used motor home with

Motor Homing in Europe Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine November/December 2004 Related Topics Camping Abroad Budget Travel Related Articles An RV in Europe Car Camping Through Europe Off-Beat Camping in Europe Motor Homing in Europe The Best Way to Meet Your European Neighbors By Steve Hunt A young camper savors Florence's delights from the backdoor of her family's motor home. Recently, I completed an 8-month trip across Europe by motor home. As a former tour operator, I’ve traveled just about every way imaginable. I found motor homing hard to beat. You pack once; you travel where you want when you want; you have no worries about where the next hotel room will be, and you have to try hard not to meet people. If you’re traveling to Europe on a short 2-or-3-week vacation, a motor home may not be ideal. Some wrong turns on unfamiliar roadways, and this can cause problems for people on a tight schedule. But for a family exploring Europe for the summer or a retired couple with plenty of time, it’s ideal. So why didn’t I meet more Americans in Europe’s 8,000 campgrounds? First, let’s look at the basics. There are three ways to acquire your camping van or motor home: rent, lease, or buy. The least expensive way to go on a long trip is to buy. You may want to buy from an outfit that will guarantee to buy back your rig at the end of the trip. For optimum savings, consider a good used motor home with low mileage. I contacted an outfit in Amsterdam recommended to me by an experienced RVer and made my arrangements over the phone. When I arrived, my camper was ready and waiting. I even shipped several cartons of supplies in advance and they were stored in the motor home until I arrived. There are some technicalities regarding insurance and registration, but these are handled by the outfit that sells you your camper. I met a number of Americans traveling in Europe who had considered motor homing but decided against it because they were afraid of being stuck with the motor home at the end of their trip. The buy-back program resolves this dilemma. Many companies will agree to sell your camper on consignment at the end of your trip, but I found most people wanted the security of a guaranteed buy-back. Buy-backs vary but usually average around 65 percent of the purchase price. Needless to say, the longer you travel, the cheaper the cost per day. Reasonable used motor homes and camper-vans ideal for touring Europe range between $13,000 and $35,000 depending on size, year, and condition. Europeans love to camp and there are campgrounds just about everywhere. They range from complete destination resorts with swimming pools, tennis, entertainment, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores on premises to more rustic campgrounds with few extras. Almost all campgrounds have basic necessities such as bathrooms, showers, dishwashing facilities, electric hook-ups, and chemical toilets for waste. Many people find a central location they like and take day trips using the campground as a base until they move on. Costs If you take the cost of your camper (minus buy-back or anticipated resale price) insurance, registration, campground fees, and gas you can get a good idea of your costs. My costs over 245 days, traveling an estimated 16,500 kilometers, were 1,678 euros for gas, 1,452 euros for insurance, and 932 euros for registration. Campgrounds averaged 15 euros per night for one person, electric hook-up, and camper. Add five to eight euros per additional adult and three to four per child. My low was eight euros and my high 28. Some people save money by free camping (camping in truck stops, beaches, and along the road) but I did so only in an emergency and don’t recommend it as a standard practice. Besides, you miss one of the big advantages of camping Europe. When you’re in a campground, it’s hard not to socialize and meet people. Fellow campers will be intrigued by the fact that you’re an American camping through Europe. I can’t count the number of times I was invited over for a glass of wine and conversation. And if you are traveling with kids, you’ll be amazed how they communicate through body and sign language as if talking really didn’t matter. Another way to add meaning to your trip is to allot some time for visiting with a local family. Servas , an organization of international hosts in over 100 countries, will provide you with host lists for the countries you request. The normal routine is to spend two nights at the home of a host family, usually including dinner. The objective is to learn about each other’s way of life and exchange ideas. Some hosts will give you a tour of the local area and all can provide useful information. Dine with the Danes, a more commercial venture, provides a dinner-only exchange in Denmark for a fee. Servas charges nothing except for a membership fee, but the usual procedure is to thank your host with a small gift or bottle of wine. Finding space in campgrounds is a lot easier than finding space in hotels (although at popular vacation destinations in July and August, it’s helpful to call ahead and reserve a spot). Not all campgrounds take reservations, so if the area campgrounds are crowded the best bet is to arrive early. I never made a reservation during my eight months