07 Aug 10 RV Travel and Road Trip Tips

Aug 2, 2010 – 11:29:22 PM
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RV Travel and Road Trip Tips

RV travel…get road trip tips. This year Celebrate 100 Years Of RV’ing: Stress-Free RV Traveling. Find out how to make your RV road trip stress free so you can enjoy your RV vacation.

(NAPSI)-This year marks the 100th anniversary of RV’ing and there is no better way to help celebrate the RV’s centennial than by taking a family road trip. With fuel prices holding steady, traveling by RV is more affordable than ever. According to the Recreational Vehicle Rental Association, many RV models allow a family of four to save up to 57 percent on vacation costs such as airfare, lodging, baggage checking and meals.

RV’ers are also some of the greenest vacationers out there- research shows that RV vacations have lower CO2 emission levels than airline, rental car and hotel vacations.

Before you hit the road, follow these five easy steps to plan your perfect RV adventure:

Plan Your Journey In Advance:

Lessen your stress on the drive by knowing where you’re going. Whether you take the scenic route or travel by freeway, map out your route in advance with software such as Microsoft Streets & Trips. You can plot your course, determine your travel time and estimate your fuel expenses before you even leave the house. You can also plot out a comprehensive list of restaurants, gas stations, attractions and other points of interest along the way.

Proper Maintenance Is Key:

A quick once-over of the RV will save you the headache of getting stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Before you leave, be sure to check the fluids and make sure the air pressure in your tires is at the recommended levels. Nothing can throw a monkey wrench in your travel plans faster than mechanical problems.

Reserve Your Spot In Advance:

Your RV neighbors may have booked their parking spots months in advance, so be sure to call ahead to reserve a spot. You’ll save time, fuel and the stress of having to drive around to find last-minute accommodations.

Preparation Is Essential:

Make a list and check it twice because preparation is crucial while on the road. Stocking up for the trip in advance will help you maintain a healthy and consistent diet, while steering away from unnecessary impromptu purchases. Purchase groceries at your local supermarket to avoid stopping for fast food. Prior to leaving, make sure your RV’s emergency kit is stocked and you have plenty of water.

Avoid The Dreaded “Are we there yet?” Question:

Show them where they are along the way with Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS Locator so they can see exactly how far you’ve traveled and how long each leg of the trip will take. The product can also help keep you on track with spoken directions, automatic rerouting and large on-screen directions.

For additional information about Microsoft Streets & Trips, please visit www.microsoft.com/streets/travel.

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30 Jul 10 Make Your Next Road Trip An Enjoyable One

Jul 27, 2010 – 5:08:12 PM
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Make Your Next Road Trip An Enjoyable One

Make Your Next Road Trip An Enjoyable One. Road Trips are fun for the entire family when you heed these simple road safety tips. Driving vacations and common sense safety tips go hand in hand.

(NAPSI)-To avoid drowsy driving, get a good night’s rest before starting your trip and stop often. Stop at trusted locations, such as travel plazas managed by HMSHost. The company offers dining and retail opportunities at more than 100 highway service rest stops from the Midwest to Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Ontario, Canada.

The newest of these rest stops, the Delaware Welcome Center Travel Plaza, is now open on Interstate 95, near Wilmington, Del. Among the delicious food offered at the light-filled travel plaza are Baja Fresh, an innovative blend of Southwestern and Mexican cuisine serving freshly prepared tacos and burritos; Brioche Dorée, a French bakery and café featuring sandwiches and salads; as well as Starbucks Coffee, Popeyes, Cinnabon, Carvel, Famous Famiglia Pizza and Burger King.

Travelers can also take advantage of tax-free shopping, with merchandise offered at four new retail shops. Z Market, an upscale convenience store, offers travel essentials, newspapers, magazines and gourmet prepackaged food to go. Postcards from Delaware, which sells products that highlight the state’s distinctive heritage and culture, joins Bijoux Terner and IShades.

Photographs of Delaware attractions and scenery, representing every county of the state, grace the center’s interior walls.

Wherever you go on your next road trip or family vacation, you may want to avoid some common roadblocks to a pleasant trip. Here are a few pointers on preventing breakdowns and driver fatigue:

• Do you need that? Make a list before packing the car.

• Check Your Tire and Your Tire Pressure.

Tires can lose pressure quickly, and proper inflation helps prevent blowouts. It also helps to improve fuel economy.

• Check Your Car’s Fluids and Wiper Blades.

Have your oil changed. Also, check the coolant/antifreeze mixture in your vehicle’s radiator. Inspect the wiper blades. Also, check the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Don’t forget your car’s battery. If it is more than three years old, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility.

• Prepare for Roadside Emergencies.

Create a kit that contains a flashlight, flares and first-aid basics. Bring along jumper cables, a mat or blanket and some basic tools to help change a tire. Also, add some water and nonperishable food in case of a breakdown.

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29 Jul 10 Check Your Tires Before Your Trip

Jul 27, 2010 – 5:14:02 PM
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Check Your Tires Before Your Trip

Check Your Tires Before Your Trip. Your tires air pressure should always be checked before a road trip. Make this simple auto maintenance function a part of your monthly car check up.

(NAPSI)-Keeping your car on the road to safety and savings can start with something as simple as well-maintained tires.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, about 11 percent of vehicles on the road have at least one bald tire, and 55 percent of vehicles have at least one underinflated tire.

Ongoing preventive maintenance-which can take less than 10 minutes-at least every month or before long trips is the best method to maximize tire performance, say the experts at Cooper Tire. Before hitting the road, drivers should conduct do-it-yourself maintenance checks, examining tires for proper inflation, damage or excessive wear and tear.

• Treading Firmly.

The only piece of a vehicle to touch the road is the tires, making tire tread-a key factor in handling, cornering, accelerating and braking-a vital part of overall tire maintenance. Tire tread depth should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep all around the tire, and drivers can check this by using a penny.

Insert the edge of the coin into the tread with Lincoln going in head first. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread, there’s an acceptable amount of tread; if the top of his head is visible at any location on the tire, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.

• Wearing Well.

While examining the tread, also look for signs of uneven wear or damage such as cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges. These conditions shorten the life of tires and, if not corrected, may do further damage to the tire, or air loss may occur.

• Putting the pressure on. Tire pressure also plays a critical role in the overall performance of tires as underinflation creates excessive stress on the tire, while overinflation can cause uneven wear in addition to handling and braking issues. A common myth is that the tire pressure listed on the sidewall is the optimal pressure, while in reality it is the maximum pressure.

Drivers should follow the guidelines found in the vehicle owner’s manual or tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door, trunk or fuel door.

• Professional Help.

Should any of these checks reveal the need for required maintenance-or when in doubt about the condition of their tires-drivers should take vehicles to a tire dealer for a professional inspection, suggests Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global technology for Cooper Tire.

Learn More

To obtain more information on proper tire maintenance, visit www.coopertire.com, or follow Cooper on www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.

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07 Aug 10 RV Travel and Road Trip Tips

RV Travel and Road Trip Tips

30 Jul 10 Make Your Next Road Trip An Enjoyable One

Make Your Next Road Trip An Enjoyable One

29 Jul 10 Check Your Tires Before Your Trip

Check Your Tires Before Your Trip

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