Big Rig Resorts: 2010

The Benefits of Renting or Buying an RV Lot to Rest Your Rig

Your favorite site at your favorite campground could easily be in use by the time you arrive. If you find yourself camping in the same area year after year, maybe it’s time to invest in RV lots for sale. Here are some tips, advice and verified Woodall's lots for sale locations. Read more...

Help Celebrate "Everglades Isle Motorcoach Retreat" Anniversary - January 21 thru 23.
Featuring radio talk show host Neil Boortz. There will also be Live Entertainment, Barbecue, Everglades Excursions, Air-boat rides, Dinner and lots more fun. To find out more, click on the following: [Read More]

10 great places for local wines

October 13, 2010
While Napa Valley gets the most attention, winemakers are busier than ever around the nation, says blogger Jeff Siegel, who founded DrinkLocalWine.com with Dave McIntyre, wine critic for The Washington Post. [Read More]

RVers guide to slashing campground expenses

October 10, 2010
By Bob Difley Unless you’ve been out in the boonies for several months, way beyond the reach of a radio signal, you know that the recession is not quite over. Joblessness is still somewhere near the top of Mt. Whitney, services have been cut to the non-existent, and a nervous populace is burying money under the [Read More...]

RV Navigation and Much, Much More

October 1, 2010
Lug_Nut’s view of a growing technology. Earlier I wrote about the adaption of using an Apple iPad in an RV for its application of a glass dash. If you missed it here’s a link In addition to using this for instrumentation and of course navigation, there are other great features that RVer’s might find [Read More...]

Iowa Opens New State Park Campground

Sept 29, 2010
The first new campground in an Iowa state park in seven years recently opened at the Volga River State Recreation Area. The new campground is at the north end of Volga River with a view of the lake off in the distance, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald reported. “This campground was built from scratch on an [Read More...]

How To Find Dispersed Campsites in National Forests

Sept 25. 2010
RVers and normal people call camping without hookups boondocking, regardless of whether it is on the baking black asphalt in a Walmart parking lot or so far back an old forest service logging road even the coyotes can’t find it.[Read More]

Mount Rushmore and the Important Thing

Sept 22, 2010
We headed excitedly out of Seattle. Snoqualmie Pass and on into Idaho, the feeling didn’t dissipate. Sleeping our first night near Coeur d’Alene, Jennifer and I were reminded why we loved the open road – and why a cozy 17-ft travel trailer is the perfect home for two people touring America. [Read More]

N.C. v. N.E.: Asheville becomes big-time fall foliage destination

Sept 20, 2010
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — They are called the Blue Ridge Mountains, but in Asheville in the autumn, they might as well be called the orange, red and yellow. The city of 76,000 in Western North Carolina, with its small-town, artsy feel, has become a big-time fall foliage destination [Read More]

Celebrating 100 years of rambling at the RV Museum

Sept 16, 2010
In case you somehow missed the news, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the first recreational vehicle. I know this because the RV industry pr people have been sending notices about it since back in '09. [Read More...]

Central Oregon RV Show Opening Thursday

Sept 15, 2010
The Central Oregon RV Dealers Association Fall RV and Boat Show and Sale will be held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Ore., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 16) through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, the Bend Bulletin reported. Local dealers Randy’s Kampers and Kars, [Read More...]

10 great places to celebrate Oktoberfest

Sept 14, 2010
In 1810, Bavarian Prince Ludwig threw a five-day wedding party so epic that locals made it an annual tradition. Two centuries later, Munich is expecting 7.5 million visitors for its bicentennial Oktoberfest. (Read More...)

Campgrounds Gear up for Halloween

Sept 13, 2010
If you’re passing through the foothills of the California Sierra Nevada during the last two weekends of October and hear a lot of screaming, don’t panic. You could be hearing participants in this year’s “best scream” contest, one of several Halloween themed events taking place at Far Horizons 49er Village RV Resort in Plymouth, Calif., [Read More...]

