Issue 184 of the world's largest email RV newsletter: Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more.
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New Arrivals at RV Bookstore
Wow! There are always lots of new books and DVDs at the world's largest RV bookstore. Check them out.
Editor's Corner
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| Learn the right way to buy an RV from the Better Business Bureau and RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury. |
By Chuck Woodbury
I am thrilled to report the release of the Better Business Bureau DVD Buying a Recreational Vehicle. It's made possible through the joint efforts of this website and the BBB. We teamed up to produce the DVD because both the BBB and the editors here at RVtravel.com felt that there is too big a chance of making a bad decision when buying an RV. But with some straightforward, professional guidance, consumers can make the right choice, and usually save money and often heartache in the process. Nobody is better at offering such quality advice than the Better Business Bureau. "Buying a Recreational Vehicle" is for buyers of new or used RVs, whether from a dealer or private party.
I'm the host of the 50-minute production that I believe offers the last word on how to buy the right RV at the right price without getting ripped off. About a half-dozen nationally known RV experts join me in explaining everything a would-be RV owner should know before signing on the dotted line. Among the experts: Joe and Vicki Kieva, and Gaylord Maxwell.
The BBB, the producers and I spent much of this year researching, writing and filming the DVD. The information in the DVD and others in the BBB Video Series is based on millions of inquiries the Better Business Bureau receives each year from consumers seeking buying advice or, alas, seeking recourse for a deal gone sour.
Eventually, the DVD will be in most U.S. public libraries and sold through BBB bureaus throughout the United States. For now, though, it's available only through RVbookstore.com for a modest $19.95. However, we are offering it today (Sunday) and Monday for a special one-time introductory price of $17.96.
If you are planning to buy an RV, do yourself a big favor and get this Better Business Bureau DVD. Or if you know someone who plans to buy an RV, let them know about it, or order it for them as a holiday gift. Every day, consumers end up with the wrong rig or a bad rig, and in too many cases they end up stuck with finance plans that spell disaster down the road. Don't let that happen to you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pot of Gold Contest News
No winner last week. The pot is now $340 cash. Check each weekday at RVbookstore.com between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Pacific time) to see if you live in the Zip Code of the Day. Our last winner pocketed a cool $380!
FreeCampgrounds.com now has more than 850 listings of free or very inexpensive places to stay the night in an RV. Refer to this website before your next trip to save money on camping fees.
Live or travel in the Pacific Northwest? Then you'll enjoy the latest issue of the Northwest RVer newsletter.
Want to travel full-time with an RV?
Anyone who is thinking of traveling full-time with an RV will have his or her questions answered in this wonderful 90-minute DVD. Interviews with dozens of fulltimers as well as experts on the lifestyle. Learn more or order.
This Week's Reader Survey
Do people your age whom you meet look older or younger than you? Answer here.
Past reader surveys and results
How did RV Travel readers respond to this question:
"How much is 'too much' to pay to stay a night just to sleep and leave early the next morning?"
Learn how more than 1,800 readers responded.
GET A FREE ISSUE OF TRAILER LIFE OR MOTORHOME MAGAZINE
KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
Three Quizzes Today. Win swell prizes!
Look for a pop quiz or two with terrific prizes many weeks at RVbookstore.com.
Sign up to receive an email alert of quiz start times.
Lost Lake RV Resort
Own a deeded lot in Western Washington's Lost Lake RV Resort. National Park-like setting in the pines with beautiful trout lake. Sunny bluff sites feature Mt. Rainier view. All amenities. Park models, too. Perfect summer home. Close to Tacoma and Seattle. Learn more.
Getting online on the road: You have options!
RVers have many reasons to use the Internet while on the road. Besides email for staying in touch, the net can provide weather forecasts, access to banking and investments, route planning, reserving ahead for campsites and other attractions, and even telecommuting. Getting online away from home has become a lot easier in recent years. Learn the current options and how they differ.
Do you want the basics or real luxury?
Many first-time RVers will start with a model that provides just the basics. But sometimes there are options or accessories that you cannot do without. Here's a list of some of the options that you might want to consider to make your RV feel like home.
RV Boondocking Tips
By Russ and Tina Demaris
Air Conditioner Protection
When the temperature gets hot, some boondockers fire up their generator to run the AC system. Make sure you get your money's worth from that expensive generator fuel (and noise). If the fins on the outside of the air conditioner unit are bent, they're not efficiently pumping that hot air off. Straighten the fins out with a small screwdriver or get a fin comb from an air conditioner repair shop.
