With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the “healthiest” markets in the country. [...]]]> The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009
Builder, in conjunction with Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, debuts its metric for determining markets with the best and least potential.
By: Boyce Thompson

With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the “healthiest” markets in the country. Virtually every market was down last year. But a close look at the numbers reveals that some markets have way outperformed others during the last four years and are likely to continue to do so this year.

When the housing market stages its official recovery, the markets listed on the following pages are likely to lead the parade. It may take a year or more for the weakest markets–where burgeoning foreclosure sales are still pounding new home values, making building and selling new homes an exercise in futility– to finally stage a turnaround. We’ll present that list next week.

The healthiest markets have many things in common. Most of them are great places to live, either close to the ocean, mountains, or major universities. Most of them didn’t have a huge run-up in prices during the boom and aren’t experiencing rampant deflation during the bust.

To compile these lists, we analyzed the top 75 housing markets in the country. We ranked them based on population trends and job growth, perennial drivers of housing demand. We also examined what’s happened with home prices; many of the healthiest markets have managed to hold the line on home values. And finally, we considered the rate building permits, which may be the single best ongoing indicator of builder confidence in a market. We combined all these metrics to produce a score for each market. Here are the top 15, in reverse order.

15. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
2008 total building permits: 3,211

Though permit activity dropped sharply last year, Myrtle Beach remains one of the hottest markets in the country, especially when you analyze the number of permits pulled per resident. Only 263,287 people live in the Myrtle Beach metro area, which until recently had been growing its population by nearly 5 percent a year. That means builders pulled one permit for every 82 residents. A steady influx of people, many of them retirees, are drawn by close proximity to the ocean and 117 golf courses at last count. That has helped keep home prices steady; they fell only 10 percent last year to a very affordable $174,800. Most of the home building is split between Brunswick and New Hanover counties. Jobs are dependent on the tourist industry, though, and the metro area was rocked last year when a $400 million rock-and-roll themed amusement part, Hard Rock Park, opened and then filed for bankruptcy. Myrtle Beach added jobs last year, but as of December employment was decreasing at a 4.2 percent rate compared to a year earlier.

14. Wilmington, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 3,551

Wilmington has the second highest ratio of permits pulled per resident, behind only Myrtle Beach. The population here, 352,919 by Census estimates, has been growing at a 4 percent annual rate for the last five years, well above the national average. Primary residents are drawn by a four-season climate, close proximity to Atlantic beaches, and affordable housing. Median home prices, at $198,700, are just about the national average. The area gave back 1,000 jobs last year, after gaining 19,000 the previous three years. Wilmington has had a 60 percent decline in permit activity since 2005, around the national average, but its track record for population growth helps it make this list.

13. Charlotte, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 12,231

People and businesses must love Charlotte, because they are moving there at a high rate. The metro area of 1.74 million has grown its residents by 4 percent annually over the last five years, one of the highest rates in the country. They are drawn by relatively affordable housing for the east coast—median home prices are only $210,900, and they’ve only “corrected” downward by only 4.2 percent in the last year. A strong fourth quarter helped Charlotte record 12,231 permits last year, only a 44 percent decline since 2005. Charlotte’s strength relative to other markets led the investment banking firm UBS to predict last year that it would be one of the first markets to recover from the housing downturn. Charlotte is still a single-family market, with 62 percent of the residential activity in stand-alone homes. The job market in this banking hub contracted last year, after growing 3 to 5 percent annually the previous three years.

12. Denver, Col. 2008 total building permits: 8,800

Denver has been all over the home building news of late, with Beazer and Centex leaving town, then Village Homes of Colorado declaring bankruptcy. But the market hasn’t been hit as hard by the home building recession as other Western markets, in part because it didn’t experience rampant price appreciation during the boom. That’s partly because there’s lots of land available to develop in Denver. The median price of an existing home here was still an affordable $225,100 in the third quarter of last year, down only 11.4 percent in the last year (through 3Q 08). Denver enjoys one of the highest population growth rates in the country–2 percent annually for each of the last five years. Builders pulled 8,800 permits in Denver last year, down from 20,864 in 2005, a percentage decline that’s close to the national average. Denver is buoyed by a strong commercial real estate market.

11. Nashville, Tenn. 2008 total building permits: 8,142

Nashville, the 20th largest home building market, operated under the radar of the national housing boom. It didn’t ramp up wildly during the boom years, and it’s not contracting viciously during the bust. Median home prices remain an affordable $152,100, propped up by a growing job base. Eighty percent of the residential construction is single-family. Some of the market’s resilience stems from above-average population growth of about 2.3 percent a year. Back in the day, 2005, Nashville accounted for 16,654 permits; it now runs at about half that level. But that’s a better performance than most major markets.

