o Your RV is not an off-road vehicle as they are built and designed to drive properly paved highways and roads. As much as possible, do not go off-road. If you want to get closer to nature, take a bike instead. Sticking to the highways will help in reserving the natural beauty and view of the place.

o Trash is the last thing that you want to leave behind. Imagine yourself arriving at a camping site filled with the previous camper’s trash. You are out on a vacation and not on a cleaning drive. Be sensitive about this and do your part in helping maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the campsite.

o Conserve water in any way that you can. Using your RV saves a lot of water as compared to any other vacationers on hotels and inns. But why stop there? You can still conserve water by washing the dishes once a day. Just remember to put your dirty dishes in covered storage to stop pests and flies from reaching them.

o As much as possible, camp in an area that is not near any body of water. While lakeside, seaside and riverside camping can offer you a fantastic view, you also get a fantastic chance of ruining that body of water where you camped. The farther your camp sites from a body of water, the lesser the chance of you polluting it intentionally or not.

Answering to each and every concern of the customer is one of the many tasks that an RV dealer needs to perform. While it is good that they address your concerns, you must not forget that these people are salesmen. In as much as they try to describe the RV truthfully, their feedback can also be a bit biased. In as much as they suggest what RV suits you best, their suggestion can be simple up sells in a sheep’s clothing.

Doing things on your own can help, most especially when looking for the right RV to buy. Research in your own little way because arming yourself with the right knowledge will make you less prone to being tricked by scheming salesmen into buying the most expensive RV in their store only to go home and find out that the RV that you just bought not suit your lifestyle, budget or needs.

1. Is financing possible for used RV?

Yes, financing is possible even for used RVs most especially expensive ones such as Class “A” RVs and Fifth Wheels. Buying used travel trailers may need no financing as they are relatively cheaper as compared to the former and the latter. The previous owner of the used RV can also help you achieve financing or if not, you can ask any RV dealer to look for an appropriate financing that suits your situation best.

2. Are RV dealers used RV sellers as well?

Fact of the matter is, most if not all RV dealers sell new and old RVs alike. Consignment is the common trick of the trade where the RV dealer looks for possible buyers for the used RV that the owner wants to dispose. The RV dealer acts as the mediator in the transaction where the owner and the buyer have the last say. Check RV dealers in your area to find out more about consignment and the best deals for RVs both used and new.

3. Is background check possible when buying use RVs?

The difference between buying a new RV and a used RV is that if you decide to buy the latter, you need to investigate further, ask a round more and research deer. The last thing that you want is to spend you money into is by purchasing fairly old and beaten RV that has a lot of hidden damages and unknown flaws. If you are doubtful about the previous owners sincerity and honesty in your probing and questioning, you can look for companies that will serve as a third arty investigator about the overall background o the RV IN their report you will see the history of your RV every repairs made, every renovations made can be seen here. This will give you an idea whether the used RV that you want to buy is a catch or not.

RV stands for “recreational vehicle” and it refers to 3 major types of vehicles namely, motor homes, truck campers and travel trailers. The common misconception is that RVs are motor homes and motor homes are RVs. But limiting your definition of an RV as a motor home only is like thinking of biology as the only branch of Science. Knowledge is power and what better way to protect your self against the danger of buying the wrong type of RV than by educating yourself about the different types of RV available.

Motor Homes

- These kinds of RVs are generally built with living quarters and have a few smaller divisions more.

There are class “A” motor homes which spell luxury in every essence of the word. These types of motor homes can accommodate up to 6 people with amenities which are guaranteed to make the occupant feel more comfortable than at home. Rock stars, celebrities and other important people usually have this RV as they can afford the price and the luxury that this types of motor homes offer.

The second types of motor homes are class “B” motor homes which are basically built on chassis and are considered to be the smallest in terms of size among the motor home family. Regardless of its size, it can still provide comfort for 4 people preserving the versatility and flexibility of a regular van.

Another type of motor homes are class “C” types which is more like a cross between type “A” and “B”. They are built on chassis but its size is as large as luxury motor homes. It has a very distinguishable feature which is its extra bed just right above the driving compartment.

Travel Trailers

-These type of RV are more convenient and practical for people who are always out on the road for long periods of time. They are also known as “towables” because of its general appearance and set up which is a vehicle towing an RV behind.

Fifth Wheels are towables with a gooseneck appearance on the front that extends all over up to the pick ups end. These types of RV can only be towed by a truck as their hitches can be found in he bed’s center. It can accommodate up to 6 people and has a more adequate living space but maintenance and tending of these types of RVs can be quite expensive.

Second types of towables are travel trailers. They are a popular choice among RV enthusiasts because of its functionality. Two things can be pointed out as the reasons behind its popularity: one is that it does not require flatbed trucks and another is that any vehicle with sufficient towing power can actually be used in this type of towables.

