This provides some unique challenges.  One major one is finding health insurance.  We live in a country that regulates the health insurance industry on a state by state basis.  The portability of health coverage can be restricted and limited.

Currently, there is no one carrier that can offer a health plan that provides HMO coverage for all 50 states.  Normally, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) coverage provides the most comprehensive coverage at the best price, but normally limits access to specific providers and hospital except in an emergency.

To get around this issue, PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations) plans and Indemnity plans are available.  These type of plans offer coverage that are not as restrictive as HMOs.

The first item on the RV Nomad’s agenda would be to have a permanent or local address when looking to purchase a policy.  This can be accomplished by getting a PO Box at the UPS store, Mailboxes, Etc or using your home address.  What is important is in what state and your purchase your policy.

Different states have different medical costs and regulations.  You need to shop around and find what a similar plan would cost in the state you want to have as the permanent address.  This can be accomplished online by using your favorite search engine and looking for health insurance.

Note:  the HealthCare Reform Act will require all US citizens to have health coverage.  This will come into effect on January 1, 2014.  When this comes into effect, health coverage will be costing more.  This is due to mandated benefits and guaranteed issue.  Depending on your circumstances, you may want to look at quotes for coverage effective before January 1, 2014 and those that become effective on January 1, 2014.  Getting a policy sooner if you qualify may save some money.

The easiest way to do your comparison shopping is to select a PPO Plan with a $1000 or $5000 deductible and $20 or $30 copays and 20% coinsurance.  Most carriers will have a plan close to this benefit configuration.

With the selected plan, look at coverage costs in several states you may want to purchase your coverage in.  Also look for carriers that offer coverage in each state.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield has a national PPO network.  Aetna, UnitedHealth, Cigna and Humana are also national carriers that can offer nation wide PPO coverage.

If you find this process overwhelming, contact a Broker that specializes in individual health insurance.  The first place to start is with the agent you get your other insurance coverage from.  If they do not offer health insurance, they will know someone to recommend.  Be sure and tell them you are looking for coverage that will accommodate your living in different parts of the country.

One benefit from the Health Care Reform Legislation is preventive services are now covered with no cost to the member.  This means you can get your annual physical done at no cost to you.  This should be done as soon as the coverage becomes effective.

One of the major concerns is the cost of coverage.  You need now is to figure out how much you can afford to pay out of pocket vs what you pay in premium.  A good Broker can help with this calculation.

What is key is to know how much medical services are you going to need to purchase for the year.  If you are healthy, then a higher deductible plan and higher coinsurance percentage will lower your premium.  If you know you are going to need services done in the next year, then estimate the cost of the service and see if a lower deductible and coinsurance percentage and corresponding higher premium will be right for you.

Another consideration is prescription drug coverage.  Make sure you do not pay for extra coverage that will not be used.  If you have no ongoing prescriptions, then a high copay or deductible plan would suffice in emergencies.  On the other hand, if you have a specialty medication that is needed, make sure the coverage can reduce the financial burden of the drug cost.

Finally, if you are running your business from an RV and there are two of you involved, look into getting coverage as a business.  Or, hire your spouse to do work as an employee.  Consult your tax professional to make sure you have the correct forms and reporting requirements in place.  There are many tax benefits for small businesses including the ability to include your health care premiums as a business expense.  This can be an advantage over paying for coverage as an individual.

Health care reform is moving the country to having everyone covered by some type of health care insurance.  This is a positive development.  Don’t ignore this situation.  The states will be providing ongoing information as we move closer to 2014.  Depending on your situation, subsidies may be available to you.

Since the second receiver charge from Bell is only a few dollars a month, this was the most cost effective way for Canadian RVers to have satellite TV in their rigs. However, these RVers have always been hassled by Bell if there is any kind of a whiff that you’re receiving signals in the US, actually cutting off your service if you called in on a US number, connected the receiver to a US phone line, or even inquired about using your receiver south of the border. Star Choice (now Shaw) has been more reasonable, but their programming and interface left something to be desired when I looked at their offering a few years ago. Which makes Shaw a good option, right? Well, maybe not so much. Shaw’s satellites require a larger elliptical dish to receive the signal, especially farther south in the US. If in-motion viewing is important to motorhomers, you’re out of luck because there are no in-motion domes that will work with Shaw.

