Wednesday, June 25, 2008

RV Drivers Hit the Road Despite High Gas Prices

Soaring gasoline prices are painful for commuters, but imagine how the guy behind the wheel of a bus-sized motor home feels. The average big motor-home gets somewhere between 7 and 9 mpg, but RV drivers are staying on the road despite high gas prices.

Friday, June 20, 2008

RV Solar Panels

No matter what you are planning on doing, there is probably a solar system available to help you generate power. On increasingly popular choice is RV solar panels, which can help you run these large vehicles off the power of the sun. If you are interested in helping to save money as well as help the environment, you should research your options for what kind of RV solar panels are available.

RV solar panels are a component of an electrical system which converts light from the sun to electricity. This electricity is used to charge the RV batteries and are capable of running all the basics in your RV, including the lighting and appliances. On great advantage of using RV solar panels is that you can travel to a wider variety of locations. No longer will you have to worry about finding a source of power for your vehicles when you travel. As long as the sun is shining, you will be taking your power with you.

Thousands of companies in countries around the world now offer different RV solar panels for your convenience. When you decide to make the purchase, spend time researching which options are available to you so you can buy the best system and the lowest possible price.

Alpine Survival

Alpine Survival is one of the top choices for people looking to purchase RV solar panels. The RV solar panels that they sell are durable, lightweight, and easy to transport. One of the benefits of these and other top of the line solar panels is that they continue to generate electricity even if they are in partial shade.

Even the clumsy need not worry about the durability of Alpine Survival RV solar panels. You can pack them up and transport them without worrying about breaking them. They are so durable that it has been reported that dropping them and stepping on them still does not cause them to be ruined (although I would not recommend trying)! These RV solar panels have a unique design with lightweight construction and a nylon fabric covering which allows the entire unit to be folded into the size of a book. This makes them perfect to store and transport.

Present day solar electric technology (photovoltaics) is a spin off from NASA space programs and Military research and development. They were looking for power sources that were reliable, maintenance free, had no moving parts to wear out and were free of the need for refueling. Photovoltaics proved to be the answer. That is why almost all of todays satellites are solar powered.

Modern day RVers also have a similar desire for this type of power source. They also want their power source to be clean, quiet, and free of the vibration and pollution associated with petrochemical fired generators. Todays solar powered systems meet all the above criteria and more.

With a properly sized system and the appropriate components, you will be able to park where you want and be free of the concerns of finding shore power or running your generator. Go to the desert, the mountains, ocean beaches, anywhere the sun shines and declare your electrical independence!

With our purchase of a new 5th Wheel, we acquired as well a dose of new technology which we're planning to put to good use soon in the Southwest deserts. Our '96 Alpenlite came equipped with a 2,000 watt Heart Interface Inverter, and a single roof-mounted solar panel. Being justly accused of having a slight case of technophobia, I of course eagerly read all of the documentation which came with the new equipment. It didn't take long to discover that the Inverter is a very complex system; and that if we wanted to use the new inverter system to full advantage, we'd need acquire a bit more knowledge about inverters.

Fortunately I was invited by our local Alpenlite dealer to sit in on a seminar being provided by a manufacturer's representative for Heart Inverters. While the presentation was primarily to help the dealer's sales and service personnel understand the operation and capabilities of the system, it proved to be of considerable value as a consumer education session as well. While this writer would hold out no expertise in the nuances of electricity, it seemed useful to summarize some of the key items which were covered in this interesting class. Likely it will help provide other RVers with a better understanding of power inverter system, and at least provide a starting point for evaluating the advantage of such sytems.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Fuel prices slow RV sales, drive increase in camping

AUBURN/FREMONT, Ind. (WANE) - If you think filling up your car is expensive, try filling up an RV.

"They're 50 gallon tanks so it's about twice what it would cost you to fill up a full size sports utility," explains Ben Davis RV General Sales manager Joe Hysong.

The expense of higher gas prices is taking a toll on the RV industry as more people skip larger models in favor of smaller ones that use less fuel.

"The ‘Winnebago View', which is a smaller diesel engine, we've sold a few more of those," says Hysong.

But on the other hand he says, "We're seeing a slowdown on our class A and big heavy duty diesel pushers."

While high fuel prices may be hurting some RV sales, it's actually helping business at a number of area campgrounds. Read more...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Vacationing in an RV - review and ratings

Vacationing in an RV provides an excellent opportunity for families to have fun together. It is estimated that owning an RV reduces vacation costs by 60% to 75%, which means you can afford to get away more often. Take a weekend trip to your favorite get-a-way or visit America’s amazing national parks and landmarks. Your RV is home away from home and can be ready to take your family on a fun-filled adventure within hours.

Are you looking for RV Reviews for help in your purchase of a recreational vehicle? The authority website on rv reviews is JR Consumer Resources, Inc. They have developed a comparison guide that has ratings and reviews for all the top rv manufacturers.

Travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and tent campers are all forms of towable RVs. As a class, towables are the most popular RVs by far. Traveland USA can help you plan your next RV vacation or excursion. From campground recommendations to coach club contacts and more, we’ll get you the information you need for a memorable RV experience. Travel on gravel roads is prohibited by our insurance company. If you take the Motorhome/car on a gravel road and there is a mechanical failure, you are responsible for having the vehicle towed to the nearest appropriate service center.

