RVIA Expo, Nov. 30, 2010

Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky! Today was the opening day for the annual RVIA trade show here, and our initial impressions are that the industry is very upbeat about the future.  The day started off as usual, with the opening breakfast and industry presentation by the RVIA.  The reports indicated that all segments of the industry, motorhomes, towables, etc, experienced a significant increase in sales compared to 2009.  Of course, 2009 was by all reports, a disaster, so beating that sales level wasn’t too difficult.  Forecasts for future sales do indicate future growth, and hopes are high that will in fact be the case. Read more  Read More →

RVIA Expo. Monday Nov. 29

Greetings to all from Louisville, Kentucky!  Linda and I are parked at the Expo center campground.  (Under the topic of “name dropping”, we are next door to Bob Tiffin’s son’s motorhome)  It is nice to see that at least some of the manufacturers actually “go rv’ing”! Since  the actual show doesn’t start until tomorrow, we went over to the center, registered, and then went on a tour of Louisville, and our main objective was to visit the Louisville Slugger factory and take the factory tour.  If you are in the Louisville Ky area, and if you have ANY interest in baseball (and what good American doesn’t?), this is the place to go.  The factory, museum, and gift store are all located together, downtown, near the Ohio river.  The downtown area is very clean, and parking in this area is plentiful.  We parked right across the street from the museum, and of course took the requisite photo of the world’s largest baseball bat. 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 →

RV Navigation and Much, Much More

Lug_Nut’s view of a growing technology.  Earlier I wrote about the adaption of using an Apple iPad in an RV for its application of a glass dash. If you missed it here’s a link   In addition to using this for instrumentation and of course navigation, there are other great features that RVer’s might find of interest. There are times when we are exposed to harsh or adverse weather conditions from heavy rain, snow threats or even tornado activity.  In many cases our only window to the weather is what we can see while speeding along the highway.  Well, there is a way that we can really know what’s ahead, 5 miles, 50 or hundreds.  We are talking about weather radar.  A clear and easy way to view precipitation throughout the country, all in real time less, 10 minutes. This is a great iPad app (Application) that lends itself well to the RV traveller, and it is just one of what may be many.  The one-time cost of this application is $1.99.  This application requires WiFi to retrieve. Travelling with large class A coaches or RV tow combinations can present some challenges for stopping along the way.   Travelling on the interstate highways can provide the manoeuvring required a each rest stop.  These rest stops however, can be found at random distances making it difficult to determine how far you must travel to the next.  The iPad offers the answer with an app containing every rest stop in the U.S.  Using its built in GPS system, this program can instantly tell you... Read more

Tips on choosing an RV dealer

Would you purchase a recreational vehicle from any RV dealer? Does the dealer make a difference? You bet it does! Not all dealers are reputable or have good customer service records. Ardell Brown RV Camping World, Draper, Utah. Photo courtesy KSL Choosing the right RV dealer is important both at the time of sale and later down the road when you have your RV serviced or repaired. Following are seven things to look for when choosing an RV dealer: 1. Customer service Unfortunately, a common complaint in the industry is that RV dealers are more interested in selling you a product than keeping it serviced after the sale. Finding an RV dealer with a proven track-record of customer service is of utmost importance. When you spend thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on an RV you want to ensure before the sale that the dealer will provide outstanding customer service. After your RV breaks down is not the time to learn that the dealer is more interested in your money and getting you off the lot than providing quality service. One way of determining an RV dealers value is by finding out if they’ve received any manufacturers’ customer service awards. Do your homework before the sale and choose an RV dealer with a proven track record for quality service. 2. Dealer’s history Secondly, taking time to research the background and history of the RV dealer could save you money and heart-aches in the long run. The longer the RV dealer has been around, better! If a dealer has... Read more

