Hatts

I appreciate the guest post, Marian Combs

Like any other time of year, your families safety should take priority over all else. That is why you must remember to do certain things to protect yourself, loved ones, your house and other property. Crime and accidents can occur any time of year, the only thing you can do is recognize that fact and take some precautions. Possibly the most important thing you can do if you’re going to be away is to remember to set your alarm systems before leaving the house.

If you’re going to be enjoying some quality time outside, remember that being over prepared is the best thing possible. That means that you should have extra clothing and more layers than you think is necessary. This will prevent you from being in wet attire, or freezing if you have to be outside for longer than thought. Most of these items can be stored in your car or other facility, just in case the need for them arises.

Having a safe vehicle is essential as well. Before the winter comes you should make sure that you have good tires that can handle the snow. Also, you should always keep a good amount of gas in your tank. That will allow you to stay warm if you are stranded on the road during a storm. Taking precautions could save your life.

Although fuel prices aren’t as high as they were in previous months, fuel expenses remain a concern for companies working in the shipping industry, from large businesses like Conway Freight to smaller independent transport companies. Luckily, there are organizations that understand these concerns and are willing to assist FTL and LTL carriers better manage their budget for fuel. An excellent resource for domestic shippers and ocean freight forwarders alike, an upcoming webinar by Sokolis Group will help shippers develop a better fuel strategy for the coming year. The webinar will feature president Glen Sokolis and senior account manager John Sokolis, discussing various strategies for improving a shipping company’s bottom line. Topics will include managing your fuel supply, ways to make the most of your budget, and organizing fuel programs. Sokolis Group will utilize real-life examples of companies that could be saving money now. The webinar will be on October 29th.

The economy has already had an impact on FTL and LTL shipping companies, as have newly-passed environment protection regulations. Now, trucking companies in California may be facing yet another factor that could raise the cost of doing business: a proposal for an increase in the gas tax. This proposed 18 cent increase could have a dire effect on smaller FTL and LTL trucking companies that are already struggling to stay afloat. Representatives of the trucking industry are already working together to oppose this proposal, one of a number of possibilities being explored by a bipartisan group designed to generate ideas for restructuring California’s taxes. While the proposal might not be one of the ones suggested, if passed, it would have a drastic impact on companies during a time when everyone from ABF Freight to small local businesses is having trouble. The industry wants to ensure they won’t lose business to other states.

Anyone who has dealt with a freight shipment carrier in the past couple of years has likely noticed the price of goods transport affected by the drastic shift in fuel prices. After Hurricane Katrina, gasoline prices skyrocketed, reaching heights that had severe effects on a wide range of industries. Not surprisingly, HTL and LTL freight carriers were hit especially hard.

However, even though gasoline prices have dropped to a more considerable rate, many carriers are still finding it tough to make a profit in the current economy. Even though transporting goods is now less expensive than it was in the recent past, leading to less painful freight bill auditing, retail sales are still low, which means there is simply less freight to be moved. High supply and low demand equals trouble. There are a number of small independent carriers that have had to shut down due to lack of business.

Earlier this year, family-owned less-than-truckload carrier NEMF announced the opening of the Roanoke, Virginia terminal to their existing 40 terminal network. Located at 1919 Plantation Road in Roanoke, the new 18-door terminal is expected to expand the capabilities of the mid-Atlantic region.

On the announcement, COO of NEMF Thomas Connery said, “The commitment of our company to have customer satisfaction as our number one priority is the driving force behind this expansion. We recognized the need and acted to better service an area that is growing and is a critical part of our network.”

Covering 4.5 acres, the new facility features 18-dock doors and 1,200-sq.-ft. office space. As the largest LTL carrier in the Northeast region, NEMF also offers freight bill audit services, online tracing, on-demand information about your shipment, and many other shipment tools and services.

DHL Global Forwarding, one of the world’s leading freight forwarding companies, recently announced the opening of two new gateways in Asia: the DHL Express Taipei Gateway at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan and the DHL Express Incheon Gateway at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.

Both gateways set new industry benchmarks. The Taipei Gateway, featuring state-of-the-art technology, is four times larger than the previous site and is equipped to handle three times as much cargo–from 3,600 to 11,00 pieces per hour. In addition to being the only express gateway in Taiwan with a 24-hour drop-off center, the Taipei Gateway has extended its drop-off cut-off time an additional two hours. The second gateway, located at Incheon International Airport, can handle up to five times the distribution amount compared with the previous facility. It will serve from South Korea to markets such as Mongolia, northern China, and the Russian Far East.

