King of the Road Abdicates Market

High-end fifth wheel and motorhome manufacturer, Chief Industries, confirmed to the media on Tuesday that they are shutting down their King of the Road line. The Nebraska based firm has sold thousands of the heavy weight RVs, largely across the southwest US.

The plant employs 50 some employees, roughly half of those will be moved to other company operations after the last "Kings" roll off the line in the near future. Energy costs were cited as a reason for the end of the line.

Surf or Turf? Now You Don't Have to Chose

Who says you have to give up the sea to appreciate the land? Get yourself a Nomad 25 and you can travel the USA in style--in your houseboat.

OK, it’s NOT a hybrid houseboat-RV, but rather, a truly towable houseboat, suitable for living in on land or at sea. For you boat-techies, the LOA on this rig is 26’6"--or for the rest of us, 26 and a half feet (length overall). That begs the question: What kind of living space is there here? Well, you won’t give up your galley, your shower, and yeah, you can still take a good night’s sleep--albeit the sleeping area is a bit reminiscent of an overhead bed in a truck camper.

But there are some things to be considered: Take your own "sun deck" up forward--not too many RVers can lay claim to that. And there’s that benefit--take your RV out of the park, down to the ramp, and launch her for a few days out on the water.

Previously, houseboats were rather limited to being, well, waterlocked. Nomad’s somewhat reduced beam (width to us RVers) of only 8’6" means you can trailer down most roads without special permits. Not too pricey--less than $59,000 with engine and trailer, this may be the compromise you and your better half have been looking for. Check out Nomad’s website for the full details.

Arizona Dieselers "The Price is Right!" Or is it?

So you're making your first trip to the Grand Canyon state with your diesel RV. It's the land for seeing curiosities--and for using caution.

We took these two photos just minutes apart, of two popular fuel stops in Quarzsite. Which price is best? If you said, "Looks the same to me, I'll go wherever's easier," you may pay too much.

Posted diesel prices where the big trucks fill up are most often linked to the price the commercial truckers pay--that's 8 cents more than us little guys in pickups and motorhomes. Where only the "little guys" are filling, the prices generally reflect what you'll actually pay at the pump. In this case, Love's beats the Chevron hands down, since the latter here in Quartzsite doesn't fill big trucks. The "real" price for RVers at Loves is actually $2.399 a gallon--and that's a big difference if you're pumping a motorhome tankfull. Want to know what's even funnier? The very next day Love's posted "big truck" price went down to $2.439 (an actualy $2.359 for RVers) while the posted "real" price at Chevron climbed up to $2.499. Talk about volatile prices! Shop around and keep your fingers handy to count off those 8 big cents.

Concept Accordion RV

Wow, take a look at this concept vehicle (not yet built). I read this on the Safari Trek blog today, so I cannot attest to its accuracy, but you have to admit it is an interesting idea. A blogger named Gordo says, “The accordion section between the two isn’t any different then the twin buses used in San Francisco and these bad boys make some mighty (ugly) tight turns on the cities streets on a daily basis.” Dan from Cowboycadillac said they had a customer order this vehicle to be built for him but backed out of the deal. The concept uses a Safari Trek as the tow vehicle pulling a 5th wheel.

Read the entire blog.

Football Tailgating Prices Fly Like Field Goal

Will the high cost of tailgating kill Lousiana State U football RV fans? Coming away from its first back-to-back top five finishes in a half a century, LSU is now contemplating the high cost of success--and passing it along to the fans. While actual ticket prices for the games won't increase much--up four bucks from $36.00, folks who want to tailgate in a couple of the "motorhome lots" will have to take a heart pill when they settle up the bill next season.

At present, "motorhome" passes in LSU's Touchdown Village 1 and Touchdown Village 2 are $500 per season. However, in the upcoming pigskin season, the school will require a Tradition Fund "contribution" of $500 more for Village 1, and $250 additional for Village 2. Don't clutch your chest yet, parking in the (apparently) more desirable Lot CA areas already required "contributions" of $4,000 to $5,000 depending on location. Depending on how you look at it, this year will be a bargain, as the total amount due on these areas will only rise $500. Pass the remote, please!

Photo courtesy of "Shoshanah," posted at Flicker.com

Your RV on a Hootch Bottle? Say it ain't so!

What makes a happy camper? Apparently one California wine maker thinks its a merlot in your motorhome. Concord, California grape stompers, Exclusive Brands, Inc., have are enthusiastically marketing a line of vinos with a recreational vehicle theme. The wine labels don’t overflow with press vats, but you may find a picture looking something like your fifth wheel.

"When did enjoying a great glass of wine become an indoor activity?" asks Exclusive Brands. "Must we always be cramped up in cellars and leather-clad dens? Now there’s a wine that celebrates the freedom of the great outdoors: Happy Camper!"

