RV in the News..................................................

Starcraft Recreation Vehicles: Folding Camping Trailers, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Truck Campers and Lightweight Towables Starcraft Camper Club | Your Adventure | Download Brochure | Accessories | Contact Us | About Us | Help LOCATE A DEALER NEAREST TO YOUR AREA Starcraft RV in the News.................................................. Starcraft – the Camping Trailer that’s Right for Everyone Pine Mountain Soft Side Truck Campers – There’s One for Your Truck With 13 models, floorplans that sleep from six to eight people and all the conveniences of home, there’s a Starcraft fold-down camping trailer for just about every family, including yours. This 2407 is one of three floorplans with a spacious dinette slideout; model 2412 has a roomy super lounge slide. More » New red-tinted sierra maple cabinetry is complemented by neutral spice beige fabrics in the 2006 Pine Mountain truck camper line-up from Starcraft RV. One of the most diverse in the industry, the line features seven models with boxes ranging from 6'8" to 9'3" to fit virtually every size and style of ½- and ¾-ton pickup. More » Antigua by Starcraft – One of Today’s Most Sought After Expandables Starcraft 2006 Travel Star 18SD Features Large Front Cargo Area Antigua expandable travel trailers by Starcraft are among the industry’s most popular sellers. Shown here is the remarkably popular 215SSO with front and rear bed ends and a large slideout dinette and sofa. More » Travel Star 18SD is one of Starcraft’s most popular selling RVs. Its spacious diamond plated front cargo area is designed to carry leisure time toys such as motorcycles, ATVs and extra gear for hunting, boating or camping. Two ramps make loading cargo easy. More » » READ ALL PRESS RELEASES Choose a Starcraft Brand: Starcraft Folding Camping Trailers Pine Mountain Truck Campers Antigua Travel Trailers Travel Star Travel Trailers Starcraft Travel Trailers Aruba LITE Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels Homestead LITE Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels Not sure which Starcraft brand is right for you? Click here. Starcraft Camper Club | Your Adventure | Download Brochure Accessories | Contact Us | About Us | Help ©2005 Starcraft RV, Inc.

RV buyers use a

Insider RV Financing Secrets Insider RVFinancing Secrets How to Buy an RV Current Rates Loan Programs RV Loans Home Boat Financing RV Financing Aircraft Loans RV News Apply On-Line NOW! RV Articles and Information Insider RV Financing Secrets Many people who contemplate financing an RV, or any other high-ticket items such as a boat or private aircraft, are intimidated by the length of the financing term needed for an acceptable payment. Typical financing terms are 10 to 20 years, with 15 years being the most common. Some consumers choose a shorter financing term and a higher payment simply because of their fear of the longer-term commitment. Even though they obviously know RV owners rarely, if ever, keep an RV for the entire term of their financing, they choose a shorter term. They unnecessarily strap themselves to a higher payment that could strain their budget; should illness, unemployment or other hard times take place. Others buyers choose the longest term available to secure the lowest payment possible; even though they could afford much more. They usually pay more interest than principal during the first half of the loan period, and wind up in an "upside-down" position when it comes time to trade or sell their RV. In other words, the remaining payoff on their loan is much more than the actual value of their unit because they chose the longest loan term. A Hybrid System Savvy RV buyers use a "Hybrid" type of financing system to get the best of both worlds. They finance the RV for the longest term available for the loan amount, which makes the payment lower than they can actually afford. During the loan, they make the monthly payment PLUS an additional amount, which is directly subtracted from the principal amount of the loan. When this approach is followed with discipline, it can lower the "effective" interest rate to as much as half the original rate - as well as dramatically shortening the length of the loan term. It also allows the most flexibility. Should the borrower face a situation where times are rough or money is tight, they still have the luxury of making the lowest payment possible. An Example of a $50,000 Loan Interest Rate: 6.25% Term in Years: 15 years Payment Amount: $428.71 Total Interest Paid: $27.167.80 Now if this person added $50 to each monthly payment, he would change the repayment terms to: Effective Interest: 5.64% Term in Years: 12 years Total Interest Paid: $18,927.20 Interest Savings: $ 8,240.60 Now lets assume that this person added $150 to the monthly