Saturday, February 28, 2009
Would you stay in an RV park if you didn't have an RV?
Full Story...
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RV Living in the 21st Century: The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers
For anyone considering or experiencing the RV lifestyle, this book is a wide-ranging tour of things you need to know. Peggi McDonald, a Canadian with extensive (20 years on the road) RV knowledge; been there, done that. She shares the kind of information and advice that enable people to build their competence and confidence as part-time or full-time RVers. Fran and I are proud to have Peggi as our friend.
RV dealers feel left out of government's stimulus plan
A key provision of the bill grants a federal tax deduction applicable on the first $49,500 paid for a new car, truck or motor home.
But language was stripped from the bill that would have extended that tax break to non-motorized trailers, fifth wheels and other towed camper units. Those units make up 85 percent of the industry's annual sales, which plummeted 32.9 percent nationally last year to their lowest level since 1993.
"We are being left out," said Preston Filger, the owner of Liberty RV. "It would help. It absolutely would benefit our sales."
At the same time, Filger acknowledged sales of costlier motor homes sorely need the break. "The motor home market has taken more of a beating than travel trailers," he said.
Full Story...
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The RV Handbook: Essential How-to Guide for the RV Owner
This new edition of The RV Handbook is for all types of RV enthusiasts - from a first-time buyer or renter to the most seasoned RV traveler. Packed with valuable information, checklists, photos, and charts, the guide tells you how to: buy an RV; avoid the single most common mistake novice RVers make; select a towing vehicle; avoid RV repair scams; benefit from technical trends in RV manufacturing; correct the bad towing habit that plagues even experienced RVers; and prevent explosive propane situations. With hundreds of proven RV tips, tricks, and techniques, this expanded handbook tells how to buy, maintain, and optimize RVs, saving both money and time.
Interest High At RV Shows Despite Economy
More than 44,000 people attended the Florida RV Super Show; 35,000 came out for the Utah RV Show; and 30,000 showed up for the Maryland RV Show. The large crowds at these shows and others have pleasantly surprised organizers and dealers, who say that people are not just looking at RVs, but buying them, too.
"Our sales were up 20 percent over last year's Maryland RV show," says Charlie Wolf, sales manager for Beckley's Camping Center. "People are still buying RVs. They still want to go camping, get away and have fun."
Tim DeWitt, executive director of the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds, said attendance at the recent Flint Camper & RV Show was up 25 percent over last year. He attributes the increase to consumers recognizing that there's never been a better time to buy an RV. "This is a buyer's market," he says. "You can negotiate with dealers, who are discounting heavily."
Full Story...
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Friday, February 27, 2009
California Gas Use Down 2.8%, Diesel Use Drops 11.4%
The average California gas price at the pump in November 2008 was $2.51 per gallon, a 26.0 percent decrease from the average price in November 2007 when it was $3.39. Gasoline sold at the lower price in November 2008 generated approximately $239 million in sales tax during that month, an estimated $93 million less than was generated in November 2007.
Diesel fuel sold for use on California roads totaled 204 million gallons in November 2008, an 11.4 percent decline, which is 26 million gallons below that of November 2007. The decreased consumption reflects the impacts of the recession that is associated with less freight movement on California roads and highways. California diesel prices were $2.83 in November 2008, down 21.6 percent compared to November 2007 when the average diesel price was $3.61.
The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors. Figures for December 2008 are scheduled to be available at the end of March 2009. All monthly, quarterly, and annual figures can be viewed on the BOE website
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Bandelier National Monument Reopens Campground
LOS ALAMOS, N.M.- With spring break approaching, officials at Bandelier National Monument are reopening the Juniper campground.
The picnic area, the Tsankawi unit near White Rock, and trails in Frijoles Canyon are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Cost for camping is $12/night with a fifty percent discount for holders of federal senior or federal access passes. Fees are paid at a self-registration kiosk located near the entrance to the campground.Facilities
- A restroom with running water is centrally located in each campground loop.
- Each site has a picnic table and a grill.
- There are no electrical hook-ups or showers available.
- Most sites are appropriate for tent, RV, or trailer camping. Several sites can accommodate vehicles as long as 40 feet.
- A dump station is located on the road to the campground and there is a pay telephone at the restroom in Loop A.
- During summer, a campground host is posted at a site between Loops A and B. They have firewood available for sell.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
Click Here for More Info!
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
RV Snowbirds Drawn to Mesa, Arizona by Recreation
Mesa, Arizona - Jim Freer has hands as creased and cracked as the wood he works inside a Mesa shop, teaching other retirees to mold the earthen material into woodcrafts. The 76-year-old retired pilot and postal worker says those hands are more dexterous today from the practice of teaching old hands new tricks.
Those same hands took Freer through the grueling elimination process recently in east Mesa during the 9th Annual Bud Walrath National Singles Shuffleboard Tournament last week at Mesa Spirit RV Resort.
Recreational activities in the East Valley have long been a beacon to retired, part-time residents who flock to the region for ballroom dancing, line dancing, horseback riding, shuffleboard, arts and crafts, swap meets and farmers markets. Many attribute the recreational activities with boosting the health and lifestyles of snowbirds.
Full Story...
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RVing 101 Training Course on DVDs
Get a box set of instructional DVD titles for hours of one on one instruction. Not only do you eliminate the guesswork as to which DVDs are suited to your RV, you SAVE significant money with the box set discount. There are DVD sets for Class A, Class C Motorhomes, Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels.
New RVs are blend future and past
The Shasta trailer is built by Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Co. Constructed with today's technology, the Shasta captures the look of the original with a lightning bolt stripe on the side and wings on the rear of the trailer.
The trailer's light weight (2,400 pounds) for the 12-foot model and 3,100 for the 16-foot is an attractive feature for tow vehicles old and new.
Other retro-look trailers at the show were the R-Pod and the T@b. The T@b lineup started with a teardrop trailer, but has grown to include the T@b Daddy -- also called the T@da -- which is longer with rounded ends and a flat roof. The T@da has a regular price of $24,900.
Full Story...
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Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Have you always dreamed of taking an extended long trip but didn’t know how to make it happen? Have you thought “if only I knew where to start” the planning process? “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying home” (Second Edition) will take you from “dreaming” to “living" your perfect road trip dream.
Dometic Offers First RV Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier Combo
Dometic Corporation offers an industry-exclusive dehumidifier/air conditioner combo unit. The powerful unit removes as much as 12 gallons of water every 24 hours, helping to protect an RVer's investment from mold and other humidity-related concerns. Another first, the low-profile dehumidifier/air conditioner is the first in the industry to use 410A refrigerant, making it more environmentally friendly.
Full Story...
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
Click Here for More Info!
Damon Motor Coach Receives DOD's “Above and Beyond” Award
Full Story...
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Yosemite National Park Vacation Photo Contest
Each month, judges in the contest will select first, second and third place winners to receive a gift certificate to be redeemed for lodging at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. And their winning photos will be displayed on the Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging web site. At the discretion of the judges, photos not selected as winners will be displayed in monthly galleries on the site.
Full Story...
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Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd Edition
gives you tips, tools and resources to live where you want, when you want. With key points on topics like writing an RV resume, networking, and how to negotiate for better compensation, it is the ultimate handbook for those who are thinking about working or volunteering as they travel in their RV.Owned RV Storage Condominium Sales Boom
Eucalyptus at Beaumont is the brain child of developer Ted Deits. Rather than offer rental style RV storage, Deits' opted to be the first to build a luxury storage facility that allows the individual ownership of a fully enclosed garage.
