RVs in the News

NASCAR--and Fans--Affected by Gas Prices

2008-02-27T15:49:00.000-08:00

Many of the die-hard NASCAR racing fans find RVing to view their favorite sport is just the way to do it. But high gas prices have been chiseling into racing event attendance figures.

Jim Hunter, longtime NASCAR vice-president says, "Some of our hard-core old-line fans used to go to 6-8 races a year, but back then hotels didn't charge seven-day minimums, track prices were half of what they are now, and gas was a lot cheaper. Now I hear those same people say, 'I'll just go to my favorite few races, and I'll watch the rest on television.' "

But not just the spectators are feeling the fuel price pinch, so are the racers. While at Daytona race teams get free fuel to run their racers in a fuel-company sponsorship deal, they still have to drag their racers and gear from track to track. That amount can certainly add up.

But some RVers at Dayton say fuel prices aren't the concern their looking at: It's the new pet policy. Referring to a "no pets" rule going into place on the speedway's 'second turn' camping area, "The price of gas won't keep us from coming to the races, but we're not coming back next year if we can't bring our dog," says George, Kamansky who is here for the 15th consecutive year. "That's serious. Sure, everyone talks about the price of fuel, but that's not what will keep us away."

Kamansky should know. His dog has his own chrome plated Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doggy dish. Don't diss the fans, Daytona.

For more information, check out the Orlando Sentinel.

Photo pocketwiley on flickr.com

Park Service Visits Beat Major Sports Attendance

2008-02-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

The National Park Service says last year's visitation to the nation's parks and other recreational properties beat out, "Major League Baseball, the National Football League, professional basketball, soccer and NASCAR combined," in terms of attendance. More than 275 millions folks came through the gates of NPS managed properties in 2007. Service officials are holding their collective breath, hoping the numbers hold up, as with the exception of 2004, visitation has been sliding since 1999.

The National Park Service is looking to a major influx of visitors when its centennial celebration rolls around--but that's still several years off--the big anniversary isn't until 2016. Nevertheless, park officials say they've been trying hard to drum up more interest among the masses, luring them away from video games and computers and out into the fresh air.

The biggest "winners" in terms of visitation? The Blue Ridge Parkway, followed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. While it may be 'the world's largest ditch,' the Grand Canyon National Park turned up Number Nine on the list of the most visited park "units" last year. That figure could be somewhat deceptive, as the park system includes more than just parks: The service manages a vast array of real estate aside from officially designated parks. There are seashores, battlefields, monuments, and scenic rivers to name just a few. So if you're interested in "National Parks" proper, then last year the Great Smokey Mountains and the Grand Canyon were the top two, respectively.

Photo: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah copyright R & T DeMaris

Indiana RVers May Get Tax Relief

2008-02-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Indiana ranks among the top producing states of recreational vehicles, but don't think residents are getting a break from what the RV industry brings to the economy. In a quirky twist of the law, knowing how much it'll cost to license your RV in the Hoosier state is just about unpredictable. Why so? Because RV license rates are based on a "personal property tax" system, rather than through an excise tax system, as autos and trucks are.

As a result, county officials are charged with determining the "assessed value" of an RV, then the local tax rate is applied to that value. As a result there isn't a great deal of consistency across the state. Under a proposed law, RVs would be taken off the personal property tax rolls and onto the state's excise tax system.

If the law passes it will go into effect in 2010. Check out more information in the South Bend Tribune.

Household Word Celebrates 50 Years of RV Building

2008-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

They've been building motorhomes for so long, some non-RV folks call every motorhome, "a Winnebago." It's hard to believe the Iowa RV builder has been around for 50 years. For some of us, that may be the age of a spring chicken, but in this volatile industry, 50 is a pretty ripe age.

Those early Winnebago motorhomes certainly don't have the aerodynamic "feel" of what we've come to expect today. In fact, the accompanying photo shows the 1967 D-22 model. Winnebago refers to them as their "Eyebrow" units, but hey, somehow they remind one of a character out of a Star Wars episode.

Here's some interesting Winnebago factoids:

While Winnebago is well known for its motorhome line, the company actually started building a different kind of RV: Travel trailers.

The first Winnebago motorhome came off the production line in 1966.

About 10,000 'whinnies' are built every year. That's over 27 per day, or more than one an hour. Production line folks must not be horsing around to make that quota.

Photo courtesy Winnebago Industries

FEMA Swears Off RVs

2008-02-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is finally calling it quits with recreational vehicles. In the continuing saga of formaldehyde in emergency housing, FEMA has made the decision that apparently the troubles are more than they're worth.

