| From RVbookstore.com Archived Issues Weekend of August 23, 2008 
To ensure you continue to receive email alerts for this newsletter, please place the following email address in your own email address book: rvtraveler@topica.email-publisher.com Editor's corner By Chuck Woodbury I have seen the future in Scotland -- the future of RVing.
The cost of a liter of unleaded gasoline here is roughly about 1.10 British pounds -- which translates to about $9 or $10 a gallon in U.S. dollars. Ouch! But the steep price isn't stopping the "caravaners." In Oban the other day, on the West Coast, a parade of motorcaravans (small motorhomes) passed through town one after another, morning through evening. I was amazed at the numbers.
Most caravans (trailers) are in the 15- to 20-foot range. Motorhomes seldom exceed 24 feet with most 18 to 22 feet. They look a lot like the fuel-efficient U.S. motorhomes built on the new and very popular Dodge Sprinter chassis. Only rarely do you see a motorhome here with dual wheels in the rear: 95 percent have only four. Of the thousand or so RVs I have seen, only three were recognizable American brands. The big diesel bus-type motor coaches favored by full-timers in the USA are absent. They would be a tough fit on the mostly narrow, two-lane roads of this country.
 Trailers are pulled by four- and six-cylinder cars and vans. If you listen closely when a motorhome passes you will hear the tick-tick-tick of a small, fuel-efficient engine. There are no fifth wheel trailers in Scotland, and only a few truck campers. You very seldom even see a pickup truck. RVs don't have slide-outs. Instead, many, many RVers pack along a tent patio which attaches to a caravan outside its entry door.Europeans have paid a lot for petrol for a long time unlike we North Americans who are still in shock over seeing the cost of our own fuel more than double in the last couple of years. The Scottish newspapers report that caravaning is more popular than ever despite rising fuel prices. In fact, with so many RVs on the road, a new term has been coined -- "caravanger," as in "caravan anger." The term applies to the feeling of drivers stuck behind a slow caravan on a two-lane road.
 IN AMERICA, with our wide roads, larger RVs are much easier to maneuver. And until recently, how much fuel they burned wasn't much of a factor in the cost of RV travel. But suddenly, the high cost of fuel has become an issue with Americans and Canadians to the point where many are traveling less or even selling their rigs.Here in Scotland, I see the future -- where RVing is as popular as it ever was in the USA or Canada, but with most RVers traveling with smaller, more fuel-efficient rigs. What I have seen leads me to believe that while RVing in America is going through a tough time, as the months and years pass and more RVers opt for smaller, more fuel-efficient rigs, the pace of RV travel will return to where it was when our fuel was cheap.
And a final note: if you are looking for a beautiful country to visit, put Scotland on your itinerary. A great way to get around is to rent a motorhome.
Cheers!
PHOTOS: Top-- motorhomes driving by Glamis Castle. Middle: Tent-patio, typically found on many RVs. Bottom: Why the term "Caravanger" came to be.
HAVE YOU EVER EXPLORED SCOTLAND BY RV?
If so, please comment about your travels in the RV Travel Forum.
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Voting is no guarantee if you're a fulltimer 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.Why RVing is still the most affordable way to travel
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ROADTREK Where does money stand on your job priority list? Don't take a job for the money. Huh? Why else would an RV workamper take a job? Well, the cliche says money isn't everything, and there really are some good reasons to put income a few rungs down on the priority list when you're job-hunting. Read on. The best RV might be the one you have Being human, most RVers sometimes wish they had a different RV, perhaps one with all the latest bells and whistles, or one with more slides, or just something newer. Trouble is, many of us can't afford the upgrade. If you're in this group, read these thoughts by fulltimer and RV Romance blogger Bess McBride, and you might end up appreciating what you have. Click here. 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.  The Trailer Life RV Road Atlas This large-format atlas shows road, highways and 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. Keep your dinghy's battery charged while towing Did you know that when you tow a dinghy behind a motorhome, the auxiliary braking system can deplete the vehicle's battery? Here's a kit you can install that will keep the battery charged. Take a look. Attend a job fair without leaving your RV Job fairs are a wonderful forum for meeting potential RV workamping employers and finding out what jobs are available. But suppose the nearest job fair is hundreds of miles away? At today's fuel prices, attending in person might not be within your budget. But there's another option, if you have a computer and are a member of Workamper News. Continue. RVs for sale at NewRVer.com.Check them out. Great Reading in our RV Travel Blogs FEATURED BLOGS: Celebrity RVer More famous people are taking up the RV lifestyle. Read about the stars and their RVing lifestyles in this blog. 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  Easy RV RecipesFor such a reasonable price of $9.95, this comb-bound book is packed with recipes that will have your RV smelling like a gourmet restaurant. Easy RV Recipes is just that -- easy to prepare meals that are perfect for the RV kitchen. It includes a checklist of what to stock in a RV kitchen, pre-travel food planning, and even some recipes that are perfect for cooking over the campfire. Learn more or order. Looking for new recipes? Check out http://www.rvcookbooks.com Largest selection of RV cookbooks anywhere.
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I've been in Scotland now for three weeks, exploring the countryside -- the big towns and the little villages (lots of them). Everywhere I go, the roads are packed with motorhomes and travel trailers. In the United Kingdom, travel trailers are called caravans. Those who travel with caravans or motorhomes (sometimes called campervans or motorcaravans) are called caravaners.
