Weekend of August 30, 2008
Issue 342 of RV Travel
Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter is funded through sales at RVbookstore.com, the World's Largest RV Bookstore specializing in books and DVDs about RVs and the RV lifestyle. Email alerts for this issue were sent to 73,398 readers.
DVD shows how to drive a motorhome
Learn how to drive a motorhome the right way -- and the safe way -- from RVer/tour bus driver-trainer Lorrin Walsh. In this 67-minute DVD, Walsh shows you everything you need to know to confidently drive a motorhome -- essential viewing for all RVers, not just novices. Save 10%. Learn more or order.
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Editor's corner
By Chuck Woodbury
I'm back in the USA after a glorious month-long vacation in Scotland. It's good to return, but I already miss my home-away-from home in St. Andrews -- which besides being one of the most beautiful villages in the United Kingdom is also the birthplace of golf. I didn't play the "Old Course," because I am not much of a golfer. And the green fees for 18 holes are a bit steep for we Yanks: about $400 with a caddy. But I did play the very popular (and challenging) 18-hole putting course, which costs one British Pound -- about $2. An official at the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews said that about 90 percent of the Old Course players are first-timers who come to earn bragging rights that they played the first and most famous golf course in the World.
RVing is huge in Scotland, as I noted in the last issue, although there it is called "Caravaning." But the nature of camping is different than in the U.S. and Canada. Virtually all the campgrounds are privately owned. There are no public campgrounds like in our national and state parks. Most caravan parks look about the same -- large, flat lawns with individual campsites, called "pitches." Sometimes they are in very scenic areas. In St. Andrews, a large park just south of town offers breathtaking views of the North Sea.
One huge difference between caravan parks in Scotland and RV parks in North America is the widespread availability of "Holiday Caravans," which are also called "Static Caravans." Most are single-wide mobile homes, roughly 45-50 feet long that offer very comfortable self-sufficient living for vacationers, but at a far lower price than local hotels and B&Bs.
Caravan parks are much more "destinations" than most of our RV parks and are geared very much toward families.
The one in St. Andrews includes a playground for the kids, a giant game room and restaurant. For grownups, there's a cocktail lounge with nightly entertainment. There's also a store like at most of our KOAs. The village of St. Andrews and its gorgeous beach (the site of a famous scene in the movie Chariots of Fire) are a short walk away.
Scotland is an RVing paradise. It's small enough that you see much of it in a few weeks of roaming around. Caravaning is the best way to do it, with no hassles with hotel reservations. I suspect that finding an available caravan park without reservations is not much of a problem except at the busiest times.
But now, Scotland is a terribly expensive place to visit because of the weak U.S. dollar. One British Pound costs us about $2, so the cost of everything is about double what it would cost in the USA. Admission to a castle or museum is typically about $20 a person). The other day in Edinburgh, at a coffeehouse, two lattes and a slice of cake cost me $16. Dinner for two in a nice, but not elegant restaurant, is seldom less than $60, and if you toss in a glass of wine (roughly about $8 to $9 a glass in most places) and dessert, you can easily spend $100. Double that at an elegant place. I peeked inside an Edinburgh McDonald's the other day to learn the price of its basic hamburger: about $1.80. So dining in a caravan's kitchen would save a lot of money. Gasoline, too, is very expensive -- about 4.5 Pounds a gallon, or about $9 in our dollars.
I'll write more about Scotland in my blog after I get settled back here at home. At the moment, I am feeling pretty darn jet-lagged.
Did you miss the first installment of my report about RVing in Scotland? If so, read it here.
PHOTOS:
Top to Bottom: (1) An RV much bigger than this one won't squeeze into this entrance to St. Andrews. (2) Holiday Caravans, sometimes called Static Caravans. (3): Typical Caravan Park scene (this one is near St. Andrews) with grassy landscape and designated campsites (called "pitches") (4): This motorhome is very typical of the most popular models and sizes.
* * *
One of the most interesting responses to my essay last week about RVing in Scotland was from the author of books about RV travel in the U.K. Even though I reported I had seen only a few American-made RVs, she said they are definitely there. Read her letter in a thread at our forum about other's experiences RVing in Scotland.
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The RV Kitchen: Fix It in Foil
Easy
prep, great taste, good nutrition and quick clean-up - what more could
you want from a meal? This cookbook combines the best of all worlds!