Tailgating: RV style

Part 1: RV tailgate city Another college football season is almost here. Get out the grill, stock up the cooler, and let the party begin! It is tailgating season and Welcome to Tailgate City, as much a part of college football as the Heisman Trophy and grumbling about the bowl system. And just in time for [Read More...]

Damon/Four Winds Now Thor Motor Coach

Bill Fenech, president of Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International, today (Sept. 8) announced a strategic plan to consolidate the operations of Damon and Four Winds to form Thor Motor Coach. Today, Damon and Four Winds combined are the No. 1 retail selling motorhome in the industry, Fenech said, referring to Statistical Surveys Inc., year-to-date [Read More...]

Americans take RV on open road

If you've ever watched an old American Western film, then you're likely familiar with the covered wagon. Long trains of the canvas-topped, horse-drawn wagons, rolling across vast prairies, are an enduring symbol of the nation's pioneering past. The wagons served as both transportation and trail-side home for frontier families. While the era of the wagon train is long since passed, many Americans still find the home-on-wheels concept irresistible. Today's version is the "recreational vehicle," or RV; often called caravans in other parts of the world. "Read More"

Thetford Corp. Named Top RVAA Supplier

Distributor members from the Recreational Vehicle Aftermarket Association (RVAA) rated Thetford Corp. and Norcold Inc. as the highest performing Tier-1 supplier for 2010. The award is based on how RVAA distributor members rated performance in 14 categories, including marketing, philosophy, delivery, product warranty and customer service, according to a news release. “On behalf of all the associates [Read More...]

Gasoline Prices Falling Ahead of Labor Day

There is good news at the gas pump, as Americans get ready to fill their cars, RVs and boats for the Labor Day weekend, Associated Press reported. The national average price for gasoline has been falling steadily this month, reaching $2.678 for a gallon of unleaded Monay (Aug. 30), according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil [Read More...]

RVDA Con/Expo Comes at Industry Juncture

The RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, scheduled for Oct. 4-8 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., comes at a crucial time for the U.S. economy in general and the RV industry in particular as both work their way out of the tough recession of 2008/2009. On one hand, the industry’s rebound has [Read More...]

Another Banner Year for Hershey RV Show?

Organizers of the 42nd Annual Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show, America’s largest RV show, are looking for this year’s Hershey Show to give the RV industry – RV parks and campgrounds, manufacturers and their suppliers included – the kick it needs to continue digging out of the forgettable recession of 2008-09. The U.S. economy has not [Read More...]

Surles Plans Major Oklahoma RV Resort

Firekeepers’ RV Resorts Ltd. has announced to the city of McLoud, Okla., its intentions of building a first-class RV resort on property it owns in that city, located just east of Oklahoma City in the center of the state. The new resort is to be located a mile from the Firelake Grand Casino, less than [Read More...]

Lakeview RV Park Named Tennessee’s Best

Lakeview RV Park on Boone Lake in Bluff City, Tenn., been named Campground of the Year 2010 – 2011 by the Tennessee Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, according to a news release. The award is given in recognition of member accomplishments in campground operations, marketing, management, and industry unity. Lakeview is a 151 site [Read More...]

MyFinanceGuys.com Expands into RV Sector

MyFinanceGuys.com a Salt Lake City, Utah-based finance and technology firm, has expanded into the RV industry with a product designed to offer RV dealers with more aggressive consumer finance options. Billy McKee, president of MyFinanceGuys.com, stated in a news release, “The most challenging thing about today’s market is the severe lack of liquidity. This is why [Read More...]

Trio Tours in Vegetable Oil-Powered RV

Jaunts around the country in an RV fueled by waste vegetable oil are rare, but that’s just what three recent University of Florida (UF) graduates undertook — and lived to tell about, the Gainesville Sun reported. “People don’t need gas anymore,” said one of the voyagers, Sergio Gutierrez. “People don’t believe it until you show them.” The trio [Read More...]