10. Washington DC 2008 total building permits: 11,693

Washington D.C. showed signs last summer that it might be emerging from the downturn, then it turned south again. Even so, the area produces a ton of jobs—an estimated 35,000 in the last year—that fuel a vibrant housing market, the 11th largest in the country. Many of the jobs stem from contracts with the federal government. Washington D.C. remains a relatively unaffordable place to live, with a median home price of $332,700 in the third quarter of last year. But values have fallen only 24 percent in the last year in part because the population continues to grow—an average of 1 percent annually over the last five years. Home building patterns have changed dramatically in the nation’s capital with builders mothballing subdivisions well beyond the beltway and focusing on infill opportunities. The region remains one of the worst in the nation for commuters.

9. Fayetteville, Ark. 2008 total building permits: 2,989

Fayetteville has made some important lists in recent years. Located in the foothills of the Ozarks and within an easy drive of Wal-Mart’s corporate headquarters, it has recently been named one of the best places to live (by Kiplinger) and to do business (by Inc.). Employment, which had been strongly positive since 2005, dropped somewhat in the fourth quarter of last year. Recent layoffs at Wal-Mart’s corporate office sent tremors through the market. But several Fortune 500 companies that sell products to Wal-Mart have established offices here, and they have helped Fayetteville achieve one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter. The University of Arkansas is also located in Fayetteville, and it has helped attract start-up businesses. Residents are drawn by an affordable housing stock; median prices average only $139,400, below the national average, and they’ve lost only 2.4 percent of their value in the last year. Builders pulled only 2,989 residential permits last year, down from 7, 449 in 2005.

8. Indianapolis, Ind. 2008 total building permits: 7,004

Builders are still pulling permits at a relatively healthy rate in Indianapolis, despite a virtually flat job market. Unlike other major markets that have become multifamily-oriented, single family still accounts for two-thirds of home building activity. Ultra-affordable housing accounts for some of the activity—the median price of a home here is only $117,900, making it one of the most affordable markets in the country. As a result, home prices have declined only 4.5 percent in the last year. At the top of the market in 2005, builders in Indianapolis took down 15,619 permits, so activity is down 55 percent, slightly better than the national average. Unfortunately, the relative health of the market wasn’t enough to keep Davis Homes, one of the area’s largest private builders, from going out of business last year.

7. Seattle, Wash. 2008 total building permits: 13,021

Seattle, a city of 3.4 million people, last year weighed in as the eighth largest home building market. Residential construction activity here, as measured by permits, is off only 50 percent since 2005, much better than most markets. Seattle has steadily transitioned during the last 10 years from an affordable to an upscale housing market, with the median price of an existing home reaching above $350,000. Even so, existing home prices fell only 11 percent in the last year. One of the secrets to Seattle’s success is that it has added lots of jobs in recent years; and held on to them last year. Some builders there have even stepped up their land buying in anticipation of a market recovery. As the city has become more urban, the share of single family to multifamily permits has reversed; multifamily now accounts for 58 percent of activity.

6. Raleigh, N.C. 2008 total building permits: 11,386

Another state capital with multiple universities, Raleigh was still adding jobs at a 1.9 percent annual rate though the third quarter of last year. With a population of more than 1 million, it also has one of the highest rates of population growth of any top metro market in the country over the last five years: nearly 5 percent annually. Though the price of a median home here, $221,900, is above the national average, it is well below other cities in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The metro area has added roughly 68,000 jobs since 2005, and employment held steady last year. With a glut of national builders in the market, locals such as Dixon Kirby have experimented with different looks and styles to keep sales alive.

5. Dallas, Texas 2008 total building permits: 26,145

In a year when permits declined 35 percent nationally, Dallas only experienced a 9 percent fall-off. With a population of 4.2 million, Dallas was the third largest home building market last year, as measured in permits pulled. Employers in Dallas, a popular place for corporate relocation and expansion, added 42,000 jobs last year, a growth rate of 2 percent. Existing home prices have held steady, falling a paltry 2.3 percent in the last year, Interestingly, the face of residential construction has changed dramatically in Dallas in recent years; 58 percent of the activity last year was in multifamily, compared to a five-year average of 23 percent. The relative stability of the market, though, wasn’t enough to prevent Wall Homes from filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. On the other hand, former Meritage co-CEO John Landon recently started a new Dallas-based home building company.