Featuring 51 fantastic recipes that each include instructions for
cooking in an oven, over a campfire, or on an outdoor grill. Learn more or order
Is WiFi at RV parks just a gimmick or worse yet a fraud?
A member of the RVtravel.com forum wrote this: "While
spending 37 days on the road I looked for campsites that had "Wireless
Internet." In many cases this is just plain fraud. When you ask how
their signal is, you get answers like, "Well it's pretty good if the
wind isn't bad," or some such nonsense before finding it plain doesn't
work. In one place to get on I had to sit in the cold on the other side
of the owner's apartment. Trailer Life, Woodall's or SOMEONE should
assign a 1-10 Internet Score so we can separate the honest campgrounds
from those that advertise WiFi to get you in and then let you find out
you have been a victim of false advertising! Read the forum thread.
How to Buy an RV the Smart Way!-- ONLY $9.98This eBook is delivered instantly to your email address. Learn how to buy an RV from RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury. Learn which RV is right for you, how to negotiate the best deal, and about money-saving flat-rate buying services. Learn more about "Buying An RV the Smart Way," or order for $9.98 and be reading it in a few minutes. Works on Mac or PC.
Are "buck-a-watt" solar panels on the horizon?
Most RV boondockers figure the high price of solar panels goes with the lifestyle. A good price for a 160-watt solar panel is $600. When you figure that even a frugal RVer will be looking at a minimum of two of these panels, RV solar electricity is is not a cheap proposition. Now a Tempe, Arizona firm claims it has found the holy grail, struck oil -- however you want to put it. If its claim pans out, solar panels may be affordable for nearly any RVer's budget. Read more.
Losses mount at struggling Fleetwood Enterprises
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc., announced a big quarterly loss on Thursday, hurt by a steep decline in sales of its motorhomes. The company reported a net loss for its fiscal first quarter, ended July 27, of $29.1 million compared with a year-ago loss of $2.3 million. Sales fell 41 percent to $289.9 million. The company's market valuation has slumped from about $750 million a year ago to $164 million today.
Check out this special RV getaway
Scenic RV parks by the water where you can watch big freighters come and go; several fascinating museums, including one on a ship; boat tours and dinner cruises; a quaint town with great shopping and dining -- these are just some of the attractions in what RV professor Jim Twamley calls "an exceptional RV destination" in the upper Midwest. Read more and watch a video.
2008 Next Exit Directory
Never take a wrong exit off an Interstate highway again. The 2008 Next Exit lists every exit along every Interstate and details exactly what you will find at each: gas stations (including which brands and if they offer diesel), campgrounds, truck stops, casinos, laundries, retail stores, drug stores, hospitals, rest areas, and more!
What kind of generator is best for RVing?
A generator can make life easier for RVers who dry-camp by providing power to recharge the batteries and operate auxiliary equipment. A generator is especially important if you camp in a forested area, where the trees block solar panel action. But what kind of generator should you buy? How much power do you need? Should the unit operate on gas or propane? Here are the answers.
Motorhome erupts in flames, turns to toast, as owner watches.
With his video camera in hand, the owner of a Class C motorhome watched his RV go up in flames. After the driver of a car behind him got his attention that his rig was on fire, the RVer used his fire extinguisher, but it wasn't adequate. In the dramatic video, the popping sounds and erupting flames below the RV are the propane tank blowing up. Watch the incredible video. (Broadband connection recommended)
READ MARK POLK'S ARTICLE (See below) about how to prevent your motorhome from catching fire.
Stay free overnight at Wal-Mart
Save $3.35 by purchasing these popular directories together. Most Wal-Mart stores permit a free overnight stay in RVs. The thick 2008 Wal-Mart Atlas provides driving directions to more than 4,000 Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs. It lists which stores sell diesel, have pharmacies -- and provides store GPS coordinates. The "Wal-Mart No Park" Directory lists more than 350 stores that DO NOT allow stays! Learn more or order.
2008 RV Show Schedule
Learn about RV shows through the fall of 2008. Check in here to learn when shows will be held in your area.
Recent RV recalls
Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RVtravel.com. Here are the most recent ones: June -- May -- April -- March -- February -- January -- December -- November -- October
REBATES ON RVs
If you're searching for a new RV, it's a buyer's market. And you should see the whopper rebates you can get right now on the purchase of a new Coachmen motorhome or trailer -- up to $5,000. Check out the special Coachmenomic Stimulus Rebate and how you can pick up an amazing deal - and then get a big fat rebate check to boot! Learn more.
