Trailer Park

Trailer Park A Go-Go

Buying a new home? Make sure you kick the tires first. Michael Lane, who with James Crotty has edited the nomadic RV journal Monk For nearly a decade, here shares some tips for first-time renters or buyers.

Kitchen: Cabinets should open upward or have solid latches to prevent them from popping open in transit. Also, make sure the fridge switches from battery to propane power. And get a big one, you'll want the space.

Driver's seat: You'll spend a lot of time here. Make sure you have comfortable arm rests and good back support.

Engine: Size counts. A 454 engine is big and it's worth it. If you get a small engine, you will really suffer going up hills. As for the other kind of power, the standard 12-volt deep-cycle battery should be powerful enough to keep your electrical system running for about a day without being recharged.

Bathroom: You will want space to move around without bumping your head, so save by skipping the bathtub – a shower is all you need. RV toilets have two pedals, one to fill the bowl, and one to flush it into a storage tank.

Bedroom: A lot or RVs come set up with a vanity sink in the bed room. It is a waste of space. And forget about those sliding closet doors. They buckle and become useless as the frame settles.

Tanks: Big water tanks, at last 100 gallons. You can go through 100 gallons in less than two days. Likewise make sure that your “gray water” tank (for water that had already been used) has at least a 50-gallon capacity.

Spare tire: The spare should be easily accessible. Some are mounted in such a way that it takes three people to get at them. You won't always be able to get roadside assistance.

Sewage: Make sure that the sewage hose is at least 10 feet long or that the dealer includes an extension so that it will reach out-of-the-way dump sites.

New York City. 7 Avenue. Photo by Elena.

Where to go get doing

Resources for joining a new American subculture

Monk – Lifetime after lifetime subscription: Billed as the World's Only Mobile Magazine, Monk is the witty, occasional publication of two RV nomads, James Crotty and Michael Lane. Each issue (there are about four per year) tells of their latest adventures on the road with their cat, the Dolly Lama (not to be confused with the Tibetan Dalai).

Good Sam Club: Sort of an American Automobile Association for RV owners. Good SAM offers campground discounts, mail forwarding service, insurance, road assistance, and  tour packages to nearly two million members.

Recreational Vehicle Industry Association: The RVIA can put you in contact with a local RV dealer and will also send you a free 16-page guide for first-time campers.