payment. Effective Interest: 2.66% Term in Years: 8 years Total Interest Paid: $5,556.17 Interest Savings: $21,611.63 Whats the Bottom Line? Comparing our last example of a consumer applying our hybrid system to an individual who took out an 8-year loan upon purchasing the same RV The hybrid system would have saved nearly 4% in interest over the initial 8-year financing. By shortening your loan term from 15 years to roughly 8 years, you have saved over $21,000 in interest. You have also reduced your "effective" interest rate to less than 3%. Plus, the buyer has paid off a 15-year loan in about 8 years! Even if they miss a few months of additional principal payments, they will still have saved thousands of dollars in finance charges. The additional $150 per month added to principal has saved about $78 per month over choosing an 8-year initial loan term. That equates to about $7,500 savings in payment amount over the course of the loan. What if I Dont Make the Additional Payment? The key to making a hybrid payment system work - is discipline. You must make the additional principal payment every month, or very close to it. You should be certain your scheduled payment amount plus any additional amount you plan to add toward principal is within your budget. Even if you intend to use a hybrid payment system, but never add an additional penny towards principal you will have simply paid off your loan in the same manner the majority of RV buyers choose. Barry Wilder - President Best Rate Financial Services RV Loans and Financing Barry Wilder has been associated with his family RV business for over 25years. He is currently the owner of Best Rate Financial Services, providingloans and refinancing for RVs, boats and aircraft. They also provide RV and Boat Warranties. This article may ONLY be reprinted in it's full original form and MUST contain the author's information and linking structure. Please notify us if you are an authority in a related field and would like to submit articles. We welcome your questions and comments. Info@bestrate-loans.com 573-442-4949 For our Loan Application - Click Here! © 1995 - 2005 Best Rate FinancialServices -- All Rights Reserved.

motor coaches to Albany,

Williams Transport Motor Coach Service - About The Service About The Service The Williams Transport Motor Coach Service is a wholly-owned, independent business of Williams College, whose goal is to serve the Williams College student body by providing reliable, comfortable, and safe transportation for students during breaks in the academic year. During Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Dead Week, Spring Break, and at the End of School, the Motor Coach Service runs luxury motor coaches to Albany, New York City, and Boston. Our motor coaches seat at least 55 adults in individually reclining seats and are equipped with a lavatory, VCR, televisions, a separate baggage compartment and a mobile phone. Motor Coach Service History It is our understanding that the Bus Service (as it was known) was originally founded and run as a for profit business in the late 1970's by Steve Case'80, current Chairman of AOL Time Warner. Upon his graduation, the Bus Service was continued by other Williams students. At some point at the end of the 1980's / beginning of the 1990's, the Williams College Council assumed control of the service and changed its name to the CC Bus Service. In the mid-1990's, the Bus Service was not well organized. Rumor has it that the buses left when the driver decided the bus was full (there was no set departure time) and the service chartered old, uncomfortable, un-airconditioned school buses. With the service in serious financial trouble in early 1998, freshman Phil Swisher'01 was named the service's new director. During Swisher's tenure as Director, the Service became profitable and was greatly improved by the replacment of old school busses with new, luxury motor coaches (hence our current name: CC Motor Coach Service). In Spring 1998, Swisher added Boston Logan and North Station routes and expanded the service to include Hartford in fall 1999. For the first time, students were able to charge their tickets to their term bill in 1998 and new professionally printed tickets were used. During the 2000-2001 school year, Swisher expanded the CC Motor Coach Service to include 111 scheduled departures, which covered over 315,000 passenger miles. Upon Swisher's graduation, Drew Newman'04 was appointed the new Director of the CC Motor Coach Service. Through the outstanding computer coding abilities of Joe Masters, the CC Motor Coach Service is being dramatically improved once again. Starting with the 2001-2002 academic year, the service utilized a new online Ticket Reservation, Processing, and Printing system, which will streamline operations and save paper, time, and money. Directorship of the Service, now independent of College Council and renamed Williams Transport, was appointed to Chris Upjohn '07, who worked with Drew Newman and Joe Masters on the implimentation of a new E-Ticket system that will further streamline the Service. During the course of the next three years we look forward to initiating new ventures to better serve the Williams student body. Williams Transport Motor Coach Service 1756-6 Baxter Hall Williamstown, MA 01267 2001 Drew Newman