4. San Antonio, Texas 2008 total building permits: 10,261

San Antonio is another Texas market that is still adding jobs, about 15,000 last year. A city of more than 2 million people now, its population is also growing, at a 2.8 percent annual clip through the third quarter of last year. Existing home prices are barely declining in San Antonio, down only 1.8 percent in the last year, leaving the median price of an existing single-family home at an affordable $154,400, 25 percent below the national average of $200,500, according to the National Association of Realtors. The upper end of the housing market was hurt recently when AT&T announced it would be moving its corporate headquarters to Dallas.

3. Fort Worth, Texas 2008 Total Building Permits: 10,388

Fort Worth, always operating in the shadow of higher profile Dallas, nevertheless can currently claim to have a slightly healthier housing market, based on its employment growth, relatively strong permit activity, and inexpensive housing. Now the 14th largest home building market in the country, Ft. Worth’s builders pulled 10,388 permits last year, roughly two-thirds of them single-family. That may be half as many as 2005, but many other major markets showed much sharper drop-offs. The relative strength of the Fort Worth market in recent years stems from its ties to the oil and gas industries, which has fueled above-average job growth. The metro area added 17,300 jobs last year.

2. Austin, Texas 2008 Total Building Permits: 14,250

Nine years ago, during the tech bust, some builders felt that Austin was too crowded and left. The bloom is back on Austin’s yellow rose now; it moved up the leader board to become the sixth largest home building market last year. Job creation explains the move. While other markets lost employment, Austin added 17,400 jobs last year, 2.31 percent growth rate. It helps that Austin is home to both a major university, The University of Texas, and the state capital. Existing homes cost a little bit more in Austin than other Texas markets, roughly $190,900, but that’s still below the national average. Also, Austin is one of the few metro areas in the country where median prices actually rose in 2008–1.4 percent through the first three quarters of the year. Amazingly, Austin now generates more home building activity than Chicago, which has six times more people.

1. Houston, Texas 2008 Total Building Permits: 42,697
They like to do things big in Houston. Now the metro area, home to nearly 5.8 million people, can lay claim to being the largest home building market in the country, with 42,697 building permits. The market is still benefiting from an influx of population and jobs and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Employment rose 2.2 percent last year, representing the addition of an incredible 57,000 jobs. Home building activity in Houston has only fallen 31 percent since 2005. Also, existing home prices actually rose in Houston last year, 2.8 percent, to $160,200, still a very affordable level. Roughly one third of the home building action is in Harris County, followed by Houston proper and Fort Bend County. One of Houston’s largest builders, Royce Homes, shut down last year, and Kimball Hill, one of the biggest builders in Texas, closed its doors this year after it failed to find a buyer.

Just because your on the road doesn’t mean you can’t make money. Learn to trade forex today with the best and most respected Forex professional Bill Poulos

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Just because your on the road doesn’t mean you can’t make money. Learn to trade forex today with the best and most respected Forex professional Bill Poulos

Those of you who have been following the teachings of Bill Poulos know how much I LOVE TRADING! Even though Bill has a solid set of methods and techniques he uses for his own trading, he’s constantly tinkering around in the “trading lab”. Besides spending time with his family, it’s whathe likes to do in his spare time. Some people like to play golf. Bill rather be trading.

Now, because of my position in the trading education community, I am approached quite frequently by other traders, systems developers, companies, you name it. Many of them send me evaluation copies of their programs and methods to get my professional feedback and opinion. Some of the material I receive is quite good, but honestly, most of it is incomplete. The reason I tell you this is to impress upon you the amount of trading material I have in my personal library – I have a TON, and I believe I’ve seen just about every type of program on the market.

In reviewing all this material and in examining all the questions I’ve been receiving from my readers and students about Forex, I made two key discoveries that were astonishing to me.

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About the Affinity: “Enter a world of your own creation. Where every inch of handcrafted woodwork, each expanse of luxurious tile, each swath of sumptuous fabric, is shaped, placed, and finished just for you. Find a place where your most casual whim is the first guiding principle. The [...]]]> 2008 Country Coach Affinity. Coach Affinity 700 Custom

Heartland have only been building RVs since 2004; already they’re in the top 10 fifth wheel manufacturers and they tell RoTi that they expect to be in the top 5 soon. Such rapid growth they must be good!

The Heartland Bighorn comes in 3 lengths and 7 [...]]]> Heartland Bighorn Fifth Wheel Review. 2008 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel

Heartland have only been building RVs since 2004; already they’re in the top 10 fifth wheel manufacturers and they tell RoTi that they expect to be in the top 5 soon. Such rapid growth they must be good!

