Posted by RV Pro on Dec 30, 2009
For the RV industry, 2009 was a bit of a struggle. As was true in most U.S. industries, the poor economy drove down new RV sales during the first half of the year. Buyers still reeling from portfolio collapse and loss of savings and nervous about job security were reluctant to make major purchases. Exacerbating the problem were tight-fisted bankers who refused to grant loans to potential RV buyers.
Despite these problems, consumer interest in RVs remained high. Instead of buying a new RV more consumers turned to the used RV market. Sales in used RVs, particularly on online RV sales sites like RVT.com, were brisk. Economic pressure encouraged online RV sellers to offer some great bargains on their used RVs with plenty of RV buyers ready to put their money down.
The cost of maintaining a traditional home and the economic need to cross the country in pursuit of work spurred even more people to purchase RVs and embrace the RV lifestyle. The low cost and supreme flexibility of RV living helped grow the RV Nation as more people sold their homes and turned to RVs as a primary residence.
New developments this year in green RV technology, the introduction of hybrid RVs, and innovations in sustainable RV construction drew a new group of RV enthusiasts to RV living. It may have started out shaky, but 2009 turned out to be a good year for used RV sales and a turn-around year for the RV industry. More about that next time.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 28, 2009
With football season over and most Buckeyes headed to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, one lone RV remains in Ohio State University’s West Campus parking lot. The 2005 Mandalay Presidio is not a lost tailgater; it is home away from home for Erik and Cheryl Johnson of LaRue, Ohio.
A cancer patient, Mrs. Johnson is undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the OSU Medical Center. Rather than add an exhausting three-hour round-trip drive from their northeast Ohio home to the hospital every day, the Johnson’s drive their RV to Columbus on Monday mornings and camp out at OSU for the week. They return home on the weekends to be with family and check on their landscape business.
With a comfortable queen-sized bed, full bath, kitchen, washer and dryer and other amenities, the Johnson’s find living in their 39-foot RV much more comfortable — and affordable — than staying in a hotel for the four weeks Mrs. Johnson must undergo treatments. A special comfort has been the ability to bring along their 11-year-old Rottweiler, Daisy, the couple’s constant companion.
Finding affordable lodging for often lengthy treatment is a common problem for cancer patients and their families, many of whom travel from distant cities or even far-away states for cutting-edge procedures. The Johnsons may have discovered a solution that could help other families. The veteran RVers didn’t have to leave home for Mrs. Johnson’s medical treatments; they brought their RV home with them.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 25, 2009
Could the weather get much worse? Last weekend we got socked with a record snow storm. This weekend an ice storm is raging across the country. The weather can make for frightening driving conditions. The size and unwieldiness of RVs can make bad driving conditions even more dangerous. Today we continue our RV winter driving tips:
> Always travel with a cell phone and computer notebook so you can stay up-to-date on weather and road conditions. An excellent place to quickly check local weather forecasts online is www.weather.com. Also, many state department of transportation (DOT) websites offer twitter updates on emergency road conditions.
> Avoid abrupt maneuvers that can send your RV into a skid or cause you to lose control. Exercise caution on turns and keep a slow, steady speed where possible. Take heed of the old adage: Better safe than sorry. Defensive driving is the name of the game, particularly in bad weather.
> Watch for signs of treacherous white ice and black ice. White ice is compacted snow that melts slightly during the day, freezing again at night. If the snow surface seems to gleam in the headlights, expect white ice. Black ice is water that has frozen over black pavement making the ice invisible.
As always, the best course of action in a bad storm is to exit the highway and hole up in an RV campground until the highways are clear again. Stay safe this holiday.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 23, 2009
With fierce storms blanketing much of the U.S. it’s hard to avoid dangerous winter driving conditions if you’re visiting relatives for the holidays. Driving a motorhome or pulling a travel trailer on icy roadways can present some problems for RVers. If you run into foul weather this holiday, follow these tips for RVing in snow and ice:
> Get off the highway as soon as possible if the roads turn really nasty. Better to wait out the storm in the comfort of your RV than take a chance on sliding into a ditch. Motorhomes just aren’t constructed to withstand the strain of twisting and bumping if you slide off the road. If you’re pulling a travel trailer, there’s the added risk of jackknifing your trailer.
> Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Use snow tires or chains in snowy climates. If your RV has rear wheel drive and does not have antilock brakes, remember to lightly pump the brakes and turn into a skid if your RV starts to slide. Antilock brakes require continua pressure during a skid to work correctly.
> Make sure windshield wipers are in good condition and refill the washer compartment with winter-safe wiper fluid that won’t freeze up.
> Make sure you’re using the proper grade fuel for cold weather. You may need to add an additive to diesel fuel if it’s extremely cold.
> Give yourself plenty of extra stopping room and be prepared to stop at a moment’s notice.
