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Mar 04
2009
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Another un-bear-able cartoonPosted by Rex Gambill in Funny stuff, Coachmen |
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This cartoon comes to us from former product specialist Les Arent.
Mid-State RV Center Blog!
A place for customers and employees to share and discuss
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Mar 01
2009
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Gladiator in the snowPosted by Rex Gambill in toy haulers, nature, Gulf Stream, Georgia, customers, Class C |
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Cathy Evers sent me this pic of their Gulf Stream Gladiator 6370 toy hauler motorhome braving the west Georgia snow on Sunday. She and husband Jeff are among my favorite customers!
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Dec 15
2008
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Joey talks to our own Tom Black here on his show, Outdoors with Joey Mines, a few months back
Be sure to check out Joey's show on FSN South!
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Nov 28
2008
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Congratulations and thanks to my repeat customers Ben and Krista Sutherland of Marietta, S.C. They bought a 2007 KZ Frontier 2505-QSS travel trailer from me.
Thanks to you both for coming so far to do business with us - again! I am honored and humbled.
Proud to be your RV product specialist,
Rex Gambill
Internet Sales Manager
Mid-State RV Center
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Nov 16
2008
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Customer's cousin pilots Shuttle EndeavorPosted by Rex Gambill in fun stuff, Florida, family, customers |
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Jeff and Lisa Leggett of Cobb, Ga., bought a travel trailer from me last month.
As it turns out, Lisa's cousin Eric Boe is the pilot of the Shuttle Endeavor, which launched Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. Jeff and Lisa attended the launch, and shot video footage from the family viewing area.
Here is a link to their video - truly amazing!
Thanks to you both!
Rex Gambill
Internet Sales Manager
Mid-State RV Center
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Oct 28
2008
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Only in EuropePosted by Rex Gambill in travel trailers, technology, fun stuff, Europe |
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In Europe, RVs are called "caravans."
Whatever you call them, I have never seen anything quite like the Mehrzeller.
Below is the text of a press release from the Austrian company that is selling these unique campers.
Caravans are cool again!
Mobility and living on the move are very important themes of our fast-moving age. People want to be mobile but at the same time, have a strong desire for a lasting home and their own personal four walls. In the camper market there is strong demand for new design and personalized, tailor-made solutions. Individualist tourists want a caravan that is made just for them.
The solution to the problem is offered by the “Mehrzeller” – the multicellular caravan. Using the online Configurator, every user sets up a design that is unique, their own layout that they can identify with. The configuration is generated by a computer using the customer’s inputs, and then the final design is done by parameters from the architects to yield an attractive and practicable result. The caravans are produced using the principles of “mass customization”: this allows both the individual wishes of the customer to be accommodated while producing the caravan with series methods. The cost of producing these unique caravans is only marginally more than a conventional mass-produced model.
The Mehrzeller thus introduces a new generation of mobile living. The project, which began as a degree project in Architecture at the Technical University of Graz, can be realized thanks to the support of many respected companies such as Design Composite, Alko, Truma, Dometic, Waeco, Alphatronics, Alugas, Jokon, Fiamma, Cleversolar, Simona, Moralt, Reimo, BMW and others.
The prototype of the Mehrzeller is being presented to the public for the first time at the Caravan-Salon 2008 in Düsseldorf from 29.08 - 07.09.2008 in Hall 15, Stand A48. There’ll be another opportunity to see the prototype at the Caravan Salon Austria from 15 -19.10.2008 in Wels.
For further information, visit www.mehrzeller.com
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Oct 20
2008
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Congratulations and thanks to Scott and Megan Cargile of Alto, Ga. They bought a 2008 Keystone Outback 28RSDS travel trailer from me.
Thanks to you both for coming so far to do business with us. We'll do you proud!
Proud to be your RV product specialist,
Rex Gambill
Internet Sales Manager
Mid-State RV Center
rex@midstaterv.com
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Oct 11
2008
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Heartfelt thanks to Travis and Wendy Mullis of Cleveland, Ga. They bought a 2005 Coachmen Catalina 730TBS travel trailer. And even deeper thanks to previous customer Michael Mazarky for referring Travis to me!
There is no greater praise than for a customer to refer his friends to me. I am humbled!
Proud to be your RV product specialist,
Rex Gambill
Internet Sales Manager
Mid-State RV Center
rex@midstaterv.com
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Oct 09
2008
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RV vacations still least expensivePosted by Rex Gambill in lifestyle, family, campsites |
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RESTON, Va. — Despite record-breaking fuel prices, typical RV trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs.
PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that “typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied.”
Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV family vacations tend to be significantly less expensive than other types of vacations.
“This study re-affirms what RVers have long known, that RV vacations deliver greater economic value compared to other types of vacations,” says Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) . “RV vacations continue to be the most affordable way for a family to travel because of the tremendous savings on air, hotel and restaurant costs. And these savings offset the cost of fuel.”
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by a family of four taking eight different types of vacations for three, seven, 10 or 14 days to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod, and Napa, Calif.
“On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types analyzed in all but one case,” says Kannan Sankaran, PKF’s lead researcher for the study. “Even as fuel prices increase, our findings show that almost all RV vacations are still significantly less expensive than non-RV ones.”
Fuel prices would have to more than double for typical motorhome vacations to become more expensive than other forms of travel, according to PKF Consulting. The study also shows that fuel costs would have to more than triple for trips in lightweight travel trailers or folding camping trailers to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV vacation. Almost 80 percent of the RV market consists of towable RVs, including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or pickup.
RV owner John Bargo, a computer operator from Milwaukee, Wis., agrees with PKF’s findings. “When you figure the cost of driving in a car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants, it’s a lot more expensive than bringing your lodging and food with you.”
