Official wants to delay RV law

"I'm asking that the ordinance not become effective for a couple more months just to give us some time," Councilwoman Rhenda Strub said.

Strub convened a group of leaders from the county, Tumwater and some social service agencies to find homes for the RVs.

"We're looking at partnering with churches and social service agencies to take one or two of these RVs," she said.

Owen would be the coordinator.

The council moved last month to ban RV parking on city streets after getting complaints about seven RVs and motorhomes that have been parked for months near the Olympia Transit Center on State Avenue — taking up parking spaces, dumping sewage and running generators.

The law would ban RV parking between 3 and 6 a.m., or for any 24-hour period, including weekends and holidays. People could obtain a permit for parking for up to seven days within a quarter of each year.

Violators would be charged $75 for each offense, and after the third offense the vehicle could be impounded.

Assistant City Manager Subir Mukerjee said parking staff members and police would enforce the law. If passed tonight, the law could go into effect in 30 days.

Homeless RV residents said they have nowhere else to go. Other jurisdictions ban RV parking. In interviews earlier, some RV residents said they would move to another space if provided.

"The sense I get from most of them … they'll actually be probably happier than where they are," Owen said.

Formerly a part-time worker for the Family Support Center, Owen last week began receiving $5,000 emergency funding from United Way to work full time on finding homes for the RV campers. That funding will last for up to two months. Read more...

Is the RV all that important?

A year ago there was a difference of almost $100,000 between the average Christchurch City Council RV of $260,000 (set by council valuer Good Earth Matters in August 2004), and the average home price of $354,000 (April to June average for the council's area as calculated by state-owned valuer Quotable Value).

Now, the average RV for the council's area, according to the latest round of three-yearly valuations released in November, is $377,434. This compares with an average dwelling price in the three months to May 31 of $362,981 after a year of little or no price growth in most areas.

So most prices are close to, but not quite meeting, the current valuation.

The change from last year to now shows up the shortcomings of using the blunt instrument of the RV - a local authority taxation tool - in the finely tuned and fast- changing property market.

Christchurch valuer Mark Shalders, of DTZ, warns against putting too much store by the RV.

"We don't think rating values offer a particularly valuable guide to prices,"Shalders says. "There's better ways of valuing a property."

Shalders says one of the shortcomings of relying on RVs is that they are set on a certain date, and do not reflect market changes until they are done again three years later. Read more...

Travel Trailer RV's

Travel trailers, also often called caravans in many places outside the U.S., are small trailers that can be used as living quarters while traveling. Travel trailers are actually a part of a large family of vehicles having the same characteristics. Also belonging to this group of vehicles are the pop-up trailers, teardrop trailers, motor homes, and truck campers. Collectively, these vehicles are called recreational vehicles, or RVs.

The different kinds of recreational vehicles share several characteristics, so how can one differentiate a travel trailer from the others? Unlike motor homes that are vehicles in themselves, travel trailers are not. Instead, travel trailers are designed to be towed by other vehicles by means of a bumper or trailer hitch. One wouldn't mistake a travel trailer for other towable RVs because of their style and their size.

Travel trailer lengths usually range from twelve feet to about forty feet. Those that are below eighteen feet in length are often called small travel trailers. These travel trailers are usually the simplest and can accommodate about four people at most. Small travel trailers would not weigh more than 3,000 pounds and thus can be towed by a family car or a small pickup truck.

Many travel trailer builders, in their quest to provide utmost satisfaction for their customers, also provide options for personalizing your chosen trailer with interior decors using varied design schemes. As a result, the upholstery, carpeting and windows’ stylish and beaming appearances make up an appealing and unique trailer that is sure to catch the discerning eyes of buyers.

Manufacturers of different trailers with state-of-the-art designs and engineering also provide warranties to assure you of a secured and long-lasting RV experience.

In transportation and temporary living accommodations for travel, recreation, and camping, small travel trailers are the best option to meet the level of comfort and convenience needed by small families or even older couples who are enjoying their retirement. You can still feel as if you are in the comforts of your home; these trailers also come equipped with the necessary amenities such as a small kitchen area, a bathroom, comfortable sleeping and dining areas, and even entertainment facilities.

