Once the autumn leaves have started to fall, Canadian RV enthusiasts are faced with the ultimate RV decision – head for the sunbelt, or stay home and enjoy the many pleasures of extended season camping.
            If you have the luxury of a long vacation, the many attractions of the southern states certainly are difficult to resist, and the tourist population of RV destinations in the warmer climates include a considerable number of Canadians – so much so that in many areas, businesses offer attractive discounts for their Canadian visitors.
            Garth Cane, our Tech Editor, has described a range of his favourite southern destinations in our lead feature this month – “Finding a Place in the Sun”. I am sure that you will find his advice very useful as you plan your winter getaway.
            For those who prefer to stay closer to home, Frank and Lucy Spence have a totally different approach to extended season camping. Frank, a former executive with the Boy Scouts of Canada, is an experienced outdoorsman, and he and Lucy are hosts in Ontario’s Provincial Parks system – their winters are spent in the campgrounds, where they enjoy all of the beauty of the Canadian wilderness from the comfort of their motorhome. If you are contemplating braving the elements this year, Frank’s suggestions for off-season camping will be invaluable to your enjoyment of the winter camping experience.
            Our Hitch Hints columnist Andy Thomson decided to head east this summer, hitching an Airstream to a Pleasure-Way class B motorhome. This application is becoming quite popular among motorhome owners, as the traveling comfort afforded by the motorhome surpasses any conventional tow vehicle on the road today.
            With the 2009 models appearing on the dealer lots, we have started our preview series, spotlighting some of the more interesting new models in each RV category. From the elegant Triple E Empress to the ingenious Outback Loft by Keystone, there are many new and exciting trends developing in the industry – and the deals are better than ever as everyone adapts to the new marketplace conditions. Our featured road test vehicles this issue include a lightweight streamliner – the Viewfinder 19 FK by Cruiser RV, and the Home and Park Roadtrek Popular 210.
For our long-term road test series we have logged on to try out the latest Chrysler and GM hybrid tow vehicles – watch for Garth Cane’s reports on the latest technology coming up in the winter and spring issues.
Times certainly are changing, but with the many innovations introduced by the RV and automotive industries, we are adapting very well to the “new normal”. When all of the turmoil subsides, the RV lifestyle will still be the very best family vacation alternative.

William E. Taylor
Publisher