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How NOT to RV
How NOT to RV is a fast-rising bestseller. Here's what some have said:
- "I had a great time reading (and laughing out loud)"
- "hard to put down, easy to pick up"
- "funniest bumpy ride ever ... stand-up comics take note"
- "Hilarious mishaps and thought-provoking reflections"
- "I was fascinated from beginning to end"
RVs, RVing, and how (NOT) to RV by a recovering New York psychoanalyst on a trip to nowhere in particular. Whether you're a woman traveling alone, a family looking for budget travel, or a retiree seeking adventure in retirement, here you'll find travel tips, camping advice, trip planning, how to buy an RV, and how to screw up on all of it, still have a great time, and maybe even change your life.
These are the bloopers that most RVers won't tell you. If you're planning a road trip in a motor home, a travel trailer, or modified hearse these cautionary but inspirational tales will help you avoid the most common RVing mistakes.
So you've waited until now to hit the road. That's OK, because here, finally, are the missing, very specific instructions on how NOT to do it but how to get out there anyway, how to have a great adventure, conquering fear one failure at a time.
- "I had a great time reading (and laughing out loud)"
- "hard to put down, easy to pick up"
- "funniest bumpy ride ever ... stand-up comics take note"
- "Hilarious mishaps and thought-provoking reflections"
- "I was fascinated from beginning to end"
RVs, RVing, and how (NOT) to RV by a recovering New York psychoanalyst on a trip to nowhere in particular. Whether you're a woman traveling alone, a family looking for budget travel, or a retiree seeking adventure in retirement, here you'll find travel tips, camping advice, trip planning, how to buy an RV, and how to screw up on all of it, still have a great time, and maybe even change your life.
These are the bloopers that most RVers won't tell you. If you're planning a road trip in a motor home, a travel trailer, or modified hearse these cautionary but inspirational tales will help you avoid the most common RVing mistakes.
So you've waited until now to hit the road. That's OK, because here, finally, are the missing, very specific instructions on how NOT to do it but how to get out there anyway, how to have a great adventure, conquering fear one failure at a time.
- GenresTravelNonfictionHumor
Unknown Binding
First published October 11, 2011
95 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 18, 2012
I just finished this book.. if I ever start thinking about traveling in an RV, I will pull it out and read it again.. She talks in depth about the mistakes that she has made and tries to do so in a funny manner. You can also tell that she loves her RV.
December 21, 2013
Cute, funny account of mistakes made while living in an RV. You might learn some basics, like always let the tanks fill up before dumping, but otherwise, it's just a cute account of misadventures.
Took about an hour to complete.
Took about an hour to complete.
May 20, 2021
I hate to admit this, but the author's particular style of humor and storytelling did not go over well with my particular appreciation of humor and story reading. Best I can suggest is, try it for yourself and see what you think. I've had the same reaction to several famous humorists that pretty near everybody likes--for example, David Sedaris--so It's possible I just don't have a snickerbone.
Maybe I'd have liked it better if she told her stories straight, beginning to end rather than end-to-beginning. For example, "To show off your RV competence, be sure to drive away with your sewer hose connected to the sewer hookup, until it pops loose and...." She adopted the opposite approach to the old joke-telling methodology--instead of hiding your punch line in digressive details and then popping it out at the last minute, she chose to prefix every story with the punch line. It got old for me.
But I must say that she's an admirable person and a pretty good writer. She seems to approach new situations with an observational, not a judgemental, view. I like that very much. She should consider (if she hasn't) writing some travelogues of her journeys.
Maybe I'd have liked it better if she told her stories straight, beginning to end rather than end-to-beginning. For example, "To show off your RV competence, be sure to drive away with your sewer hose connected to the sewer hookup, until it pops loose and...." She adopted the opposite approach to the old joke-telling methodology--instead of hiding your punch line in digressive details and then popping it out at the last minute, she chose to prefix every story with the punch line. It got old for me.
But I must say that she's an admirable person and a pretty good writer. She seems to approach new situations with an observational, not a judgemental, view. I like that very much. She should consider (if she hasn't) writing some travelogues of her journeys.
March 16, 2018
Like no other guide ever written.
Curiosity may have did the cat in, but you ll never know what all the cat seen before the end. I now have a semblance of an idea about RVers, I never could figure out what the need for a house on wheels was.
Just about every chapter tells a separate and humorous story of someone -who while green, was willing to risk it all- to learn this great country in ways that no guide ever does justice to.
Each section of the book gradually leads from the start of a dream. To actually beginning of it (getting the equipment, and the starting knowledge, et cetera) on through the life changing experience.
That being said: Chapter 34 has got to be the riskiest and shortest chapter ever written.
