Monaco Coach looks to RV parks

COBURG, Ore. (AP) - With gas at more than $4 a gallon, will anybody show up at a new multimillion-dollar RV resort? Coburg-based Monaco Coach, a top manufacturer of motor homes, is banking on it.

Monaco recently announced it is forming Signature Resorts to manage and develop the company's RV resorts.

Monaco had developed RV resorts in places such as Indio, Calif. and Las Vegas. Signature Resorts will now act as an offshoot of the 40-year-old RV company.

Monaco's next two developments, in Harbor Bay, Mich. and Naples, Fla., will open under Signature Resorts' branding.

With a tennis court, a putting green, a clubhouse, an outdoor pool and a spa, Harbor Bay will open this summer, followed by the one in Naples.

Monaco hopes the resorts will help improve what has been a tarnished year so far. First-quarter figures show a company hit hard by high gas prices and weakened consumer confidence.

First-quarter revenue for the coach company in 2008 was $252 million compared to $322 million for the first quarter of 2007. Gross profit dropped from $36 million a year ago to $15 million this year. Read more about Monaco Coach...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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....

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.

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...

Class C Motorhomes

Owning Class C Motorhome is an experience to cherish for a lifetime. A recreational vehicle comes in two distinct varieties - towables and motorized. Towable RVs include such variants as the travel trailer, the fifth wheel and the tent trailer. A more recent addition to this category is the toy hauler, which features both ample living areas and a secure place to keep your favorite 'toys', like ATV's and motorcycles. A towable RV motor home is designed to be towed by a pick up. It therefore provides the added flexibility of having a car that can be easily separated from the RV and put to independent use. Learn more about Class C Motorhomes.

Winnebago Ratings

In 1966, Winnebago built its first motorhome. It was a 19-foot model that had everything a family needed for cross-country adventure. Through use of the assembly line and other manufacturing innovations in the motorhome industry, Winnebago RV could produce a motorhome that sold for half the price of competitors’ models. Learn more about Winnebago Ratings.

Airstream RV's

Airstream's trailers offer a low center of gravity and independent torsion axle that give you great control no matter where the road may take you. Add to this the fact that an Airstream RV travel trailer's aerodynamics gives you approximately 20% better fuel economy than towing a conventional box trailer, and it is easy to assume that Airstream is rated well among its competitors in the RV industry. There is more to be said about this unique brand of recreational vehicles, though. Airstreams often last 40 years or more; that’s almost 3 times the typical 15 year life span of a conventional trailer. Because of their popularity and longevity, Airstreams hold their value much longer than other travel trailers on the road today, so an Airstream can be a very good investment. Read more about Airstream Ratings.

Motorhome Rentals

Motor homes are houses built as vehicles. These vehicles are usually large enough and have a strong chassis to support heavy loads of the materials of which the house would be made and of course it must have the minimum required amount of space to fit in the minimum requirements of a home. Motor homes can be costly to build and own depending on the type you buy. These vehicles are provided with many of the comforts which one has in his/her home with an added advantage of it being completely mobile. Learn more about Motorhome Rentals.

Class A Motorhomes

Class A motorhomes are at the top of the list when it comes to luxury, style and performance in the RV world. Units range in weight from 15,000 to 35,000 pounds and stretch from 30 to 45 feet in length. Describing them as "motorhomes" is no exaggeration. Class A units come with almost everything one would expect in a home. At the very top of this list is an almost separate category of luxury Class A diesel motorcoaches or diesel pushers, costing $155,000 to 1.5 million or more.

RV Consumer Ratings Guide

An updated version of the ever popular “RV Comparison Guide” from J R Consumer Resources www.jrconsumer.com, promises RV shoppers boundless help in finding their way through all the sales hype that permeates the industry! This no-nonsense, consumer based company continues to exceed expectations, providing strong, unbiased information; a veritable “who’s who” in the world of recreational vehicles. “I thought your book was magnificent!” says one consumer. Read more about the "RV Consumer Ratings Guide".

High gas prices not stopping local RV sales

WENATCHEE — Stretched out in a sunny camping chair, his travel trailer looming behind him, Roy Campbell of Bremerton could have been a poster boy for the recreational-vehicle industry last week at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.

The notion of $4 per gallon for gasoline and more than $4.50 for diesel didn't keep Campbell and his wife, Pam Cambpell, from hauling their 21-foot trailer over the mountains for some Eastern-Washington-style R&R. Read more...

