Latest updates and news on RV Online

December 17th, 2008 by admin

Motorhomes of any make and model are to be considered a big investment and with every large financial investment, there are desired savings hoped for with your purchase. The best way to save on any motorhomes is to buy used instead of brand new. There will be huge savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars on a used model that has been thoroughly checked through inside out by the dealership. There are several differences besides just price between the various types of motorhomes. There is size, weight, and inside variations to explore along with brand model to choose from.

The first to consider is the class C motorhome also referred to as the mini-motorhome. This is equipped with the conveniences of a larger motorhome, but in a scaled down version at the cheapest of prices out of other motorhomes. The class B motorhome is one step up in size, amenities and slightly higher in price. The Class A motorhome for sale is the luxurious home on wheels with a much larger size and many more top of the line amenities. The class A motorhome is the highest of price ranges, but when you are to buy used, the price drops by the thousands, getting you high quality and saving money.

For which ever size is decided best for you, the place to find the highest quality of used motorhomes instead of brand new purchases is a dealership of used Gulfstream motorhomes. Gulfstream is known for the best new and used motorhomes out there for purchasing today. When those whom have invested the full price and not utilized the brand new purchased RV, it is very common for the customer to eventually return the barely used motorhome. Within this selection of pre-owned ones, there is a good used Gulfstream RV for you!

With all of the used Gulfstream motorhomes coming back onto the dealerships, there are many to choose from, and they have been thoroughly checked from top to bottom. They are almost always very low in mileage, wear and tear. Many of them are 2 to 5 years old, with very little direct use on the roads during ownership, but instead parked and covered during those years. Many dealerships will put a good warranty on the used Gulfstream motorhome because of the brand name reputation for quality. With all the Gulfstream quality and so many saving, it is easy to take a very relaxing vacation!

November 18th, 2008 by admin

RVing isn’t necessarily known as the most environmentally friendly activity on the planet, but as many RV owners can attest, living in an RV might be Gulfstream RV, Ford RV, Challenger RV, Volvo RV etc is a great way to experience our beautiful environment, and it’s an affordable way to enjoy your retirement. Burning some fuel may be unavoidable, but there are many ways to lower your impact (and some that will save you money at the same time).

Although you may find any number of approaches to greening your recreational ride, the biggest savings will be in your power and sewage systems and in your fuel consumption.

Composting toilets are available for new and used RVs (and cabins and boats) - these are ideal for places that can’t connect to sewer or septic or in areas prone to drought. Composting toilets use significantly less water than traditional systems (some use none at all!). Installing one in the RV means you won’t have to worry about pump outs, and you will lower your pollution quotient significantly.

Properly installed, composting toilets have no odor and are already being used in public highway facilities in Sweden. The technology makes use of aerobic decomposition - using oxygen to speed up the process, microbes work at the solids while the 90 percent water content evaporates through a venting system. This eventually reduces solids to one to two percent of the initial volume, producing soil instead of sewage. Composting toilets come either as self contained units, which can be rather large, or as systems that flush to a separate composting unit.

Another green idea is to harness the power of the sun. You can choose a portable solar kit for your RV or mount a unit right on the vehicle, depending on your power needs. Since solar panels produce DC power, the same system used by RVs, there is no need for conversion. This makes RVs a particularly good application for solar technology. With the right system you can keep your batteries fully charged and enjoy your electricity without plugging in.

If these changes feel like too much, don’t despair: there are smaller, common sense steps anyone in an RV can take to protect the environment. By parking your RV for the season, you can enjoy affordable living and make some new friends without burning much fuel . There are plenty of RV parks that will allow you to enjoy your vacation in a community setting. Alternative fuel sources, such as biodiesel, can also provide a lower impact vacation, but check with your engine manufacturer before use.

Of course you should be aware of your surroundings and always use RV designated campsites when on the road. Rather than driving, bring your bike along to explore natural areas - this will also lower your fuel consumption.

Use environmentally friendly, non-toxic products on board. Cut down on disposable products, recycle your packaging (even if it means packing it home) and dispose of your garbage properly. Combining the composting toilet, solar power system and alternate fuels with a little common sense will have you touring without a trace - your RV will be practically off the grid. Making a few small changes can lower your impact significantly and help contribute to a healthier environment for us all.