Luxury RV Market Date:

Fractional Ownership Comes to High End Luxury RV Market | Power PR home about us news services clients contact newsletter PR Articles PR Today Publicity tips that can help you increase your sales leads Email: PowerPR: Articles Fractional Ownership Comes to High End Luxury RV Market Date: 07/25/2005 The following release was created by Power PR, a business to business marketing public relations firm based in Torrance, California. (PRWEB) November 12, 2004 -- For the first time, fractional ownership of luxury RVs ranging in price from $250,000 to well over a million dollars is possible, with national delivery, pick up, provisioning, repair/maintenance, storage/cleaning, and roadside service included. Like fractional jet ownership—which has made VIP business jets available to executives and corporations—fractional RV owners enjoy use of a luxury capital good while jointly sharing expenses such as depreciation, maintenance, storage, and insurance. Once the typical three-year ownership agreement is completed, these high end RVs are typically sold, and the proceeds returned to fractional owners to further recoup their expenses. The result: individuals who only expect to use an RV for a portion of the year can buy into ownership of a million dollar palace on wheels at a fraction of the full cost of ownership. Companies such as Burr Ridge, Ill.-based American QuarterCoach (AQC), the first to introduce fractional ownership of luxury RVs on a national scale, are lowering costs as much as ten-fold compared to sole-ownership, while making the RV experience sheer vacationing pleasure. AQC, for instance, not only delivers deluxe RVs worth from a quarter-million to over a million dollars to the fractional owners doorstep from coast to coast, but also picks them up on return, plus stores, cleans, repairs, maintains, and outfits them. All the details, such as insurance, licensing, and even roadside service are included, as is an initial drivers training program/orientation to ensure maximum safety and comfort. Fractional owners can purchase shares from one-eighth (5 weeks annual usage) to one-half of a desired luxury RV (24 weeks annual usage) or a combination of shares depending on how much annual usage time they desire. There are three levels of RVs to choose from, including multi-million dollar units with amenities like 42 plasma TVs, Corinthian leather, monogrammed linens, and custom-inlaid Italian marble flooring and bath. On a still deluxe but less lavish scale, in the several hundred thousand-dollar vehicle price range, are 40-foot motor coaches such as the Monaco Camelot with in-motion, satellite TV and multiple slide-outs for extra living space. I bought a 5-week a year share for about one-tenth the annual cost I wouldve spent on my own RV, says Chris Turner, an Ann Arbor, Mich. helicopter company owner. AQC allowed us to own a $300,000 motor home at a price we could justify. With the savings freed up, we can take both deluxe RV and non-RV vacations as the mood strikes, with no waste or guilt. High Cost, High Headache Traditional RV Ownership Until now, hard-working professionals wanting a quality RV experience have had little choice in the marketplace. Theyve typically had to tie up from a quarter-million to a million dollars or more to buy an RV they may use just several weeks a year. Rental RVs, because they are a mass-market product, simply dont offer the size, style, or features desired. Before turning to fractional RV ownership, Chris Turner faced the dilemma confronting many upscale professionals wanting to provide a quality RV experience for themselves and their loved ones. Though Turner treasured the togetherness, natural beauty, and variety that RV-ing brought his family, he found it hard to justify the purchase of a high-end RV for the occasional family outing. When he bit the bullet and finally bought one, he found his family used it no more than several weeks a year. The total expense - including provisioning, depreciation, maintenance, storage, insurance, and licensing, as well as the hard work of prepping it for each trip and cleaning/storing it afterward began to grate on my nerves, explains Turner. I felt guilty every time I drove past my storage facility, with $300,000 of RV sitting there, unused. Turner sold his RV. He didnt miss the thousand-dollar repair/maintenance bills, paying for insurance, or