Monthly Archives: October 2009

Author : Michael Page

Have you ever considered buying a motor home? Have you ever stopped to look at the options you have? If so, you know that when you are ready to purchase one, you have a number of ways you can do this For instance, you can purchase a motor home from a dealer You can purchase one through a showcase You can purchase one during a motor home convention or an auction You can even deal personally with a motor home owner

If you have always wanted to own a motor home, purchasing a motor home from an auction may sound appealing The question is not whether you can purchase a motor home from an auction but rather should you purchase one from a motor home auction If you want to know if dealing with an auction site is the best thing for you, whether you a purchasing a vehicle, truck or motor home, you need to look at the advantages and disadvantages associated with auctions These pros and cons are going to influence your decision and it’s best to have the knowledge before you start the process

Two Positive Reasons For Dealing With A Motor Home Auction

Many people who choose to participate in an auction do so for one big reason: prices Many auctions have very affordable prices Auction houses/companies will set a minimum price they will choose to sell a piece at and then bidders can raise the price by placing their bids The last person to bid is the winner of the auction When bidding is done this way, you can often get a great deal

Another reason you should go with an auction to purchase your motor home is you never know what you will come across When you start dealing with auction sites, you’ll often see motor homes that have owners taking part in consignment programs It’s also not unusual to find a used car dealership selling on motor homes that have been traded in in for a new car Keep in mind that inventory/stock changes every time the auction is held For some people, this is just part of the excitement of searching for the perfect motor home

Two Negative Reasons For Dealing With A Motor Home Auction

As much as it is a positive to see unknown motor homes in the auction, it’s also considered a disadvantage Why? When you dream of having and owning a motor home, you often have some idea of what you want yours to look like When you search an auction site for your motor home, you are limited to what is being showcased and auctioned off However, never settle with a motor home you are not happy with Keep returning to the auction sites until you find the motor home that screams to you and is what you wanted

Many auctions sites will advertise that all products are sold “as is” When you purchase a motor home, you don’t know what you are getting Many auction sites will allow perspective buyers to look at the motor homes and check them out However, if you are unable to do this, bid with caution You don’t want to bid too high and realize that the motor home you purchased is in dire need of repairs or has to be upgraded to use

It doesn’t matter where you choose to buy your motor home However, if you choose to purchase one at an auction site, you know you’ll be taking a gamble It can either pay off or cost you more money than you wanted to pay in the first place It’s a risk that some people can afford to take while others choose to stay on the sidelines and look elsewhere

Our number one tip is to ask as many questions as you can about the road worthiness of the vehicle Ask about accident damage, service history, required repairs etc The more you know the less risk you are taking If possible get answers in writing and then you may have cause for redress if you have been mislead

You can access a great selection of used travel trailers for sale at auction or fixed price by visiting our us at travel trailer for sale. Why not take a look today?

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Author : Thomas Pretty

There are thousands of keen caravanners out there who enjoy all the pleasures of a caravan holiday but have not yet headed to their local dealership and experienced the thrill that is owning a caravan But why are so many people heading to their local dealership and forking out for these mobile homes? Currently the pursuit is experiencing a boom as people shy away from foreign holidays and instead chose to use a caravan and holiday at home

Another reason more people are heading to their local dealership, a caravan provides its owner with freedom of destination With so many great sites abroad and at home, a caravan will help you see them all Added to this, a caravan will let your family holiday for a much cheaper sum Without having to pay for lodgings, and just paying for a spot in a campsite, holidays can be made far cheaper, giving you more money to spend on enjoying your off-time

Your local caravan dealership will tell you that a caravan can give you all the fun and freedom of camping but from the comfort of your own home If you like to travel on a shoestring but enjoy the finer things in life a caravan could be for you A caravan allows you to take all your creature comforts with you when you travel This way, you never have to worry about the accommodation; you can focus on the location and having a great time

Before you head down to the dealership there is a vital decision that you must make, whether to invest in a caravan or a motor home? Naturally there are advantages and disadvantages of both A towing caravan allows you to leave the outfit at the site and use the car to tour the local area, a motor home means you must take everything with you at all times A caravan is also the more cost effective option, with motor homes costing more to purchase and maintain A motor home of course takes away the danger of towing, but as any dealership will tell you, a short course can settle your towing nerves

