RV Travel is the largest consumer email newsletter about RVs and the
RV lifestyle.
PRIVACY STATEMENT
This newsletters email addresses are never
sold, rented or shared.
We are proud members of the Better Business Bureau.
EDITOR'S
CORNER
By Chuck Woodbury
If you're headed to Alaska this summer
with your RV, you won't be alone. At RVbookstore.com, we are selling
about four times as many books and DVDs about traveling the Alaska
Highway as we did last year. My guess is that last year many people
were scared by high gas prices and decided to postpone their trip to
see if the prices would drop. A year later, the prices haven't, and
so these RVers are saying to themselves, "Well, we can keep
waiting, or we can go." Many of them have apparently chosen to
"go."
The Alaska Highway, once considered a
difficult trek, is now pretty darn tame. If you're planning to drive
it this summer, you should pick up a copy of the Milepost, the bible for Alaska Highway travelers.
The 2005 edition was released just last week. It offers a
mile-by-mile account of what's along the road, including campgrounds
and gas stations. And be sure to get the March issue of Trailer
Life Magazine, which devotes a special section to traveling the
highway, providing much helpful advice. Trailer Life is
available at most large newsstands.
We have begun the redesign on the RV Travel
website, and one feature that is already much easier for us to manage
is the Reader Letters section. We can now post many more of your
letters than in the past. So please email us what's on your mind, or
simply click on the "Letters" category of the RV Travel
website to read the thoughts of other readers.
Several weeks ago we passed along an urban
legend about the driver of a Winnebago motorhome who had supposedly
activated his cruise control so he could step back to make coffee.
The motorhome crashed of course, and the tall tale notes that the man
successfully sued Winnebago because of the mishap. It's all fiction.
Still, we received this letter afterwards from reader Janice Dyer
about a real life incident that sounds very much like the fib. Dyer
wrote: "Several years ago, when working in medical records
at our local hospital, I ran across an ER report of a patient,
an elderly tourist, who was driving down the highway and left the
drivers seat for some reason to walk to the back of his motorhome.
Needless to say, he also ran off the road. Guess cruise control
driving can be dangerous when you get too comfortable."
Or, I would add, when you're too stupid.
We've been spending a lot of time the past
few weeks getting organized for bigger and better things at this
website and our others. You will be amazed at some of the very cool
tools and useful information we will be introducing in the months
ahead to make your RVing more fun and otherwise rewarding. So stay
tuned for updates on our progress.
The winner of last week's Knowledge Quiz did
not claim the $100 cash prize (maybe he or she thought we were
kidding about the prize) so we're offering the bounty again this
week. The Quiz goes live today (Sunday) at 11:30 a.m., Pacific Time.
Details below.
2005 CAMPGROUND
DIRECTORIES
. . . from Trailer
Life, Woodall's and Frommer's.
THIS WEEK'S READER SURVEY
Will you take at least one RV trip in the
next six months
that will cover more than 1,000 miles?
Answer here.
Past reader
surveys and results
2005 WAL-MART LOCATOR HAS ARRIVED
The 2005 Wal-Mart Locator is hot
off the press and
is now shipping. Many RVers use this
directory to plan
a visit to Wal-Mart stores along their
routes, whether
to shop or for a freebie overnight stay in a
store's
parking lot. Get more
information or order now.
Florida RV dealer to launch new RV magazine
Lazydays RV of Sefner, Fla. has announced
that it will debut a new magazine in May aimed at the RV community.
Lazydays' RVLiving magazine will contain a mixture of
service-oriented editorial content targeted at existing RV owners as
well as the emerging baby boomer market. Lazy Days is one of the
largest recreational vehicle dealers in North America.
New Sportscoach motorhome has flat
bedroom floor
The new Encore by Sportscoach comes bearing
design changes exclusive not only to the budget side of the diesel
market but also to mass-production diesel-pusher technology. The
manufacturer teamed up with Freightliner to produce a dropped-rail
frame that allows for lower engine placement on the chassis,
resulting in a flat floor in the bedroom. Read more.
Robin Williams about to hit the road in an RV
Actor Robin Williams is about to take off
in an RV. The comedian is set to star in a movie about a
dysfunctional family that rents a dysfunctional RV and heads out on
vacation. En route to the Colorado Rockies, the family slowly becomes
involved in what the PR folks are calling a "campground
community."
2005 ANNUAL
DIRECTORIES HOT OFF THE PRESS
2005 Next
Exit
Learn what's at every exit along every Interstate.
2005
Woodall's RV Buyers Guide
Get the lowdown on every new RV for 2005.
Only $6.95
2005
Traveler's Guide to State Firearm Laws
Keep legal when you cross state laws with a
firearm.
