A dozen safety tips for solo RV women from Laura Robinson, a solo RVer

Naturalist and birder Laura Robinson has been RVing solo for more than two years with her big dog Ruka in her Roadtrek RS Adventurous Class B motorhome.

Laura Robinson and pet companion, Ruka

This writer / photographer from Missouri is an experienced world traveler who loves the freedom of touring the U.S.A. in her recreation vehicle.

She calls her rig OLGA for “Old Ladies Get Around” because she plans on traveling until she "can't see over the steering wheel."

She adds: "I believe that single women, over 50, are one of the the fastest growing groups of RV buyers right now. We are divorced, widowed, have disposable income and are living longer. We are on the move! It is rare that I don’t run into another solo gal as I travel."

Because as a solo RVer she frequently gets asked about her safety concerns, Laura wrote a guest column about the subject for Roadtreking.com. 

One of her hints involved technology ... "I use the ALLSTAYS app on my I-Pad. I can look at the satellite image to see if where it is, if it looks neat and if there are permanent mobile homes, which I don’t care for. Read the reviews posted by other campers. Pass on if it doesn’t meet your standards, there is usually something down the road. Plan accordingly. I look one to two days ahead when planning my routes, and check for availability. ALLSTAYS also gives phone numbers so you can call ahead to make sure there is a spot available."

Read her complete post by clicking on:  "12 tips for women traveling solo in an RV."

Photo: Laura Robinson and Ruka. Courtesy of Roadtreking.com

To read more articles on RV lifestyle by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com.

Fran Reisner -- photographer, author, RVer

Fran Reisner with Jazzy and Sadie.

Professional photographer and author Fran Reisner began traveling the highways fulltime in mid-September 2011, just a few weeks after selling her home in Frisco, Texas (about 30 miles north of Dallas).

She bought her motorhome "only days before having to hand over the keys to my home," says the solo RVer who travels with her two rescue dogs, Jazzy and Sadie.

Recreation Vehicle: "I got a SWEET deal on a very slightly used 2010 Winnebago Adventurer, affectionately referred to as The Beast" -- 35.5’ long, 12.5’ high, and 8.5’ wide. "In high winds this baby can rock and roll," says Fran.

"With the three slides out it is very spacious, which was important to me since I'm traveling with two dogs. I've never owned an RV and went cold turkey into full time RVing."

Fran's motorhome and toad.

"The visibility is great, especially with the back-up camera and side cameras. Without the back-up camera I would not be able to see the car unless in a tight turn."

Toad: “Zippy,” Honda CRV EXL, weighs in at about 3,200 pounds. "I went with the Blue Ox system and I’m very happy with my choice." The toad added 17-feet behind her motorhome, equaling "a whopping 52-feet. "The benefit of adding the tow car is that I am now able to travel down many 'roads less traveled' without the worry about getting stuck," says Fran.

"You cannot be in a hurry in a big RV, which is just as well because I don’t want to be in a hurry any more. You also can’t be worrying too much about the guy behind you when there’s nowhere to turn off and ya just can’t go any faster. I’ll use the turn outs when they’re available, but otherwise … I’m just going to be another one of those old farts toodling down the road like I’ve got all the time in the world."

Jazzy and Sadie ready to roll.

Customizing RV for traveling companions:

"I built a portable platform (doubles as a table) that fits over the passenger seat with space enough for both Sadie and Jazzy to ride eye to eye with the 'big boys' out there.  They love it," says Fran.

"After leaving a two-acre fenced property where they could run freely, I though it might be a big adjustment for them. Not so. They're happy to be with me and jump in willingly when I ask them if they're ready to go for a ride."

URLs: Follow Fran's travel adventures by clicking on:  Journey in Focus

Book: 'The Dogs of Central Park' (Hardcover, $19.95) 2011. (Order direct from Fran Reisner at Fran@FranReisner.com and a percentage of the purchase price goes to support animal rescue organizations.)

Photographs: Courtesy of Fran Reisner.

Read more by Julianne G. Crane at RVWheelLife.com