Once you have made the decision to head down the dealership and purchase a towing caravan, there are other considerations to be made Whether to buy new or used is the first major debate The dealership forecourt is a great place to start if you really have no clue what kind of outfit to purchase, while the dealer may try and impress on you an overpriced model, it will be useful, at least on your first visit just to look around and see what is out there Do not buy; tell the workers at the dealership that you are purely there to research a future purchase

New caravanners tend to neglect the importance of a car in their purchase While the dealership may you want your to roll away with an all singing, all dancing top of the range model, if you have a 1 2 litre little hatchback you are never going to pull it Thankfully there are many websites on the internet that offer a matching service, all this requires is to enter the details of your towing vehicle and it will produce a list of caravan models that your car will be able to tow safely

If buying used there are many more factors to take into account When visiting the dealership it is like buying a used car You will need to take a careful approach and consider many things Inspect the caravan in detail and look for signs of neglect Of especial importance is to look for damp as this will ruin an outfit wholly and structurally weaken it

Hopefully this article has gone some way to educating the caravanner in the process of caravan ownership Today as this pass time becomes more popular, by following this advice you could join the masses and experience the unbridled pleasures of caravanning

Caravanning expert Thomas Pretty looks into what considerations to make before heading to your local caravan dealership.

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Author : Ryan Harris

The origins and rise of the Jeep from its early days as a military vehicle to today’s use as a major brand of SUV follow a path through history making events in the twentieth century Today, Jeeps have a wide fan base with people from a variety of backgrounds What is the appeal of the Jeep? How did it become a car of choice for soccer moms in 2000 from its beginnings as an Army transport vehicle in World War II?

Birth of the Jeep: World War II

The United States Army needed a vehicle for transporting their personnel Certain parameters in durability in a variety of climates and terrains had to be followed In order to fill the contract for the lowest cost, the military sought bids from three major automotive companies: American Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company, and Willys-Overland

The first design accepted by the Army was the “Old Number One” 1940 pilot model designed by the American Bantam Car Company Sixty-nine more vehicles were built by American Bantam and were named the Mark II’s The Mark II’s did not quite fit into the torque requirements for the engine, and the Army was loathe to offer the contract to such a small company as American Bantam This decision to turn down the Mark II’s resulted in the two other competitors for the Army contract to have second tries

The lowest bidding Willys-Overland won the contract, but like many vehicle makers at the time, it was a small company with a single plant Fearing sabotage and plant shutdowns, the Army asked the much larger Ford Motor Company to build the Jeeps These were designated by Ford as GPW: G for government, P in reference to the 80 inch wheelbase, and W for using the Willys-Overland car design

After the War: Rise of the Civilian Jeeps

During World War II, both Ford and Willys continued to build the Jeeps each producing over 300,000 units for the Army, but toward the end of the war, Willys began to manufacture a civilian model, the CJ-2 also known as the Agrijeep While there were just over two dozen Agrijeeps made, it marked the beginning of a new era for the vehicle Following on the heels of Willys’ Agrijeep were the CJ-2A’s A production number of more than 200,000 was turned out and released to the public in the late 1940s following the war Willys-Overland’s CJ civilian series would remain in production through the 1980s When a major competitor arose in the marketplace

American Motor Company introduced the Jeep Wrangler YJ in 1986 Over its ten year production run, over 600,000 Jeep Wranglers were built These vehicles changed the design of the CJs by being lower to the ground and having a wider frame Initial reaction from Jeep fans was luke-warm at best, but soon, the Jeep Wrangler won over a large following which continues to this day

In 1987, American Motor Company was bought out by Chrysler and with it took over the construction of the Jeep Wrangler DaimerChrysler continued for twenty years to build the Jeeps until it sold its Jeep division in 2007 to a private owner which runs the Chrysler-Holdings LLC

Jeeps in the Future

With its wide popularity, it is unlikely that the production of the all Jeeps and the most popular model, Jeep Wrangler, will completely disappear Fans all over the world join with others in clubs to express their love for these unique and versatile vehicles, leading to the phrase, “It’s a Jeep thing; you wouldn’t understand “

R. Harris has owned a Jeep since he was 16 and loves writing about his passion at Army Jeeps for Sale.

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Author : Christine Harrell

If you’re contemplating buying a used SUV but are concerned about gas mileage, consider this; with proper care and maintenance you can reduce the amount you spend on gas significantly while still enjoying the benefits of an SUV With their roomy interiors, extra seating, and advanced entertainment options, SUV’s fit the lifestyle of American families If you ask most SUV owners, the pleasure and convenience of owning an SUV is well worth a few extra dollars at the gas tank However, by following a few simple tips, you can achieve fuel efficiency that rivals that of many car and minivan owners