This leaves you with a couple of options. You can completely replace an existing in-motion dome with an automatic or manual motorized larger dish. The downside here, aside from the loss of in-motion signal, is that your dish’s mechanical parts will be exposed to the elements. The other alternative is to buy another dish mounted on a tripod that you will need to set up at every stop. Obviously a hassle to do, plus the larger dish will eat up valuable storage space that is always at a premium.

Shaw might be a temporary fix anyway, because they’re planning a satellite change in the next year or two which may involve a Canada-only footprint.

Thankfully, the entrepreneurial Americans are ready to take your money. Check out the traveller’s subscriptions available from Dish Network or DirecTV. You can go month to month and they’re happy to take your Canadian credit card and address. The nice thing about this option is your existing automatic in-motion dish will probably be set up to allow you to easily switch to a US provider. My suggestion is to cancel your Canadian home satellite provider for the months you’re travelling in the US, and use a US carrier. Just remember that you may have to give 30 days’ notice to suspend, so plan early.

But what about the Canadian news? Well, technology now provides you with multiple ways to get that news through other devices such as smartphones or tablets. You can even now get a smart TV that connects to the internet wirelessly, so the largest screen can switch between broadcast signals and internet streaming video without you having to leave the couch. Pass the snacks, dear.

Richard Gastmeier

Hughes RV

www.hughesrv.com

We look at the forthcoming developments in car technology and why your next car could be smarter than you.

Advanced driver assistance systems set to take over the boring parts of driving

The recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California highlighted many of the new technologies that you can expect to see in cars in the next few years. One of the most important is ‘advanced driver assistance systems’ (ADAS) which are designed to automate the mundane parts of driving such as driving in traffic or parking.

One such system under investigation is the European Commission’s “Safe Road Trains for the Environment” (SARTRE) project. Here, cars would platoon behind a professional driver piloting an 18-wheeler, for example and their cars would semi-autonomously bunch up behind the truck in a tight convoy. This allows the drivers of the cars to engage in otherwise illegal activities such as testing or talking on their mobile phones.

However, before cars even become partly self-driving, ADAS-enabled vehicles are set to provide you with road and traffic information, help you park, assist in changing lanes, and help you refocus on the road should your attention wander from the task at hand.

“We spend a lot of time thinking about how we can improve safety and how can we avoid accidents in urban areas,” said Mario Tippelhofer of his team at the Volkswagen Group of America Electronics Research Laboratory in Belmont, California.

“Our approach was to help the driver to be less stressed, more focused, going into those urban areas in a more relaxed manner,” he said. “We’re trying to paint a vision of what urban mobility can look like for our Audi customers in the near future.”

Cars that are personalized to you

Mr Tipperary also believes that ADAS systems should be personalized for each individual driver. “Right now,” he said, “your car is mostly generic, for a generic driver. But if this car would be really tailored to your needs, it would know about your needs, it could assist you in a much better way.”

The Register reports that ‘this personalization includes not only what the driver is doing and focused on in real time, but also what his driving patterns and history are.’

Cars will also be able to use predictive modelling to learn your normal route to a frequent destination, predict traffic congestion on that route at a specific time and without you having to use your navigation system reroute you when the congestion is bad enough that avoiding it would be more efficient than driving through it.

In addition, cars in the future are likely to feature multiple in-car cameras. These will keep an eye on you and make sure that you are focused on the road. They will also direct your attention back to the road when necessary.

“This needs to be done in a positive human-machine interface,” Tippelhofer said, “because we don’t want to distract the driver even more if we detect that he’s not paying attention.”

Author Bio:

Vincent Hill is the Marketing Executive at First Vehicle Leasing (http://www.firstvehicleleasing.co.uk/). First Vehicle Lease Deals provides the best car leasing solutions to the United Kingdom.

There’s only one downside

Sitting for hours upon hours.

You know how bad it is for your posture and your back, and you can feel the strain it causes after a long drive cross-country. But up until this point, you’ve just accepted a sore back as a fact of RV living.

Not anymore!

It’s mission-critical to enjoy every moment on the road. You don’t want to be held back by a completely preventable physical condition!

So if getting rid of back pain is important to you, take these 7 steps before, during, and after driving, and your sore back will be a figment of the past!