licensing. He didnt miss the full day of work it took to prep the RV for use, including pulling it from storage, sanitizing the tanks, loading fresh water and supplies, and checking the air, oil, fluids, battery, and generator. He certainly didnt miss cleaning the entire RV, including linen and utensils, plus winterizing it for storage on the return trip. What Turner missed were the look in his wife and daughters eyes when they were on the road, in the midst of an adventure, when their focus was on each other, and not the never-ending to do list in each of their lives. I tried renting an RV, says Turner, but we ended up with a bottom-of-the-line, 25-foot, class C unit. It was completely unequipped, with just 100 miles a day for mileage. That wasnt what we were looking for. Turner was about to buy another high-end RV, with the caveat that RV-ing would be the familys primary vacation experience. Cruises, flying to Mexico, and other more typical vacations, would be out, to avoid keeping a quarter-of-a-million dollar RV sitting around unused. Turners wife, Sherri, was not pleased with having to choose between RV-ing and taking other types of vacations. We realized we wanted the quality RV experience, but without the expenses and responsibilities of a full-time, lifestyle commitment, explains Turner, who found what he was looking for through fractional RV ownership with AQC. High-End, Worry-Free RV Ownership In traveling to locations such as Californias Sequoia National Park from his home in Ann Arbor, Mich., Turner discovered that AQCs RV drop off and pick up capability is a major benefit for those living far from their destinations. At Turners request, the company arranged to have his motor home waiting for him in California, so he was able to fly in from Michigan, board his fully-equipped RV, with gas tank topped off, and hit the road bound for redwood country. While driving the RV is fun anywhere, my pressed schedule doesnt allow me to drive for thousands of miles to and from a destination, says Turner. Because we were able to fly to California, board our ready-to-go RV, and spend most our time enjoying the scenic route and destination, our trip was that much more memorable. On leaving, AQC picked up our RV, allowing us to simply fly home, while they took care of the details. On other trips, such as a family jaunt to enjoy a Nascar race, the company has delivered the motor coach right to Turners door in Ann Arbor, Mich. What Turner enjoys is that fractional ownership has taken the hassle and cost out of RV-ing. Everything we need is right there, whether dishes, towels, grills, or lawnchairs, says Turner. Theres nothing to forget, and no mechanical problems to speak of because the coach is superbly maintained. If theres ever a problem, we just call AQC and they send someone to fix it. Its worry-free with no out-of-pocket costs, other than what you spend on gas and groceries. RV-ing that Suits Your Lifestyle Now and into Retirement Those new to RV-ing are finding that fractional ownership fits their needs as well. Norm Yop, a realty company owner in Salinas, Cal., was looking for a way to test if RV-ing was right for he and his wife. My family and friends loved RV-ing and I was intrigued by it, but reluctant to tie up a large amount of capital in a venture that might not suit us, says Yop. Like Turner, Yop found renting a turnoff because he could not find a RV in the size, style, or with the amenities he wanted. Jointly, with his real estate business partner, Yop purchased 5-week a year fractional RV ownership through AQC. Yop appreciated the RV training program, which helped him get up to speed quickly on driving the vehicle and its use. So far, Yop and his wife have RVed to Banff, Canada and Glacier National Park, and love the experience. The program allows us to own a first-class motor home that suits our schedule, without tying up capital, says Yop. We can use the RV for a few weeks and not worry about maintaining it all year long. As I wind down the pace of my business in the next few years, Im planning to buy a larger fractional share with even more deluxe amenities, concludes Yop. Its the perfect way to enjoy RV-ing both when youve got a demanding career, and when you want to ease into retirement. # # # For additional information about the client, the release or for photography please contact Power PR. Power PR is a business to business marketing publicity firm. Additional client articles can be found at www.powerpr.com . back to index For more information regarding our marketing publicity services or any sales questions please contact John Elliott . To view our current job listings go here: jobs . For information regarding using articles from our news section, editor request and the like, please contact press . 2005 PowerPR. All rights reserved. Sitemap Read our privacy policy .

