Don’t Miss Out on These Dark-Sky RV Campgrounds

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The United States offers myriad places to camp. Adventurers can find resorts, campsites, and even RV campgrounds across the nation. Each has something special to offer travelers yearning to enjoy the great outdoors. But for the camper who wants to take the experience to another level, dark-sky RV campgrounds offer dazzling nighttime views. 

Dark-sky camping brings you nature at its finest, RVBusiness reports. So, what is dark-sky camping, and why is it so appealing?

What makes dark-sky RV campgrounds so attractive?

Sometimes people choose to go camping to get away from the bustle and bright lights of the city. So they head into the wilderness to sleep under the stars, either in a tent or an RV camper. 

Dark-sky locations offer camping under the muted light of the night sky. No buildings block your view; it’s just you and the open sky, with twinkling lights stars overhead. You can find dark-sky sites in parks, campgrounds, or even remote areas. 

These campground areas work on the light from the stars in the sky, not artificial light that environmentalists say is bad for wildlife in the area, and it ruins the overall stargazing experience. 

Some campgrounds offer amenities to enhance your camping experience. They include onsite laundry, private bath suites, children’s play areas, dog parks, and convenience stores. You can get just about everything you need in one spot. 

Tips for camping in a dark-sky RV campground

Some of these locations are for amateur astronomers. So one of the first things you’re usually asked to do is keep your outside lights off and use motion-sensored ones to alleviate light pollution and keep the area dark for stargazing. 

You can keep your inside lights on, but they recommend you pull the shades down so all you see from the outside is a warm glow coming from your windows, according to Always On Liberty.

If you really want to find a location like this with the darkest sky available, they tend to be in the American West or Southwest. If you’re into astronomy and astrophotography, there are many stargazing maps you can download onto your phone to help you find where to look for certain stars in the sky. 

To choose one, find out what each one offers and see which one ticks the most boxes on your wishlist. Having everything, or nearly everything, at your fingertips at one site will make your camping experience that much more enjoyable. 

Where can you find these campsites?

With more booming cities growing throughout the country, some dark-sky areas have dwindled. But you can still find plenty sprinkled across the nation. 

If you want to stargaze near water, Minnesota has the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It offers plenty of fun daytime and nighttime activities. You’ll also get full hookups, free shower house use, motorboat and canoe rentals, and a laundry facility. Prices for this campground start at $36 a night for two people. 

Another popular dark-sky RV campground is in Kanab, Utah. It boasts one of the darkest locations in the area. The campground offers a dog/dishwashing station, an adventure-tours concierge, an enclosed dog park, Wi-Fi, and a shade structure. Expect to pay around $65 a night, but you can get a small discount if you stay several nights instead. 

Dark-sky RV campgrounds are not just great places to camp. They also let you experience the natural light from the moon and stars instead of artificial lighting. The darkness will also allow you to see the stars more clearly than you would if you were closer to a city. Plan your dark-sky camping adventure, and see what all the hype is about.

RELATED: Book Your Perfect RV Campsite With These Apps and Websites

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These Are Two of the Best Sports Cars Under $25,000

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Finding fun, daily-driveable sports cars under $25,000 can be hard. But, with some diligence and a little research, it’s possible to end up in something fun, practical, and good-looking to boot. Now, we’re going to undertake our search for the best sports cars under $25,000 with some stipulations. First, let’s assume it will be the only car you own, and because of that, it must be practical. Second, we’re going to assume you won’t need to carry more than two people or small children with it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the first candidate.

The 996-gen Porsche 911 is a fantastic bargain

A Porsche 996 911 in Monaco | Steve Hall via Getty Images

This brings us to the 996-generation Porsche 911. Then 911 name is one synonymous with no-compromise sports car ownership, and the 996 models are no different. The runny-egg headlights are notoriously divisive among enthusiasts, but that just helps keep prices relatively low. Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

Produced from 1997-2004, this generation of 911 is still one of a few bargain sports cars under $25,000. It can be had with either an automatic or manual transmission, paired to a 300 hp flat-six motor. Best of all, you can have yours with either rear or all-wheel drive, coupe or convertible. These models are reliable, but beware of the IMS bearings in the motor and ensure they’ve been taken care of. Examples like this one can be found for a hair under $25,000.