The Heartland Bighorn comes in 3 lengths and 7 floorplans. The longest model is 33′7″ long and the shortest 28′3″. We show 3 floorplans below.

Heartland have advised RoTi that base MSRPs are in the range $40,000 to $45,000.
Heartland’s patent-pending front cap design, which features a 30 percent increased turning radius, perfect for short-bed trucks.

Heartland says: “The stunning new Bighorn is nothing short of spectacular – in both its luxurious interior appointments and outstanding design concepts. Featuring real hardwood cabinets, including stiles, oil-rubbed bronze hardware and lighting, elegant furnishings, flush-floor slideouts, and an abundance of interior and exterior storage space, the BIGHORN is truly a fifth wheel that is taking affordable luxury to the next level.

Some of the features of the Bighorn:
Four interior decors
Hand crafted cabinetry – all hardwood, Amish-Crafted
Roof, Sidewall and Slide Rooms feature a Double-Welded Aircraft Quality Aluminum Superstructure Cage Construction
Large storage areas
Wide range of interior and exterior options

2008 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel Video

Winnebago Industries flagship, the Winnebago Vectra,The Winnebago Vectra unveils the new Maxum chassis in 2008. The Maxum features a revolutionary inverted rail design which Winnebago Industries engineers worked closely with Freightliner Custom Chassis to develop. The 34,320-lb. GVWR Freightliner XCL chassis features an inverted rail design that creates a [...]]]> Winnebago Vectra 2008 Review. Vectra Winnebago Video

Winnebago Industries flagship, the Winnebago Vectra,
The Winnebago Vectra unveils the new Maxum chassis in 2008. The Maxum features a revolutionary inverted rail design which Winnebago Industries engineers worked closely with Freightliner Custom Chassis to develop. The 34,320-lb. GVWR Freightliner XCL chassis features an inverted rail design that creates a stronger chassis configuration, a lower center of gravity and incorporates an industry leading 60 degree wheel cut for improved handling and performance. The Maxum chassis also offers a powerful and clean 425 hp Cummins engine with six-speed transmission, independent front suspension and a rear radiator. The Vectra’s new clean air diesel engine emits 1/60th of the soot compared to a diesel motor home built in 1988, and provides a 90 percent reduction in emissions.

The 2008 Vectra features three floorplans, the 40TD, 40FD and 40KD. The double slide 40TD is spacious with two large slideout rooms – a 30-inch wide flat floor driver’s side slideout that’s 15 feet 11 inches long, and a 24-inch wide passenger side flat floor slide that’s 21 feet 6 inches long. The galley is forward in the coach, with a dining table and chairs and entertainment center, including a 37-inch high definition LCD TV, mid-coach. The 40TD also offers an available theater style seating module that’s perfect when watching your favorite movies – especially with the new Sony® Home Theater Sound System that includes a combination DVD/VCR. Other floorplan highlights include a spacious bathroom with curved walls for an attractive look, two sizable wardrobes and rear 27-inch LCD TV.

Base MSRP for the 2007 Vectra started at $270,406. Here’s some of the key features for the 2008 Vectra:

New Maxum™ chassis featuring a revolutionary inverted stacked rail design
Three innovative floorplans – the 40TD, 40FD and 40KD
Newly designed exterior basement storage
60-inch slideout tray with built-in drawers that extend with the tray – optional
Side-hinged exterior compartment doors
New entrance door with roll-up screen
Newly designed dining module with buffet on 40FD and 40KD
37-inch high definition LCD TV is featured on the 40TD and 40FD, with a 32-inch high definition TV found on the 40KD
27-inch LCD TV offered in the bedroom of the 40TD, with a 20-inch LCD featured on the 40FD and 40KD
Three new interior decor choices
Full body paint with a new design and colors
One-piece windshield with radial arm system

Winnebago Motorcoach Video:

The Essex pampers you with a choice of six distinctive floorplans. Thoughtful touches abound…including a residential-style doorbell, polished-porcelain floors and designer fixtures. And beneath [...]]]> Newmar Essex Luxury Motorcoach Review and Video Review

The Essex Diesel Pusher is simply one of the most luxurious coaches you will ever find. Breathtaking…bold…beautiful…the Essex is truly a luxury coach to behold.

The Essex pampers you with a choice of six distinctive floorplans. Thoughtful touches abound…including a residential-style doorbell, polished-porcelain floors and designer fixtures. And beneath this beauty lurks the beast of a powerful Cummins® ISM 500 Hp engine atop a peerless Spartan® K2 chassis with a 16,600 lb. independent front suspension.