Class C Motorhomes

MotorHomes are vehicles that are fully equipped with all the furniture and the gadgets that a person uses at home. These big vehicles are one-piece vehicles with no segregation between the driver compartment and the mobile home. The Motor homes are available in a number of sizes and different types of furnishings. The cost of the motor home is dependant on the size and the furnishings. Read more...

RV Fresh Water System

Fresh water is one of those things that many people take for granted. If you are an RV owner, be sure to keep your fresh water system properly maintained and in good working order. Don't let a faulty fresh water system spoil your hard-earned vacation.

Caring for an RV fresh water system doesn't need to be an intimidating process. In fact, it's easier than most people think. There are no guarantees that any water system delivers completely safe or pure water, but taking certain precautions can keep your RV water safer and easier to use. Thanks to Mark Polk for his contributions.

Begin with a white, non-toxic drinking hose. Hoses not labeled "safe for drinking" can allow lead and other dangerous chemicals to get into the water. Use the white non-toxic hose solely for hooking up to your water source. Take along a green or black garden hose for all other flushing and filling tasks, like cleaning out holding tanks or washing the RV. While the white drinking hose is not in use, roll it up and connect the two ends together. This will keep dirt, contamination and other debris from getting in the hose. When you are ready to use it again, run some clean water through the hose as an added precaution before hooking it up to the RV.

The next step is to filter the incoming water with a high quality filtration system. Water filters cannot purify the water completely, but they can help to control and remove bacteria, lead and other dangerous contaminants found in drinking water. Hydrolife filters feature a filter media called KDF that uses electrochemical oxidation-reduction to neutralize harmful chemicals and bacteria. The hydrolife filter also uses carbon to reduce pesticides, fungicides and other organic contaminants.

There are two basic options for filtering your RV water system. An inline filter installs directly to the water line that you drink from. The other, more preferable option is to filter all of the water going into the RV. By doing so, you are protecting the entire water system, filtering the shower water to help prevent any skin irritation.

Possibly the most important step is to keep your fresh water system sanitized. At an absolute minimum, the system should be sanitized every spring when you take the RV out of storage. Additionally, be sure to sanitize the fresh water system any time you notice an odor.

To sanitize the fresh water system, begin by draining the water heater. Find the water heater in the outside compartment of your RV. The drain plug, or petcock, is located in the bottom left hand corner. Remove the plug and open the pressure relief valve on top of the water heater. CAUTION: NEVER drain the water heater when the water is hot or the tank is under pressure.

Locate the lowest point where the water lines drain. Look carefully, as they can be difficult to find. There will be one for the hot and another for the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in the water system. Open these and let the water drain out. Next, find the drain for the fresh water holding tank and release all of the water from it. At this point, turn the water pump on for a moment to force any remaining water out. Be sure to shut off the pump as soon as the water stops draining. Close all of the drains. The majority of the water has now been drained from the system.

The next step in sanitizing your water system is to take a quarter cup of household bleach for every fifteen gallons of water that your fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach with water in a one-gallon container and pour it into the fresh water holding tank. Next, fill the fresh water tank almost completely full of water. Turn the water pump on, open all hot and cold faucets in your RV and run the water until you smell the bleach at each faucet. Close the faucets. If it's possible, pull the trailer or drive the RV to move the water around and assist in cleaning the entire tank.

Once the tank has been filled with the bleach-water combination, let it sit for at least 12 hours. Drain the entire system again, and then re-fill the fresh water tank with potable water. Open all of the faucets and run the water until you no longer smell any bleach. It may be necessary to repeat this process to eliminate all signs of bleach from the water system. When the smell of bleach is gone, it will be safe to use your water system.

Modern RVs are equipped with automatic pressure demand pumps, polyethylene fresh water storage tanks and polybutylene water lines. These systems were designed to operate at a certain maximum water pressure level, about 35 to 45 pounds per square inch. The on-board pump has a built-in pressure switch that shuts off power to the pump when the pressure has been reached. Most homes and RV parks have a city water connection to supply water. Often, the pressure at these facilities exceeds 80 pounds per square inch, and sometimes much more.

Take care, as this high-pressure can and will cause leaks to develop.

For your peace of mind, invest in a simple water pressure regulator to use whenever you're using an outside water supply source. This device controls the incoming water pressure to supply a continuous and regulated 45 PSI maximum. The regulator is connected at the supply end of the hose to protect the hose and the RV at the same time. You can purchase a water pressure regulator at your local RV supply store.