luxury RV resort of

The RV Life BudgetTravelOnline.com The RV Life Recreational vehicles are changing the ways Americans vacation Wednesday, March 30, 2005; It's the opposite of chic, somewhat rustic and rough. Yet the fastest-growing means for vacationing in America is the recreational vehicle, and the people using them are the finest travelers our country has. You meet them with increasing frequency. They can be your best friends who have just returned from a three-month trip through the national parks--in a shiny new motor home--and claim it's the best thing they've ever done. They are your neighbors who have bought a trailer they're going to use to "winter" in a luxury RV resort of Florida. They are images of yourself as you day-dream about getting away from it all, buying a recreational vehicle, and taking off to see the great outdoors, the sights of the Southwest, the scattered grandchildren across the land. But how do you get started? Buying a recreational vehicle--an RV--is a major investment that can even exceed $40,000 and $50,000. Is it worth the outlay? Will you enjoy the lifestyle of the semi-nomad? Will you get restless and claustrophobic, or will you have the travel experience of a lifetime? A bit of analysis is in order: The vehicles themselves "RVs"--a generic term for a conveyance that combines transportation with living quarters--come in two varieties. They can be motorized (like motor homes or van conversions) or towable units (like travel trailers, truck campers, and folding camp trailers.) The motor homes, most popular among retired Americans, are built on or as part of a self-propelled vehicle chassis, with kitchen, sleeping, bathroom, and dining facilities all easily accessible to the driver's cab from the inside. They range from 18 to 40 feet in length, can sleep from two to eight people, and cost from $22,000 for "compacts" to $60,000 for larger types, with luxury-status models going way up to $150,000 and more. Conversions are cheaper (but smaller.) These are vans, originally manufactured by an auto maker, that have been modified for recreation purposes through the installation of side windows, carpeting, paneling, custom seats and sofas, and assorted accessories. They can sleep from two to four people, and sell for an average of $20,000. Travel trailers are hard-sided units designed to be towed by an auto, van, or pickup truck, and can be unhitched from the tow vehicle. They sleep four to eight people, and provide such comforts as kitchen, toilet, sleeping, dining, and living facilities, electric and water systems, and modern appliances. Models range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on size and features. Truck campers are camping units that are loaded onto the bed or chassis of a pickup truck. Many have kitchen and bathroom facilities. They sleep two to six, and go for $4,000 to $10,000. Folding camping trailers are units with collapsible sides that fold for lightweight towing by a motorized vehicle. Set up, they provide kitchen, dining, and sleeping facilities for four to eight people, and sell for between $1,500 and $12,000. The advantages In an RV, you follow your own flexible time schedule, without fixed reservations anywhere, without depending on others (hotels, trains, planes.) You don't constantly pack and unpack; in fact, you carry no luggage. You cook when you like, eat out only when you wish, say good-bye to greasy spoons, and usually enjoy home-prepared food. You can have your pets with you. You can visit friends or relatives anywhere in the country without imposing on them: your RV, parked in their driveway, becomes your own private guest cottage--as well as your summer beach house, your winter chalet. You make friends easily upon arriving at a camping ground or RV resort. RV-ers are, in general, enthusiasts who love their lifestyle and like sharing it with new people. They are constantly attending rallies, caravans, campouts, meeting with other RV-ers to share common interests. "It's difficult to be lonely in a campground," says one confirmed RV-er. "Our luxury RV resort in Florida ($15 a night) was constantly holding social events. Between dinners and galas, folk dances and exercise classes, meeting new people was not only simple--it was unavoidable." And RV travel is economical. You can purchase fresh local produce on the road and cook your own meals. Your stay at campgrounds is usually nominal ($10 to $40 a night is typical.) And there's no one to tip. One study shows that an RV vacation costs about half the expense of a car/hotel vacation, one-third the cost of a bus/hotel