November 14th, 2008 by admin

There are many things you should consider when renting a RV. This will guide you through the decision making process.

When renting a new or used RV from a provider, you are looking for reliability, affordability and dependability to begin with. But there are many other issues you will need to consider before making the final decision on which rental service will meet your needs entirely.

To start with, you will have to know exactly how long you are going to want the motor home; this begins with planning where exactly you would like to go. You will need to know this so you can work out the distance you plan to travel, how many miles you estimate you will do each day and therefore how long it will take you to get to your destination and back. Once you have worked out the minimum amount of time that you would require a RV, you should then add on a few extra days. This is not only in case of emergencies (for example, if you break down or extra unplanned-for traffic slows you down and permits you from doing your estimated number of miles that day) but also because you may decide to stay in one certain place longer than you intended or you may just want to relax and have no specific schedule that day. If you add these extra days then you don’t have to panic about getting the RV back in time; this will also give you some time to fully appreciate and explore your destinations.

When deciding on which RV rental company to go with, you will first need to consider which sort of rentable motor home you would need and then decide on a provider, who can give you the best deal on this kind. Most people go with a Class C RV but there are many other varieties available; for example, Class B motor homes, which tend to be smaller, or a larger version (Class A) may be what you call for. There are Fleetwood RVs, Gulfstream RVs, Ford RVs, Challenger etc. After you have picked the right RV you want, then you should go to each rental company and compare prices, quality and features. Then you should build a shortlist of the best companies and judge them on the other issues that are mentioned below.

There are many other factors that you should really consider besides the price and quality. For example, you may need to tow a car for a day trip, or bring along a pet that you can’t leave behind; many companies will not be able to fulfil these requirements. You will also need to know how expensive the fuel will be and how many miles you get per gallon. It would also to wise to check if you have to buy insurance or if that’s covered in the price. While on the subject of insurance, if the company provides that for you, you should also identify what exactly is covered in the insurance and how much the deductible is. You must also be aware of what the deposit for the RV is and what the deposit return policy is if for some reason you can’t go ahead with your trip. If your trip will be during the summer, it would be a good idea to find out about air conditioning, and similarly find out about the heating if you plan to go during the winter. You will probably also require a generator for electronic devices, such as a television, stereo or DVD player, you should ask about the availability of these as well. You should also check exactly what is included in the price, for example, you may have to rent the generator and electrical products separately.

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 11th, 2008 by admin

To buy or to rent? This is one predicament most motorists have when considering whether to buy or rent a trailer or a recreational vehicle (RV) when going on road trips. This is especially true for those who love being on the road and those who are considering living in a trailer or RV. However, before deciding on purchasing a trailer or an RV, you need to learn more about the pros and cons of owning this kind of vehicles. Particularly to those who are considering investing most of their money into this and living in a trailer park, you need to experience first how it is like to live in a trailer or an RV.

Trailers, in the past, often referred to vehicles with basic living facilities which people use for camping and were towed by a car, van or truck. Nowadays, there are different types of trailers that are used for various purposes such as those used for moving, shipping and delivering goods from short to long distances. Some of these trailers are small and compact and need to be pulled or towed by another vehicle but there are some that are built as part of trucks which are called semi-trailer trucks. Many trailers today are designed for moving or hauling large items such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, furniture, appliances and cargo boxes among many others. These are still hitched on another vehicle but there are some that are custom-made to be part or within a truck or van.

Customized trailers are often those made into motor homes or recreational vehicles. New or used RVs for sale are usually used for road trips and camping but there are those which are used as full-time homes. You can stop at trailer parks in between your drive which are plenty across the United States and can be found in many tourist attraction spots. However, many trailer parks are now reserved for mobile homes - houses that are factory built and can be moved anytime. RVs might be Fleetwood RV, Challenger RV, Cruiser RV, Dutch Star RV, Ford RV, Gulfstream RV etc  can be rented from many automobile rentals in different states and if you want, you can even buy one for your own. But before purchasing an RV, try to consider first the advantages and disadvantages.