Russ and Tina Demaris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics and Boondocking Tips for RVers: More Fun Without Hookups
Books and videos about Boondocking
Jayco unveils Class C motorhome with garage
New for 2006, Jayco manufacturing has introduced the 35-foot Seneca ZX for adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts who not only want to play hard, but live well. Learn more.
Sears offers free flat tire repair for Hurricane Wilma victims
Sears has announced that it will provide free flat-tire repair at Sears Auto Centers at select locations in South Florida impacted by Hurricane Wilma.
Gas and diesel prices: Good news and bad news
First, the bad news: according to AAA, the average national price for diesel is $3.20 per gallon, compared with $2.20 per gallon a year ago. For regular unleaded gasoline, the current average cost per gallon is $2.70 versus $2.01 this time last year. The good news: the retail price of gas across the nation fell an average of 25 cents in the past two weeks as refineries in the Gulf Coast steadily resumed production.
Newmar unveils new motorhome: the Ventana
Newmar Corporation has unveiled its newest motorhome, the Ventana, a full-featured diesel pusher priced with a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of $174,538. Learn more.
ABCs of RVing:
For absolute beginners and RV novices only.
QUESTION: What gas mileage will I get driving or towing an RV? ANSWER: About half of all RVers get less than 10 miles per gallon and only about 15 percent get 13 miles per gallon or better. That's according to a recent RVtravel.com survey on the subject. Read the survey results to see the exact figures.
So many choices - Class A, B and C pros and cons
If you are considering purchase of a motorhome, start by considering the relative advantages of Class A, Class B and Class C coaches. Understanding the pros and cons of each group will help you make an informed selection.
The basics of RV insurance and of RV financing.
Beginners Guide to RVing: Articles and information for brand-new RVers. Learn the ropes.
New Additions to FreeCampgrounds.com
Books & DVDs at RVbookstore.com
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2005 Big Rig Best Bets Campground Directory:
Drive a king-sized RV? This directory is for you. Buy or get info.
RV Boondocking Basics
Learn how to RV without hookups in the best-selling book "RV Boondocking Basics." Live well without plugging in and hooking up, and save money in the process. Covers solar, wind power and more. Get more information or order
Manage Your RV's 12 Volt System
Learn all about your RVs 12-volt electrical system including how to upgrade and operate it and troubleshoot problems.
RVers Guide to Solar Battery Charging
Learn everything an RVer needs to know to enjoy the comforts of household power through the power of the sun.
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.
Quartzsite, Arizona. See it on DVD!
Visit the Boondocking Capital of the West on DVD. Like being there!
2005 Campground Directories
. . . from Trailer Life, Woodall's and Frommer's.
Headed to Alaska? The Milepost is the #1 guide to getting there.
DVDs show how to operate your RV
Learn how to use every system, how to set up, how to drive or pull your RV and more. Class A motorhome • Class C motorhome • Pop Up • Travel Trailer/Fifth Wheel
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. Learn more.
Next Exit Directory. . . Don't get lost!
Never take a wrong exit off an Interstate highway again. The 2005 Next Exit lists every exit along every Interstate and what's at each: campgrounds, fuel, truck stops, casinos, malls, rest areas, hospitals and more. A bargain at only $12.95.
Camping and RVing with Dogs
Get expert advice on traveling with a dog and learn about dog-friendly campgrounds and RV parks Learn more or order
2005 Guide to Free Campgrounds of the West
Tired of paying too much for campgrounds. How about staying for free (or nearly free). Learn more or order.
Traveler's Guide To The Firearm Laws of the 50 States
Don't carry a weapon across state lines without knowing the laws. Explains the specific gun laws of every U.S. state.
All The Stuff You Need To Know About RVing
The best book for beginning RVers. Order or get more information.
Books and DVDs about how to buy an RV
Books about earning an income on the road
RV books for less than $9.99
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Super fast delivery. Nine out of ten orders (Mon.-Sat.) ship within 6 hours. "You need it, so we speed it!" |
Free or inexpensive places to camp with your RV.
Rest Area: Alamo, Nevada
Rest area and small truck stop/restaurant about 3-4 miles south of Alamo (north of Las Vegas) on the east side of highway 93. Free.
City Park: Humeston, Iowa
Quiet grounds even though it is right on the main highway through town. A grocery store, convenience store and small cafe within two blocks. $10 or less.
Amon Carter Lake Park: Bowie, Texas
Lakefront camping with and without amenities. Water, electric, restrooms and dump station. $10 or less.
The information above was provided by visitors to FreeCampgrounds.com. The information has not been verified. Learn about more than 850 free and inexpensive campgrounds.
Bumper Snicker
"Give me ambiguity or give me something else."
Read other funny bumper stickers or buy them.
