The other thing is that evening in Arizona is like a natural lightshow. The sky turns every color of the rainbow before it turns black and fills with more stars than you've ever seen in your life.
There is probably no better place in the world for camping and visiting in your motor home and RV than the state of Arizona. Those of us who live in the States are lucky that such a wonder is just a drive away.
The Great American West
Arizona is the Grand Canyon State. The Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring symbol of the American west. It always amazes me when I meet people who have never been there, even once. It's like a theme park for hikers and campers. There's so much to do you can spend weeks there.
Another symbol of the American west that fewer people have visited is Monument Valley. Once you see those big rock formations, you realize that you've seen them before in tons of western movies and photos. Every one of those John Wayne movies was filmed there. Monument Valley is unique; there's no place like it on earth.
Unlike Grand Canyon, Monument Valley is a little hard to get to. It's on the Navajo Reservation and there's no Interstate leading directly to it. Still, it's a state highway and even big rig RV's can make the trip.
Exploring Northern Arizona
When most people think of Arizona, they picture a desert full of cactus and sagebrush. If any mountains come to mind, they are probably big bare hunks of rock. If you've never been to Northern Arizona before, you'll be surprised to find yourself at 7,000 feet elevation, surrounded by mountains and pine trees.
Northern Arizona actually looks a lot like the Rockies in Colorado, just without the trickling mountain streams. It's hotter and drier, but the air is just as clear.
Around Flagstaff you'll find all kinds of great camping and sightseeing. You can see Indian ruins at Wupatki and Betatankin, or hike around on volcanic rocks at Sunset Crater. Flagstaff is a great place to set up camp or park your motor home because there are several great places just a short drive away.
Down In The Valley
For those who want to brave the heat, mid and southern Arizona has lots to offer. South of Phoenix you'll find some of the biggest Indian ruins in North America, Casa Grande. It's a fortress compared to places like Mesa Verde.
The great thing about the southern part of the state is that few people get down there. You'll mostly run into locals, and there are always plenty of places to set up camp.
Tucson is a great place to set up your base of operations for southern Arizona sightseeing. There are some great campgrounds on the outskirts of town where you can be right in the foothills of the beautiful Catalina mountains.
Arizona is a Mecca for campers and RV enthusiasts. Get yourself a guide today and get on the road!
Let's look at the types of motor homes that are available today. The roomiest one is the Type A which is also the most expensive. It's got all the mod cons and the luxuries and some of them even have garden or tub showers and stained glass windows. They cost somewhere in the region of $400,000 for a new one and $85,000 for a used one. They usually tend to guzzle gas - they give you anything between 5 to 8 miles a gallon. So if you don't like that kind of gas consumption, look for something else.
Van campers and trailers are called Type B motor homes. These can house four quite comfortably and have a pretty neat convenient set-up that comprises couches, beds, kitchen, toilet and shower. There isn't much privacy and some people might find it a bit cramped. There isn't much head room either and not too much of storage space. The van campers are priced between $43,000 and $70,000. They measure anything between 18 to 22 feet.
The travel trailers cost around $45,000 for a new one but you could pick up a used one for $6000 if you're lucky! They come in sizes of 16 feet to 38 feet in length. Of course it goes without saying that the larger options have more sleeping space and more privacy.
The great thing about motor homes is that you can just up and travel whenever you want. You have trailer parks where you can park them and though it does take a bit of practice to maneuver the vehicle, you'll soon get the hang of it and take to the road with enthusiasm.
Before you buy a motor home, do a bit of research. Try and get a fix on prices so dealers don't see you as a greenhorn and take advantage of you. A little bit of reading up can make all the difference between what they perceive as a sucker and an informed client. Ask for the manufacturer's price so you get a fix of how much you should be paying. Some dealers take a huge mark-up as commissions. And don't buy the first vehicle you fall in love with. Make sure you go to a number of dealers and checkout the prices and the deals you can get before buying. It would be good to buy one who offers good after sales service. If someone you know has a motor home, ask if his service is good. Check too with the Better Business Bureau about the dealer.
Most dealers you'll find are so friendly when they are selling you a vehicle and will hardly look at you once they've made the sale. A motor home will need the benefit of after sales service if you are an avid traveler. So choose your dealer well.
Both Andrew Stratton & Tom Sample are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Andrew Stratton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Motorola Cell Phone, Tummy Tucks Before and After and Political and Social. Nothing is greater than seeing the sites in your own home on wheels, and a allows you to travel in style. Visit Bankston Motor Homes,. Andrew Stratton's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.