All About Motorhome And Truck Camper

November 28, 2008 at 11:22 am (motorhome)
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There are two main categories of recreational vehicles (RV’s); motorized and towable. Motorized RV’s include Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes, along with truck campers.

CLASS A MOTORHOME
Class A motorhomes are the king of RV’s and are the most expensive. They can easily cost more than a house and can be very luxurious. I dream about owning one someday, but not right now. I’d have to sell my house to buy one and there’s no way all my stuff would fit in a Class A motorhome! But it doesn’t stop me from touring the inside of them at every camper show I attend.

Favorite Class A motorhome at a show earlier this year had all-leather seating, granite kitchen countertops, cherry cabinets, a lighted cherry hutch in the living area, a king size bed in the bedroom, a built-in tv, hardwood floors and an awesome navigation system that my husband nearly drooled on. It was a beautiful motorhome. It came with a beautiful price tag
too. The “show special” price was nearly $300,000.

Most class A motorhomes today have at least one slideout to give you more interior room while you are camping.

Some disadvantages of Class A motorhomes? To me the biggest disadvantage is the same as the biggest advantage – that it’s a self-contained unit. When you’re at your destination and you need to drive to the store for a few supplies you can’t unhook the camper and drive to the store. You have the take the entire camper with you. It can be a problem maneuvering it in some parking lots and in congested traffic areas. To deal with this problem, many people tow a vehicle behind their class A motorhome.

CLASS B MOTORHOME
Class B motorhomes are typically called camper vans or conversion vans. They are small compact units that usually sleep two or three people, sometimes a few more.

Camper vans came into their own in the 1960’s and 1970’s when people put bedding and other essentials in their vans so they could have a mobile lifestyle (you can still see some of the “retro” VW vans on the road – what my parents called “hippie” vans and what thought were very cool). Companies then started to crop up to offer professional van conversion services.

Today’s camper vans look a lot like a normal van except they usually have a bubble top to accommodate being able to walk around the van more easily. A drop floor may also be installed in order to gain even more vertical area so you’re not bumping your head on the ceiling. The back seating areas are removed and in their place are typically a bed (often a convertible that doubles as a couch), a small kitchen, a small bathroom area and some storage areas.

Because a Class B motorhome for sale is van-sized, it’s easier to maneuver and drive where needed. It also makes them versatile since they can be used as both a camper and an additional family vehicle if you want. They fit in most garages and fit in regular parking spots. Their gas mileage isn’t bad either, somewhere between 13 & 20 miles per gallon depending on the size, weight, engine, and your driving habits.

CLASS C MOTORHOME
As a general rule, Class C motorhome are smaller than Class A motorhomes but larger than Class B motorhomes. Does that seem confusing? It kind of is. But the easiest way to identify a Class C motorhome is that they almost always have the bed over the top of the cab of the vehicle, although there’s not always a bed in some of the new motorhomes. Sometimes it’s used for storage or for an entertainment center.

Class C motorhomes are almost as easy to maneuver through traffic and camping areas as Class B motorhomes. Larger Class C motorhomes can tow a small vehicle if desired.

TRUCK CAMPER
A truck camper is the most economical choice for a motorized camper but it is also the smallest, although you might be surprised at how much function is packed into a small unit that fits on the back of a pickup truck.

Unlike Class A, B, and C motorhomes, you usually cannot get to the living area of the truck camper from the cab of the truck. Access is usually at the back of unit.

One of the attractive features of a truck camper for sale is that it can be removed from the truck when you’re not camping so the truck can be used for regular driving and hauling.

It’s unusual for the camper and the truck to be sold together. Usually people already have the truck and then find a camper to fit it.

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Folding Camper Are Here

November 17, 2008 at 6:15 am (RVs)
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A lightweight unit with sides that collapse for towing and storage, the folding camper trailer combines the experience of open-air tent camping with sleeping comforts, basic conveniences and weather protection found in other RVs. A folding camper is around 15 to 23 feet (when opened) and is available for an average price of $5,300. Folding Campers can range from $3,300 to $10,500.

The Pop-Up trailer, also known as a Tent or Folding Camper Trailer, is a great lightweight unit offering the experiences of tent camping with some at-home comforts. These units are smaller and less expensive than travel trailer while offering many of the same conveniences.

Folding Campers are virtually tents on wheels, with collapsible sidewalls made of canvas or, in some cases, fiberglass. These units normally do not offer the range of conveniences found in other types of RVs for sale. They generally have a 2 or 3 burner stove, sink with cold water only and an icebox. Storage space is also at a premium. However, some high-end models of folding campers now offer more at-home conveniences, such as a refrigerator, heat and air conditioning, hot water, holding tanks (although smaller) and even shower/toilet facilities.

