Do Vehicle Back-up Cameras Prevent Accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that “rear visibility technology” would be required as standard equipment on all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 lbs.  The law will go into effect for vehicles built in and after May 2018. Presently many automakers offer the backup cameras as an option and Honda and Acura will be the first to include one as standard equipment on all 2015 models. 

This got us wondering exactly how good these cameras are and do they really help to reduce injuries or fatalities.  The answer turns out to be a resounding yes.  According to the Department of Transportation, an average of 210 people a year are killed and 15,000 are injured in backover crashes.  As one would expect, many of the accidents involve young children or senior citizens. 

The NHTSA states, “Including vehicles that already have systems installed, 58 to 69 lives are expected to be saved each year once the entire on-road vehicle fleet is equipped with rear visibility systems meeting the requirements of today's final rule.”  The cameras must provide a field of view 10-ft. x 20-ft. directly behind the vehicle.  Further requirements include details regarding the image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.  

Many of the automakers already offering backup cameras have installed the display screen in the rear-view mirror that only displays input from the camera once the car is put in reverse.  The cost to consumers is expected to range from $132 to $142 to have a complete system installed and anywhere from $43 to $45 to add a backup camera to a vehicle that is equipped with a display screen.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/NHTSA+Announces+Final+Rule+Requiring+Rear+Visibility+Technology

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  Our motto is "If it has wheels, we sell it." You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

TrailManor 2014 –Better Than Ever!

Summer is finally here and most of us are looking forward to spending more time outdoors and traveling in a RV is a great way to do it.  Many of our loyal customers and friends of The Car Show, Inc. are aware of the fact that we are the world's #1 dealer of the innovative TrailManor travel trailers.  What is exciting news is that there have been some significant improvements and upgrades to the 2014 TrailManor models. 

The new SilverTrail Edition was recently introduced by TrailManor and offers the biggest visual update for the trailer line in more than a decade with changes to both the look of the outside as well as to the inside.  The new edition features sleek, silver aluminum exterior panels with a complementary black trim.  In addition, it is accented with the new dramatic TrailManor graphic design. 

The interior of the SilverTrail Edition is also an all-new look with a rich tan interior that features new wallboards, countertops curtain, upholstery, and flooring.  Customers have the choice to upgrade from cloth to leatherette sofas and seats.  

Other new enhancements to the 2014 models include:

·         A 40 gallon fresh water tank that is standard on all models except for the 2720 slide outs.

·         The option of a recirculating or cassette toilet on all models 2720 and larger (the 2417 models are available with the cassette toilet only).

·         Large-size refrigerator that is now standard in all models.

For more than 25 years, TrailManor has offered customers an ingenious alternative to the conventional RV by combining all of the best features of a traditional travel trailer and a pop-up tent camper.  And that’s not all.  It is also the lightest weight travel trailer available on the market and can be pulled by virtually any tow vehicle.  The TrailManor offers a low profile and better gas mileage than towing a heavier RV.

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.

Spring is Coming - Get Your RV Ready for the Road

Now that spring is just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about getting the RV ready for the road.  Your first trip of the season is hardly the time to find out that something is wrong and there are some fairly easy steps you can take to try to ensure this does not happen.  Also by inspecting your RV early, if there is something wrong, you can get it in for repairs before the season starts when it might be difficult to get an appointment.  You can even check to see if your RV dealer is offering a pre-season sale on tune-up services. 

To get started, one of the first things you should do is to visibly inspect both the exterior and interior of your RV for any signs of water leaks or damages.  Pay special attention around the door and windows to make sure all the caulking is in place.  Check the tires for signs of wear or cracks and fill tires that may have gone low over the winter months.

Next you need to sanitize and flush out the freshwater system.  If you properly winterized your RV hot water system, it will not have to be sanitized but replace the drain plug into the unit and turn the hot water heater bypass valve back to the on position.  Open the fresh water drains, and using a hose, run clean water into the potable water intake.  Repeat the process a few times letting water drain out, and then close the drain plugs, and refill the tank.  Now you can start flushing out the lines. 

Check the batteries and re-charge them if needed.  Test the smoke and CO detectors.  It is a good idea to get a professional inspection of the LP-gas system but you can do a preliminary test yourself.  Before you turn the L.P. on, check that all appliances are turned off and the leak detector inside your RV is turned on.  Make sure there is no open flame nearby.  Turn the L.P. tank on all the way and smell for leaks.  Use a soapy water mixture around the valves to check for signs of any bubbles that indicate a leak. 

Clean and test all of the appliances to make sure they are in good working order.  Also do not neglect your tow vehicle.  Either you or a professional should inspect brake pads, lights and turn signals, and the hitch and wires.   

At The Car Show, Inc., we offer a great deal with a $299.99 Tune-UP Service that will get your RV ready for Camping Season! Our tune-up special includes a full tune-up service of the lift system as well as a systems check & safety inspection to make sure your TrailManor is Ready-To-Go for your next Travel Adventure.

