Archived Issues
News and information from RVtravel.com

Issue 176. An alert for this issue was emailed to 103,000 RVers

DVDs by Mark Polk show how to operate an 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

Camping and RVing with Dogs Get expert advice on traveling with a dog and learn about dog-friendly campgrounds and RV parks from coast to coast. This is the only book published today about camping and RVing with dogs. NEW! Learn more or order.

To ensure you continue to receive email alerts for this newsletter,
please place the email address below in your own email address book:
rvtraveler@topica.email-publisher.com

Dear fellow RVer,

What more can I say about the terrible disaster of last week that has not been said? Not much. I can tell you, however, that one story that has not been covered by the major media is the plight of the many RVers, many with young children, who fled their hurricane-threatened homes for what they assumed would be a few days, but who are now trapped without food, money, access to bank accounts, medical aid, prescriptions and homes to return to.

Anne Pierson, who operates two RV parks in northern Louisiana, has spearheaded a relief effort to help the thousands of RVers in her area and nearby counties who have nowhere to go, and no money. Anne and other RV park owners have been feeding many of these people and providing free campsites. "We're not worrying about if they can't pay," she said "and I think other RV parks probably feel the same." Pierson has taken in 200 families to her parks and others have taken in what they can. She wonders how long the parks can survive with only limited income. If you would like to donate money to the effort, you may do so here using Paypal or a credit card. If you wish to donate physical relief supplies, send them to Anne at Shiloh RV Resorts, 7300 Frontage Road, Monroe, LA 71202.

We will have news later this week at RVtravel.com and RVbookstore.com about our own efforts. Already, two publishers have instructed us to donate the proceeds of the sales of their eBooks through September to the relief effort. And we will donate our portion of the sale as well, meaning 100 percent of the purchase price will go to hurricane relief. The two eBooks are Dave Newhouse's The ABCs of Pop Up Campers and Carol Ray's fulltiming primer, Your Home on Wheels. And through Sept. 15 RVbookstore.com is donating 100% of the sales of our popular eBook directory of Wal-Mart Stores that DO NOT allow overnight sales. The eBook sells for $3.95.

Another way to help is to donate to the Red Cross which is and will continue to play a vital role in the relief effort. The phone number is 1-800-HELP-NOW. Airline Frequent Flyers and hotel point participants can donate miles or points to Katrina relief. Many airlines and hotels have set up programs.

At RVtravel.com we have set up a forum on Hurricane Katrina, where readers can seek or offer information or advice. Please visit it you have something relevant to say, or simply want to read what others have written.

CNN has posted and is constantly updating a list of hurricane victims who survived and want their friends and family to know. See the list here.

The prayers of our staff at RVtravel.com and RVbookstore.com are with the millions of people directly affected by the devastating storm as well as countless others whose friends and family are struggling to cope and even survive.

Seattle RV Show
If you live in the Puget Sound area and plan to attend the September 8-11 Seattle RV Show, be sure to stop by our RVbookstore.com booth (#33). I plan to be there most of the time and would love to meet you. Get a $2-off admission coupon.

Pot of Gold Contest News
No winner last week. The pot is now $140 cash. Check each weekday at RVbookstore.com between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Pacific time) to see if you live in the Zip Code of the Day.

RV Bookstore Speaker Series
On September 14, Bill and Dot Bell will discuss RV Travel to Mexico at RVbookstore.com's office in Edmonds, Wash. The four-hour seminar is $40 per person or $70 per couple. All proceeds benefit research on Retts Syndrome. The Bells will also present the class in Vancouver, BC; and Tucson, Arizona. Learn more.

How did RV Travel readers respond to this question:
"Do you wear gloves while dumping your RV's holding tanks?"
Learn how more than 2,200 readers responded.

Travel trailers on their way to Katrina victims
FEMA has requested 40,000 to 50,000 travel trailers, most of which will come from the South Bend, Indiana area, home to most of the trailer production in the USA. Companies sending the RVs include R Vision, Forest River, Gulf Stream and Keystone, but others are likely involved. Gulf Stream has said it is hiring an additional 200 employees to handle the anticipated influx of orders. Most of the trailers will be used as temporary shelter. RV companies aren't providing specific numbers on units being built because orders are still arriving, keeping production lines buzzing. In Egelston Township, Michigan, Lakeshore RV has received an immediate federal government order for 100 new travel trailers to house hurricane refugees. Winnebago spokesperson Sheila Davis told Forbes Magazine that her company expects Katrina to spur its sales in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Offline in New Orleans
The number of people logging on to the Internet in New Orleans, usually 700,000 on an average weeknight, plunged 90 percent after Hurricane Katrina sent most of those users fleeing and knocked out most of the telephone and electrical lines needed to connect any computer not submerged in the floods. On a separate note, online traffic to RedCross.org is soaring: On Wednesday, nearly one million people visited the website, more than 32 times the average daily visit during the prior week.

RV dealerships donating clothing to victims
FreedomRoads, which claims to be the nation's largest RV retailer, has designated its 57 RV retail stores as drop off points for donated clothing for Hurricane Katrina victims. The clothes will be provided to various agencies to distribute to those in need. The dealership's drop off points are open to the public. In addition, FreedomRoads is arranging to provide RVs as interim housing for victims of the hurricane including its affected employees.

Look for a pop quiz or two with terrific prizes most weeks at RVbookstore.com.
Sign up to receive an email alert of quiz start times.

Getting mail while on the road
There's no private mailbox waiting for you at your next RV park down the road. So how do you get your mail? Veteran RVer Steven Fletcher has some answers.

Learn more about Full-time RVing at FulltimeRVer.com.