After the Centers for Disease Control revealed they found toxic fume levels in FEMA provided trailers at rates five times the level normally found in stick-built homes, the health agency recommended hurricane survivors move out of their reeking residences.

Swamped in controversy, FEMA says it will never use trailers again as emergency housing shelters. Just where masses of homeless folks will go in another "Katrina"-like disaster is unclear. For more information, visit news station KATC's website.

Unc' Says Diesel Prices Will Sink--Gas, Too

2008-02-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

If you can believe the predictions, Uncle Sam says diesel prices won't float nearly has high as expected, and will actually sink before the year winds up.

The DOE (Department of Energy) says we should expect a peak of diesel fuel prices in April or May, somewhere near $3.30 per gallon. By year's end, 128 ounces of the precious fluid will have dropped to near $3.00. Last month the DOE projected that prices would be considerably higher, but production has increased, while demand has fallen.

What about an annual prediction? DOE says the average annual diesel price for 2008 will be around $3.21, while 2009 shows a whopping drop, with projected petrol prices at just (just?) $3.08.

You gasoline burners should see some relief too: The expected peak of gas is in May near $3.38, dropping to $3.00 in September, and bottoming out the year in December at $2.75. Can you believe it?

Arizona Motorhome Sublease Companies Hit Scammers List

2008-02-13T11:11:00.000-08:00

Three Arizona firms who purport to help out motorhome owners in distress are being sued by the state's attorney general (AG) for fraud. The AG alleges the scheme worked this way: Motorhome owners were enticed by Internet advertisements that promised if they were having problems making payments to allow the firm to "sublease" their units to others. The latter would make the payments, thus (as one of the firm's web sites states) "help you eliminate those monthly payments and maintain your good credit."

The trouble is, says the AG, such a scheme is typically in violation of the original owner's contract with the lender, and in addition, those who picked up the sublease were actually told they were purchasing (not leasing) the RV. The firms in hot water with the state include Kennedy Motorhome Services, Kennedy's Financial Services, and Banker's First, the latter doing business as Green Valley RV Services. All three firms are based in Tucson. On Wednesday morning, Kennedy's Financial Services website proclaimed, "WE ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS." We couldn't get anyone to take our calls at Green Valley.

For more information, see a news article in the Arizona Daily Star.

Photo: ToastyKen on Flickr.com

Luxury Coach Builder Takes Dim View of Industry Pricing Tricks

2008-02-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

Foretravel, Inc., builders of Nimbus and Phenix high-end motorhomes says it will make its dealers leave leave, "confusing and misleading" inflated price stickers off its rigs.

In a news release, Foretravel's president, Lyle Reed, says, "The RV industry's pricing structure is commonly known for inflated MSRPs." Dealers commonly blow the price way up, then give a buyer a seeming "bargain" by quickly reducing the price during negotiations. Foretravel says starting with 2009 models, they are changing their approach from a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price to a Manufacturer's Straight Forward Pricing(MSFP) beginning with their 2009 Models. "We want our suggested retail prices to reasonably reflect their actual selling prices," the company release says. It should be noted that the Phenix model starts at a MSFP of $449,000.

If such an approach were true on an industry-wide basis, perhaps buying an RV would be a bit less like shopping for trinkets on the Mexican frontier.

Mexican street scene: retro traveler on flickr.com

Mexico or Canada Bound? Passport Cards Less Expensive Alternative

2008-02-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

The US government announces they've finally made less expensive "Passport Cards" available to the American public. Check out the full story on our sister blog, RVing Mexico.

Winter Texans Not Recession-Phobes

2008-02-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

They say in Texas the RVers come in waves. The first one before Christmas, the second just after. Texas RV park owners say they're happy with the waves, and they don't think that RVers in this sunbelt state are consumed with recession jitters.
In Brownsville, the Four Seasons Mobile Home and RV Resort has also had increased interest this year. The park’s 213 spaces are already occupied and park manager Paul MacPherson said he is still taking calls from interested RVer’s. “This year I’ve actually been turning more people away because we simply don’t have the room,” MacPherson said. Prices at the Four Seasons ranges from $385 for RV spaces to $225 for smaller vehicles.

Other parks report similar "no room at the inn" situations. While some say that RVers are proving to be a bit more mobile this year--moving from point to point without sitting tight the full season--they are staying until the usual migration turnaround time.

