Buying a Recreational Vehicle

When Albert Brooks went Winnebagoing cross-country in the hilarious 1985 film Lost in America, I wondered what it would be like to RV around the U.S. and therefore made the rounds of dealers to check out these large and exotic creatures up close. My curiosity ended once I realized that a super deluxe, really cool RV with all the extras (which is the kind I wanted) actually cost more than my house. Still, for many--especially those lucky buggers who are retired--the wanderlust is so strong that they gladly take out a second mortgage and go (as Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper did on a much more compact vehicle) searching for America. Thanks to this new program sponsored by the Better Business Bureau and featuring RV expert Gaylord Maxwell, viewers can now walk onto the dealer's lot a little more informed, and therefore drive away a little less broke. The program is divided into six segments which take viewers through the basics of RV sizes and types, the pluses and minuses of gas vs. diesel engines, and the potential savings (and pitfalls) of shopping for a used RV, while also offering suggestions of where viewers can turn for additional information. While a little on the pricey side for a how-to video, this is still recommended for larger collections. (R. Pitman)