Another Gray Water Tank Saving Space Tip
Some RVers, on finding they're close to "full up" on gray water
will cagily save out rinse water from dishwashing and use it to
"flush" the RV john. If you use "biologically" based holding tank
treatments, just be careful not to run chlorine down the
blackwater tank, lest you disturb the "healthful" bugs digestion!

Russ and Tiña Demaris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics
and Boondocking Tips for RVers: More Fun Without Hookups

Books and videos about Boondocking

QUESTION: I just bought a motorhome. Is there a national club for motorhome owners? ANSWER: We have three suggestions. First, check to see if there is a club that is specific to your particular RV. For example, there's a club for all Winnebago owners as well as for many of its popular models. The best national club for motorhome owners is the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA.com). You must own a motorhome to join. The club has national and regional rallies and produces a superb monthly magazine. Finally, all RV owners should also join the Good Sam Club, if, for no other reason, than to save 10 percent on camping fees at its network of RV parks. Good Sam also produces an outstanding monthly magazine for members, Highways, has many local chapters and holds national and regional rallies.

Books and DVDs for beginning RVers

Hav-a-Rest City Park: Redfield, South Dakota
Free, five-day limit with restroom, water and electric hookups. Dump station available at Hansen Motors, according to city website. This rural park is on the edge of Redfield at 626 Main Street. A winding gravel lane leads to the sites overlooking a small lake. Close by town amenities: groceries, gas, Subway, Dairy Queen. For entertainment, catch a movie at the Pheasant Drive-In.

Lizard Head Pass BLM: Telluride, Colorado
Off Highway 145 at 10,000 feet between Rico and Telluride is a BLM camping area across from the Lizard Head Pass pull off. Beautiful scenery. Restroom at the pull off. Excellent dirt road. Hiking trails all around. Quiet at night. Free.

Tularosa Police Park: Tularosa, New Mexico
A small park behind the police station with room to park a few RVs and pitch a few tents. Picnic tables, a playground, and a few good shade trees. The nearest city is Alamogordo. Free.

The information above was provided by visitors to FreeCampgrounds.com. The information has not been verified.

Learn about more than 710 free and inexpensive campgrounds at FreeCampgrounds.com

Guidebooks and DVDs about RVing in Mexico

In an emergency, how fast can you move your RV?
Somewhere, it's been written that an RVer should be able
to move his RV from its site within 30 minutes in an emergency
or evacuation. Can you move that fast? If not, read this.

Read more articles by Adrienne Kristine.

RV Traveling Tales:
WOMEN'S JOURNEYS ON THE OPEN ROAD
Women who travel by RV tell about their lives. Superb!

2005 Big Rig Best Bets Campground Directory
Drive a king-sized RV? This directory is for you. Buy or get info.

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.

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.

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.

RVers Guide to Dump Stations
A state-by-state directory of most of the known
public dump stations in America. Learn more or order.

All The Stuff You Need To Know About RVing
The best book for beginning RVers.
Order or get more information.

Quartzsite, Arizona. See it on DVD!
Visit the Boondocking Capital of the West on DVD. Like being there!

Books about earning an income on the road

RV books for less than $9.99

Go ahead: Shoot your gun at this RV park
A new shooting range near Bandon, Ore., complete with an RV park, has received a go-ahead from the county. Plans for the Tioga Sports Park include about 20 rifle shooting corridors and many pistol ranges. The park plan also includes an archery field, black powder course, a trap shooting range, a paintball course and the RV park.

Quartzsite RV Show expecting big turnout
High gas prices aren't dampening the expectations of the promoters of the 23rd annual Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show, set for Jan. 21-29. Promoter Kenny King turned away more than 100 exhibitors last year because of lack of space. This year he has expanded the show area to fit them in. The show is one of America's biggest. Last year's attendance was 150,000.

20th anniversary Bounder Motorhome announced
Fleetwood RV has announced the launch of the 2006 Bounder gas motorhome, marking the 20th anniversary of one of America's most popular RVs. The 2006 Bounder features significant upgrades, which include 22.5" wheels, exterior graphics package, taller windows, two new interior decors and a higher ceiling. The 84" ceiling creates seven feet of head clearance. The base price is $97,000. Read more and see a photo.

---

This issue's Knowledge Quiz

NO QUIZZES TODAY

Quizzes will return next Sunday.

Knowledge Quiz official rules

How to care for an RV awning
RV awnings and slide out covers are great inventions that dramatically increase the livability of our RVs. Keeping a few pointers in mind will help to keep the awning serviceable for many years. Learn more.

When calculating your RV's load, don't forget water weight
By Mark Polk
Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. A forty-gallon fresh water holding tank full of water adds 332 pounds of weight to your RV. Depending on the type and size of RV you have the added weight and the movement of the water, when you're traveling, can be a concern. You should only take the amount of water that will be required to get to your destination and refill as required. Don't forget your gray and black tanks too. Try not to travel with full holding tanks if at all possible. Learn about Mark Polk's RV "How-to" DVDs and eBooks.

. . . Learn the basics of RV 12-volt systems.

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.

Beginners Guide to RVing

RVing the Northwest

Full Time RVing

RV Recalls

Workamping Information

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.

RV Travel staff
Editor: Chuck Woodbury. Assistant Editor: Adrienne Kristine. Contributing Editor: Malia Lane. Contributors: Peggi McDonald, Russ and Tiña Demaris, Chris Dougherty, Mark Polk, Bill and Dot Bell. Website Administrator: Zoey Platt. Office Manager: Jody Allcot. Clapper Loader: Emily Woodbury. Mascot: Captain Jack Platt — the Energizer Doggie.