More tips next time
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 21, 2009
The ranks of full-time RVers are growing, a trend that is expected to continue as still active Baby Boomers retire and search for affordable ways to fulfill their lifelong travel dreams. There’s something mighty appealing about buying an RV online and hitting the road. When you travel by RV you’re not tied to airline and hotel schedules. You can go where you want when you want; you enjoy complete freedom and flexibility.
While RV travel is far cheaper than traditional plane/hotel/car travel, full-time RVers have found a way to make it even more affordable. Called “work camping,” full-time RVers migrate across the country in pursuit of paid seasonal jobs at national parks, wildlife refuges and amusement parks. Many of these unique work experiences offer free onsite RV camping to attract the can-do work ethic of these mature, experienced workers.
Rather than working to earn, many full-time RVers donate their time to charitable organizations like Habitat for Humanity. In exchange for a free place to park their RV, these full-time RVers travel to various build sites across the country. Some will travel from site to site in convoy with RV friends they’ve made on the job.
Naturally, full-time RVers take time during their travels to explore the local area and visit unique sights along the way. Work camping gives their travels added satisfaction.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 18, 2009
Have RV, will travel is the motto professed by a growing legion of RVers entering their retirement years. With the time to finally indulge their desire to travel and explore the country, these retirees are embracing full-time RVing as a fun and economical way to travel.
If you’re considering joining the ranks of full-time RVers, here are some practical tips from other RVers on the move:
> Choose a bank with a national presence to minimize ATM fees. Banking with a national bank also gives you access to personal banking assistance at any branch across the country.
> Pay your bills online.
> Sign up with a mailing service to forward your mail.
> Arrange mail order service for prescription drugs you take regularly so you can receive your medications wherever you happen to be. If your insurer does not offer mail service, have your prescriptions filled at a national chain like Walmart or Sams Club. This will allow you to easily refill prescriptions at any of the chain’s locations in the U.S.
> Always travel with an emergency medical file that includes information about who to contact in case of an emergency, medical records contact information including primary care doctor and dentist, copies of prescriptions for medications you take regularly, a copy of your vision prescription if you wear glasses or contacts, and a copy of your medical power of attorney and living will.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 16, 2009
J.D. Powers and Associates recently recognized the power of online advertising to sell used vehicles including used RVs (see our December 14 post). Calling online advertising the most effective and useful sales technique available today, J.D. Powers and Associates recommended that commercial vehicle and RV sellers increase their online advertising presence.
Commercial RV sellers who want to stay competitive and connect with the growing legion of online buyers will need to invest more heavily in online RV ads. More than 80% of RV buyers now begin their RV search online and many purchase a new or used RV they find during their online search. Commercial RV sellers can capitalize on the thousands of people who visit well-known online RV sales sites like RVT.com by placing RV sales ads on these sites.
RVT.com offers special online advertising deals for commercial RV dealers. With more than 15,000 RV shoppers visiting RVT.com every day, it pays to advertise your dealership’s new and used inventories on RVT.com. Click here to receive your exclusive RV dealer media kit. More than 450 U.S. and Canadian RV dealers already use RVT.com to sell their RV inventories online. To find out more, take a demo tour of RVT.com’s exclusive RV dealer program now.
Posted by RV Pro on Dec 14, 2009
Recognized as the most respected name in automotive ratings, J.D. Power and Associates has weighed in on using the Internet to sell used vehicles, including selling used RVs. J.D. Power and Associates recently named online ads the most effective and useful shopping tool available today for used vehicle buyers, including used RV buyers. J.D. Power and Associates also called online ads the most effective used vehicle sales tool available to sellers, which came as no surprise to used RV sellers who advertise online at RVT.com.
Here’s what Arianne Walker, director of marketing and media research at J.D. Power and Associates, said about online vehicle purchasing in an October 2009 press release:
“Internet shopping provides prospective buyers with the opportunity to search through enormous amounts of specific vehicle information without ever leaving home, allowing for a more efficient medium of matching buyers with unique used vehicles in the market. In light of this, (vehicle sellers) should expect the Internet to continue to increase in importance among used-vehicle shoppers and adjust their online presence accordingly.”
With the majority of used RV buyers starting their RV search on the Internet, online RV ads offer RV sellers the best and most cost-effective way to reach the maximum number of potential RV buyers. North America’s top online RV sales site, RVT.com makes it easy to sell or buy used RVs online.
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2002 Thor America Dutchmen Lite 26RL 1 SLD Tucson , AZ
2007 Safari Simba 33SFS Full Wall SLD Tucson , AZ
1988 Fleetwood Bounder Dewitt, MI
2005 Four Winds International Hurricane 32R Temecula, CA
2001 Fleetwood Discovery 37U Temecula, CA