As air travel becomes more of a hassle, and the cost of hotel stays continues to rise, many people are discovering the convenience of taking their hotel room with them wherever they go.

The attraction of a recreational vehicle, of course, is that it provides the budget traveler with the freedom to go where he or she wants, whenever they want to go there.

An RV frees the traveler on a budget from rigid schedules, lines at airport security, restrictions on luggage, and so much more.

And with over 15,000 RV parks and campgrounds dotting the country, there is bound to be one wherever you want to go.

And many RV's have all the amenities of home, including living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Many RV's also have rooms that slide out to provide even more living space when the vehicle is parked.

There are some important tips for first time RV'ers to follow to get the biggest bang for their travel buck. Some of our favorite tips for a low cost and hassle free RV trip include:

- Hit the web for tons of free information on living the RV lifestyle and keeping costs under control. There are a great many web sites and newsgroups dedicated to recreational vehicles, and they can provide valuable tips for those newcomers.

- Try renting an RV before you buy one. The purchase of a recreational vehicle is a big decision, and one that is likely to have a major impact on your lifestyle, especially on how you vacation.

- With the average RV costing as much as the average house did a couple of decades ago, it is important to know that an RV is the right decision before taking the plunge.

- There are a number of places that rent RV's, and these rental agencies can provide a low cost alternative to RV ownership, or a way to try it before you buy it.

- Do your research. If you do decide to buy an RV, be sure to research the buyer's guides, and read the reviews on the internet. Doing so will allow you to get the most RV for your money.

- Visit a couple of RV dealers, and attend an RV show. RV shows are great ways to see a wide range of models quickly, and it is often possible to strike some very good deals at these events.

- Do the math to be sure an RV is right for you. An RV makes sense for a great many people, particularly families traveling together. RV travel can be significantly less costly than travel by car or plane. Fees for campgrounds are considerably lower than hotel room rates, and this can really trim the travel budget.

- Be sure to inset in a quality guide to RV campgrounds. Knowing where the campgrounds are, and having good directions for getting there, will save you lots of hassle, as well as gas money.