Freightliner Expands Its Customer Support with USB Card

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminIs your motorhome built on a Freightliner chassis? Are you planning to purchase a new motorhome in 2011? Already the only chassis manufacturer to offer 24/7 factory-direct support of its motorcoaches, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) is expanding its service with a powerful resource that customers can fit into their pockets. Launched in early 2011, FCCC’s 24/7 Direct initiative created a constantly available, easily accessible network with the goal of providing customers the best possible assistance and answers to even the most complex chassis issues. A company press release indicates that the new 24/7 Direct service cards are being mailed this month to all purchasers of new motorhomes built on an FCCC chassis dating back to January 1, 2011. They’re printed with key support contact information and the customer Vehicle Identification Number to serve as a valuable quick reference, and an embedded USB flash drive makes the card a virtual library of chassis data. By simply flipping the drive out from one end of the card and plugging it into a computer,... Read more

Exciting News From the Good Sam Club

The Good Sam Club is serious about growing the club and bringing together more friends, more fun and, of course, lots of great savings.  We would like to show our sincerity with the announcement of some great new club benefits and the opportunity for great savings on RV accessories at Camping World. Here are some of the new and expanded benefits available to Good Sam Club Members: Good Sam Club members will enjoy EXTRA savings at GoodSamClub.com with a NEW feature called “Golden Halo” savings.   Each day the website will showcase a unique savings opportunity on RV products and services exclusively for members!  Look for this great new savings benefit starting Monday, April 18th. Beginning in June, long-standing Good Sam Club members will gain access to a whole new way of saving at Good Sam Parks.  Members who have been active continuously for one year or more can go on-line to GoodSamClub.com and register for Good Sam Park rebate coupons.  These coupons are good for extra savings on future stays at any Good Sam Park.  As a long-standing member, you can also take advantage of seasonal or last minute camping offers available through participating parks.  Visit the site as often as you like. Good Sam members will receive the new and improved HIGHWAYS magazine.  Starting in June, the newly expanded book will include MORE of what you love like tech tips, how-to, chapter news, new product information, games, recipes and special offers for members! Join... Read more

Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Stones

Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Stones, was made popular by John Denver in 1981. For the Arkansas couple that recently found a flawless 2.44-carat silver white diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, it was one incredible “diamond day”. The RV lifestyle is like no other but occasionally a stone or two is thrown into the mix. By taking certain precautions and safety checks on travel days, we’re likely to experience mostly “diamond days,” but that’s the topic of another post. The RV Industry, unfortunately, is not immune from scam artists. The following stories have recently been in the News for All the Wrong Reasons—the first three relate to consignment sales of recreational vehicles. Complaints Filed Against Defunct Dealership A dozen customers of Top-O-Hill RV Service Center in Aurora, south of Portland, have filed formal complaints with the Oregon Department of Justice over consignment contracts, according to local television station KGW News. The complaints range from Top-O-Hill selling their RV but not paying them any money for the sale to a camper trailer disappearing without the owner notified where it is or if it has been sold. Some customers who bought RVs from Workman said they found out they could not get a title for their purchase, even though they had paid the agreed amount. The Top-O-Hill sign in front of the large empty lot on one side says, “Thanks for 22 years,” and on the other side, “We’ll miss you Bill.” The owner, Bill... Read more

Homolovi, AZ: What’s in a Name?

Arizona could soon rename and reopen an existing state park.  It’s a protected area that already has a state park designation but operating under a different name. Homolovi II is the largest of the sites at the park. It appears that each family unit occupied four to five rooms. Each room is relatively small, probably due to the scarcity of large logs. Photo courtesy Arizona State Parks The Hopi Tribe recently entered into a one-year agreement with Arizona State Parks, contributing $175,000 for the operation of Homolovi Ruins State Park. The Arizona Parks Board reported that during initial negotiations in November, the Hopi Tribe requested the word “Ruins” be taken out of the park’s name. To the Hopi, the word “Ruin” in the park name refers to ‘something dead.’ They would prefer “Ruin” be replaced with another word or removed. The State Parks Board is open to any suggestions the public may have to offer about this name change and will discuss the matter at the March 17, 2011 public Board meeting in Winslow City Council Chambers. Those with suggestions and comments on the name change may also send a message to the “Contact Us” tab at azstateparks.gov or write a letter to Arizona State Parks Public Information Office, 1300 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. All comments must be received by March 1, 2011. Ancestral Hopi Villages In the high grassland of 14th century northern Arizona, an ancient people found a home along the Little Colorado... Read more

Freedom, Travel, and the Good Life: New RV Magazine to launch March 1

Today’s fifth wheel trailers are truly a home away from home with large kitchens and even larger living areas. The units range in size up to 40 feet and are able to carry motorcycles, ATVs, and other small vehicles while still having adequate space for the family to camp in style and comfort. A press release earlier this week announced the launch of a new magazine for RVers. To be launched March 1, Fifth Wheel Magazine will focus on keeping fifth wheel and toy hauler owners up-to-date with the latest industry trends and new products and accessories that are making fifth wheeling easier and safer. Fifth Wheel Magazine will review current and new models, provide product information, photographic and video factory tours, fifth wheel safety and general tips and advice from industry experts. In addition to industry news, Fifth Wheel Magazine provides product tips, safety information, and expertise from professionals in the industry. This information will assist current and prospective RVers in making informed buying decisions and staying current with the latest trends and innovations in the industry. Fifth wheel interior. Photo courtesy Fifth Wheel Magazine A stated goal of the new Fifth Wheel Magazine is to bridge the gap between the manufacturers and fifth wheel and toy hauler owners and new buyers. By keeping up-to-date with what the manufacturers are doing and how they are working on new designs and features, the magazine intends to keep fifth wheel owners and buyers informed... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Internet RV How-To Show