or train/hotel holiday, and one-fourth the cost of an air/hotel vacation. The drawbacks But RV travel is not for everyone--it may not be for you. A Philadelphia couple I know who recently spent four months traveling across country in a motor home issued the following caveats: "Be sure," they said, "you feel extremely comfortable with whomever you will be traveling with; you're going to spend long periods of time in close quarters. Be sure you're an expert driver and enjoy spending long periods on the road. Above all, don't take this kind of trip unless you're extremely flexible, elastic even, and able to cope with new situations, which happen all the time. Mechanical breakdowns are not uncommon and you have to be able to handle them without getting upset." Renting before buying Many first-time RV-ers begin by renting a motor home to get used to driving a large vehicle and used to spending a great deal of driving time together. Now they're so enthusiastic, they're planning to sell their large suburban home, move into a small apartment, buy an RV, and spend at least six months on the road each year. "The excitement and variety of life cannot be compared with any travel experience we've ever had--and we're experienced foreign travelers," they say. "It's a new kind of life, a brand-new world we never saw before." The rental process The first step is to look in your local telephone directory under the category "Recreation Vehicles--Renting and Leasing." Or you can call one of the three major national companies: Cruise America (800/671-8042, cruiseamerica.com ); and Bates International Motor Home Rental Network (800/732-2283), or visit batesintl.com ; El Monte RV Center (888 337-2214, elmonterv.com .) Another firm, Altman's Winnebago, (800/400-0787, altmans.com ) may also be worth a call. It's also useful to visit the Web site of the Recreational Vehicles Rental Association at rvra.org . It contains a list of companies that rent RV's, including prices and addresses, in almost all of the 50 states. Rental costs vary considerably, depending on type of vehicle, when and for how long you want it, season, and other variables. One way of getting a good price is by regularly checking the Web sites of the major rental outfits, which periodically post specials. One of the "grander" motor homes--either a 26-foot Alumalite by Holiday Rambler or a 27-foot Southwester by Fleetwood--will average $700 to $1,000 a week, plus low-cost mileage (29 cents per mile after an initial number of free miles). But that's for a vehicle that can sleep six people and is fully self-contained, with such added features as a microwave oven, roof air conditioning, its own generator and propane tank (so that a hookup is not necessary), power steering, and almost everything else you can name. It is usually cheaper to rent from a private individual, but then you must be aware of the risk you take if a breakdown should occur; a private owner can usually do little for you, while with a major company, repairs are either handled on the spot or you are given a new vehicle and put back on the road within 24 hours. Rental dealers may also apply the cost of a rental to a future purchase. They can provide you with broad forms of insurance. Some will arrange tour packages if you're traveling to popular state or national parks or historic landmarks. Others offer orientation sessions and packages that include linens and cookware. The most important step is advance study and comparison-shopping before you rent. Make sure you understand the terms of the agreement, take your vehicle out for a test spin, and reserve as far in advance as possible. Indeed, the "RV life" is becoming so popular that a reservation several months in advance might not be a bad idea. Looking to the Web Making all of the steps to successful and enjoyable RV-ing easier are Web sites dedicated to informing enthusiasts about every facet of this growing trend. Buy or sell a motor home, find the best campgrounds to park, check out dozens of rental companies, and even learn easy recipes to make inside your RV--all on the Internet. To help you sift through the many available sites, we've chosen five of the most useful: RV Trader Online ( rvtraderonline.com ) is a great source for those looking to purchase an RV. With classified ads listing motor homes for sale, an extensive listing of dealers that can be searched by zip code, campground information, and resources for those in need of parts and accessories, RV Trader is certainly worthy of a visit, especially for those looking to buy. Rainbow RV Club International: ( rainbowrv.net ) is a unique site that should be the first stop for gay and lesbian RV-ers. Claiming to offer the Web's largest database of gay and lesbian campgrounds, the site lists 170 gay-friendly places to park your RV from coast to coast. The site also features an events calendar, message board, chat room, and links all geared towards gay and lesbian RV-ers. Much of the information is only available if you pay for the annual membership, which costs $19.95. RV Home: ( rvhome.com ) contains a wealth of information about RV-ing. While some of its topic links bring you only to advertisements, others are quite useful: an RV-geared bulletin board, tips, campground reviews, and fairly extensive classifieds. There's also a listing of RV dealers indexed by state. RV USA: ( rvusa.com ) is among the best organized and most useful RV sites available. The site includes interesting features such as cookbook links (like "The Four Ingredient Cookbook Collection") especially selected for the small RV kitchens. The site also features forums for RV-ers to ask questions, and exchange tips and information, and allows members to post classified ads selling RV's for free. A host of travel information, including campgrounds, places to eat, sights to see, grocery stores, and events around the country, can also be found on the site. Caravans and rallies around the globe: Taking the guesswork out of RV travel, caravans are package tours where recreational vehicle owners drive in groups (usually no larger than 25 units). The campground sites are reserved, activities are planned, and participants tour a region with enough freedom to allow for their own interests, but enough organization to keep them fairly busy. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s it wasn't uncommon to see a 20-unit caravan hitting the American interstates simultaneously, each vehicle pulling over when the caravan master (head RV) did. Though some still opt for this form of caravan (which can sometimes create a logistical nightmare, not to mention possible road congestion), many others have adopted the "scatter" concept of RV-ing. This allows individual RV-ers to travel at their own leisure, stopping at points of interest, and meeting at a given time at the day's final destination. Those who take part in a caravan often create lifelong friendships, even holding reunions year after year. Quite different from a caravan is a rally, usually a gathering of RV-ers at a large-scale and well-known event like Mardi Gras, the Kentucky Derby, or the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Rallies can be relatively small, attracting about the same number of RVs as a caravan (20), or can grow extremely large, with as many as 150 units. Whereas a caravan keeps drivers on the road, the rally only requires that you show up at the campground with an RV, where it will remain stationary until you depart. The organizers typically arrange for transfers (usually via motor coach) to transport rallyists to events. While dozens of companies operate caravans and rallies, we've highlighted three of the biggest--and the best, and two specialty RV organizations (one for solo travelers, the other for women only). Creative World: (4005 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, phone 800/732-8337, Web: creativeworldtravel.com or rv-fun.com ) is a forefather in RV travel, and among the best out there today. Founded in 1976 by "Big Bill" LaGrange (who has traveled to 130 countries himself), Creative World offers over 45-50 different rallies and caravan itineraries, all of which are listed on their sleek, easy-to-use Web site. Rallies range from seven to 42 days (for international trips) in length at a cost of about $1,300 to $8,000 for two people. A six-night itinerary to Mardi Gras for two, for example, runs $1,350, and includes everything from city tours to Cajun cooking lessons to the premiere events of Carnival. Two- to six-week caravan packages are similarly priced , with itineraries throughout the U.S. and Canada, and in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Upon arrival at the initial meeting spot on a caravan, participants are given an extensive trip log/guidebook with easy-to-follow directions indicating meeting points each day. When the RV-ers depart a given location, they're told when and where to meet, and they can consult their guidebook for directions, sights of interest along the way, and the history of the towns they're passing through. Creative World's caravans are priced at $2,000 to $7,000 for two people, and like their rallies, include what other companies often