Archive for March, 2009

Just as it would be hard for you to go out and jog for 45 minutes if you haven’t worked out in 6 months, it’s also hard for your dog if it is not used to a regular exercise period. Be sure to get your veterinarian’s okay before beginning your pet’s exercise routine. Pat Robbins from the RVPets forum offers these tips to help you get started:

a. Start slowly, gradually increasing the time and intensity of the activity. This will safely strengthen your dog’s muscles, aerobic capacity, and footpads.

b. Pay attention to how your dog is feeling. Signs that your pet needs to slow down or stop include drooling, stumbling, trouble breathing, and a long, droopy tongue. Take a break and consider making tomorrow’s workout shorter. Also remember that in hot weather your dog can’t sweat like you do to keep cool.

c. Concrete and asphalt [and different sized gravel, pebbles and stones found in many RV parks] are tough on your friends’ paws–especially on hot days. Try to walk or run on dirt paths (or grass) as much as possible.

d. The longer you work out, the more water Fido needs. Bring along a collapsible water dish to help your pet stay hydrated.

e. Be realistic about your pet’s limitations. Many smaller breeds love going for a brisk walk, but you’ll probably have to carry them on a strenuous hike. Animals with a thin coat will not tolerate cold weather very well, whereas dogs with thick coats don’t do well in the summer heat.

f. You should avoid strenuous exercise with your dog until he is finished growing (after 9-12 months for most dogs).

Time Involved: At least 10 minutes every day

Body Benefit: Healthy heart and lungs for both of you

Feel free to pass on – Pat in So Central TX

Thanks, Pat.
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There has never been a better time to buy a new RV. Dealers want to sell and are willing to bargain. But you have to know how to get the best deal.

Clearly, an RV dealer is entitled to make a profit. Without it he could not survive. But dealers often make HUGE profits on the RV’s they sell. The reason; dealerships spend thousands of dollars training their sales people to maximize the profit on every deal they work. Yet the large majority of buyers never take the time to really learn how to buy an RV at the best price.

Below are just a few tips to get you started.

1. Take your time. Don’t buy an RV until you have looked at dozens of brands, types and floor plans. How can you really know what you want unless you’ve looked at many different sizes, types and layouts?
2. You need time and experience to be able to evaluate the quality, or lack of it, in the various brands and models you have to choose from. You will also want to compare prices.
3. With each interaction with RV salesmen you’ll grow more accustomed to their sales techniques and become confident a buyer.
4. Know the wholesale and retail book value of your trade in, as well as the RV you are considering buying before you start any negotiation. This is critical. You cannot negotiate the best price unless you go in knowing what the best price is.
5. If you plan to finance your RV, don’t automatically go for dealer arranged financing. Research other sources for RV Loans, and choose the best interest rate and terms possible.
6. With so many RV manufacturers going out of business a factory warranty may be worthless. Ask the dealer what will happen if the manufacturer will not honor the warranty. If he makes any promises, be sure you get it in writing.
7. If you are considering buying an orphaned RV, try making the dealer buy an after market warranty for you. Make sure the dealer will still cover anything in the manufacturer’s warranty that is not covered buy the warranty insurance and get everything in writing in the contract.
8. If you choose to purchase an RV warranty, do careful research. Not all warranty policies are the same. Price is less important than the reputation of the company and what the policy covers.
9. Good negotiation takes time. The longer you hold out for the right price the more likely you are to get it. Here’s why. If you make an offer and the dealer can’t make a profit the salesman will let you walk soon enough and he will go on to the next customer. If he keeps trying to sell you then chances are your price is workable. If you spend a day with a salesman negotiating a deal that’s a day he hasn’t had a chance to make another sale. He has time invested in you and he wants a payoff.
10. If the negotiation isn’t going the way you want, leave the dealership. Even if it’s just to go to lunch but better if it’s overnight.
11. Use the dealer’s urgency to your advantage. The more eager the dealer is to sell, the better chance you have to really bargain.
12. Be willing to walk away. In some cases it may be best just to buy from another dealer. There’s always another RV and another RV dealer.

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RVing 101 Training Course on DVDs
Get a box set of instructional DVD titles for hours of one on one instruction. Not only do you eliminate the guesswork as to which DVDs are suited to your RV, you SAVE significant money with the box set discount. There are DVD sets for Class A, Class C Motorhomes, Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels.

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