Though simple and engineered to be lightweight, small trailers are also loaded with cooking facilities as well as a refrigerator, heating, air conditioning, a self-contained toilet, a shower, water tanks, and a separate electrical system. These trailers also feature slide-out rooms so you can enjoy additional space.

RV Rentals

My folks have been retired for five years, and they’re spending their golden years on the road. There have been trips to China and Peru and a train tour of Canada. This year, they’re sticking closer to home — an RV tour of California with the Kelly clan.

“We’re a small company,” said Tom Franks, Director of Comfort Coach RV in Oceanside (760-554-7390; rvrentalssandiego.com). “Each of our coaches is privately owned. Not only do you have a rental company maintaining and managing the coach, but you also have an owner, who has a vested interest in maintaining it. And because these are privately owned coaches that people have purchased for themselves, they’re loaded with features and amenities — nicer upholstery and cabinetry, in-motion satellite receivers, surround-sound speaker systems...”

Franks said, “We carry both Class A and Class C. The Class C is the most popular family coach. It’s made on a van chassis and drives like a van. There’s a bed above the driver’s head and a queen-sized bed in the bedroom, and the sofa folds into a double bed, so it can sleep up to eight.” The Class A slept six people, but Franks suggested that it was a step up. “It’s a bus-style coach, so you sit up above the traffic and enjoy a great view. It will have more slide-outs, so you’ll have more living space.”

Neither model, said Franks, is difficult to drive, and neither requires a special license — you just need to be at least 25 years old. “You’ll be sitting up higher and more to the left than you’re probably used to. You need to allow additional braking distance, and because you don’t accelerate as quickly as a car, you need to allow additional time to get into traffic. We give renters a complete orientation and make sure they know how to operate everything.” Read more...

Class C Motorhomes

Are you considering buying a new or used Class C Motorhome? There are many rv manufacturers that build class c's and you are probably wondering how to decide which one to choose.

Well, our friends at J R Consumer Resources, Inc. have created an RV Comparison Guide that rates and compares 99% of the manufacturers in the recreational vehicle industry.

Buying an RV can be one of the most rewarding purchases you’ll ever make. Imagine having the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want in a luxurious home on wheels. Unlike the unfamiliar setting of a hotel room, your RV allows you to bring along the comforts and joys of your everyday life such as your own pillow, favorite board games, golf clubs and other familiar comforts. There is no need to make hotel reservations or try to decide where to eat.

See what Google News has to say about Class C Motorhomes.

RV Ratings

When shopping for a new RV, how do you know what manufacturer to choose from? There are so many! Would a comparison guide with many RV Ratings help you in your decision process? Learn more about the recreational vehicle industry with our RV Comparison Guides.

Fleetwood lays off 300 workers at Indiana RV plant

Munson said that weakening consumer demand primarily because of high fuel prices prompted the layoffs in Decatur and the layoffs of another 128 workers at a plant in Paxinos, Penn., and 34 workers at the company's Riverside plant. Both of those plants make gasoline engine RVs. Read more...

RV campgrounds reap benefits of high gas prices

Recreational vehicles aren’t exactly known for their fuel efficiency. In light of high fuel prices, conventional wisdom would suggest RV and camper trailer sales — and usage, for that matter — would be taking a hit right now.

However, as camping enthusiasts decide to remain in the area rather than travel abroad, local RV campgrounds are thriving. Camper and RV dealerships, meanwhile, are finding ways to make ends meet, said officials.

“I think we’ll probably just ride it out,” said Becky Shockley, an official at Cross County RV Center in Mattoon. The fuel situation “hasn’t put the business at a standstill by any means. We’re still selling on a regular basis.”

More than half of Cross County’s sales are to out-of-state customers — especially “snowbirds”: people who travel in RVs to warmer climates in the fall and winter months, said Shockley.

“Motor homes and larger luxury fifth-wheel (trailers), those are not affected” by the gasoline prices, she said.

Cross County also continues to sell larger units to traveling workers — such as those installing oil pipelines or cell towers — who invest reimbursements from their employers in mobile homes rather than spend the money on hotels, said Shockley.

But sales of smaller “weekender” RVs and campers have declined, she added. “We can see a little slowdown there” because of the fuel crunch, Shockley said.