of travel and was only turned away twice because a campground was full. In both cases, I got a spot at a neighboring site. I also tried to arrange my itinerary so I avoided crowded vacation destinations during the summer. Preparation A good campground guide is essential for locating places where you want to stay. Another essential item to get before you leave is an International Camping Carnet card. This provides admittance to most campgrounds (in some cases at reduced rates) and is held by the campground instead of your passport. Don’t leave home without it. (See the Camping Tips sidebar for a listing of good books on camping in Europe and other services and suggestions. Proper planning is the best insurance for a smooth travel experience.) Camping Tips and Resources Propane Tanks: Your camper will undoubtedly come with one full propane tank (used for refrigerator, hot water, and sometimes heater) and possibly a small reserve "camper" tank. If you’re traveling for more than two months, get a second full tank from your camper outfit. This gives you plenty of time to get your empty tank replaced when it runs out at the most inopportune time. Electric Heater: Get a small electric heater in Europe. It saves on propane during chilly nights and you just plug in at the campground. GPS: I never used one but the new camping books are coming out with GPS readings. Hand-held ($250) or dash mounted ($1,000 and up). If you’re into gadgets, you might enjoy one. Satellite TV: If you’re on a long trip this is a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on via CNN, BBC, etc. Many campers have them. Money: ATM cash machines are the easiest and least expensive way to obtain cash in Europe and are everywhere in Western Europe. Books: David Shore and Patty Campbell, Europe by Van and Motorhome (Odyssey Press, 2001). Basic how-to guide to RVing through Europe more than a listing of campgrounds. Good tips on a successful trip. Order direct at 760-723-6184 or shorecam@aol.com , www.roadtripeurope.com . $16.95. Mike and Terri Church, Traveler’s Guide to European Camping (Rolling Homes Press, 1999). Picks best campgrounds in popular spots. My guide for much of my trip. Indispensible. Updated edition may be out by now. Order direct from publishers at 1-888-265-6555 or at www.rollinghomes.com . $19.95. Carol Mickelsen, Camping Europe (Carousel Press, 2001). Similar to Church book. Order at www.caarousel-press.com , Amazon.com, or local book store. $19.95. The Caravan Club, Caravan Europe (The Caravan Club Ltd., 2003) Two-volume edition is the most comprehensive printed listing of European campgrounds available. Separate volume for U.K. campgrounds. Also sells a membership card for U.K. campgrounds similar to the Camping Carnet card listed below. Order from club at Dept. DC, Freepost, E. Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 1ZB, U.K.; Tel. 011-44-1342-318813, fax 011-44-1342-410258; www.caravanclub.co.uk . £9 English pounds per volume. Membership card £27 pounds. ACSI Camping CD-Rom 2003: If CD-Roms are more your thing, this one in seven languages and complete with search engines and pictures lists 8,000 campgrounds in 24 countries. Order from ACSI Publishing BV, Postbus 34, 6670 AA Zetten, The Netherlands, Tel. 011-31-488-452055, fax 011-31-488-454210; www.acsi-gids.com , info@acsi-gids.com . 15 euros. International Camping Carnet Card: Order from Family Campers & RVers, 4804 Transit Road, Bld. 2, Depew, N.Y. 14043-4704; 716-668-6242; 800-235-9755. $35. US Servas, Inc.: 11 John St., Room 505, New York, N.Y. 10038; Tel. 212-267-0252, fax 212-267-0292, info@usservas.org ; www.usservas.org . Membership $65. Dine With the Danes: Contact: Anette Haargaaard, Smallegade 20A, 2000 Frederiksberk, Denmark, Tel. 011-45-26-85-39-61, fax 011-45-38-19-39-64. www.dinewiththedanes.dk . Dkk350. Braitman & Woudenberg: P.O. Box 1891, 1000 BW, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tel. 011-31-20-6221168, fax 011-31-20-6203855, www.bwcampers.com , info@bwcampers.com . Dependable camper sales with buy-back and support while traveling. Bilbo’s Trading Co.: Eastbourne Rd., South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JQ, U.K.; Tel. 011-44-1342-892499, fax 01-44-1342-893793; www.bilbos.com . Buy-backs available. Brownhills Leisure World , A1/A46 Junction, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK. T +44-1636-704201. Sales@brownhills.co.uk , www.brownhills.co.uk . Buy-backs available. Rutenkolk Caravaning: Friedberger Landstrasse 434, D-60389 Frankfurt, Germany; Tel. 011-49-69-9474090, fax 011-49-69-94740969, info@rutenkolk.de , www.rutenkolk.de . Buy-backs available. STEVE HUNT is a professional tour operator who has traveled extensively. He is currently touring Europe by motor home. Contact him at whall237@yahoo.com . Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

RV SHOW GENERALINFORMATION RVSHOW