500,000 Expected at Sturgis Bike Rally

Sponsors expect close to 500,000 people to attend the 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally, which gets underway today (Aug. 6) in Sturgis, S.D. Early indications point to a big rally this year. Campgrounds were reporting an increase in reservations, only about 20 to 30 motels rooms out of the 5,300 in Rapid City were still [Read More...]

RVing 101: National Park Service offers fee-free days

There are an unlimited number of unique travel experiences in both the United States and Canada. Some of our favorite experiences have come from visiting national parks in both countries. We’ve traveled through much of the U.S. and have been fortunate to visit numerous national parks including Arches, Bryce, Zion, Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, [Read More...]

ARVC Tackles New Tax Requirements

One of the most daunting new paperwork and record keeping burdens for small business to come along in quite some time is the new requirement that every firm submit 1099 forms for all vendors with whom it does more than $600 in business. President Obama in April convened a one-day conference on America’s Great Outdoors [Read More...]

Did You Attend The Rally 2010? See some of the Highlights

Well, the busy Rally has drawn to a close and we Woodall’s gals and guys have (mostly) returned to the office here in Ventura, California from Louisville, Kentucky. This is not my first time visiting Louisville, and I always find it hospitable and fun! Here are some highlights of Woodall’s trip to The Rally 2010, [Read More...]

Improve your RV’s Efficiency in the Summer Heat

Summer is a great time to go camping, but it can be taxing on some of your RV appliances. Here are a few tips on how you can help your RV work more efficiently, and make your camping trips more pleasurable in the summer heat. First, let's look at the air conditioner. You can improve your RV air conditioner's efficiency by keeping the A/C filters clean. In most cases you can wash the filters in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before reinstalling. Another option is to… Read more

AGI’s The Rally Begins Thursday in Louisville, Ky.

Watch today’s Featured Video to learn about The Rally. The RV Rally gets underway Thursday (July 22) at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisvile, Ky. About 10,000 people are expected to attend the event and organizers say there is something for everyone’s lifestyle and budget. The RV Rally runs through Sunday. The Rally is sponsored [Read More...]

RVDA Marking 40th Anniversary in RV Industry

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving RV dealers in 2010. To mark this important milestone, RVDA is developing a commemorative video and will publish special sections in RV Executive Today magazine featuring photos of the events and people that shaped RVDA’s first four decades, according to a news release. RVDA was [Read More...]

Visiting popular national parks without a campground reservation

The slowly fading recession seems to have energized campers this season as campground usage is up and reservations become harder to nail down. This becomes a particular problem with those of us who procrastinate, make last-minute travel decisions, or find ourselves wherever our RVs lead us–and most of the time without campground reservations. [Read More...]

RVIA: April Wholesale Shipments Soar 85% vs. ‘09

RV wholesale deliveries to retailers were reported at 24,600 units in the April 2010 survey of manufacturers, up 2.5% over March 2010 and up 85% from this same month one year ago, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reported today (May 26). Total shipments in April were at their highest level in two years. Seasonally [Read More...]

Yellowstone Campground Reservations Up 14%

Despite the lingering effects of a weak global economy, National Park Service managers are expecting plenty of visitors this summer, coming off a record year in 2009 for Yellowstone National Park, according to the Billings (Mont.) Gazette. “By all indications, we are expecting to see another healthy visitation year,” said Colin Campbell, deputy superintendent of Yellowstone. Campbell [Read More...]

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Navistar Introduces eStar All-Electric Truck

At one of the plants where workers learned about two years ago that they would be laid off at Monaco Coach Corp. in Warsaw, Ind., Navistar Inc. unveiled its new electric truck Thursday (May 13). And that truck could soon be delivering a FedEx package to your door, according to the South Bend Tribune. The Navistar eStar runs [Read More...]

