Weekend of October 4, 2008

Issue 347 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 72,244 readers.

It's a lousy time in the RV industry. Hardly a week passes that we don't announce the demise of yet another RV manufacturer. Despite this rash of closings and bankruptcies, I, for one, believe the RV industry will do just fine again. . . someday. But, for now, some manufacturers are destined to go belly up -- those that don't quickly adapt to a changing market. I wrote last week about Country Coach's new luxury Veranda motorhome that features a balcony -- in my opinion, one of the most useless RV amenities to debut in a long time, and a perfect illustration of a company out of touch with today's RV market. Who needs a balcony? Maybe people with a fear of dirt, which most of you know is called Rupophobia.

At a time when the price of gas and diesel is hovering around $4 a gallon and probably won't drop below $3 ever again, some manufacturers keep cranking out big honkin' rigs, which, nobody wants these days. Well, yes, some fulltimers do want them -- the RVs become their homes. So there's a market, but a much smaller one than when our economy was strong and fuel cost $2 a gallon.

But do RVers really need a balcony -- one that Country Coach brags is "new and exciting?" The company recently laid off 100 workers and then announced last week that it has trimmed its inventory to fewer than 10 rigs in order to keep costs in line to survive until everybody is prosperous again and demands big rigs with balconies.

I happen to know a lot about RVing because I have been doing it since I was in diapers, and that was not because of old age, but because of young age. My folks took me camping as a little fellow, first in a tent trailer, then a 15-foot travel trailer. When I was still a mere youngster of 34, I bought my first motorhome. . . and off I went. My current motorhome gets 15 miles per gallon or more and is less than 24 feet long. Actually, for camping, it's way overkill. All I'd need for that is a 12-foot tent trailer.

RVing is in my blood, and if gas hits $6 a gallon, I won't stop. I just won't drive very far. And I'm sure there are plenty of other RVers just like me. In my case, I know a very nice campground 30 miles from my house. It's heavily forested, with a small lake where I can catch trout for dinner. That's where I will go when I want to camp with my RV. Until I hit the lottery, I won't be driving 300 miles for a weekend camping trip.

Using an RV for a roadtrip -- driving 100 miles one day, 200 miles the next, day after day -- that's largely over for me and for most other folks of modest means. People with loads of money can keep on going because it doesn't matter to them if they spend another $1,000 a month for gas over what it cost two years before.

What will happen over the next year is that a whole bunch of RV makers are going to get flushed down the economic toilet, and many of the dealers who sell their products will join them. But I think the RV makers who wise up fast and start making small, fuel-efficient motorhomes and lightweight trailers will do just fine and end up dominating the market. I recently returned from Scotland, where RVs are like flies in an outhouse -- everywhere. But they are not monsters on wheels, instead modest-sized RVs seldom longer than 24 feet.

The fact is, lots of people want to go RVing. Many baby boomers have been dreaming about it for a decade or more. They won't give up the dream. But they may not buy the big gas-hog mansions on wheels that feature two bathrooms, built in washer and dryers and slide out balconies. I, for one, can rough it with one bathroom and an occasional visit to the laundromat. And instead of a balcony, I will continue to walk out my front door for fresh air. I have no fear of dirt like the millions of Rupophobics who will be very jazzed about RVs with balconies.

Do you have a comment about this story? Leave it, or read what others say by clicking here.

A DIFFERENT OPINION: RVtravel.com's Jim Twamley has a different opinion of the Veranda motorhome. Read what he thinks and see a video demonstration of how the balcony works.

PHOTO: From the front page of the Veranda website. A couple enjoys the view from a boat launch ramp atop their balcony.

In last week's issue, I wrote about the death of my friend Gaylord Maxwell, who many RVtravel.com readers know through his columns in RV magazines and as the founder of the Life On Wheels conferences. If you missed last week's issue, please take two minutes to watch this short video, where Gaylord tells one of his most inspiring stories.

