Archive for September, 2008
Monday, September 15th, 2008
There is nothing quite as perfect for vacationing as motorhomes. They can quickly be considered one of the best additions to your collection of assets. Your reasons for wanting one and your financial situation should be examined carefully before making a large deal. From there travel and camping is just the beginning.
If you have recently decided that motorhomes are a hot commodity that you would like to get in on then you’d better prepare to do some research. Start by asking yourself why it is that you would like one. What is it that you would use it for and how often? Motorhomes are not a small purchase and shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are a variety of different types and sizes available on the market and one can never know which will suit them best without taking a trip to the local RV dealer to check them out. That is also a good time to discuss the finance details.
Most Class A motorhomes for sale are in such a high price range that only the very wealthy can afford to pay for one all in one shot. This is why the rest of us need to look at financing options and RV loans. Most lenders and institutions have an application process that you will have to go through. Credit ratings should be acceptable or you may be turned away. Budget carefully for the monthly payments and be sure to include things like interest and RV insurance. Motorhomes are not known for coming cheap. However, if you can plan carefully you will be able to focus on the fun aspects in no time.
There is no limit to where you can go with new or used motorhomes. It can be the perfect tool for taking the entire family on holiday or loading up with friends and going after that classic road trip. When your unit holds up to eight and comes with all of the comforts of home you won’t miss being there for a minute. Motorhomes are actual vehicles though and need proper liability coverage in case of any kind of accident or damage. Nothing will ruin a good time quite as fast as a mishap. Always employ the ultimate in safety so that you reach your destination in one piece.
There is no limit to the RV campgrounds and assorted parks for motorhomes. Booking ahead is recommended to guarantee your spot so that you won’t arrive to find that the place is full. Being able to park your unit allows you to drive around in your personal car and have somewhere to come back to. It’s better than any hotel room to have your own home away from home and it usually costs less too. Most RV parks provide all necessary hook ups for your water and power use at a low price added to your space rental. There is no reason to lack for anything.
Motorhomes range from extremely high end expensive RV’s to the small and easily towed basic unit. Take a tour of them all to effectively determine which is going to be the right size and comfort level for you. Motorhomes have advanced tremendously over the years. Some are nicer now than some actual houses. There is something for each family to optimize the quality of your travels.
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Friday, September 12th, 2008
C30: The small, svelte Sweedish sportster gets a new model lineup; last year’s “Version 1.0″ and “Version 2.0″ are now known respectively as the T5 and T5 R-Design. The T5 sees no major changes, but the T5 R-Design gets snazzier exterior trim. Both models offer a new optional Preferred Package with power driver’s seat, front fog lights, trip computer, keyless ignition, premium sound system, and leather-wrapped handbrake lever.
C70: The C70’s retractable hardtop can now be raised and lowered with a single button, and the windows automatically lower when the top goes down; however the button that operates all four power windows at once has been deleted. The interior gets revised trim, the optional navigation system has an improved interface, and the 6-disc CD changer, formerly standard, moves to the options list.
S40: Volvo’s smallest sedan gets a host of new standard equipment including Bluetooth phone interface, “high-performance” sound system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and SIRIUS satellite radio, fog lights, power driver’s seat, moonroof and trip computer. Volvo S40 T5 models get a standard R-Design trim package (photo) with unique interior and exterior trim. The S40 2.4i’s manual transmission has been dropped, meaning that all Volvo S40s are automatic-only.
S60: Several previously-optional features are now standard, including “sport” leather seats, moonroof, power passenger’s seat, wood interior trim, and auto-dimming rear view mirror; T5 models also get premium leather interior trim, premium sound system, rear park assist, active headlights, and the Interior Air Quality System. The 5-speed automatic transmission now includes a manual-shift feature on all models.
V50: The V50 wagon gets the same new standard equipment as its sedan sister, the S40. The front-wheel-drive T5 has been discontinued; the all-wheel-drive T5 AWD remains, and it gets a Dynamic Sport Suspension as standard equipment.
XC60: Volvo and its new small crossover SUV makes its debut for 2009. The XC60 comes with a 281 horsepower six-cylinder turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive.
