It’s almost time for RVers to start rolling through town. For some folks, the “er” in RVers simply means “Errrr!,” as in being upset. I’m not one of those people. Even though I don’t own a business, I still view RVs as a boost to the local economy.
These RV owners, depending on the size of the rig they drive or tow, toss cash out to retail establishments like Santa Claus does candy in a parade, with Lake Havasu City no exception. If fast food joints in town had larger parking lots, you’d see them patronizing these places more.
During the summer months, trucks pulling boats would do the same, which brings me to this question. How many of you have watched someone attempt to pull a large boat through a drive-thru? It happens more than you think.
My wife and I sat in the Del Taco parking lot one day, eating our In-N-Out burgers, when a young fellow from California attempted such a stunt. He shut that drive-thru down for close to an hour, trying to maneuver his way back out. It was only after someone else took the wheel that they were successful.
Back to RVs, I watch to see how many side-by-sides and boats these vehicles can pull. Some of the rigs tow two trailers. In the 18-wheeler world, this is called a “double.” Many truckers hate RVs with a passion. I know this because I’m a member of a trucking group on Facebook, having joined a bunch of groups, 305 to be exact, just because they asked me to.
I’m a member of the Professional Trucker’s Group, Newbie And Fulltime RVers Group, Checker Cab Group, Hardy Boys Fan Club, Oilfield Professionals, Hondo Boats, Canadian Things, Hellcat Community, Kansas Barns, Life In Alabama, The Official Leave It To Beaver Fanclub, Old Junkyards, AZ Jeep Junkies, Historic Route 66, Sweet Home Alaska, to name a few.
The comments left in the Professional Trucker’s Group are how I know they have a disdain for RVs and especially RV drivers. Most of the complaints revolve around them having to maintain a CDL driver’s license, while the driver of a million-dollar Prevost coach pulling a trailer full of off-road vehicles doesn’t. Griping seems to be an inherent trait for some people, with truckers no exception.
Getting back to RVs wheeling through Havasu, headed to Quartzite, Bouse, and Yuma. I watch to see what states they’re from, and try to read the many decals dotting the backsides of their vehicles. Good Sam Club is seen on a good many. I attempted to join a Good Sam Club on Facebook to see what they’re all about, but this particular club had disbanded.
Searching online, I found that Good Sam was founded in 1966 to foster camaraderie and mutual assistance amongst RVers. It’s now the world’s largest RV club, offering places to camp, fuel discounts, products, and services with substantial savings. It was started by a guy named Art Rouse, and I can only assume that Sam was his dog.
My wife and I have an old RV that we use for road trips. I looked to see what it costs to join the Good Sam Club, and for no more than we stay in designated RV parks, it’d be better to just buy a decal off eBay and act like we belong. Taking time to look through the website, eBay has many different types of RV and trucking decals for sale.
I saw one that’d be perfect for that guy attempting to back out of Del Taco. For only $5, he can have a yellow and black sticker that says: Caution – Driver Does Not Know Which Direction Trailer Will Go When Backing Up.
I’ll be watching for that snowbird caravan as it winds its way back through town. Rather than give it the middle finger salute like so many folks, I’ll just smile and wave like Skipper the Penguin does from the cartoon movie, “Madagascar.”
I like to write junk... 