"I sometimes call it Man Land," he says. "I am the only one in California offering this type of storage, and the response has been overwhelming. Four of our five models have only one or two units left in our inventory." In a time where real estate sales are down, this product appears to be one area of the economy where things are actually going right.
"We started marketing this project three years ago. I have people who have been in escrow with me for over 2 ½ years, waiting for completion of construction. Our waiting list has swelled to over 2,500 people," he said.
Deits started this idea six years ago, when he purchased an RV and had a hard time finding quality storage. "Even a dirt lot was hard to find" he continued. "There are waiting lists all over Southern California for RV storage, few if any offer any acceptable level of security and the amenities desirable to RV owners." Then the light bulb went off. "Why not build something that actually offers an over the top list of amenities?"
That is exactly what he did. From a 2,700 sq ft clubhouse, to multiple dump stations, to individual burglar alarms in each unit. The list goes on. "We spared no expense in bringing this to market. Even the furniture in the clubhouse is custom made."
Deits' main concern now is not selling the units, but how to build more. "The only units I have left are those I held back from pre construction sales". Our most popular units are virtually sold out. It will take another two years before I can complete another facility like this one." Hind sight is truly 20-20.
About Eucalyptus at Beaumont
107 fully enclosed luxury storage condominiums. Every unit comes with a deed just like any other type of real estate. This project was built for the high end, discriminating RV owner who demands something above and beyond ordinary storage. Grand Opening will be March 14th and 15th, 2009.
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AwesomeTools.com is a great site with some interesting products you probably won't find at Home Depot.
Check out the Grizzly Spit Portable Campfire Rotisserie System. And, if you use 5# propane cylinders check out the Grill Gauge.
Most RV Buyers Will Not Qualify for Stimulus Tax Break
In order to qualify for the sales or excise tax deduction on an RV purchase between now and December 31, 2009, you must individually earn less than $125,000 per year, or jointly earn less than $250,000 per year and the deduction only applies to motorized RV's and not travel trailers or other towable RVs. Plus, you can only deduct the sales tax paid on the first $49,500 of the purchase price which according to Greg Gerber of RV Industry News equates to "…buy a motorhome for $50,000 or $200,000 in a state with an 8 percent sales tax rate and you'll only get to deduct $3,960 off next year's taxes."
Motorized RV's cost anywhere from $35,000 - $100,000 depending on the class: Class A, Class B, or Class C.
- Class A RV - comparable to a bus, and can range in size from 21 to 40 feet and cost $50,000 to $500,000, averaging $117,500.
- Class B RV - commonly known as the Van camper, offers the lowest average cost at $56,520 which puts its price range at $35,000 to $65,000.
- Class C RV - falls in between the Class A and Class B in size at 20 to 28 feet, often has a sleeping bunk over the cab and the price ranges from $45,000 to $75,000; average cost $56,770.
- Travel Trailers - range from 12 to 35 feet in length, are towed by means of a bumper or frame hitch, and range in price from approximately $9,500 to $65,000 with an average price of $14,500.
- Fifth Wheels - are similar to travel trailers but are constructed with a raised forward section that connects to a hitch located in the truck bed. Fifth wheels range from $12,800 to $97,000 with an average cost $23,790.
- Popup Campers - Price range: $3,600 to $11,600 (without tow vehicle); average cost $5,230.
"Most of our buyers are that 15%," says Clint Ethington of Pedata RV Center, who sells both motorized and towable RV's but specializes in Class A gas and diesel RVs. "The stimulus doesn't apply to a large percentage of our customer base. What we are seeing is those customers are taking advantage of the lower than average prices that this economic downturn has caused rather than being stimulated by tax incentives."
For more information on Pedata RV Center or current trends in the RV industry contact Clint Ethington, General Manager, at clint (at) pedatarvcenter (dot) com or by phone at: 1-888-545-8314 or 520-807-0900. Or visit Pedata RV Center online.
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
RV paradise turns out to be something less
It cost Williams a lot of money to find out what kind of deal it really was.
For $20,000, she bought a lot in an upscale RV park under development and planned to spend her weekends there — relaxing, fishing, enjoying the coastal lifestyle. The park, Shellman Hammock, seemed perfect for her needs.
It seemed like paradise on the Julienton River — long views across the salt marsh, pelicans skimming the surface of the river, the smell of fresh local shrimp frying.
That was last year. This year, the park’s not open, she has no access to her property and can’t put up a tent on it, much less park a motor home or camping trailer.
The county is stopping her.
Full Story...
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Planning a trip to Canada? Peggi McDonald's RV Travel to Canada simplifies your planning and adds piece of mind to an RV Adventure in the friendly country to the north. Peggi and Husband John are Canadian and have been full time RVing in Canada and the US for 20 years. Fran and I are happy to call them friends and and proud to recommend Peggi's eBook Click Here!
Carbon monoxide suspected in RVer's death
Authorities are blaming a generator that sat outside the rear of the RV as the likely source of the fumes.
Pinkney’s death was the third carbon monoxide fatality in recent years among trail ride groups whose annual journeys end in Houston on the eve of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 2002, Michael Culpepper, 18, of DeKalb was apparently overcome by exhaust fumes from a gasoline generator powering an electric heater in a horse trailer.
Full Story...
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Vienna Boys Choir to perform at Mesa RV parks
The internationally acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir is coming to Mesa to perform two concerts on March 3 and March 4.
The March 3 performance will be at Valle Del Oro RV Resort, 1452 S. Ellsworth Road in Mesa. Ticket prices range from $28 to $38 and can be purchased by calling 480-984-1146.
The March 4 performance will be at Mesa Regal RV Resort, located at 4700 E. Main St. in Mesa. Tickets for that event can be purchased by calling 888-940-8989.
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RV Living in the 21st Century: The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers
For anyone considering or experiencing the RV lifestyle, this book is a wide-ranging tour of things you need to know. Peggi McDonald, a Canadian with extensive (20 years on the road) RV knowledge; been there, done that. She shares the kind of information and advice that enable people to build their competence and confidence as part-time or full-time RVers. Fran and I are proud to have Peggi as our friend.Will Rogers Downs to add KOA campground
CLAREMORE — Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs has signed an agreement with Kampgrounds of America to designate 250 of the casino's 400 RV sites as KOA campgrounds.
The largest RV park in Oklahoma, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs' park will be the only KOA campground in the country adjacent to a horse racing facility.
With the agreement, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs will add several features to make the sites more family-friendly and familiar to KOA campers such as a playground, picnic tables, curbed parking, Wi-Fi Internet access and charcoal grills at each site.
Within the year, the casino will also add KOA Kamping Kabins, which are one- or two-room log cabins that provide covered sleeping quarters for campers.
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All Power America 1,000 Watt 2.4 HP 2-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator from Amazon.com
Lake Tahoe climbs the RV Examiner's Top Ten List
Every cross-country RVer is subject to the dreaded experience of turning down a dead-end street with a car in tow. For yours truly, this happened at 7,200 feet on a small scenic overlook where every east-bound tourist within 50-square-miles decided at once to leave the freeway and let their children play in the snow at a particularly scenic “rest stop.”