Monday, June 16, 2008

RV Ratings

Are you in the market for a new or used RV? Buying a new recreational vehicle is a lot like buying a new car. When shopping for a new car you want to get the best deal possible while also getting the best possible car that will last for many years and not break down the second you drive from the parking lot. Learn more about our RV Ratings. We have done the research for all the recreational vehicle manufacturers in the United States!

RV Education 101 Teaches RV Consumers How to Drive a Motorhome Like a Pro

Fayetteville, NC (PRWEB) June 12, 2008 -- RV Education 101, a video and RV Information Company releases a new DVD titled, Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro. In this video, hosts Mark Polk (RV Education 101) and Lorrin Walsh (Professional driver & author of Drive Your Motorhome Like a Pro) provide the tools to help the RV consumer drive their RV like a professional driver. That means professionalism developed by the ongoing awareness of driving motor coaches, and the execution of unique driving techniques needed to become a safer and a more confident driver.

Mark Polk stated "Driving a motorhome, especially for the first time, can be very intimidating. The truth is with power steering, automatic transmissions and great visibility, almost any experienced driver can quickly adapt to driving a motorhome. The question is; are you driving it the right way? Lots of people have been driving motorhomes for many years without a real understanding of the dynamics and driving techniques of driving a large vehicle." Drive Your Motorhome Like a Pro is a complete video guide to professional driving techniques for beginners and experienced drivers. It takes commercial driving training techniques and converts them to layman's terms, and it explains basic rules you can apply to any vehicle you might drive. Read more...

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Harboring the Airstream Trailer dream

A spirit of community and adventure binds the residents of the Land Yacht Harbor and the members of a decades-old travel club.

Every resident should help take care of the Harbor’s 60-plus acres in north Thurston County.

And everyone should participate in some of the social travel events planned by the Washington Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International.

Life at one of the world’s largest communities for owners of Airstream travel trailers and motor homes doesn’t have to be complicated, said Carol Ortiz, one of the caravan club’s vice presidents. Work together. Play together. That’s about it. Read more...

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Winnebago falls after saying it will close plant

NEW YORK -Winnebago Industries Inc. fell to a new 52-week low Tuesday after the motor home manufacturer said it would close an Iowa plant, leading to the elimination of 270 jobs.

Late Monday, Winnebago said its Charles City facility will close in August, with work being transferred to its Forest City, Iowa, plant in the fourth quarter.

Company officials blamed rising fuel prices, a difficult lending environment and low consumer confidence for a decrease in motor home demand. The industry has seen a double-digit retail sales decline for seven of the last eight straight months.

Chairman Bob Olson said in a statement that the plant could reopen at a later time if manufacturing capacity increases in the future.

In March, Winnebago said it had cut its workforce by about 9 percent, or about 300 people during the second quarter, to bring production in line with slowing sales. Read more...

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Airstream enthusiasts rally in Benton County

VINTON- The Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI), an association of Airstream owners, held a rally at the Benton County Fairgrounds May 15“18, 2008.

Chuck and Nancy Helle, Vinton, hosted the event. Rallies are held four times between May and October each year. The annual international rally will be in Bozeman, MT in June.
The last rally hosted by Vinton was probably 20 years ago, stated Nancy Helle. There were about 14 Airstream trailers present at the rally.

The attendees were treated to tours of the Braille School, courthouse, Ray House, Horridge House, and the new Vinton-Shellsburg High School. They also viewed the wall murals in downtown Vinton.
The rally agenda also included a board meeting, business meeting, potlucks, and card bingo.
The WBCCI, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1955 in Nova Scotia by Wally Byam, a lawyer who never practiced law, but instead became a publisher and entrepeneur. Read more Airstream....

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Motorhome

Class A motorhomes: The class A motor homes are the biggest motor homes available and are much bigger than the class B and class C motor homes. There are a number of variations that one may choose from. The Class A motor vehicles are typically available in two power modes. One type of the class A vehicle is powered by gasoline and the second version runs on diesel.

Class C motor homes: Class C motor homes are very popular among the available classes, however they are more powerful due to the reduced load. These power homes can accommodate several people comfortably. To increase the space inside the power home one may also extend the sidewalls, and a side out may be included for specific purposes.

The motor home is also known as recreation vehicles or RV's as they are capable of providing all possible facilities that one can get in a traditional home. Motorhomes can be considered as a mobile home or a house on wheels.

Monday, June 2, 2008

RV Owners Seem To Be Toughing It Out

They're still packing campgrounds despite skyrocketing gas prices.

For Bill Loveland, enjoying a beautiful Sunday at Aces High RV Park in East Lyme, the joy of mobile home life far outweighs the price of gas - for now.

”When diesel hits $10 a gallon, I'll have to do some thinking, though,” he said. “Maybe at that point I'll have seen enough of the country I wanted to see.”

Loveland, a former manufacturing-company owner who lives in Durham, has been staying at various recreational vehicle parks around the country since his retirement, though this year he isn't wandering as far as he oversees the construction of a new home. He likes staying a while - a month or two at a time - to soak in the flavor of an area and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

”All the people are friendly,” Loveland said. “This is the way to go.” Read more...