According to the official press release, “This additional expansion allows major Asia Pacific cities and other business centers to be interconnected through DHL’s regional hubs and gateways, providing customers with enhanced overnight services across the Asia Pacific region.”

DHL freight quotes are available directly through the company and discounts can be found at Global Forwarding.com.

When people are looking for a good RV for sale, they sometimes overlook the importance of an extended RV service contract, or “warranty” as they are commonly called. Costly deductibles can make other buyers decide to tempt fate and forego an extended service contract altogether. However, consider that the average cost of a major mechanical failure is nearly $1,500, not to mention the time lost on the road.

Good extended coverage is not unlike fire or flood insurance. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but if you do, you’ll sure be glad that you have it. That said, the contracts that RV dealers offer along with motorhomes for sale are not always the best option. Some dealers—although not all—mark up their contracts far above the true value. If you suspect that this is the case with your dealer, you might want to look into independent coverage, but remember that most companies require that you initiate coverage before the manufacturer’s warranty runs out. There are companies that will cover a used vehicle or one whose manufacturer’s warranty has expired, but these may also require an inspection of the vehicle.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase an extended service contract depends on how long you plan to own the vehicle and how you plan to use it. In some cases, the manufacturer’s warranty on a new vehicle—one to two years—might be sufficient. But if you’re buying a used vehicle, especially in a private sale, then an extended service contract is probably a very smart idea.

The price tag on a boat depends on a wide variety of factors. Like other motorized vehicles, larger and more powerful boats tend to be pricier than smaller models. In addition, accessories and high-end marine parts mean a higher price. New buyers should consider these factors as they shop:

Motor and Horsepower The more powerful the motor, the more expensive the boat. Smaller boats often use outboard motors that generate less horsepower–these cost less than larger boats with powerful inboard motors. Exceptions include large pontoon boats, which weigh less and travel at slower speeds, and some smaller boats that require more power for speedy travel. The least expensive outboard motor is a force engine; however, many claim that these require more maintenance and can give out more quickly.

Make and Model Some boat makes and models are pricier than similar counterparts due to quality manufacturing and stellar industry reputations. As for motors, experts claim that the brand is not as important as the upkeep. Whether you buy a boat equipped with a reputable motor like a Johnson motor or you chose a lesser-known brand, taking care of it will save you money.

Used or New While old boats may cost less upfront, they can incur high costs down the road. Because boats are used seasonally, they can work well even after 20 years of use! However, parts that are roughly 20 years old or more can be difficult or impossible to replace should the boat need outboard repair. Many hobbyists go with new boats for these reasons.

When buying a boat, first identify how you will use it. From there, determine the horsepower and size you need. Then, details like make and model will be easier to evaluate as you consider your needs and budget. Above all, don’t hurry. A boat is a big investment—so choose it wisely, not quickly.

At the end of a long day of driving, it’s easy to forget that the nearest campground isn’t your backyard—and that there are other people to be mindful of as well. We can all use a refresher on campground etiquette from time to time. There are a few things to be aware of:

• Find out what the campground’s quiet hours are. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. to minimize disturbances. Remember, your neighbors don’t have walls to block out sound, so it’s best to respect this policy.
• Check to see if the campground has a no-pets policy. If pets are allowed, make sure to keep yours within your site. Invading other people’s campsites is like entering someone else’s home uninvited.
• Obey all speed limits. Because RVs are so large, they can kick up dust into other campsites if driven too fast through the campground. Slow speeds also help preserve the road and keep both drivers and pedestrians safe on the often narrow campground roads.

To find contact information for campgrounds across the U.S., visit Go RV Dealers. Information about RVs and travel trailers for sale is also available.

Some buyers prefer new vehicles because of the warranty and the pride of owning a vehicle fresh off the lot. Unfortunately, new vehicles, including motorhomes, depreciate most rapidly over the first few years of ownership. Therefore new recreational vehicles (RVs) quickly become worth less than the amount owed on the vehicle. When buyers purchase a used RV, however, the value of the vehicle tends to remain steady for a longer period of time. Sometimes vehicles found at used rv sales can result in a price that is even less than the blue book value of an RV.

Where can a person check the value of a motorhome? The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) releases a yearly guide that many consumers rely on. The NADA book value motorhome guide can give shoppers an idea of what they should plan to pay for a motorhome based on the make and model, year it was built, accident history, and many other factors.

Buyers should consider depreciation when determining their budget for a motorhome. Ideally, RV shoppers should seek a high motorhome resale value for a low price. Like buying any other vehicle, shoppers should do their research, know the value of an RV before they begin to negotiate, and be patient. Buyers who are willing to take their time searching often find the deal they want.