Plus, the Essex features the Newmar Comfort Drive™ Steering system with an exclusive dash adjustment control…and our hallmark: Newmar’s legendary Full-Paint Masterpiece™ Finish with Super Clear Coat.

Astonish The World.
This luxury coach is as entertaining as it is luxurious. In addition to the standard Pioneer® DVD player and a pre-programmed universal entertainment center remote control, the Essex also gives you:

Your choice of decor, including six graphics packages
A generous list of standard features

But the Essex simply must be seen to be believed. Take a moment to find your local RV dealer, use our RV comparison tool to see all your choices, or download a brochure today.

When shopping for a new RV, there are lots of choices! For example, there [...]]]> Buying A New or Used RV Consideration, Facts, Tips

RVing is exploding as both a family-oriented activity and a way of life for couples or even single individuals who want to travel and see everything this great country of ours has to offer.

When shopping for a new RV, there are lots of choices! For example, there are different types, classes and manufacturers of recreational vehicles to choose from. So many, in fact, that it can easily lead to a sense of confusion when it comes to trying to determine which RV will best fulfill your needs.

Following are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself, along with a list of the pro’s and con’s for each of the different styles of recreational vehicles on the market today. This will definitely be helpful if you’re in the market for a new or used RV.

Trailer vs. Motorhome
Basically, the 2 main types of RVs are: trailers and motorhomes.

Do you like the idea of not towing a trailer? Do you like being able to move about and keep everyone comfortable for the long haul? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you’ll probably like a motorhome. Motorhomes are great, but their cost is dramatically higher.

On the other hand, trailers are quite a bit cheaper, and the only running gear to maintain are tires and wheel bearings. Sure it takes a bit of skill to master maneuvering in reverse, but it’s not that hard.

Now… maybe you’re leaning more toward a travel trailer at this point. Or maybe you’re thinking a motorhome would be the best option for you. The only way to know for sure is to ask yourself these questions:

1. How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
With prices starting as low as $2,000 to 3,000 for a bare bones Teardrop trailer, and going all the way up to many millions of dollars for a top-of-the-line motor coach, your choice of RV is really only limited by your pocketbook.

This is one industry where there is truly something to fit every financial level.

2. Where Are You Planning To Go?
Do you plan on being a highway cruiser? Or is the backwoods wilderness your destination? The luxury of a large Class A motorhome is well-suited for long distance driving and high class resorts. But when it comes to driving on abandoned logging roads and exploring that great fishing lake way back in the boonies, chances are you’ll be making expensive repairs. A motorhome’s bulky size and weight just isn’t suited for off-pavement conditions.

3. How Many People Will Be Sleeping On Board?
Will you be traveling with a family of 8? Or is it just you and your spouse? Many RVs are designed for large families, with bunk house sleeping accommodations and even multiple dinettes for mealtime.

Large comfortable motor homes, while able to manage 4-6 people at a time, are generally more popular with couples who occasionally bring the kids or grandkids along. Beyond the queen-sized bed in the rear, they are limited to a fold-out sofa and collapsible dinette for extra sleeping quarters.

Finally, you’ll want to explore the pro’s and con’s of each style of RV…

Types & Styles Of RVs
There are so many different styles of RVs to consider, so let’s take a look at some of the pluses and minuses of each.

Teardrop
Probably the least expensive, with small and cozy (tight) accommodations for 1-2 people maximum. Very lightweight and able to be towed by almost any vehicle. Better than a tent, because it offers improved protection from the elements and requires no setup.

Tent Trailer
Small towing package that — when set up — provides comfortable sleeping for the whole family. Complete with kitchen inside. The main disadvantage is that it takes a reasonable amount of time to construct. Not something you want to do in the rain, or on a nightly basis while traveling. Ideally suited for a week at a campground where there are other activities to enjoy.

Folding Hard Side Trailer
Again… small towing package, but can be set up in less than a minute. Able to handle 2-4 people, this rig can work quite well for frequent traveling as it folds up quickly.

Travel Trailer
Anywhere from 12‘-40’ in length, they can manage any number of people. A small fiberglass bubble that can fit two, or a long two bedroom ranch house on wheels with all the amenities you could think of to keep a family of eight happily occupied. Be aware, long travel trailers don’t handle all that well on the highway.

Fifth Wheel Trailer
Smaller 5th wheel trailers can be pulled by half ton trucks. Larger ones will require at least a 1-ton dually to handle the weight. The one characteristic common to all fifth wheel trailers is how well they tow. With the pivot point being over the rear axle, you will be stable on the road no matter how large a rig you choose. Very popular with full timers because of the interior space, combined with their easy towing. Basement storage can be a nice bonus.