The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show, Quartzsite Hobby, Craft and Gem, Rockand the Quartzsite Roll Classic Car Show at Quartzsite, Arizona The QuartzsiteShows Backto Home Page RV SHOW GENERALINFORMATION RVSHOW APPLICATION 3SHOW APPLICATION HOTELS& MOTELS MOVE-ININSTRUCTIONS EXHIBITORWEB SITES ENTERTAINMENT RVLINKS PAGE CRAFT SHOW GENERALINFORMATION CRAFT SHOW APPLICATION 3SHOW APPLICATION HOTELS& MOTELS MOVE-ININSTRUCTIONS CRAFTLINKS PAGE CAR SHOW INFORMATION CARSHOW APPLICATION HOTELS& MOTELS AWARDS MOVE-ININFO & DIRECTIONS CARLINKS PAGE 2005SHOW AWARD WINNERS PICSFROM 2004 SHOW QUARTZSITE LINKS TO CHAMBER OFCOMMERCE,, LOCAL HOTELS/MOTELS, CAMPING, WEATHER, MAPS, OTHER SHOWS, PHOTOS, ETC. QUARTZSITELOCAL INFO QZ EVENTS CALENDAR QZVENDOR LICENSE INFO LINKTO STATE OF AZ TAX INFO e-mailTOWN OF QZ OTHERQZ LINKS ADVERTISING SHOWPROGRAM COVERPHOTO - 2005 COVERPHOTO - 2004 SPONSORSHIPPROGRAM MEDIA RVSHOW FACTS & FIGURES RV PRESS RELEASES CAR/CRAFTPRESS RELEASES REFERENCEMATERIAL WATER SALES GENERALINFORMATION E-MAIL KENNYKING MALMALLORY Backto Home Page PlatinumLevel Sponsor Win a FREEHonda Generator in 2006! 2006 ShowDates & Hours 23rdAnnual Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show - January 21st - 29th - 9AM -5PM 9thAnnual Quartzsite Hobby, Craft & Gem Show - February 1st - February 5th - 9AM -5PM 8thAnnual Quartzsite Rock & Roll Classic Car Show - February 4th - February 5th - 9AM- 5PM Exclusive RV Dealer at the show -Paul Evert's RV Country RV& Car Shows - Before and after photos FutureShow Dates Aerial View of the Quartzsite ShowsShow Grounds Kenny King & Mal Mallory -Show Promoters GoldLevel Sponsors Get up! Get out! Getgoing! SilverLevel Sponsors A Little History andCurrent Information on The Quartzsite Shows The Quartzsite RV Show opened the gates on January 28th, 1984 at the corner of Hwy 95 (now Central) and Business 10 (now Main Street) in Quartzsite, Arizona. With just 60 exhibitors and a small tent, the "new show in town" was still very popular since the majority of the people in Quartzsite we're RVers. In 1987 the show, now re-named The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show , moved down the street to the Quartzsite Trailer Park which was situated directly across from the major attraction in town at that time, the Quartzsite Pow Wow. For the next several years The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show enjoyed a tremendous run and huge crowds, with the largest crowds of all showing up during the Quartzsite Pow Wow. This new home for The Quartsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show lasted 10 years and the RV Show grew to a point where the current 3.5 acre show site could barely hold the number of exhibitors that were now vying for exhibit space at this popular annual event. In 1997 the "BIG TENT", as the show had become known, moved across the freeway to it's present home, just 1/2 mile South of I-10 on Hwy 95. ( now 700 S. Central) The new 20 acre facility, a former dry campground, was just what the doctor ordered for the expanding show. At that time in Quartzite, parking was almost impossible to find, legally. With the new Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show Show Grounds, the show was able to offer over 15 acres of public parking and the promoters, Kenny King and Mal Mallory, made the decision to offer their parking FREE to the public, while many other of the shows in town were already starting to charge to park. It was obviously a wise decision as in 1997, their first year at the new site, a major change in traffic patterns occurred. During the major show days at Quartzsite that year, the infamous Quartzsite traffic jam that once clogged Main Street from the freeway offramp on the East end of town, all the way to Four Corners, immediately shifted to the "South Side" of town. Luckily, the new Quartzite Shows Show Grounds had front and rear access and while the traffic was still terrible, the ability to flow the traffic through the Quartzsite Shows Show Grounds made it somewhat manageable. The new and permanent home of the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show was a HUGE success! In 1998 the promoters decided to add a second show to their calendar and the First Annual Quartzsite Hobby, Craft & Gem Show was born. While the new Craft Show shared the same, beautiful show facility, it did not attain the instant success that the RV Show had enjoyed back in 1984. In addition, the new show barely used 50% of the, then, 30,000 sq. ft., fully carpeted structure. During the inaugural Quartzsite Hobby, Craft & Gem Show someone made the comment that maybe the promoters should consider bringing in a few hot rods and classic cars to fill up the unused portion of the huge structure and to attract more people to the Craft Show. The promoters took the suggestion into consideration, however they did not make a decision to go forward with the car show until the latter part of October, 1998. Hoping to attract 50 cars in their first year and with less than 90 days to get the job done, the promoters and a few volunteers descended on any and every car show in the Southwest, passing out literature and talking to car owners. They had also recently uploaded their new web site on the Internet and spent numerous hours e-mailing car clubs, car magazines and anyone else that was even remotely connected to hot rods, classic cars or car shows. By opening day they had received over 150 registrations and more that 120 cars actually attended the inaugural show. Not only did the new Quartzsite Rock & Roll Classic Car Show exceed all expectations, the crowd that showed up each day that weekend exceeded the entire attendance for the Quartzsite Hobby, Craft & Gem Show held the year prior, and that was a 9 day event! These beautiful and unique custom cars, hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and classic cars, combined with the Arts & Crafts, Hobby items, jewelry and gem displays, makes for a spectacular event and the future looks very bright for both shows. The promoters are shooting for 250+ cars for their 2004 show and with the huge crowd that was attracted, due to the popularity of the combined Hobby, Craft & Gem Show and Classic Car Show, the promoters expect the exhibitor list for the Craft Show to grow considerably as well. The Craft Show is now being referred to as "RV SHOW II" as the attendees are primarily RVers. If you cannot make the huge RV Show you can see an awful lots of RV and travel related exhibits plus 100's of hot rods and classics during the Craft/Car show. During the summer of 1998 the promoters finally settled a long and contentious litigation surrounding their purchase of the land. Once they were able to get free and clear title to their new Show Grounds, they immediately began upgrading the facility for the 1999 shows. In return for supplying the major portion of the water necessary to complete the re-paving project of Interstate 10 from the California border to Quartzsite, almost 18 acres of asphalt millings were laid down on the Quartsite Shows Show Grounds. This was a major improvement and nearly eliminated the number one exhibitor and customer complaint of the past; " It's too dusty !" Little did the promoters know at the time, but without the addition of this asphalt, there was no way that they would have been able to attract so many of the finest and most valuable hot rods, custom and classic cars in the Southwest to their new Classic Car Show in Quartzsite. Once the car owners heard that their cars would go inside the "BIG TENT" and that the Show Grounds and parking lot were under asphalt, the "too dusty" reputation of Quartzsite was a moot subject. The promoters also added a sewage treatment area to facilitate better service for the 150-200 exhibitor RVs camping on the Quartzsite Shows Show Grounds during the three shows. New and upgraded electrical service was added to the Northern and Southern borders of the Quartzsite Shows Show Grounds as well. We're talking about a major electrical upgrade here or as the head electrician from Trade Show Electric of Los Angeles, CA, who wires the show stated; "They're probably capable of powering up most of Quartzsite in a pinch!" Permanent water service was also installed throughout the Quartzsite Shows Show Grounds for the numerous food concessions and "live-aboard" exhibitors at the three shows. What was, only six months ago, a barren piece of desert is now a facility that is comparable to many fairgrounds across the country. Just prior to the 1999 shows, a foot-traffic gate was opened between the Quartzsite Shows Show Grounds and the 23 acre facility of The Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama, the premier Rock, Gem and flea market in Quartzsite. Just like back in the old days when the RV Show was situated across from the Pow Wow, the Quartzsite Shows and Tyson Wells now share in the huge amount of traffic that each show attracts by allowing a safer and shorter route for the public to navigate between these two major venues. With Tyson's new Craft Show, Prospector's Panorama and the Car/Craft Show open all at the same time along with the expansion of the Rice Ranch selling area across Hwy 95, it gives the RVers a reason to extend their stay in the area. Many of the RV Show exhibitors have realized that the people that attend the Craft/Car show are also RVers and many have elected to stay on for the 5 day Hobby, Craft & Gem Show in 2006. The 2005 shows were definitely the biggest yet. Don't miss the Quartzsite Shows in 2006. It's ALL Happening Under the BIG TOP!" Casa de Quartzsite Canada Laguna Seca Raceway

RV Trader RV Insider

Your online classified advertising company - RV Trader Online.com Contents Home Search Browse Place An Ad · modify your ad · renew your ad Find a Dealer Buyer's Guide Subscribe Help My RV Trader RV Insider Resources Financial Services NADA RV Values Insurance Products for the RV Lifestyle RV Transport Warranties RV Donation Generators RV Lots and Properties for Sale Campgrounds/Resorts RV Rentals Loan Calculator RV Links Escrow Dealers Sign Up Now! Demo Login Password Forgot your password? Click here . About Us At RVTraderOnline.com you will find the widest selection of classified ads with 76914 recreational vehicles to choose from and more than 1510 dealership listings. RVTraderOnline.com is owned and operated by Trader Publishing Company. Formed in 1991, Trader Publishing Company is the nation's leading publisher of specialty classified advertising publications, including over 750 paid and free magazines such as RV Trader, For Rent, Harmon Homes and The Employment Guide. Dedicated to satisfying consumer demand for efficient targeted advertising, these magazines are complemented by Trader's over 40 market leading Internet sites (RVTraderOnline.com, ForRent.com, Homes.com and EmploymentGuide.com), each designed to serve a specific category like the automotive, specialty vehicle, apartment rental, homes for sale, employment and lodging segments. It also