RVing to Mexico
Mexico RVing experts Dot and Bill Bell answer questions about travel in Mexico. Read their articles.
Guidebooks and DVDs about RVing in Mexico
Free issue of Country Discoveries Magazine
Treat yourself to a FREE Issue of Country Discoveries! It's bursting with the best-kept travel secrets, money-saving tips and unique locations RV enthusiasts like you want to know about! Explore scenic backroads, charming towns and off-the-beaten-path destinations in this one-of-a-kind AD-FREE travel magazine. Click here to claim your FREE Issue!
Bill's Hint
"Sometimes you have to roll up your awning while it is still wet. Remember to extend it later to dry the canvas and prevent mildew from forming." From Motorhomes Made Easy
Fractional RV Ownership
CoachShare is a better way to own a luxury motorcoach!
Do you dream of owning a luxurious motorcoach, but don't want the year-round expense and hassles of private ownership? Why not "share" a luxury coach with CoachShare? Pay only for the time you need and save up to 80 percent over full-time ownership. Learn more.
Weird, Wacky and/or Wonderful Festivals
Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival, Ruskin, Florida
Sun, sand and plenty of seafood line the shores of Tampa Bay at the 17th annual Ruskin Seafood Festival & Ruskin Arts Festival, Nov. 5 and 6. Food vendors offer visitors tastes of their seafood specialties including shrimp, cracked conch, grouper sandwiches, clam chowder, alligator and oysters. A fine arts area will have displays of watercolor, wood carvings, jewelry, paintings, sculpture and photography. Ruskin is located on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay and is famous for Ruskin tomatoes and other agricultural crops. Info: 813-645-3808.
Do you camp in a Pop Up Trailer?
Then you will enjoy Pop Up Times, America’s only magazine devoted to camping with a pop up. Learn more.
Museum of the Week
The Museum of Hoaxes
The Museum of Hoaxes was established as a website in 1997 in order to promote knowledge about the phenomenon of hoaxes. We're endlessly fascinated by the bizarre things that people have been talked into believing over the years. Women who give birth to rabbits, Swiss spaghetti trees, lunar bison—they've all found believers. In fact, it's probably a truism that there's no claim so stupid or weird that someone somewhere won't believe it. So take a look around, check out the exhibits, and try to decide if you would have fallen for any of the hoaxes. There are even some tests for you to determine just how gullible you really are. The museum is open 365 days a year, but, alas, it may only be visited online.
Do you drive a really BIG RV?
RVers with big rigs will love the 2006 Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas. Designed for truckers, this atlas shows where to travel to avoid low overpasses and narrow roads where a big RV could get into trouble. NEW! Learn more or order.
Trivia
What color car was John F. Kennedy riding in when he was assassinated? White? Black? Dark Blue? Answer below.
Buying an RV? Get online prices
from dealers in your area & SAVE!
In less than 60 seconds, request quotes on new or used RVs from up to three dealers in your area. Compare quotes to find your best deal! No charge, no obligation. Learn more or get quotes.
This issue's
Knowledge Quiz
THREE QUIZZES TODAY
with swell prizes!
The prizes:
•The fabulous guidebook RVers Guide to Dump Stations. Every RVer should pack this along.
•Flash Gordon DVD. See three episodes of the classic '50s TV show. Intergalactic super-hero Flash Gordon teams up with the brilliant Dr. Zharkov and the lovely Dale Arden to fight evildoers wherever they are in the Universe. This DVD includes the thrilling episode "Flash Gordon and the Planet of Death!"
•An RVbookstore.com coffee mug. Your favorite beverage tastes better in this mug.
Answer the Quizzes here on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Pacific Time.
Knowledge Quiz official rules
Zany Business Slogan of the Week
"Seven days without pizza makes one weak."—Pizza shop.
Seen a good one? Email it to the editor.
Join the Good Sam Club. Only $19 a year. Save on campground fees.
Women RVers
If you're a woman and you RV alone (or want to), then there is a lot of good information for you here.
DID YOU KNOW?
The yo-yo is the second oldest toy after the doll. It has been around for over 2,500 years and has taken on many forms in many countries. The word yo-yo means "come come" or "come back" in Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines, and was introduced to the American market when Pedro Flores, a Filipino immigrant, began producing and selling them in Santa Barbara, California.
RV Tech Topics
Winterizing Tips for RVers
As the colder weather sets in, many RVers in northern climes need to prepare their rigs for the winter in a ritual called Winterization. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while doing this unpleasant, end of camping season task.
RV Solar -- practical energy independence
For the ultimate in RV energy independence, solar energy can’t be beat. As long as the sun is shining, solar panels silently capture the sun's abundant energy. This article introduces the basic components of an RV solar power system. Read more.