Choose an SUV wisely:

The single most important measure you can take toward lowering the price you’ll pay for gas is to do your research ahead of time Buying a preowned SUV is not only more economical in terms of sticker price, but buying used also gives you the opportunity to really dig in to research and consumer reviews about how a particular model performs in terms of gas mileage

Not all SUV’s are created equal in terms of gas mileage The used Lexus SUV has consistently ranked top among SUV’s for best gas mileage But Lexus didn’t stop there In 2005, Lexus released the gas and electric hybrid SUV and pre-sold 9,000 of the vehicles before it was even released Soon, these preowned Lexus SUV’s will become available for second owners who can enjoy low vehicle cost and low gas prices

Keep tires at the right pressure:

For such a simple task, keeping the tires on your used SUV inflated properly has an incredible impact on gas mileage Tires with low air pressure can reduce the fuel efficiency of your SUV by 6%, or $0 18 per gallon at $3 per gallon When the tires of a used SUV are low, the engine has to exert more pressure to move the weight of the vehicle

For a buck or two you can purchase a tire gauge that will turn your used SUV into a savings piggy bank Get in the habit of checking the tires at least once per month before you leave your driveway while the tires are still cold and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll be saving compared to other SUV owners

Set the cruise control:

Driving fast and carefree is fun, but if you don’t feel it’s worth an extra $0 25 per gallon, keeping speed under control can save you a great deal of cash At speeds above 55 miles per hour, fuel efficiency drops drastically according to published statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency

While most speed limits in the US are set at 65 miles per hour, many drivers push the limits to 80 or 85 miles per hour which is not only hazardous, but a gas mileage killer Get in the habit of setting your cruise control, then sit back, relax, and enjoy your used SUV and the fact that you’re saving money

Remain conscious of your driving habits”

Fast acceleration can increase the gas consumption of your preowned SUV by up to 40% – that’s $1 20 per gallon with today’s $3 gas prices! Nearly half of the energy to fuel your used SUV is used during acceleration and aggressive starts drive this percentage up even further

What’s more, all of those impatient drivers who feel the need to put the pedal to the metal reach their destination only about 4% faster than patient drivers who arrive with more gas in the tank and more money their pocket Today’s SUV’s are built to be enjoyed with surround sound televisions, televisions for the kids, and navigational systems Instead of being in a rush to get to your destination, enjoy the creature comforts of your used SUV and keep your $1 20 per gallon in your pocket

Author is a writer for A&G Select Imports which specializes in used
luxury SUV’s. For more information you can visit http://www.AGSelectImports.com.

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Author : Jeremy Johnson

Do you want to haul a boat, an ATV trailer, a work trailer, or a camper? Obviously, you need a trailer hitch Trailer hitches have all kinds of handy uses and are invaluable on the rear of your truck or SUV If you have or need a trailer hitch, you probably have the most common type which is a receiver hitch, but if you have a vehicle with lots of power and a heavy load to haul, you might have a gooseneck or a fifth wheel hitch

A receiver hitch is fabricated from metal and bolted to rear of your vehicle’s frame What shows in the back of the car, under the rear bumper is a “hole,” usually 1-2 inches square To haul with this hitch, a person simply has to insert and secure a ball shank This is the square metal tube that fits into the receiver and on which the trailer ball is mounted To hitch some thing to a receiver hitch, you simply drop the ball coupler of your trailer onto the hitch ball and secure it

Receiver hitches come in Class I through Class IV sizes Weight tolerances increase with the class number (so a class III hitch can haul more weight than a class I hitch) Ball sizes and shank sizes also vary according to your needs Class II and III receiver hitches are the most common and can haul up to 3500 lbs (class II) and up to 5,000 lbs (class III)

It is important to note not only the maximum weight your hitch and ball can handle, but also your towing vehicle’s weight maximums If you have a class III hitch (hauls up to 5,000 gross trailer weight), but your vehicle is only rated to haul 3,500 lbs; you have to stay below that 3,500 lbs Otherwise your steering and braking won’t be enough to control a load that big, and you will be a hazard on the road

If you need to haul more weight, and your tow vehicle can handle it, there are weight distributing hitches that work with a receiver hitch to increase safety on the road If you need to haul a whole lot more weight, you should consider a gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer hitch Gooseneck hitches look like a (you guessed it), gooseneck and they arch up over the rear of your truck to attach to a ball mounted on the floor of the truck bed These hitches can often haul 30,000 lbs, so make sure your truck can handle it!