provides website hosting services for over 12,000 real estate agents, car dealers, and other specialty vehicle businesses. With over 335,000 outlets, it boasts the largest paid and free distribution publication network across the U.S.; and it operates 11 regional printing plants. Trader's over 10,000 employees serve its customers through offices in most major cities in 47 states. Our number one goal is to provide the best service possible for our users. As a division of Trader Publishing Company, RVTraderOnline.com can boast the very best in technical support, hardware and software to ensure that we are always ready when you need us. We are also always looking for ways to make our site better and encourage you to contact us with any complaints or suggestions. About TraderOnline.com TraderOnline.com is a collection of high-traffic websites receiving millions of visitors each week. The sites cover virtually every used vehicle and general merchandise category. TraderOnline continues its relationship with private parties wanting to buy and sell used vehicles, including recreational vehicles, yet also serves as a forum for dealers and brokers to advertise their vehicles for sale. TraderOnline.com is a division of Trader Publishing Company. Trader Publishing has several hundred publications today covering a diverse mix of categories such as automobiles, trucks, heavy equipment, boats, motorcycles, aircraft, employment, homes, apartments and general merchandise. With local sales offices in almost a hundred U.S. cities, Trader's print magazines are distributed through hundreds of thousands of distribution points in most of the United States. Trader Distribution Services also a division of Trader Publishing, is the nations largest direct distributor to the retail channel for free publications, product and service brochures, and other free consumer media. TraderOnline.com and its parent company, Trader Publishing, are headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. Trader Publishing Company is owned equally by Landmark Communications, Inc. and Cox Enterprises, Inc. Who we are. TraderOnline.com ( www.traderonline.com ) is the world's largest new and used vehicle classifieds service on the Internet. TraderOnline.com ranks in the top 200 most highly trafficked websites with 7 million visitors and 70 million page views each month. TraderOnline.com is a collection of websites covering the automotive, aircraft, boat, yacht, truck, motorcycle, RV, heavy equipment, collector car, employment, homes, apartments and general merchandise categories. TraderOnline.com Websites AutoTrader.com RVTraderOnline.com AeroTraderOnline.com BoatTraderOnline.com TruckTraderOnline.com EquipmentTraderOnline.com CycleTrader.com Dibit.com CollectorCarTraderOnline.com BargainTraderOnline.com Walnecks.com DealsonWheels.com SoundingsOnline.com TruckRaceCycle.com RacingMilestones.com WoodshopNews.com HarmonHomes.com ForRent.com EmploymentGuide.com Parenthood.com All Trader websites are accessible through www.traderonline.com . What we do. We provide quick, easy-to-navigate websites for our customers to search FREE for new and used vehicles. We allow the consumer to place an ad, online, to sell his/her vehicle. We facilitate the sales transaction by providing the seller's phone number and e-mail address when available with the item for sale. We provide dealer inventory tools to allow dealers to manage their inventory online. How to sell a recreational vehicle on RVTraderOnline.com. It takes about three minutes from any computer with Internet access. Describe your recreational vehicle, price it, let buyers know how to get in touch with you, and submit the ad. CLICK HERE to get started! How to buy a vehicle on RVTraderOnline.com. It's free to search. Search as long as you like for a recreational vehicle using criteria you select. CLICK HERE to start searching! Call the phone number listed in the ad, or email the owner. Cut a deal! Pick Up a National RV Trader Today! | Search | Place an Ad | Find a Dealer | Resources | Site Map | | Contact Us | About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Fraud Prevention Tips | Visitor Agreement | Security Center | 2006, Trader Publishing Company All Rights Reserved. This document is strictly for informational, non-commercial purposes. Aero | ATV | Auto | Auto | -- Boats | Collector Car | Cycle | Equipment | Merchandise | RV | Truck | TraderOnline || Apartments | Homes | Jobs | Lodging | Parenthood | Vacation Rentals AutoExtra.com | AutoMart.com BoatTraderOnline.com | Boats.com | YachtWorld.com | Soundings | Nor'easter | PassageMaker HarmonHomes.com | Homes.com | NUMBER1EXPERT.com | DistinctHomes.com

RV dealer in Northern