My heart sank when the tiny ice-covered cul-de-sac came in view. What I thought was a drive through rest stop turned out to be a snowy tourist-infested dead-end. Feigning calm dignity, I unhooked the Jeep - the Navigator, mercifully without comment, drove it up to a flat spot where we hooked up after I recovered with the aid of a Japanese tourist who didn’t know any English but grunted, nodded and grinned as I carefully maneuvered the Magic Bus in a 3-point turnaround that would have made my dear deceased father smile.
Full Story...
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Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Have you always dreamed of taking an extended long trip but didn’t know how to make it happen? Have you thought “if only I knew where to start” the planning process? “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying home” (Second Edition) will take you from “dreaming” to “living" your perfect road trip dream.
Are People Ready to Buy RVs?
Organizers say that an estimated 30,000 people came out to the state fairgrounds during the last two weekends with only one thing on the mind--finding the perfect RV.
According to those we talked to, even in a recession this is the most affordable way to travel.
"For us it's cheaper than going to a motel every night, it's a tax deduction, it's considered a mortgage," says shopper Betty Chandler.
Betty and her husband already own a motor home, and are looking to upgrade. They are like many out today--looking for a deal in a tough economy.
"Absolutely, we know that there's some really good deals out there right now, so we went out there and took advantage of that," says Barry Berman of Westminster.
Here at the RV show you can find a deal as inexpensive as $10,000 for what they call a pop up--to over $200,000 for a luxury motor home.
Full Story...
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Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 400-Watt Inverter
FLEETWOOD MOTORHOME RECALL
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| FLEETWOOD RECALL NO. 90209. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . -------------- Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 400-Watt Inverter #851-0400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HONDA ODYSSEY RECALL
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| HONDA RECALL NO. Q99. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . ----- The Triron 1200 Watt Portable Generator is a small, very low cost, alternative to the Hondas and Yamahas and it's EPA Approved  | |||||||||||
Prevost Coach Recall
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
An interesting observation...about simplyfying life.
Very recently I posted three successive blog entries regarding my really simple lifestyle.
Last night I said something to Mary that caused her to burst out laughing. Immediately I said..."Isn't it interesting that we do not laugh near as much now as compared to when we are on the road in the motorhome?" and she replied..."That's true!"
I got to thinking about that and found the answer to that conversation very easy to find.
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Renovated DeSoto SP campground set to open
FORT PAYNE - "Bigger and better" is how Ken Thomas describes DeSoto State Park's campground after the completion of $3 million in improvements over the last year.
And DeSoto provides families with an inexpensive way to relax and enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the state, said Thomas, the park superintendent.
"We're offering the best economical deal we can."
Located on 3,000 acres of woodlands atop Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, the park will open 34 of its 94 campsites on March 13 and the rest in early April. The first group of sites available will include 23 pull-through types for recreational vehicles. A total of 13 pull-through sites have been added since the campground was closed.
Full Story...
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Taking your job... and life... on the road via 'workamping'
If someone asks Mike Gelinas where he lives, he’ll answer, but it’ll take a while.
You see, for Gelinas, 57, that’s an essay question.
He and his wife are practitioners of a lifestyle devotees call workamping.
Two years ago, they sold their house and everything in it to buy a 35-foot recreational vehicle. The Canadian couple has driven all over North America ever since, working temporary jobs at stops along the way.
Today they work at a campground in Clewiston, Fla. Before that, they worked at the Lake Isabella KOA in Weldon.
“The nice thing about this lifestyle is you can come and go as you wish,” he said. “When I was in the shirt and tie, four walls world, if I had a boss I didn’t like I just dealt with it, ’cause that’s the boss.
“Now, if things aren’t going as I’d like, I just put the RV in drive and go.”
Full Story...
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Friday, February 20, 2009
New York State to Close Six Campgrounds for 2009
ALBANY, NY (02/20/2009; 1525)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that in response to the continuing fiscal crisis, six campgrounds with very low occupancy rates in the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park will not open in 2009.
"As Governor Paterson has made clear, New York is facing a large budget deficit and must make many hard choices," Commissioner Grannis said. "Closing these facilities for the 2009 season is one such hard choice, but is one that is necessary in these tough economic times."
The six facilities slated for closure are:
-- Poke-O-Moonshine, Essex County, Town of Keesville (Adirondacks).
-- Sharp Bridge, Essex County, Town of North Hudson (Adirondacks).
-- Point Comfort, Hamilton County, Town of Piseco (Adirondacks).
-- Tioga Point, Hamilton County, Town of Raquette Lake (Adirondacks).
-- Beaverkill, Sullivan County, Town of Roscoe (Catskills).
-- Bear Spring Mountain, Delaware County, Town of Walton (Catskills).
These facilities were selected based upon sparse use over the previous years - often the camps had an occupancy rate 20 percent or less. Poke-O-Moonshine had an occupancy rate of 8 percent or less the last two years.
Individuals who have already made camping reservations for the 2009 season will be contacted by ReserveAmerica, who manages the campground reservation system. They will be provided assistance with making alternative camping reservations. All of the targeted campgrounds have other DEC campgrounds nearby. Alternate campgrounds include: Ausable Point, Lincoln Pond, Little Sand Point, Poplar Point, Golden Beach, Brown Tract Pond and Little Pond. Because of the usual turnover of campground staff there will be no layoffs. Staff who worked at these campgrounds last year will be re-assigned to other campgrounds in the area.
DEC is responsible for managing 52 campgrounds and 7 day-use areas in New York's Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
Click Here for More Info!
RV sales having strong season despite economy
FLINT, Michigan -- Attendance at a recent camper and RV show in Flint was up by nearly 25 percent over last year, giving local dealers hope for a strong sales season despite the tough economy.
About 5,000 people attended the 33rd annual Flint Camper & RV Show at Perani Arena and Event Center earlier this month.
• What: 2009 Mid-Michigan Spring RV and Camper Show.
• Where: Expo Center, 11600 Beyer Road, Birch Run.
• When: 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
• Admission: $6 for adults; free for children.
• Details: (800) 316-9928.
A lot of folks were just looking, but some were buying, too.
"We were absolutely jammed -- it reminded me of the shows we had years ago," said Tim O'Brien, owner with wife DeeDee of RV dealer Circle K in Lapeer.
Who is buying RVs these days? Mostly those with stable jobs, but also retirees and even some former General Motors employees spending their buyout dollars, the dealers said.
Full Story...
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RV Smart Surge Protector - 50 amp
RV Dealers Happy with Stimulus
The stimulus bill allows consumers to deduct the sales tax they pay on RVs, up to $49,500. That translates to about $1,400 - $3,000 in savings depending on the consumer.
Full Story...
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
Fewer RV Snowbirds flock to Mesa AZ Area
There is little set up in the state to track the current comings and goings of snowbirds, or winter visitors. By all available accounts, their numbers so far in east Mesa have dipped, but not as much as expected given a national economy in turmoil and once-soaring fuel prices, according to numerous operators of winter visitor destinations.
At Towerpoint RV Resort in Mesa, general manager Dan Martin said the drop in attendance, while marginal, has been noticeable. He oversees two sites with a combined 2,400 park model homes and RV units, including the Goodlife RV Resort.
"I think things are slower than the last couple years," he said. "I'd say we're typically full or close to full, which is 10 open sites, but now we're sitting at around 75 or 80 open sites."
Full Story...
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RV dealer determined to ride out economy
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
Steve Francis is trying his best to remain optimistic.
That isn’t easy, being the owner of an RV dealership.
Every day, Francis is surrounded by gloomy reminders of how badly the RV industry has been hit by the slumping economy: The lack of available credit, the effects of once-potential customers being out of work, the cuts in RV production.