A Well Kept Secret. The Best RV Shows in The Country

A Lug_Nut tip. RV shows throughout the country each year create excitement and attract tens of thousands of eager enthusiasts. For the price of the admission you can view all the latest products from million dollar rigs to the latest five dollar camping gadget. This is the one stop spot where you can view [Read More...]

Liberty Coach Reports Increase in ‘10 Production

Liberty Coach, a family-owned and operated luxury motor coach manufacturer, has reported increased sales in both new and used motor coaches ordered for 2010. Having sold a new triple-slide coach just this past Saturday (May 8) for a total of seven new coaches sold so far this year, the company projects a total of 16 [Read More...]

Winnebago, Thor Shares Climb with Upgrade

Shares of Winnebago Industries Inc. and Thor Industries Inc. rose on Monday after an analyst upgraded shares of the recreational vehicle manufacturers, citing signs of improvement in the RV market, according to the Associated Press. Shares of Winnebago soared $1.40, or 10.3%, to $15 in midday trading. Shares of Thor jumped $2.33, or 7.4 %, to [Read More...]

The Rally Headliners: Bob Newhart, Tanya Tucker & Super Diamond

Laugh, sing, dance, and clap along with amazing Rally headliners, July 22-25, 2010, in Louisville, KY. Our iconic performers and spectacular tribute band are the perfect way to end each fun-filled day. Bob Newhart will perform his unique comedy stand-up routine; Tanya Tucker will charm you with her unique voice and dynamic stage presence; and [Read More...]

Texas RV Parks Report Strong Bookings

Campgrounds, RV parks and resorts are reporting strong bookings heading into the summer camping season, with most parks expecting to exceed last year’s business levels, according to the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO). “We are fully booked for June and July and almost through the second week of August,” said Doug Shearer, who owns the [Read More...]

Flying J implements RV dump fee

Flying J is now charging $10 to use its RV dump station services, but holders of Flying J's RV Real Value membership club card receive a $5 discount. All FMCA members receive this card when they join FMCA. [Read More]

Solar panels: Difference between winter and summer

By Bob Difley The last remaining snowbirds, except for the hardy “desert rats” that won’t head north until successive days of 100-degree plus temps have turned them into brown lizards, have finally started their migration north to the cooler forests of the northern states and Canada. But Boondocking in the national and state forests presents new [Read More...]

Geocaching by Droid

by Chris Guld, www.GeeksOnTour.com We started Geocaching several years ago, but we had a very old hand held GPS. It was not very accurate and that made it too difficult to find the caches. We soon tired of the effort. Now with our Droid ‘app phone’ it appears we’re back in business. In case you don’t know [Read More...]

National Park Service Announces More Fee-Free Days

Following on the heels of a week of fee-free days at America's National Parks during National Park Week April 17-25, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced additional fee-free days at the nation’s national parks this summer and fall....[Read More]

THE RV CENTENNIAL

Celebrating 100 Years of Exploration and Innovation.
In 2010, RVIA will lead an industry-wide, year-long celebration to recognize the 100th anniversary of the RV industry with an array of centennial events and promotions that will highlight our proud past and bright future. [Read More...]

Tracks to Adventure Focusing on U.S., Canada

A swine flu scare, an explosive drug war and the global recession have put an end to RV tour company Tracks to Adventure’s unique train caravans into Mexico. ”The train tours are over for now. It’s a decision I had to make,” said Tracks President Larry Olsen. The drug war violence was the last straw. ”We canceled our [Read More...]

RV travel: 100 years and counting

While enthusiasts and industry observers have always touted RVing as an affordable vacation option, it's poised to provide even more value this year — at least in relation to what's going on in other segments of the travel market. [Read More...]