The situation is almost the reverse at Owen Motor Sports near Charleston, where smaller units are selling better than larger RVs and fifth-wheel trailers. The gasoline hike “has slowed down everything, but it seems like the used units and small units are moving (because) people are staying closer to home,” said Jarrod Moran, general manager. Read more...

Man gets second chance at Storey RV ordinance change

Troy Regas will get another chance to pitch his RV park request to the Storey County Planning Commission.

Regas, who owns more than 200 acres in northern Storey County along the Truckee River, lost a request to the planning commission to approve a rewritten ordinance that would have allowed him to put an RV park on land he owns.

The Planning Commission last month heard Regas' request, but the motion to approve the retooled ordinance died for lack of a second. Read more...

Skillet cooks up scrumptious grub in Airstream trailer

The Skillet food cart reopened after a brief closure through the slow winter months on January 15. Owners Danny Sizemore and Josh Henderson have worked in the food service industry for most of their professional lives and are happy to be running with a clean bill of health from the Health Department after a short hiatus last year.

As opposed to most food carts that funnel money to the city by way of food vendor permits, Skillet operates on private land, giving them higher profits and the ability to choose their vendors on something other than price. They are thus able to support local agriculture, products of which make up sixty to seventy percent of the menu. This percentage is likely to rise when summer farmers markets open, allowing them to become an organization that serves the community food, and serves the community well.

The restaurant operates from an Airstream trailer loaded with about 60,000 dollars worth of culinary equipment, including fryers, salad stations, and extensive refrigeration units. Operating in such a small space keeps their overhead costs down, another way they save money to achieve specific, community-focused goals. Read more about Airstream...

Campground Ratings

We have actually pulled into some campgrounds when we were traveling in our RV and made a quick U turn and left. It was easy to see at a glance that these campgrounds were not someplace you would want to spend the night, not to mention several days. Even if you research the campgrounds website or some campground directories before leaving on a trip there is no guarantee that it will be a safe, clean quality campground. So what can we do to know in advance that the campground you are 585planning to stay at offers a clean, safe environment for you and your family?

There are several large, reputable organizations like AAA, Wheelers RV Resort & Campground Guide, Woodalls and Trailer Life who rate campgrounds on an annual basis. These campground ratings are based on important considerations like the campgrounds facilities and services, cleanliness, visual appeal, user experience and more. The rating systems may be slightly different, using stars or a numbered rating system, but the bottom line is where the campground stands when it comes to meeting industry standards.

So, when youre searching through campground directories and websites for that perfect place to stay, check the ratings before you make any plans. These campground rating systems can sure make you feel better about choosing a clean, safe campground to stay at.

RV BlueBook

RV Owners Staying Closer to Home This Summer (WHNT-TV Huntsville)

A lot of north Alabama RV owners say they'll spend their summer closer to home because of ever increasing fuel prices.

RV

Olympia council considers RV parking ban (KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities)

Associated Press - June 3, 2008 12:25 PM ET OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Olympia City Council is considering a ban on RV parking on city streets.

Travel Trailer

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RV

Motorhomes

The motor home is also known as recreation vehicles or RV's as they are capable of providing all possible facilities that one can get in a traditional home. Motorhomes can be considered as a mobile home or a house on wheels.

These fully equipped motorhomes are categorized and classified into various classes depending on their size, and the number of features and luxury they provide. There are basically three types of motor homes.

One can get huge amount of information regarding the class A motor homes and motor homes in general from the numerous online websites that provide information regarding these luxury coaches. The motor homes that run on diesel are comparatively more economical due to the cost of the diesel. However both these motor vehicles are equally spacious and equally powerful.

High diesel prices force some RV owners to cut back

For Laurie Potter, the breaking point came last week when she drove into Napa and found diesel selling for $5.25 a gallon. Her commitment to the RV lifestyle crumbled.

Some people might be able to swallow paying $450 to fill a pickup, but she’s not one of them, said Potter, who had been riding in a Dodge Ram pulling a trailer

Now she’s selling both. “There is a threshold for anything you do,” she said. “It’s not worth it to me anymore.” In the future, she and her husband will stay in motels when they travel.

