Wandering Icons

In the olden days, which weren’t too long ago, anyone selling an RV was limited to a local consumer base. Aside from classified ads, the options weren’t cheap if you wanted to advertise your sale. Newspaper ads cost hundreds of dollars and paying for radio time isn’t cheap either. However, today’s RV traders and sellers online are finding new and creative ways to reach an eager audience.

One of the first ways to reach people is through blogging. Setting up your own blog is a worth endeavor if you plan on trading for years. Blogs do take time for people to notice. However, you can also go to popular blogs and leave a comment. That way thousands of people who are already interested in the topic at hand can read your comment. Some sites will even link back to your website where you can have your information ready to go.

Twitter is another social media site that only takes minutes a day to use. Because there are only so many characters allotted for each post, the information is quick to send out and quick for other RV enthusiasts to access. However, those who are buying and selling regularly shouldn’t just send out Tweets saying ‘Hey, I’m selling an RV, or I’m interested in trading my RV.’ Instead, they should get creative, get people excited by staging a contest for their RV - ‘The hundredth response to this Tweet gets the option of a 20% discount on the sale of my RV, or gets a dinner for two at a local restaurant.’ Now you’re giving people something to talk about.

What customers are craving in this impersonal world is customer service. They want a company that understands them and will go out of their way to make their experience a good one. So you have to figure out what you’re offering potential buyers that none of your competitors are offering.

Consignment dealers help people sell RVs every day. That’s their job. They take a small cut of the sale price in return for using their lot, their services to help you sell and their advertising experience and marketing budget. Listing your vehicle with a company that already inspires trust will only help sell your RV sooner.

Liking what you do is also important. If you are passionate about what you’re selling or trading, other people will be too. Enthusiasm is infectious. Spread it around on the Internet and see what comes back to you.

Deciding who wants the information you have is another key factor in being able to consistently sell and trade on-line for good prices. Know the age of the people that are most likely to buy your vehicle, then spend some time researching where they are looking to not only buy but get information about the vehicle.

Advertising in newspapers is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Today, consumers are savvier than they were in the past. They can compare prices on-line. Dealers who have fly-and-buy programs where they pay for plane tickets for guests buying an RV are reaching a national, even global market. What are you doing to compete?

For RV Traders Online looking to find the best deal on RVs and motorhomes,visit www.beaudryrv.com.com to find the best selection on new and used motorhomes.

Observing wildlife in the springtime can be amazing. Animals are coming out of hibernation. The problem comes when campers decide to take advantage of the fact that recently hibernating animals are hungry. They often decide to feed the animals in order to obtain a “closer look.” This is not a good idea. Beaudry RV suggests the following in dealing with wildlife in or around campsites appropriately:

Bears. Remove all aromatic items from vehicles overnight (including toothpaste, deodorant, food, etc.) Make use of bear proof containers. Bears have a very highly developed sense of smell that can lead them to charge campers for their food or swipe food from campsites or break into food storage (even if it means breaking into a vehicle). And the more human food bears obtain the more they expect to receive it. This can leave bears very aggressive in getting to food in campsites; a dangerous situations for both the campers and the bears.

To enjoy a safe bear viewing campers should look for places in the bear’s natural habitat where they would normally feed like a stream with plenty of fish or a bush with plenty of berries. Observe the area in the early morning or early evening, but keep a safe distance (and pay particular notice to cubs; do not get between them and their mother). Females are very aggressive and dangerous when cubs are in potential danger.

Foxes. Foxes aren’t known for attacking humans. They are scavengers. But they are known for “scavenging” small animals (including cats and dogs in campsites). So don’t entice foxes to come closer to a campsite or feel comfortable around human populated campgrounds by feeding them. This will increase the chances that they will scavenge among campsite food stores, etc. To view foxes watch for dens (in covered spaces). Common spots include water drainage pipes and culverts.

Fox cubs begin exploring in early morning and evening. Keep your distance and never give them food. They are wild; they need to develop their hunting instincts in order to survive. The end of tourist season will result in death for wild animals that have come to depend upon humans for their day to day sustenance.

Squirrels. Squirrels are not typically considered a problem or a danger, but those who see them as adorable little creatures that will eat from their hands are often the victims of squirrel attacks. Squirrels have very sharp teeth and often have fleas that are carrying the bubonic plague (making squirrels common transmitters of the disease).