XC70: Bluetooth phone interface is now standard. A new XC70 T6 model joins the XC70 3.2; it features a 3.0 liter 281 horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
XC90: Volvo’s big SUV gets power-operated rear-door child locks as standard, and both 3.2 and V8 models get revised option packages. The V8 Sport model has been replaced by the V8 R-Design, which gets unique trim inside and out, 20″ wheels, and a stiffer suspension for improved handling. There’s also an R-Design version of the six-cylinder XC90 3.2; it gets R-Design trim, 19″ wheels and a self-leveling sport-tuned suspension.
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Friday, September 12th, 2008
The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business jets designed by Bill Lear and produced first by Canadair until that company was bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1986.
The aircraft was an independent design by Lear in 1976, who had resigned as Chairman of Lear Jet seven years previously. Originally dubbed the LearStar 600, Lear sold exclusive rights to produce and develop the design to Canadair, who renamed it the CL-600 Challenger.
While similar in general configuration to Lear’s previous designs, notable changes were made that distinguished the new aircraft from the Learjets, including the use of a widened fuselage that allowed a ‘walk-about cabin’, a feature not shared by any other business aircraft of the time.
On November 8 1978, the first prototype of the aircraft took off for the first time in Montreal, Canada. An April 3 1980 test flight in the Mojave Desert resulted in disaster, the aircraft crashing due to a deep stall, killing one of the test pilots (the other parachuted to safety). The second and third prototypes flew in 1979.
Despite the crash, both Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States certified the aircraft in 1980, albeit with both handing over some restrictions to pilots including a limited maximum take-off weight. A large program to reduce the aircraft’s weight was then implemented to improve the aircraft’s range.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Everyone out there loves a muscle car. From the roar of that huge engine to the flames on the hood, it is hard to resist looking when you hear one rumbling down the road. But, most people don’t really know the history behind the “muscle car”, like who created the first one and when were they introduced on the market?
Almost every historian and car buff credits Pontiac with the first “muscle car” on the market, which was a variation on the Tempest, the 1964 GTO. This first muscle car offered a huge V-8 engine that boasted 389 cubic inches and a floor-shift manual transmission instead of on the column. With a newer, sleek look and trim inside and out that was to die for, who could resist the car that was born that year. These cars sold like hotcakes, even though Pontiac was in direct violation of a General Motors policy on the size of the engines that are placed in their vehicles. It didn’t matter, the muscle car was born, and everyone rushed to get in on the action.
These muscle cars had great performance that was fit for the street or the races, and allowed them to completely dominate every race that they were placed in. It wasn’t long before other auto companies wanted a piece of the action, and more styles of muscle cars were born. While some of these other muscle cars bragged about bigger engines and more options, the youth market in America didn’t care. The muscle car was all the rage because they embodied rebellion, style, and “coolness”. But, with every era comes an end, and in the later 1960’s there was an uprising about the prices and weights of these muscle cars, which prompted the auto manufacturers to create a “budget muscle car”, which carried names like the “Road Runner”.
Though they were wildly popular, the muscle car didn’t quite sell as many as their car manufacturers would have liked, but their rise in popularity has not been matched since. No other type of car in history has been able to create such an air of personality as the muscle car has. But, toward the mid 1970’s, these smaller, budget muscle cars once again got a boost. The competition in the auto industry was heating up once more, and the muscle cars produced during this time boasted some of the biggest engines ever thought of, like the 450 big block. Although this created yet another spike in sales and popularity, concerns about the safety of these cars gave way to more protests and problems. With some of the other industries, like the insurance agencies, protesting the larger muscle cars and refusing to insure them, the sales of these powerful icons plummeted. Then, another crushing blow to the muscle car, the oil problems that plagued the world in the late 70’s and early 80’s ended the muscle car altogether, and auto manufacturers removed them completely from the market.