1. Practice Perfect Posture – Having good posture is one of the best ways to avoid sore backs while on the road. What’s perfect posture look like? Make sure to sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your butt should touch the back of your chair. In order to achieve this position, follow these steps: sit at the end of your chair and slouch; draw yourself up and curve your back as much as possible – hold for ten seconds; slightly release the position. Practice this for a week before your next RV trip to ensure perfect posture next time you’re on the road.

2. Tennis Ball Anyone? – Using tennis balls to help release tension is a common method used by sport trainers and physical therapists. You’ll need two tennis balls in two different socks for this exercise. The intent here is to stretch out the erectors, the long muscles that extend from your lower back up to your neck on both sides of the spine. Place the two tennis balls in socks behind you, and lay down slowly. extending over the two balls. Start in the low to mid back region, and use your legs to slowly roll your back over the tennis balls. Do this up and down your entire back.

3. Breaks Are Good For The Body – If possible, get up and move around every few hours, no matter where you are. If you’re at work, stand up and stretch. If you’re retired and lounging near the RV, take a walk every couple hours. If you’re on the road driving, be sure to pull off every now and then to move around. Sitting down for extended periods of time is harmful for the back. Release some of this stress by moving every few hours.

4. Streeeetch It Out – If you have chronic pain, make sure to correct your posture first. Once you’ve mastered posture, learning how to stretch will do wonders in helping to address back pain. Some common stretches to include in your routine are the back flexion exercise and the knee to chest stretch. For the back flexion exercise, do the following: While lying on your back, pull both knees towards your chest while simultaneously pulling the head forward until a comfortable stretch is felt in a balled-up position. For the knee to chest stretch, lie on your back with knees bent and both heels on the floor. Then place both hands behind one knee and bring it to the chest.

5. Cut a Few Pounds – The spine’s job is to carry the body’s weight around and distribute it evenly. If one part of the body is disporportionaly larger than another, this causes unnecessary stress on the lower back. Drop a few pounds to relieve some of that stress.

This article was written by Paul Austin, a traveling enthusiast who writes about tips and advice on how to stay in great shape while on the road. He currently blogs at travelnwellness.com.

Is Craigslist for You?

Many folks simply don’t want to deal with Craigslist sellers. That’s fine, there are plenty of dealers out there that are ready to sell you the RV of your dreams at retail or slightly above retail. For those that are willing to dig through Craigslist listing (and potentially find a great deal) for their RV, it’s very important to be thorough. There are many kind, up-front, ethical people out there that are trying to offload their gently used RV at a reasonable price. But there are also many folks out there that would as soon offload your wallet and sell you a water-damaged disaster at an outrageous price. While there are certainly risks to buying your RV through Craigslist you can educate yourself by digging through those listings and learning how to find a great RV at a great price.

So, before going there ask yourself, can you wait 6 months for the right RV at the right price, or do you want / need your new RV now? If the answer is that you need it now then don’t wait, head over to your local dealer and start haggling. If your aren’t in a hurry then read on!

Tips for Searching for an RV on Craigslist

If the answer is that you are ready to wait then Craigslist might be the place for you. There are so many Craigslist ads for RV’s that it’s almost guaranteed you will find the one you want at the price you want if you are willing to wait. If you want to go that route then it’s time to start digging.

For those unfamiliar with Craigslist, you have the option of searching by city. If you are willing to travel to find that great RV than your options open up drastically. For others, you have to set your city of preference and stick to that.

Then you have to know your price range. Mostly know the most you are willing to spend so that you don’t close yourself off to the right RV at a lower price than you anticipated. So, pick your high price. Craigslist has a few filters built in so that you can really dial in to what you are looking for and not have to deal with a bunch of noise. Use those filters by plugging in your preferred highest price, any brands, makes, or models that you insist on, and also whether or not you insist on a picture in the ads you skim through. I always feel that if someone is really interested in selling their item then they will post at least one picture, so I tend to check off the picture box and ignore the items with no pictures.

The best advice from here is that you take the time to dig through the different listings. Certainly don’t be in a hurry, like we talked about before, if you are in a rush then go to a dealer. If you are looking for a great deal then be prepared to wait. I recommend looking through plenty of Craigslist ads before making a choice, not only in your area but in other areas too. This can help you get used to the different types of sellers and really help you cut through the nonsense and find the right person to buy from.

If you’d like more advice on buying your dream RV check out this blog and tell us what you think!

