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Image source: NASA When astronauts return to the moon, a spacebound version of an RV will allow them to explore the lunar surface in comfort. This concept for a new lunar rover was revealed by NASA at the Space 2007 conference in Long Beach, California. While first lunar rovers were open to space, requiring the driver to wear a spacesuit. The new lunar rover is a rolling habitat for astronauts, climate controlled and loaded with features…like any good RV should. The two spacesuits on the side are connected to the rover. Astronauts can climb into the suits to examine rocks and features on the surface, then climb out without the hassle of having to unpressurize the rover. This lunar RV is just a concept for now. The real version could look much different. No word if there will be new laws on the moon to restrict rover parking in front of lunar bases. Souce: Wired Blogs, Space.com, and NASA

RV Trade Digest reports that three Tiffin Motorhomes will be on display at the Branson Classic Collector Car Auction October 19-20. 300 antique, classic, vintage, muscle, sports and other collectible vehicles are scheduled to be auctioned.

Tiffin will have three high-end diesel pushers,two 2008 Allegro Buses and a Phaeton, on display. The Tiffin Motorhomes website features images and details on the 2008 Tiffin models.

Of all the places to take your RV on vacation, a Wal-Mart parking lot is an unlikely choice.

According to the Couleenews.com, the asphalt spaces of Wal-Mart stores are sought out by many RVers for their price (free) and their convenience.

Parking lots lacks activities for the kids and natural beauty of national parks, but RVers who use them feel they are part of a community of fellow campers. They observe an etiquette of keeping the lots clean and respecting their neighbors and shoppers.

Source: Coulee News

Cleaning out the holding tanks of RVs: it’s a yucky job, but someone has to do it. It’s also a booming business for Dan Hylle, who runs All Pro Water-Flow Central Florida. FloridaToday.com features a profile of Hylle’s business and advice for keeping your RV holding tank working properly. There’s also valuable information if are a newbie RVer who doesn’t know the difference between grey water and black water tanks.

Not all RVers share the same idea of the ideal camping vacation. While some RVers demand WiFi, showers facilities, and other amenities, other campers just want a place to park and a low price. OregonLive.com features a story on the challenge facing the U.S. Forest Service and the idea of providing simple camping. Funding is drying up for more modest parks, like The Mount Hood National Forest’s White River Station, where ten dollars provides great views, a place for picnic, and not much else. Such parks may have to see changes to generate revenue or face closure. Some RVers like the simple nature of such campgrounds, while other prefer parks that offer electrical hookups and other luxuries. Is there still room for the simple campground in the age of the http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1190258728155510.xml&coll=7

Can singing karaoke help motivate members of a sales team to sell more RVs? At Alpin Haus, a recreation retailer in Amsterdam, New York, employees late for company meetings better be ready to grab the microphone.

TimesUnion.com features a profile of the unusual management style of Andy Heck, who traded working as an accountant at Ernst and Young to enter the family business of selling RVs, snowmobiles, and other recreational equipment.

Heck has his own way of motivating his staff, from custom football jerseys to company-wide meetings involving all employees.

Mixing fun with the serious business of RV sales seems to be paying off. According to TimesUnion.com…

The son of company founder Albert “Bud” Heck has been instrumental in building the business from one very large showroom on Route 30 to four showrooms around the region. In the 15 years he has been at the company, annual sales have increased from $20 million to $80 million, about 85 percent of which is from RV sales.

RV Trade Digest reports on Winnebago’s introduction of the Navion iQ 39th Pennsylvania RV and Camping show in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

According to Winnebago, The 2008 Navion iQ is unlike anything on the market today. The 24-foot Class C motor home is built on a 11,030-lb. GVWR Dodge Sprinter chassis with a Mercedes Benz 3.0L turbo diesel engine.

The 24CL floorplan features full body paint and an aerodynamic front end. A front skylight provides abundant natural lighting that can be controlled with a built in shade.

The Winnebago homepage features more profiles of new models, including the 2008 Destination pictured below.

The Class A Winnebago Destination offers the option of a gas pusher or diesel pusher chassis. According to Winnebago, it is first coach to take full advantage of the all-new Workhorse UFO™ chassis. You can choose from two different floor plans as well.

Keystone RV Company reports that concern over rising fuel prices have boosted sales of the X-Lite by Cougar travel trailer.

According to Keystone RV company…

X-Lite retail sales for the first six months of 2007 continue to set record numbers and outpace the market, according to Cougar product manager Chris Hermon. With the rapid growth in orders, production rates for the X-Lite are scheduled to increase significantly by the end of the year.

The X-Lite offers not only improved towability but all the great looks and features consumers have come to expect in the Cougar product line, says Hermon. “We didn’t take our number one selling Cougar product and sacrifice anything. Instead we broke new ground and leveraged what we know about value, features and floorplans. The X-Lite has a high end look and high end sizzle all packaged in a quality product that can be towed with today’s lighter tow vehicles. This is what the consumer is looking for today.”

Two more X-Lite travel trailer floorplans will be introduced later this year as well as the first X-Lite fifth wheel model.

Continues Hermon, “By expanding the hot-selling X-Lite line we are giving consumers exactly what they are asking for. X-Lite represents the principal upon which the Cougar product line was established—high value, lighterweight trailers that are easily towed.”

You can read more at the official X-lite site.

Driving an RV can be uplifting as you see the landscape roll by the windows. It also can be a frustrating one if you don’t make the time for stops to see towns and sights zipping past on the highway.

The Full Time RVer blog features a story about driving an RV with appointments and deadlines looming, with little time to stop and rest.

Sometimes you are in rush to get to a destination or meet a schedule, even on a vacation, and it can’t be helped. Leaving enough time for unscheduled stops and some quiet time has its rewards.

How tall is your RV? Did you remember to factor in the height of the air conditioning unit?

It might seem like a trival item to remember, but if you come across low overpass or tunnel a few inches or feet could mean the difference between saving or ruining your vacation.

Netscape.com offers a guide of simple tips to know when planning your RV vacation, ranging from knowing how much weight your RV can handle in cargo and people to checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Do you have a simple tip that can protect your RV? Leave a comment and tell us. We are always looking for good advice from RV veterans.