VCT Magazine Issue #51
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In this Issue:
- 1968 Phoenix DIY Paint Job
- 1973 Argosy- Wrap It Up
- 1948 Trailercraft - 100% Acrylic
- No Rules When It Comes to Paint
- Single Stage Paint
- 1976 Argosy Art on Wheels
- 1977 Aspen Learning Curve
- 1951 Spartanette Tandem
- 1969 Aristocrat - You Can Do It
- Route 66 - Arizona
- Murals - An Option to Paint
- 1955 Airstream - Randy’s El Rusto
- Which Paint For Your Project?
- 1956 Cardinal Pendleton Inspired
- Rally Calendar
If you made travel plans for 2020, they have probably changed. If the restrictions for the COVID virus weren’t enough, Northern California, where we are based, is again being ravished by fires. According to an article in the Sacramento Business Journal, 77% of us will make changes to our travel plans in the next 6 months due to the pandemic. We have already postponed rally dates for the rallies we host and cut short a trip to Texas to retrieve a camper. Typically, we would have taken the time to enjoy the journey, stayed at campgrounds, and ate out. Going to get a new toy is usually a good reason for a road trip. This time we just drove there and back. What I learned on this trip was that I am only stopping at branded truck stops for gas. I find the prices to be competitive, especially with our discount cards, and the bathrooms are OPEN and generally well maintained. We also stop at Costco for gas when possible and pick-up pre-made salad or rotisserie chicken to eat while we are stealth camping.
We have been to only one rally this year because of cancellations. It was nice, but quite. Rallies are all about getting together. Trailerites are not very good at “social distancing.” When you have been at this for a while, rallies like Trailerfest seem like a family reunion. I guess that’s why we can put up with a little quieter atmosphere this year because we still get to see “family.”
A study shows that 43% of Americans have canceled travel plans entirely, and another 41% have reduced their travel plans. 27% have changed their destination to one they could drive to, to avoid flying. According to the Business Insider online, the R.V. Industry Association found that 20% of U.S. residents surveyed have become more interested in R.V. travel amid coronavirus concerns. A headline on their website says, “RV makers are seeing surging demand as stay-at-home orders lift and some companies are struggling to keep up.” This jump in R.V. interest is already being reflected in the available rental space at R.V. parks. Blogs and vlogs of full-time RVers report that they are paying inflated rental rates at R.V. parks. Some of them are coming off the road because it has become so challenging to remain nomadic during the nation’s crisis. In Northern California, we are already experiencing a loss of campsites due to families displaced by the current fires.
Drifting into a campsite of a half-full park isn’t as easy as it used to be. Plan ahead. As people feel safe going out, R.V. Parks are sure to be filling up even quicker. We have no doubt that people will be more eager than ever to get back to vintage trailer rallies. For now, be safe and stay healthy. Support the rallies in your area and take advantage of the time you have had at home to get your trailer all ready for the next outing. Maybe even paint it after reading this issue! We’ll see you campin!
Sources: Longwoods international and Miles Partnership, July 15 study of 1,000 U.S. adults. https://www.businessinsider.com/
By Paul Lacitinola