Class B Motorhome
With the basic cargo van as its foundation, a Class B motor home can manage 1or 2 people in relative comfort. Great for driving because of its manageable size. Some are very complete in providing the comforts of life. These can be a useful 2nd family car, and still be ready to hit the road in comfort.

Class C Mini-Home
Also has a cargo van front end. These motorhomes can handle a family in style. There’s easy access to the driver’s seat. And the over-the-cab area provides a large sleeping area. Ranges in length from about 21’ to over 30’, some will have a rear bedroom with a queen-sized bed. Combined with the collapsing dinette, you’ll have sleeping space for at least 6.

Class A Motorhome
These usually range from 25′ to 40’ and they’re great for travelers. Whether it’s being used for full time RVing, or as a vacation vessel, comfort is the key word. The view from the cockpit is incomparable — seated up high, you will see over the traffic easily, and all across the countryside too. Ranging in price from $100,000 and up, you pay for this level of comfort. As with all in the motorhome class of recreational vehicles, you have a drivetrain that must be maintained and used on a regular basis in order to keep it in good running condition.

Luxury Motor Coach
This is the top of the heap. If you can afford one of these, you have truly arrived. With prices exceeding $1,000,000, this level of luxury is limited to the elite. High fashion and stylish living comes with the territory. This isn’t the kind of rig you’ll use to pull into a Corp. of Engineers Rustic Campground.

With all these choices, you certainly have a lot to consider. Picking the right RV for your family is an important financial decision that will require you to spend a lot of time comparing the different manufacturers, sizes, and styles. Choose wisely. And enjoy. There’s an RV to fit everyone’s situation. Have fun finding the right one for you!

The Terra Wind amphibious Motor Coach/Yacht in water, [...]]]> Amphibious Class A Motor Coach
Price: Terra Wind Prices from the $850,000’s to $1.2M

How often have you pulled into an RV park late in the day to find all of the choice waterfront slots taken? Now you can do one better by parking your motor home on the water.

The Terra Wind amphibious Motor Coach/Yacht in water, driven by two 19 inch propellers.

For those who love land and water, and want to enjoy both in luxury, Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International (CAMI) is custom building the Terra Wind amphibious “Motor Coach/Yacht”. Luxury motor homes make a statement on their own, but talk about turning heads when you drive your custom coach into the lake.

The Terra Wind looks like a typical Class A on land, complete with amenities you would expect in a luxury coach. It is 42½ feet long, 102 inches wide, 12½ feet tall, has a GVWR of 33,000 lb, GCWR of 43,000 lb, and a starting price of $850,000. The only thing that might tip you off to this machine’s alter ego is the angled front nose in place of the typical straight bumper.
A few unique features caught my attention:

Residential style sliding doors in the back, providing a wonderful bedroom view on land and water. Swim deck in the rear lowers like a toy hauler ramp. Whirlpool tub

The photos show the prototype; the production model promises a 45 foot hull with additional features such as two engines, tandem rear axles, and additional stability so that the slides can be deployed in water.

If you are still lacking for toys, the manufacturer promises more: “We are also now building the trailer for the Terra Wind. This trailer will be able to float just as the coach does. We will be able to carry 1 car and a golf cart, or 2 jet ski’s for an added toy. This will also be an added party barge with flat roof for sunning and diving from.”

I found it amuzing that the specifications describe which side the slides are on with the nautical terms of port (left) and starboard (right). I suppose this is only fitting for a machine that will require you to learn not only RV terms, but boating terms as well.

For more details and photos, please visit the Terra Wind web site.

Does it really go into the water? Yes, it does.

Why would someone want a motor coach that goes into the water? Because you have a houseboat and a motor coach all wrapped up into one vehicle. If you are taking a trip across the country and you find a lake you can drive right into it; boat across and drive out the other side, then keep on going.

How does it switch from road to marine? You drive the Terra Wind into the water, place the road transmission into neutral and the marine transmission into gear and your away you go.

It looks top heavy, is it? No, it is not. All of our weight is in the bottom of the boat. When we built the Terra Wind every single component was taken into consideration for the weight and balance of the stability

Can the room slide outs be used on the water? Yes, the outrigger sponsons (pontoons) keep the boat level with the room slides in the out position.

What is the draft? 3 1/2 feet; this means 3 1/2 feet of the coach/boat remains in the water. The water line is right beneath the front bumper.