Louisville Park Opens to Campers for Derby Kickoff

For the first time, Louisville Metro Parks will open Eva Bandman Park near downtown Louisville for Thunder Over Louisville camping, according to Louisville Business First. Thunder Over Louisville, which will be held Saturday, April 17, is an air show and fireworks display that will serve as the public kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival. Tent and RV {Read More}

Freightliner to Hold RV ‘Camp’ at FMCA Rally

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) is expanding its popular Camp Freightliner sessions, where RV owners or those simply interested in learning more about motorhome chassis spend two full days learning the ins and outs of their chassis, to the West Coast this year. Traditionally, Camp Freightliner has been held at the company’s location in South Carolina, [Read more...]

Introducing our redesigned Web Site

Big Rig Resorts.com is proud to present our newly redesigned web site. It has been a long time in waiting but now our site looks up to date and is easier to read. We also have a lot more space for descriptive information. Our Twitter page and our Blog page is also easier to locate. Let us know what you think. Post comments here and of course our web site address is: BigRigResorts.com

Camping Rates Rise at Popular National Forest

The tables, trails and fire rings are improving at the more rustic campgrounds in the Stanislaus National Forest, in eastern California but prices to camp at those sites are rising, too, according to the Stockton (Calif.) Record. Forest officials say they plan by this summer to increase camping fees at a dozen campgrounds including popular high-altitude [Read More...]

Motley Crue to Perform at Sturgis Campground

Nobility will play Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis, S.D., this summer, but Motley Crue requires neither curtsies nor bows, according to the Rapid City Journal. “They are rock royalty,” said Rod Woodruff, owner of the Chip. The bad boys of rock ‘n’ roll will join the Chip’s 2010 Sturgis motorcycle rally lineup Aug. 11. It will be the (Read More...)

National parks plan week of free admission

The National Park Service says it will swing open the gates of all national parks during the week of April 17-25. The open week celebrates National Park Week, and the NPS says many of its parks will have special activities during the week. [Read More...]

Ocean Lakes Sets Campground Recycling Standard

Ocean Lakes Family Campground has become the first resort along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to dedicate a truck and manpower to haul its own recyclables to the Materials Recycling Facility in Horry County, according to WMBF-TV, Myrtle Beach. The effort is part of the campground’s commitment to being “green friendly,” an initiative that [Read More...]

FMCA: Price, Trust, Credit Big Factors Today

Strolling through the Family Motor Coach Association’s (FMCA) 83rd International Convention, “Albuquerque Fiesta,” which concluded Thursday (March 25) at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds in Albuquerque, N.M., several things were self evident for those who closely follow the North American RV business: Price counts more than ever in this business, just as it does in an [Read More...]

Forest Service Leaves Discount Program in Place

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced Wednesday (March 17) his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses. The chief’s decision means seniors and people with disabilities will continue to receive a discount at Forest Service campgrounds run by private [Read More...]

RV Dealers Sponsor 128 WW II Vets’ Trip to D.C.

Mark and John Finnegan, owners of Finnegan’s RV Center in South Beloit, Wis., will use eight donated RVs and two charter buses to take 128 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., all free of charge through a project they call “Vets Roll,” according to WIFR-TV, Rockford, Ill. The vets will visit the new WWII memorial, something they [Read More...]

2011 Monaco RV Cayman Motorhome Unveiled

Monaco RV LLC has launched it 2011 Monaco Cayman. The Cayman steps up to the eight-air bag proprietary Roadmaster chassis, from the previous four-air bag model of 2010. The eight outboard-mounted air bag RR8R Roadmaster chassis provides a wide and stable platform for the coach, improving drivability, according to a news release. The 2011 Monaco Cayman is powered by [Read more...]

Americans once again rolling with their RVs

U.S. News & World Report
Elkhardt, Ind., is the groundhog of the recovery. As home to much of what's left of the recreational vehicle industry, Elkhardt has been the poster child of the Great Recession. It is regularly cited as an example of what's not working with the economy. So, when we say that signs of a recovery are appearing in the RV industry, let's hope Elkhardt doesn't get frightened by its shadow and disappear for another six months. Like other early indicators of the recovery, this one is not as robust as we may like. READ MORE

Travel Promotion Act Levels the Playing Field

President Obama’s signing of the Travel Promotion Act could translate into millions of dollars in new business for campgrounds and RV parks in both rural and urban areas across the country, according to the trade association that represents privately owned parks. The legislation, approved with bipartisan congressional support in late February, creates a Corporation for Travel [Read more...]