What about well-touted fears of economic recession? While fuel prices are certainly up, and stocks may be down, at least for a great number of Winter Texans who hale from Canada, the favorable dollar exchange has them flapping down in flocks. Check out the full story on the Brownsville Herald.

If you're looking for "the" Texas RV park that meets your needs, check out Texas Parks and Campgrounds, the definitive 290 page guidebook for RVers. Check out the details or order online the RV Bookstore.

Texas for breakfast, courtesy qthrul on flickr.com

RV Lifestyle Promoted on Super Bowl Commerical

2008-02-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

If you'll be like millions of other Americans and glued to the set on Super Bowl Sunday, you'll likely witness a "first of its kind" commercial advertising the RV lifestyle. RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) says it's dropping a wad of money to put RVing before the American public in a 30-second spot.

The advert, titled, "Imaginary Friends" has run before, but never to such a potentially large audience. Last year 94 million sets were tuned to the Super Bowl and thousands more are anticipated this year. While the exact amount RVIA will spend on the pricey spot hasn't been declared, it is part of a $16 million media package for promoting the industry in 2008.

The spot features the adventures of a young boy traveling via motorhome through America's adventureland. It will air sometime during the final half-hour of the Fox Super Bowl pregame show. If you're not into sitting in front of the tube waiting for gladiators to duke it out on the field, relax. Turn your web browser over to the RVIA media section and click on Watch "Imaginary Friends 30 Seconds" to see the commercial without the added interruptions!

Congress Accuses FEMA of Formaldehyde Flippancy

2008-01-31T12:29:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought you'd heard the last of the FEMA disaster RV debacle, Congress steps in with yet another chapter to add to the saga.

Democratic party members on the House Science and Technology subcommittee have sent a tersely worded letter to the director of the US Homeland Security Department -- the "head office" -- over the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the letter, the congressmen said that FEMA had, "ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde" on Katrina and Rita victims now living in FEMA trailers.

The congressmen say they don't trust research done by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, commissioned by FEMA for its own use. They allege FEMA spun the information in such a way to relieve the anxiety of those living in FEMA provided recreational vehicles and emergency trailers, while not actually looking at the big picture of long-term effects of formaldehyde exposure.

FEMA was quick to react: An agency spokesman said, "FEMA did not suppress or inappropriately influence any report." Rather, the agency claims it simply focussed on the short term and gave advice on how to avoid toxic exposure to formaldehyde fumes.

We recently posted information on a new FEMA "buyback" program, wherein the agency will refund money to those who purchased surplus FEMA RVs.

High-End RVs Target for Theft Ring

2008-01-30T08:55:00.000-08:00

Police in Florida say they believe a ring of thieves is involved in break-ins and thefts involving high-end RVs over the last several months. This doesn't mean you'll need to stand guard with the shotgun if you have an expensive motorhome: These thieves are into the "large volume discount" business--they've been breaking into RVs on dealer lots in the South. Rather than stealing the RVs themselves, the burglars are evidently interested in their contents.

The most recent breaker in the crime wave was in Clermont, a lakeside community west of Orlando, Florida. In Clermont, thieves targeted 11 high-end motorhomes, leaving over 200 other lesser-valued RVs on the same dealer lot untouched. Plasma screen televisions, GPS units, and other expensive electronic items were moved, and apparently transported by the dealership's golf-cart to a whole cut in a chain-link fence, giving the thieves entry to the dealership, Flagship RV.

Police officials are theorizing the theft ring has been working its way east after similar incidents have been reported from Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Police think that some of the goods may have been 'stolen to order,' as in one of the more recent break-ins, the burglars made off with 17" flat screen televisions, while leaving larger and more expensive models behind. For more information on this story, visit the Orlando Sentinel.

Photo: amyrod on flickr.com

RVer Alert: Border Crossings Tougher By Month's End

2008-01-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

Despite Congressional action last month, it appears tightened restrictions on US land border crossings will go into effect by month's end. Don't get caught without the proper documentation, see the full story on our sister blog, RVing Canada.

FEMA Offers Buyback on Formaldehyde Trailers

2008-01-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

The saga of the FEMA Formaldehyde Flap Continues unabated. The latest in the series of news the RV industry hates to hear is that Uncle Sam is offering to buy back trailers it sold both to hurricane survivors and "surplus" units it auctioned between July of 2006 and July 2007.