Burnside RV - A FreedomRoads RV Dealer Class A - Diesel Class A - Gas Fifth Wheels Travel Trailers Toy Haulers Truck Cap Fold Down Class A - Diesel Class A - Gas Class B Mini Motorhome Fifth Wheels Travel Trailers Toy Haulers Truck Cap Fold Down Locations & Hours Contact Us Parts Service About Us Welcome to Burnside RV Burnside RV Sales is Northern Michigan's RV Outfitters. Stores in Houghton Lake and Gaylord Michigan offer new and used sales plus service and parts for truck campers, travel trailers, 5th wheel campers and pop up tent campers. Burnside RV is the largest RV dealer in Northern Michigan and one of the largest in Michigan, e.g. 2nd in 5th wheel sales the last two years. The dealership is family owned and has been serving customers for three generations. The Burnside family enjoys the outdoors and loves using the products we sell. Come Visit Northern Michigan's RV Outfitters Burnside RV - Gaylord Click here for map and directions Burnside RV - Houghton Lake Click here for map and directions I-75 Exit 282 - 227 Expressway Ct. - Gaylord, MI 49734 - 866-224-6779 2735 W Houghton Lake Dr - Houghton Lake, MI 48629 - 866-224-6783 Dealership Network Burnside RV has made every effort to ensure accuracy in the information provided. Specifications, equipment, technical data, photographs and illustrations are based on information available at time of posting and are subject to change without notice. To receive or verify current product information, call 866-224-6779. Any prices listed on this site do not include tax, title and license fees. All units are subject to prior sale. Burnside RV is not responsible for typographical errors in price or errors in description of condition of this vehicle's listed equipment, accessories, price or warranties. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to the sale of this vehicle.

Mobile Home Sales

Rights of Tenants in Maine: Mobile Home Parks Home Links Legal Help Court Forms About Pine Tree News You Can Help Cool Stuff Contact PTLA Housing Fair Housing Family Law Employment Law Health Care Issues Education Public Benefits Consumer Law Tax Info Native American Court Procedures Immigrant Rights Miscellaneous Courthouse Assistance Taxpayer Clinic Native American Unit Farmworker Unit Discrimination Maine Statutes Maine Court Rules Rights of Tenants in Maine: Mobile Home Parks CONTENTS Introduction: How to Use This Online Handbook Tips To Know Before You Rent Sale of Your Building Types of Rental Agreements Discrimination Security Deposits Electric Charges for Common Areas Rent- Cable TV/Dishes and Antennas -General Assistance Landlord Entering Your Home -Rent Increases Subsidized Housing Unsafe or Unfit Housing Mobile Home Parks- Evictions- -Park Rules -Notice or Warning -Mobile Home Park Evictions -Court Hearing -Unsafe or Unfit Conditions -Defenses -Sale of Your Mobile Home Abandoned Property -Sale of Mobile Home Park Click here to get a printer-friendly .pdf pamphlet version. If you need help, click here . Special thanks to Claire Bolduc, Linda A. McLaurin, Rachel Clark, Steve McCormack, Gary Ogden and Lee Ward. Mobile Home Parks Who is protected by the mobile home park laws? This section applies to you if you own your mobile home and rent a lot in a mobile home park. Also, these online handbook sections apply to you: Tips Before You Rent Types of Rental Agreements Fee for late payment of rent General Assistance Discrimination If you rent a mobile home, you have the same rights as a tenant in an apartment building or house. Read the earlier sections of this online handbook, which apply to you. To read about your security deposit, see below . If you own your mobile home and rent the land it sits on but not in a mobile home park , you should talk to a lawyer if you have a problem. (Only some parts of this Handbook apply to you.) What is a mobile home park? A mobile home park is a piece of land that has, or is laid out to have, two or more mobile homes on it. How much can I be charged for a security deposit and how do I get it back? The Security Deposit section applies to you, with these exceptions: the park owner may charge up to 3 times the monthly rent for a security deposit the park owner must pay you 4% annual interest when he returns the deposit Read the Security Deposit section to find out how to get your deposit back if the park owner refuses. What kind of fees can I be charged? The park owner may charge fees. Fees may include rent, utilities, incidental service charges, security deposit and an entrance fee. Before you move into the park, the park owner must explain all fees to you in writing. Before increasing any fees, he must give all tenants at least 30 days written notice. If you are moving into a mobile home that is already in the park, the park owner cannot charge you more than 2 times the monthly rent for an entrance fee. The park owner cannot require you to buy your oil or bottled gas from him. He cannot choose your dealer; that is your choice. The park owner cannot require you to buy from him any underskirting, equipment for tying down mobile homes or any other equipment. Park Rules What kind of rules can the park owner have? The rules must be reasonably related to keeping order and peace in the mobile home park. All park rules must be fair and reasonable. A rule is presumed to be unfair if it does not apply to all park tenants. (However, the park owner may be able to prove that a non-uniform rule is fair, if he has a compelling reason for the rule.) The park owner must give all tenants at least 30 days notice of any rule change before it takes effect. These rules are not legal and a park owner cannot enforce them: A rule that says the park owner is not responsible for his own negligence A rule that says you have to pay the park owner's legal fees (in an eviction, for example) A rule that says you must give the park owner a lien on your property if you owe him money A rule that gives up your right to challenge the fairness of any park rule or any part of your lease or rental agreement How do I find out what the park rules are? Before you sign an agreement to rent, the park owner must give you: a copy of the mobile home park rules and copy of the Maine mobile home park laws Eviction Does the park owner have to have a reason to evict me? Yes. He must have a reason and he must be able to prove it in court. His reason must be on this list. (These rules apply to you, all household members and your guests.) 