So is the V8 BMW M3

A red 2008 BMW M3 on a racetrack in California
An E92-generation BMW M3 | Mark Elias via Getty Images

Our next example is a little more hardcore. It’s also just a touch larger. Produced from 2007-2013, the E92-generation M3 can be had with an automatic or a manual transmission, both with six gears. Like the Porsche, the auto can be a little lazy, so you’re best off with a stick if you can get it. However, unlike the 911, the M3 is rear-wheel drive only, so snow tires will be necessary for those in wintry climates.

On to the motor. Making 414 hp, this BMW M3 is powered by a naturally-aspirated V8 that wails at its 8300 RPM redline. In this car, the motor is everything. It’s what you pay for, and boy, do you get your money’s worth. Aside from some finicky odds and ends, watch out for rod-bearing failure, and ensure a higher mileage car has had them replaced. Driver-condition models like this silver one can also make it one of the best sports cars under $25,000.

The E92 BMW M3 is the best sports car under $25,000

A white BMW M3 like this one is the best sports car under $25,000
An E92-generation BMW M3 | Mark Elias via Getty Images

It was a difficult decision to make, but the BMW wins out here. The practicality of a larger car simply cannot be ignored if this will be your only car. The interior space feels larger, too. Of course, the more modern furnishings of the BMW are welcome as well. It’s hard to find a sports car with more character for the money on top of that. 911’s are great, but you have to spend real money to elicit the same emotional response as the Bimmer’s V8 does. Finally, the transmission in the BMW is simply nicer to use, both automatic and manual. Bearing the maintenance costs in mind, it would be hard to find better sports cars under $25,000.

RELATED: BMW M3 Configurator: Build Your Own Full-Fat Sports Sedan Latte

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Consumer Reports: The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Is Better Than the 2021 Tacoma

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Normally when a brand releases a new version of a vehicle, it improves upon the year before. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is still a solid light-duty truck, but the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is too. Is the 2021 model worth it?

Is the 2020 Tacoma worth it?

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Is Better Than the 2021 | Toyota

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma truck is definitely worth it. Looking at the ratings from Consumer Reports, the 2020 Tacoma is far superior to the 2021 Tacoma. Consumer Reports rated the reliability a five out of five. For the owner satisfaction category, it received a four out of five. When rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most crash ratings were “good.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Tacoma four stars in most areas. It also has many safety features standard.

If we compare these to the Consumer Reports ratings for the 2021 Tacoma, there is a large difference. CR ranked the 2021 Tacoma third out of 10 compact pickup trucks. The overall score was only 51 out of 100. When it came to predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction, both of these scored three out of five. As far as safety features and ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, it scored similarly.

So what made the older model a better buy? The 2021 model has a high resale value and a lot of standard safety features. However, it is fairly outdated and uncomfortable. CR found the ride stiff and the handling clumsy. It also lacks a full four-wheel-drive system that allows drivers to shift between two and four-wheel-drive. These were some of the same complaints lodged in 2020 that remain unchanged.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good truck?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is still an excellent vehicle for those who need a light-duty truck. Toyota isn’t exactly known for changing up designs that work, which is likely why the Tacoma hasn’t changed much in recent years. “While full-sized pickup trucks increasingly adopt luxury trappings, most compact trucks remain utilitarian workhorses. The Tacoma is a down-and-dirty example of function trumping form,” Consumer Reports noted.

The 2021 Tacoma is also offered in a new Trail Special Edition. Additionally, it has a few other trims. The SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. It also offers upgraded bits like Panoramic View Monitor, a rail deck system, and a Multi-Terrain monitor.

