If you’re planning to buy or rent an RV this year, you may want to invest in a vehicle that’s better for the environment. So how exactly are these gas guzzlers going green?

As more and more Americans struggle to find affordable ways to travel, attention has turned to the niche market of recreational vehicles.

But is it possible for eco-minded travelers to reduce their carbon footprint—or tire tracks—when driving these behemoths?

Welcome to the world of green RVs.

With gas prices still way too high, it’s not exactly a news bulletin that RV sales are down. After all, what’s an RV if not a gas station on four wheels?

After the debacle at the previous campground, we were tossing things into the RV and packing our bags before our new friends the Gagliardis even finished telling us the name of our new home for the next few days – Casini Ranch.

Turns out Casini Ranch had plenty of openings due to the time of year we were visiting (thank you, Peter, for the advice on shoulder-season travel!) and so we made the trek there the next morning.

When we arrived at Casini, everyone’s spirits soared. This was what we’d envisioned!

My boss, Peter Greenberg, has written about being a savvy traveler time and time again in his many books.

He’s spoken to crowds about it for years and warned people – yes, even his staff – to watch for those “reel-you-in” schemes on vacation destinations.

So, I knew places like this were out there. We have all the research on it at work. I’d even done my homework too, and thought I was prepared. So I can confidently say it never crossed my mind that I’d be adding yet another flyer to the project box labeled “not what the brochure promised” upon my return.

Have you ever been at the crest of one of those quintessentially steep, hilly streets in San Francisco?

One so high and with such a sharp arch downward that you can’t actually see the street beyond the peak?

Yeah, I have, too.

Upside - I had a GREAT view of the San Francisco bay from my hilly perch.

Downside - My view was from the passenger seat of a 31-foot motor home.

As our first day drew to a close we were heading west in the motor home, but our early morning departure had turned to mid-afternoon.

As the day wore on, our original plan for making the drive straight through to Sonoma had long since been tossed aside.

No problem, we thought! We’re in a motor home.

We’ve got a bathroom, a shower, a refrigerator, and beds. We can stay wherever we want!

It was time for our annual vacation, and my husband and I began talking about potential plans for this year. They had to be easy, affordable, family-friendly and convenient.

We knew we wanted to do some traveling, but the idea of packing up and flying anywhere just wasn’t appealing.

The idea struck us that we should try renting an RV.