But, even today, the muscle car is still sought after by car buffs, collectors, motor-heads, and rebels in general. They are sought out, fixed up, and rumbling down the road in every town across the United States, and even all over the world. No matter how old or young you are, the muscle car still holds unquestionable bragging rights as well as an instant pass to “coolness”.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Freightliner is the leading producer of medium and heavy duty semi trucks, commercial vehicles from classes 5 through 8, customized chassis and semi truck accessories.
Freightliner trucks have a rich heritage that can be traced back to as early as the 1930s, when Consolidated Freightways realised the lack of powerful heavy trucks that could negotiate the mountainous roads in the Western part of the U.S. and decided to build trucks known as ‘freightliners’. In 1981 Mercedes-Benz bought the truck manufacturing business from Consolidated Freightways, while the latter focussed on traditional trucking business.
Today Freightliner is owned by Daimler-Chrylser and its logo also appears on the Sprinter or the Class 2 Merecedes-Benz van that is sold through Freightliner dealers. The company is also a leader in the school bus, diesel Class A recreational vehicle chassis, and walk-in van markets.
Merecedes-Benz Sprinter is a tall delivery van, pick up truck and mini bus and essentially caters to corporate clients rather than private users. Companies such as Microsoft are using Sprinters as campus shuttle buses, while companies like DHL and FedEx are drawn to it because of its aerodynamic design that adds to its speed and fuel efficiency. Freightliner trucks are designed well and to run smart but they also cater to the comfort of the driver. When you buy or drive a Freightliner truck you are assured of its service. The enormous network of Freightliner dealers allows truckers to remain stress free about the service, spare parts and maintenance. This combined with its constant customer support and warranties and financing options make it the best choice.
Freightliner trucks such as Freightliner Classic XL, Argosy, Freightliner Classic XL, Freightliner Coronado, Freightliner Century Class are featured on Rig ‘n’ Roll, a trucking simulation game, set in the future in California 2024. The game explores the exciting aspects of hauling loads in the smart and sleek trucks such as the Freightliner and has various modes such as racing, missions, regular truck driving and cruising. The game attempts to capture the thrill and satisfaction of driving a Freightliner truck.
Freightliner trucks, due to their diverse design structures can be used by businesses big or small, for many purposes and vocations. From hauling heavy loads, as transportation for businesses that need to move fast such as courier service to school buses and converted mini homes. Freightliner is a name that is trusted by thousands of truckers in the U.S. and also across the globe and helps truckers run smart, always.
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Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
A crawler loader is useful for moving up all kinds of materials. You should look into crawler loader machines if you need to move huge piles of dirt or other materials from one to another. Crawler loader tractors are highly useful – and often comfortable.
Crawler loader machines are large, mobile machines that can move loose or solid materials from one place to another and pile or load them. Crawler loader machines deal especially well with moving heavy loads around. Essentially, these heavy equipments lift and move stuff from here to there. Crawler loader machines usually have tracks instead of wheels. They offer you great power and poise on difficult terrain with their excellent traction and comfortable seating. The undercarriage is tracked rather than wheeled, giving you better traction on mud and sand. No tires means that you will get no flat tires! Also, the soil will be disturbed less; the site will not need extra recovery work after your job is done.
If you need prodigious digging and moving capabilities, crawler loader machines are a great solution. Many crawler loader machines can carry over a ton of material, which is much more than what regular backhoes can handle.
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Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Wheel loaders are a type of heavy machinery that is used in construction, as well as for many other non construction tasks. Wheel loaders, as opposed to track loaders, have sturdy tires equipped with large, rugged tread that allows for optimum maneuverability. Mini, small, large and super wheel loaders; skid steers; front loaders and backhoe loaders are the most common types of wheel loaders.
Wheel loaders are a variation on tractors that are designed for more laborious work. The biggest difference between wheel loaders and tractors can be seen in their steering systems. Most wheel loaders’ steering systems use a hydraulically actuated pivot point, which allows the front and rear axle of the wheel loaders to bear more weight than automotive steering systems.
Wheel loaders have a square bucket, called the loader, which is maneuvered by flexible arms. The loader is either a permanent fixture or an attachment secured to either the front or back of the machine. Some wheel loaders, such as a backhoe loader, have a bucket in the front and a backhoe in the rear. This kind of machine is able to dig with the backhoe and remove the unearthed material with the loader.
