Latest updates and news on RV Online

November 12th, 2008 by admin

Purchasing a used RV can help your family to save money on vacations. Buying a used motor home will allow you to save money on the price of the motor home. You will also save money on hotel expenses, airfare, and meals by using an RV on vacations.

Used RV Options :

You can find a great used RV for your family from many different places. There are many RV dealerships that sell used motor homes. You can also find RVs in magazines, newspapers, and online.

Purchasing a used RV online is often a good idea. You can also rent RVs to get a feel for the type of motor home that you would like to purchase. Online prices are typically lower than prices at a dealership.

There are many different RV styles to choose from. You can choose a large Class A motor home, or a van-style Class B or C motor home. You can also choose between luxury coaches, trailers, standard motor homes, fifth wheels, and truck campers, depending on your family needs for vacationing.

There are different manufacturers making RVs like Fleetwood, Gulfstream, Winnebago, Chevrolet, Cruiser, Keystone, Monaco etc.

November 9th, 2008 by admin

The RV lifestyle continues to increase in popularity, with motor homes offering all the amenities of home and then some. The fun of an RV is that you can choose from a wide variety of vehicles, from rustic pop-ups that are perfect for a weekend getaway to full-sized motorcoaches that will take you across the country in extreme style and comfort. Whether you are looking for a way to camp more comfortably with the family or a whole new travel lifestyle, there is the perfect RV waiting for you. However, before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few basics to learn about RV travel.

Types of RV’s :
The first choice is the type of new or used RV that you want to travel in. Beginners might do well to select a more modest variety to test the waters of the RV lifestyle. Dealers like Ameri-Camp offer the perfect solution in fifth-wheels and travel trailers that offer plenty of creature comforts without breaking the budget. A fifth wheel RV for sale is designed to be towed behind a vehicle through a fifth-wheel hitch. This model offers a bi-level floor plan that provides plenty of space for a retired couple or a family to live comfortably for a number of days or even weeks. Travel trailers are towed by a bumper hitch and can be used with a van, sport utility vehicle or pickup truck. The advantage to a travel trailer is that you can unhitch your vehicle and leave your trailer in one spot as you tour the countryside during the day.

Class C motorhomes, built onto a truck chassis, are often referred to as mini-motorhomes. These RV’s can offer the same amenities as larger vehicles, but in a compact space and for a smaller price. Bus style motorhomes are the granddaddy of them all, with many modern conveniences and luxuries and plenty of space to spare. These are perfect for the retired couple who has the cash and wants to enjoy the RV experience full time. You can find these coaches in a wide price range, depending on how luxurious and loaded you want to go.

RV Destinations :
The sky is the limit in RV travel, whether you want a mountain retreat or a beach destination. You can find RV camps in national parks, near major tourist attractions and just outside of large cities. Nearly all will come with basic hookups and a bath house, while some of the nicer parks will also include cable access and Internet connections. You can find parks that include playgrounds, swimming pools, general stores and game rooms. Of course, the most enticing attraction to most RV areas is the beautiful surroundings that will provide the opportunity to hike, boat, bird watch or just sit back and enjoy the view.

There are so many things to enjoy about the RV lifestyle; the greatest challenge may be to choose between the many wonderful destinations and activities available. Select a vehicle that will best suit your needs, find a destination that you want to visit and get ready to enjoy your RV!

November 6th, 2008 by admin

Motor homes represent the modern compromise between camping and hotel bills. New or used RVs for sale can be used for short and medium term accommodation, transport, and recreation, and with the huge variety of vehicles available, they’re a great way for you to see America, no matter what your budget is.

Whether you’re retiring, planning a college road trip, need a temporary housing solution, or you’re just on the road a lot, buying yourself an RV or motor home may be one of the best moves you can make. With our aging population, many retirees or active middle-aged North Americans are finding that while they want to see more of the continent, “roughing it” has lost some of the appeal it might otherwise have had in the past. A Recreational Vehicle allows you to get out there and see the country, while taking all the convenience, luxuries, and creature comforts of home with you. If this describes you and you want to see America in comfort and style, you might consider a Class A motorhome, Class C motorhome, or 5th wheel trailer.

Similarly, an RV makes for an excellent solution for those who live an itinerant lifestyle, whether by choice, necessity, or the nature of your work. Some people need the ability to stay mobile, but might stop for days, weeks, or months at a time in various cities or work sites. Miners and construction engineers are just one example of people who can fit this description. Building sites, television and film production companies, and traveling shows also make heavy use of trailers and motor homes for facilities, offices, and to accommodate their talent on set. Larger class motor homes are also ideal for these applications.