Iowa State Parks Campsites Are A Big Draw

Iowa’s state park campgrounds are filling quickly for the Memorial Day weekend that is nearly three months away. The window to reserve the first major camping holiday of the summer was Feb. 28. Campers seeking sites with electricity will already find slim pickings, according to Best of Boating. As Iowa campers become accustomed to the reservation. [Read more...]

FRVTA Regional RV Shows Draw Huge Crowds

The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) just completed the fourth of five regional shows held around the state and the attendance numbers have been fantastic, according to a news release. The Fort Myers RV Show celebrated its 25th year of providing residents of Southwest Florida with the finest in camping. This year’s event featured 15 dealers. Read more...

Crystal River, FL RV "Lot For Sale"

This lot has just been reduced. Located in Citrus County which abounds with crystal clear spring fed lakes and rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Provides some of the best water sports, fresh and saltwater fishing in Florida. The Cross Florida Barge Canal and Greenway is adjacent to us. With a 4.5 mile paved biking/hiking/equestrian trails to the Gulf, boat ramp, canoeing, picnicing and quiet bird watching. Learn more...

Senate Passes Landmark Travel Promotion Act

Landmark legislation that establishes a multi-million dollar, public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and better explain travel security policies to foreign travelers gained final passage by a strong bipartisan vote of 78 to 18 in the Senate Thursday (Feb. 25). According to independent analysis by Oxford Economics, the program could [Read More...]

5K Campsites Planned Near Bristol Speedway

The owner of Cedars Golf Course announced a project Thursday (Feb. 25) to gradually turn the Volunteer Parkway facility into a massive camping, parking, hotel and retail complex that would work in tandem with the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. Bob Slagle, owner of Cedars Golf Course, said the project – called Bristol’s Thunder. Read More...

Good Economy in North Dakota Fosters RV Use

With the unofficial start of camping season a few months down the road, getting ready for the upcoming summer may be on the back burner for a lot of people. But for people in the RV or camper business in North Dakota, it’s a busy time of the year. With sports shows scheduled around the state Read more...

Lee County RV resorts see influx of snowbirds, New parks

New parks, expansions are now in the works

Snowbirds have flocked back to Southwest Florida's RV resorts, possibly more so than last winter. And, despite the shaky economy, new parks and expansions are rolling along.
These include:
• Caloosa 80, a Class A motor coach community planned for a parcel just east of Hickey Creek Mitigation Park on State Road 80; and
• Golden Palms motor coach Estates on State Road 82 east of Alabama Road. Read more...

Workampers Seek Experiences, Provide Service

A cold wind whipped down the Texas plains on the night last month that Sharon Smith, 68, and her husband, Bill, 73, arrived here to be workampers, according to the New York Times. In the dark, they had trouble setting up their camper. But Sharon Smith, a former teacher’s aide from Sioux Falls, S.D., said she [...]Read more

Crystal River, FL RV "Lot For Sale"

Great adventures in RV Camping, Freightliner style

Camp Freightliner gives current and hopeful motorhome owners a chance to explore and learn about their vehicle. Learn more...

Bella Terra Resort Adding 88 Lots in Phase 2

Representatives from Bella Terra RV Resort announced today (Feb. 10) the launch of Phase Two of their Gulf Shores, Ala., development. Despite concerns of the real estate market, the resort has experienced growing demand – with over 1,300 unique guest stays and a 95% positive customer satisfaction rating during the first year of operation, according to [Continue Reading...]

The significance of proper inflation and loading is not appreciated by most drivers because the results of under inflation and/or overloading often don’t show up immediately. Read more...