Automotive Blog

QUOTE: “The difference between a good dealership and an OK one is the amount of time it takes to complete the Three “R” Cycle – Receive, Recondition and Resale. The faster a dealer gets a trade-in resold, generally higher the margin.”

Reconditioning previously owned RVs for resale is an issue on many dealership owners’ minds these days. The gross profit generated from previously owned RV sales is vital to the bottom line, as many dealers report that used sales are responsible for between 20 and 40 percent of total dealership gross margin. To stay in the black and achieve the maximum earning potential, RV reconditioning needs to be taken seriously. After all, proper reconditioning of used inventory can create an overall increase in margins as much as 3 percent.

The difference between a good dealership and an OK one is the amount of time it takes to complete the Three “R” Cycle – Receive, Recondition and Resale. The faster a dealer gets a trade-in resold, generally higher the margin.

Unfortunately, the progression from receive to recondition to resale gets progressively more difficult going from one step to another. The first two steps take only a couple of days, but the resale time for a used RV can take months, if not more. The dealership that can shrink the Three “R” Cycle stands the best chance to reap the most profit.

Continue reading ‘Finding Profits Reconditioning RVs’ »

There is a lot to think about when buying and RV, travel trailer or fifth wheel. Here are four questions to ask yourself as you start down the path to RV ownership.

Is the lifestyle a fit for me?
There is an undeniable romance to the idea of going on an extended road trip in an RV. The freedom, the changing landscape, the lack of a lawn to mow… It all sounds pretty good to us when we are sitting at home looking at the same four walls. But it does not come with challenges. Even the hardiest of happy wanderers sometimes find the RV lifestyle does not fit their personality. So, before committing to owning a travel trailer or fifth wheel it’s a good idea to try it out. If you have a relative or close friend with one who is always inviting you to go with them or, better yet, borrow theirs for the weekend take them up on it. If not then talk to your local RV dealer about the possibility of renting one. Only after spending some time living the RV lifestyle can you honestly answer this one.

Will I need an extended warranty?
The answer is not necessarily yes or no. If you are buying a used model find out if it still has the manufacturer’s warranty. If so then find out how much time is left on it and what it covers. You might find that new or used models that already come with warranties don’t cover everything that you think they should or for as long as you would like. Your dealer will have warranties available but it might be a good idea to shop around before committing.

Continue reading ‘Four Questions to Ask Before Buying an RV’ »

Charge controllers are one of the most important parts in your entire RV solar panel system.

There are three main functions a charge controller does:

1. It keeps your batteries fully charged
2. It prevents your batteries from being overcharged
3. It prevents your batteries from being excessively discharged

Batteries are a key component in your RV solar powered energy system. Without batteries, you can only use the power your solar panels generate when the sun is out and you won’t have any power at night when you could really use it.

Since RV solar panel systems almost always gather power and store it in batteries, nearly every system is going to require a charge controller. A solar charge controller is designed to protect your batteries from being overcharged by your solar panels and it will block any reverse current (from the batteries) as well.

Continue reading ‘RV Solar Panel Charge Controllers – Why They're Crucial For Your RV’ »

Aire – The most commonly used term for official motorhome parking or service points in France, may also be referred to as Aire de Service. Be aware that motorway service areas and rest stops are also called Aires, or Aire de Repos.

Air-rides – Proprietary name for spring assisters fitted to the rear axle, said to improve motorhome handling characteristics.

Black Water – waste from toilet holding tanks.

Continue reading ‘Motorhome Terminology – need some help?’ »

Spring time is right around the corner and we have already been tempted with some 70 degree days. Soon the campgrounds will start to open and the nights won’t cool off as much. The weekend traffic to the mountains will begin to slow down leaving plenty of room on the highways for a VW camper. There could not be a better time to buy a Pop Top Camper!

If you are looking to buy a Eurovan, Vanagon or Westfalia camper you can steal one this time of year especially with the state of the economy. I’ve talked to the owner for JDB Imports the biggest supplier of pop top campers in Colorado and he said sales are slightly down from the year average and now is certainly a great time to buy. “If you purchase a Eurovan this time of year you will get the most use of it (about 7 months) and dealers or owners or pop tops might be willing to cut you a deal” says Mr Bigelow. He also said that buyers usually wait too long to start looking for VW campers because once the weather gets nice sellers are less likely to sell at a discount because the demand is high.

Continue reading ‘Perfect Time to Buy a Pop Top Camper’ »

Keep Those Tires Covered

In addition to my Flair motorhome, I also have a 302 Dutchman trailer with practically no miles on it, but recently had to replace the tires due to dry rot. The tires had great tread and yet were basically useless! These tires are not cheap either. They cost me $580 to replace all 4. I have learned my lesson the hard way. Ozone in the atmosphere and ultraviolet beams from the sun will reduce the lifespan of your tires.