Parked on her pad at the Napa Valley Exposition RV park was a new Nissan Versa, an economy car purchased the day before on Soscol Avenue.

Her Ram got 10 mpg pulling the trailer.

With the Versa “they said 38 on the highway,” she said.

Skyrocketing gas and diesel prices are hitting every motorist in the pocketbook, but none more so than RV owners. Some of the biggest homes on wheels burn a gallon every seven miles.

Read More...

Class C Motorhomes

So what should one expect from an Class C Motorhome? Well, a typical RV, even in its most humble manifestation, would include beds, a table, and food preparation and storage areas. Larger RV models come with full bathrooms, refrigerators, and living areas, master bedrooms, etc. Some of the more expensive and more elaborate RVs feature satellite TV and Internet access, slide-out sections, and awnings. Read more about Class C Motorhomes.

Winnebago Ratings

Winnebago Industries is one of the oldest and most well-known names in the recreational vehicle industry. The company, headquartered in Forest City, Iowa manufactures motorhomes and self-contained RVs for leisure and outdoor recreational use. The company was started in 1958 when John K. Hanson convinced a California company to open a travel trailer factory in the then economically depressed rural area of Forest City. Soon after, the factory was purchased by five Forest City residents and Hanson became its president. The name Winnebago came into use in 1960. Read more about Winnebago Ratings...

Airstream Ratings

There is one RV on the road today that never fails to be noticed. It isn’t the biggest or the most luxurious but by far, it is the most distinguishable. It almost is certain you will never hear anyone say, “What is that silver thing?” It’s an Airstream, of course! For 75 years, Airstream travel trailers have been towed across the US and around the world and over 70% of all Airstreams ever made are still on the road today!

Read more about Airstream Ratings.

Guide for Travel Trailers

If you like RVs but can’t justify using it all the time, then maybe a Travel Trailer would be more right for you.

A travel trailer isn’t what you would expect like an RV. The biggest difference is you would pull the Trailer with a truck. In not so many words, a Travel Trailer is like a mobile home. But since they are designed to be dragged around, they’re meant to be beat up and they can take it, let me assure you.

Travel Trailers comes in many shapes and sizes. Some are just meant for a place to sleep while others can act as a full-blown house and come with every single luxury you can think of. Your budget will change drastically depending on what you’re thinking of buying. Read more...

Motorhome Living

Motorhomes have long been a preference for travelers who enjoy the convenience and luxury of hitting the road without leaving the comforts of home behind. However, now, more than ever, it is a living preference for many Americans as well. Of the approximate 9 million RV owners in the US, more than 10 percent are living in their recreational vehicle full time! Learn more about Motorhome Living.

RV Consumer Ratings Guide

So what does a good consumer information company do when their customers are happy? J R Consumer gives them more! This new update offers more detailed charts, best selling model charts, and the most up-to-date information on the ever-changing RV industry. As if all this were not enough, www.jrconsumer.com now offers consumers a FREE bonus E-book, “How to Buy an RV and Save Thousands!” with every purchase! “Don’t spend your hard earned money without knowing what you are spending it on!” says author, Randall Eaton. Good advice from a man who has dedicated years to researching the industry inside and out. Learn more about the RV Consumer Ratings Guide.

Monaco Coach Corporation Announces Cash Dividend

COBURG, Ore., May 15, 2008 -- Monaco Coach Corporation announced today that its upcoming quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share will be payable on June 13, 2008 to stockholders of record on May 30, 2008, and represents its eighteenth consecutive quarterly cash dividend since the Company declared its initial cash dividend on February 23, 2004. The Company's Board of Directors declared the dividend on May 14, 2008. Monaco Coach Corporation has approximately 30 million shares outstanding. Read more...

Classes of Motor Homes and RV's

RV means Recreational Vehicle. From the moment that name was coined, it has been a work in progress. There are now three almost distinct classes of motorhomes, Class A, Class B, and Class C, and who knows how many classes of towable travel or camping trailers. There are the little SUVs which, once the back seats are folded down and you stretch out qualifies as a Class B motorhome or camper; and there are ATVs which in the minds of many aren’t good for anything but recreation and doctor bills.

