Despite constantly rising fuel prices, dedicated RVers keep rolling. If you think the high cost of gas and diesel are bringing the big rigs to a stop, just travel any of the major highways and keep your eyes open. There really don’t seem to be any fewer RVs on the road than there were a year ago.
In fact, a recent survey conducted among readers of an RV newsletter posed this question: “If gas/diesel prices hit $7 per gallon, would you still travel with your RV?” Of those responding, 58% said yes, and 42% said no.
Although current RVers seem determined to stay the course, the industry is suffering. From Elkhart, hotbed of RV manufacturing, comes word of layoffs, failed businesses and three-day workweeks. So perhaps the resolve to keep rolling is strongest among those who already have RVs and are reluctant to give them up because it looks like entry of first-time owners into the market has slowed.
If you already own an RV and are looking for ways to maximize its use and value, you might want to check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer Clearinghouse. The Corps looks over nearly 12 million acres of land and water and offers lots of opportunities to volunteer in recreation and natural resource management. RVers are likely to be most interested in the needs for trail building and maintenance, campground hosts, visitor center staff, photography and building wildlife habitat. For more information, call 1-800-865-8337.
If you own an RV and want accurate information about its value for purposes of resale or deciding on insurance coverage, you can get what you need from Nada Guides.
Ever dream of selling everything, buying an RV and hitting the road full time? Or maybe you’ve done just that and are looking for like-minded souls on the open road. Check out Full Time RVer. The site offers information in lots of categories—from Legal Issues in Fulltiming to Safey/Security, Choosing and Buying an RV and Staying in Touch. You can also sign up for a free full time RVer newsletter.
And speaking of special interests in RVing. Don’t overlook RVing Women, which is—as the name suggests—devoted to women RVers. There is also Malia’s Miles, aimed specifically at solo women RVers.
Even though eco rving seems like a contradiction in terms, there is a site devoted to it (Eco RVing). Here you can find greener ways to travel in your RV. Content covers a wide variety of ways to green up your RV travel as well as greener RV products and accessories.
With the approach of fall, RV shows will kick into high gear. Most of them occur between September and November. In the case of bigger, national shows, the season runs from September through March. An RV show is a good way to see a lot of RV types as well as the offerings from a wide range of manufacturers all in one place. Regional shows upcoming in the Midwest are slated for Grayslake, IL (Lake County RV & Camper Show—8/13-17), Goshen, IN (Midwest RV Super Show & Rally—8/14-17), Cuyahoga Falls, OH (RV Bargain Expo—9/5-6) and Indianapolis, IN (Indianapolis Fall Boat & RV Show—10/2-5).
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