How deep of water can the Terra Wind go into? The depth of the water is irrelevant, it is a boat. It can go into any depth of water, it simply needs 3 1/2 feet to clear the bottom of the waterway.

How big of a wave will it take? It was designed for protected waters such as lakes, bays, rivers, and sounds. With the outrigger sponsons she can take 3 foot waves or wake.

How much wind can it take? With the outrigger sponsons she can take approximately 40 mph winds.

Does it go into the ocean? No, it is not an ocean going vessel.

Can it go into salt water? Yes it can go into salt water, however, fresh water is preferable. If it is taken into the salt water a fresh water rinse is necessary.

Is rust or corrosion an issue? No. The hull is 100% aluminum which does not rust. The only steel parts are the suspension and axle components. These parts are coated with the same protective marine coating used on cruise ships.

Why are the door and room slide outs elevated? Actually the floor is lowered, as it is with any boat. You have to lower your center of gravity for stability.

Does it have an anchor? Yes, it is under the back deck.

How long can it be out on the water? The Terra Wind can be on the water as long as it has diesel fuel. There is no limit regarding the integrity of the vessel. She has a 150 gallon fuel capacity tank. It requires diesel fuel to run the generator also.

From where can you fish or sunbathe? There is a 6 foot swim platform that folds out from the back deck. You can fish, layout, or dive/jump from there. It has cleats so you tie up you jets skis, boat, or rafts to the platform.

Can you ski behind it? No, it is not fast enough to pull a skier.

What size engine does it have? It has a caterpillar 3126E 330 horse power diesel engine with power take off to the propellers.

Does it have 2 separate engines, 1 for road and 1 for marine? It only has the one engine. However, the next Terra Wind will have 2 engines; for more horse power.

Which kind of fuel does it use? The Terra Wind uses diesel fuel.

What size generator does it have? It has an 18 kilowatt 240 volt diesel generator with a 20 kilowatt peak capacity.

What kind of chassis is it on? It is not on an existing chassis. The Terra Wind is built from the ground up. We start by building an all aluminum 3/16 marine plate hull. Once the integrity of the hull is assured we build a motor coach on top of the boat hull. This is truly a boat on wheels.

What propels it on the water? Two 19″ twin bronze propellers are what move the vessel on the water. She also has stainless steel rudders with a one-touch rudder control.

What kind of speed does it get on the water? She gets 6 to 7 knots of speed on the water.

Speed on the land? We can reach highway speeds up to 85 mph (or what ever the speed limit permits).

How much does the Terra Wind weigh? She weighs 31,000 wet (full of fuel and water). There is an allowance of 4,000 pounds for people and stuff. Therefore, her maximum weight capacity is 35,000.

How long is the amphibious motorcoach? It is 42 1/2 feet long. The maximum length we will build is 45 feet.

How wide is it? She is 8 feet 6 inches wide. (Street legal)

How tall is she? The coach stands 12 feet 6 inches tall to the top of the coach; and 13 feet 4 inches to the top of the satellite. All Terra Winds do not have to be this tall. (John Giljam, the owner, engineer, and designer stands 6′8″. He chose this height in order to walk through the coach without ducking his head.)

What materials are the sides and roof made from? The sidewalls and the roof were made specifically for us. A fiberglass reinforced plywood with a foam core was used. R values: R14 wall and R32 roof.

Year & Model: 2006 EarthRoamer XVManufacturer: EarthRoamerRV Type: class C motor home

The first time I set eyes on the EarthRoamer XV, I thought it was a truck camper mounted on a Ford truck. Judging from the profile, it very much resembles a slide-in, but at closer examination it becomes apparent that [...]]]> Expedition Off Road RV Vehicle

Year & Model: 2006 EarthRoamer XV
Manufacturer: EarthRoamer
RV Type: class C motor home

The first time I set eyes on the EarthRoamer XV, I thought it was a truck camper mounted on a Ford truck. Judging from the profile, it very much resembles a slide-in, but at closer examination it becomes apparent that the truck bed is missing and the camper is a permanent fixture.

EarthRoamer XV motor home built on the Ford F-450 or F-550 Super Duty chassis.
The EarthRoamer is a class C motor home built on a Ford F-450 or F-550 Super Duty chassis, complete with a passage from the living quarters to the cab.

Building a class C motor home on a medium duty truck chassis has several advantages over the more common van chassis, such as a sturdier frame suitable for rough terrain, more spacious cab, larger engine compartment to lessen noise and for easier servicing, and higher ground clearance, just to name a few.

