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General RV Info
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Finding rv part and accessory distributors |
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Written by Rolf Rasmusson
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Saturday, 25 November 2006 09:32 |
Snooping around for a diversified and well equipped rv part and accessory outlet used take some serious time and effort. These guys and dolls are the backbone for we recreational and motor home buffs. The independents no longer line the street as once was the case not too many years ago. So out with the old and perhaps it's a good thing. At least I won't wear myself out with frustration any longer while doing my rv part and accessory shopping online.
Imagine finding your camping, towing, awning, trailer, tv's, electrical, sound products plus being sent a catalog to boot. Some of the distributors even put you on a newsletter keeping you abreast of what's new and current bargains. Then you'll enjoy buying at discount with money back guarantees from top grade and noted venders.
There was a time we could drive the street and see them all over but finding what we needed may have taken more than a few stops. The small and even specialty shops are for the most part gone, replaced by the big behemoth's and a little mouse on you desktop.
I've seen sites from kitchen to bathroom goodies, interior products and so much more.
With a little attentiveness to those emails you'll get sales you most likely would have missed. Buying at the right times often produces big dividends to the buyer.
No more disinterested sales clerks that seem to show us disdain with a total lack of interest or real knowledge prevails in most outlets today.
Big business has gotten so big they've lost out on the most important thing. People are the customers who once were treated with respect and courtesy. Forget that. Go online and you won't need to deal with such disrespect any longer.
When shopping if you do have a problem, there's normally an 800# to call for fast help from very well trained and helpful people. So much for the mighty chain stores marketing – it's simply the bottom line for them, but they've lost that people feeling.
No wonder the internet has rapidly become our choice in shopping. Accessories for all types of recreational vehicles are easy to find, at the right price, shipped normally the same day from major manufactures through the rv part and accessory distributor. So enjoy your shopping experience. |
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Written by Elizabeth Morgan
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Saturday, 25 November 2006 09:29 |
Simple RVs may cost as little as $40,000. The deluxe RVs can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. If this sounds unaffordable, you can enjoy always enjoy an RV at a fraction of the price by renting one.
Vacation seeming like less fun? Well, you can enjoy all the perks of having an RV at a fraction of the price. The solution: renting an RV. You can rent an RV for a weekend or a year, new or used, supped-up or simple. Plus, you can try out all sorts of RVs during your journeys, and if you find one you like, you can buy it.
Motor homes are the most popular type of RV rental, but you can also rent trunk trailers, travel trailers or folding camping trailers. The motor home class-C is the most popular. This easy-to-drive RV has beds, toilet, shower, heat and air-conditioning, a refrigerator and a microwave. Most companies that rent RVs also sell home-keeping packages that include pots, pans, and dishes for your adventure.
Before you rent your RV, you need to figure out the RV rental specifics you’ll need:
Will you be driving or towing the RV? If you’re driving the RV rental, consider automatic transmission and power breaks and steering. Your RV renter will show you how to drive the RV before you set out on your trip.
Will you drive to your destination in your RV or will you fly and then rent? Some rental companies sell fly-and-drive rental packages.
Does your car insurance cover the RV? If not, get additional coverage from your RV rental.
RV Rentals Info provides detailed information about RV rentals in the United States, focusing on California, Alaska, Utah, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as discount RV rentals, and more. RV Rentals Info is the sister site of RV Insurance Web. |
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Recreational Vehicle Buyers Guide |
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Written by Jason Odom
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Friday, 24 November 2006 21:34 |
Service Records - If you're buying from an RV dealer and they can't produce something - you've got problems - possibly serious ones. If not, he'd be proudly displaying the records. There should at least be receipts for repairs, service work, and possibly old owners manuals.
See http://busforsaleguide.com/rv_types.htm for the advantages and disadvantages of each major class of recreational vehicle on the market.
Body Leaks -Other than structural rust, I know of no other exterior related problem that will cost you as much money and cause you as many headaches as exterior body leaks. Body leaks are among the most difficult to fix if the body design is less than first rate. Front facing windows on many Class C's are nearly impossible to stop leaking due to flexing and stress.
I have been incredibly pleased with the purchase of my 1993 Class A. However, the wood over skeleton frame roofs like the type Georgie Boy used in this coach has begun to sag between the support tubes or "skeleton". The weight of air-conditioners, vents, my roof mounted kayaks, and walking up there to fix seams, has permanently created "ponding" issues. Price quote from my very trusted and competent local RV service center was $4,200 to rebuild my entire roof.
Ponding is water sitting on the roof when the coach is level. When this happens you have increased chances of leaks, bugs, slime and algae growth, and dirty water run off when you drive somewhere. Rounded formed fiberglass roofs are the very best but only appear on the newer coaches that were out of my price range.
I have seen $30,000 to $60,000 coaches nearly ruined by leaks that went unchecked. Be especially cautious if you see ANY delamination of the side wall. I have never seen the permanent damage fixed for less than $4,000 and that is WITHOUT a guarantee that it won't happen again. This is usually caused by poor roof and seam design.
Nearly everyone underestimates how serious this is. I know I almost bought one. Couldn't figure out why a great looking Santara diesel pusher would only cost $24,000. Then I walked around to the drivers side and saw the fiberglass body delaminating. I didn't think it looked too expensive to repair. I figured caulk the seam and just screw the panel back tighter to the frame. Of course the salesman agreed.
WRONG! People do not realize especially in older coaches that the WOOD (yes I said the WOOD) that is under the fiberglass skin does offer quite a bit of the stability, and rigidity of the exterior. Once it gets wet for a prolonged period of time it rots, breaks down, and becomes heavy enough to cause the entire skeleton to sag. Windows no longer fit right, seams pop open worse, storage doors underneath stick, and on and on. Do NOT buy an RV with this problem. It can cost as much as $13,000 to fix (highest horror story I have read about on the RV chat logs thus far).
