RV Dealer Blog

Traveling the country in a fifth wheel!

Would you have the courage to do this?! Recently, Robert and Josslyn Streett, two Southern California parents, loaded their two sons, Robby (8) and Sawyer (6), in their 36-foot fifth-wheel and hit the road for 14 months. While on the road, they home schooled their children and crisscrossed the USA in search of their ideal place to live. “We felt the only reason NOT to do the trip was fear,” said Josslyn. The family documented their 14-month journey on their travel blog: “ RV Gypsies … that’s us“

Discover affordable trips!

Travel by RV has always been one of the most affordable ways to travel, and now a cool, RV-friendly website, TripAdvisor.com/TankofGas, suggests fun day trips, weekend escapes, and longer getaways that are a quarter, half, or full tank of gas away! From southern New Jersey, the search returned popular destinations like Wildwood, NJ, and Chadds Ford, PA, on a quarter tank; Chincoteague Island, VA, and Baltimore, MD on a half tank; and Gettysburg, PA, and Washington DC on a full tank. Top-rated area attractions, restaurants, and approximate mileage to get there are included.

Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanners

Here is a good cause you can help when traveling in your RV. Habitat for Humanity is currently recuiting RV Team Leaders for their RV Care-A-Vanner builds. The RV Team Leader is the point of contact for the affiliate and the team, and will include communicating details to the team, such as information about the camping facilities, meal arrangements,  directions to campgrounds and build sites, and other necessary details. Please call 1-800-422-4828, ext. 7534 or 229-410-7534 if you are willing to help in this way.

This summer, Winnebago will introduce the industry’s first hybrid motorhome,  a 2009 Winnebago Adventurer, during the upcoming summer tour of Brad and Amy Herzog who are spokespersons for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). This concept hybrid is a full hybrid system that uses two independent power sources (a diesel engine and an electric motor) and also features regenerative braking for less brake wear. With regenerative braking, the hybrid electric motor uses electricity to create torque, while also reversing the process to use torque to create electricity. Electricity is fed back into the battery resulting in energy savings.

White Horse RV - 2009 Circle of Excellence Winner!

White Horse RV Center has earned Winnebago Industries’ prestigious “Circle of Excellence” award for 2009. Winnebago Industries established the industry’s first dealer excellence program in 1986 in order to recognize select dealers for excellence in customer satisfaction. One of 108 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada to earn the Circle of Excellence award this year, White Horse RV is recognized for outstanding customer satisfaction after the purchase of a motorhome, and earning top marks for sales, market share, stocking levels, product training certification, warranty/parts inventory, service training, and customer care.

On the first $49,500 purchase price of any new or pre-owned motorhome, the new stimulus package allows you to deduct the sales tax you pay. For example, 7% New Jersey sales tax, allows you to deduct $3,465 on next year’s tax return. According to a breaking news article March 18, 2009, in RV Business, “the combination of the sales tax deduction as well as interest deductions on RVs – because many qualify as second homes – should get more people into the showroom.” Tax discounts now available definitely work to a buyer’s advantage!

Tick!

Since you can’t hang out in your travel trailer, 5th wheel or motor home all day, we thought it would be a good idea to review some tips for avoiding ticks.  Ticks like most insects do not like extremes, so you’ll find them out on the prowl in favorable conditions, typically avoiding the hottest part of the day or a heavy rain shower.  They like to hide in bushy or weedy areas and then will attach themselves to you when you bump up against them, so try to avoid brushy trails.

Sunnybrook's sliding glass door option

SunnyBrook RV offers a new Sliding Patio Door option on three of their most popular floorplans. The large Sliding Patio Door is 60” wide and really gives your RV a sunny and spacious feel. Full length privacy blinds are included. This Sliding Patio Door option is perfect if you have a seasonal campsite and want to add a deck. It’s available on SunnyBrook’s 2010 Double Slide-out floorplans including the family-friendly Edgewater 312BHDSE and Sunset Creek 312BHDS 2-bedroom models, and the Brookside 302FKS front kitchen model.

Use the web to make your trip a smooth one!

GasBuddy.com shares cheap gas prices by searching its network of about 185 local information sites, and offers a free companion “Cheap Gas” iPhone application to find the lowest fuel prices based on your GPS location. Speedtrap.org, sponsored by the National Motorists Association, shows maps of your route along with likely speed trap spots. Roadfood.com directs you to memorable, local eateries along highways and back roads for home-style cooking outside your RV.

When packing your RV for tailgating or a trip, paper plates, napkins, disposable cups, and plastic utensils make mealtime easy.  Aluminum foil makes cooking clean-up a snap. Bamboo or reusable metal skewers can roast hot dogs or marshmallows over the fire. Screw cap soft drinks, beers, and wines pack well, as do box wines, and you won’t need a can opener or corkscrew. Pop-up hamper-style containers work as a trash can or recycling bucket to keep your campsite clean. Throw in a couple of folding chairs, and you’re ready for a great time in your RV!