Nearly 11,000 surplus units went out over the auction block at an average price of just a little less than $7,000. At the same time, the emergency management agency sold another 864 trailers directly to hurricane survivors. Because of health issues thought to be related to the presence of formaldehyde fumes in the units, FEMA says it will refund the full purchase price of these RVs until this July. FEMA says it will notify purchasers by mail of the option, and buyers will have 60 days to respond. Buy-backs are only available to those who bought their rig directly from the government.

For more information on the program, check out FEMA's website.

"Graying" RVers Drive Entertainment Reprise

2008-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Smothers Brothers? What are Smothers Brothers?

Our daughter--and no doubt grandson--raise similar questions while the two of us are chuckling as we mention that ancient comedy team. Fine, we're dating ourselves yet again. But we've got plenty of company: According to the Arizona Republic, us old geezers, part of the "graying generation" are bringing big name, albeit dinosaur era, acts back to the stage.

Southwest area RV parks are adding top entertainment to shuffleboard in an attempt to pull us off the road and into their resorts. Here are some of whom you might be able to see this year: Frankie Avalon. Brenda Lee. Tanya Tucker. And yes, Tommy and Dick are coming too.

Looking back on when she first started lining up acts for a chain of seven southwest RV resorts, Jacque Lamoree relates, "The very first year it was difficult sometimes just to say they would be performing in an RV park," Lamoree said. "But when they came in, the audiences were terrific and it was warm and exciting for the entertainers. I remember when Frankie Avalon was here and some of the women were in tears."

That's not why I'm in tears. Mom always liked you better.

For the full story, visit the Arizona Sun.

Crooks stealing big screen TVs from dealers and manufacturers

2008-01-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

Most RVs in the USA are manufactured in Elkhart County, Indiana. Well, it seems that thieves have figured out that many of these RVs are easy pickings for them. And what they are stealing are expensive flat screen TVs. Earlier this month, in one weekend, 25 were stolen from one manufacturer. The Elkhart Truth newspaper reports that the thefts are increasing.

In December three RV dealers or manufacturers had break-ins, with 60 TVs stolen. So far this month, police have responded to four locations where at least one TV was taken. In one instance 14 were taken from one business.

“Flat screens are definitely an item,” said RV dealer Todd Cornell, who has experienced TV burglaries at his facility. “When the manufacturers switched to the flat panel TVs, there was a dramatic increase associated with that."

In the past year, Cornell's dealership added more fences and gates around the business. Also, the company now removes all electronics from outdoor display units and only puts them back when the RVs are sold. Cornell is also considering installing a 24-hour surveillance system.

Blue Bird Wanderlodge Returns

2008-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

For those who love the venerable Blue Bird Wanderlodge and miss it, the new Wanderlodge is about to debut. See our sister blog, Fulltime RVer.

Granny "Rests in Peace" On RV Trip

2008-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

It may be one of the year's more memorable RV stories.

A 79 year-old grandmother, teetering on the edge of life with kidney disease, wanted to see kin folks around the country before she died. Relatives loaded up the RV, and soon granny was packed up and headed out east from Oroville, California to Arkansas. The trip to the southland went fine, but things took a different turn when the group was headed across Wyoming bound for a visit in Oregon. Checking on Grandma at 3:00 am, the family reports all was well--but later, somewhere around 1,100 miles from the destination--she was gone.

Rather than interrupt the trip, the relatives continued on to Oregon, whereupon they notified authorities of Grandma's departure. Since the elderly traveler's doctor had advised she was so fragile that she might not survive the trip, it came as no great surprise to the relatives. While some might consider the matter a bit odd, Oregon authorities say no laws were broken and that their investigation of the matter is more a matter of formality.

An RV trip shouldn't ruin your day

2008-01-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

Mistakes happen, especially when you're somewhere unfamiliar, but the results of a recent survey may still surprise you. The survey by the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies found that among RVers, a spouse is more likely to be accidentally left behind than the dog. The company surveyed more than 1,000 RVers countrywide to uncover amusing mishaps they've experienced while traveling.

Among the most common blunders made while traveling are:

-- Driving away with the steps extended
-- Backing into something
-- Misjudging overhead or side clearance space
-- Not connecting taillights correctly
and. . .
-- Running out of gas.

Santa Fe RV Park Turns Candid Camera On Powder Room

2008-01-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of RVers who were checked in at the Santa Fe Skies RV Park in New Mexico checked out in a hurry after they found a "spy cam" in the park bathroom. Kimble Kubiak was washing his hands when he noticed a camera looking down on him.