RVs are:
• great for travelling and you can consider it as your second home
• do not have property taxes
• have built in facilities such as bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, and entertainment areas so you don’t need to pay for hotel or motel accommodations
• give you the convenience to go on a trip even with last minute plans
• can be used as permanent homes that you can move all over the country if it pleases you

On the other hand, RVs also:
• depreciate rapidly
• can give you difficulty on finding a parking space because of their size
• still need a power source if they don’t come with a built in generator
• need special repair shops, again, because of their size and if you find one, repairs will take days because many auto shops do not usually carry RV parts
• are high-maintenance vehicles

Therefore, whether you chose to buy or to rent your trailer or recreational vehicle, consider the aforementioned facts to help you make the smart and the right choice for you.

November 7th, 2008 by admin

While most people look for new or used recreational vehicles, they think pleasing ideas of leisure and journey normally come in to the mind.

Generally they are also thinking of safety in mind and cover with the recreational vehicle Insurance. Recreational vehicle insurance policy is among those matters in life that you’re pleased to accept and go for you never exercise.

1. All states need that you have some form of insurance for your recreational vehicle; it barely gives better feel, disregarding of the law involving it. Whenever you design on purchasing recreational vehicle insurance policy soon.

2. Whenever you do not plan on holding up in your recreational vehicle, and you just employ them for shortest or smaller travels, you may in reality prefer to look up your actual homeowner’s insurance policy and ascertain whenever it is covered up by RV insurance policy. If not, you may prefer to call your insurance agent and inquire whenever there is a rider that may be bought to admit your recreational vehicle on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

3. You must know about the insurance coverage. Be careful to acquire a fill out figure of just what is covered up and what the restrictions of the insurance coverage are prior to continuing.

4. Frequently you are able to save revenue by bringing your recreational vehicle onto to your homeowner’s insurance policy, but certain limitations enforce. A basic limitation is the recreational vehicle must not be certified for traveling use. If this is a limitation, be careful not to offend it. The fiscal impairment of experiencing an uninsurable accident could be harmful.

5. Whenever you get along with your branded RV might be Fleetwood, Challenger, Gulfstream, GMC, Ford etc, you should distinctly state that reality while acquiring the insurance policy quote. A few people call up that enjoining the insurance firm that you simply apply the recreational vehicle for shortest travels sometimes will economize it if they inhabit in them.

Actually when you really act to charge a claim at whatever charge, the insurance company receives the right to refuse the claim established upon fake data, whenever the insurance coverage is written for casual purpose and you’re in reality dwelling in the recreational vehicle. You must think the total insurance policy at risk barely to save up a few dollars.

November 4th, 2008 by admin

If you want to maximize fuel efficiency, spare your axles from too much pressure, and plan a safer trip in your motor home, it’s important to monitor and maintain a reasonable weight for your recreational vehicle. Families have a tendency to take advantage of their spacious motor homes, packing it tight with home comforts, extra baggage, and “just in case” items. Too much stuff will get you down though, and can cause mechanical problems as well as become a safety hazard. You can always have your RV checked on public scales or keep diligent records of how many pounds you’re stuffing in there.

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of using a public scale. You can use the internet or yellow pages to aid in your search. In some places use of scales will be free, such as a storage company lot. Others you may have to pay a small fee for. There are different types of scales that can be used to evaluate your new or used RV. A platform scale can measure the entire RV might be a Class A, Class B, Class C motorhome, Park Model RV, fifth wheel RV, Challenger RV, Chevrolet RV, Gulfstream RV, Winnebago RV etc. A single axle scale does one axle at a time, and a segmented platform scale checks both the whole weight and that of each individual axle.

When you bring your motor home to be checked, pack it up! It should be stuffed with all of the items you plan on bringing with you on your trip-including passengers, pets, people and baggage. If you can’t get the family together, you can always add items that are roughly the same weight.

If you choose a platform scale, you’ll drive your front axle onto the platform, so your RV should be halfway on and halfway off the scale. You then repeat the process for the rear axle, and then the entire vehicle, taking down each measurement. If you are towing another vehicle, place only the vehicle on the scale and then add to your total measurement.

For single axle scales, you’ll follow the same procedure for the platform scale, but you will not be able to take the motor home’s entire weight. You’ll simply have to add the individual axle numbers together. You may also weigh a towed vehicle in the same manner as you would with a platform scale.

Afterwards, you’ll have to assess each individual wheel position; you do this by using only one side of the scale. Instead of doing both sides of the RV, you can just subtract the axle numbers from the individual wheels to fill in your final numbers.

The easiest way to get an accurate weight for your RV is by using a segmented scale. Drive onto the platform, ensuring that each axle is centered on the individual platforms, then add each measurement together and you have your total. Once you’ve checked out your motor home, find the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating number for your RV and see how your vehicle’s weight measures up. Your total value should not exceed this number, and the lower it is the better. You’ll also want to compare the Gross Axle Weight Rating for both the rear and front axles. If you’re off-balance, you can always switch around items to even out the weight. It is wise to check the individual wheel weights as well. These can sometimes be off balance and need rearranging.

Checking your RV before your trip is an important part of safety and overall driving efficiency. Don’t skip out on this important step. Overloading can cause serious damage to your vehicle and put you and your passengers at risk.

November 3rd, 2008 by admin

If you’re looking to put your RV up for sale or buy one to replace the RV your son crashed into Lake Tahoe, the first place you’d check would be the many RV classifieds out there. Similar to automobile and boat classifieds, RV classifieds contain placed ads from people trying to sell their motorhomes and recreational vehicles. In essence, these classifieds are an excellent place to see if anyone is selling something he needs or just to check out what units are on the market.

Whenever the urge to sell that RV you own comes over you, the best place to have that information spread out to as many people as possible would be the RV classifieds. Provided that you do take the above option, be sure to input all the necessary information; otherwise, the ad won’t do you much good. Some of the information you’re going to have to indicate would be the RV’s make and model, the machine’s overall physical condition, the asking price, and the means by which buyers can contact you. Naturally, the information noted above are logical but it wouldn’t hurt to be reminded of their importance. Other bits of information you might want to include are the pictures of the RV, the year of purchase, and the alterations that might have been made.

On the other side of the fence, if you’re looking to buy a new or used motor home, RV classifieds are also your best option. Since people selling their units will be putting up ads for nearly every make and model of RV you can think of, finding one that catches your eye is going to be a snap. Bear in mind that different classifieds list the ads differently. For example, some might prefer to list them alphabetically, by the make like Blue Bird RV, Ford RV, Gulfstream RV, Kenworth RV, Volvo RV etc, while others would rather list them down by location of the seller. If you stumble upon a listing online, the nature of the Internet makes it far easier to search the listings. Most listings on the Internet let you narrow down the search results through a variety of parameters, such as the model type, the price range, and the vicinity of the seller from a given area. All these conveniences make it easier for you to find the right RV for whatever reason you have.

It has been made perfectly clear that RV classifieds are an excellent resource for both people who want to buy and people who want to sell, but you would do well to find one that gives extra features. One such extra feature to look out for would be the RV classifieds that have listings for parts. Maintenance of an RV can be a demanding thing, so knowing that you can look up someone for a replacement part you need is a great comfort. Some also have cheaper rates for ad placements than other listings, though those may come with the trade-off of not being able to reach as wide an audience as you would like.

October 26th, 2008 by admin

One of the most successful entrepreneurial stories in the RV industry comes from the heart of a small, simple Amish community town of Nappanee, IN.

In 1971, amidst a community of horse and buggies, James F. Shea chose to embrace opportunity at a time when consumers were wary of purchasing “luxury” items. The vision and fortitude of Jim Shea led him to create his first mobile home prototypes in an old, abandoned sauerkraut factory. In just a short time, within that factory an astounding 12 Fairmont homes per day were being produced. Just as remarkable is the Gulf Stream state-of-the-art RV facility campus today which has become a large part of the Nappanee community employing over 1500 people.

In the mid-1970’s, a few years after Fairmont’s originated and sustained solid growth, Jim Shea’s three sons, Jim, Jr., Brian and Dan joined him in the business. The three young men were to learn every aspect of the business.

In 1983 Gulf Stream Coach was established. The Shea Family’s mission for Gulf Stream was to produce an exceptional variety and quality of Motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels for sale. Gulf Stream’s advanced technology in woodworking and manufacturing soon took the company to new heights; making them one of the leaders in manufacturing in the RV industry today.

With the same entrepreneurial spirit that their father held, Jim, Brian, and Dan Shea assumed the day-to-day responsibilities of the company in the 1990’s. The three brothers managed the company in close association with the founder, their father, and were actively involved in the operations, product development, customer service, manufacturing and with customer interaction/satisfaction. However, by centering their duties in three different areas Jim with housing, Brian with motorized, and Dan with towables, the three can bring more of the same dedication and hard work that their father instilled but in three fold.

Their inspiration comes from watching and imitating companies such as Toyota or Honda and their success in satisfying their customers with quality products. The brothers also became interested in bringing new quality initiatives into the RV/housing industry and teamed up with a number of higher learning institutions. Through this commitment in training, Gulf Stream has built one of the finest management teams with similar philosophies, work ethics and devotion as James F. Shea, Sr. instilled in the organization.

At Motor Home Specialist you will find an incredible selection of class B, class C and class A diesel pusher RVs by Gulf Stream. The Class B and C line-up are made up of the Vista Cruiser, Vista Cruiser Mini and the all new Vista Cruiser ET or Euro Touring Cruiser. These three models offer an incredible variety of floor plans, features and options. Some are available with gas or diesel drive trains and full body paint. These RVs are packed with features and always sale priced at Motor Home Specialist.

The class A diesel pusher line-up starts with the Gulf Stream Yellowstone. This is an incredible luxury diesel with an affordable price tag. Enjoy Yellowstone features like 7’ 6” ceiling heights, in certain models, as well as three roof A/C units and full wall slides. At Motor Home Specialist you’ll also commonly find aluminum wheels, GPS, LCD TVs and much more. The Gulfstream Yellowstone RV for sale is built on a raised rail chassis and also has a large diesel generator. The Yellowstone is a must see diesel RV. You wont’ believe the value!

October 25th, 2008 by admin

If you’re buying a new or used rv make sure and read our rv buyers guide first - it could save you a lot of money and hassle. There are a few things that one should consider when choosing a dealer from whom to purchase one of the most expensive machines on the market.

The single most important issue to consider is to determine how long the rv dealer has been in business. The longer the better. When a company is established and in one place for a long time it’s because they are doing something right. That’s the kind of dealer you want, one with a reputation to uphold. One that will go out of their way to make sure you are happy and you don’t squeal any complaints to the neighborhood they intend to be in for a long time.

Well established RV dealers tend to have a much better handle on parts availability, and the repair of weird difficult to diagnose problems, both under warranty and on older coaches. The dealer that can swap your hot water heater in an hour instead of a day is valuable when you are short on time or live full time in the rv like we do.

Well established dealers also work better with you when it comes time to trade your rv in and get another one. They love repeat buyers and will often reward you with a great experience and price. Established rv dealerships have better mechanics and ones who stick around for the long term. Often when certain difficult repairs are to be made, like adjusting the valves on your $20,000 diesel engine, ONLY a very experienced mechanic should be involved. If they make a mistake you may not know it for a year. By then it will be too late and difficult to prove who is at fault. Visit RV insurance for help choosing affordable RV insurance.

Rv dealerships that have well established product lines can often beat even the little dealerships with their lower overhead “dealership in an abandoned field” strategy. Warranty repairs are very important on new motorhomes and fifth wheels. The RV has millions of moving parts and EVERY one of them is susceptible to being assembled incorrectly, made of inferior materials, or open to premature wear. You want a good dealer behind you when this happens.

If you are purchasing an expensive RV, might be Cruiser RV, Challenger RV, Dolphin RV, Gulfstream RV, Winnebago RV etc or your first rv, they can be extremely valuable in terms of free, helpful, money saving information. One strategy is to decide on two equally qualified rv dealers, and let them fight over me with price and availability of the actual rv unit . So, take the time to find a good, competent, affordable, rv dealership.