The sleeping areas in the folding camper are on either end of the camper and are much like a tent except that you’re sleeping on a mattress and not the ground or a cot or an inflatable mattress. In a folding camper and you have the benefit of heating or air conditioning if you have those features in your pop-up. The mattresses in pop-up campers are often thin and not nearly as comfortable as a regular mattress. Many folding camper trailers also offer a slide-out for the dinette, increasing the already spacious living area.

Despite the lack of some features, Folding Campers have many benefits. They are usually inexpensive, for those on tighter budgets. Many units can be towed with a passenger car, eliminating the need for a truck or SUV. The low profile and lighter weight also saves on gas when towing. The size of folding campers makes storing the units easy when not in use and these units can easily sleep up to ten people.

The Folding Camper Trailer is a great “starter” RV, especially for growing or young families. It is also perfect for any camper who prefers getting into more primitive settings. It folds down into a compact, lightweight towing RV. You get the outdoor, fresh-air experience; but sleep off the ground with RV comfort.

A folding camper trailer offers increased storage, more headroom with great features and amenities. If you are looking forward to camp out, just send in your specifiations and you will soon get a quote for a folding camper trailer. We offer a variety of folding campers with different floor plans to satisfy your specific requirements.

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Airstream Ratings & Reviews

November 7, 2008 at 7:26 am (RVs)
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Our best selling RV Comparison Guide rates over 60 RV manufacturers in North America including Airstream Inc. Our consumer guides will help you learn who’s who in the industry and how Airstream stacks up to other manufacturers.

Understanding how RV manufacturers compare to each other is the first step in deciding which models to consider.

If you learned that a particular RV manufacturer has poor customer service or builds below average products would you purchase a RV unit from that company?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a simple to understand RV Comparison that rates over 99% of the RV industry including Airstream Travel Trailers with unbiased ratings and reviews? Anybody serious about purchasing an RV.

There are rating guides for automobiles, appliances and electronics but not for the RV industry, until now.  With thousands of copies sold our RV Comparison Guide is considered the reference guide for RV buyers.

Our guides are not model specific where we purchased individual RV models and take them through a grueling testing period and then make our recommendations.

Instead we wanted to rate individual RV manufacturers and put forth a rating based on overall performance in the areas of:

o Customer Satisfaction
o Quality of Product
o Dealer Ratings (RV Dealers fill out a survey form)
o Resale Price

Airstream RV 0Our RV Comparison Guide does feature some of the best selling models produced by Airstream RV based on our interviews with the company, which are; Airstream Safari and Airstream European Safari Sport.

Please keep in mind that the main focus behind our guides is to concentrate on RV manufacturers and provide a fair and balance review of each based on OVERALL; customer service, quality of product, dealer ratings and resale value.

Don’t buy an Airstream travel trailer without reading our selling RV Rating Guide first. Our rating guides cover the four main classifications which are: motorhomes, (class A and C), travel trailers, fifth wheel and toy haulers. We do not rate Class B motorhomes or pop-up trailers.

Our book has helped 1000’s of RV buyers!
Anyone who seriously plans to purchase an Airstream RV is at a disadvantage without this amazing resource guide. Don’t be at the mercy of an RV dealer during the negotiation process.

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Finding the Right RV

November 6, 2008 at 7:29 am (RVs)
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How do you go about buying the right RV? Most people understand how to buy a car or truck, but they’re not sure which RV best suits their needs.RV Insurance Coverage: Have you looked at your recreational vehicle insurance policy lately? If you own a motorhome or travel trailer, you should occasionally review your RV insurance policy. Why? Because you could be over-paying for your motorhome insurance coverage, and not getting the specialized coverage offered by companies that specialize in motor home or travel trailer insurance . RV America knows how to insure RVs.

“How To Buy An RV Without Getting Ripped- off!” cuts to the core of the matter.”The correct order for choosing an RV is as follows: 1) type, 2) size, 3) quality, 4) floor plan, and 5) price.” The rest of this article will discuss RV types.

The TYPE and USE of the RV make a good marriage. When you consider how you will USE the RV and consider planning ahead five years, the specific TYPE of RV you’ll need becomes clear. Renting an RV before buying is an excellent idea.