RV recalls issued for August
Safety recalls have been issued on a host of RVs for August. RVs include those from Winnebago, Fleetwood, Gulf Stream, Newmar, Jayco -- and others. Many of the recalls are related to problems with RV refigerators. See if your RV is involved in a recall at RV-recalls.com.

READ BACK ISSUES OF THIS NEWSLETTER: Click here.

2008 RVers Friend
This best-selling directory lists RV services at truck stops with free "camping," dumps, Internet, propane, repair services & more. Truck stops offer more to RVers than ever. Let this best selling book be your guide. Learn more or order.

Find Services at Interstate Exits
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!

How to maintain the front entrance steps of an RV
When you think about it, the proper operation of an RV's front entrance steps is very important. The steps on all but basic RVs are automated, and they are easy to take for granted and overlook when performing regular RV maintenance. Here, from Pedeta RV, is a short course in how to keep your steps operating properly. The process is fast and easy. But a few do's and don'ts should be observed to avoid nasty consequences.

Handling a traffic jam
at the RV dump station
RVers who frequent Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, state campgrounds, RV rallies or high traffic tourist destinations on a weekend may occasionally find themselves waiting in line at the dump station. Here are a few suggestions to help move things along.

Thor announces huge drop in earnings
RV maker Thor Industries Inc. said late Monday its fourth-quarter earnings plummeted nearly 90 percent. The company manufactures many of the most popular brands of RVs including Damon, Airstream, Komfort, Dutchmen, Four Winds, Keystone and others. Read more.

Hungry?
Try Janet Groene's flank steak feast
Yum! Don't read this recipe from our blog RV Kitchen if you are hungry, because it will make your hunger worse! Instead, prepare it for your next meal and enjoy! Yum!

RV Romance Blogger tours South Dakota, visits with cows

This Week's Reader Survey
Does your RV have automatic levelers or do you do it manually? Answer here.

Last week's survey question
Have you ever had anything stolen from your RV or campsite? Read the answer here.

Past reader surveys and results

Looking for a job while you travel?

Visit Workamper News
The RVers #1 source for finding jobs about "workamping"

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.

Installing more deep cycle batteries: Can new and old ones be combined?

Dear RV Doctor,
If I want to increase the number of batteries on my RV from two to four (because of an inverter installation), is it necessary to start with all new batteries? They will all be six-volt batteries hooked together to produce 12-volts. --Len Daddona

Read Gary's response.

This issue's
Knowledge Quiz

One contest on SATURDAY

Win:
-- A copy of the best selling guidebook, The RVers Friend. Learn what RV services are available at America's truck stops, including which ones allow free overnight stays in their parking lots.

The 2008 Trailer Life RV Road Atlas
Besides showing highways and other roads, this large-format road atlas shows more than 10,000 campgrounds, plus RV service centers, tourist attractions and 1,600 state parks, plus a special Tech Tips section. Learn more or order for only $16.95. (Cover price, $29.95)

RVers blog is good reading

Where do you bake if your RV doesn't have a traditional oven?

Book: RVers Guide to Dump Stations
DVD: Working on the RV Road
Book: Fifth Wheel Bible
Book: RV Boondocking Basics
DVD: Towing Behind Your Motorhome
CD-rom: Military Campground Directory on CD Rom

Make sure your tow vehicle
is rated to pull an RV you plan to buy
If you're about to buy a new trailer or fifth wheel and you already have the vehicle that you plan to use to tow it, you need to find a trailer that is within the weight range of your vehicle. It can be extremely frustrating to find the perfect travel trailer or fifth wheel and then be told that you can't tow it because it's too much weight for your tow vehicle. On the other hand, it can be worse if the sales person at a less-than-reputable RV dealer tells you that you can tow it! This happens every day, and this is why you need to be armed with the right information before you buy. Read more.

Learn how to winterize your RV with Mark's best-selling DVD.

Find out about DVDs and eBooks by RV expert Mark Polk.