1) You did not pay rent, utility charges or reasonable service charges. You will not be evicted if you pay the amount you owe plus a fee before the end of the notice period. The notice must give you at least 30 days. The fee is 5% of what you owe, up to a maximum of $5.00. (It is unclear how the new rule on interest charges will intersect with this old $5 fee rule. Call Pine Tree if you need advice on this issue.) 2) You broke a mobile home park law. Before giving you an eviction notice, the park owner must tell you in writing what law you have broken and give you a reasonable chance to comply. 3) You broke a reasonable park rule. (See section on Park Rules ) Before giving you an eviction notice, the park owner must tell you in writing what rule you have broken and give you a reasonable chance to comply. 4) You violated Paragraph 1, 2 or 3 above three times within 12 months. After 3 chances within a one year period, you can be evicted even if you corrected all three violations. 5) You damaged the property in some way. "Damage" does not include "normal wear and tear." Normal wear and tear is what happens to property over time from normal use. 6) You repeatedly disturbed the peace and quiet or safety of other tenants. 7) You violated a term of your written lease which the lease says you can be evicted for. Read your lease before you sign! 8) The park is condemned or changed to some other use. Before evicting you for "change of use," the park owner must have told you about this when you moved in or must give you a one year written notice. 9) If the park owner wants to evict you because he plans to renovate the park, he must give you between 6 months to 12 months notice. He may also have to pay for your moving costs. Exceptions: If there is a serious problem that is dangerous for tenants, the park owner can evict you "temporarily" with a shorter notice, if he pays your costs. If it is not an emergency, he can give a 30 day written notice to "temporarily" evict, if he pays your costs. If the government orders the park owner to do a major renovation that requires evictions, the park owner can give a shorter notice. Note: If you are being evicted for reason #9 above, talk to a lawyer or Pine Tree Legal . What kind of notice do I get? Before taking you to court to get an eviction order, the park owner must give you a written notice to quit. The notice must: be in writing state the reasons for the eviction give you 45 days before your tenancy ends Note: The notice period is different in some cases, like for nonpayment of rent (30 days). To find out these exceptions, read the list 1-9 above. The park owner, or his agent, must give this notice to you in person. Exception: He can send the notice by mail and leave a copy at your home if he has tried for 3 days to serve you in person and has not been able to find you. He must have a witness. If someone has a lien on your mobile home (such as a seller to whom you are still making payments), the park owner may also notify the lien holder of the eviction. If your contract with the lien holder allows it, she may try to repossess your home to protect her legal interest in the property. Get legal advice. What happens at the end of the notice period? If you have not moved and the park owner still wants to evict you, she must file a complaint in District Court asking the court to allow the eviction. This is called a "Forcible Entry and Detainer" action. A deputy sheriff will serve you with a copy of the complaint and a court summons. The summons will tell you the date and time of the court hearing. At the hearing, the judge will listen to both sides. If the judge finds that the park owner did not follow all of the notice rules or did not prove one of the reasons for eviction listed above, the judge will dismiss the case and you will not be evicted. But if the park owner gets the eviction order from the court, she can then ask the Sheriff's Department to evict you and your family and to remove your mobile home from the lot. Talk to a lawyer right away if you get a notice to quit or a court complaint and summons. What if the park owner is trying to evict me because I complained, because I am in a tenant group, or for some other unfair reason? The Court should not evict you if you prove that the park owner's main reason for trying to evict you is that: 1) You helped to start a tenant's organization or you belong to a tenant's organization; or 2) You have complained about the park owner's violations of mobile home park laws. If you think that the park owner is trying to evict you because you complained about unsafe conditions in the park, read the section above on Retaliation Defense . This defense to eviction may apply to you. If you believe that the park owner is illegally discriminating