5 Amazing Resource Books for RVers
Even as full-time RVers, we love to relax in our recliners with a cat on our lap and a book in our hands. We appreciate good, factual resource books that are easy to comprehend - and photos and charts are a bonus. While we will buy Kindle books, nothing resonates with feeling the pages between our fingers and smelling the paper the subjects are printed on. Even in the digital age we live in, paper books are still an aspired resource we bind to.
Since owning our Landmark 365, we’ve designated a special place for our maps and tourism pamphlets. The small cabinet also houses a few books that we’ve referred to frequently. These paperbacks are essential; not only for our maintenance how-to’s, but they are good RV resources to help us with our travel plans. We always try to keep the latest editions for updated information.
While there are tons of books and periodicals out there, we have found some that we thought would be useful to those either contemplating RV lifestyle or already rolling down the road. The books we’ve highlighted below can be purchased on Amazon. Some are offered in a Kindle edition for digital readers and some are available in paperback.
Oh and worth noting, Heartland Owners, Julie and Sean Chickery, of Chickery’s Travels, wrote the first two RV books mentioned in this blog
1) RV WATER SYSTEM’S PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - A Complete Novice’s Guide
Sean and Julie said this 78-page book is not really for the experienced RVer that performs their own maintenance or has years of practice performing preventive maintenance. However, they do recommend it to those who are the least bit intimidated by performing preventive maintenance. This is a good resource of the essentials needed to perform the preventive maintenance care on RV water systems.
It's easy to understand and non-technical, so the novice RVer will be able to follow along. This resourceful paperback includes numerous pictures to help with explanations. The writers encourage readers to use this in addition to your RV manufacturer’s user manual.
You can find this book on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format.
2) FULL-TIME RV FINANCE
This easy-to-read, 101-page book covers the full range of finance for full-time RVers. An amazing resource, it provides practical information, as well as actionable steps to help you with every aspect of your full-time RV lifestyle. This book includes budgeting, earning an income, and saving money along the way. Whether you’re new to full-time RV life or looking to improve your financial stability, it offers tips and guidance. Regardless of your current situation, by utilizing the ideas in this book, you can learn how to achieve financial freedom and live the life of your dreams.
ISBN:1976722632 ASIN:B078G4B9D7
3) 2019 RAND MCNALLY ATLAS & NATIONAL PARK GUIDE
Even with all the digital resources and GPS devices out there, we still recommend owning a paper atlas. They provide important information and tips with countless photos and maps.
This four-color, spiral-bound, 272-page, 11” x 15” paper guide is all you need to help plan your extraordinary National Park experiences. The National Park portion is about 132 pages. It provides information about trails, drives, museums, exhibits and lodges. This atlas has updated maps of very U.S. state and Canadian province and an overview map of Mexico.
Additionally, there are inset maps of over 350 cities and 20 U.S. National Parks. Oh, and that's not all! There’s also a mileage chart showing distances between 90 North American cities and National Parks along with driving times. But let's not forget, it lists tourism websites and phone numbers for every U.S. state and Canadian province on the map pages. This atlas costs about $25 on Amazon but it is worth it’s weight in gold. We recommend buying the newest edition as they are published for the most updated information.
ISBN:0528019589
4) THE NEXT EXIT - THE Most Complete Guide of USA Interstate Highway Exit Services
The Next EXIT 2018 is the 27th updated edition - 512 page of the iconic USA Interstate highway exit directory. This book lists gas, food, lodging, shopping and many other services. The author, Mark Watson, has collected, tabulated and updated exit information for over 35 years. Every effort has been made to produce the most correct travel services publication money can buy.
This resource will help you find everything you need in the windshield, not the rear view mirror. It has information on places to eat, fuel stations, lodging, and emergency services. This is one of those books that will help you 'know before you go'!
ISBN-10:0984692169 ISBN-13:978-0984692163
5) THE MILEPOST - Alaska Trip Planner
The MILEPOST is a must-have if you’re going to RV through Alaska. This 700+ page book offers mile-by-mile descriptions of more than 15,000 miles of road in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Alberta. Page by page, it lists accommodations, camping, sightseeing, attractions and services, as well as wildlife and history facts. The information addresses frequently asked questions in the Travel Planning section; such as crossing the border, traveling with pets, the Alaska ferry system, driving conditions, railroads, tours and wildlife. There are also recommended itineraries that are mapped ready for your Alaska RV trip.
The MILEPOST also includes more than one hundred road maps; the wildly popular pull-out Plan-A-Trip Map; more than 600 photos; and numerous sidebar features of special interest. The printed book buyers have free access to a digital edition also on Amazon. This is another resource that is best to purchase the latest edition for updated information.
ISBN-10:1892154374 ISBN-13:978-1892154378
As you can see, having a couple of RV maintenance and trip planning books aren't a bad thing. Each of these books have proven their worthiness a hundred times over. As we've mentioned earlier, we highly recommend keeping up with newest editions as they are released. They will have updated information with additions or deletions.
Finally, all of these books make great gifts for any RVer, regardless if they are full-time RV living, some-time, seasonal, weekenders or even dreamers.
This article was written by Dan & Lisa Brown of Always On Liberty.