Inside, the list of amenities is well thought out for expeditions taken in comfort. Two of the most unique features are the all-diesel appliances and the cassette style black tank, capable of being emptied not only at designated RV dump stations, but at regular toilets as well.

I’ll let you read the complete list of features on the EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles web site.

If you own one of these machines and wouldn’t mind me drooling on it, please tell us what you think by adding comments to this blog post

RV designers are working to ensure that the products we buy [...]]]> What’s New in RVs?

It’s been a busy time lately for RV manufacturers seeking to match new interests on the part of RVers with changes in fuel costs and the economy. Fortunately, a number of concepts under study are now becoming available in the new RVs.

RV designers are working to ensure that the products we buy provide the features and ease of use we enjoy along with getting the best buy for the money. Improved RV designs and products coming out include electronics, interior and exterior designs, and upgraded engine, transmission, and chassis offerings.

RV Electronics
The electronics industry continues to bring out new and innovative products that RVers use at home and would like to use on the road.

RVers can now order RVs with a high–definition TV (HDTV), HD satellite receiver, and automatic satellite dish. RVers are also finding many RVs (motorhome and towable) now coming with flat–panel LCD TVs. These flat–panel TVs are usually mounted on swivel brackets that provide better viewing. They also save cabinet space, and reduce weight and power consumption. “Convenience” and “safety” are the keywords as the number of tow vehicles and motorhomes being purchased with “in–dash” navigation systems offering large screens and voice commands has risen significantly.

Toy Haulers
Several years ago, RVers were introduced to the “toy hauler” that provided storage and work space for a variety of sport and recreation machines. The toy haulers accommodate motorcycles, snow–mobiles, all–terrain vehicles (ATVs), dune buggies, and more, eliminating the need for a trailer.

Initially provided for towable RVs, toy haulers are now available in all RV classes, including travel trailers, fifth–wheels, and Class A, B, and C motorhomes. We’ve gone from space for an ATV and a drop–down ramp in a towable RV to offerings like the luxury diesel–engine 2007 Newmar All Star Cycle Hauler, which can carry two Harley–Davidson motorcycles in two separate slide–outs. (The RV industry is now using the term SURV (Sport Utility RV) to identify RVs that provide enclosed storage and work space for sport and recreation machines and equipment.)

Interior and Exterior Design Changes
The 2008 motorhomes with a full–wall on one side and a large slide on the opposite wall make for roomier RVs with much wider aisles from front to rear.

To set the mood, many RVs, towables and motorhomes are available with light–emitting–diode (LED) lighting that provides bright and soft lighting in compact fixtures that have a very low power draw. Interiors have Euro–style cabinets with hidden hinges, and cabinet faces and counter tops that may be curved or slightly angular. The RV ceilings have fewer protruding items (vents, lights, fans, antenna controls, etc., providing a much cleaner appearance. There is an increasing use of wood or wood laminate floors providing a nice touch and the 12 cubic–ft refrigerator is also becoming increasingly popular with RVers.

Externally, full–body paint is now becoming more available on motorhomes and towable RVs for improved aesthetics. The designers are also conveniently combining the various buttons, switches, gauges, and controls for the various RV systems in a single space to make them easy to locate and use.

Power Plant and Chassis Options
Manufacturer attentions to RVer concerns about better fuel efficiency and getting the most for your money is evident with several recent RV industry innovations in the 2007 models.

For instance, Class B and mini–Class C motorhomes using the popular Sprinter chassis from Daimler–Chrysler with the Mercedes 5–cylinder engine continue to grow in popularity. The Class Bs get 19–22 mpg and the mini–Class Cs get 17–19 mpg. RV Business Magazine reported in December that there are nine RV manufacturers offering a variety of models with lengths of up to 23.5 ft. Most of the models have GVWRs of up to 10,500 pounds and list prices from $70,000 to $80,000, and can cost up to $100,000. The introduction of the Front–Engine Diesel (FRED) chassis that appeared last year helps provide the value, fuel efficiency, and torque of the diesel engine to RVers at lower prices because the chassis, similar to those used in the trucking industry, provides economies of scale that can be used to lower RV manufacturing cost.

The Workhorse Universal Fuel Option (UFO) chassis, announced this past fall, can utilize a rear–mounted diesel or gas powerplant, along with an Allison transmission, and a completely flat floor from front to rear. The problems originally encountered in rear–mounted gas powerplants of the late 1970s have been resolved. The new UFO engine/transmission/chassis enables RV manufacturers to offer RVers a choice of diesel or gas and reduce the number of coach models by using a single chassis. Manufacturers using the new chassis include Winnebago and Tiffin.