Increase your RV's freezer storage
If the freezer in your RV's kitchen refrigerator isn't big enough to hold all the items you want to keep frozen, the solution might be an auxiliary freezer that fits in a storage compartment. These two RVers bought one that fills their needs perfectly. Maybe it's right for you, too. Take a look.
Get a workamping job in the RV industry
Interested in a workamping job in the RV industry? It makes sense if you really love RVing. Just think of the insider tips and knowledge you'll pick up. Here are two short articles with some helpful ideas and suggestions. Article 1.Article 2.
FMCA:
The best club for motorhome owners
If you drive a motorhome you should join the Family Motor Coaching Association, the largest and best club exclusively for motorhome owners. Many benefits including rallies, local chapters and thick monthly magazine. Special new member price of $35. Click here to learn more or join.
RVing out of country?
Your laptop could be seized at the border when you come home
While it's not a new policy, the ability of US Customs agents to seize and inspect the contents of your laptop -- or other electronic devices -- has made a big splash in the legal pond of late. Read more.
RV shower head improves water pressure without using more water
Is a shower in your RV unsatisfying because of low water pressure? RVtravel blogger Jim Twamley found a unique new shower head that delivers a whopping three times more water pressure without increasing water consumption. Sound impossible? Read more and see why this may be a very good thing for you.
New RV antifreeze said to save huge amounts of oil
Attention Wal-mart RV shoppers: Step over to the RV accessories department and you can load up on a new antifreeze to prepare your RV plumbing system for the ravages of winter. That's what Dow Chemical wants you to know. Its product, called Dowfrost RVR, is coming to a Wal-Mart near you starting Labor Day. Company media releases crow about its safety, and its renewable resource friendliness. Read all about it.
2008 Selecting An RV Home Base
For anyone considering the fulltime RV lifestyle, a state to establish a home base can be vitally important. The fact is, picking the wrong state to establish an official residence could result in spending thousands of dollars a year that could be saved by establishing a home base elsewhere. Learn more or order.
RV Performance
with Eric Davis
Since 1972 Eric Davis has addressed RV engine performance.
Eric will return soon.
Explorer RV Insurance
Owners of motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and medium duty tow vehicles save up to 15% over our largest competitors by tailoring their coverage from more than a dozen options. Get a quote now.
This Week's Reader Survey
What size RV is the closest to the "perfect" size for you? Answer here.
Last week's survey question
Would you loan your RV to a close friend for a weekend camping trip? Read the answer here.
Past reader surveys and results
National Park Service Camping Guide & RV Camping in State Parks - Save!
Here are two great guides to RV Camping in State and National Parks packaged together to save you $4.48 over purchasing them separately. Learn more or order.
New line of light trailers has much to offer
Lightweight trailers are more popular than ever in these times of high fuel prices, because the less weight you have to tow, the less fuel you'll burn. Here's an article about a line of lightweight trailers from Pacific Coachworks. See if a trailer from this company meets your needs. Click here.
ROADTREK
MOTORHOMES
The Fuel Efficient Motorhomes You'll Love to Drive! Learn all about them here.
Ask the RV Doctor
Gary Bunzer, The RV Doctor is a well known RV author and the host of RV Roadtrips, the DIY Network cable television show. He is one of the RV industry's most sought after speakers and the host of the popular DVD Do It Yourself RV Care.
How to fix roof leak over a Class C cabover bed?
Dear RV Doctor,
I have an older Class C motorhome. There has been a leak around the seams of the cabover bed. I have removed them and was looking for some kind of putty or sealant to seal it off when I put the metal strips back on. It looks like the manufacturer used some kind of putty strip about 3 to 4-inches wide, then screwed the strips in place. Where can I find such an item or something that will do the job well?
Read Gary's response.
Trivia
The earth's surface is 70.8% water and only 29.2% land.
Bella Terra means "Beautiful Land"
. . .and that's exactly what this RV Resort is! The Gulf Coast's first 5-star master planned RV Resort. Five minutes away from the beautiful sugar-white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, Bella Terra is poised to set the standard for outdoor RV resorts. See for yourself.
Being green is easy for this truck camper
Mention the terms green or self-sufficient in relation to an RV and most people will think of a motorhome or trailer. But truck campers can qualify for those adjectives, too. Here's a truck camper that has more environmentally friendly features than most big Class A motorhomes. Continue.