People enjoy the RV lifestyle because it offers freedom to travel with all the comforts of home. Make sure that your comfort includes a supply of clean drinking water wherever your travels might take you.

Patricia Johnson enjoys writing for several online magazines, including http://lotuv.com and http://lajop.com. You can also find helpful information in buying an RV by visiting JR Consumer Resources and purchasing the RV Guide. Also helpfulis the RV Search Engine.

Trailer Hitches 101 - A Guide To Towing

Attaching a trailer hitch to your car, van or SUV enables you to tow all kinds of loads. However, it’s not as simple as just fitting any old tow bar to your vehicle. Which type of trailer hitch you should use depends on the towing capacity of your vehicle and it would be unsafe to attempt to haul a heavier load. It is important to refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for information before fitting a towing hitch.

Then you must make sure you use the correct class of trailer hitch for the weight you intend to pull. Class 1 hitches can haul up to 2,000lbs, where as at the other end of the scale, Class 5 hitches can have a weight capacity of over 10,000lbs.

As a general guide, ball hitches are one of the most common types of trailer hitch and can easily be fitted to cars, SUVs and trucks. They have a ball that attaches to the socket of the trailer and are able to haul a variety of loads.

Heavy duty trailer hitches are required for heavier loads, such as hauling horse boxes, agricultural or industrial equipment. Gooseneck hitches use a ball mount, but are mounted on a central position on the underside of a truckbed, for increased stability and more even weight distribution. They are not suitable for use on cars.

Fifth wheel hitches are also fastened to the truckbed. This type of trailer hitch is mounted on a steel plate and becomes a permanent feature of the truckbed. Some fifth wheel trailer hitches require sliders for safer and smoother maneuvers. They have varying weight capacities, depending on the vehicle.

If you buy a trailer hitch, providing it is compatible with your vehicle and with a suitable towing capacity, it should be easy to install in around 30 minutes and be of lots of use for many years to come.

This tonneau cover was designed and built to fit your specific make, model and year pickup truck. Made in the USA by a man “with a working mans PHD”

Truck Covers USA boasts this retractable tonneau cover to have the smallest canister on the market sizing in at 8”x 8”.They say that this truck bed cover has double- walled panels and can support over 500 pounds. That’s a whopping quarter ton plus.

The American roll is tension driven and has stop and lock points at every 12 inches which comes in handy when carrying different loads. It has a textured black powder coat finish which is very tough and durable.

Dirt is kept out of the side rails and canister with the aid of high quality automotive grade wool and brushes. This is where some retractable tonneau covers have a problem.

This is a clamp on tonneau cover with a minimum drilling of holes for the drain tubes of the canister as is for other retractable tonneau covers. They say it can be installed within 2 hours. From what I read it can be any where from a half hour to three and a half hours. Truck covers USA designed and manufactured the clamps themselves especially for this cover. This cover is backed by a 2 year warranty which is a real plus for a retractable tonneau cover. I must say, this is a nice looking tonneau cover.

People who have installed this cover said they have done it quite easily. It only takes a few common tools. You may need some help lifting the canister into place but after that the rest should be a breeze. If you have a bed liner you will probably have to make some cuts in the liner where the clamps need to go and again at the tailgate where the lock of the tonneau cover ends up. No big problem though. If you open and close the cover a lot you may find having to unlock the cover a bit of a pain. This cover locks automatically. It’s great for a fifth wheel. A quite of few people have commented on how strong the cover is.

As is with other retractable tonneau covers you may get slight leakage with a lot of water. I must say that this has to be my favorite manual retractable tonneau cover. Lets just go over some of the good points. It will save you gas - it will deter thieves by keeping things out of sight out of mind not to mention the added locking system which is one of the better locks on tonneau covers today – the American roll will allow you to use your truck bed for tall loads without removing the cover – Easy installation – the cover will stop every twelve inches to accommodate your load - It comes with a 2 year warranty.

Now some of the negative points. May have slight leakage in heavy rain – You need to unlock the cover every time you use it – If you have a bed liner you may have to cut small sections of it for the clamps.

Now you decide if the American Roll tonneau cover is the cover you want for your truck bed and to protect your belongings.

Driving an RV is easier than you think

it's the question everyone asks when they're thinking of buying an RV: What's it like to drive one of these rigs?