Curiosity may have did the cat in, but you ll never know what all the cat seen before the end. I now have a semblance of an idea about RVers, I never could figure out what the need for a house on wheels was.
Just about every chapter tells a separate and humorous story of someone -who while green, was willing to risk it all- to learn this great country in ways that no guide ever does justice to.
Each section of the book gradually leads from the start of a dream. To actually beginning of it (getting the equipment, and the starting knowledge, et cetera) on through the life changing experience.
That being said: Chapter 34 has got to be the riskiest and shortest chapter ever written.
January 8, 2018
WOW!
This book was just what I needed.
My wife and I just bought a 30ft travel trailer. We don't yet have a vehicle with which to pull it any great distance. I'm 70 and my honey is 69. We hope to be able to sell our home next summer and buy a tow rig so we can "hit the road". We are looking forward to discovering a new life.
Thank you!
This book was just what I needed.
My wife and I just bought a 30ft travel trailer. We don't yet have a vehicle with which to pull it any great distance. I'm 70 and my honey is 69. We hope to be able to sell our home next summer and buy a tow rig so we can "hit the road". We are looking forward to discovering a new life.
Thank you!
May 28, 2018
Couldn’t put it down
I read the whole book in one sitting. A fun book that made me chuckle and even laugh out loud at some of the author’s experiences. Her camping style is a bit high end for my budget, but that just made her “what NOT to do” all the more relevant and entertaining. Before I buy my RV or start my RV journey I’ll read this book again, and again.
I read the whole book in one sitting. A fun book that made me chuckle and even laugh out loud at some of the author’s experiences. Her camping style is a bit high end for my budget, but that just made her “what NOT to do” all the more relevant and entertaining. Before I buy my RV or start my RV journey I’ll read this book again, and again.
March 16, 2025
Laughing out loud funny
If you were ever a beginner RVer, you will relate to all the NOT to do stories. Ms. Flower's stories reminded me of all that can go hilariously wrong when RVing. Camping is about happily adjusting to the unplanned and unpredictable. What a delightful book!
If you were ever a beginner RVer, you will relate to all the NOT to do stories. Ms. Flower's stories reminded me of all that can go hilariously wrong when RVing. Camping is about happily adjusting to the unplanned and unpredictable. What a delightful book!
May 10, 2017
ok
I am able to relate to each experience with my old Jeep an my older 53 Chevy as well as months of Boy Scout camping, now that I have my own MH, it will be interesting.
I am able to relate to each experience with my old Jeep an my older 53 Chevy as well as months of Boy Scout camping, now that I have my own MH, it will be interesting.
November 27, 2017
Nuts
Listen lady. You were NUTS to do what you did. May I please come along on your next trip? Please. Perttie please with chocolate on top?
Listen lady. You were NUTS to do what you did. May I please come along on your next trip? Please. Perttie please with chocolate on top?
June 4, 2018
Informative, fun, quick reading
Lots of great information provided by a knowledgeable seasoned traveler. Fun to read with practical insight to common RV issues.
Lots of great information provided by a knowledgeable seasoned traveler. Fun to read with practical insight to common RV issues.
March 3, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! It was well written, very funny and above all inspiring. As a child I dreamed of crossing the US, from the NE to the SW, on horseback. Well, at 65 I think that way of travel is no longer an option! However, a camper van is perfectly feasible and this story has woken up my wanderlust. I wish that I had read it sooner but it's never too late and I'm sure that Jennifer would agree,
August 9, 2016
Good read even if you don't see an RV in your future
I've always wanted to obey the call of the open road, having had a love of long-distance road trips instilled in me at an early age by my parents. There just wasn't the time, or when I had the time, there was no money. Having lost a great deal through midlife illness, disability and divorce, now seems a great time to take the new husband (a much needed improvement over the previous one), pack the rest of our bulkier belongings in storage with the furniture, and bid my parents adieu, promising to stay in touch. This book was the last little straw that pushed me over the "do it!!!!" edge. Now to push the hubby over the same edge, and begin the almost missed adventure of our lives!!!!!!!
I've always wanted to obey the call of the open road, having had a love of long-distance road trips instilled in me at an early age by my parents. There just wasn't the time, or when I had the time, there was no money. Having lost a great deal through midlife illness, disability and divorce, now seems a great time to take the new husband (a much needed improvement over the previous one), pack the rest of our bulkier belongings in storage with the furniture, and bid my parents adieu, promising to stay in touch. This book was the last little straw that pushed me over the "do it!!!!" edge. Now to push the hubby over the same edge, and begin the almost missed adventure of our lives!!!!!!!
May 24, 2015
This is a gem of a book!
