So now we’re the owners of a new RV. Katia put her foot down on making the purchase, and I capitulated. Not that my enthusiasm for the call of the road was any less, but certainly the fear of “buyer’s remorse” and the “unknown” shadowed me. After months of research, even years of interest, we ended up with a 2025 Entegra Ethos 20T. Basically, this Class B is a Ram Promaster van with a mini apartment in the back. The verdict, after 6 months and more than 17,000 miles, is no regret.
So, what would I quickly advise someone new who wants to venture into the RV world?
1.) The world of RVs is enormous with too many choices. There are Class A, Class B, Class C RVs, then 5th wheels, Pop Ups, and new/used. There are 4 Season vehicles, off-road vehicles, and accessories. One only needs to visit one of the national RV shows to get a sense of the scale of the industry, and then quickly realize just how much you don’t know and how vulnerable (or gullible) you might be. The advice here is to think long and hard about what you want from an RV, how much you want to spend, and finally, make the time to research and test drive all that you can before committing. Don’t drift. Consume YouTube videos, get educated, and sleep on any final decision you make. I promise, there will always be another “sale” or “one-time deal” tomorrow morning.
2.) You need to be mechanically inclined. Something is going to break in a motorhome or trailer with 20 different systems vibrating down the road for thousands of miles. If you’re not willing to read the manuals or open a toolbox, your RV will likely spend half its life at the dealership waiting for a service appointment. Nothing on an RV is too complicated, but everything eventually needs attention.
3.) RV Park Directories and finding a place to camp are competitive. Like the RV vehicle industry, camping spots can be just as complex. National and State Parks, private RV parks, Host businesses, Walmart parking lots, boondocking, it’s all out there. 50 AMP plug, 30 AMP, water hook up, sewer. The advice here is to download several apps, get very familiar with them, and plan as far as possible. I’ve never really had a problem finding a place to sleep, but sometimes that place is going to be a hotel if you don’t stay on top of the planning.
As a 6-month expert, I could write my own book on RV lessons if inclined. However, that doesn’t mean I’m being critical. RVing will take you places you would never expect, and you’ll meet all kinds of like-minded folk. RV skills are like a muscle that gets stronger and more confident with time and exercise. So how do you know when you’ve become a competent RV operator? I guess when you stop taking pictures of the RV, every time you stop.
What Next? 
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