Want an RV or Campsite This Summer? You Might Have a Problem

by Gabrielle DeSantis

After a tumultuous year of lockdowns and closures due to pandemic restrictions, Americans are eager to get back to a sense of normalcy. Now, more than ever, people are hitching campers and piling into RVs, searching for the next great adventure. 

In fact, a recent survey shows RV sales are at an all-time high, resulting in limited campground availability. National Parks are expecting a substantial increase in visitors this summer. And some major attractions have implemented online reservation systems.

RV travel is a great way to make memories, but remember to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

Record-breaking RV sales

According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), more than 430,000 RVs sold in 2020. As record-breaking sales continue, the first quarter of 2021 is experiencing never-before-seen numbers.

In April 2021, RV manufacturers shipped 51,813 units, representing a 619.9 percent increase over last year’s RV sales for the same month. RVIA explains, “It is important to note that the RV industry shut down production in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in April of 2020.”

The increased demand has created a backlog on dealers’ lots, left with limited inventory as they await new arrivals. CBS News spoke with a Texas RV dealer who said he only had 50 RVs left on the lot, where he usually has hundreds. Typical of the industry as a whole, buyers are forced to wait eight to 16 weeks to take ownership of a new model. 

Because the summer camping season will be over at that point, many consumers are choosing to take what’s available on the lot and forgo the pre-ordering process. The average consumer is a first-time buyer in their 30s or 40s, CBS News reported. Eager to get cruising, they’re booking campsites and buying RVs, making it difficult for the industry to keep up.

The astronomical demand is outpacing production, with an anticipated 523,000 additional units sold this year. With this comes a scarcity of campground availability that makes getting reservations difficult, if not impossible.

Campsites will be scarce this summer

A recent RVIA survey revealed that 56 million Americans plan to RV this summer, with 65 million planning to take a trip in the next year. Also, more than 30 percent of leisure travelers plan on renting an RV. With so many travelers on the roads, it will be harder than ever to find a campsite.

National Parks Traveler reported that RVIA president and CEO Craig Kirby said, “Interestingly, a full 10 percent of current non-RVers plan to travel in an RV this summer.” He noted that a quarter of these travelers might consider purchasing an RV in the next few months: “That’s great news for the RV industry as it strives to meet the record-breaking demands for RVs.”

Kirby added, “Even with other forms of travel returning, the desire to use an RV to get outdoors and experience an active outdoor lifestyle is stronger than ever. RVing has been cemented as a mainstream travel option that is here to stay.”

Why are so many people RVing?

The RVIA survey asked respondents about their motivation for traveling. The most common answer was the ability to explore the great outdoors.

The newfound flexibility to work and attend school via a mobile connection was also a factor. Many also said their desire for travel stemmed from wanting to spend more time with their children and other family members while experiencing new places.

The least popular response was people’s unwillingness to take other kinds of trips. An astounding 91 percent of current RV owners plan to continue traveling over the next six months.

So if you are planning to join the millions of campers hitting the road this summer, take heed and prepare for crowds and limited resources as Americans strive to return to normal.

RELATED: 5 Uncrowded National Parks for a Peaceful Road Trip

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The Chevy Colorado Is Losing Crucial Features

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sorry Chevy Colorado fans! Some of your favorite features could be going away. New clues about the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado suggest that the truck will have fewer options when it debuts in 2023 or 2024. 

The Chevy Colorado is losing important features 

2021 Chevy Colorado | Chevrolet

According to Autoblog, the next-generation Chevy Colorado has been spotted already. It’s not expected to debut until 2023 or 2024. This feels like a pretty early head start for the new General Motors compact truck. 

The new Colorado will be different from the truck we know. Despite being heavily covered in camouflage, you can see that it’s losing its angular design with a sloping roof. Instead, it has a more prominent boxy shape. 

This allows us to speculate that the Colorado will look more like a miniature Chevy Silverado, which is adopting a new look for 2022. It could have a matching grille design, headlights, and taillights too. 

How much power will the new Colorado have? 

RELATED: How Many Miles Will a Chevy Colorado Last?