What is an RV? According to the RVIA definition, “A recreation vehicle, or RV, is a motorized or towable vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation and camping. RVs do not include mobile homes, off-road vehicles or snowmobiles. RVIA classifies all RVs into two groups: towables and motorized. (Travel Trailer or motorhome)

Towables, according to RVIA, are “…designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle (auto, van, or pickup truck) and of such size and weight as not to require a special highway movement permit. It is designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use and does not require permanent onsite hook-up .” The towables include conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailer, folding camping trailer and the truck camper.

Motorized RVs are “A recreational camping and travel vehicle built on or as an integral part of a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis . It may provide kitchen, sleeping, and bathroom facilities and be equipped with the ability to store and carry fresh water and sewage . Motorized RVs include motorhome (Class A), Van Camper (Class B), Motorhome (Class C) and conversion vehicles.

The size, shape and configuration of these RVs will be referred to frequently. For now, a brief description is all that is required. The Conventional Travel Trailer will cost about $18,000. The length ranges from 12 to 35 feet. It is towed by means of a bumper or frame hitch attached to the towing vehicle.

The Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailer has a wide cost range, from $25,000 to over $150,000. RVIA defines it as “….can be equipped the same as the conventional travel trailer but is constructed with a raised forward section that allows a bi-level floor plan. This style is designated to be towed by a vehicle equipped with a device known as a fifth wheel hitch.”

The least expensive RV is the Folding Camping Trailer, or Tent Trailer. With a price range from less than $5,000 to about $18,000 , it is designed for temporary living quarters. The quarters are mounted on wheels and connected with collapsible sidewalls that fold for towing by a motorized vehicle.

The Truck Camper has an average price of about $10,500. RVIA defines as “A recreational camping unit designed to be loaded onto or affixed to the bed or chassis of a truck, constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use.”

“Full-time RVing” describe Class A motorhomes as “…resemble buses in shape although many models are sleeker and more streamlined.” The living unit has been entirely constructed on a bare, specially designed motor vehicle chassis. The price range for Class A is extensive, from $60,000 to over $500,000.

They describe the Class C motorhome as being “…built on a van cutaway chassis and have a van cab with the engine located under an extended hood. The distinguishing feature of all Class Cs is the cabover bed.” The price range is fairly narrow, from $35,000 to $75,000.

A very popular RV that is creating it’s own niche is the Van Camper (Class B) Most are a “panel type truck to which the RV manufacturer adds any of the two following conveniences: sleeping, kitchen and toilet facilities. Also 110-volt hook-up, fresh water storage, city water hook-up and a top extension to provide more head room.” These RVs start at $42,000 and can cost as much as $68,000.

The Conversion Vehicles are vans, trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured by an automaker then modified for transportation and recreation use by a company specializing in customized vehicles. These changes may include windows, carpeting, paneling, seats, sofas, and accessories. Ambulances and airport.

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Used and New RV’s Information

November 5, 2008 at 5:28 am (RVs)
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If you can afford it, it is safer to buy a new RV. That said, RVs tend to depreciate like cars do. Last years models are cheaper by lots and if you buy a new one you will lose the depreciation as soon as you pull off the lot, or in the case of a trailer, as soon as you pull it off the lot.

The problem is that motorcoaches cost so much that most people can’t afford to buy new. We are talking about money here, starting over $100,000.00 for a fresh new motorhome smelling RV. That still seems like a lot of money to take a 30% hit on in five minutes. On the other hand, if you are looking to buy a used motorhome for sale in very good condition, you are still looking at a very big dollar amount, for a used RV for sale. If you want to look at older motorhomes, you will have to concern yourself with the condition of the two parts of the motorhome; the motor part, and the home part.

If the RV of your dreams is not going to become the RV of your nightmares, and you really want one, the most important thing for you to do is research. Learn everything you can about your target RV before you look at the first ad on-line. Learn what the costs associated with the maintenance of that class of RV are. Learn about the tax benefits or problems associated with owning an RV in your State. Some States consider motorhomes as second homes and not as motor vehicles, and they are taxed more leniently.

After you have completed that research find a good and trustworthy mechanic who knows about motorhomes. Learn all that you can about diagnosing conditions that you might need to discover before you buy your used RV. Learn how to tell the difference between something that will cost $5.00 to fix and something that will cost more than a new RV to fix.

Yes, there are bargains out there. There are people who have just decided to get rid of their year old Fleetwood RV and because you look as if you need a break they are willing to sell it to you for only $5,000.00, but I will bet you that you don’t stumble on one of them tomorrow morning. The best bargains come to the people who know what they are looking for and who can tell the difference between a diamond and a broken bottle.

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