses, seminars, academies, wheel position weighing, conferences and more. RVSEF should be every RVer’s first stop on the road to education!
RVIA
The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, the preferred industry association for almost all US RV manufacturers.
RV Education
RV Education
Want more formalized instruction in how to own and operate an RV? Maybe a certificate on your wall? Check out these tried n’ true RV education courses (links) below!
Miscellaneous Resources
Blogs
Looking for blogs? Visit our page on RV discussion forums, blogs and social media outlets.
Membership Clubs
For a full list of RV discount clubs and membership programs, please see our RV Memberships, Passes and Programs.
Social Clubs
For a full list of RV social and travel clubs, please see our RV Social Interest and Travel Group List.
Boondocking
For a full list of boondocking, dry camping, free overnight parking and primitive camping services, apps and locations, please read our Guide to Boondocking.
Helpful Videos
- Winnebago Factory Tour by National Indoor RV Center – excellent video resource showing what to look for in a quality RV manufacturer and how RVs are mass-manufactured.
- Tongue Weight Safety Demonstration by Weigh Safe – a short video every RVer should watch! Demonstrates the critical safety importance of proper tongue weight.
- How a Weight-Distribution Hitch Works – another video from Weigh Safe, this one about how a weight-distribution hitch works and where the weight is added.
- 5 Most Common Faults on Used RVs by Haylett RV – Josh “the RV Nerd” teaches used RV shoppers how to smoke out common problems seen on used and older RVs.
Books
RV Safety
While all of the recommended books on this page are very helpful, in our humble opinion these are a must.
How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV by JD Gallant
This book explains the proper sequence of steps for selecting the proper RV type and size. It also provides excellent information on how to inspect all areas of an RV. Checklists are included which you should take with you when looking at an RV..
RV Ratings Guide CD’s by the RVCG
These CD’s provide valuable information compiled by the RVCG on the quality of RV’s in the major type categories. They allow you to search for RV models and manufacturers meeting various criteria specified by you. A key feature of these CD’s is the ratings system assigned to each RV based on reliability, value, and highway control.
RV Lifestyle
Movin’ On by Ron & Barb Hofmeister
We enjoyed reading this book because it provides details about RV’s as well as an overview of RV life. Recommended to the new RVer considering fulltiming or long-term RV travel.
Support Your RV Lifestyle! by Jaimie Hall
A guide for those who wish to work while traveling in an RV. It is full of job ideas well suited to the RV lifestyle.
Travel Planning
Rand McNally 2012 Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas by Rand McNally
If you own or operate tall RV’s such as motor homes or toy haulers, you need a map with a reference of low clearance roads. Low clearance bridges are noted in a reference section in the front of this map, organized by state. As we enter each state, we quickly refer to this section to determine if our path is clear.
Woodall’s North American Campground Directory, 2011 by Woodall’s
Among the RV directories we own, we found Woodall’s to be the most complete and easy to use. Occasionally we find ourselves outside of our planned path or schedule and need to find a near-by RV park—this book stays next to us for that purpose.
Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.