While the 2023 Colorado gains new looks, it’s losing powertrain options. Autoblog notes that if the Colorado follows in Ford’s footsteps, then it will only be offered with a single powertrain. It could only be offered with the new 2.7T turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque in the Silverado 1500. 

This could mean that the engine will provide more power with the smaller Colorado, which is exciting. But that also means that current 3.6-liter V6, 2.8-liter turbodiesel four, and entry-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines won’t return. 

If this information is accurate, then the Chevy Colorado could go up in price. The options with less power won’t be available, and we know that some fans would miss the rare diesel option. The new powertrain variant is expected to be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. There hasn’t been any information regarding a manual transmission or hybrid powertrain.

Is the 2021 Colorado worth buying? 

A white 2021 Chevy Colorado in front of a white background
2021 Chevy Colorado | Chevrolet

Yes, the 2021 Chevy Colorado is a great option to consider, especially if you want to get a few features it currently offers before they’re gone. The Colorado starts at about $25,200. Plus, the current V6 and diesel four-cylinder engines currently tow more than rivals. 

When properly equipped, the 2021 Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,578 lbs. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 49.9 cubic feet. It serves as an economical option for work and play. 

The Colorado offers a smoother ride than rivals with a peppy acceleration, limited body roll, and confident brakes. But there is a bit of noticeable wind and road noise in the cabin at higher speeds. 

Taller people might find the front seats to be combining, but the interior offers a practical layout with controls that are easy to reach. The infotainment system is responsive with attractive graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. 

Storage space in the interior is limited. The rear seats don’t fold flat, and you won’t find many compartments for storing your tools. However, there is a convenient tray for your cellphone and plenty of cupholders. 

It could be a perfect time to snag the Colorado if you want an affordable base model or the diesel engine before they go away. However, we’re just speculating about the upcoming 2023 or 2024 models.

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Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck: The Faster, Stronger, Longer-Range Choice Is Also Cheaper

by Gabrielle DeSantis

First, automakers competed over electric cars. And now, they’re vying for the best electric truck. Ford hasn’t been content with letting Tesla enter the pickup segment with the Cybertruck. So the Blue Oval finally unveiled the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. But can this exciting new pickup truck beat Tesla at its own game?

The Ford F-150 Lightning boasts impressive numbers

When Ford revealed the F-150 Lightning, it was clear that, unlike the Mustang Mach-E, the automaker wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. The Lightning looks like a typical F-150 pickup truck, but it’s definitely more than that. Indeed, the Lightning’s numbers are competitive. Starting at about $40,000 without considering the tax credit, the Lightning is already impressive, MotorTrend reports.

Though $40,000 isn’t cheap, the federal EV tax credit could drop the F-150 Lightning’s price closer to the $30,000 range. Speaking of range, the standard Lightning can go 230 miles on a full charge, while the extended-range version gets 300 miles. Those are already great numbers, but then there’s the power. The standard version produces 426 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, while the extended range harnesses a whopping 563 hp with 775 lb-ft of torque. 

The Lightning can tow up to 10,000 pounds, carry 2,000 pounds of payload, and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds when properly equipped, MotorTrend reports. And it does all that while looking like any other late-model F-150 on the road today.

The Tesla Cybertruck weighs in

Like the Ford F-150 Lightning, the standard Tesla Cybertruck starts around $40,000, Car and Driver reports. However, Tesla EVs are no longer eligible for the federal tax credit, so the Lightning probably wins at base price. That said, the Cybertruck’s and Lightning’s specs are generally comparable.

For example, the standard single-motor Cybertruck should get about 250 miles of range, Car and Driver says. That’s roughly the same range as the standard Lightning. The twin-motor Cybertruck can go an estimated 300 miles. That’s exactly the same range as the longest-range Lightning model.

In addition, the twin-motor Cybertruck’s acceleration speed is roughly the same as the F-150 Lightning’s acceleration speed. Tesla claims the twin-motor Cybertruck can zip from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — 0.1 seconds slower than the Lightning’s best time.

As for towing, the twin-motor Cybertruck offers the same max towing capacity as the Lightning, both topping out at 10,000 pounds. That said, the Tesla pickup’s max payload capacity is a bit better, at 3,500 pounds, Car and Driver notes. 

But the Cybertruck isn’t done yet. It has yet another model, one that could deliver a punch that knocks the Lightning’s lights out.