Police responded to Kubiak's concerns and say park managers installed the cam to catch "cleaning supply" thieves. We checked out the park's website and found an interior view of the bathroom -- this one apparently not taken by a secret camera -- and if anybody's stealing supplies, it looks as though all they'll get away with is a few paper towels.

Responding officers asked the park to remove the spy cam, and turned the matter over to local prosecutors for a further peek into the matter.

Photo: santafeskiesrvpark.com

New Hybrid RVs Look Like They Belong to the "Dead Head" Generation

2008-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

As an RVer, it's OK, I'll date myself: I remember riding in VW "hippie vans." Psychedelic colors on the outside, antiwar bumper stickers, the whole nine yards. If you remember those days, don't think they're completely gone.

A Canadian firm, Verdier, is resurrecting the VW bus and creating a hybrid power RV based on the VW Westfalia. The new "woody" style bus comes topped with GPS controlled solar panels to provide juice for camping occupations, while 'under the hood' (such as it is) a hybrid (gas or diesel plus electric) engine that claims to lower carbon dioxide emissions to the level of a VW Beetle.

It may not be the fulltimers' dream, but it does rank up there for those conscious of their greenhouse gas releases. With a possible price of around $89,000, the little RV is packed with innovations including a galley stove that swivels to allow inside or outside culinary machinations; a passenger seat that transforms itself into a set of stairs--allowing for easy access to the "second stage" or "upstairs" if you will; and the requisite computer with wifi capability to keep you in touch.

The initial production run is set to produce about a thousand of these little darlings; about 150 have already been sold--mostly to folks from California.

Visit the website and order yours today.

Move Over Cadillac Ranch--Now It's Airstream Ranch

2008-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

You can visit Stonehenge in Europe or the United States. But there's only one place to visit the Airstream Ranch--just west of Plant City, Florida.

It's all the brainchild of a local RV dealer--yeah, the same guy who painted advertising signs on the sides of cows and turned them loose in a pasture near his dealership. But this time, Frank Bates may really be on to something. With "A" frames in the ground, and bumpers pointed skyward, a row of seven retired Airstream trailers glints in the Florida sunshine, perhaps causing as much wonderment in passerby as do the ancient stone formations in Wiltshire.

Bates wants the attention, and sure, he'd like it if you'd stop on by and purchase an RV. But in Frank's mind, this is art. Even if the neighbors don't all agree. One critic sums it up, "You can only dress up a pig so much." Local government officials aren't exactly in agreement either. While Environmental Protection officials don't have a squawk, code enforcement officers are firing off a letter telling Bates his exhibit constitutes an unlawful collection of debris. Bates says he'll fight to keep his art on display--right where it is.

You can read more about it in the Tampa Bay Online.

RV enthusiasts abandoning traditional telephones

2008-01-07T08:26:00.001-08:00

A December survey by RVtravel.com revealed that recreational vehicle enthusiasts are abandoning their traditional land line telephones in favor of cellular phones.

“Approximately one third of the more than 1,500 RVers who participated in our survey about telephone usage reported that they rely exclusively on a cell phone as their only telephone,” said RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury. “Less than three percent use a land line exclusively. Two-thirds own both a cellular phone and a traditional land line telephone.”

These figures jive with government surveys. According to recent statistics released by the U.S. Labor Department, the average annual household usage of cell phones in 2006 was $524, compared with the $542 for land line telephones. It’s expected that in 2007, consumers for the first time will spend more on cell phone services than for traditional phones.

Results of the survey can be viewed here.

Want to keep up with all that's happening in the RV world? Be sure to sign up to receive America's largest and longest-running online newsletter about RVing, RV Travel. Your email address kept private. No exceptions.

RV Industry Group Mandates Formadehyde Standard

2008-01-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

The ghost of the formaldehyde flap in Hurricane Katrina RVs has brought RV manufacturers awake in a cold sweat. The fallout of hundreds of 'RV refugees' complaining of health problems making its way into the national media was, apparently, just what the doctor ordered. Industry standard maker, the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) has rolled out new inspection standards for materials containing formaldehyde.

While the actual standards were decided on last fall, the association now requires RV builders (and those who supply products to them) to certify that the materials used comply with formaldehyde standards matching those used in manufactured housing. While the new standard doesn't rule out the use of formaldehyde in supplies (most typically plywood and particle board) it does mandate that the chemical can be present in products in no greater a portion than .3 of a part per million.

Don't expect that you'll see a word about this in any owner's documentation. While manufactured home buyers must receive notice about formaldehyde in their new homes, the RVIA did not adopt that same standard for RVs.