High Gas Prices Hitting Boat, RV Sales

Gas prices have made getting to and from work or school difficult, but they're also hurting those gassing up motor homes, boats and other recreational vehicles.

CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports at $5 a gallon, it takes about $750 to fill up the Allegro bus, making it a pretty slow seller at Rick's RV Center in Shorewood.

"For the larger motorhomes, it is a tough market," said Rick's general manager Jeff Pilon. "Like I said, the pool of buyers has definitely shrunk down."

And it's not just motor home sales that are being affected by the skyrocketing cost of fuel. Boat sales are also being squeezed.

Cathy Santogrossi of Fox Valley Marine said sales are down, but they have not plunged.

A study by Michigan State's Marine Research Center found that "1 percent of boat owners didn't plan to use their boat in 2008 due to the high cost of fuel." Read more...

Draft plan: FEMA may use travel trailers in new disaster

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government may house disaster victims in travel trailers again this hurricane season as a last resort, despite promises never to use them again because of high levels of formaldehyde found in trailers used after the Katrina catastrophe.

Only the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency can approve the use of such trailers, and they must meet the agency's requirement for minimal levels of formaldehyde, according to a draft of the agency's five-page 2008 hurricane-season plan, obtained by The Associated Press. Also, disaster victims could stay in the trailers for only six months.

Hurricane season started June 1 and will last through November. Forecasters predict the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than average, with a good chance of six to nine hurricanes forming, including two to five major ones.

The Bush administration and FEMA came under heavy criticism for the response to Katrina in 2005. About 1 million people were displaced because of the hurricane and thousands were sent to emergency travel trailers. It was later discovered that the trailers had high levels of formaldehyde — a preservative commonly used in building materials. Prolonged exposure can lead to breathing problems and is also believed to cause cancer. Read more...

Airstream Trailers

You may have noticed the big Airstream trailer on the steps of city hall and wondered what it is for.

The shiny silver RV is part of a national project to document the unique stories we all have to tell.

StoryCorps is a national project that started in New York City, but has spread wings in tiny trailers that travel the U.S. Learn more...

Olympia banning overnight RV parking on city streets (The Olympian)

Olympia social workers will be telling people who live in campers on city streets it's time to move on.

Buying an RV can be an exciting adventure for you and your family. The fact that you can take your modern "home" anywhere you like is a huge benefit and will make vacationing so much easier and more enjoyable. Many people buy an RV for the occasional trips, but increasingly families are buying them to spend long vacations or even full summers traveling around the country to see the grand sights.

One of the best ways to get the most efficient miles out of your RV is to check the tires both before and after you take your trips. Since you are probably traveling far distances each time you get into your RV, you need to be aware that the tires may not be able to handle such distances every time. You are likely to be traveling in unfamiliar terrain, so you should be on the lookout for extensive wear and tear on your tires each time you head out.

You are going to spend a lot of money for your RV so it is best to know how to get the most out of it. A recreational vehicle can travel quite a distance, even in one quick vacation. Although they are made to drive numerous miles, they are still susceptible to the every day wear and tear that they will inevitably face as the overall mileage 5ACincreases. This could end up costing you a lot of money if you are constantly fixing something that is going wrong due to the increased mileage on the vehicle. The cost of gasoline is no small factor here either!

An RV is more than just another vehicle. It takes a lot of work, even more so than a typical car. However, if you treat your RV right and take it in for the proper tune ups and oil changes as well as check the tires routinely, you will find you get more out it 4CFbecause it will always be running properly when you and your family want to take that long awaited road trip.

For practical RV and camping readiness information, please visit http://www.rv-camping-preparation.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with camping and buying that RV you've dreamed of.

2008 RV manufacturers

Motorhomes

Motor homes provide absolute comfort and luxury during a journey, one can simply park the vehicle most anywhere they feel like and sleep in it. These recreation vehicles are equipped with a television, sofas, bed and more electronics as well as furniture so as to give the complete feel of a house.

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.

Class B motor Homes: This is the second type of motor homes. They are spacious as well as lighter than the class A motorhomes. The main advantage of class B motorhome is that it has the properties of both class A and Class C Motorhomes. Its shape is somewhat similar to a van, and can accommodate a maximum of four people easily.

There are a number of web sites on the Internet that provide complete knowledge of the Motor homes. These web sites can be used to consult and review any number of motor homes available.

Have RV, will travel; but probably not as much as before

High gas prices crimp RV lifestyle

Recreational vehicle owners and dealers and Oregon campgrounds all feel the pinch

When Hubert and Barbara Walsh retired seven years ago, their first RV trips from Florida to Oregon cost $390 one way. Last month, it cost $1,180.

The Walshes have made the RV journey from their home in Tallahassee, Fla., to Hubert's mother's place in Tigard at least twice a year since they retired in 2001.

Now, the couple say they may have to cut back their visits to once a year or come up with a different mode of travel.

Evidence of the RV industry's slide is everywhere -- from recent bankruptcies of two RV builders in California and Washington to the sparsely filled RV campgrounds along the Oregon coast over Memorial Day weekend. RV dealerships across the state are dealing with a glut of unsold units.

Unstoppable gasoline prices have not only put off many would-be buyers, they also have braked many who already own or forced them to take some detours in their habits. Read More...

Class C Motorhomes

The real fun with recreational vehicles begins with the motorized kind. These are the bigger, better boys of the pack, and also among the more expensive ones. A motorhome, as it is popularly called, can belong to any of 3 Classes. Class A Motorhomes are either gas or diesel powered, with the diesel Class A motorhomes being referred to as Diesel Pushers and often the most expensive and luxurious of the RV types. Class B Motorhomes or van conversions are a large self-contained van, which includes living accommodations, and are the smaller version of the motorhomes. Class C Motorhomes are built on a truck chassis. They are cheaper than the other two types, yet offer excellent amenities and ample space. Read more about a Class C Motorhome.