I decided this book might be a fun diversion. I was right.
This book is all the things you should not and should do while RVing. It is a laugh out loud funny look at things that can and will go wrong.
Read this book so you are prepared for what will go wrong when you are just starting out. Read this book so you can decide before it is too late to walk away from the RV lot. Read this book so you are laughing too hard to drive and make your spouse read this book.
This is the Long, Long Trailer in book form. (What? You haven't seen that? Go rent it before you buy an RV.)
Thumbs up for this great adventure of tips and hints.
I decided this book might be a fun diversion. I was right.
This book is all the things you should not and should do while RVing. It is a laugh out loud funny look at things that can and will go wrong.
Read this book so you are prepared for what will go wrong when you are just starting out. Read this book so you can decide before it is too late to walk away from the RV lot. Read this book so you are laughing too hard to drive and make your spouse read this book.
This is the Long, Long Trailer in book form. (What? You haven't seen that? Go rent it before you buy an RV.)
Thumbs up for this great adventure of tips and hints.
July 3, 2012
In a few weeks, my favorite uncle is coming to visit me. When I found out about that, I also found out that he lives in an RV now. Not even a full week later, this book popped up in Amazon's 100 books for $3.99 or less for July. I had to get it. A fast and funny read, I'm not sorry I spent the money on it. It probably isn't something I would recommend to everybody but I enjoyed it and will be reading some excerpts to my uncle when he's here.
June 1, 2015
Laugh till you cry,!!
I wish this book was longer! The tears were rolling!!! Haven't read anything so funny in a long time! I can imagine all the things that happened! Having lived in a 25 ft. fifth wheel for ten months I can relate. Moving from a relatively large home to a camper has a unique set of challenges. I only wished I could have traveled!
,
I wish this book was longer! The tears were rolling!!! Haven't read anything so funny in a long time! I can imagine all the things that happened! Having lived in a 25 ft. fifth wheel for ten months I can relate. Moving from a relatively large home to a camper has a unique set of challenges. I only wished I could have traveled!
,
May 10, 2012
Funny account of the things not to do while RV-ing. Although a quick read, I found the author to be funny and witty. Overall, the book is well written, and I found myself wishing it had more chapters that could teach me in a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do fashion.
January 8, 2015
I wish that I had done this.
This was a cute book about a "middle-aged" professional lady takes off in a RV. I envy the author's willingness to just get rid of everything in her life and just go. Well written and I could see some of the predicaments the author got herself into.
This was a cute book about a "middle-aged" professional lady takes off in a RV. I envy the author's willingness to just get rid of everything in her life and just go. Well written and I could see some of the predicaments the author got herself into.
September 28, 2016
Great reading
Funny and accurate rendition of life on the road. We have all made the same errors in judgment and lived to tell the story. Our mistakes are what makes it worth the doing.
Funny and accurate rendition of life on the road. We have all made the same errors in judgment and lived to tell the story. Our mistakes are what makes it worth the doing.
March 16, 2012
Short, sweet, funny.
May 21, 2012
A bit silly, but I could relate with the author because it's just the sort of ridiculous thing I might do.
August 2, 2012
Another, different type of look at life in an RV. Less about modifications and logistics and more about mistakes made, the price paid and joy found regardless.
September 9, 2012
A little rough on the style of writing, but written with humor and the ability to laugh at their own mistakes and in the process gave lessons on what NOT to do. =) Very helpful.
September 11, 2012
Having just got a travel trailer, I can identify with things that happened in the book. This was a very humorous book. I enjoyed it and knew exactly where she was going with her tales. Love it.
December 26, 2012
Laugh out loud funny and extremely helpful! I had pretty much decided on the RV I'd purchase to begin life as a full timer -- I did some reassessing after reading this and made much better choices!
December 26, 2012
Laugh out loud funny and extremely helpful! I had pretty much decided on the RV I'd purchase to begin life as a full timer -- I did some reassessing after reading this and made much better choices!
December 24, 2013
A chick flick in a book about recreational vehicles--what a Novel and funny idea!
August 22, 2014
Fun
fun book..I could see myself in her. I d love to continue the tradition some day. I think a road trip is in order
fun book..I could see myself in her. I d love to continue the tradition some day. I think a road trip is in order
December 30, 2014
Fun, informative and easy read. Sure convinced me this might not be my 'thing'!
February 21, 2015
Cute
Enjoyable and oddly informative I can see myself doing some of these thing she talks about, nice narrative easy read
Enjoyable and oddly informative I can see myself doing some of these thing she talks about, nice narrative easy read
May 26, 2015
It's a cute book, though it reads more like a collection of thoughts (in list format - each chapter being a new point).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews