Monday, February 23rd, 2009
Buying an RV is a big commitment. Although it is similar in many ways to buying a car it is also different in some key areas. Here are three simple questions to ask your RV dealership or sales person. The basic facts sought by the question are obviously important but the answers will also reveal the apparent integrity of the person with whom you are dealing. You should either be able to establish whether or not you want to do business with a dealership based on the responses to these questions.
First establish whether or not the dealer offers financing. There are multiple options available within the industry. Some dealers work with a bank; others with a lender designed specifically for the RV, motorhome and travel trailer industry. Remember, the answer to this question is less important than the response. Almost every dealer offers some sort of financing. But in the response do you feel like you are being offered too limited of a number of options? Does it seem like the sales person is trying to avoid the topic or, worse, back you into a corner?
Next get the clear story of a particular vehicle’s history. Of course if it is new it will not have one but used RVs can have some pretty interesting pasts. Establish how the dealership came to have this particular vehicle. Find out what repairs or improvements were made to it once the dealership too possession of it and try to get the vehicle’s entire history of repairs. Persist for the full answer to this question. Do not let the sales person get away with a half answer or a promise to get the information to you later. Insist on finding out before proceeding.
Finally, find out what sort of warranty is available and who exactly will be handling it. Again, the answer here will almost universally be yes but what is important is the details. Many lots only offer a few months on their warranties and an extended warranty will be extra. Before paying that extra, though, find out if there is a remaining manufacturer’s warranty and, if so, what it covers. Also, call around to other dealerships to see what kind of warranty they offer to make sure that you are being offered a competitive price.
Remember these questions and the task of buying a new or used RV will be a rewarding one. The questions are simple and the answers largely unrevealing but it is in the nature of the response where you can learn the most about the vehicle and company with whom you are entering a long-term commitment.
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Monday, November 17th, 2008
In Hollywood, the cross-country family trip is often used as an easy way to get laughs. Most people chuckle when they picture Chevy Chase’s poor family crammed into the metallic pea Griswold family station wagon from National Lampoon’s Vacation, even as we sympathize. After all, how many of us were forced to sit for hours “on the hump” in the back of the family sedan with two siblings complaining bitterly each time one of your legs crossed into “their space”? And all of this in the guise of taking a fun family vacation!
Certainly, cars have continued to become more comfortable and luxurious with each passing year, and the number of SUVs available means it is no longer a necessity to take the family’s compact car on vacation at all. Let’s be honest though, if you’ve ever sat in the back of an SUV (or any car) with two other people, it stops feeling comfortable after the first twenty minutes or so. For this reason along with countless others, many families choose to skip the driving experience entirely and schedule a flight instead. However, with escalated airport security resulting in long delays, cramped seating on the planes, limits to what can be carried on the plane, and maybe even a touch of nostalgia for the car trips of our youth, the siren song of the open road begins to have increasing appeal.
Recreational vehicles, or what my family always referred to as motor homes, are no longer the gaudy rolling trailers with cheap fixtures and cramped spaces that many people picture. Imagine those rolling luxury hotels that rock stars travel in with features like plush carpeting, ceramic tile, cabinets designated to store wineglasses, LCD televisions, retractable awnings, and even storage for motorcycles. Many of them have a level of opulence so enthralling that you’ll be tempted to live in it, even while it’s parked in your driveway! The added bonus is that you never have to deal with the hassles of staying in a hotel, such as checkout times, missing reservations, or noisy people in the adjoining room.
Once you decide to purchase a RV, the next choice is the model. There are multiple manufacturers of motor homes including Gulf Stream, Fleetwood, Holiday Rambler, Winnebago and more. With such a large array, it’s important to do a lot of research into what features you want and the reliability of the various manufactures.
Now that you’ve found your dream vehicle, you are probably ready to jump right in and purchase it. After all, when you are buying something new, there can’t be that much of a variation in price from dealership to dealership, right? Surprisingly, the cost variance when comparing new motor homes with identical features can actually be more than the disparities you’d find when buying used RVs with vast mileage differences.
The difference between the cost of a RV purchased in Ohio and Michigan can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over twenty thousand dollars. Even with the soaring cost of gas, it’s well worth the trip to save that much money!
These price changes aren’t limited to only the most expensive models either. The same Gulf Stream Independence model 8330LS that costs over $90,000.00 in Indiana can be found for $87,000.00 in North Carolina, $66,000.00 in Minnesota or $63,000.00 in Pennsylvania. Certainly once you do some more in depth research, you may locate some options on the $90,000.00 model in Indiana that aren’t on the $63,000.00 version in Pennsylvania, but there is little doubt that the dealership charging less would be able to get you the vehicle of your dreams without tacking on an additional $27,000.00 for similar options.
Realizing all of that, it makes perfect sense that your first family vacation in the new RV could be a cross country trip bringing it home from the dealership with the best price!
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Friday, November 14th, 2008
There are times when we wish to break free from the monotony of our lifestyles. Living in the same location for months and carrying out the routine daily activities gets too wearisome over a period of time. It is then when we need a change in our lifestyle in order to rejuvenate ourselves for few days and get back to our usual routine with a fresh feeling.
Spending a vacation with your family and friends is something to cherish and look forward too. Taking a break and moving out with your friends and family during the weekend is a great way to enjoy. However, one needs to consider the expenses and planning involved in it. You need to decide the place, book hotel rooms and tickets for the entire group well in advance. While a vacation once or twice a year may not poke a hole in your pocket but if you are looking to spend most of your weekends at a place away from the hustle and bustle of the town, then there is no better way than camping out in a recreational vehicle. Over the years, RV camping has gained a lot of popularity among the campers. A RV camping experience is a unique combination of relaxation and recreation. You don’t have to schedule dates and book tickets and hotel rooms in advance. Besides, this is one of the most cost effective ways of recreation.
Buying a RV motorhome is an investment of a lifetime. You should know your requirements and the preferences of the people accompanying you well enough beforehand. Accordingly, make a list of all those criteria and then short list a RV that offers all those amenities. The different models available are Class A motorhome, Class B motorhome, Class C motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, Park Model RV etc. However if such a rig is beyond your budget, you may opt for a used one. It is wise to get hold of an expert to inspect the technicalities of a used RV. You may also seek financial help from the companies specializing in automobile/ RV financing. Once you buy the perfect RV for yourself, camping out will be a matter of few dollars for you. No hotel bills, no transport expenses and more importantly, it give you the freedom to move anywhere anytime.
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Used motorhomes for sale are in huge demand lately since it is ideal for vacations or extended land trip, all for much less than the price of a new vehicle. Motorhomes are an excellent option for long trips by land. They help you save money spent on motels or hotel stays and since you can cook your own food, you save from spending at restaurants.
Although, excursions and long trips are appealing to many, most would prefer a more convenient and comfortable way to outside camping or stay at hotels with limited freedom and facilities. It is here where the Motorhomes comes handy. The only glitch is that they are real expensive, so you can go for the “Used Motorhome” models which are cheaper. However, they are costlier than simple cars but are more suitable as they come with the basic requirements needed for long trips/vacations. Moreover, used motorhomes are costlier in the holiday period, so you should try to buy them during the lean period.
Used RVs might be Fleetwood RV, Airstream RV, Coachmen RV, Keystone RV, Winnebago RV etc sell for a lot less than brand new ones. These resold motorhomes are sometimes more convenient than brand new ones because the previous owners might also include some of the supplies and equipment that they have bought for the used motorhome. Some previous owners usually sell or give these away to buyers for free just to be able to get rid of them. Knowing the value of these add-on supplies and equipment can be important because they can be used when you go on your own land trip.
Other features that previous owners may have integrated into the second hand RVs are gas tanks for cooking, electric stoves, dishes and utensils, connections to waste disposal units and many others. Motorhomes need to be comfortable for the people who use them. Therefore, you need to feel at home with your new accommodation when you think about purchasing it.
There are numerous sites (both online and offline) where you can find a used motorhome for sale. These motorhomes may have descriptions such as slightly used, or practically brand new or even lady driven but the important thing is to really see it for yourself. Taking the seller’s word regarding the condition of the used motorhome can be foolhardy. You need to check out the state of the engine and the condition of the interior as well as the exterior.
As mentioned earlier, you need to inspect a Used Motorhome and might lack the knowledge and the skills to do so, especially regarding the engines. Therefore, you shall require the help of a mechanic or someone you trust to help you out in the inspection. If you do not feel comfortable buying Used Motorhomes from any dealer, you can always inquire for the names of good and reliable dealers dealing in them. Then, you may check out with them and purchase from them.
As is the case in all vehicles, some brands are more popular than others. Therefore, the Used Motorhomes of popular brands shall be costlier than those of other brands and are available for sale online. However, you must be careful before buying them online as “looks can be deceptive”. Their online pictures do not generally match their actual condition and looks. They may look great but are actually old or in poor physical state. So, you need to cross check before making any purchase.
So, you have decided to buy a “Used Motorhome”. Therefore, you need to have a clear idea of the type of motorhome you need, its equipment and accessories and your budget. This way you can get the best value and bargain while purchasing a Used Motorhome. This situation is similar to preparing a checklist before going to market; rather than wasting your time wondering what to buy. Therefore, it is beneficial to prepare yourself before buying one.
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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
If you are an RV owner or have been an RV owner, then you can attest to the fact that maintaining a new or used RV is like maintaining a home and a vehicle all in one. Whether you do the maintenance work yourself or have an authorized RV dealer work on your vehicle, it is very important to use quality RV replacement parts. Labor is a huge factor in maintaining any RV. Labor is very expensive whether you are purchasing it, or whether it is your own. So why waste valuable labor on parts that will not give you maximum performance?
If you use an authorized RV dealer or a certified RV mechanic to do your work for you, it is a very good idea for you to get as many references from their customers as you can before engaging into any relationship with them. Campgrounds are a very good source of information here, after all, that is where you find RV owners. And believe me, they are all too willing to steer you in the right direction away from poor service.
If you are that do-it-yourselfer kind of person, then finding quality RV repair parts is your only concern. There are many RV parts catalogs that feature RV parts and accessories. Perhaps you live near an RV supply store and can purchase replacement parts right over the counter. A lot of parts such as RV plumbing parts can be purchased through any plumbing supply store. RV awning parts may be available in your local hardware store. If you own a particular brand name vehicle, then you can purchase parts of Fleetwood RV from your Fleetwood dealership and install them yourself. It has been my experience to shy away from RV salvage parts. These may be fine if you are buying an RV trailer part, or a part for you RV door, but for RV water heater parts or RV gas stove parts, don’t consider anything but new.
The bottom line is, go with quality parts and service. Even though it cost more up front, it is cheaper in the long run. And do your homework. You have a tremendous investment that you are responsible for. Be good to it and it will be good to you.
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Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Find the Used RV or Motorhome of your choice for sale with our easy-to-use RV classifieds section. Below you will find information on some of our most popular models.
Coachmen RV:
Coachmen Industries manufacturers class A and Class C motorhomes. Coachmen also builds fifth wheel and travel trailers. Class A motorhomes such as the Aurora, Santara, Mirada and Sportscoach are all built by Coachmen. Class C models include the Catalina Sport, Leprechaun and the Santara. Fifth wheel models are the Catalina, Catalina Lite, Prospera and the Royal. Coachmen’s line of travel trailers are Cadet, Catalina, Catalina Lite, Futura and the Royal. Coachmen is committed to producing high quality recreational vehicles for its clientel. It is because of this that Coachmen has grown to become one of the largest full-line manufacturers of recreational vehicles in the world.
Winnebago RV:
Winnebago Industries is one of the most widely recognized names in the rv industry. They produce class A and class C motorhomes, in both gas and diesel engines. Aside from Winnebago RV, the company is responsible for building Itasca, Rialta and the luxurious Ultimate. Winnebago produces greats like the well known Minnie Winnie. Winnebago has cleverly created several recreational vehicles to suit a wide range of rv consumers. Wether its a class a, class c motorhome or the smaller compact Rialta, Winnebago’s spacious floorplans will satisfy any buyer’s needs. Winnebago has some of the best designed plans in the industry, ensuring their placement in the rv industry for many years to come.
Monaco RV:
Monaco Coach was founded in 1968. Monaco is well known for its line of luxury recreational vehicles. Making them one of the worlds largest rv manufacturers to date. Monaco’s goal has been to stay competitive in the marketplace, while maintaining the prestige and elegance their buyer’s have come to expect from Monaco.
Fleetwood RV :
Fleetwood manufacturers more than 250 models, with hundreds of floor plans to choose from. Pricing ranges from $50,000 to over $300,000. Fleetwood builds luxury coaches like the American Heritage, American Dream, American Eagle and the American Tradition. Some of the most popular class A diesel motorhomes are the Fleewtood Bounder, Revolution, Discovery and the Expedition. Fleetwood’s class A gas motorhomes are the Pace Arrow, Southwind, Bounder, Flair, Storm, Terra and the Fiesta. They also produce fifth wheels and travel trailers. Models like the Prowler, Wilderness, Terry, Mallard and the Pioneer. Or luxury units such as the Avion Vintage and Platinum. The sturdy aerodynamic exterior with the elegant quality within. Over the years, Fleetwood has succeeded in manufacturing a broad range of RV’s sure to fit any customer’s lifestyle.
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Thursday, October 9th, 2008
A recent survey was taken of over 2,000 RVers. 78% thought RVing was the cheapest way to travel compared to renting a hotel room. High fuel prices is having an effect and most said they would take shorter trips, travel less miles and stay in places for longer times. 94% said, overall, they thought they used less energy living in an RV compared to living in a house.
Solar power :
A large proportion of RVs - much higher than the proportion of houses - use solar power and more and more RV manufacturers are incorporating energy saving features into their RVs.
The RVing industry is growing and changing :
“The leading edge of the baby boom generation has just entered their prime retirement ages, and the number that retires will accelerate over the next decade,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, Director of Surveys at the University of Michigan. “Moreover, the RV industry has been successful in attracting younger buyers.” They also predict:
- There will be a change toward more energy-efficient RVs
- There will be a change toward more age-friendly features
- There will be a change toward more upscale destination campgrounds
RVs are getting better :
RVs are growing more popular now-a-days. Top RV manufacturers like Fleetwood, Keystone, Winnebago, Gulfstream etc however, have to compete not only for new business, but also repeat business, and for customers who will recommend their RV to friends and family. And so even though RVing is becoming more popular, it’s becoming more about market share, competitiveness and continuous improvement. This will inevitably lead to better and better RVs, with more carefully chosen and more reliable components.
There is an increase in competitiveness in all manufacturing industries because of :
- Improvements in manufacturing methods
- Rapid advances in technology
- Globalization
Because of this, manufacturers are trying their level best to find new ways to design, produce, sell and deliver their products - and this can only benefit RV’ers and the environment in the long run.
Reducing Formaldehyde in RVs :
There are many benefits to owning an RV but one problem the industry is having is reducing the amount of formaldehyde in the interior of new or used RVs. Many RV manufacturers have realized this is an issue and are starting to incorporate different types of materials that don’t release formaldehyde gases. Everybody is talking about using, “GREEN” materials and the RV industry is starting to take notice. Newer models today release less formaldehyde gas as compared to older models. It’s getting better but the industry still has a ways to go in this area.
Make sure you get the best suitable RV home. A buying guide will help you save thousands of money while negotiating with a RV dealer.
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