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Driving an RV can be tricky, but not if you get the proper training.

"It's intimidating, no doubt about that," says Alan Peterson, who with his wife Margaret has just taken on a

10-metre (34-foot), fifth-wheel trailer that they'll be towing behind a one-ton Ford diesel pickup truck. "But it was intimidating when I first had the (smaller) trailer, too."

It's just a case of understanding how the vehicle handles and getting used to it, say the experts.

"It feels wider, but once you get used to it you'll know where the unit is," explains David Reid, sales manager at the Douglasdale Woody's RV World location in Calgary. Read More...

Local RV manufacturers going green

ELKHART COUNTY — You've likely heard all about using recyclable materials to make houses, cars and food containers. Now some local RV manufacturers are becoming more environmentally friendly. Last year alone, RV companies in Elkhart County turned more than 2,000,000 pounds of landfill waste into new products. Read more...

Getting The Most Out Of Your RV

To get the most out of RVing you need to ask yourself some important questions. What are the things you enjoy doing most? If it's off-road pursuits, then you'll want to consider a toy hauler, which can hold your favorite toys like an ATV or motorcycle. If you enjoy sightseeing at state and national parks, a motor home might be the way to go. With a record number of RV communities and parks being built to accommodate the RV lifestyle a Class A or C motorhome may be the answer.

If hiking and biking are your hobbies, you may want to purchase a bike rack and install it on your travel trailer. Who cares what you look like going down the road? When I see rigs like this I say to myself, "Now these folks know how to squeeze enjoyment out of life."

Some are predicting fewer sales this year because of the problems with the economy.

The industry may see a 10% to 20% drop overall in RV sales, but this could be the BEST TIME to purchase an RV in my opinion. Most RV dealers will have high inventories and I expect many dealers will slash their prices to make sales.
I have said it before and I will say it again, 2008 will be a great time to purchase an RV. But before you rush out to start looking at RVS, be sure to get your copy of our best-selling book, "RV Comparison Guide".

We rate 60 different RV Manufacturers and over 120 best-selling models. Get the facts before you buy and save TIME, MONEY and best of all select the RIGHT RV UNIT for you and your family.

RV Lifestyle Trumps High Gas Prices at RV Rally

According to an article in USA Today, one topic that isn't getting much focus - is the rise in gas prices. Hard-core RVers, which include many of the 8,000 attendees at The Rally that ended Monday (March 17) at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, will tell you an RV isn't just a vehicle. It's a lifestyle. And a little thing like $4-a-gallon gas isn't going to put the brakes on a way of life.



Fuel efficiency wasn't a hot topic among the 300 vendors here, either. Over at the Born Free Motorcoach exhibit, for instance, the spec sheet inside a spanking new 32-foot $174,015 President model offers details on cabinet finish (cherry), toilet type (porcelain) and upholstery (leather) but is mum about what it costs to actually drive the thing. "It's something that gets talked about enough without you pointin' it out," said sales manager Jerry Ehrhardt.

Wholesale shipments of RVs, which run the gamut from humble folding camping trailers to luxury motorhomes, peaked at 400,000 in 2006. The industry attributes the subsequent drop to 354,000 last year to the overall economic slump rather than rising fuel costs. But with the first wave of 79 million Baby Boomers poised for retirement, industry experts are betting that boom times are on the horizon.

According to USA Today, the 1,000 or so factory-fresh rigs on display at the fairgrounds, with names such as Renegade, Conquest and Dynasty, speak to the notion that you can take it with you. Super-deluxe models can cost in the seven figures, and even more modest rigs (starting, say, in the $250,000 range) sport 42-inch-screen TVs, surround-sound systems and granite countertops.

"As Baby Boomers age, they clearly want more than their parents had," said Mike Schneider, president of Affinity Group Inc., sponsor of The Rally and owner of RV-related clubs and publications including RVBusiness. "Their parents were do-it-yourselfers. They're the do-it-for-me generation." Buyers "have made their money, and they're going to enjoy it," he said.

While the RV industry struggles in this economic downturn it's clear many consumers have their minds set on owning an RV and are not distracted by high gas prices or a possible recessions. As one RV attended put it, "Recessions come and go its cyclical just like anything else. I have been planning on purchasing and RV for eight years and I am not going stop living my dream of owning an RV just because of high gas prices or a slowing economy".