| From RVbookstore.com Archived Issues Weekend of September 20, 2008 SAVE $4 THIS WEEKEND! 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
There is often a way to do something that at first may seem impossible. For example, what would you say if I told you it is possible to travel the USA for one month by RV and pay only $45 a day? And I'm talking about a trip of 8,000 miles, where you see beautiful scenery and stay in comfy campgrounds. Photo: Ralph (left) and Tim with their four RVs in the distance. Do you have a comment about this story? Leave it, or read what others think by clicking here.
RV legend, Life on Wheels founder, Gaylord Maxwell dies
RV Travel.com reader forum membership hits record-high Changes at FreeCampgrounds.com . . . takes a break this week
Get an email alert for upcoming issues of this newsletter. It only takes 20 seconds to sign up. Your email address is never sold or shared with outsiders. No exceptions.  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. RV maker Teton Homes -- going, going. . . gone Although no formal announcement has yet been made, it looks like luxury trailer maker Teton Homes is about to shut its doors after 41 years in business. An employee who answered the phone Monday said the company is going out of business and warranties on all Teton Homes products are void. "Teton Homes is done," the employee said. Read more.
No matter what type of RV you own, you will learn a great deal about your propane tank and your RV propane system. This is a very well produced video hosted by the Texas RV Professor. The segment is six minutes long and well worth watching. Watch it now. Broadband connection recommended. Motorhome tires are huge so where do you carry a spare? RVers with motorhomes have a problem when it comes to the spare tire issue. Because motorhome tires are so large and heavy it is difficult to find a place to carry a spare, so the vast majority of motorhome owners elect not to carry one. Read about how one RVer modified his motorhome to accommodate a spare tire.
 Guide to Dog-Friendly campgrounds and RV parksDog Friendly's Campground and RV Park Guide is a jam-packed, well-researched directory of campgrounds, filled with detailed information, about where you can camp with a dog in the USA and Canada. Learn more or order. Man tries to use motorhome as murder weapon A 43-year old man from Everett, Washington is being held on charges of attempted second-degree murder. Read how he tried to use a motorhome "as a deadly weapon," according to a sheriff department sergeant.
Professor of RVing Jim Twamley shows you the step-by-step process of flushing your RV hot water tank. Although this may seem like a simple proceedure to veteran RVers, there are definitely some do's and don'ts involved. So watch as Jim shows you the right way to perform this important maintenance procedure. Broadband connection recommended. RV Lifestyle School returns to Puget Sound Oct. 25  Renton (Wash.) Technical College and RVtravel.com invite you to the annual RV Lifestyle School, on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the college in Renton, Wash. The day-long affair features seminars on dozens of topics of interest to RVers. Enrollment is $18, which includes the classes of your choice, lunch, and overnight RV parking at the school if you want it. To learn more or register, visit the school's website. 2008 Guide To The Firearm Laws of the 50 StatesRVers who travel with a firearm may not know that what's legal in their home state may be a felony in another. This guide explains current, specific gun laws for every state. Don't cross a state line with a gun without knowing the laws! Learn more or order.  How to keep your RV door open and run A/C at the same timeRVer Kelly Melfi has found a way to have his RV's door open and yet run the air conditioning at the same time without losing the cool air. How is that possible? Professor of RVing Jim Twamley ran into Melfi recently and discovered the creative way he was able to modify his RV to make this unlikely situation work. Read more and see pics. Good news for Aussie family whose RV was stolen We reported here last week about an Australian family whose fifth wheel trailer was stolen right off the Forest River manufacturer's lot. Forest River left the family hanging, and it looked like they were plain out of luck. Well, after our announcement and others, another RV maker, Carriage, Inc., came to the rescue. Read about the situation at the RVtravel.com reader forum -- be sure to follow the thread until you come to the good news. Oprah calls RVers: Be on our show!  Imagine the surprise when fulltime RVers Jose and Jill Ferrer answered their phone and found a producer from the Oprah show on the other end asking them to be on the popular TV program. The result: the Ferrers drove their motorhome to Chicago where Oprah and financial expert Suze Orman joined them in their RV to tape an episode that will air next Tuesday, Sept 23. Read the Ferrer's account of their experience.
 directories of Free campgrounds The most comprehensive guides to free and inexpensive campgrounds in the East and West -- "must-haves" for budget-minded RVers. Save $5 by buying both East and West editions together. Learn more or order.