Toy haulers are the last types of towables often referred to as sports utility trailers. This RV is perfect for sports fanatics or adventure enthusiasts as it has enough space for RVer’s toys. Whether it’s a motorcycle, a snowmobile or an ATV that you want to bring along, your toy hauler can easily accommodate these things.

Truck Campers

These types of RV are not only convenient but practical as well. It can accommodate up to 6 people comfortably. It can also offer the convenience found in high end RVs. The good thing about these types of RV is the fact that it can easily hook right to the truck’s bed so that traveling can start the soonest time possible.

The good news is that we don’t have to wait for the future to come in order to experience the efficacy of LED lights. This is because the application and installation of LED lights in various industries begin to take place here and there. This includes the RV industry as well since a lot of RVers open the doors of their beloved cars to the possibility and benefits that LED lighting can offer to them.

Since LED lights do not cause heat as it transports electricity into the thin filament to produce light, one can be sure that its effects are more beneficial that what a regular incandescent light bulb may offer. People who install LED lightings on their RV can enjoy extended battery life most especially when one is living off the grid. The need to run the generator every so often is lessened as installation of LED fixtures in the RV is synonymous to energy efficiency.  To save money and time for good, one can also put up an array of solar panel to generate solar energy than can provide power for the LED lights in the RV.

]]> http://rvinsurance.org/resources/michigans-parks-get-by-with-user-camper-fees-drastic-cuts-creative-thinking-are-why-state-parks-stay-open/feed/ 0 http://rvinsurance.org/news/dangerous-road-in-the-world/ http://rvinsurance.org/news/dangerous-road-in-the-world/#comments Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:00:44 +0000 Tine http://rvinsurance.org/?p=4173 The arrival of summer is synonymous to the beginning of the deadliest season on the road. It is an undeniable fact that highways and interstates are not only dangerous but deadly as well in anytime of the year but summertime is when a lot of people are out on the road traveling. Whether you choose to travel by a regular car, a big truck or an RV, it is important to be extra cautious when traveling along these highways as they are on the highest level of accident proneness.

1. Circle Interchange Chicago, Illinois

This highway is also known as the Spaghetti Bowl.  When viewed from above, this highway’s curving ramps appears to form a concentric ring. Its design is not built to handle heavy traffic this is why its moving average seed limit is 11mph on rush hours making it very famous for its bottled neck traffic jams. This highway is one of the places that you need to avoid passing by when out on your RV trip. As much as possible, look for alternate routes to reach your destination but if that not possible just be sure to prepare yourself to be stuck in traffic.

2. U.S. Route 550 Bernalillo, New Mexico

Treacherous is the only word that any one who ever passed by the US Route 550 can ever use to describe this highway. It stretches over Montrose, Colorado up to Bernalillo, New Mexico.  It has a “Million Dollar Highway” which is the section from Silverton to Ouray. RVers frequently pass this highway most especially during deer hunting season. What makes it very treacherous is the fact that it has winding roads passing by the three San Juan Mountains. During the winter season, this area is also prone to avalanche.

3. Interstate 10, Louisiana

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged not only houses and building in Louisiana but major road and highways as well. As a matter of fact most of these damaged roads are yet to be fixed. Countless potholes and water damages add more injury to the insult as Louisiana’s land area is mainly composed of soft land.

4. 101 to I-405 Interchange Los Angeles, California

These freeways connect the east side of LA with its downtown area. Expect high volumes of traffic jams as this is the busiest roadway in the country. Travel time in this freeway is way much higher as compared to any other road. Some people even make a joke out of its name. Some say that 405 actually stand for its 4 or 5 miles an hour movement during peak hours.

5.  I-95 at the I-195 Interchange Providence, Rhode Island

This interstate connects Providence with suburban area located in the east. Short ramps and sharp curves make up this highway making it prone to accident as well as bottleneck traffic problems.

6. I-285 at I-85 Interchange Atlanta, Georgia

Locals refer to this highway as “The Perimeter”. During rush hour, traffic in this place is unbearable. During the winters, it is best to avoid passing by on this road as the lethal combination of cold temperature and heavy rain or snowfall can cause as lot of its ramps to transform into ice rinks thus causing more accidents.

7. Interstate 15 Nevada, Las Vegas

This highway starts from Primm up to Mesquite, Arizona.  This is the only primary interstate in the city thus a lot of motorists who are out to visit the Sin City use this road. Generally, the road’s condition is okay but the speed at which most vehicles are going is blamed to be the reason behind a record of 173 deaths in a 5 year period of time.