While Exclusive Brands doesn’t actually run its own vineyards (rather they buy stock from other vintners), they certainly don’t have a shortage on imagination. Find out more at their website.

New website serves RVer NASCAR fans

NascarCamping.com has been launched. The website features a photo gallery, track and campsite listings, a regularly updated blog and other resources of interest to RVers who enjoy auto racing.

NASCAR is a very popular sport among RVers. Some races draw such huge crowds that the camping areas become small cities: at Indianapolis in 2006 almost half a million fans showed up. NascarCamping.com is an online replication of the heady, exciting experience of NASCAR racing. Even after the races conclude, enthusiasts can still keep the memories vivid by accessing the website to see a stream of photos, read blog posts, enjoy track stories submitted by website visitors, and participate in the new message board.

Monument Colorado Takes a Shot at "Camp Walmart"

RVs unsightly? Herd them altogether like chickens in a pen? Seems that's what lawmakers in the little burg of Monument, Colorado have in mind. In a proposed ordinance to be voted on next month, local councilmembers have taken to mind to continue to allow RVers to overnight at the local Wal-Mart, but they want them relegated to only one area of the lot.

One council member decried RVs as being 'unattractive' and that RVers should overnight in campgrounds. Cooler heads prevailed, (read "money talks") when it was thought that discouraging RVers might lead to less money spent in the great metropolis of Monument. Read the full story for yourself.

Photo courtesy of Brave New Films

Traveling Washington? The Wifi's Hot at Rest Stops

Traveling the "Evergreen State" and need to tap into the power of the web? You won't need to look too far--the state's Department of Transportation recently unveiled their latest tribute to highway safety: Wireless internet connectivity at 28 of its 42 rest areas.

What's it cost? Well, some access is "on the house." Need road condition information? Want to check the weather? Take a squint through a traffic cam to see how bad the 'rolling parking lot' ahead is? Information provided on the department's web site is free for access. If you need access to other parts of the world wide web, you can start the meter running, courtesy of Road Connect, the contracted wireless service provider. If you're not already a Road Connect subscriber, then you can log in for 15 minutes for $2.99. Or buy more and save: $6.95 per day, or $29.95 for a month. Check out the DOT's webpage on the offering, and find links to rest area locations and more.

Asthmatics--Beware Florida's Red Tide

Snowbirds and other Florida bound RVers, beware the red tide. While most folks are only slightly bothered by this bloomin' ocean organism, those who have asthma can create real health issues.

An article appearing in CHEST, a medical journal published by chest physicians, warns that just breathing in the airborne mists from the Florida red tide can increase asthma symptoms.

"In the normal population, inhaled aerosolized red tide toxins can lead to eye irritation, rhinorrhea, nonproductive cough, and wheezing. However, these symptoms usually subside after leaving beach areas," said study author Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL. "Our study shows that Florida red tide toxins may have a greater impact on patients with asthma, who experienced respiratory problems and decreased lung function after just one hour of beach exposure to the toxins."

Research indicated that during exposure to Red tide aerosols, asthma patients may have a significant increase in symptoms, predominantly chest tightness, and lung function. Asthmatics who used medication prior to exposure to the bloom didn't appear to be any better off than than those who took no medications. The study's coauthor Barbara Kirkpatrick, EdD, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida warns, "People with asthma, whether residents or tourists, need to be aware of the Florida red tides and their potential to exacerbate asthma, as well as their own personal reaction to Florida red tides." Florida residents and tourists can stay informed of Florida red tide conditions by checking with local environmental groups, including the Florida
Department of Health. For online information, visit Uncle Sam's red tide tracking site.

Summer Job Application Time for Park Service

Got a hankerin' to be a mule packer? How about mechanicing on a Park Service Hum-Vee? Tuck yourself away as a forest fire watcher? Warm up your feet as a "hot shot" fire crew member? Ah the freedom of the great RV in the outdoors.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California are looking for a few good folks. Now is the time to apply for summer temporary jobs like these, and a whole lot more. If you're interested, visit Uncle Sam's job board. Then elect searches either by county (Tulare or Fresno), but hurry! Closing dates vary from January 8th through February 2nd. The hiring process has changed this year, so please read the vacancies carefully for full instructions to submit your application. If you have any questions, call the Human Resources Office at 559-565-3752.

Free Texas RV Camping Offer

For the serious "stay in a Texas RV park" user group, save your campground receipts: They could earn you yet more free camping.

The 2007 edition of the Texas RV Travel & Camping Guide, a free, four-color glossy magazine that lists more than 400 campgrounds and RV resorts in Texas and New Mexico is due to roll out on the Internet this month. Not only are member parks given prominence, a Texas RV Rewards Card, which can be used to accumulate points for free overnight camping. It's said the
points accrue quickly, enabling travelers to camp for free after spending three or four nights at Texas campgrounds involved in the promotion.

For more information on the program, visit the Texas RV Rewards website.