Wheel loaders have the ability to perform four general tasks; scooping, digging, dumping and carrying. They are commonly used for carrying construction materials like bricks, pipes and rock. Wheel loaders are also efficient for snow removal in commercial areas. Farms also employ various types of wheel loaders for many reasons, including scooping and transporting hay and excavating the land. Mini wheel loaders can be used inside buildings.
Wheel loaders have an advantage over track loaders, because wheel loaders are easier on paved roads and other sensitive environments. Track loaders are more suited to tasks that involve digging, because wheel loaders are unable to dig much below the tires without getting stuck. When a task involves transport or shallow excavation, wheel loaders are less destructive and therefore more efficient in the long term.
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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Truck Campers have grown up. If your impression of pickup campers dates to the 1970s and involves memories of cramped, spartan living conditions, you need to take a fresh look at today’s models. These units can be classified as true recreational vehicles because they offer so many of the amenities found in motorhomes and travel trailers. Plus, they’re a very cost-effective way for families to hit the road on camping excursions.
Let’s start with the basics. A pickup truck camper is a self-contained RV that slides into the bed of a standard truck. Truck campers are manufactured to fit virtually all models of pickups, from short- and long-beds to some ‘mini-trucks.. Because the camper attaches to the pickup truck, you can tow a separate trailer containing all of your toys: bikes, motorcycles, jetskis, ATVs, and so on. Since most states do not allow towing two separate units (such as a travel trailer and toy trailer hitched together), the pickup truck camper is an ideal choice for those who like to take all their toys with them.
Once at the campsite, the truck camper can be used while mounted on the pickup, or it can be taken off and set up on its jacks. Today’s pickup campers put technology to use, providing electronic jacks for ease of setup and stabilization. You no longer have to spend a long time on tedious hand-leveling before you can enjoy your vacation.
Pickup campers range in length from about 8 to 12 feet, but manufacturers have devised new ways to expand the interior living space so that some models can accommodate up to seven people in three separate sleeping areas. In order to do this, manufacturers now offer truck campers with side entry doors, which allows for the addition of a pop-out sleeping tent at the rear. They also offer ’slideouts,. in which a portion of the wall pushes outward as much as three feet, increasing floor space.
A major improvement in truck campers is the wide variety of options now available. Gone are the days when pickup campers were paneled in dark wood and equipped with rustic furnishings. Today, you can choose from interior dér palettes with names such as ‘waterfall. and ‘mineral wash.. You also can add amenities such as a solar panel, backup camera, entertainment system, satellite dish, awning, air conditioner and portable barbecue grill. At the same time, you can count on retaining standard features, such as a queen bed in the cabover section, full bathroom with shower, galley with stove and refrigerator, and dinette that converts to an additional bed.
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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
All those who have set their eyes on the ultra cheap cars like Nano and saying that car market is booming also need to look a little higher. Luxury car market is booming. It is no longer the Maharajah’s who are buying Rolls Royce and Mercedes. It is also the young hardworking top executive of MNC’s and who has a thriving business. Luxury car manufacturer are running to banks with big smiles like never before in Inadia.
Recently a popular US online magazine for cars commented that India has a market for only 4,000 luxury cars and wondered how they will survive with such a thin margin. But now analysts estimate that the luxury car market will grow to 10,000–12,000 units in two years.
Luxury cars are coming in not only from established names but also from Indian car designer Dilip Chabbria. DC has re-interpreted the aristocratic Ambassador and came up with the super luxury Ambierod. It was the most expensive car displayed at the 9th Auto Expo in 2008. It cost Rs 4 crore! All those super rich people who like to own a part of Ambassador will surely like to buy one of them. It could be India’s answer for super luxury cars.
It consists of sleek instrument panel integrated with a satellite navigation system, 3 LCD televisions, internet video-conferencing facility and a flat bed to sleep during long journey. It also has multi-colored mood lighting.
Among European car manufacturer it has traditionally been Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maybach, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Audi and Cadillac.