Sometimes, circumstances may require that you find cheap accommodation for the short or medium term, and you may not be too sure of just where you’ll find yourself a few years down the track. If you’re building a house and you have a family to house in the mean time , or perhaps you’re in the process of hunting down an apartment, a park model trailer home might be ideal for your needs. Some of these can be very spacious compared to other motor homes, and as they appear to be a normal room or transportable building, they can be configured for whatever your needs might be.

If you’re a younger American, the chances are there’s an RV with your name on it somewhere too. You may want to do some camping with your young family with the affordability of a Class B camper van or folding camper, or maybe you’re planning a college road trip in the comfort, style, and flair of a conversion van, either way, there’s a motor home within your means at any good RV dealer. Buying a used vehicle is a great way to save money if budget is one of your concerns, and provided the vehicle is sound, you can get yourself a much better deal than you would buying new.

Motor homes represent the modern compromise between simple camping, and expensive hotel bills or short-term rental. Trailer parking is invariably cheap compared to these alternatives, and affords you most of the freedoms of having your own place, as well as the flexibility of being able to drive off at a moment’s notice. A caravan-style hitched trailer can add to this flexibility by allowing you to use your current car, SUV, or truck to tow your trailer, and if need be, temporarily detach it while you’re staying in one place.

October 21st, 2008 by admin

Renting an RV is perfect if you’ve dreamed of touring California in an RV, but thought you couldn’t because of the cost or hassle of owning an RV. RVs allow you travel where you want and when you want from the comfort of your substitute home. There are different models available like Class A motorhome, Class B and Class C motorhome, travel trailer, truck camper, toy hauler motorhome and brands like Gulfstream RV, Fleetwood RV, Winnebago RV, Ford RV, GMC RV, Volvo RV etc.

The most popular type of rented RV is the Class-C motor home. It is easy to drive and has beds, a toilet, shower, heat and air-conditioning, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Folding camping trailers, travel trailers, and truck trailers are also popular. You can rent your RV one-way or two-way, and you can ask for a discount if you’re renting it for the long haul. Some RV rentals also provide a fly-and-drive package so you can fly into California and then rent the RV.

Rental companies exist throughout California, but you’ll probably have the best luck around Los Angeles or San Francisco. Searching the Internet is probably the easiest way to find a Californian RV rental agency. KOA, or Kampgrounds of America, provides a list of its preferred RV rental agencies in California, by city, on its Web site.

Rental rates in California are cheapest between November and March and in October with prices starting at around $63 a day for over 40 days. Prices per day decrease the longer you rent them, but increase with the quality of the RV. The most expensive time to rent an RV in California is between late June and early September with prices starting at around $117 a day for over 40 days.

Before you set out for adventure in California, find parks that will let you park your RV there. Maps are available for sale on the Internet and KOA also provides a list. Don’t be afraid to shop for the best bargain and ask for all details about mileage fees, insurance, and other extra fees you might not expect. The more you plan ahead, the less worry during your trip through California.

October 20th, 2008 by admin

It seems that people can never get enough of traveling across the country in travel trailers and RVs and the reasons are many. To some, its like taking their home with them when they travel and in an RV or trailer they can bring many comforts of their home along with them. Traveling by new or used RV might be a Park Model RV, truck camper, fifth wheel trailer, Class A, Class B or Class C motorhome etc has many benefits such as stopping when ever you want and having a mobile kitchen to cook with. Somewhere along the way someone decided to fit a satellite TV system in their RV and the rest is history, because now more and more people are doing it.

It didn’t start out that way, because in the beginning people would use a standard TV with bunny-ear antennae and hope to have reception in the places where they stopped but that all changed with the advent of satellite TV. The first pioneer of the RV satellite TV system was a man named Bob Stacy who had the idea to invent a small satellite dish that had a motor on it that he could use to adjust its reception with. It turned out that it worked so well that he started a company to manufacture and market them that he named Motosat and it did quite well.

The idea took wind and more and more people began to install the motorized satellite dishes, so they could enjoy satellite TV when they were on the road. There were still some short sides to this system, such as the fact that the dish had to be taken down and set back up every time the RV hit the road, so it wouldn’t be blown off of the roof of the RV. The other problem that RV owners faced was the fact that the satellite TV system couldn’t pick up signals while the RV was traveling down the open highway.

