Rating: 
Summary: Super Helpful
Review: As a new RVer, I found the book extremely accessable and easy to understand. It has plain explanations on all systems, which is helpful for a non-techie like me. My first few times out I kept it at hand while trying to get a handle on the dump stations, and it made the experience a lot less stressful.
Not only is it informative, but it also is a good read, unlike many of the other books that are dry and boring. I only wish I had gotten it before I bought my RV, so I could have benifited from his advice on selecting and buying motorhomes.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost worthless
Review: As a new RVer, I was hoping to get some quality advice from an experienced pro. Unfortunately, most of the advice is either common sense (you can't drive an RV like a sports car) or overly generalized (an anti-sway device will help your trailer track straight) with little truly useful information.
Rating:
Summary: The Only Book you Need!
Review: I hate to say it but the "Idiots" guide was perfect for me. I've had some experience with RV's, but found this book didn't talk down to me. It had the perfect mix of technical information coupled with ideas for "Life on the Road". I just got a used RV and found this book answered all my questions (even the ones I was afraid to ask the dealer) AND was quite enjoyable to read. Brent Peterson has quite the sense of humor and is well versed in this subject. Obviously he's spend many miles on the road. If you are going to get one book to go with your new rig...this is the one!
Rating:
Summary: The Only Book you Need!
Review: I hate to say it but the "Idiots" guide was perfect for me. I've had some experience with RV's, but found this book didn't talk down to me. It had the perfect mix of technical information coupled with ideas for "Life on the Road". I just got a used RV and found this book answered all my questions (even the ones I was afraid to ask the dealer) AND was quite enjoyable to read. Brent Peterson has quite the sense of humor and is well versed in this subject. Obviously he's spend many miles on the road. If you are going to get one book to go with your new rig...this is the one!
Rating:
Summary: The Essential RVing Companion
Review: If the name Brent Peterson sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve read his byline in the pages of the major RV magazines. Lucky for us, he’s put his nose to the grindstone and cranked out a 404-page compendium of RVing wisdom. This encyclopedic how-to book is a one-stop RVing resource, complete with tips on choosing an RV, buying it, running it, maintaining it and traveling in it. If you're an RVer, you need this on your bookshelf. Better yet, on your dashboard. g
Rating:
Summary: Almost worthless
Review: In anticipation of our first ever RV purchase we bought this guide and the "Dummies" one. This guide is humorously written and easy to follow. The "for Dummies" guide barely skimmed the surface of what's-what and left me with more questions than answers. This guide, however, answered all of my questions regarding disposal, electricity, etc.. Because of the author's wit and wisdom, I found it a thouroughly enjoyable read and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a first time RV purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for Absolute Beginners
Review: In anticipation of our first ever RV purchase we bought this guide and the "Dummies" one. This guide is humorously written and easy to follow. The "for Dummies" guide barely skimmed the surface of what's-what and left me with more questions than answers. This guide, however, answered all of my questions regarding disposal, electricity, etc.. Because of the author's wit and wisdom, I found it a thouroughly enjoyable read and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a first time RV purchase.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Guide
Review: Really terrific. A comprehensive guide to all things RVing. Great for novices of veterans alike, no matter if you're taking weekend trips or full-time RVing across the country. Couldn't recommend it more highly.
Rating:
Summary: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE
Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing
By Brent Peterson "Complete" is the key word here. (The "Idiot's Guides" are what I always search for at bookstores when I need help with anything from computer programs to minor auto repairs.) I cannot think of one subject relating to RVing that has been left out of this book. Our very own Brent Peterson's new book covers ever so many topics regarding the RV lifestyle. Jody Schaeffer has illustrated The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing with photographs being provided by Gary Bunzer. Peterson was generous in giving credit to those that double-checked and edited his information. Though Peterson had been taken on camping trips in his young years, he hadn't really been a true RVer until after he had been working for some time as a RV editor. This book has been written with humor and honesty, including many of the mistakes he made along the way, and how and what he learned from those mistakes.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing opens with basic information regarding exactly what advantages RVing can offer you, such as freedom and choices during your trip, and what you can expect from RVing. With nearly 10 million RVs on the roads, it is not just older retirees enjoying the freedom a RV offers, but all types of travelers of all ages are enjoying even weekend getaways. There is an extremely useful pre-trip reference checklist at the beginning of the book that tells you what to check for, step by step, with the engine, exterior, interior, cockpit, towed vehicles and what to check for as you leave..
First you will learn of the various types of RVs and towables that are available and how to zero in on what will fit you and your expectations of a RV. Once you have narrowed your choices, Peterson walks you through the maize of what to look for on the inside and outside of your rig choices and explains what you need to watch out for when purchasing the vehicle. Topics include everything from pushy salesmen to plumbing systems.
Peterson then teaches you all about towing vehicles including information on the amount of weight and the various types of weight ratings, hitches, brakes, safety chains, mirrors, tow bars, tow dollies, trailers, fifth-wheels and how important checking all connections before leaving are. Included are many driving tips, the Seven Deadly Driving Sins, getting lost, navigation systems and the importance of weight limits. Also discussed are how to choose where you will be spending the night, hookups, weather conditions and staying in touch with civilization while traveling. Throughout the book are listed many helpful hints that include classifications, such as "One for the Road" which has extremely helpful information on everything from weights, amps and volts to where fish are biting. "Road Scholar" which gives extra hints and information on all things concerning RVs and gives a bit of reassurance for the instances you might think you've really screwed up. "Pull Over" sections are the more important issues to look out for. "RVocabulary" covers the special language reserved for the RV crowd. Each chapter ends with "The Least You Need to Know" which boils down all chapter information to the more pertinent facts. Whether you are a fulltime RVer or just entertaining the thought of buying a rig, this 372 page book is a must have. You can buy the book at any Barnes & Noble bookstore for $16.95, or directly on line at www.amazon.com or at www.idiotsguides.com. The day that I checked at Amazon they were having a sale and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing" by Brent Peterson was on sale for $13.26.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful in making complex systems understandable!
Review: This guide was really helpful in explaining the complex mechanical systems in RVs, especially Class As. We're in the looking stage of buying right now, and some guides made the "guts" of RVs sound so complicated we were worried about whether or not we could take care of our new "baby" once we bought it. Brent Peterson made us much more confident in our ability to RV with the best of them in a few years.
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