Even President Barack Obama highlighted the woes of the RV industry when he visited Elkhart, Ind., the “RV Capital of the World” that suddenly is earning fame for another reason: having the nation’s highest unemployment rate, 15 percent.
Yet Francis, owner of the Trailside RV Center in Grain Valley, is trying to look past all of that. Yes, times are bad, he said. But he’s been through bad times before, and the industry has always rebounded.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
RV Industry Optimistic About Stimulus Plan
Like many of the nation's manufacturing sectors, the RV industry has experienced a sharp decline in sales. As a result, plants have closed and workers have been laid off. The industry anticipates that the stimulus package may help to restore consumer confidence by staunching job losses.
"We're hopeful that the stimulus will work as planned," says RVIA President Richard Coon. "It contains favorable elements that we hope will help improve the economic environment for our industry and stimulate RV sales."
One provision in the stimulus bill provides a deduction for sales or excise taxes on the first $49,500 of new motorhome purchases.
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Equity Lifestyle Properties Doing Fine
Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc. is parked between two troubled industries—struggling manufactured-home makers and the slowest real estate market in decades.
And yet, the Chicago real estate investment trust, the biggest operator of manufactured home communities and RV resorts in North America, is keeping its units filled, residents happy and analysts optimistic.
Last year, the economic crisis led to rising operating costs and falling values for Equity Lifestyle’s 25,000 acres of property. The company—a spinoff of real estate magnate Sam Zell’s Equity Group Investments LLC (Zell still serves as board chairman)—adapted quickly.
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RV CAMPGROUND BASICS. There are an excess of 14,000 campgrounds available to go camping and Author Mark Polk explains the differences of public, private, membership parks, National parks etc. He also addresses How to find a park; All about campground directories and where to buy them; What to expect in each category, Campground etiquette; Reservation policies and much more. For more info and other great eBooks go to Mark's Website
Damon Motor Coach Brands Gain Market Share
For December 2008, Damon’s gas models included the Daybreak brand, up 7.7% and the Challenger brand, up 15.4%. Diesel models including the Astoria brand was up 8.4% while its Tuscany brand ended the year up 13.6%. All other Damon brands were up as well.
“Our goal with each product is to make sure we offer the right floorplan, the right eye-appeal, and the best fit at each price point,” said Dave Miller, vice president of sales. Damon introduced many industry firsts over the last few years including a Bunkhouse Class A, front kitchen diesel, 6-slide diesel, Outlaw rear-loading Class A Toyhauler, and the all-new Avanti Class A diesel. The Avanti is up to 70% more fuel efficientthan otherClass A diesels thanks to a new WorkhorseTM chassis and european-inspired aerodynamic design.
Damon Motor Coach designs and manufactures a full line of affordably-priced, yet quality built Class A motorhomes. Brands include the Astoria, Tuscany and Essence diesel pushers; the Avanti front diesel puller; and the gas-powered DayBreak, Challenger and Outlaw models. Damon is a sub- sidiary of Thor Industries, Inc.,Jackson Center, OH (NYSE: THO), the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles.
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City considers emergency exception to RV parking code
Federal Way, Washington, will re-evaluate a code that makes it illegal to use a recreational vehicle as a temporary dwelling on residential property.
A suggested amendment would make it possible for residents to reside in their RVs on a temporary basis during times of emergency. As it currently stands, city code 22-1177 prohibits the parking or storage of recreational vehicles measuring more than 9 feet in height and 22 feet in length on residential lots. There are no exceptions for emergency situations.
This past October, a Federal Way couple addressed the code at a city council meeting. The woman and her husband were living in an RV on their property while their home was repaired of damages caused by a substantial fire. The couple received a ticket for their "junk vehicle" and were upset with the city's inability to recognize that exceptions should be made for those facing unusual circumstances.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Winnebago Top Motor Home Manufacturer for Eighth Year
FOREST CITY, IA--(Marketwire - February 16, 2009) - Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) has been recognized for the eighth consecutive year as the nation's top-selling motor home manufacturer according to Statistical Surveys, Inc., a retail reporting service in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Winnebago Industries' dealers retailed more Class A and Class C motor homes combined than any other manufacturer's dealer group in calendar 2008, achieving 18.5 percent market share.
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RVing 101 Training Course on DVDs
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Full Time RVer Honored for Her Career
Shirley Ramsay glides back through her 19 years with the Yuba College Athletic Department on an emotional roller coaster — beaming in the highs, tearing up with the lows.
The mere thought of giving her speech when she is inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, however, spins that ride out of control.
It seems as if it has been one anxiety attack after another ever since, and particularly since the couple cut their recent trip to Yuma, Ariz., short to head back here.
"When I retired, I had been at Yuba College for more than half my life," Ramsay said.
Today, Ramsay, 69, delights in her life as a full-time RVer.
She and her husband, who first met 50 years ago in Bangor, Maine, only to reconnect decades later, will celebrate their sixth anniversary next month. They travel across the United States with an agenda of warm weather and a carefree lifestyle.
"We're homeless people. We live on the road," she said.
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Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Have you always dreamed of taking an extended long trip but didn’t know how to make it happen? Have you thought “if only I knew where to start” the planning process? “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying home” (Second Edition) will take you from “dreaming” to “living" your perfect road trip dream.
Indian Springs Resort & RV Park to Open
AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Indian Springs Resort and RV Park in southeastern Idaho will open May 15, the new owner says.
Tom Henesh said he's completing a list of repairs on the property that has been vacant for more than three years but once drew visitors with its thermal water that stays at a constant 92 degrees.
In the 1970s, Henesh worked at the hot springs as a lifeguard and aims to restore it "like it was when I left in 1979."
County Commissioner Vicki Meadows remembered the facility's glory days.
"This is the best draw Power County has," she told the Idaho State Journal. "We've got the lake and the marina, and this just fits right in. I also grew up here and learned to swim in this pool."
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Sunday, February 15, 2009
Marriage Meter Tests Couple's RV life
The reason I am writing about Jim and Brenda again is that they will actually be here by the end of the month and you need to be forewarned. They are heading east to Arizona now and were told that Quartzsite, Ariz. was a neat place to see.
Got there and found the wind blowing about 73 miles an hour so figured they would find an RV park to wait it out. The only place they found was a “dump” but it was getting late so decided to stay anyway. They found a campsite and Jim ran over two bent over steel rods, got the trailer leveled, water spraying all over from the faucet connection and Brenda had the slide out and everything all set up inside. Jim couldn’t find the cab le TV wire to hook to and the internet didn’t work!
That’s when he announced to Brenda that they were pulling out.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
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Sedona Arizona, a RV-friendly destination
After breakfast, Leigh and I unhooked the Bus and cleared the deck for travel. The Flagstaff KOA Campground was great and the Grand Canyon was truly awesome, but we were tiring of the snow, ice and sludge in Flagstaff and longed for a warmer climate.
The dogs still get upset when they sense we are about to hit the road. Buster the Boston terrier snapped first, and Bitsey joined in. They whined and yapped until the Navigator had to leave the cockpit to console them.
Sedona’s mesmerizing red-rock country is unique to the world. The Sedona community offers so much to so many that it is difficult to imagine anyone unhappy with their journey there. History; archeology; arts; culture; outdoor sports; spiritual and metaphysical meditations - Sedona offers it all in a picturesque backdrop of serenity contrasted by some of the most rugged terrain to be found in this grand land or abroad.