People could get around this problem by pre-recording programming on a receiver that DVR capabilities and then playing the programming back when they were traveling but that still left them with substantial limitations. For one thing, travelers couldn’t access the weather channel to check out the road conditions that they were approaching as they traveled and this was a real problem for RV drivers, because their size makes them more vulnerable to precarious weather such as high winds. Recently however; one satellite service provider has come up with a solution to this problem by developing a satellite antennae that will receive satellite transmissions on the road and they call it Mobile Dish.

Its a service provided by Dish Network and it currently has one-hundred channels in their viewing repertoire. Now with this state of the art satellite system travelers can truly take their home with them when they travel. One problem when traveling down the open road is that the sight-seeing isn’t always optimal and if there are bored children in the vehicle it can make the trip a little rough. Having one-hundred channels to surf through during the times when sight seeing isn’t enough to keep passengers occupied now means that traveling with kids on board is no problem.

October 13th, 2008 by admin

Today, everybody it seems is concerned about the sharp rise in the prices of the fuels and gas in particular. The instant reaction of people is to find out the ways to cut fuel costs and have vehicles that give better gas mileages. A new or used RV for sale is a vehicle in which a trailer is attached to a truck. The trailer, in the interior is made to resemble the rooms of our comfortable house in a slightly more compact environment. People who live and travel in Motor Homes should always try to maintain their vehicles gas mileage.

As the motor home is bigger in size, it consumes more fuel than an average car or an SUV. Moreover, the trailer attached to the rear of the truck is made to look like a real home with nearly all the appliances and equipments. Thus, the trailer has a lot of weight and large amounts of power is wasted in running the motor home that naturally takes its toll on the mileage of the vehicle.

Whenever you speak of using a motor home for a vacation or errands like that in front of a few people, the most common reaction is the question how you can afford to drive a motor home. But to think rationally, this reaction may be wrong. Just think about you using a motor home for a vacation yet you may be pleasantly surprised. If you are a person who loves to take his motor home for a finding a great destination for a vacation every summer, then you may be surprised to see how few mile you have actually traveled using the motor home. Most motor homes give an average mileage of around 8 miles per gallon.

For example: If your destination is 100 miles away and you travel around 12 weekends in summer then you will travel only 100 x 2 x 12 i.e. 2400 miles on your motor home. The increase in cost is only $32.31 per trip and only $463.61 for the year. The projection may be in error because the cost of the gas is always fluctuating. Therefore, would you like to leave your motor home that provides you with so much comfort enjoyment and freedom for just $463.61?

For efficient and economic running of your motor home, the following is some information that will help you to get better output from your motor home.

To get better mileage without spending money for modifications: You must first make sure that your motor home might be a new or used travel trailer, fifth wheel, Class A, Class B, Class C motorhome etc is running well by testing the chassis on a dynamometer. You can also get fuel to air ratio checked. You must also make sure that the air pressure on tires is as recommended. You must also drive slower with gradual starts and stops.

The best speed for fuel economy of a motor home: As you increase your speed your speed, the mileage will drop steadily, because of the increase in resistance of the air as well as the weight of the vehicle. So the slower the speed of the vehicle the better will be its mileage. Hence you must maintain your speed between 50 and 55.

October 9th, 2008 by admin

It is not easy to buy a recreational vehicle. One cannot get an RV on your fingertips. Not only is it expensive, it also entails a lot of scouting around. One of the tried and tested tools that help a customer like you in selecting the best RV is to rely on RV ratings. Make sure you do the best research, consultation and comparison.

The proven integrity of research :
An exhaustive research will familiarize you with the different types or categories of new and used RVs for sale. Also, it would be easier for you to search for ratings, because ratings are usually classified depending on the RV category.

There are a lot of ways to go about with your research. You may want to buy books on RVs. Or you might want to surf the net and join online communities and forum that will help you get information about the advantages and disadvantages of the different brands and kinds of RVs like Class A, Class B, Class C motorhome, travel trailer, park model, toy hauler RV etc. Also, there are websites that are dedicated to helping consumers pick the best RV. Some of these websites have compilations of consumer ratings that they have generated over the years. This should give you an idea as to which RV manufacturing company produces the RV Bestseller.

The helpful insights of consultation :
Never undermine the wealth of knowledge and information you could get from your RV dealer. He is, after all, more than a salesman. He brings with him, years of experience in selling RVs, which means that he has met a lot of customers. Try to find out from him which brand are more popular and which RV satisfies most of the customers. Also, ask for his honest opinion if the RV you are eyeing will really work to your utmost benefit. However, treat all these information as suggestions. Ask more people. That way, you would have a collection of stories of RV experiences.