The Next Generation In GPS Navigation Plus

A look at the cutting edge, from Lug_Nut.   Many RV owners consider the addition of adding a GPS navigation system to their existing coach.  Most choose the portable type mounted on a holder attached to the top of the dash or windshield.  These offer the advantage of portability which allows them to be used also in the towed vehicle.  However, one of the biggest drawbacks is the somewhat small screen. Then there are people that like the look and feel of the in-dash type.  Screen sizes on these are normally about 7” diagonally and many offer touch screen control.  The in-dash units contain a combination of features.  They are the AM/FM radio, Sat radio, CD player, back up camera capability and of course satellite GPS navigator all in one.  The cost of these before installation can be $600 to $1500 or more. Okay, that has been the choices that we have had in the past.  But, things are changing.  No longer are we going to be confined to using the same looking and functioning GPS navigation equipment that has been unchanged for years.    Well, for those that want to bring their motor home or tow vehicle into the next generation of the electronic future, consider this.  An Apple iPad can deliver more information on one big screen as well as offering the ability to be interactive.  The huge 9.7” touch controlled screen can deliver a high definition GPS navigation including voice guidance.  It can replace the need for your radio and provide iTunes and more.  It’s... Read more

A One-Of-A-Kind RV

Lug_Nut caught up with this gem at the annual Railroad Country & Bluegrass Festival at the Toronto North/Cookstown K.O.A.  This two day event featured several hot bluegrass and country western bands.  Among others, this attracts scores of model railroad buffs to view the vendor displays.                   This one-of-a-kind RV is on the track to being a real attention getter.  Both the locomotive look alike and the accompanying passenger car were built on school bus chassis.  They belong to the Shriners in the Newmarket, Ontario area.  The designer, Michael O’Rourke, paid attention to every detail.  Even the hitch and the many umbilical cords are styled just like the real thing. The engine is powered by an International diesel and both are equipped with full air suspension and brakes.  While it is primarily used for parades, it does run about the country to attend various events.  It has even been as far as Florida once for a special function. The passenger car offers all the amenities found in a class A coach and even has an exterior swing out super sized bar-b-q.  The engine unit is equipped with bench seating, two seats in the operator cab and a washroom down the hall. Up to twenty people travel onboard to each event.  It certainly catches your eye when this near eighty foot RV barrels by with whistles blowing.  What a family camper that would make.   The Shriners Flyer will be departing platform #3 at the K.O.A.,  All aboard! Choo-Choo To You  ... Read more

The Headlight Flash. What Does It Really Mean

The flashing of one’s headlights is something we have seen for years throughout Europe.  It was, and is, used to generally signal the intention to overtake another vehicle.  Kind of a heads-up and to ensure the vehicle being passed was aware of this action.  For this use, nearly all the vehicles sold in Europe for the last forty plus years were equipped with a momentary headlight switch built into the directional signal. Read more  Read More →

The RV Trivia Challenge No. 13 – On-The-Road Knowledge

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No 13 will test your on-the-road knowledge . Keep in mind, this is not an I.Q. test, it is a trivia requiring some guess work.  So, get a pencil and paper to record your answers.  When you have completed the 10 questions and scored your answers, please post your results in the comment section found at the very bottom. Read more  Read More →

Driving An RV. How Old Is Too Old?

A Lug_Nut pondering thought.   A while ago, while staying in an RV resort, I got to thinking about the aging population.  Of those that enjoy RVing today many are in the upper middle age group.  This is particularly true when looking at the people that own larger RV’s like motor homes and 5th wheel trailers combinations.  Despite the average age of people that own RV’s in the U.S. being in the mid forties, one must realize that RV;s include everything from a tent trailer and up. In the larger class of both motor homes and trailers there are many owners that are 65 years old and older.  This may be partially due to the cost of some of these rigs.  For the investment required, the average working person could not possibly reap enough benefits from it given the available free time their job may offer.  Then of course there is the affordability.  Life is backwards, by the time you can afford what you want, you are too old to enjoy it.  Well, that may fit most cases, but with an RV that may not hold true. So, how old is too old to operate a motor home or trailer combination?  There is no correct answer.  There is a time when one must quit.  This time is when one may become either physically or mentally unable to operate their vehicle in a safe manner for all concerned.  This does not only affect aging drivers, but applies to all.  But, we will look at those that are caused by age. What actually causes this to happen to an otherwise healthy senior citizen?  His eye... Read more

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