Plan Ahead For A Fun Filled Family Camping Experience

Camping means different things to different people. For some, it is going out with a camper and practically all of the comforts of home. For others, it is backpacking into the mountains and sleeping in the open elements with nothing over your head but the stars. It could even mean foraging for your food (hopefully you'll come across a good trout stream!). My definition of camping falls on the more comfortable side of the two, loving the camping experience, but needing to have some basic comforts also.This article will give you a few tips that you can use no matter what kind of camping you enjoy!

Starting With A Plan

A great camping trip starts with a great plan! Planning out your camping trip will help you be prepared and build excitement way before time to head to the hills (or the beach!). Make sure that you include the whole family and let everyone have a part in deciding what you'll need to bring to make this a great adventure and a pleasurable experience. Camping with your family is a great way to build a closer relationship between parents and kids. Good quality time spent without the distraction of the TV, computer and video games can make for some great memories and shared experiences that will be remembered for years to come. You'll experience quality time for everyone involved.

Deciding Where To Camp

One of the first things you will want to decide is where you are going to camp. Do you prefer "roughing it"? This means no electrical hookups, no camp host or camp store, and bathroom facilities means "the woods"! For most campers, I would recommend an established campground. State Parks provide some of the best campgrounds available and they are usually very well maintained and reasonably priced. You will have the security of knowing that they have done their best to keep the area maintained and as safe as possible. In choosing the campground, you will also want to look into what kind of activities, if any, they offer or are offered in the nearby vicinity. I would recommend you pick up a good campground directory such as Woodalls campground guide and directory to help you decide where to camp.

Selecting Your Gear

Once you've found the perfect location, you will then want to begin to plan what to take with you. Will you be camping in a tent, "pop-up" type trailer or possibly an RV? Shop around; see what is offered and what will work the best for you and your family. Be sure you include everyone in this decision. It makes for some great excitement and will have everyone looking forward to the first time you try out that new tent or camper. Also, if everyone has a part in this decision it limits the number of complaints that you may hear about later on! Do you plan on using a sleeping bag? Remember that an adult size sleeping bag, does not necessarily mean one size fits all! If you will be tent camping, another thing to consider is having a mattresses or foam padding under the sleeping bags. Foam padding usually folds up to a compact size and is much easier on the back than sleeping right on the floor of the tent. It just might be worth the extra trouble to pack it along to insure a good nights sleep! I would also recommend a large battery operated lamp for your tent. Another great idea is for everyone to have their own flashlight, in case any get separated from other members of the family during trips to and from the bathroom facilities (or woods!).

Use A Camping Checklist

A camping check list makes every trip much more enjoyable in several ways. First, the whole family gets involved together in creating your camping check list. Making out your check list long before the trip is kind of like starting your vacation early. It builds up the excitement and anticipation when everyone begins to think of items they want and need to bring. Second, check lists help you organize and pack your camping gear. The check list reminds you what to bring, and where to pack it. Third, check lists help you remember to take everything with you. No one likes to get to camp and find out they forgot some important item (even though you will probably will forget something!). Fourth, check lists help you remember what NOT to bring next time. This is important, because each trip is a little different, so make notes on your check list about what camping gear you used, what you didn't and what you wish you had taken. This lets you plan to make your next camping trip even better.

Planning Out Your Meals

Food is another important factor. You need to consider what you will be taking for food and what you will need in way of storage for it, such as an ice chest, etc. Most camping areas have a cooking area. Do you want to bring your own grill or use the outside cookers which may mean waiting your turn? Don't forget to take the can opener if the food that you are taking with you will require one. Don't forget cooking and eating utensils. Remember, you don't have to wash paper plates and plastic cups! If you decide to use these type items be sure you dispose of them properly and don't leave your trash for someone else to pick up! Meals that can be cooked at home ahead of time, and travel well in a cooler, will save a lot of time especially on the first night of your trip. Precooked meats will last longer in the cooler than raw meats, especially if you use block ice in your cooler. It will last much longer than cubes. If you're an ice cream lover, nothing is better than home made ice cream on a camping trip. Depending on where you'll be camping, you can bring along your electric ice cream maker or your "old fashioned" hand crank ice cream churn. Of course you'll want to make sure you have access to a local store that has ice! If you're in an area inhabited by bears, special precautions must be taken with both your food and garbage. if you're in an established campground, place your food in the special bear-proof receptacles at night. If you leave food in your vehicle, a hungry bear will find a way to get inside it, and he doesn't care what kind of damage he does to your vehicle! It's always a good idea to talk with the local Park Ranger about wildlife in your campground area.