The necessity of comparison :
After generating information, make your own ratings list based on your needs. Rate RVs based on the considerations that are most important to you. For instance, if you need an RV to be roomy, then rate the available RVs based on their floor sizes. If you need an RV to look classy, then rate the RV according to its exterior finish. If budget is your main consideration, then rearrange your ratings list and see which among the cheaper alternatives offer the most amenities. Whatever the outcome of your list may be, remember that you are the customer. In the end, it is you who will decide which RV to bring home.

RV Dealers :
Would you like to know what RV dealers on a national scale think of certain manufacturers? Anybody serious about purchasing an RV would probably answer, YES! Well you’re in luck, the RVDA (Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association), for fourteen consecutive years has asked dealers to express their level of satisfaction with their manufacturers. The program is called, Dealer Satisfaction Index,(DSI).

The DSI is a tool to help improve dealer/manufacturer relations by identifying how dealers perceive the strength and weaknesses of their manufacturers. RVDA is quick to point out this is not a scientific study. Its aim is to observe dealer attitudes toward their manufacturers, products, policies and procedures. The DSI survey asks the dealers to list the manufacturers of the products they sell and rate them in four main categories; sales, product, management and service-warranty support.

October 7th, 2008 by admin

Buying an used motorhome can be sometimes very hectic and isn’t simple. It can become very difficult when you are planning to live in the motorhome for any amount of time.

For this reason, it is always essential to have some important checklists to go over to see any problems you might be facing after buying a used RV Motorhome. Sellers usually don’t tell you the problems they know of, as the saying goes “Buyers Beware”. The RV dealer will make his commission no matter how long the RV was in use, so it is up to you to make sure you get the best deal.

Not to waste any more time, some key points have been presented to look over when planning to buy a used motorhome.

1. Checking the Engine and Oil : Engine and Oil is the lifeblood for any vehicle. Checking the oil would be a great start to ensure the condition of the engine. If the oil smells burnt, you may have a problem on your hands.

2. Rust Condition : Rust is the natural breakdown of iron and metal. RVs travelling in those parts of the country having snow and salt will be more prone to rust. Purchasing used motor homes from the south can help this rust problem, but they will cost a bit more. If there is structural rust on the frames, it is better to avoid those motorhomes as they are at their end of life.

3. Service Records : Service records will show the proper maintenance of the motorhome maintained by the previous user. It will also show you the number of previous user of that RV. And if they fail to provide any paperwork, its advisable not to settle for that used motorhome.

4. Motorhome Financing : Finance companies offer better options for certain RV builders, on certain models especially those that have low depreciation. The purchase of an used motorhome should be done without a thorough inspection of the finance options attached to that RV.

Learning enough about used motorhomes might be a Class A , Class B or Class C motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer etc to make an educated buying decision is just another good common sense. What you learn before you get the used motorhome will certainly carry over into what you will need to know to keep your motorhome in proper shape.

October 2nd, 2008 by admin

Are you retired and planning to travel occasionally or will you sell your home and live in the RV full-time? There are two basic types of rigs.

1. Motorized RVs have the driving compartment within the vehicle. They are constructed on a motor vehicle chassis.
2. Towable RVs rely on a separate vehicle with a driving compartment.

MOTORIZED RVS :
This is the rig most people think of when they hear the expression “RV.” Generally, it’s called a motorhome, ranging in length from under twenty to more than forty feet. The price can vary from a few thousand dollars for an old well-worn rig to almost a million for a luxurious, customized vehicle. New or used motorhomes for sale are easier to drive and park, plus they afford greater safety since if there is an emergency or anything suspicious in the middle of the night, the owner just turns the key in the ignition and leaves. The trailer owner must go outside to get into the tow vehicle. Generally solo women travelers choose motorhomes for these reasons, although one solo who lives in her fifth wheel trailer (see below for definition) says that she prefers to stay in RV parks, so she always feels safe and doesn’t worry about leaving in the middle of the night.

CLASS A :
The Class A motorhome is often rectangular in appearance. The driver and passenger seats can swivel around and become living room furniture when the rig is parked. The amenities are self-contained bathroom, kitchen, dining area, living room, and bedroom. Class As handle more like a car (a very large car for the 30-40 feet rigs) and when you remove the towed car, they back up like a car so the driver doesn’t have to learn new skills. The larger motorhomes usually tow a car behind, affectionately referred to as the “toad.” Although the mileage is poor on the motorhome, the toad gets excellent mileage and is used for local transportation and sightseeing.

