Archive for August, 2011
August 31st, 2011 | 
Author: Motor Homes Are Greener Than You Think
As green becomes a household term and carbon emissions data turns into watercooler conversation Americans have become increasingly concerned with their impact on the environment particularly their travel habits.
Americans love to travel and to stay home because of environmental concerns is simply not a solution says Mike Smalley vice president of operations for Cruise America. All longdistance travel methods create emissions but RV rental offers a viable means for families to vacation affordably comfortably and without excess waste.
To illustrate the real environmental benefits of a motor home vacation consider the appliances in your home that consumes energy on an average day:
Heating/Air Conditioning
Stovetop cooking
Microwave cooking
Lights
Also include the things that require water:
Dishwasher
Sinks
Showers and Toilets
All of these items are available for use in a motor home but by their very design they require less energy or water to operate than what you will find in your home. As such just by traveling in a motor home your family leaves a far smaller ecological footprint than you would if you just stayed home.
They also move more passengers and cargo than your average car. It is far more environmentally sound to have a group of friends travel together in an RV to a tail gate party or camping then it is to have them each drive their own cars and meet up separately.
When customers use our discount mileage special to plan RV camping trips for cooler climates they also save on energy bills by turning off the air conditioning at home Smalley says. Besides saving money on utilities reducing energy consumption also helps families become more environmentally friendly.
Or consider this: According to an article in the May 7 edition of The Nation the effects of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses released by jets during air travel are around 270 percent higher than those of average emissions caused by driving the same distance making air travel one of the most destructive things we can do writes George Monbiot the articles author.
When compared with flying says Smalley RV vacations are actually an energysaving option producing fewer carbon emissions on most trips and often leading vacationers to travel shorter distances.
RV rentals are available in compact standard and large sizes sleeping from four to seven people and offering a kitchen bathroom and living area. For vacationers whod rather drive their own vehicle Cruise America also offers camping trailers for rent with no mileage charges as well as motor home sales at locations across the U.S. and Canada.
About the writer: Industry expert Thomas Pretty looks into the ways in which the construction of motor homes are set to change. To find out more please visit http://www.amberleisure.com/motorhomes
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Motor Home – An Integral Part Of American Culture
Of all the ways to travel a motor home may be one of the most enjoyable. Think of it you get to enjoy the scenery as you travel. You don’t have to stop to use the restroom. And you don’t have to pay extra for a hotel.
With different sizes shapes and amenities you will not have a hard time finding a motor home to meet your needs wants and maybe most importantly your budget.
The Various Types Of Motor Homes
When you first start shopping for RVs you will notice there are two main types. There are motorized versions and tow versions.
The motorized are the ones that are ‘free standing’. That is to say they run under their own power. These come in Class A B and C. Class A is the largest but easiest to drive. They are made for comfort. The passenger seats are also used as living room furniture. These have all the comforts of home. Class C is the smallest and cheapest and Class B lands somewhere in the middle.
The tow type of motor home is going to be less expensive than even the C class. It does however require a vehicle to tow it. Again these come in a variety of sizes to suit your budget and needs. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.
Accessories are very important when deciding on a motor home. You will need to decide if you want air conditioning if you want to use the standard type of heating from the engine or have separate heater for the ‘living space’. You can upgrade the insulation. Get built in appliances such as microwaves refrigerators and even dishwashers. You can have an entertainment center built in if you want!
Maintenance of Your Motor Home
Just like everything else in life your motor home is going to need repairs and maintenance. Keeping the owner’s manual handy will be helpful to trouble shoot problems as well as what you can do to fix them or if the vehicle should go to a mechanic.
A few common problems with RVs are blocked roof sewer vents drained batteries and dry rot. Even fires should be addressed in the manual because there are usually cooking areas in the RVs.
Usually common problems with motor homes are not too difficult to fix just refer to the manual. If you have lost it you can probably find one online or from the manufacturer.
Motor Homes in America
With over three million Americans living in motor homes today they have definitely become part of the culture in this country. One thing is for sure RVs are cheaper than an apartment but be aware some can be as expensive as a house!
Most of the time they are used to go on vacation. As a matter of fact they are becoming the preferred mode of transportation when camping or taking a trip so you don’t have to stop or spend money on a hotel.
Summary:
With so many options for your motor home you can find anything from a pop up camper to a larger one with all the comforts of home. RVs are usually easy to maintain as long as you keep the manual handy.
About the writer: Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends. RV Motorhomes
Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review – The Pros And Cons
Even though the Mercury Mariner Hybrid shares its platform and technologies with its siblings the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybird the Mercury manages to come off as the most refined of the trio.
The 330volt nickelmetalhydride NIMH battery pack tucked under the rear cargo area is covered by a limited 8year/100000mile warranty and is capable of powering the Mariner Hybrid for extended durations at up to 25 mph. Once you hit the gas or exceed 25 mph the 2.3 DOHC inline4 kicks in and the result is acceleration nearly on par with the V6powered Mariner.
The extensive restyling done for the 2008 model still doesnt hide the fact that the Mariner has strong SUV roots in the looks department but the nimble handling is anything but SUVlike. Turning is sharp and crisp there is no body roll to speak of and the continuously variable transmission makes the most of the 155 horsepower produced by the gasolineelectric drivetrain. Regenerative braking is strong and does a great job keeping the batteries charged.
The interior is decidedly upscale featuring dualzone climate control and an indash CD changer with an audio input that will let you plug in your favorite MP3. An extensive list of options include a DVDbased navigation system numerous entertainment options such as satellite radio and creature comforts such as heated leather seats.
The Mariner Hybrid is a comfortable and classy small SUV that combines excellent economy posh features and reliability at a price point starting at just under 30000.
You can find out more information about Hybrid Cars at www.prohybrid.com along with video news reviews and tools such as price quotes and an automotive loan calculator.
About the writer: Article provided by ProHybrid.com