What About Your Drinking Water?

The water around organized campgrounds is probably safe. Their water is usually privately treated or it is supplied by a near by city treatment plant. The water from lakes, springs, rivers and streams however, is untreated and can carry a lot of bacteria, viruses, and other things that can cause illness. Water that runs rapidly over gravel, rocks, and plant life appears clean and limpid, but this is no guarantee it is safe for you. Your best bet to ensure you and your family's safety is to always treat any water obtained from unfamiliar sources, such as all the sources mentioned above. It is not that hard to do and it takes so little time. There are many different ways to treat water, but boiling water is probably the most common method used. It is best to boil it for more than 10 minutes at a steady boil. If you are camping in a wilderness type area where treated water is not available, then be sure to bring your own. Don't forget to add that to your checklist!

Clothing Considerations

Bring extra clothing along. If the weather is different than you had planned on, then you'll be glad you did. Don't forget a first aid kit for any unfortunate minor injuries. Bring activities that can be enjoyed inside the tent as well as those for outside, such as books, games, etc., in case inclement weather makes you want to be inside. Plan for everything that could go wrong, and then be grateful and glad when all goes well. And finally, one last important item.....a camera to capture those memories!

Make it a family adventure that all will enjoy and possibly want to repeat another time. Above all, have a fun-filled family camping experience!

The Author loves spending time camping in the Florida panhandle and the North Georgia Mountains. Trout fishing and photography rate very high on this authors list. Please visit my website: http://www.mycampstore.com

Winnebago's new leader remains 'bullish'

Winnebago's new leader remains 'bullish'

FOREST CITY — Bob Olson doesn’t have any illusions about the challenges facing the company he “took over” Monday.

Winnebago Industries’ new chairman of the board and CEO is blunt when he says the Forest City-based RV manufacturer is facing a myriad of issues ranging from plunging consumer confidence to high gas prices to uncertainty caused by the perceived national housing crisis to the upcoming presidential election. Read more...

Small RV's

Ready to hit the road and have some fun? A small recreational vehicle might be the perfect choice for you. The phrase "small recreational vehicle" describes a vehicle created with one purpose in mind: to have fun. One might consider go-carts, off-road motorcycles, ATVs and jet skis to fit the bill. While these examples are certainly fun, they are not really small recreational vehicles.

Fifth wheel campers and pop-up trailer campers are true examples of small recreational vehicles. They offer the comforts of home while you are the freedom of the open road. You probably wouldn't be terribly comfortable sleeping on a motorcycle, or cooking breakfast in a go-cart.

With each new camper introduced, designs have improved and space has expended. As a result, traditional small group or family campers are moving away from the "small" category. Although today's small models are still the best choice for family trips, new design enhancements allow greater comfort and flexibility, without forcing the user into maneuvering a monstrosity akin to an NFL team bus or rock star tour bus.

The lasting appeal of small recreational vehicles lies in their portability and readiness, rather than the amount of cargo they can carry. With just a few hours preparation, a small recreational vehicle is transported into a home away from home, while you're away from home. Small recreational vehicles are perfect for the "get up and go" types of travelers that don't like a lot of planning and preparation. They offer nearly as much freedom and flexibility as a tent, with firm walls and a ceiling to give added security and protection from the elements. After exploring new surroundings, a small recreational vehicle offers a cozy place to return and rest up before the next big adventure.

One could argue that pop-up campers and trailer campers aren't true small recreational vehicles, because they don't provide the recreation. They do however make it possible to find your recreation in more places and in more ways than you might imagine. You can travel the country in your small recreational vehicle and see more of the world--instead of watching the world pass you by.

Robert Davis writes for several web sites, especially http://rosuf.com and http://dicez.com.

Talvor Motorhomes Business Boom

Brisbane, Australia, April 19, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Talvor Motorhomes’ rapid growth has made them the largest Australian recreational vehicle manufacturer in their class. Talvor’s 2007 expansions contributed to an incredible 1200% increase in manufacturing capacity over the last three years.