Ozone in the atmosphere induces tires to dry rot and deteriorate, and ultraviolet beams from the sun cause it to happen faster. This is especially true of the tires sidewall. Visually, inspect your tires for cracks in the sidewalls. If you observe any damage have the tires inspected by a tire expert.

There are essentially 2 methods to protect your tires from these elements.

Covers – Keeping tires protected with covers that will obstruct the sun when not in use is a good idea. These covers are available at most RV outlets. They may also be available in Walmart, Target or other discount stores and are usually less expensive there. They will run you about $20 per pair.

Continue reading ‘RV Tire Care’ »

Looking for used travel trailers at auction? Today’s sagging economy and down to earth interest rates, may make this the best time to find a great deal on trailers at auction. Buying a used travel trailer below retail allows you to save you money now and when you go to sell it in the future.

Below are several points that can make help you find them at low auction prices and save several thousand dollars.

How to Find Repo Travel Trailers

There are several ways for you to find repo travel trailers at auction. One way to find repo travel trailers is to search local newspapers classifieds and specialty RV selling guides. Another possible way to find an auction location is by checking with local lending institutions and that regularly issue loans on RV travel trailers. You can start with the company currently financing your RV or ask a few dealerships who they would recommend for RV financing. (Tip: There may be one department dealing with RV and car foreclosure. Not every one at the bank will know how to help you. Persistence my be required) The last, and most effective way to find out when and where travel trailer auctions occur is to develop a relationship with a small RV dealer and ask them when, where and how often these take place. Many times these RV dealers go to these auctions on a regular basis. If you are lucky they may even teach you more about how auctions specific to your area work. Your state may require a license to bid (most don’t), and an rv dealer may be ready to help bid at auction in exchange for a small fee.

Continue reading ‘Travel Trailer Repo Auctions – Finding Discount RVs’ »

While visiting RV show, I poked around in a 5th Wheel Toy Hauler or two. WOW! If your idea of camping is staying at the Ritz, this is the Toy Hauler for you. These bad boys use the 18-wheeler hitch known as a 5th wheel, which mounts in the center of a pick up bed. Up to three axles are needed to support weights up to, and exceeding, 17,000 pounds.

While smaller 5th Wheel Toy Haulers are available, most people own them for their massive roominess and unrivaled luxury. They are the most expensive of the conventional Toy Haulers.

First the good news: The 5th Wheel Toy Haulers I saw had fabulous kitchens, snack bars, full size pantries, and impressive woodwork and flooring. The kitchens were well lit and housed a full-sized microwave, refrigerator, range and oven. I was very much taken back by all of the counter space and ample cabinets. These certainly do provide a dream kitchen for the open road. A 5th wheel can come equipped with up to three slide-outs and a raised forward master bedroom making this the undisputed king of spaciousness. The overstuffed king-size bed and plush sofa quickly invite you to sit back and fire up the home entertainment center. Now someone, please make another Margarita.

Continue reading ‘5th Wheel Toy Hauler – A Recreational Vehicle Review’ »

You can buy an RV for cheap or at least get a great discount and the intent of this article is to show you how. At the heart of any worthy accomplishment is focus and a tangible goal. First and foremost decide what you are looking for and how much you want to pay for it, when are you going to buy it, and what year, length, style, and model you are pursuing.

To get a discount or buy a great RV for cheap, the next step is to understand RV’s market value. The most common is way to evaluate RV value is the NADA guide. But even using the NADA there are several different values for the same RV. These RV values range from cheap to expensive, but are all over the board and yet they are all accurate. Find the value you want to pay and stick to that price.

The truth is that the NADA works for the dealerships. It is important to understand this up front. Dealers pay about $1800 a year to use the NADA for evaluating trade in’s. It isn’t cheap.

Continue reading ‘Buying a Cheap, Discount RV’ »

RV How To: Water Quality

Since I travel a lot, I often find myself in places where the water quality is barely adequate to say the least! Now when it comes to water, the wife and I are sorta squeamish about what we put into our bodies. If it “looks bad, smells bad or tastes funny, we don’t do it….period!” So, in order to obtain good quality drinking water, we mostly depend on store bought water. But we still need water in the RV to do the necessities of life; bathing, washing, cleaning and for toilet flushing.

Sediment Filter – Just because the water is not murky (or maybe it is), or you cannot visibly see anything floating around in it, this does not mean that there are no contaminates in the water. Even if murkiness is not your complaint, a sediment filter will protect your downstream equipment from premature failure by removing the gunk that could otherwise cause a problem. Not sure if you have priced a water heater lately, but they are not cheap! Sediment filters work by straining out the sediment and holding it. Therefore replacement of the cartridges is required once they become plugged.

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