However, most RV owners just don’t seem to get this simple logic as studies show that there are still a lot of people who add their recently bought RVs in their car insurance policy. A lot of people are just not aware of the huge difference between coverage and services offered by a regular car insurance company and a specialized RV insurance firm.

But what if something goes with your RV and you find yourself stuck in a useless car insurance policy that can not help you in your current situation. Below are a few instances that show your RV life would be way much better if you choose a specialized RV insurance instead of a regular car insurance.

What if your RV breaks down on the road?

Car insurance policies do offer Roadside Assistance but since your policy is not specifically for RVs, there is a possibility that some things may not be covered. You’re your RV needs towing, so your car insurance will pay for the towing cost of a regular car and not an RV. RV towing cost more than car towing and if you have a care insurance policy covering for your RV that needs towing, you may find yourself paying for extra charges. But if you deal with specialty RV insurers like Good Sam’s which covers accommodation, transportation and the like if the RV breaks down more than 50 miles away from the RV owners home.

What if your RV is stolen?

Your regular car insurance auto policy will be more likely pay for the Actual Cash Value of your RV. The price is to be determined by third party sources and it will be more likely tantamount to its current market price. But if you deal with specialized RV insurers, you will be presented with various choices on how you want this claim to be handled. You can choose to have your RV replaced, settle for an agreed value settlement or deductions if you chose to buy the policy.

What if your RV is involved in a car crash?

If you have a regular car insurance policy covering your RV, chances are they will send as rep to look at your RV after the crash. Specialty RV insurers on the other hand will send a trained rep that knows the ins and outs of RV and they can easily detect any damages as well as work on estimates in regard to the repairs coast and the like.

First Aid

Health is wealth and a complete first aid kit is like a bank account where you can withdraw money in case something comes up. A first aid kit in your RV is a must as emergencies related to health may happen and what better way to give immediate care than by having all the medical things that may be needed while waiting for professional medical help to arrive. There are also instances when minor injuries arise and immediate care can be provided with the help of a complete first aid kit thus the need to cut the family vacation short because of a petty reason is taken out of the picture. You can also enroll in first aid programs as what you will learn will be a real lifesaving skill that you can use not only when out on your RV vacation but in everyday life as well. Band aids, alcohol, aspirin, wire gauze, scissors and insect replant must be present in your first aid kit. Sun-block and clothes for different types of weather can also be a great addition for your first aid kit.

Food Safety

Making sure that food handling and storage is safe and clean is another consideration that you need to make when planning an RV vacation. The last thing that you want to deal with when out on the road or in the campgrounds are stomach aches and upsets because there are times when access to bathroom are simply not possible. To ensure food safety, keep in mind to separate raw and cooked food when packing them. For food items that needs to be cooked, make sure that they are thoroughly cooked before serving. Leftovers need to be chilled immediately. Food preparation must be clean and disinfected as well. Just because you are at the jungles doesn’t mean you have to eat like a caveman.

Fire Safety

In times where you decide to have the traditional campfire in your RV vacation, make sure that your selected location for the campfire is safe. This means that they are away from tress or overhanging branches. You can look for a fire pit where campfires are usually allowed. A bucket of water or a shovel with sand can come in handy should the campfire grow bigger. Make sure that you have easy access to such forms of fire extinguisher. After your marshmallows and hotdogs have been heated and cooked, do not ever leave the fire unattended. Make it a point to extinguish the colas that you used before leaving.

Water Safety

You stay at a campground where water related activities are possible; you have to watch out for possible water related accidents as well. It will give you a sense of peace if your child knows how to swim so taking your children to swimming lessons can be a good investment. Regardless of the state that you are in, the law require life jacket for every person if boating, white water rafting and other water related activities are involved.

Weather Alert

Changes in the weather can happen while out camping and this can be a real threat most especially if you are in the woods or mountain. Arm yourself with wilderness survival kits like radios, Swiss army knife and the life. While most campgrounds have an emergency notification system, it is still best to be prepared for torrential rains, floods, typhoons and so on. Maps, GPS system can help a lot in times like these. Researching about the climate in the area that you are headed for can also help. As soon as ou7 arrive at the campgrounds, check Wifi and cell phone signals. You can also inform neighbors and friends where you are going for the weekend, that way if an emergency happens, people know where to find you.

Looking for an RV insurance policy may be confusing but it certainly is worth every penny that you spend and effort that you waste as you can be sure about your RV and your family’s safety should something go wrong. Good Sam’s Emergency Roadside Service Plan is perfect in giving you a sense of security as you travel along the streets of US. You can be sure that if something goes wrong with your RV, someone will be there to assist you. Top off your RV preparation with Good Sam’s as it will not only help you save hundred of dollars but you can be sure of the quality of service that it provides to each of its members.