The business doubled their production space, and also invested in a dedicated store front, inventory management and materials handling equipment, giving RV enthusiasts even greater access to Talvor, quality campervan manufacturer Australia.

After less than three years operation, Talvor’s annual vehicle output has increased to over 500 per annum. “We are now able to provide a wider range of RV solutions to meet our client’s needs even more efficiently, which is a great result for everyone involved,” said Paul Truman, Business Manager.

Talvor manufactures Motorhomes and Campervans for both commercial and private use. “We have vehicles to suit all needs” Mr Truman said. The Talvor fleet ranges from the economical two berth HiTop and Hippie Campers to the luxurious four and six berth flagship vehicles, the Euro Elite and Euro Deluxe. Read more...

Are motorhomes the wave of the future?

Did you know that motorhomes have been gaining rapidly in popularity over the last few years? It's true. If you've driven on the freeways recently, you might have noticed that there are an awful lot of people taking to the roads of America in their new homes on wheels (motorhomes). This country is huge and so are the number of attractions that you could see in a motorhome. Motorhomes have always been popular among the more mobile of our population, but recent models have shown that manufacturers have been producing incredible automotive works of art. Here's the 2 reasons why motorhomes are the wave of the future.

1)Retirement. There is a huge amount of the US population that is considering retiring in the next few years. Baby boomers have worked all their lives and have been spending their money like there is no tomorrow on all sorts of travel accessories. Motorhomes are no exception. One of the biggest things that all retirees want to do after they finish work is travel. Motorhomes provide future domestic travelers with lots of transportation options. Seeing the country (or even the world) in style is possible with a motorhome.

2)Cheap Mobility. Let's be honest here, gas prices are expensive. They've been expensive and probably will remain so for a long time. However, 2 or more people traveling in a motorhome can see a lot of things for relatively little money. Imagine how much money it would cost you in airplane tickets to fly to each destination individually? A lot more than the gas it costs to navigate from city to city. A tank of gas, financially, doesn't go as far as it used to, but it certainly isn't that bad considering all the place it can take you.

Author: rvfinancing.com

Driving an RV to the Panama Canal

Texas couple explores Central America in a traveling home.

On the day my husband, John, and I retired, we packed up our rescued mutt, Brindle, and headed south in our second-hand motorhome. It was our first RV trip, and neither of us really understood the workings of this ugly, 22-foot rolling home with a bed over the cab.

We wanted to explore and decided we could see the United States when we were too old to drive to more exotic locations. I wanted to see the Panama Canal. When I told John, he thought I meant Panama City, Fla., but I soon set him straight. Read more...

Monaco posts $8.5 million loss in first quarter

COBURG — Monaco Coach Corp. lost $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2008, or 28 cents per share, executives reported Wednesday.

That compares to a $1.5 million profit for the same period a year ago, when the company reported earnings per share of 5 cents.

Monaco CEO Kay Toolson blamed the losses on “plummeting consumer confidence,” which is causing prospective customers to put off buying new RVs. Further, the company’s sales, as well as the industry as a whole, were hurt by “a difficult consumer lending environment,” he said. The RV industry is one of the largest private employers in Lane County.

The company expects to lose money again in the second quarter, though not as much, executives said. Losses are expected to be 15 to 20 cents per share in the April-June quarter, they said. And it’s hard to see how the market will improve much before the November election, President John Nepute said in a conference call with analysts.
Read more...

Monaco Coach Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

First quarter 2008 revenues were $252.4 million, compared to $322.2 million in revenues for the first quarter of 2007. First quarter 2008 gross profit was $15.8 million, compared to $36.0 million a year ago. Operating loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $12.8 million, compared to operating income of $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2007. Net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $8.5 million, compared to $1.5 million net income a year ago. For the first quarter of 2008, diluted loss per share was $0.28 versus earnings per share of $0.05 for the same period last year. Read more...

What are Class C Motorhomes?

Class C motorhomes are sometimes referred to as mini-motorhomes, which are scaled-down versions of Class A motorhomes. They range in weight from 10,000 to 15,000 pounds and stretch from 20 feet to 35 feet in length.