And good ones too.
June 1, 2009
May 27, 2009
I Wish I Had
All the new coaches come with side mount cameras that go along great with the rear view cameras we seen for a number of years now. Here’s a manufacturer offering an aftermarket package that I can install on our coach. Have a look.
Looks like a great system, being able to set up all the screens might be handy in congested areas. I can only think of once I would have appreciated the camera on the roof.
April 13, 2009
A Picture: Worth 1,000 Words?
To me, it’s a no brainer. Show me a picture, or better yet, show me a video and I understand. That’s what Pedata RV has done with this helpful series entitled DIY RV.
To me they are all worth a look but here’s one on water heaters to get you started:
I invite you to check out the rest of the series right here. They cover a variety of topics, including fridges, furnace, roof, tires, batteries (I gotta watch that one again) and more.
March 28, 2009
Working Part Time, RV’ing Full Time
We met a lot of full time RV’ers out there this winter and I was suprised by how many of them have seasonal jobs. In State and Federal parks you meet a lot of camp hosts who are there doing their jobs in return for a free sight and maybe some electricity and other services. Others “work camp” for a site and a bit of income. I talked to one couple who work a bit in Branson every year for tickets to all the shows they can fit in. Others, like us, need to hurry home to our seasonal summer jobs so we can head out again next winter.
At one point I thought I should compose a list of all the possible “seasonal jobs”. I was thinking that might remove some of the mystique around the whole question. Really though, the answer is for us all to make a list of what we would like to do seasonally, then get out there and find one that will work for you.
They really are out there, all we need to do is look.
Full Time Question
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| From Places We’ve Called Home |
The question is “Can I full time in my RV in one park only” The answer I gave was “depends on the park”. I think that covers it pretty well. Some parks have a number of RV’ers that live there full time, others won’t even consider it. In some counties thats OK, but in some jurisdictions that’s a No-No.
Lots of parks see the same RVers for the same season (seasons) every year, probably much more common. I’ve met a few couples this winter who bought an RV, had it delivered to a specific park and have never left. Others have travelled extensively and decided that they have one favorite park, and that’s where they want to be, period. Then there’s lot’s of folks out there, just like us who just never quite seem to get rid of the itch to travel. I would assume, in this economy, there are more folks just sitting longer.
Why would you fulltime in one spot you ask? Some people, like us, enjoy living in our RV and really enjoy meeting other RV’ers. Unlike us, they want to stay in one place for a while.
I guess it’s whatever tickles your fancy.
March 10, 2009
Who’s Left?
Maybe I should title this post “Who is left today, March 10, 2009″. The last 10 days have been a little hard on RV manufacturers, even harder than the last few months. In the last few weeks motorhome manufacturers Rexhall, then Country Coach and Monaco all filed for chapter 11. A few days later Fleetwood announced that they are no longer building travel trailers or fifth wheels and promptly shut down their remaining trailer factories. Their press release said they will continue to build motorhomes.
Update: Right after I published this post I checked the RV Industry News. Gusee what? This morning Fleetwood filed chapter 11.
I’ve spent the last 30 years of my life selling recreation vehicles and certainly we will continue to enjoy ours but if you asked me who will be here in a year or two my reponse would have to be “I have no idea.”
I recently found a list of RV Manufacturers dated January 28, 2007. By my count there are about 50 names on this 2 year old list. As I read the list I see 25 who are no longer in business and probably another 10 that currently producing nothing. Throw in a couple more that have dramatically altered what they do these days and you get the impression if you did the list today there would be about a dozen or so active RV manufacturers.
So if you are in the market for a new RV today, what do you do? I would of a lot of due diligence. Recognize the fact that inspite of what the salesman says (remember, I are one) these things don’t increase in value and they are certainly not easy to resell. Get my point? I’m not saying “don’t buy an RV”, quite the contrary, it’s an amazing lifestyle, we love ours and my blood pressure has never been lower. What I am saying is” do the research, make sure it does all you want it to do and all they say it will do. Recognize that you are going to own it for a long time”.
When you know you have the right RV at the right deal, go for it and we’ll see you in the RV park .