2005 Woodall's
Campground Directories
2005
Trailer Life Campground Directory
RV BOONDOCKING
TIPS
By Russ and Tina Demaris
New Wrinkle On Water Bladders
Toting water back to camp in a barrel has
the drawback of pumping the liquid refresher into the RV tank. Water
bladders lay on the top of your toad vehicle roof, and expand to hold
the precious resource. Back at camp, gravity does the job of
transferring the water from the bladder to the tank. Quick and easy.
However, the price for water bladders is pretty steep. One RVer in
Quartzsite went to Walmart and purchased an air bed, suitably sized
to match his toad car roof. He put a hose shutoff valve fitted to an
appropriate sized plastic tube to mate up with the "air"
inlet on the mattress. The man swears that by first using bleach and
water rinse, then a couple of salvos of soda and water, the
"plastic" taste of the mattress is fairly well cleared. If
you decide to try this, bear in mind that air mattresses and air beds
are not specifically designed to haul potable water. There is always
the possibility that chemicals used in the manufacturing process may
not be agreeable with human physiology.
Russ and Tina Demaris are the authors
of RV
Boondocking Basics.
VISIT SOUTHWEST BOONDOCKING
MECCAS ON VIDEO
New home video "Boondocking
On The Public Lands of
California and Arizona" shows you
all the popular RV
boondocking areas. Quartzsite, Slab City,
Yuma, more.
RVing THE ALASKA
HIGHWAY
Join Bob and Judy Howen as they drive
the Alaska
Highway in their motorhome. See the road
through their
front window. Visit campgrounds and other
RVer attractions.
BILL'S HINT
"When dry camping, do not leave lights
on unnecessarily. Make certain that the step is down and the step
control switch is off."
From Motorhomes Made
Easy
EXPLORER RV: INSURANCE TO
PROTECT & SAVE
Owners of motor homes, travel trailers,
fifth wheels
& medium-duty tow vehicles save up to 15%
over our
largest competitors by tailoring their
coverage from
over a dozen options.
Learn more or get a
quote.
TRIVIA
Ketchup originated in China, where it was
made from spiced fish. The Chinese called it ketsiap. The tangy sauce
migrated to Malaysia, where it was called kechap. Early in the 18th
century, British sailors discovered the condiment and brought it to
England, where people began to make it with tomatoes. The English,
however, misspelled the sauce the Malaysians called kethap, dubbing
it ketchup. Some manufacturers in more recent times have called their
product catsup.
Learn everything you needed or wanted to know about
ketchup.
WOMEN RVers
CORNER
By Peggi McDonald
When we attended our first RV show we
entered with 100 questions and left with a thousand more. It was mind
boggling to see so many units in one spot, but a great way for us to
begin our search. Whether you're single, have a young family or
are heading into retirement, attending an RV show is an enjoyable way
to discover if RVing is right for you, and what type of RV best suits
you. Shows provide a cross section of available units and allow you
to examine the bells and whistles of each. Most large shows offer
seminars on a wide variety of subjects; take the time to attend.
Visit the commercial booths to talk to the reps. Understanding the
extras that enhance this lifestyle is part of your education. When
the shows are over, take your search to dealers selling the type of
RV you like best. Make the search part of your adventure.
Peggi McDonald is the webhost of
RVliving.net and author
of the book RV Living in
the 21st Century.
RV TRAVELING TALES:
WOMEN'S JOURNEYS ON THE OPEN ROAD
Women who
travel by RV tell about their lives. Superb!
JOIN THE WORLD'S LARGEST RV CLUB. SAVE $6
Join the GOOD SAM
Club. Save 10% on campground fees, receive
a free subscription to Highways Magazine, and
much more!
Only $19 a year.
MAGAZINES FOR
RVers. SOME AT SPECIAL LOW RATES
Some of these magazines you may never have
heard of!
BUMPER SNICKER
"My mother is a tour guide for guilt
trips."
Have you seen a funny bumper sticker?
Email it to Chuck Woodbury at outwest@seanet.com .
Pay close attention to RV loads and
tires
To keep your tires in tip top share and make
them last longer, don't neglect them.
Learn more.
Owners rate their RVs
The website MotorhomesReviewOnline has
published a summary of its reader's responses to how they would rate their RVs in quality and other features.
While not a scientific survey, this might be worth looking at if
you're searching for a new RV and concerned about its reliability.
FUNNIES
Actual advertisements:
•Wanted: Unmarried girls to pick fresh
fruit and produce at night.
•We do not tear your clothing with
machinery. We do it carefully by hand.
•Wanted: Man to take care of cow that
does not smoke or drink.
•Dog for sale: Eats anything and is fond
of children.
BEST SELLERS AT
RVbookstore.com
LEARN TO OPERATE EVERYTHING ON YOUR RV
New, 72-minute DVD shows you
step-by-step how to
operate everything on an RV. It's
like getting a personal tour
from RV technician Tim Collard.
Winterizing tips, too.
CAMP AT CASINO RV PARKS. . . (SOMETIMES
FOR FREE)
Learn which casinos have RV parks and which
ones offer
free overnight stays in their parking lots in
new
guidebook.