Mark’s RV Garage Preview RV Education 101 is scheduled to launch the first episode of the  “Mark’s RV Garage”, an Internet based RV how-to show, on 7 February 2011. Mark’s RV Garage will feature RV product reviews, RV product installations, easy RV upgrade projects, a vintage trailer restoration project, RV destination spots and much more as the show progresses. Mark Polk explained it like this, “We understand the RV consumer wants information on specific RV topics and that they want it now. With today’s technology the most effective method for delivering what the RV consumer wants is through an RV how-to Internet based show. On average, I get asked 15 or more questions per week on RV how-to topics. For years I have responded to these questions by e-mail. We plan to use “Mark’s RV Garage” as the new venue for answering these RV consumer questions, and to provide quality how-to content RV consumers are interested in learning more about.” Right now the show will be made available for viewing through our RV consumer site at www.rvconsumer.com while we work on additional distribution channels to increase viewing options for the audience. Mark’s RV Garage is designed to provide RV consumers with the RV training and education they want, when they want it. The episodes will be archived for easy retrieval and viewing at their leisure. RV Education 101 is proud to offer RV consumers this new Internet based RV how-to show in addition to our other... Read more

Got a Kindle, Nook, or iPad? Check out Sean’s novel!

Reading and camping go hand-in-hand. There are few things in life more satisfying than an engaging story, well told, after dark. One of my wife’s favorite evening pastimes is to settle down with a good book. (That’s usually when I’m working on our website.) This year, one of her marquee Christmas gifts was a Nook e-reader — a gift from my mother, who is herself also a voracious reader. I’ll always remember the first time I read Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls. I was a summer kitchen employee at Yellowstone National Park. In those days I was employed by Hamilton Stores, an organization staffed mostly by retirees. The retirees liked to take long afternoon breaks (we’re talking 3-hour siestas from 1 until 4) so I often found myself with a few hours to kill in the middle of the day. My companion was Hemingway. I loved that book, and will always pair it with the experience of being in Yellowstone at that time. CLICK THE BOOK to visit the author's website. For most of my adult career, I have been classified as “writer.” Even when designing websites or short films, the ultimate job description is to write. And so I have finally tackled the Mount Everest of writing tasks, and produced my first novel. It’s called “The Lost Spyder,” and is available now on Amazon KINDLE (CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON KINDLE) and Barnes & Noble NOOK (CLICK HERE FOR NOOK). It’s priced to sell — only $4.99! Electronic readers like Kindle and Nook are a godsend... Read more

Attend a Local RV Show

January through early April is prime RV Show Season. Toy haulers have become increasingly popular in recent years. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved RV Shows present a rare opportunity to view many recreational vehicles without the need to drive from dealer to dealer. You’ll have an opportunity to check out a wide-range of motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, truck campers, conversion vans, and pop up trailers in one location, often at special “show prices”. Some bargains are the real deal; others are simply prices an RV dealer would accept back at the dealership once the show is over. When viewing recreational vehicles, ensure you’re comparing prices of similar models with similar features from different manufacturers. Consider the options, quality, and type of construction, floor plan, standard and optional equipment, features offered, amount of interior and exterior storage, carrying capacity, and reputation of manufacturer and dealer. Not all manufacturers and dealers are created equal! Determine who offers the best bang for the buck but ensure that the dealer provides quality after-purchase service. Talk with other RVers at the show. Many have years of experience and knowledge of different manufacturers and dealerships. Most will be honest and tell you where they’ve received the best deals and quality service. It is always a good idea to visit the dealership’s physical location before you buy and check out their service department. Visit the dealership... Read more

RVIA Expo 2010 Wednesday Dec. 1

Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky! Wednesday, Dec. 1.  Today was a very busy day at the RVIA Expo here as we prowled the aisles of the show for about 8 hours, looking at an amazing array of RVs and RV accessories.  Yesterday I posted some photos of a recent innovation from Monaco using a telescoping slide to provide a wider floorplan on their motorhomes.  Today I took a photo of the outside of the slide which I think, shows the operation of the slide a little more clearly. The slide depth totals 50 inches, consisting of a 32″ main slide and an 18″ second section.  When coupled with an 18″ slide on the curb side, the total slide width measures 68″, which I believe is the widest in the industry. Read more  Read More →

RVIA EXPO, LOUISVILLE KY

Linda and I are getting the motorhome ready for our annual trip to Kentucky to attend the RVIA show in Louisville to gather information on the general state of the RV industry, and to view new products at the show.  We will be reporting on events as they occur, here on RV.net blog. Read more  Read More →

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