CLASS B :
The Class B is built on a van chassis with a raised roof. New or used Class B motorhome for sale are smaller, compact, and very easy to drive. They contain the same lifestyle amenities, but usually on a smaller scale. New ones are expensive, particularly compared to a similar-sized Class C or Class A. The Class Bs have less sleeping space for a small family than other small rigs or trailers.

CLASS C :
The Class C is a truck chassis with an RV unit built on it. The sleeping area is over the driver/passenger unit. Again, the rig contains all the lifestyle amenities but often on a more limited scale than the Class A. The Class C is often used to tow a boat or motorcycle, and can tow a car. This type is the least expensive of the motorhomes.

TOWABLE RVS :
The advantage of the towable RV is that when you arrive at your site, you can unhitch the tow vehicle and use it as your mode of local transportation.

FIFTH WHEEL :
The new or used fifth wheel for sale is a trailer that hitches in the bed of the truck. Depending on the size and construction of the rig, it may be too heavy to tow with a big pick-up truck. Check the weight rating carefully. An overweight vehicle can cause great problems to the tow vehicle, the trailer, and ultimately to your personal safety. You might damage the transmission, axles, tires, and so on.

TRAVEL TRAILER :
The travel trailer, more familiar to most people, hitches to the back of the tow vehicle, which can be a truck, van, or even a heavy car, depending on the weight and size of the trailer. The trailer length varies greatly. The longer trailers tend to sway and don’t complete turns as easily as the fifth wheel. They are also more difficult to back in to a campsite. Less underneath storage is available than in a fifth wheel. Full amenities are in the longer trailers. For the family, there can be more space in the van or heavy car, which makes pulling a travel trailer a more attractive option than a fifth wheel. The travel trailer is generally less expensive than the fifth wheel.

CAMPER :
The slide-in camper is a camper shell that can be removed from the body of a flat bed pickup truck. A “slide-out” side provides more space, but overall space is limited compared to most travel and fifth wheel trailers. This is an excellent rig for one or two people, or it can be used as the tow vehicle for a travel or pop-up trailer for a larger family.

September 30th, 2008 by admin

More and more people are choosing recreational vehicles to satisfy their desire to spend more time outside the city. If you like going outside the urban area in the weekends, to spend your holidays in the middle of the nature, to enjoy a camp or just to travel from city to city in an across the country holiday, a recreational vehicle is the perfect solution for you.

What makes a recreational vehicle special and different compared to other cars is that a RV (or recreational vehicle) represents an enclosed car that can be used as a car and as a mobile home in the same time.

Most of them are used by families for holidays, but there are people that actually live in RVs. While they do not offer the most luxurious conditions in the world, buying a  used RV for spending your holidays is a way cheaper solution that staying at different hotels. And while you always have a place to live, you can also benefit from the RV’s mobility and chose where and when to go. No other vehicle will offer you greater freedom than a recreational vehicle (RV).

The market for RVs is very wide and there are many models to choose from. The recreational vehicles themselves are divided in several classes, based on their size and functionality. There are three main categories of RVs: cars belonging to the A class, B and C class of recreational vehicles. The Class A  motorhomes are also refereed to as the luxury caravans as they offer the largest amount of space and incomparable comfort levels. Most class A recreational vehicles are built on truck or bus chassis, ensuring great car body strength and a lot, a lot of personal space.

RVs belonging to the A RV class are also the most expensive and you should only buy one if you have a very large family and you all travel together in the same time. However, because A class recreational vehicles are so large, it is very hard to navigate such a vehicle throughout cities and they are very hard to park and travel in reverse. They are only meant to travel on country roads and to be parked in camping areas where the available space allows it.

The next class of recreational vehicles is the B class. Class B motorhome is usually a van that has had a series of modifications to be converted into a recreational vehicle. While not offering the same amount of space and comfort levels as an A class RV, a B class is more convenient to drive, to park and to maintain. Its initial price is lower and the maintaining prices are also less than larger RVs.

Recreational vehicles belonging to the C class are situated somewhere in between the A class RVs and the B class RVs. They are also built on small truck chassis like the A class recreational vehicles, but they are somewhat smaller in dimensions. They only have a car-like front, but the entire back of the C class RV is taken by the living area. If you want to buy a recreational vehicle and you are not satisfied with the amount of space offered by B class RVs, then a C class RV is the perfect solution for you.