Motorhome helps save family trapped in fire
When we heard that a motorhome had helped people escape from a house fire, we at first assumed they had jumped in and sped away. But the motorhome in this incident helped in a different way. It's an interesting story. Click here.
Visit Arizona's Finest RV Resorts
Leave the cold and enter the warmth and fun of sunny Arizona.Click here to view resorts.
Downpours create special risks for RVers
We expect heavy rain in summer thunderstorms, but a downpour can come any time of year from a squall line or other adverse weather system that crosses the RVing road. Pilots know to deviate when the sky is dumping cats and dogs, and RVers should take precautionary action, too. Read this article for a reminder about the dangers heavy rain poses and what you should do.
Don't forget the details before that long RV trip
Getting ready for a long RV trip involves lots and lots of details. How easy it is to forget something important, something that will nag at you throughout the trip and detract from your enjoyment. Follow the advice in this article to make sure you remember everything to do prior to departure.
All about RV batteries
and solar battery charging
These products will make you an expert!
Managing 12 volts (book)
RVers Guide to Solar Battery Charging (book)
Deep Cycle Batteries (DVD)
The RVers Solar Primer (book)
Great Reading in our RV Travel Blogs FEATURED BLOGS:
The RV Kitchen
Recipes, tips and techniques to help you prepare healthy meals within the confines of a small space.
Eco RVing
Greener ways to hit the road. Wheel Life Veteran RV reporter Julianne Crane keeps you up-to-date with news and information about RVing, RVers and the RV lifestyle. Always entertaining!
Great RV Stuff
The latest neat RV stuff in this always fascinating blog. Gizmos and gadgets that might even make your RVing more enjoyable.
Working on the RV Road
Get up-to-date about news and information about earning income while RVing.
Boondocking
Do you use your RV away from utilities? Here you'll pick up tips on how to do it, and learn about some great places to boondock.
Casino RV Camping
Learn about casino RV parks, freebie camping, and great deals on gaming and dining for RVers who visit.
Fulltime RVer
If you're a fulltime RVer or plan to be someday, then stop by for the latest news and information about fulltiming.
See the complete lineup of RV Travel blogs
eBooks: INSTANT READING!
With
eBooks you don't have to wait to read your book. Just place your order
and your eBook will be delivered almost instantly to your email inbox.
These eBooks are written by RV experts and delivered instantly in PDF
format.
I Have A Convection Oven in My RV. Now What?
The ABCs of Pop Up Campers
Boondocking Tips - More Fun Without Hookups
Complete Guide to Dinghy Towing
The Woman's Guide to Solo RVing
A Collection of RV Tips
RV Awning Use and Care
RV Care and Maintenance
Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
The 3 Primary Systems of an RV: LP Gas, Water & Electricity
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitchwork and Backing
RV Check-List
A special treat for brownie lovers from the RV Kitchen
Who doesn't love brownies? Here's a delicious brownie recipe from the RV kitchen, and as long as you have a microwave oven in your RV, you can whip up a batch of these finger-licking yummies in just a few short minutes. The recipe.
Silicone cookware: RVers dream?
Maybe you've heard of it, or used it. RV expert and author Ron Jones thinks that silicone cookware is perfect for the RV kitchen. Find out why.
Join the World's Largest RV Club
Many great benefits including a discount of 10% at most RV parks. Plus a free subscription to Highways Magazine. Meet other RVers. National Rally. Much more. Learn more or join for only $19 a year.
Looking for new recipes?
Check out http://www.rvcookbooks.com
Largest selection of RV cookbooks anywhere.
Bargains at RVbookstore.com
Low, low prices. Save up to 80% and even more!
The RV industry's rough road continues
We all know the RV industry, like many segments of the economy, is going through tough times. In this post, RV professor Jim Twamley provides an overview of the RV industry's health and some comments on when we can expect a recovery. Click here.
Trend in Texas highlights potential risk for RV owners
This article focuses on south Texas, but the RV-related problem mentioned could apply in many other economically depressed areas. Read about the situation and take measures to protect your RV. Click here.
Find Free RV Campgrounds
"Don't pay to stay!" Visit FreeCampgrounds.com and find nearly 2,000 free and inexpensive places to stay in the USA in an RV. Stretch your RVing budget by staying overnight at these freebie locations.