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Bill would end bans on living in motor homes
TheNewsTribune.com - Tacoma,WA,USA
With foreclosures soaring, however, some state lawmakers fear more plain folks forced from their homes will have no choice but set up house in their motor homes.
Problem: Many cities and counties, including Pierce County, prohibit us from living permanently in RVs even in mobile home parks.
Enter House Bill 1227.
“In this current housing environment and the economic reality we are in, there will be an increased incidence of people living in their recreational vehicles,” said bill sponsor Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, “and I don’t want cities or counties to preclude mobile home parks from allowing (RV dwellers) to situate on a quasi-permanent basis in a mobile home park.”
The bill, if passed, also would prohibit municipalities from banning permanent living in fifth-wheel trailers in mobile home parks.
“If someone’s living in an RV in a dead end cul-de-sac or in a park, that’s a different story,” Springer said. “We’re only talking here about legally constituted mobile home parks.”
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Saturday, February 14, 2009
Fleetwood to Celebrate 60th Anniversary at National Rally
The exclusive motor home event will be held at the CAM-PLEX in Gillette, Wyoming. Featuring over 1,700 campsites with full RV hook ups and a 177,000-sq.-ft. convention center, CAMP-LEX is located near several U.S. tourist attractions such as Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower and a variety of state parks.
Recently added to the event agenda are a motor home driving seminar and behind-the-wheel training sessions taught by Gary Lewis, owner of RV Basic Training, LLC. The seminar "10 Things You Need to Know to Drive Like a Pro" will be offered to all rally attendees at no charge. The "Behind the Wheel" driving school, which teaches motor home owners how to safely drive their coaches, is available to all rally attendees for $65. Special "ladies only" classes are also available.
Other event highlights include:
- The latest motor home innovations and floor plans on display
- Feedback sessions with Fleetwood's product development and design teams
- Factory warranty service and technical support
- Golf tournament
- Informative seminars
- Kids' activities
- Vendor and supplier displays
FMA is a member-operated organization run by some of the industry's most loyal RV owners. Founding members include Ron and Carolyn Haworth, Bob and Margaret Harker, Sam and Ginny Whitaker and Ray and Phyllis Easter. For information about FMA membership, please contact Ron Haworth via phone at (425) 922-5249.
For more information about all of Fleetwood's motor homes, travel trailers and fifth wheels, call 1-800-444-4905 or visit www.fleetwoodrv.com.
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DVD: Drive Your Motorhome Like a Pro
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Recreational vehicles part of stimulus package
Tax deductions for recreational vehicles were added to the compromise $787 billion stimulus package that lawmakers were hoping to complete as early as Friday. An earlier version of the language, included in the Senate-passed stimulus, only applied to passenger automobiles and light trucks.
Two Indiana Democrats - Sen. Evan Bayh and Rep. Joe Donnelly - won the same benefits for recreational vehicles, many of which are made in Indiana. Top manufacturers in Indiana include Coachmen Industries Inc., Damon Corp., Gulf Stream Coach and Dynamax Corp., and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association lobbied for the provision.
Much of the state's motor home industry is focused around Elkhart, Ind., which calls itself the "RV Capital of the World." President Barack Obama visited Elkhart Monday as he pressured Congress to quickly approve the stimulus legislation. Unemployment in that part of the state exceeds 15 percent, according to state officials.
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RVers are Happy Campers in Florida
It's not just that snowbirds and vacationers are loath to give up warm weather and their RV lifestyle.
South Florida also has relatively few sites to park recreational vehicles, so demand for space is strong, even in recession.
Plus, RV trips remain relatively affordable for owners, especially with gas prices down to about $2 a gallon, enthusiasts say.
"It's still one of the least expensive forms of travel," said Bob Cornwell, executive director of the Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, which estimates RVers spend $5 billion in Florida a year.
At the Paradise Island RV Resort in Oakland Park, winter business is so strong that there's often a wait for its 233 parking sites. Guests say they like the moderate rates; a location near beaches, shopping and city activities; plus amenities including a heated swimming pool.
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Canadians Celebrate Family Day with Family RV trip
There is nothing more valuable to families than spending time together, and an RV holiday provides the ideal setting. Studies have shown that families who RV together spend more time together.
"Family Day is a great time to sit down together and plan upcoming family holidays," said Go RVing spokesperson Alana Fontaine. "An RV holiday is the perfect way to reconnect with each other without breaking the bank."
There is an RV to fit every lifestyle and budget, and historically low prices further add to the affordability of the RV lifestyle, making an RV purchase a realistic opportunity for even more Canadian families.
Even in times of economic uncertainty, RVs offer economy not found in any other vacation options. Depending on the RV model, an RV holiday can save a family of four anywhere between 50% and 70% over the cost of other forms of vacation travel. Including all RV ownership costs such as leasing payments, insurance, maintenance, tires and registration, an RV trip still works out to be more economical when compared to a traditional week's vacation for a family of four, when you consider the costs of flights, car rental, hotels and eating out at restaurants.
"Families want to stretch their dollars in tough times, and RV vacations are a great way to do that," said Fontaine. "The fact that prices are lower than they have been in eight years means that RVing will appeal to an even broader cross section of Canadians, regardless of their age or income."
RV season is in full swing with local RV shows and exhibitions taking place across the country. For a full listing on RV Shows and RVing across
Canada, please visit www.GoRVing.ca.
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Country Coach to survive a while longer
A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Thursday denied Wells Fargo’s request to be allowed to immediately seize assets of Country Coach, saying it is too early in the bankruptcy process to allow the financially troubled recreational vehicle maker to be liquidated.
The ruling allows Country Coach to survive at least for a while longer and to try to consummate a deal with a Los Angeles private equity firm that says it has serious interest in buying the privately held Junction City company.
Wells Fargo sued Country Coach last month in U.S. District Court in an effort to recover about $8.5 million the RV maker owed it. But before that case could be resolved, Country Coach’s majority owner — acting as a creditor to the company — filed to put the company into involuntary bankruptcy.
That action automatically put Wells Fargo’s suit on hold. So the bank’s lawyers went to bankruptcy court to argue that Wells Fargo was entitled to seize all of the personal property assets of Country Coach — effectively everything that isn’t real estate — because the company had granted the bank first-priority status when it pledged the collateral.
The Country Coach plant and its 500 employees have been idle since early December, and company officials have said the company will close for good by the end of this month unless it finds outside investment.
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hitting the open road after retiring
Tony Ryszewski can be found most afternoons relaxing at the Paola Senior Center.
With a cup of coffee in hand, the quiet senior typically sits at one of the back tables, enjoying some quiet time or playing a game of pinochle. But anyone willing to strike up a conversation with the East Coast native soon will discover that quiet relaxation hasn’t been the norm throughout his life’s adventures.
Ryszewski was born in Brooklyn, and he still speaks with a thick New York accent. As a young man, he took a job doing assembly work for General Motors in New Jersey.
“I was hired in 1937 for 65 cents an hour,” Ryszewski said.
The job lasted more than 30 years before Ryszewski retired in the early 1970s at age 55. His life’s adventures, though, were just beginning.
Ryszewski and his wife, Netti, decided they wanted to travel throughout North America, and they didn’t waste any time.
“We sold our house, summer home, boats, everything, and got a motor home,” Ryszewski said. “The only thing I said is I didn’t want to go to Europe. My mother and father were from Poland, and I had no desire to go to Europe.”