Sludge buildup in the holding tank is actually a septic tank problem. Firstly, there is need to understand the operating system of a septic tank. The basic function of a septic tank is to collect human waste where the solid waste also known as sludge sinks to the bottom while the liquid waste floats above. As compared the conventional toilet systems, an RV toilet septic tank is intended to hold waste only for short periods of time. Therefore unlike the former which relies on anaerobic bacteria to breakdown the sludge, RV toilet system has a macerator pump. The pump functions to breakdown the waste into tiny bits. Moreover, to aid flow of waste out of the septic tank, lubricants are used. Unpleasant odor from the waste is managed by using chemicals. Consequently, sludge build up in RV toilet systems is a common problem due to the use of lubricants and some chemicals that inhibit bacteria which normally break down the waste particles.

Down to the details, how then are these toilets maintained? First of all, using the right chemicals for the septic tank is fundamental. Certain chemicals have a minimal effect in destroying bacteria and are therefore more suitable. Choose chemicals that are free from formaldehyde and its derivatives. The bacteria help in breakdown thus preventing clogged sewer valves and build up of sludge. Secondly, do a regular checkup of the RV tank sensors to make sure that build up is being eliminated when dumping is done. Sometimes, the sensors give false reading so it helps to check. Thirdly, try pouring hot water into the holding tank as it helps breakdown toilet paper and waste material.

Finally, preventing holding tank sludge build-up is a matter of following a number of simple handy tips. One of the ways for proper sludge disposal is employing the services of a ‘pump-out’ company which is able to professionally remove sludge from your holding tank. You can also try dumping holding tanks when they are almost full. This way, water will swirl within the tanks thus getting rid of deposits that could be stuck on the sides of the holding tank. The velocity during evacuation is much greater with a fuller tank. This helps to thoroughly flush out all contents. Lastly, you can prevent sludge build-up using something known as the Geo Method. It is basically a tank cleaning process that is easy and affordable. A solution is made using two cups of water softener and a cup of laundry detergent in powder form, dissolved in boiling water. When poured into the holding tank of your RV toilet, all solid waste particles will be washed off. This includes even those stuck on the walls.

Read more about RV holding tanks here.

This article has been written by Chris Troutner who is a greatly experienced freelancer. Some of his content includes amazing writing on simplicity, happiness and DIY living in the San Juan Islands. He writes of his experience with his sail boat, the Rock n Row. Read more material on marine toilet systems from his site.

The first thing I noticed this trip is that in just the first half mile the trail was been completely rerouted since my original visit.  It was previously a hard packed – obviously long used – path with lots of ups and downs thru mostly dry creek beds.  Now this old path has been blocked off with tree branches, and a new much flatter path is open.  I don’t know if this is a permanent of temporary change, but I’m sure the offroad bikers will not be happy with this new more mellow path.

Anyway, moving on!  After the first half mile the path rejoined what was clearly the normal hard packed path,  following this for another half mile it weaves thru trees and follows Denton Creek – which flows into Lake Grapevine.  Shortly after the first mile marker the path levels out and becomes very simple to follow, so for other Knob Hill hikers know that the first – and the last on the return – mile will be the most physically challenging.

The walk is pleasant in general.  I’ll touch a few of the ‘highlights’ briefly.  At about the 2.5 miles mark it gets a little shady…and not in the cool sense.  Lots of empty beer bottles, trash, and a bench that looks suspiciously like part of a meth lab can be seen in the remote woods off the path.  While I wouldn’t want to frequent that spot in the dark, it is fine during the day.  Thankfully this rather ugly area only lasts for about a half mile and things improve again.

At the 3.5 mile is a nice little bench on a hill.  You can sit here for a snack or a break and look out over Lake Grapevine.  It is not Grade A scenery, but a nice reward for making it out that far.  Knob Hill trail itself does go further, so do not head back thinking you are at the halfway point!

One point worthy of note – the mile markers on this trail are marked on both sides – so you can tell both how far in you are and how far there is to go.  For example, when I got to Mile 4 the backside of the pole indicated I had 7 more mile left on my hike.  Shortly after mile 4 I was surprised to see another hiker – only the second person I had seen all day – materialize shortly ahead of me.  When I got to the point he had appeared I discovered there was another short trail joining the main path from a parking lot.

The Knob Kill Trailhead is accessed by road from Hwy 377 just south of FM1171.  Apparently this guy had discovered another way in about four miles from the beginning, but I’m not quite sure what road he was parked on.