Squirrels. Most people don’t consider squirrels a problem. Campers can often be found throwing breadcrumbs and/or snacks to entice the little animals closer. But squirrels often bite and they often carry diseases. Campers who get close or allow squirrels to eat out of their hands are often the victims of squirrel attacks. Squirrels have very sharp teeth and they are also often transmitters of bubonic plague which is carried through fleas. To view squirrels just watch them in their natural habitat, but keep your distance. The can be seen almost anywhere. They live in a variety of habitats. They are active throughout the day and are frisky animals that are fun to observe.

The key item in the phrase wildlife is wild. It is the camper’s responsibility to respect the “wild” around them and aid the animals in remembering their place in their natural habitat. Feeding wild animals puts both campers and animals in danger. Throughout travel campers should respect animals, but remember to keep their distance. Enjoy the beauty, but don’t disrupt it.

Looking to find the best deal on used RVs and motorhomes, then visit www.beaudryrv.com.com to find the best selection on new and used motorhomes.

With the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and summer travel approaching consumers are watching gas prices with a wary eye. They’re watching for price spikes that could impede planned summer vacations. Up to this point gas prices seem to be remaining fairly steady for 2010, although they are slightly higher than 2009. Experts and those knowledgeable in the industry can make fairly accurate predictions based on: political situations, amount of consumption, cost per barrel, etc.

The spill in the Gulf has not resulted in any gas price jumps at the pumps. RVers everywhere are excited about this as they don’t want their summer travel limited by high fuel costs. Class A and Class C recreational vehicles have fairly high gas consumption, but they offer luxurious road travel options for a significant number of people making them an affordable choice even considering fuel costs (especially when vacationers compare the costs of RV travel to airfare and hotel accommodations).

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) there will be an approximate 3% US real gross domestic product increase. That means that there will be an approximate $0.12/gallon price increase at the gas pumps. Gas prices always vary by state. Some states will see gas prices reaching $3.00/gallon this summer, but the national average for gas prices throughout the most popular travel season from April through September will be $2.94/gallon. For all of 2010 the average price of gas for the entire nation is $2.98 (in comparison the average for 2009 was $2.86/gallon).

The all time high national gas price average came in 2008 ($3.80/gallon). This caused a lot of vacationers to change their plans; staying closer to home and downsizing recreational vehicles used for travel. The all time high gas prices signaled the beginning of the recession and while many RVers kept their RVs just as many cut their total travel time significantly which had an overall negative effect on the RV industry (from manufacturers to dealers to campgrounds).

Gas prices will always fluctuate. But expert predictions give RVers reason to relax when thinking about planning summer travel in 2010. The prices of gas should remain steady making RV travel a fantastic choice. For those who want to fully take advantage of the economical advantage of RV travel the following should be considered: trips close to home, trips with extended stays in one spot, and lightweight RVs that can be hitched to small to midsized vehicles.

The “break” from school that comes with summer inspires many to take a “break” from work. It’s a time to relax. It’s a time to rejuvenate. It’s a time to create stronger bonds with family and friends. And there’s no better way to do any of that than taking to the open road in a recreational vehicle. It allows for spontaneity, fun, relaxation, adventure…it’s the most versatile of all traveling methods.

Gas prices don’t typically limit consumer travel until they pass $3.00/gallon. This summer RVers are planning on traveling. Some are going to enjoy short trips on their region while others are planning on nationwide or even international travel. Regardless of the amount of travel RVers should watch for summer incentives available that will decrease trip costs like the fee free weekends offered by national parks.

2010 RV travel isn’t being limited by high gas prices. RVers love the open road just as much as they always have. Class A motorhomes, Class C RVs, lightweight travel trailers…any RV can be the home away from home that makes a trip into an ultimate vacation.

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When people realize they can save money traveling by RV as opposed to paying for airfare, hotel and other transportation, the idea of investing in an RV becomes more and more appealing. In fact, 8.2 million homes in America are proud owners or RVs according to RVIA. Camping and spending time close to home is not only helping local economies, it’s also bringing families closer together to enjoy the simpler pleasures in life.

RVIA had a survey conducted to gauge the amount of travel RV enthusiasts are expected to do and the reasons behind it. What they found was nearly half of RV owners are expecting to use their RV more than last spring and summer. 41% of current new and used RV owners claim they will spend the same amount of time on the road this year as last year.