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RV Packing Tips and RV Life Lessons Plus Easy Living Hints
The First portion shares mega tips of ‘How-to Pack’ so EVERYTHING STAYS IN PLACE during transit.
This E-Book does NOT suggest what to pack. HOWEVER it DOES deal with HOW TO FIND SPACE for what you have on board. Informative tips, hints and ideas include our personal favorite PLUS much-loved suggestions from those we met along the way.
Based on 20-years of fulltiming, continually moving from place to place, the RV Packing, RV Life Lessons and Easy Living Hints E-Book can help you avoid costly mistakes Click to Get More Info
Detroit Camper & RV Show Opens Today
The teardrop-shaped Mojo from Hi-Lo Trailer Co. is a 1,400 lb. travel trailer that 56 different kinds of cars can tow, so you don't need to upgrade your modest-sized car to haul an RV. The Mojo is 84 inches tall and 16 feet long, so it should fit into nearly any garage, saving consumers the cost of storing their RV and preventing any potential damage from the outside elements. Despite its compact size, the Mojo still contains a kitchen and bed area.
Traditional gas motorhomes get 7 to 10 mpg. Gulfstream has improved gas efficiency by 25 percent, designing the Class A motorhome Montaj to get 13 miles per gallon. In a cost comparison study, the Montaj saved an average of $56.25 per trip in relationship to a standard Class A motorhome. The study was based on a 520 mile trip and the cost of gas being $2.25 per gallon. The Montaj is made of lightweight, recyclable materials and reduced chemical make-up, and uses a Ford V-8 gas engine.
Consumers can expect to find these efficient RV models and much more at the 43rd Annual Detroit & RV Show. This year's show features special discounts including folding campers from $4,000; trailers from $10,000; and motorhomes from $46,000. Plus, manufacturer rebates on select RVs. Booths featuring parts and accessories, campground information, on site RV financing and RV rentals make this the complete RV show experience.
Enter to win the Ultimate MIS Race Experience package from Michigan International Speedway, including tickets, camping and VIP access (valued at nearly $3,000). The show is open weekdays 2-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
The show is sponsored by the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC), a member organization representing all aspects of the camping and RV industries. Consumers can call 517.349.8881 or visit marvac.org for additional information on the RV show.
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Bob Randall's RV Buyer's Survival Guide The #1 Rated Guide For RV Buyers - Over 10,000 Copies Sold Since 2001. Before you take that critical first step in buying any RV, you must read this guide. Written by a "RV Industry Insider", you'll learn the secrets to making the perfect selection while saving more money than you ever dreamed possible. Click Here!
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Les Doll's Used RV Buyer's Guide With this guide you will learn exactly what to look for and especially what to look out for when shopping for a used RV. The very best time to discover the faults of an RV is before you buy it! Click Here!
Beaudry RV battles banks over real estate
In a bid to stay intact, Beaudry RV has filed a suit in bankruptcy court to stop Bank of America, Comerica Bank and Wells Fargo Bank from seizing real estate used to secure a $42 million loan.
Saddled with about $14 million in debt from that loan, Beaudry RV and its related corporations filed for Chapter 11 in November. Despite the action, the three banks filed suit in Pima County Superior Court in December seeking full payment of the loan's balance.
Beaudry RV can't pay the balance and is unable to refinance its debt in tight credit markets, said attorney Michael McGrath, who is representing the longtime Southern Arizona RV dealer. The four properties tied to the loan, which owner Bob Beaudry guaranteed, are also crucial to Beaudry RV's ability to reorganize because of significant equity, McGrath said. Court documents show the properties are worth between $27 million and $32 million.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
Click Here for More Info!
Springfield MA RV Camping Show
There may be snow on the ground, but that isn't expected to deter thousands of campers and outdoor enthusiasts who will make their way to the Springfield RV Camping and Outdoor Show.
The 47th annual show will be held on Presidents Day weekend on the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield.
"Spring fever is in the air and we are looking forward to this weekend's show," said Marc LaBrecque, president, Diamond RV Centre of Hatfield. "There's no doubt about it, people are scaling back and staying closer to home, but they're always going to go camping," he added.
This year's show opens on Friday and features more than 220 exhibitors with more than 30 RV dealers, including Diamond RV Centre, who will offer a wide range of equipment from basic pop-up tent trailers to top-of-the-line motor homes, as well as more than 100 campgrounds and dozens of outdoor equipment and camping specialty suppliers.
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
West Vergina expects high demand for campgrounds
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Division of Natural Resources is gearing up for a busy campground season this summer.
Parks chief Ken Caplinger says reservations for campgrounds won't start until Sunday, but the agency is already hearing that people are planning to go camping for their vacation.
West Virginia has 20 areas that offer campsites that can be reserved between the Thursday prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Caplinger says the DNR's reservation system tries to accommodate people on a first-come, first-served basis.
He says reservations are not needed prior to the Memorial Day holiday nor after Labor Day.
Caplinger says information about camping is available on the state parks' Web site, www.wvstateparks.com.
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Snowbirds Get Snow in New Mexico
Up in the Organ Mountains the cold weather seemed to get even colder, but the Aguirre springs campground host said it was just another day on the job.
“I think I’d rather be inside,” said host Richard Anderson.
Flurries and snow didn't keep Anderson from getting out of his truck and checking the campground.
“We had one camper that stayed overnight but he's gone,” Anderson said.
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DVD: Drive Your Motorhome Like a Pro
Learn how... and why...to drive a motorhome the right, safe way. In this 67-minute DVD, RVer/tour bus driver Lorrin Walsh. and host Mark Polk show you everything you need to know to confidently drive a motorhome. This should be essential viewing for novice motorhome drivers, but even experienced RVers will learn things they don't know.
Get Mark Polk's Class A Motorhome 101 RV DVD All of Mark's DVD's offer practical information and he has one for every RV type. Find all the RV Education 101 DVDs here.
RVers Enjoy Honey Creek State Park & Resort
According to Jeremie Slagle, general manager of the resort, Honey Creek is hosting several special events and overnight packages. Two events in March include a Jazz, Wine and Brew Fest on Saturday, March 14, and a "Spring Break at the Lake" special package from now through the end of March.
The jazz festival will feature wine and beer tasting from 13 Iowa wineries, four brewers, Templeton Rye Distillery and music from the jazz group Ashanti. Chef Patrick Koffman will prepare special food and cheese parings. Cost to attend the festival is $25 per person.
"We are so excited to feature Iowa wineries and entertainment," said Slagle. "We think people will really appreciate a chance to escape the winter blues, enjoy themselves at the fest, and experience the beautiful setting of our lakeshore resort."
Full Story...
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Looking for great RV tips and Information?
Get one or more of the well written and informative ebooks below.
- Insiders Guide to Buying an RV
- RV Care and Maintenance
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- 101 Tips for RVers
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- Complete Guide To: RV Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
- RV Awning Use, Care and Accessories
- Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
- RV Buyers Survival Guide
- RV Campground Basics
- The Three Primary Systems of an RV:
LP Gas, Fresh Water & Electrical
Larrabee State Park CG closed until April
The 85-site campground at Larrabee State Park is closed through April for a project to renovate the wastewater treatment system.
"It's a safety issue. They'll be in there with huge equipment," said ranger Scott W. Chalfant, who manages Larrabee.
The rest of the park remains open.
Click here to find out more!
The $1.3-million project will be done by Boss Construction of Bellingham as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's initiative to clean up Puget Sound and the Hood Canal.
