Kelly Blue Book is another resource you can use to determine reasonable used RV prices. The "Official RV Guide - Motor Homes, Campers, Van Conversions (1986-2007)" provides used values plus list prices on new units. Also see the "Official RV Guide - Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Folding Trailers.""

5. RV Tips for Holding Tanks Most free dump sites are being closed due to camper abuse and the addition of chemicals that are bad for septic systems.  One of the key points made in this article is that it is absolutely essential that RVers dump only septic-safe chemicals (no fromaldehyde) and that they clean up after themselves.  There is, however, one golden rule for RV holding tanks:

"Never dump the black water tank until it is at least two thirds full. You want the tank nearly full so the weight and the gravity will force the contents of the tank to drain properly. Another golden rule is to never leave the black tank valve open at the campground and expect the toilet to drain or flush like the toilet in your home. It won't work."

6. Ten Tips for Dog Owners on the Road in an RV Lots of RVers take their dogs on the road with them. If you are one of them, you will be less likely to get kicked out of the park by following this tip:

"Always carry poop bags (zip lock sandwich plastic bags for smaller breeds and larger plastic bags for bigger breeds). The trick, using the zip lock bags, is to turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turning the bag right side again and zip the contents (and smell) closed. Always try to locate the nearest dumpster or trash can instead of bringing it back into your motor home."

For more great tips on RVing with pets, check out the tip list over at Gypsy Journal.

7. Living Together 24/7 in an RV - How Do You Do It? Lots of RVers also take their spouses on the road with them, but living together 24/7 in 240 square feet of space can take some getting used to. A must-read for couples living on the road together for gems such as the following marriage saver:

"Whoever watches TV alone should use headphones. Listening to music should be the same unless both people want to listen. The fact that one partner has on headphones gives both a sense of privacy. I call headphones 'marriage savers!'"

8. David's RV Tips is a whole blog full of RV tips dedicated to making the RV experience more enjoyable. The posts in this blog are arranged by topic. Since the tips on this blog are comprehensive how-tos on a variety of topics, it was impossible for me to choose a tip to quote here, but this blog is definitely worth  look if you haven't been there before.

9. On the RV Questions & Tips page at RVretired.com, RVers help make life easier for others by sharing the tricks they came up with on the road. One of the most popular tricks is a way to repel flies by using a plastic bag, pennies and water:

"We went with some out of town friends to Sweety Pies on Sunday for breakfast, and we sat in the enclosed patio section beside the house. We happened to notice a couple of zip lock baggies pinned to a post and a wall. The bags were half filled with water, each contained 4 pennies, and they were zipped shut. Naturally we were curious! Ms Sweety told us that these baggies kept the flies away! So naturally we were even more curious! We actually watched some flies come in the open window, stand around on the window sill, and then fly out again. And there were no flies in the eating area! This morning I checked this out on Goggle. Below are comments on this fly control idea. I'm now a believer! More comments not included here were about pet dogs and fly problems."

10. Keeping your Camper Cool this Summer - Last but not least, since summer heat was at it's height last week, these tips from RV in BC are particularly timely. This is the time of year when air conditioning  is essential, so here's a way to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner:

"Strategically park your RV to take advantage of any shade that is available, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. Don’t be afraid to ask for a shady site when you check in at the campground. This will not only help cool the RV down, but your refrigerator and roof A/C will work much more efficiently."

Do you agree with these tips? Did I leave anything  out? Be sure to comment and share some top RV tips of your  own. If there are enough comments, I will use them in another blog post, giving credit to each commenter.