If you own an RV, why wouldn’t you travel with it? Every time you get out in your RV, you’re paying off an investment. Each trip becomes less and less expensive. If you calculate the cost of purchasing or renting an RV into each subsequent vacation, you end up saving more and more money. Not to mention, there’s always a vacation on wheels waiting in your driveway. You get to bring all the comforts of home and eat the way you like when you like. You don’t have to worry about expensive room service or eating out every night. Families have just as much fun cooking over a campfire as they do at a restaurant.

Even though the worst of the recession appears to be fading away, people are still conscious about how much money they spend. Most people are spending conservatively which makes vacations within the US and closer to home more sensible. Cooking meals in the RV saves money so does paying for a night in a campground vs. renting a hotel room.

Another benefit of traveling by RV is it allows for all sorts of physical activity. Bikes can be brought and not rented, as can rock climbing gear, hiking gear, tennis rackets and more. Renting equipment is how resorts make money, but when you travel by motorhome or with a travel trailer, you get to bring your own gear. There are thousands of places to get out and play in.

Baby boomers are retiring and buying an RV is one way to get out and explore in a way they weren’t able to when they were tied to a forty hour a week job. People who have been laid off are getting out more as well and spending their time exploring the outdoors. Trails are packed with people checking off life-list opportunities while they can.

Campgrounds are preparing for an influx of visitors this summer. They are offering eco-friendly accommodations as well as recreation for all ages of family members. Campgrounds today offer fishing on premises, golf courses, games for kids, exercise rooms and more.

This summer will hopefully see families, couples and solo explorers hitting the road in new and used motorhomes. If you haven’t tried it, traveling by RV is an experience you can’t afford to miss. It’s a unique way to see the country and interact with people from all over.

Looking to find the best deal on RVs and motorhomes, then visit www.beaudryrv.com.com to find the best selection on new and used motorhomes

One of the first things people think of when they imagine a green RV is solar panels. Solar panels are becoming more common on both RVs and homes. Technology harnessing the earth’s energy is nothing new, but making it affordable is. Solar panels have seen relatively low sales in comparison to the interest in them because of cost.

Within the next few years, solar panels hitting the market may take a significant drop in price thanks to UQAM researcher, Professor Benot Marsan. After twenty years of costly technology, a new panel is about to revolutionize the solar panel industry.

UQUAM’s Professor Benot Marsan has been working on finding a material that would be cheaper to use than platinum and he found it. Cobalt sulphide could be the perfect substitute for platinum. Not only is cheaper than platinum, it actually gives the panel a stronger stability.

Ben Coxworth’s article, Breakthrough in Low Cost Efficient Solar Cells, explains the new materials being employed and how even the coating on solar panels is being updated with a new lighter liquid/gel that is more resistant to aging than traditional electrolytes.

The solar panels aren’t available to consumers, yet. Being able to offer eco-friendly accessories for RVs is only going to increase RV sales. While lightweight trailers and pop-ups have been appealing to the younger, greener generation, so are ways to maintain an environmentally friendly trailer.

Solar panels aren’t the only things greening the RV industry. Even the simple things are having a big effect, such as LED lighting. LED lights have become popular with RV travelers because less money is spent on energy bills and they have a longer life than regular light bulbs. Manufacturers are making it easy for RV owners to replace regular light bulbs by designing fixtures that are aimed at RVs.

While still relegated to the ‘hippy-style’ of travel, biodiesel technologies have made it fairly simple to change over an existing diesel engine so it can run on vegetable oil. The benefit of this is RV enthusiasts can test out some great restaurants while they fill up their tank of gas. Kits are available that show RV owners how to convert their engines. The cost of the conversion kit is quickly paid back through gas savings and with the rising cost of gasoline, this is a great alternative for those on the road for long periods of time. “You’ll still have to keep a wee bit of regular diesel in the car (your ride needs it to start up and flush out at the beginning and end of each drive), but once your hooked up, you simply flip a switch and your on your way to a cleaner, freer future,” reports Treehugger.com

RV sales are staying strong, not only because RVing is a way of life that has been incorporated into American living, but also because RVing is taking note of what their customers want and they want green.

Want to find out more about RVs, then visit Beaudry RV Company’s site on how to choose the best Motorhome for your needs.