RV Tech Tip by Mark Polk
How to prevent your RV from catching fire
RV fire safety is something most RVers don't think about or discuss very often, but is a topic that deserves serious attention. Do you know that there are about 20,000 reported RV fires each year? Do you know what to do in the event of a fire in or around your RV? If you said no, don't feel bad; a lot of other people don't know either. A large percentage of RV fires are transmission-related on motorhomes. Leaking automatic transmission fluid can ignite and quickly spread if it contacts any portion of the exhaust system. Before traveling in your RV or tow vehicle inspect the underside for any signs of fluid leaking. Have any potential leaks checked and repaired immediately. Read more.
Learn about DVDs and eBooks by RV expert Mark Polk.
DVD: RVing Alaska (with Joe and Vicki Kieva)
What if you had an RVer friend who was a veteran traveler of the Alaska Highway and the Alaska Ferry system, and they were willing to share everything they knew about the trip with you? Well, that's what you get here. RV travel experts Joe and Vicki Kieva tell you what to expect and how to prepare for an RV trip to and from Alaska. Learn more.
Check out our RV Travel Forum discussions
Water heater bypass hose
I have a 6-gallon hot water heater. Will any hose fit it or do I need one for my particular model?
Corrosion from salt water
Can someone tell me how to prevent chrome from corroding from the salt water sea spray from the ocean? Also, how to clean the corrosion if it has occurred?
Toilet chemicals
I want to use water softener and something else in my holding tank. I read this once before on another site and cannot find it. It might have been dish soap and water softener. They told how much to use of each product.
New Puma problems
Is it normal to have a leaky outlet neck on black water tank and fridge/freezer on the blink? This Puma 26rlss is only 4 months old. My local dealer says they will take care of it, but it's been 5 weeks and they still haven't called me in for the fixing.
Towing weight
A newbie here, my wife and I are going to be purchasing a TT within the next few weeks. We really like the Gulfstream 23-foot AmeriLite for price reasons as well as weight reasons. My question I pose to the forum is this: we will be hauling/pulling this TT with a Mercury Mountaineer V8 AWD that has a GVTW of 5880 lbs. If we purchase a TT that has a dry weight of say 3400 lbs or less and has a cargo capacity of say 1500 or less, am I correct in believing that all that weight put together would be under the 5880 lbs of my vehicle, and so we would be fine?
RVbuyingTips.com. Get good advice here.Books and DVDs about Full-time RVing
Largest selection in the World.
Bill's Hints
Don't set the thermostat on your RV water heater higher than you need it. High settings waste propane and increase the possibility of scalding. --From Trailers and Fifth Wheels Made Easy
FREE SHIPPING
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Order $49 or more and choose to pay absolutely no postage or handling fees (USA addresses only). Nearly ALL orders ship same day. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it." RVbookstore.com.
Bumper Snicker
Driver does not carry cash. He is married.
Read other funny bumper stickers or buy them.
GET YOURS NOW. . .
2008 Trailer Life RV Parks & Campground Navigator CD-ROM
America's
most popular RV campground directory is now on 2 CD-ROM disks. The user
friendly interface provides the ultimate RV travel planning software
for the U.S. and Canada. This is the best CD-ROM RV park and campground directory. Retail price: $59.95. Now 38% off -- only $36.99. Learn more or order
Worth Pondering
It's a bad plan that cannot be changed. --Publilius Strus
RV Links. Learn about the best RV websites at RV-links.com.
RVs for sale at NewRVer.com. Check them out.
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Visit Camping World for RV supplies and accessories
RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributing editors: Russ and Tina De Maris, Jim Twamley. Contributing writers: Jaimie Hall, Gerry Bruder. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Fulfillment Manager: Erin Hanson. Web Operations Guru: Zoey Platt. Clapper/Loader: Emily Woodbury. Stress Relief: Mikey the slinky dog.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally 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. At RVbookstore.com we strive for excellence in all we do and that's the honest truth (as opposed to the dishonest truth). Our customers receive really, really fast service. We move so fast in sending out a customer's order that sometimes we pass through the sound barrier, which really upsets our neighbors. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it," and no truer words were ever spoken! RVbookstore.com and RVtravel.com are members of the Better Business Bureau. We are proud commercial members of the Escapees, the Family Motor Coaching Association and a sponsor of the 2008 Life On Wheels Conferences. RV Travel is copyright 2008 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, Expanding Universe.
If you read this far, then we thank you very, very, very much.
