Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I made my usual trip, about 700 miles round-trip, to decorate the family graves. I notices some dramatic differences along the way this year.
First, I estimate that there no more than 1/4 of the usual number of RVs on the road this year. This difference was dramatic.
Second, I estiamte that there were no more than 1/10th the usual number of boats in tow this year. This difference was incredible. This may be due in part to the very cold weather we've had this weekend.
Third, I saw no rental RVs (distinguishable by their advertising on the side and back). Not one. If you're in the rental RV business, you're in a world of hurt.
Fourth, I saw only two, count 'em two, Land Yacht with Tender rigs (large RVs pulling a car or even SUV in tow). This is down probably 95% from the usual count.
Fifth, at least half of the RVs I did see were the kind with the "garage" in the back to hold the motorcycles or ATVs or jet skis. In other words, these people insist on big toys and they've compacted down to about the smallest vehicle they can get.
I noticed a lot of trucks and RVs with trailer hitches filled not by trailers but by these platform things that hold just a few things. My guess is that there's an RV or trailer at home that's usually using that hitch, but this year they got this platform thing instead.
I noticed a lot of SUVs with empty trailer hitches and with their cargo areas absolutely stuffed full. My guess is that these people normally tow a trailer or RV along, but, this year, they've managed to -- somehow -- pack for a three-day weekend in just 150 cubic feet.
Finally, I noticed that a lot of these folks seem to think that, as a consolation prize, since they're not pulling the RV this year, they get to use the left lane. No. Your Escalade, whether you're pulling your second house behind it or not, belongs in the right lane. And when you see a little, silver Mercedes closing on you fast from behind, that is your cue to move right.
My little Benz, by the way, turned in about 32MPG for the trip.
First, I estimate that there no more than 1/4 of the usual number of RVs on the road this year. This difference was dramatic.
Second, I estiamte that there were no more than 1/10th the usual number of boats in tow this year. This difference was incredible. This may be due in part to the very cold weather we've had this weekend.
Third, I saw no rental RVs (distinguishable by their advertising on the side and back). Not one. If you're in the rental RV business, you're in a world of hurt.
Fourth, I saw only two, count 'em two, Land Yacht with Tender rigs (large RVs pulling a car or even SUV in tow). This is down probably 95% from the usual count.
Fifth, at least half of the RVs I did see were the kind with the "garage" in the back to hold the motorcycles or ATVs or jet skis. In other words, these people insist on big toys and they've compacted down to about the smallest vehicle they can get.
I noticed a lot of trucks and RVs with trailer hitches filled not by trailers but by these platform things that hold just a few things. My guess is that there's an RV or trailer at home that's usually using that hitch, but this year they got this platform thing instead.
I noticed a lot of SUVs with empty trailer hitches and with their cargo areas absolutely stuffed full. My guess is that these people normally tow a trailer or RV along, but, this year, they've managed to -- somehow -- pack for a three-day weekend in just 150 cubic feet.
Finally, I noticed that a lot of these folks seem to think that, as a consolation prize, since they're not pulling the RV this year, they get to use the left lane. No. Your Escalade, whether you're pulling your second house behind it or not, belongs in the right lane. And when you see a little, silver Mercedes closing on you fast from behind, that is your cue to move right.
My little Benz, by the way, turned in about 32MPG for the trip.