Read further and find out the four important aspects that you need to check when securing an insurance coverage for your beloved RV. Absence or not taking into consideration of these 4 key points may lead to uncalled for spending, unsettled claims and other insurance related trouble which may arise should anything go wrong with your RV.

1) In case the RV or something inside it gets stolen, your RV insurance policy should cover for it. Just like any other regular car insurance, personal belongings that are in the vehicle if lost or stolen are all covered. Included this feature on your RV insurance policy may cost you a bit more than usual but you can always look for RV insurance that offers a minimum coverage of about $3000 for all of your stuff. Remember that the sense of security that you will get is certainly is worth the price that you will pay for.

2) If you live in your RV, a special coverage that offers special options is what you need to get. Using your RV as your primary residence means you need to get an RV insurance policy that is similar to a home insurance.  Protection against theft, natural disaster, acts of god, fire and the like are all needed in order to live in your RV happily.

3) You need to check with your insurers whether their claims agents are RV specialists or not. In cases where your RV is damaged, the last thing that you want to deal with is an untrained claims agent inspecting your RV. As much as possible, RV specialists are preferred to be claims agents as they are the ones who understand the functions of the RV as well as the things needed in order to fix the damages.

4) Coverage suspension is one of your best options most especially in cases where your vehicle is in storage or under repair. Ask your RV insurance agent whether halting premiums payment is possible in cases where your RV is in storage. Make it a point to ask about this as some if not most RV insurance policies do not usually offer this option.

This is why the need to have a reliable RV insurance is a must. RV owners can not only relax and enjoy the beauty of nature and scenery on their trip but they can also have a quiet and serene peace of mind along the way as worries about repairs or finances as automatically eliminated.

Fifth wheels, travel trailers, motor homes and truck campers have special needs thus a special coverage is needed in order for owner to face uncalled for events that may stop the trip and end the supposedly happy and stress free vacation. Most of the time, amateur RV owners can not tell the difference between regular car insurance from RV insurance. A supposedly minor accident can be a real pain in the neck if you have the wrong type of insurance. You need to take into careful consideration that RVs are not just cars but homes as well. The insurance needed to fully protect your RV needs to be like a hybrid of both car and home insurance. A regular car insurance that covers the vehicle and drivers can not do much in protecting your RV as risk of theft, personal injury and damage can also be one of the possible threats that your RV may encounter.

A good RV insurance mitigates the risk of:

1. If an expensive accessory or appliances such as electronic gadgets, jewelry, expensive clothing or camping equipment or stolen or damaged by an accident—your RV insurance company will automatically reimburse the RV owner in order to replace the items that got damaged or lost.
2. A good RV insurance company understands very well that big or small parts of RV matter. Slide out, stairs, appliances, awnings and the like are covered by the insurance company as well.
3. Say while out on the road, an accident that you have faced caused damage to the RV and the need to send it in a repair shop is undeniable. This is where lodging fees and transportation fare to be covered by your RV insurer comes in. As an RV owner who just had an accident, the last thing that you need is to worry about expenses and the like and if you have a good policy, the need to worry about it is zero to none.
4. If your RV causes an accident and people involved in the crash decide to sue you, your insurance coverage for your RV can also cover for such things.

Absence of an RV-specific coverage may lead to the piling up of bills because of an accident or injury. As a responsible RV owner, it is up to you to consider several factors first in order to end up with the best RV coverage or jump to the first RV insurance offer that you get without ever going through its coverage and so on. Asking for total replacement coverage from your insurers will help guarantee payment in full if the RV is irreparable, instead of getting a reimbursement based on current market value.

Taking some time to closely inspect your RV’s roof sealant is worth it. Keep your eyes open for every protruding fixture on each parts and corners of the roof. Watch out for cracks or spots that are starting to be thin as early remedy with the help proper materials can solve these minor problems in no time.
If the roof sealant of your RV is staring to peel or flake, removal of the existing coating and replacing it with a new coat is your best shot. Heat the old flaky coating with a hot air gun to help it come off easily thus you waste on time manually scraping it. If your RV’s roof is rubberized, you can use plastic scraper as it won’t damage the surface of the roof. Be sure to apply enough pressure to remove the old coating but not too much pressure that you end up damaging and cutting the rubber’s membrane.
Parts make up the whole and your RV is not just complete without a roof. If your roof is not in good shape, you will miss travel opportunities, worry about petty things and spend more in the repairs. Joining RV clubs will give you a chance not just to meet RV enthusiasts but you get to learn tips that can provide solution to each and every RV query that you may have.  Good Sam’s Club is a good club to get membership with. You get to have discounts on RV campgrounds, updates on RV events and so on. Its Extended Service Plan is ideal in keeping RV owner’s peace of mind as parts and components of the RV are secured long after the warranty is over.