Newer vehicles will always have more features than older models, but there might be some other benefits to the 2020 Tacoma. Since it isn’t exactly old, buyers are likely to find a 2020 model with low miles and a warranty left.

Either truck will get the job done

Drivers can’t go wrong with a 2020 Toyota Tacoma or a 2021 Tacoma. Even if the models didn’t change much over the years, both trucks have a lot to offer buyers. While there is a shortage of new vehicles this year due to the semiconductor chip shortage, it might be easier to get ahold of a 2020 Tacoma, too.

Depending on budget restrictions, the 2020 Tundra might be an all-around better deal. As we roll into 2022, you might be able to snag a 2021 model at a discounted rate. However, the 2020 Tacoma will serve you well.

RELATED: Consumer Reports: Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Toyota Cars

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The 3 Most Reliable Tractor Brands

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are some big names out there in the tractor business. John Deere and Mahindra, for example, are the top-selling tractor brands in the world. But other brands like Fendt, New Holland, Kioti, or Sonalika can also handle a wide spectrum of jobs in agriculture and earthmoving. While it’s hard to say which brands are the absolute best or most reliable, we did some digging to make a list of 3 of the most reliable and well-known tractor brands. 

A Kubota Tractor Corp. M8 tractor | Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Across several different websites such as TractorAgriculture.com and Tractor Junction, there are 3 brands that show up on virtually every ‘best’ list out there for tractors. While these are certainly not the only reliable options, they do seem to satisfy a large number of owners and critics. So here are the 5 most reliable tractor brands (in no particular order) according to the information we found on the world wide web.

Kubota

Kubota is a Japanese tractor company. However, it has planted corporate manufacturing roots all over the world––including the USA. Critics and owners generally recognize this brand among the best. Kubota is especially known for the versatility and performance of its compact tractors. 

Kubota tractors are maneuverable, capable, and there are a variety of models to choose from. Depending on your specific needs, a Kubota tractor can make a welcome addition to any lineup of hard working machines. The Kubota tractor company was formed in 1890 and has been building on its wealth of knowledge and expertise ever since. 

Mahindra 

a red mahindra tractor clearing the edge of a corn field in the USA
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. tractor | Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

This is the world’s top-selling tractor. Mahindra won the prestigious Deming Prize, a Japanese quality award. Mahindra tractors are known for their longevity. Even Mahindra tractors 20, 30 years old or more are still in operation today. The Mahindra tractor brand has roots in India, but sells tractors globally. 

Mahindra used to have issues in North America with getting supplies to dealers for repairs, etc. However, now the Mahindra tractor brand has manufacturing facilities and storage warehouses for service components. In the United States, we know this company as Mahindra USA. 

John Deere

a green John Deere tractor with yellow wheels doing framework in a bare field
John Deere tractor | Bill Allsopp/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Here in the states, John Deere tractors are pretty much what most of us think of when tractors come up in conversation. These tractors are iconic, yes. But they are also known for high performance and strong reliability. 

John Deere tractors receive praise for their tractor models and agricultural machines from critics like TractorAgriculture.com. Although John Deere is an American brand, the company sells tractors all over the world. Internationally, it’s one of the most reliable tractor brands. John Deere tractors, like both Mahindra and Kubota, have a worldwide following of brand loyalists. 

The most reliable tractor brands

Other tractor brands like Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and Claas also produce reliable tractors. But India’s Mahindra, Japan’s Kubota, and American-made John Deere tractors show up on list after list. There’s no perfect tractor and proper maintenance plays a massive role in how reliable and long-lasting any machine proves itself to be. 

However, these brands are some of the most reliable tractor brands. While they are certainly not the only companies that manufacture good tractors, they are well-known. Their high production numbers make them easier to service because parts are generally readily available and mechanics who have experience with them aren’t difficult to come by.

RELATED: There Are Only 3 Reasons to Choose the Toyota Tacoma Over the Honda Ridgeline

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