Dennis Silipena, a 55-year-old service and parts manager from Hammonton, N.J., also appreciates the affordability of RV travel. “I’ve owned an RV for 25 years and I’ve enjoyed significant savings over other types of vacations. I pay $30 to $40 to stay in a campground rather than $150 to stay in a hotel. And it’s a much nicer experience staying in my RV.”
The study showed that a family of four traveling from Phoenix, Ariz. to Napa, Calif., with their folding camping trailer for 10 days, staying in campgrounds at the local average of $33 per night, would save 52 percent, or $2,379, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $122 per night and eating in restaurants. Taking the same vacation by a Type C motorhome would save $1,704, or 37 percent, over going by car.
A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from Salt Lake City to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a hotel would be $2,647, or 65 percent less expensive.
Shorter getaways by RVs were also found to be more economical. For example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Lancaster, Pa., would save $323 or 31 percent by towing a conventional travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. The savings would be even greater — $889 or 52 percent — for families taking the same trip by a Type C motorhome rather than flying.
Among the RV vacations analyzed by PKF, even those taken in an ultra-luxury Type A diesel motorhome were less expensive than flying and staying in a hotel. Only a family taking a vacation by personal car with hotel or renting a condo and cooking for themselves would spend less than a family taking a trip in a Type A motorhome. “Owners say the added space, comfort and convenience while traveling justify the investment in a Type A,” noted Coon.
In addition to major expenditures required from the start to finish of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of ownership of the RVs analyzed: a folding camping trailer, conventional travel trailer, and Type C and Type A motorhomes. Research included documenting average ownership periods, residual values, annual days of use, insurance and applicable interest deductions.
“RV vacations are a great way for families to spend time together and bond,” said Coon. “Whether it’s in a luxury motorhome or a basic folding camping trailer, RV vacations offer value that lasts a lifetime.”
The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience, flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling in an RV could not be addressed.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (rvia.org ) is the national association representing more than 500 manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States.
SOURCE: RV Industry Association press release
PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that “typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied.”
Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV family vacations tend to be significantly less expensive than other types of vacations.
“This study re-affirms what RVers have long known, that RV vacations deliver greater economic value compared to other types of vacations,” says Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) . “RV vacations continue to be the most affordable way for a family to travel because of the tremendous savings on air, hotel and restaurant costs. And these savings offset the cost of fuel.”
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by a family of four taking eight different types of vacations for three, seven, 10 or 14 days to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod, and Napa, Calif.
“On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types analyzed in all but one case,” says Kannan Sankaran, PKF’s lead researcher for the study. “Even as fuel prices increase, our findings show that almost all RV vacations are still significantly less expensive than non-RV ones.”
Fuel prices would have to more than double for typical motorhome vacations to become more expensive than other forms of travel, according to PKF Consulting. The study also shows that fuel costs would have to more than triple for trips in lightweight travel trailers or folding camping trailers to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV vacation. Almost 80 percent of the RV market consists of towable RVs, including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or pickup.
RV owner John Bargo, a computer operator from Milwaukee, Wis., agrees with PKF’s findings. “When you figure the cost of driving in a car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants, it’s a lot more expensive than bringing your lodging and food with you.”
Dennis Silipena, a 55-year-old service and parts manager from Hammonton, N.J., also appreciates the affordability of RV travel. “I’ve owned an RV for 25 years and I’ve enjoyed significant savings over other types of vacations. I pay $30 to $40 to stay in a campground rather than $150 to stay in a hotel. And it’s a much nicer experience staying in my RV.”
The study showed that a family of four traveling from Phoenix, Ariz. to Napa, Calif., with their folding camping trailer for 10 days, staying in campgrounds at the local average of $33 per night, would save 52 percent, or $2,379, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $122 per night and eating in restaurants. Taking the same vacation by a Type C motorhome would save $1,704, or 37 percent, over going by car.
A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from Salt Lake City to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a hotel would be $2,647, or 65 percent less expensive.
Shorter getaways by RVs were also found to be more economical. For example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Lancaster, Pa., would save $323 or 31 percent by towing a conventional travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. The savings would be even greater — $889 or 52 percent — for families taking the same trip by a Type C motorhome rather than flying.
Among the RV vacations analyzed by PKF, even those taken in an ultra-luxury Type A diesel motorhome were less expensive than flying and staying in a hotel. Only a family taking a vacation by personal car with hotel or renting a condo and cooking for themselves would spend less than a family taking a trip in a Type A motorhome. “Owners say the added space, comfort and convenience while traveling justify the investment in a Type A,” noted Coon.
In addition to major expenditures required from the start to finish of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of ownership of the RVs analyzed: a folding camping trailer, conventional travel trailer, and Type C and Type A motorhomes. Research included documenting average ownership periods, residual values, annual days of use, insurance and applicable interest deductions.
“RV vacations are a great way for families to spend time together and bond,” said Coon. “Whether it’s in a luxury motorhome or a basic folding camping trailer, RV vacations offer value that lasts a lifetime.”
The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience, flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling in an RV could not be addressed.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (rvia.org ) is the national association representing more than 500 manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States.
SOURCE: RV Industry Association press release
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Sep 23
2008
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Congratulations and thanks to Doug and Delores Poole of Danville, Ala. They bought a 2008 Keystone Springdale 291RK travel trailer.
My hat's off to you two (and Buddy too!). I hope to see you down the line!
Proud to be your RV product specialist,
Rex Gambill
Internet Sales Manager
Mid-State RV Center
rex@midstaterv.com