offer as "optionals," such as entertainment, additional meals, and guided touring opportunities. Adventure Caravans: (125 Promise Lane, Livingston, TX 77350, phone 800/872-7897, Web: adventurecaravans.com ) is another well-known RV caravan and rally company. It's particularly of interest to those who want to go RV-ing in Central America and Mexico, where Creative World doesn't venture. It arranges rallies at many of the same events as Creative World, with rates averaging from $100 to $225 per day. Its caravans run from 12 days to 78 days, and are priced from $995 to $17,390 for two people, though they include far fewer activities than Creative World. In total, it has about 63 different programs in the US, plus five overseas. Fantasy RV Tours: (111 Camino Del Rio, Gunnison, CO. 81230, phone 800/952-8496, Web: fantasyrvtours.com ) is among the nation's largest caravan companies, but its specialty is RV travel through Mexico. One-third of the company's 75 yearly departures head to our neighbor to the south, with the balance cruising through the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and a variety of countries in Europe. Its caravans, six to 48 days in length, cost between $1,800 and $11,500 for two people, including one meal daily, camping fees, some entertainment, and many tours and admission fees. One defining characteristic of a Fantasy caravan is its insistence on sticking with the original style of caravanning. Unlike many of its competitors, when a Fantasy caravan makes a departure, all of its rigs follow. Loners on Wheels, Inc: (P.O. Box 1060-WB, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702, tel: 888/569-4478, Web: lonersonwheels.com ) organizes campouts, caravans, and potlucks around the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and sends out a newsletter with information on all of the above. The organization is devoted to people who enjoy RV-ing on their own, but who also like to meet up with like-minded travelers from time to time. A rather large organization, it forms caravans of RVs operated solely by singles, and takes them to rallies and camp-outs all over North America. Annual dues are $45. RVing Women: (P.O. Box 1940 Apache Junction, AZ 85217, tel: 888/557-8464 or 480/671-6226, Web: rvingwomen.com ) is another specialist operation, this one focused (as the name states) on women who travel by RV. The organization offers advice, support, seminars, caravans, and a bi-monthly magazine and membership directory to "on-your-own" women RVers who are single, widowed, divorced or have husbands who just hate camping. Membership is $45 a year, with a processing fee of $10. Motorhomes in Great Britain and Ireland: Eveer vacationed in a recreational vehicle? Then why not do so in Britain? The campsites and trailer parks there are as numerous as here and large fleets of what the English call "motor caravans" are available for rental from numerous firms at rates of L658 to L890 (US$1,236 to $1,670) per week for the summer months, down by L35 ($US144) per week in the other months of the year; rates cover everything except gasoline, food and nominal charges at the campsites. In a vehicle fully equipped with beds and sleeping bags, toilets and all cooking and eating utensils, you'll wander the British Isles without fear of high hotel rates or fully booked hotels and share the company of camping English people, all at marvelously low rates. Among the largest of the British firms are Hornchurch Motor Caravans, 5-7 Broadway Parade, Elm Park Avenue, Hornchurch, Essey RM12 4RS (phone 011-44-01-708-443782, Web: hmcc.co.uk ) or the company's American partner; Motor Home Rentals, 37-39 Upper Halliford Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 8RX (phone 011-44-1932-770-765, Web: motorhome-rentals.co.uk ); Marquis Motorhome Centre, Winchester Road, Lower Upham, Nr Southampton SO32 1HA (phone 011-44-1489-860-666, Web: marquis-mh.co.uk ); and Leighway Hire, 246 Chertsey Lane, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 3NF (phone 011-44-178-445-5073, Web: leighwayrental.co.uk ). The last firm will send a mini-bus to pick you up at Gatwick or Heathrow Airports at no additional charge if you request this service in advance (give them at least one day's notice). For rentals on the Emerald Isle (both in the Northern Ireland and the Republic), contact Motorhome Ireland (17 Valley Rd., Banbridge Co Down, N. Ireland BT32 4HF tel: 011-44-028-4062-1800 Web: motorhome-irl.co.uk ). For Web sites that detail campsites and their locations, try the official site of Caravan and Camping Ireland: camping-ireland.ie .