Body integrity is one of the more important advantages that the big solidly constructed bus conversions have over 95% of the factory built RV's in use. Do NOT purchase an RV that has signs of leaking without a thorough plan for paying for and fixing the problem. Otherwise, I can assure you, it will destroy your experience and investment in a short time.
Mechanical Leaks - Look for ANY signs of leaks, particularly from Automatic Transmissions. Some Allison transmissions used in diesel motor homes have wimpy front seals and leak constantly when the transmission gets too hot. Don't buy an RV with a leaky transmission. A replacement Allison can cost $3,000 parts and labor to replace. Leaking brake components or hydraulic systems can be expensive to repair also.
Leaky radiators can be expensive to repair or replace on larger coaches especially if the labor to pull them involves pulling a lot of other items. Same goes for leaky dash air-conditioning systems.
Body Style - Check out the visibility differences. The entrance door positions vary as well. The rear pusher buses offer a quieter ride. Fifth Wheels usually do not have flat foors inside and almost universally offer the "split level".
Transmissions - Get an automatic unless you really like the absolute control of a standard and never intend to resell it. Standard shifts are MUCH harder to sell as conversions because retirees are the most common motor home buyers and they don't like to shift. Allison makes the best transmission systems in the world. Many older gas RV's were mated to inferior transmissions that just cannot handle the extra weight and pull issue.
Some RV's have engine/transmission setups that are so underpowered you will never be able to afford to use them. These transmissions are forever blowing seals, leaking, overheating, and breaking down. Buy a replacement transmission and guess what? Your only option may be a rebuilt version of the problematic transmission you already own.
Engine - If you are going to be traveling through mountainous areas regularly get the biggest engine you can afford. There is NO substitute for size (raw cubic inches) I don't care what the ads say. My car has a 440 in it. Why would you buy a 34' RV with a 318 in it? Check carefully how many miles on the engine or since the engine rebuild. Gas engines last about 60 -100,000 miles, depending on whether they are driven stop and go in the mountains or over long stretches of flat highway. Diesels can often approach 200,000 miles before needing much of anything with proper maintenance.
If economy is a major concern, look for a good affordable coach with a great miserly engine/transmission combination. I bought such a coach with a Cummins 190 HP 6 cylinder diesel engine mated to an Allison 4 speed automatic transmission. Over the course of our 31 day, 7,980 mile trip, in mixed traffic, tough mountain and city driving, we averaged 10.6 MPG in our 34 foot fully loaded class A liveaboard coach with 4 people and 2 kayaks.
NOTE: After evaluating the information above on SPECIFIC issues related to this particular platform you may find the prepurchase checklist found at http://busforsaleguide.com/bus_prepurchase_checklist.htm helpful. It covers GENERAL issues you should be aware of for ALL platforms. It will serve as a very valuable resource to assist you in evaluating a bus, motor home, or RV for purchase. Take a copy of it with you when shopping. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Odom wrote http://busforsaleguide.com as a complete website full of bus and Rv buying information including the advantages and disadvantages of each type, make and model. Jason Odom has 14 Years in the business of assisting people in finding the Bus or RV that meets their needs. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 January 2008 15:56 )
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An Introduction to RV Insurance |
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Written by Elizabeth Morgan
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Friday, 24 November 2006 21:30 |
Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles (RVs) can be a complicated issue. RVs combine many aspects of regular traveling vehicles with aspects of a home. There are several issues that need to be considered when purchasing RV insurance. First, all conventional car insurance issues must be covered. Second, it is a good idea to insure items inside the RV as well. Other issues arise for people who live predominantly in their RV and do not have a permanent residence anywhere else.
The definition of an RV is somewhat loose. An RV is traditionally viewed as a motor home, but many travel trailers, fifth wheels, and tour buses are considered RVs as well.
Since RVs are motor vehicles, they must be covered for conventional car insurance issues such as liability, collision, and uninsured or underinsured motorists. It is a legal requirement to have liability insurance, which covers all damages and bodily harm that is caused by the insured RV motorist. This protects people who the RV owner may collide with, and guarantees that they will receive compensation. Collision insurance covers any damage done to the RV when a collision occurs. This includes situations in which the RV collides with an object or an object collides with the RV. It is a good idea for RV owners to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as well. This type of coverage protects the RV owner from having to pay for any damages caused by another vehicle driven by someone who does not have enough insurance to cover the damages.
RVs usually include appliances; it is a good idea, though it is not legally required, to insure these as well. The main difference between RV insurance and standard car insurance is that RV insurance policies can cover appliances and personal items in the RV. Plumbing, electrical problems, and other issues can be covered by RV insurance policies. Other items in the RV -- like TVs, stereos, or furniture -- can also be insured. This is similar to homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Usually, people must ask for coverage of internal items because the law does not require it.
People who live in their RV full time and do not have a permanent residence have additional options. Many insurance companies offer full time coverage specifically designed for people who live in their RV. These types of policies often provide total vehicle and home insurance for the RV.
It is important for RV owners to purchase appropriate coverage for their vehicle. Many RV owners foolishly purchase the bare minimum of coverage, and then have to pay out of pocket for costly repairs on appliances and other items inside the RV.
About the Author RV Insurance Info provides detailed information about RV insurance quotes, policies, and companies, RV rental insurance, and more. RV Insurance Info is the sister site of RV Rentals Web. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 January 2008 15:56 )
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General RV Info