You have probably seen many Fifth Wheel hitches on the highway or around campgrounds as they are often used to haul the biggest camping trailers Like the gooseneck, the point of attachment for the trailer and truck is in the truck bed But, unlike the gooseneck, the fifth wheel hitch is much more than a ball, it’s a pin that slides down into a hitch raised above the bed floor of your pickup Depending on your hitch, fifth wheels can haul 15,000 to 30,000 lbs

Now that you know something about the different types of trailer hitches, make sure to educate yourself on towing safety and vehicle requirements for the type of trailer you want to haul

Jeremy uses trailer hitch covers to protect his hitch. He provides expert towing information at www.trailerhitchuniverse.com.

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Author : E. S. Lorence

Today, the question on everybody’s mind is, what is the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional vehicle? There must be some reason why people are debating about whether hybrid cars are worth it and checking their wallets and savings account to see if they can afford the hybrid car There must be some reason why other people won’t even consider putting out the money for a hybrid car because they feel their conventional car gets them to where they need to go just fine Here are the reasons why a person might choose a conventional car over a hybrid car and vice versa

Hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars

Because hybrid cars have a complex internal design, they can have a pretty hefty price tag On the other hand, conventional cars, which have probably gotten more efficient in design as the years have gone on, are quite affordable these days Many people can be seen selling their old conventional cars Some people even give these types of cars away However, since a large percentage of the general population has never owned a hybrid, there aren’t many people selling used hybrid cars Therefore, the average person looking to buy a hybrid would probably have to purchase one from a car dealer

Both a hybrid car and a conventional car can use similar types of batteries

A hybrid and a conventional car can both use lead acid batteries that hold enough energy to power a small motor that’s electric These batteries are what you would call “gear reduced ” That means that they can turn over an engine at approximately 300 rpms Torque is generated to turn over the engine And the entire process is what ends up starting the engine in the first place

But even though hybrid car uses a lead-acid battery, its battery that works to recharge the car is constructed differently This kind of battery is known as a deep cycle battery And it can be compared to the batteries that are used to power golf carts

That’s the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional car One person might choose a hybrid car because they feel more security For instance, if a person buys a hybrid car, they can feel secure that their car will be less likely to run out of gas Another person might not choose a conventional car because gas doesn’t really bother them that much And a conventional car provides security as well With a conventional car, a person can be assured that they will always be able go to the junkyard if they need to and find old parts for their car On the other hand, those with a hybrid car might have to look forward to some pricey repair receipts if something goes wrong

But the final decision is up to you There are risks involved with both types of cars But those who like to try out new things might just consider splurging on a hybrid car

E. S. Lorence is a free lance writer, author, and Internet entrepreneur based in Alpharetta, GA.
He is also a premier resident expert at-THOUGHTSEARCH.COM

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Author : T J Madigan

Heard about the Revolution LE? Familiar with Fleetwood motor homes? Well, to tell you honestly, the Revolution LE is Fleetwoods flagship in the diesel motor home line It is the top-notched product that brought Fleetwood to fame Now, if you want to know more about this diesel motor home, then theres no reason for you not to read on

The Revolution LE, according to some claims, is truly an engineering marvel It doesnt only boast a powerful diesel engine and a patent-pending Liberty chassis, but possesses a number of features no one can compare Included in the list of its remarkable features are the following:

* Fleetwoods SpacePlus Environment: This feature is what makes the Revolution LE a truly remarkable diesel motor home in the first place Well, as what most reviews have noted, the Revolution LE diesel motor home is highlighted by 84 inches floor-to-ceiling interior height, with two spacious slide out rooms in the front living area Also, it has two slide outs that can be moved for extra space and these slide outs are located in the models roomy master bedroom suite In addition, what makes the Revolution LE truly remarkable when it comes to its environment is that it provides dual pass-through basement storage with side hanging compartment bay doors that offers a maximum accessibility especially when the slide outs are moved at a push of a button And, aside from the basement storage, the Revolution LE diesel motor home has an abundant interior storage that was integrated into a roomy linen compartment

* Deluxe Furnishings: This remarkable feature is actually stressed from the beautifully appointed galley of this diesel motor home to the expansive master suite, and even to the private bathroom Reviews have noted this feature as for them every detail of the Revolution LE diesel motor home reflects the models high end style and fine craftsmanship