The campground at Larrabee isn't in high use during February, but the demand will pick up in March and April, depending on the weather, Chalfant said.
"We're hoping it doesn't go until the end of April," he said of the closure, which began Monday, Feb. 9.
Until the Larrabee campground re-opens, campers are being encouraged to go to Birch Bay State Park or Bay View State Park down in Skagit County.
For more information, call Chalfant at 676-2093. Or go online to www.parks.wa.gov.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
RV Boondocking In New Mexico
RV Boondocking In Southern Texas
RV Boondocking In Arizona
Click Here for More Info!
Florida RV Park & Campground Owners Are Happy
And, at another local resort, Manatee Winter Quarters Encore, a similar greeting is used, “We’re having a great day at Encore Manatee.”
Personnel at recreational vehicle resorts and campgrounds have reason to be upbeat these days.
While the recession has sunk real estate, it turns out recreational vehicles and RV resorts are a lifestyle many are not willing to give up.
“We’re full and the phone keeps ringing,” said David Gorin, owner of Holiday Cove RV Resort. “I asked my resort manager, Donna, ‘could we use 20 more sites?’ And she said, ‘We could use 40.’”
Full Story, Photos, Audio...
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Monday, February 09, 2009
Haulin' Home: This isn't your average Motorhome
Mountstephen operates Outlaw Welding and Mechanical in the rural town of Taber, Alta. The shop's typical work is on truck bodies and trailers working in the oilpatch, although Mountstephen also has experience building horse and racecar trailers.
He always dreamed however, of building a motorhome on the back of a Class 8 truck.
"I've had something like this drawn up on the computer for about 10 years and even laid in bed at night thinking about it," says Mountstephen. His idea spread by word of mouth and eventually found a guy in Regina who was eager to participate.
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Sunday, February 08, 2009
Economy leads some to camping for summer getaways
Rhonda and Steve Lensing came to Mankato Saturday to window-shop new campers.
Not that they’re in a buying mode — yet.
The Bird Island couple bought their first camper in 2000 — a 24-foot used trailer — and were smitten.
They’re on their fourth one now — a 34-footer bought new.
The type of camper the Lensings own is in the taller-cotton class of RVs, but at Saturday’s show it was the new kid on the entry-level block that caught the eye.
The R-Pod is a retro-look trailer in which form follows function and can be had for $11,500 to $14,000, depending on desired bells and whistles.
Full Story...
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RV Repair and Maintenance Manual: Updated and Expanded
The most popular resource for RVers who prefer to work on their own RVs. Featuring step-by-step procedures for maintaining and repairing RVs, in easy-to-understand layman's terms and simple-to-follow instructions. Includes topics on electrical systems, LP-gas systems, water systems, sanitation systems, AC generators, heating systems, air-conditioning systems, refrigerators, trailer brakes, trailer suspensions, dinghy towing, hitches, drivetrain systems, solar power systems, ovens and ranges, microwaves and ice makers, exterior and interior care, and accessories.Full time RVers to be on PBS TV
That's what Rene Agredano and Jim Nelson did in 2007, after their beloved dog, Jerry, lost a front leg to bone cancer. The threesome, or Jerry's “pack” as the couple calls it, were longtime residents of Humboldt County before they adopted their mobile lifestyle.
The story of Jerry, Rene and Jim is one of the highlights of next Sunday's episode of “Nature” on PBS. Titled “Why We Love Cats and Dogs,” the film explores humankinds' fascination -- infatuation, the program calls it -- with our (mostly) four-legged, (mostly) furry canine and feline friends.
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Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd Edition
gives you tips, tools and resources to live where you want, when you want. With key points on topics like writing an RV resume, networking, and how to negotiate for better compensation, it is the ultimate handbook for those who are thinking about working or volunteering as they travel in their RV.RV Park Workamper Wins Mexican Cruise
As a thanks for all of the hard work and dedication in helping to provide Legacy Rv Resort guests “A Legacy of Memories”, Legacy Rv Resorts placed the approximately 150 names of Workampers who fulfilled their commitment into a drawing for a free 5 day Mexican cruise for two.
Their winner of the drawing is Dolly Davis, who worked the summer season at Lone Star Yogi™ in Waller, Texas. Congratulations Dolly.
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During nine years of shunpiking, (driving the back roads) Marianne Edwards and her husband have found hundreds of free campsites. In response to questions from friends and relatives, who wonder how they can afford to travel as often, as far, and for as long as they do, The Edwards' have written a series of RV travel guidebooks they call The Frugal Shunpiker's Guides
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FMCA RV Rally Attendance Lowest Ever
There were more empty spaces than ever before.
Attendance is down. In fact, it's down by more than 50 percent compared to the first few years it was held in Brooksville more than a decade ago.
"There's definitely a drop off," said Marie Gelfand, one of the many vendors at the Southeast area Family Motor Coach Association rally. "I think it's the economy. The people who do it full-time don't have the investment money to do this as much. They're much more selective about where they go."
"There's a drop off in attendance this year, but I'm not sure if it's the economy or the Florida weather," said Dave Higman, who runs the Little Richard food vendor. "I just don't see as many motor homes."
Full Story...
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Saturday, February 07, 2009
Winter Texans – and the folks who care for them!
The Plylers’ business has evolved into a Del Rio landmark where strangers can get their crippled homes-on-wheels fixed and flagging spirits rejuvenated. With the latter in mind, Barbara Plyler maintains the store as a business that sells hardware, while embracing customers, visitors and old friends alike in an open house atmosphere centered around “The Wisdom Table,” named by Danny Maldonado, Del Tex customer service employee. A bemused and impressed Maldonado told Plyler, “You need to listen to what these people are talking about!”
Workers from the Texas Department of State Health Services periodically schedule the Wisdom Table to register folks for affordable flu shots. After registration, inoculations are administered in a modicum of privacy at the rear of the Del Tex showroom, occasionally to the piano accompaniment of New Yorker Erin Alderman.
She and her husband, Bruce, are annual winter visitors for 13 years from Avoca, N.Y., first getting acquainted with Del Rio, thanks to their son, Paul, assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base. He is now Lt. Col. Paul D. Alderman, T-1 Texan II instructor pilot at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio.
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Shuffleboard diehards enjoy sport at RV Resorts
Sternberg, a slender, retired bricklayer whose enduring energy belies his age of 78, has recruited dozens to the game, a mission he enjoys as president of the resort's shuffleboard club and member of the Arizona Shuffleboard Association's board of directors.
He also directs tournaments, and he just finished managing the statewide single playoffs.
Full Story...
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Recession hasn't cooled fun for Winter Texans
Personnel at the parks worried the summer's high gas prices and the fall's plunging economy would make for a bad year. Instead, they find themselves turning people away.
The “no vacancy” signs aren't just in the Rio Grande Valley, which gets 100,000 or more Winter Texans each year who pump more than $600 million into the local economy. The Concan-based Texas Association of Campground Owners said parks across the state are reporting a robust season despite fluctuating fuel prices, stark market dives and concerns about the economy.
Doug Shearer, association president, said his Parkview Riverside RV Park, along the Frio River in the Hill Country, is packed. So are the two parks in the Woodlands area north of Houston owned by Gwen Craig and Mac McLaughlin's Hatch RV Park in Corpus Christi.
Full Story...
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Duracell DPP-600HD Powerpack 600 Jump Starter & Emergency Power Source with Radio
How to Take a Nearly-Free Rental RV Vacation
February 5, 2009
I love traveling for almost nothing.
