Kansas loses FMCA rally

Dorothy and Toto aren't in Kansas anymore, and don't count on the FMCA to be there either. The big Family Motor Coach Association says that Kansas laws have basically rolled up and carried off the welcome mat. Goodbye Kansas, hello to Wyoming in 2013.

The problem centers on a law passed by the Kansas legislature back in 2002, the same year that the FMCA convention in the Sunflower State drew in 4,700 rigs. That law, passed to massage the feelings of Kansas RV dealers, specifies that no out-of-state vendor may sell in Kansas at a truck or RV show unless they buy a license. Not only can't RVs be sold, neither can anything else. FMCA officials say that's just too much.

Kansas State Fairgrounds folks were hoping something could be done to ease up the law and appease both Kansas RV dealers and the FMCA. But the stalemate never budged, and now the FMCA says they'll be going to Wyoming for their big rally in 2013, which the state fairgrounds hoped would be theirs instead.

It would appear that the "goose egg" logo for the FMCA has become Kansas' own goose egg in its own right.

What's behind the jump in gas prices?

A frequent argument made for the cause of high pump prices is the old, "supply and demand." If Americans are soaking up motor fuel than it can be produced, they'll be punished with higher costs. Are we receiving the "full recompense due for our error" of driving too much? Far from it says a story carried by Bloomberg Business Week. If anything, American's are using far less fuel than in times past, and yet the pump prices are still shooting up. What's the deal?

The US Energy Department confirms your fears: Gas prices are up 8% this year, the steepest hikes for so early in the year. If fuel prices keep up at this pace, it's possible $4 per gallon gas could be a pump reality by May or earlier. We haven't seen prices like that since the nasty summer of 2008, when this writer paid $4.99 for a gallon of diesel at a wide-spot-in-the-road in Nevada.

But fuel consumption is actually down, lower than any time in 15 years. So supply and demand charges are bogus. Bloomberg observes people are scratching their heads in wonder. The site quotes Tom Kloza, the chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service who says speculators trying to cash in on fear are to blame. "We’ve seen about $11 billion of speculative money come in on the long side of gas futures," he says. "Each of the last three weeks we’ve seen a record net long position being taken."

Is it greed? We'll let you make your own conclusions. But adding to the price jacking misery is oft-cited refinery production hitch issue. Refineries are complaining that their profit margins are in the squeeze, paying a lot for crude oil, but not getting much for their completed product. Rather than "operate at a loss," some refineries are cutting down on production or shutting down entirely. Result, higher pump prices.

But gas prices aren't jumping everywhere. Up in Wyoming, says Bloomberg, the average price for gasoline is just $2.90. Contrast this to western Arizona where Quartzsite RV watchers have marveled at a runup on pump prices of over twenty cents in just two weeks. Hold on for the ride.

source: bloomberg business week

Manufacturer of RV storage door lift kits expands its offerings

Hatchlift, a manufacturer of aftermarket hydraulic door lift kits for RV storage compartment doors, recently added bedlift kits and replacement springs to its product lineup.

The bedlift kits are complete retrofit kits and include everything necessary to properly install hydraulic lifts on the RV bed. The installation instructions are simple, straightforward, easy to understand and execute. The kit can be easily installed by the RV owner in about 30 minutes requiring a drill and common hand tools.

“The request for RV Bedlift kits and replacement springs was so great, the company decided to add both products beginning in 2012,” said Hatchlift's owner Garry Neff. “We offered the bedlift kits and replacement springs at the RV show at Quartzsite and sold out in the first day.”

Hatchlift is an RV accessory manufacturer that focuses on developing and providing products to improve the RVing experience. The family-owned company is in its second year and has been featured in Trailer Life, Motor Home Magazine, RV Magazine and many other publications.

Additionally, the company was recently the focus of Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, in a product spotlight feature. To view the review, click here.

For more information, people can call 303.233.6083, e-mail gneff@hatchlift.com or visit www.hatchlift.com.

Encore Resorts and Thousand Trails sponsor fishing contest

To kick off the beginning of the 2012 fishing season, Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts are holding a Go Fishing contest with three fishing package giveaways. Through February 29, 2012 contestants can enter through Encore and Thousand Trails websites for a chance to take home a fishing package for the family worth more than $500.

Contestants can fill out an entry form for a chance to win by visiting www.RVonTheGo.com. Three lucky winners will be selected and will receive an extensive package to include: a Fenwick HMG 66 medium action spinning rod, a Pflueger Supreme XT spinning reel, a Berkley Trilene XL Armor Coated fishing line 8-pound test, and a Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ladyfish spinning combo, in addition to a generous supply of Berkley fishing bait. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest. The drawing will be March 9, 2012 and winners will be contacted directly.

Course schedule announced for May RV lifestyle, safety conference

The course schedule for the 2012 RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety conference, May 18 to 20, is now available RVsafety.com. The annual event is held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

“The 2012 schedule reflects the tremendous response from the RV industry with more manufacturers participating in this uniquely positive educational program," said RVSEF Executive Director Walter Cannon. "RV owners and non-owners alike can interact with the best and most knowledgeable instructors in the industry."

Attendance is limited, so interested RVers are encouraged to register early. More information is available at RVsafety.com or by calling RVSEF at 321-453-7673.

RV photo contest offers iPad as big prize

How many of us have cranked up the RV generator to handle some high power task? There's a big possibility you cranked up an Onan brand generator. Cummins Onan recently cranked out it's two-millionth RV generator and to celebrate, has put on an RV photo contest.

Kicking off at the recent Florida RV SuperShow, the contest runs through March 31 of this year. Submit your photo to the contest website, the photo will be posted, and visitors to the site can vote for their favorite. If your photo is the most popular, you'll win an iPad2 and associated goodies.

Specifically, the contest is open for you "favorite RV trip photos." But check out the detail at www.rvphotocontest.com.

photo contest entry by edward roberts