against you because of your: race color sex sexual orientation physical or mental impairment religion ancestry or national origin getting welfare being a single parent, being pregnant or having children read the Discrimination section. What if I refused to pay rent because of bad living conditions in the park? If the park owner is trying to evict you because you owe rent and there are unsafe living conditions in the park, you may have a good defense to the eviction. Read the section "Unsafe or unfit housing defense" . These rules also apply to mobile home park tenants. In your case, the problem might be dangerous outside wiring or unsanitary septic system, instead of lack of heat. Additional rule for mobile home parks: You must have given the park owner or his agent notice of the problem when your rent was paid up. Unsafe or Unfit Conditions What areas must the park owner take care of? A park owner must promise that the space he rents and its facilities are "fit for habitation." This means that they are safe and healthy. For example, if your septic system backs up or your park road becomes impassable, the park owner must fix the problems. On the other hand, you must fix problems inside your home, unless they were caused by the park owner. What if the park facilities are unsafe or unhealthy? You can file a court action against the park owner. Before going to court you should take these steps: Talk with the park owner or manager about the problem. Talk with other tenants about the problem and meet as a group with the owner or manager. Contact the local code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector or fire chief and ask for an inspection. Contact the Maine Manufactured Housing Board. 35 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: 624-8612 TTY: 624-8563 If you still cannot resolve the problem, talk to a lawyer or Pine Tree Legal before going to court. Also, read the section about suing your landlord in court . The procedures and remedies are very similar. What happens if I am forced to leave my mobile home during repairs? If you must leave for a short time so things can be fixed, the park owner cannot charge you any rent until you move back in. If the owner offers you a reasonable place to stay, then the court will not order the park owner to pay for your costs of staying somewhere else. Sale of Your Mobile Home Can the park owner interfere if I want to sell my mobile home? No. The park owner cannot charge you a fee for selling, unless you asked him to sell it for you and signed a contract agreeing to pay him. The park owner cannot force you to hire him as your sales agent. The park owner cannot restrict any advertising you do, as long as it is reasonable. You must tell the park owner before you put up any "For Sale" signs in the park. If your mobile home was built before June 15, 1976, the park owner can require you to show that it meets the state standards. If the buyer plans to stay in the park, he should make sure that the park owner will accept him as a tenant. He can back out of a sale agreement within the first 30 days if the park owner does not agree to rent the lot to him. He can also back out of the deal if the park owner wants the home removed because it does not meet state or park standards. The park owner cannot require removal because of park standards unless these standards are clearly stated in the park rules and are reasonable. Sale of Mobile Home Park Does the park owner have to let me know if he is selling the park? Yes, in most cases. General rule : The park owner must give you and all other tenants 45 days written notice of his intent to sell. During the 45 days, he cannot contract to sell the park. Exception : The park owner does not have to give the 45 day notice if the buyer's deed says that he cannot change the use of the park for two years after he buys it. This deed restriction must also say that tenants have the right to enforce it. What if the new owner tries to close the park anyway? You can sue the new owner in Superior Court and ask the judge to order the buyer to keep renting the lots for at least two years. You can also make a money claim for any damages you have suffered. You can sue alone or as a group of tenants or as a tenant association. If you have a lawyer, the judge can order the park owner to pay your lawyer fees if you win. More information: Maine Statutes: Regulation of Mobile Home Parks; Landlord and Tenant 10 MRSA Sections 9092-9101 Consumer Rights When You Live in a Mobile Home Park Maine Attorney General's Consumer Law Guide [back to table of contents] [previous page] [back to beginning] Notice Prepared by Pine Tree Legal Assistance December 2005 Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. If the date above is not this year, call us to see if there is an update. We provide this information as a public service. It is not legal advice. By sending you this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. Always consult a lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action. Help Us Help us make our site better. Fill out our questionnaire. It won't take long. Click here. Sorry, but we cannot respond to website requests for help. If you believe you have a legal problem we can help you with, call us. 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