There's something about knowing I'm getting 10 times the value it costs me... I truly love that feeling. It's like the first blindfolded wine tasting I conducted in 1978, when we all discovered a $15 wine can taste as good as the stuff French wine snobs were selling for $95. What a joy.
This past fall, I got that same feeling when I rented a luxury RV and drove the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert of northern Arizona. I did it for almost nothing. It normally costs $200 a day to rent a high-quality RV. But I found a secret way to take an RV trip for just $22 a day...
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Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Have you always dreamed of taking an extended long trip but didn’t know how to make it happen? Have you thought “if only I knew where to start” the planning process? “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying home” (Second Edition) will take you from “dreaming” to “living" your perfect road trip dream.
Snowbirds give boost to Florida cape
Despite a bear market and falling consumer confidence, the stream of cars heading south on Interstate 75 is enough to boost the pocketbooks of local business.
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Missouri — the out-of-state license plates almost fill entire parking lots of local restaurants and retail stores. At Annie’s Restaurant, a typical winter mid-morning means pancakes, coffee and a staff that works fast to make sure the food gets out to the patrons who fill the building on 47th Street.
“We’ve seen an increase since last year,” owner Anne Herbert said.
“The recession has not affected the snowbirds,” Herbert said. “I’m happy to see them back.”
Yes, the snowbirds have returned. The city of Cape Coral does not track the number of seasonal residents who come to the city or how they spend their time and money, but members of the chamber have reported increased sales with the arrival of seasonal residents.
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RV parks an economic bright spot
The National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds issued a press release Monday that said after a slow start, RV parks were doing as well this season as they did last year, and that some are doing better. The report was careful to add that this strength was not across the board, that there were exceptions and variations within areas.
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Swift Hitch Portable Wireless Camera System
Now You'll Know right where your trailer hitch is using the Swift Hitch wireless camera system with built in night vision. Helps while backing up and the image can be selected to be normal or reverse with 380TV lines for clear picture quality. It allows you to mount a magnetic camera on your tailgate, and quickly hitch up any trailer. It's fast and easy!
Pinewood Reservoir camp host position open
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has a volunteer campground host position available at Pinewood Reservoir.
Campground hosts can enjoy living in a nature setting, with rainbows, elk viewing and starlit nights.
Their work includes selling park entrance permits, processing campground reservations and answering camper questions.
Hosts must have a recreational vehicle and must be able to donate their time from mid-May through mid-September.
For more information, contact CJ at ccullins@larimer.org or call 679-4552.
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Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd Edition
gives you tips, tools and resources to live where you want, when you want. With key points on topics like writing an RV resume, networking, and how to negotiate for better compensation, it is the ultimate handbook for those who are thinking about working or volunteering as they travel in their RV.Sleepy Bear Campgrounds now part of Indigo Bluffs
Leelanau Enterprise - Leland,MI,USA
A longtime family business in southwest Leelanau County has been sold and will be expanding.
Sleepy Bear Campgrounds on M-72 in Empire Township has been sold and will be part of Indigo Bluffs recreational retreat. The property, previously owned by the Savage family, is undergoing renovations to include a two-story registration building, the addition of 40 lots for site ownership by Class A motorhome owners, and a new sanitary sewer system.
“Indigo Bluffs will truly be a unique experience for all travelers,” said proprietor Gary Becker, adding it will be one of only a few destinations in Michigan and across the country that blends upscale site ownership with traditional TV and trailer camping. “Being so close to (Lake Michigan) and (Sleeping Bear Dunes) appeals to those who are looking for a home away from home, a place they can retreat to life’s simple pleasures while also have the ability to explore.”
To help drive Phase I sales (of sites), Indigo Bluffs made its first public appearance at the largest RV show in the country, the Florida RV Trade Association’s Tampa Supershow, Jan. 13-18.
The property is scheduled to be open to the public in May.
Further information is available by calling 1-800-224-4488.
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Consider buying a used RV
Those in the market for an RV of their own can save thousands of dollars by purchasing a pre-owned model.
"The sky's the limit," says Kyle Redmond, general manager of Bucars RV.
"You can get them cheap as borscht, and then we've got some used ones that are close to half a million dollars - of course, those are more luxurious."
Indeed, there's something for everyone, whether it's a tent trailer, motorcoach or camper van.
But before comparing prices, Redmond says potential buyers should consider their lifestyle.
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Bob and Sheila Everhart-Budget RV travel
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Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd Edition
gives you tips, tools and resources to live where you want, when you want. With key points on topics like writing an RV resume, networking, and how to negotiate for better compensation, it is the ultimate handbook for those who are thinking about working or volunteering as they travel in their RV.Modern nomads
At a time when many Canadians are struggling to pay their mortgages and keep their jobs, Kim and Curtis Robinson have found a way to work less, travel more and live debt-free.
Last August, they sold their 2,500-square-foot home on Vancouver Island and moved their family into a second-hand RV.
The Robinsons say they've cut their monthly budget by about two-thirds and put aside equity from the sale of their house. Mr. Robinson scaled back his work as a post-production technician in the Vancouver film business - a career that had kept him away from home five days a week.
Now en route to California, Arizona and New Mexico, the Robinsons say they'll keep on trucking for years to come.
"We were just kind of sick of the rat race," Ms. Robinson says, "and of Curtis having to work, work, work to make the mortgage payments and not even having time together as a family."
Full Story...
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Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home Have you always dreamed of taking an extended long trip but didn’t know how to make it happen? Have you thought “if only I knew where to start” the planning process? “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying home” (Second Edition) will take you from “dreaming” to “living" your perfect road trip dream.
Canadians Make Do at CA RV Resort
Canadians continue to migrate to Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet, but tempered their spending in face of the economic slump and a weak Canadian dollar.
They shortened their winter stays a bit, according to Tracie Rodgers, the resort's activities director. "They're having potlucks and happy hours at their sites instead of groups going out to restaurants," she said.
Last year, before the economic collapse, Golden Village had one of its busiest winters ever and peaked with 90 percent of its 1,019 spaces occupied in mid-February.
This year, occupancy subsided a little, but 70 percent of the spaces still are filled.
Full Story...
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Xantrex Technologies XPower Plus 400-Watt Inverter from Amazon.com
Chemical Toilet Products Advisory for California
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
Sunday, February 01, 2009
RV Snowbirds Volunteer at Hunting Island State Park
Each year for the last decade, Parker, a volunteer from Arbor Vitae, Wis., has been remodeling common areas at Hunting Island State Park in exchange for several months of free rent. The retired U.S. Navy chief has even offered a hand in rescuing swimmers who got out too far in the Atlantic Ocean, said Jeff Atkins, Hunting Island State Park manager.
Parker's work can be seen at all areas around the park. Last year, he remodeled the lighthouse gift shop; this year, he has been busy refinishing counters in the park's camp store and doing finish work around the buildings.
"Parker has great skills," said Atkins, referring to the carpentry, tile work and remodeling Parker has completed throughout the park.
"Volunteers are a huge part of Hunting Island. There is not a place at Hunting Island that you can't go and see something that volunteers were involved in."
Full Story...
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At RVTipOfTheDay.com we post a daily tip on the RV lifestyle, RV equipment, campgrounds, sights and attractions, safety and just about anything else useful to being an RVer. Want to have the daily tip emailed to you? Look for the subscription form at RVTipOfTheDay.com
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