How to inspect your RV for water damage
If there is a way to get in your RV, water will find it. Water leaks on an RV can cause extensive damage and can be extremely costly to repair. Here from RV expert Mark Polk is advice about how to inspect for leaks and help ensure you avoid costly repairs.
Confused about manufacturer's weight label?
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle when fully loaded for travel including the vehicle, cargo, liquids and fuel, passengers and any towed vehicle tongue weight. Motorhomes, tow vehicles and trailers all have GVWR. There has always been confusion when it comes to trailer weights. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have seen people read the manufacturer's weight label on the outside of the trailer or fifth wheel and assume that they can't tow it. The data plate on the outside gives you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This is not the actual weight of the trailer; it is the maximum amount of weight that the trailer's axles, brakes and tires, and other components can support. The trailer might weigh 5,000 pounds, but the GVWR may be 7,000 pounds. This means that you could add 2,000 pounds of weight to the trailer before you reach the GVWR. You need to consider how much weight you will add to the trailer when you're calculating the weight. You never want to tow a trailer that exceeds the GVWR. The components on the trailer are not designed to exceed the GVWR and it can be extremely dangerous. — Mark Polk (Learn about Mark Polk's RV "How-to" DVDs and eBooks.)
EXPLORER RV: Insurance to protect and save
Owners of motorhomes, 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.
Raw information
FEMA plans to erect at least 200,000 RVs, mostly towable travel trailers, in Gulf Coast states to provide temporary housing for residents displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and maybe more in Florida for victims of Hurricane Wilma. • • • Monaco is preparing to ship a Camelot model motorhome to China for its new owner, actor Jackie Chan. • • • Thieves last week broke into Premier RV in Clarksville, Indiana, stealing TVs, DVDs, navigation systems and other items from RVs on the dealer's lot. • • • A recall has been issued on 2006 model Alpenlite 5th wheels equipped with Tredit wheels. The rims may have poor weld quality and could separate from the wheel. Owners should call 1-888-327-4236. • • • According to a 2004 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association survey, the dollar volume of RV wholesale loans made in 2004 was $8.3 billion.
RVing Resources. . .
Archives of early issues of RV Travel
Upcoming RV Shows
RV-Links
Loads of links to great websites about RVing
Investigate a company with the
Better Business Bureau before making a purchase.
RV Travel Forum
Exchange ideas and information with other RVers.
Full Time RVing
RV Recalls
Workamping Information
Worth Pondering
"When I was young I was called a rugged individualist. When I was in my fifties I was considered eccentric. Here I am doing and saying the same things I did then and I'm labeled senile." — George Burns
Products for $9.99 or less at RV Bookstore. Check them out.
Random RV Thought
Sometimes you'll be walking in the forest or along the ocean shore, and the heavens will open up, and rain will start pouring down in buckets. At that point, you may decide to make a mad dash for your RV. When you get there, you are cold and soaking wet. But when you slam your door behind you, and the prospect of being dry and warm is close at hand, you feel incredible relief and joy to be inside your cozy shelter. And a little later as the rain bangs on the roof, you can relax in your easy chair with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, and all will be well with your world.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we may get something wrong. We're just human! So don't go spending $10,000 on something we said was good just because we said so, or fixing something like we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. So be sure to check things out.
RV Travel is rated PG* by the South Tucson Institute of Notable Kleptomaniac Youngsters Formulating Eventual Evaluation and Treatment. (STINKYFEET)
RV Travel is copyright 2005 by RVbookstore.com. Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 170 W. Dayton Street, Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020, USA, Earth, Milky Way, Known Universe, Unknown Universe.
RVbookstore.com is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. We strive for excellence in all we do and that's the absolutely, 100 percent and honest truth. Our customers receive really, really fast service. We move so fast in sending out a customer's order that sometimes we look like big ol' human blurs. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it," and no truer words were ever spoken! If you're in Edmonds, Wash., stop by to tour our offices and warehouse. We're a block from the fishing pier near the traffic holding area for the Kingston Ferry, gateway to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.
*Pretty good
Trivia answer. Kennedy was in a dark blue limousine. He was driven at high speed to Parklands Hospital immediately after the shooting. He was alive when admitted, but died 35 minutes after being shot.
RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributors: Russ and Tina Demaris, Chris Dougherty, Mark Polk, Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown, Bill and Dot Bell. Proofreader: Adrienne Kristine. Website Administrator: Zoey Platt. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Warehouse Manager: Walter Cardwell. Clapper Loader: Emily Woodbury. Mascot: Captain Jack Platt -- the Energizer Doggie.