Bentley has brought in Azure and Continental GTC. They are manufactures in UK and shipped to India. They come with a fancy price tag of 3.8 crore and 2.1 crore. Bentley officials say that they entered India knowing that they were car connoisseurs for exclusive vehicles. The Azure is the ultimate statement on glamour, sophistication and accommodation for the rich. The Continental GTC convertible offers performance, style and classic Bentley motoring technology. One can immediately feel they are driving through race circuits instead of crowded Indian lanes. It comes with the latest technology in GPS, LCD, Audio, cabin ambience, seating and shifters.
People do not want to drive convertible to prove a point anymore. It is technology that is driving the new generation and Bentley cars offers just that with exclusivity.
The traditional luxury car manufacturers BMW and Mercedes-Benz are trying to beat each other in sales performance. BMW has increased its luxury car sales target to 2000 units this year. Those are the famed BMW M cars, BMW Individual cars and BMW 7-series.
Mercedes Benz needs no introduction in India. It has launched the super luxury CL and S class vehicles in India this year. The manufacturer of Mercedes vehicles-Daimler Chrysler plans to sell 3000 units in 2008 only. Following it are the Lamborghini cars- Gallardo Coupe, Spyder, Gallardo Superleggera and Murcielago LP640. These models are priced anywhere between Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore. We can already see several of these cars on Indian streets. Whoever said that luxury cars are not affordable in India? It could just be the style statement that one was looking for in the country, starved of glamorous cars.
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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Founder Clyde Cessna built his first airplane in 1911, and taught himself to fly it! He went on to build a number of innovative airplanes, including several race and award winning designs. In 1934, Clyde’s nephew, Dwane Wallace, fresh out of college, took over as head of the company. During the depression years Dwane acted as everything from floor sweeper to CEO, even personally flying company planes in air races (several of which he won!) Under Wallace’s leadership, the Company making Cessna Aircraft eventually became the most successful general aviation company of all time.Cessna first began production of two seat light planes in 1946 with the model 120 which had an all aluminum fuselage and fabric covered wings. This was followed by a nearly identical model 140, with aluminum clad wings. More than 7,000 model 120-140’s were sold. Cessna stopped production of the 140 in 1951 in order to focus on four seat aircraft.
In 1966 Cessna restyled the airplane, adding a jaunty slant to the tail. The new style was enormously popular with pilots. Cessna made 3,000 model 150’s that year, the most of any year in the airplane’s history. That year Cessna also began assembly of 150’s at Reims Aviation in France. A total of 2,452 planes were built by Reims, including 47 assembled in Argentina.
The Cessna 150 standard engine is a four cylinder, 100 horsepower, Continental model 0-200. During it’s 18 year production history there were many changes to the 150 airframe and configuration.In 1970 Cessna introduced the model 150 “Aerobat” which became very popular in the Aerobatic training market, and remains a popular sport airplane.
In 1978 Cessna introduced a revised model, the 152, with a 110 horsepower Lycoming 0-235 engine. The Lycoming was chosen to make the 152 more tolerant of the extra lead in the new 100LL fuel, as well as provide a long overdue increase in horsepower. The cabin was also widened slightly to make room for the increased girth of late 20th century pilots. Unlike the Model 150, there were few changes in 152’s from one year to the next.
By the end of production in 1985, 31,533 Cessna 150-152’s had been manufactured worldwide. More pilots have flown Cessna 150-152’s than any other single model of airplane. Like most light plane companies in the US, Cessna stopped building light aircraft all together in the mid 1980’s because of excessive product liability lawsuits. The last Model 152 rolled off the production line in 1985.
Today Cessna is once again in the light aircraft business, building 172’s, 182’s and 206’s. Unfortunately, the high cost of production and insurance premiums make it unlikely that Cessna will reintroduce an affordable two seat aircraft. In the meantime, used 150-152’s are selling for three to five times their original price. Still, by comparison, the low quantities and astronomical prices of most other airplanes make the Cessna 150-152 one of the few genuine bargains in private aviation. Remarkably, 48 years after production began and 19 years since it ended, more than two thirds of all Cessna 150-152’s built are still flying.
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