Plus info about other casino benefits for
RVers who stay.
RVers GUIDE TO DUMP STATIONS
New directory lists virtually every public
dump in the USA.
QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA. SEE IT ON DVD!
Visit the Boondocking Capital
of the West on DVD. Like being there!
BUYING AN RV? Don't buy one before
reading The RV Buyers
Survival Guide. Ex-RV sales manager Bob Randall reveals how to
get the best deal from an RV dealer. Don't pay too much. Available as
printed book or instant eBook.
CAMP FOR HALF-PRICE
Join the Happy Camper Club and pay half-price at more
than 1,000 RV parks. If you camp more than a few weeks a
year, a membership can save you a bundle.
BOOKS ABOUT
EARNING AN INCOME ON THE RV ROAD
FULL TIME RVing: Learn how to
do it from an expert.
RV BOOKS FOR
LESS THAN $9.99
BARGAINS AND CLOSEOUTS AT RV BOOKSTORE
BOOK &
VIDEOS FROM TRAILER LIFE. Great prices!
Discuss Wireless Internet Access with other RVers
A new and fast-growing discussion group
has popped up at Yahoo Groups, dealing with wireless Internet access
on the road. There's much good information here. If you're confused
about how WiFi works or just want to keep tabs on new developments or
places where the service is available, this group would be well worth joining.
Club for Coachmen RV owners
If you own a Coachmen RV, you are
eligible to join the 10,000 member Coachman Caravan Camping Club. The
club includes many local chapters and holds many rallies each year.
Learn more.
Jayco Club to hold May rally
May 2 to 8 the Jayco Jafari Travel Club will
explore the Tennessee back country. Members will camp at Birdsong
Resort, Marina and Family Lakeside RV Campground, a 58-acre
recreational complex ranked among the top 40 vacation spots in the
state. Learn more.
NEED AN RV
LOAN? SEE IF YOU QUALIFY IN 60 SECONDS
Financial Underwriters Network (F.U.N.)
provides exceptional
service and low loan rates. Learn
in a minute if you qualify.
READER LETTER
Dear Chuck,
I just started as a full timer three
weeks ago and have a 31-foot Fleetwood Jamboree GT. I haven't had an
automobile accident in 38 years. My main reason for writing is to
complain about the lack of space at the gas pumps at truck stops like
Loves and Flying J. I'm very careful, but the other day I hit a
concrete guard barrier at a gas pump at Loves. Traffic was heavy so I
waited until the cars cleared, then pulled out and made a right turn,
looking out my mirror to avoid a car. The result was that my left
rear end hit the concrete, causing extensive damage to my new RV
because I didn't pull out far enough before turning. The problem was
that I couldn't pull out farther because legally parked cars were
limiting my access. If these establishments want our business they
should set aside a separate area for RVs like they do for trucks. My
insurance company said that most of its claims are about RVs damaged
at a gas pump. – Ron Zunk
More letters from readers
This issue's Knowledge
Quiz
Begins at 11:30 a.m., PST, today.
Prize: $100. The 31st person to answer correctly wins. The question:
What is the average person's greatest fear? Take the
quiz at RVbookstore.com (starts exactly at the time above and
not a minute sooner).
Last week's winner
No winner. Prize was unclaimed.
See the results
of previous quizzes
Knowledge Quiz official
rules
FUNNY BUSINESS SLOGAN OF THE WEEK
On a travel agent's marquee:
Do us both a favor and get out of town!
Seen a good one? Email it to
the editor.
RV INFORMATION &
RESOURCES. . .
Sign up for NORTHWEST RVer email
newsletter.
Sign up for RV TECH TIPS email
newsletter.
RV-LINKS
Loads of links to great websites about RVing
FULL
TIME RVer
RV
RECALLS
WORKAMPING
INFORMATION
EASY RV RECIPES
A classic cookbook for
RVers. Only $6.95
WORTH PONDERING
"Each has his past shut in him like
the leaves of a book shown to him by heart, and his friends can only
read the title." —Virginia Woolf
RV PARKS WITH WIRELESS
INTERNET ACCESS
RANDOM RV THOUGHT
It's probably okay to compare an RVer
with a turtle. They both carry their shelter with them. The RVer
moves faster, though
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITES
Beginners
Guide to RVing
Free
Campgrounds of the West
RV Tech
Tips
Northwest RVer
Full Time RVer
Florida
RVer
The RV Travel newsletter contains links
to sites on the Internet that are owned and operated by third
parties. It is not responsible for the availability of, or the
content located on or through any such third-party site.
This newsletter does not contain any
trans-fats or artificial sweeteners and is rated PG* by the National
Organization of Publishers and Editors (NOPE).
RV Travel is copyrighted 2005 by
RVbookstore.com. Our World Headquarters: Out West/RVbookstore.com,
110 W. Dayton St., Suite 104, Edmonds WA 98020
*Pretty Good