The heavyweight enters the ring

Where the Tesla Cybertruck beats the F-150 Lightning is in its most powerful model. Ford has no plans to add a third motor to the Lightning, MotorTrend reports. But the Cybertruck has a tri-motor model. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that with three motors, the Cybertruck blows the Lightning away.

According to Tesla, the tri-motor Cybertruck can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds. That’s sports car territory. This model’s towing capacity also jumps to 14,000 pounds, significantly more than the Lightning’s capability. And when it comes to range, Tesla expects its tri-motor truck to go about 500 miles on a full charge.

Price-wise, that model starts at about $70,000. That’s cheaper than the most expensive Lightning trim, the Platinum, starting at a whopping $90,000.

So, those specs considered, we declare the tri-motor Tesla Cybertruck the winner of this bout against the Ford F-150 Lightning.

RELATED: The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s Biggest Surprise Comes Inside the Cabin

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Is a Lamborghini Better Than a Ferrari?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

What makes a Lamborghini better than a Ferrari? It isn’t that simple for these luxury cars. While one might have a more expensive model, the other has a car with a faster top speed. Is it even fair to say a Ferrari isn’t as good as a Lamborghini? Not really.

Is a Ferrari more expensive than a Lamborghini?

Ferrari and Lamborghini sport cars | Rosland Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

With so many models and variables to choose from, it is hard to say which brand is faster. Lamborghini comes in three models for 2021. The Avantador, Huracan, and Lamborghini Urus. There is also a limited edition Sián FKP 37 and Sián Roadster. Ferrari has a more extensive lineup but still only has about five or six models. The SF90, f8 Tributo, Roma, Portofino, Monza SP1, and the 812.

Ferrari has many more options to choose from over Lamborghini. However, Lamborghini has some faster cars, even if there are fewer of each.

The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 has a V12 and a top speed of over 220 miles per hour. Its max power is 785 CV (577 kW) @ 8,500 rpm. That’s faster than the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Spider. The SF90 gets 1000 CV @ 7500 rpm from the V8.

The Ferrari 812 Superfast has a V12 getting 800 CV. This has top speeds of around 212 miles per hour. Compared to the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ gets 770 CV from a naturally aspirated V12. It has a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). The 812 starts at $335,000, and the SVJ is just around $500,000.

Why is Lamborghini better than Ferrari?

RELATED: Man Used $5.1M in PPP Loans to Buy Lamborghini and Ferrari

Lamborghini being better than Ferrari is too subjective. At the same time, Lamborghini has high-speed and well-made vehicles, something on the inside leaves you wanting more. These cars can lack certain creature comforts that some drivers would want. On the other hand, Ferrari focuses a lot on the “wow” factor of interior specifications. Leather, stitching, cup holders. While Lamborghini has exterior looks that offer a “wow” factor, some drivers want more on the inside.

The Lamborghini Huracan starts at around $260,000 and has a top speed of around 202 miles per hour. The Urus, the new SUV, starts at around $200,00 and speeds around 190 miles per hour. One of the cheaper Ferrari options, the Portofino, starts at $215,000. It technically has a backseat, but not much can really fit back there.

What makes a car a sports car or supercar?

RELATED: What Is the Fastest Lamborghini Car Yet?

Ferrari and Lamborghini both make fast cars that suit a variety of needs. The word “supercar” was basically created for both brands, but what makes these super? J.D. Power offers a bit of insight into the answer.

J.D. Power suggests that British automakers like Morris, MG, and Triumph Motor Company, started the trend around the 1920s. These cars were smaller, lower to the ground, and frequently had convertible tops. By the nature of these differences, the cars were quicker and handled better than the larger counterparts.

Weight distribution improved while the weight of cars, in general, went down. Automakers replaced aluminum parts with steel parts for weight reduction. And the most obvious improvement was the engine. Engines became faster, stronger, and arguably more fun to drive. Thus, our current Ferrari and Lamborghini lineups.

So there isn’t much evidence that Lamborghini is better than Ferrari. Both brands have strengths and weaknesses. Both brands will fit the needs of certain drivers but not others. There is nothing wrong with having options, even in supercar brands.

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