Shortly after this point the trail gets a little tricky.  It splits into two, and lacking a map I wasn’t sure which way to go.  I ended up veering right simply because the left path looked muddier:)  I was now a little worried about where I should be going however, I knew that I should get back to the fork within the next 3 miles (according to the 11 mile round trip rule) so I decided if I went that far and wasn’t sure where I was I would just double back.

What I eventually discovered is that the last couple of miles of this out and back trail is in fact a loop – and judging by the mile posters I probably took the loop the wrong way.  No harm done however!  The ‘far point’ of the trail occurred at a rather run down looking road with a ‘NO PARKING’ sign.  Up the road I could see a house, and in the other direction I saw the lake.  From memory I also believe I saw a sign saying ‘Cross Timbers’.  Hopefully that helps if you find yourself in the same spot.

From there I simply followed the loop around, and eventually I ended up back at the fork.  From that point it was simply a matter of trudging 4.5 miles back the same way I had come.  As usual I had overestimated my hiking speed – as opposed to my road speed – so the route as a whole took a little longer than anticipated.  I left around 2:45pm, and returned to the car close to 4 hours later.

Unfortunately, dusk is about 6:15!  While this did make for good wildlife viewing – I had an up close encounter with an Armadillo who didn’t even seem to notice me 10 feet away while he snuffled around off the edge of the trail – I did run out of light.  I was close enough I could have found  to the car in the darkness  – I could see the lights of road traffic in the distance – but I might have sprained an ankle getting there.

Thankfully I had placed my recently purchased Petzl Tikka XP2 headlamp in my backpack for just such an emergency! I tried briefly using its red light to illuminate my way, but kept losing the path.  Being rather tired, and admittedly a little stressed at finding myself roaming around in the woods in the dark, I cranked up its powerful white LED and finished up the last quarter mile of my trek.

While the route is marked as 11 mles, my GPS said I walked closer to 12.  I will put that down to the occasionally stroll off the trail – and doubling back a couple of times in the dark at the end off the hike:)  The weather was great, overcast and slightly chilly but no rain.  I completed the hike feeling fine physically, my legs are definitely gaining endurance as they could easily have gone further.

I really need new shoes!  My old walking shoes are really not up to off road hiking,  and I’m paying for it in blisters.  My feet are definitely building character, but I’m sure they will appreciate decent hiking boots when they arrive.

I recommend Knob Hill trail for anyone looking for an uncrowded hike or run that is not too difficult.

In an RV you can easily go to the best hiking locations.  This is a huge advantage over stick home living.  Even if your house is in the most scenic location imaginable – Colorado perhaps? – there are only going to be so many hiking options nearby.  If you read about a great hike that sounds appealing half way across the country, it is going to be a really big deal to actually go out and experience it.  You’ll need to schedule time out of your regular routine, budget travel and accommodation expenses, determine how to get to the trail head, etc…

With an RV, most of these issues go away.  See a great hike you’d like to go on in a far flung state like Oregon?  All you need to do is make a note of it.  Next time you find yourself out that way (maybe 6 months, or even 6 years later) you can make a point of stopping nearby to experience it.  If you are a really keen hiker, you can even plan your roaming across the country around the best hiking locations; the freedom of living in an RV is unprecedented in the advantages it offers in this regard.

• What is the most basic RV insurance? How does it differ from car insurance?

The most basic insurance coverage available for RVs is comprehensive and collision coverage, which can be provided by many auto insurance companies. The difference between insuring an RV and insuring a regular motor vehicle is that the living quarters of the RV contain personal effects that require additional insurance in order to assure adequate coverage. Liability and loss of personal belongings are not covered by policies offered by most auto insurers.

• What other types of insurance may be appropriate for an RV?

The amount of use the RV gets and the personal effects it generally contains are relevant to the types of insurance coverage that would be appropriate. Two of the most commonly used specialty insurances for RVs are liability insurance and personal property insurance. Liability insurance ensures that any damage caused by the RV to the property of someone else for which the owner of the RV would normally be liable is covered. Personal property insurance covers damage or loss to personal belongings. For people who use their RV as a full time home, full-timers insurance is available. This covers personal belongings, comprehensive personal liability and some living expenses.

• What companies offer RV insurance?