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.

A Variety of Campground and Parks for RVers

For many of us, it has been a very long winter and we should now start thinking about wonderful RV trips and adventures to take in the upcoming season.  As Americans, we are very fortunate to live in such an extremely spacious, beautiful country that offers the diversity of landscapes and seashores and gives RVers plenty of options to consider.  

If you plan to use RV campgrounds and parks, you will find a wide selection available.  Get an updated directory or use one of the many online RV websites to find listings of parks and campgrounds based on locations and amenities.  Many directories include sections that offer RV tips and points of interest as well as provide a rating system for the parks.  You will be able to find out if you can make reservations in advance either online or by phone.  

RV parks vary in costs and generally reflect the type of amenities that they offer to customers.  There are basic campgrounds that just provide electricity and fresh water at the site as well as parks with full-service options for electricity, water and sewer hookups for each RV.  Additionally there are parks that take a more pampered approach and are fully loaded resorts with activities and amenities for the whole family.  You will even be able to find parks that offer WI-FI services for those that want to stay connected. 

Some parks are a destination all on their own.  The term Glamping is being used to describe the glamorous camping resorts where RVers can socialize with other adults.  RV glamping resorts provide amenities such as spas, 18-hole golf courses, clubhouses, restaurants, resort-style boutiques and salons.  

Please check out our blog to keep up-to-date with all the news and happenings at The Car Show.  Better yet, stop by and browse our inventory of the finest selection of Colorado Springs' used cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  Furthermore we are the world’s #1 Dealer of the TrailManor travel trailers!

A Few Top RV Destinations

Just Google the words “top destinations for RVers” and you get numerous opinions from different states and geographic areas as to what is the best vacation spots available for RVers.  We wanted to weigh in with some select choices. 

For those that desire to see more of our National Parks this year, most of them offer plenty of camping options both in and around the parks.  Some of the campgrounds are on a first-come, first-serve basis but there are numerous parks that allow for reservations and encourage those to be made early.  

For example according to the U.S. National Parks Service, Yellowstone National Park offers 12 campgrounds in the park.  Of those, five are operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the largest national and state park concessioner in the United States.  All five offer reservation campgrounds with over 1,700 sites and are the Madison, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Bridge Bay, Canyon, and Grant Village.

At the Grand Canyon, there is only one RV campground offered in the park that has full hook-ups. Located in the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, Trailer Village offers advanced reservations, which again can be done through Xanterra Parks and Resorts.   Check out Xanterra’s website for listings of other campsites in numerous other large national parks including Crater Lake N.P., Rocky Mountain N.P. and Zion N.P.

For those interested in camping in Yosemite N.P., it is all primitive and does not offer any sites with hook-ups.  Fortunately there are campgrounds outside of the park such as Yosemite Pines RV Park that is full of amenities.  While Arches N.P. only has limited rustic camping, it can be reserved in advanced and nearby Moab has a variety of campgrounds in and around the city with plenty of options.  Redwood N.P. offers four different campgrounds inside the park but none of them have RV hook-ups. 

 

Hope this small selection gets you started thinking about all of the many parks and recreational areas out there waiting to be discovered.  The best advice is to do your homework first so there are only pleasant surprises along the way.  

 

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Sportster Motorcycle by Harley-Davidson

What is more American than a Harley-Davidson motorcycle?  In business since 1903, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company holds a distinguished place in our country’s history, and even had a significant role in both World War I and II.  And nothing is more of a classic than the iconic H-D Sportster.  

 

The H-D XL Sportster was first manufactured in 1957, which makes it the oldest production model still being manufactured by H-D today.  According to their website, the sportster premiered as a “55 cubic inch overhead valve engine, and within one year of its debut, became known as the first of the Superbikes."  The first Sportsters were predecessors of the KHK and featured a similar frame and fenders as well as a large gas tank.  The XL was one of the first H-D bikes to have rear suspension, and to be fitted with a higher performance overhead-valve engine than that of the K line, which had a flat head engine.

The bike was built to compete with the extremely popular Triumph Thunderbird, a British made bike.  Throughout the years, H-D has continued to make improvements on the Sportster.  In 1986 a new engine was introduced.  The Evolution was offered in a choice of an 883cc or 1100cc.  The 1100cc was updated to a 1200cc two years later and has remained as such today. 

After 50 years of manufacturing the Sportster, H-D introduced the XL 1200N Nightster in 2007 that came with black rims, fork gaiters, and side mount license plate holder.  Fuel injection was now installed as standard on all Sportsters models.  The 2014 Sportster was updated with an all-new electric system and an increased compression ratio on the Evolution engine.  Options such as ABS and keyless entry are now available.  

One of the great advantages for owners of an older Sportster or those buying a used one is that since the bike has been in production for so many years, there are plenty of parts and information available for the bike.  

*Read more from the official Harley-Davidson website. 

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  Our motto is "If it has wheels, we sell it." You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.