* Exterior Entertainment Center: If you are a music lover or a movie addict and want to give your favorite music and shows some fresh air, then this motor home could no doubt be a good option for you to choose Yes, an exterior entertainment center is available in this model So when certain, boring times call for a bit of life, then entertain yourself and your guests in the great outdoors with the full-featured entertainment system of the Revolution LE diesel motor home

* Tilting Instrument Panel: The Revolution LE also highlights an instrument panel that is integrated with the steering column, giving you the chance to tilt and telescope both the panel and the steering panel into their ideal position while driving With this feature, its no wonder that you will enjoy a better driving while exploring the majestic scenery beyond the walls of your motor home

There is a lot to be said about the Revolution LE motor home, but perhaps what makes it worth noting is not only the appearance it presents, but more for the performance it shows The Revolution LE, which is set to continually hit the road on 2007, is said to be capable of giving you a performance that is truly unimaginable So watch out for the introduction of the newest models in the Revolution LE line few months from now

For more articles and information or to view a selection of cars and trucks articles and information and trucks articles and information visit Articles.net.au – Your source for free Articles, Information and Website Content.

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Author : Andrew Stratton

Driving cross country in an RV is an old tradition in Australia With its wide open spaces, vast star-filled skies, and gorgeous natural beauty, Australia is a motor home owner’s dream

So, why not head down under and rent a motor home for your adventure? Here’s a taste of what Australia has to offer

- Wide Open Spaces Try the Outback! There are places where you won’t see another human being, and you can park your motor home anywhere you please

From Sydney on the east coast, to Perth on the west coast, it’s 2,500 miles That’s only a few hundred miles less than a trip from New York to Los Angeles! Out in the western part of Australia, there are 100-mile stretches with no services No wonder it’s such an RV-friendly place!

The weather is mild all year round On the coasts, the temperatures are moderate, although it heats up once you get into the interior, with temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees in the daytime

- Natural Beauty The outback is unlike anything you’ll ever see anywhere else Australia’s beaches are also world renowned for their pristine beauty

- RV Services The land down under is probably the world’s most motor home friendly country You can rent RVs just about anywhere, and drop them off at a location you didn’t start from

There are lots of sights to see, and once you’re there you can explore on your own, but here are some of the big ones

Ayer’s Rock, or Uluru, is one of the natural wonders of the world It’s just what you might imagine it to be – a giant rock It is the second largest rock in the world (second only to Australia’s Mt Augustus) at 1,000 feet high, 5 miles around, and 1 5 miles below the Earth’s surface!

It is also a magnetic rock, which means it has strange effects on electronics The natives believe that it is a giant generator, with a current of energy flowing out to the entire world For RVers, it is a great area to camp, in view of the rock where you can see it change colors as the sun moves across the sky

Ayer’s Rock is located 250 miles southwest of Alice Springs and is part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

There are some pretty desolate spots on Australia’s west coast, but Shark Bay is not one of them It is a recognized World Heritage site, full of colorful natural beauty and endangered species Shark Bay is an interesting place, too, because of the fossils that have been found there, dating from the beginning of life on Earth

Shark Bay is full of great areas to see, including Hamelin Pool, where the water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom There are big sandy beaches, and you can see dolphins at a beach named Monkey Mia

It may seem vast and empty, but actually the Outback is rich in sights to see There are national parks and historic sights everywhere

- Mungo National Park, located in The Willandra Lakes heritage area, has the “Wall of China ” This one isn’t man-made, but made by thousands of years of wind It is made of clay and sand, and the formations caused by the wind and erosion are fantastic

- Kinchega National Park is an area where there is water – sometimes! The Darling River winds through this area of red sand dunes and dry lakes There is an abundance of uniquely Australian wildlife, including exotic birds like emus and others like kangaroos

- Sturt National Park is an arid land in the Strzelecki desert, where you’ll be surprised to find among the crags and dunes a wetlands area and forest There are also white sands and red dunes for hiking

In every part of Australia there are national parks worth seeing, and since motor homes are the most popular way to travel, you’ll find plenty of places to stay The state of New South Wales alone has more diversity than almost anywhere else, with land features like deserts, swamps, coasts, forests and grasslands

If you’re an RVer, consider the land down under

There are many natural wonders you can visit in a motor home. Australia has a unique variety that you won’t want to miss, plus the country is very RV friendly. Bankston Motor Homes can see you on the path to a fabulous RV vacation. http://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com

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