Specialized RV insurance is available through a variety of sources with coverage and cost depending on a variety of factors including the type and model of the RV, the insurance laws in the state of policy issuance, other vehicles on the plan, driving history and level of coverage. Some of the most highly recommended companies for RV insurance include:

• Good Sam VIP Insurance
• Explorer RV
• Foremost
• Progressive
• RV America
• Twin Peaks Insurance

• What other considerations should be taken by owners of RVs?

Some primary considerations that should be taken include maintaining the safety of the vehicle, its occupants and other people on the road by driving safely and using carbon monoxide, smoke and gas detectors with regular battery changes. Propane systems should also be maintained to prevent incident. When traveling internationally, RV owners should be aware of the efficacy of their insurance in the country in which they are traveling. For individuals who are renting an RV, consideration should be given to the insurance policy chosen for the rental duration, as options beyond those offered by the renter are available.

As with all automotive insurances, it’s important to take the time to compare rates and insurance coverage with different providers in your area. Depending on your prior driving history, age and state, you will find a wide range in pricing and policy premiums.

Thanks to the internet, we can rely on insurance coverage comparison sites to discover the many different policies that are out there and can compare quotes with a lot more ease. Make sure you don’t take the first policy that looks good to you, as many companies will lower their rates if you contact them directly with competitor rates.

This article was written by Paula, who writes about auto insurance coverage. You can view some of her publications by clicking here.

I learned this process the hard way. Although I’m satisfied with the last vehicle I bought, I realized later how much the dealer got the better end of the bargain due to my lack of planning. There are things you can do to overcome nerves and be prepared for anything at the negotiation table.

Strangely enough, learning to negotiate well on a big purchase will help you in all aspects of your life. You can turn conversations to your advantage by educating yourself about the options and utilizing a calm demeanor in your bargaining. What follows are some tips to help you get the deal you want.

Go Online

Rather than have a face-to-face encounter at the onset, where you are likely to be charmed into paying more, it is better to spend some time comparing costs before stepping foot on a dealership lot. Start by listing reliable dealers near your area. From here, you can gather contact details and send out quotation requests to begin comparing prices.

Prep Up

The biggest advantage you can have over these crafty dealers is your knowledge. The more you know, the less likely you will fall for their sugar-coated words and high pressure tactics. As you negotiate for a better deal, make sure to feel and, more importantly, look calm and collected. Never divulge to the dealer just how much you are willing to spend and let the salesman know that you are in control and not the other way around.

Price, Not Payments

Don’t get suckered into talking payments before settling on a final price of the vehicle. This was my downfall when I purchased my first car. Payments hide all manner of sins and extra fees. Agree on the sales price first. Then, you can start to discuss payment terms and loan periods.

Financing

It really does not matter whether you pay in cold hard cash or through financing. When choosing the latter, however, it is better to get a preapproval from an accredited bank or lending institution rather than go through the dealers themselves. Dealerships are likely to put in an extra markup to earn a bonus for themselves. Use an automobile calculator to set your maximum purchase price and plan for the monthly cost of your new RV.

Ask for Rebates and Freebies

Never hesitate to find additional ways to save. Rebates, for instance, are typically offered by dealers and manufacturers. Apart from the standard discounts, some providers also offer special deals for military, college students, and handicapped individuals.

If they won’t give you a discount, then ask for free upgrades. Adding a nicer stereo, TV system, or interior upgrades cost the dealer very little. It can be a better deal for them to offer $1000 in free upgrades versus lowering the price by the same amount.

Timing is Key

A great trick when purchasing your RV is to buy at the end of the month. It is likely that you will get additional incentives from your purchase because dealers are given monthly incentives and bonuses from their sales at this time. With the right timing, you can end up with the dream mobile living space of your choice for hundreds less.

Play Hard to Get

If the dealers are playing it tough, play tougher. If you don’t get what you want, simply walk away and leave them to pursue you instead. Keep in mind that the last thing any dealer wants is to see a prospective customer walk away.

Even though negotiation is what car sales people do, they often will not expect someone to be well-informed come in from a position of strength. They are just as desperate to make a sale as they believe you are to own a vehicle. The most important thing is to remain calm and collected. Making yourself hard to read in a bargaining situation will give you the upper hand in the negotiations, and ensure you get the best price on your new vehicle.

Tim is a writer for OnlineLoanCalculator.org, and routinely helps car, truck, and RV buyers get the best deal on their next purchase.