How long does it take you to get ready for a weekend RV trip? Professor of RVing Jim Twamley asked RVers at a recent Coachmen RV rally how long it took them to get ready for a weekend RV outing. Click on the video for their entertaining responses. Broadband connection recommended. Visit Arizona's Finest RV Resorts Leave the cold and enter the warmth and fun of sunny Arizona.Click here to view resorts 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: July -- June -- May -- April -- March -- February -- January
YUCK! Solo RVers: What if something happens to you? NASA designer turns to RV design Reno cracks down on overnight RV parking at casinos
Attention Women RVers Electricity or gas: Whatcha gonna heat your RV with? 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 Last week's survey question Past reader surveys and results  Find Services at Interstate ExitsNever 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! Is service at Thousand Trails declining? Is Thousand Trails providing the service members expect? Or are the campgrounds declining in service and/or the condition of their campgrounds? Read this posting and then, if you are a TT member, leave a comment about whether you agree or disagree with this reader's disturbing observations. Canadians urged to buy RVs at home, not in USA With the rise of the Canadian dollar over the past year, some Canadians have been quick to assume that buying all goods in the United States will save them money. However, when buying an RV, it can in fact be more expensive and troublesome to buy from a dealer located across the border. In fact, Canadian RV dealers are often able to offer the same prices as U.S. dealers. Learn why.
Dear RV Doctor,  Good Stuff from the Good Sam ClubJoin the Club: $19 a year. Save on camping fees plus free RV magazine. Continuing Service Plan: No More Major Repair Bills! Get a Fast Quote RV Emergency Road Service: Special Low Rate! Join Today. Reader Letter: RVers behaving badly Dear Chuck, My wife and I are on an extended trip down Old Route 66. We have stayed in campgrounds, Wal-Marts, Bass Pro Shops, etc. We noted two particular instances of rude RVer behavior. On one occasion we stopped at a Flying J in west Albuquerque, N.M., to dump our waste tanks. But Flying J had just closed the dump station for good because some RVers had put trash and all kinds of debris into the system, putting it out of operation. The manager told me that the company had spent more than $5,000 to fix it a few weeks earlier for the same reason. But the following incident, I think, takes the cake: While staying in a Wal-Mart lot in Winslow, Ariz., I noticed a liquid leak under a 45-foot luxury coach. I told the owner about the leak, assuming he didn't know. But he did know and said it had been leaking for quite sometime. He said he needed a part from his California dealer to fix it. He also told me that he "hoped" it was gray water. The leak continued the 12 hours he stayed. It would not surprise me if we start seeing Wal-Mart parking lots being closed to overnight stays in RVs because of this type of rudeness on the part of a few RVers. -- Dwight Nestrick Dear Dwight: Plenty of Wal-Marts have posted "No overnight parking" signs for the reason you cite above (and worse: some RVers have actually dumped their toilet tanks on the pavement). 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. Buying an RV the Smart Way 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 Trivia In Italy the city of Milan is 300 miles northwest of Rome. In Kansas, Milan is less than 25 miles northwest of Rome, in Sumner County.  Bella Terra RV Resort Open for Rental Occupancy in October 2008! Your dream of five-star, luxury RV living is becoming a reality. At Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, we pride ourselves on creating unique travel experiences for our guests.Make a RV lot reservation now: Call toll free 1-866-475-7746 or complete our reservation form online. RV Boondocking Tips Get household power in your RV without a generator If your RV does not have a generator and you have modest needs for household power while boondocking, a small, plug-in power inverter may be the answer and save you from paying for electrical hookups. These small devices -- some not much larger than a pack of cigarettes -- plug into your RV's 12-volt socket and then allow you to plug in a 110 device to the other end. Inverters can be used for powering a small TV, radio or computer, charging batteries or running a fan. And best of all, these small, portable devices normally cost less than $50. Are you a veteran boondocker? Would you please share some of your tips and tricks at our RVtravel.com reader forum? We'll reprint some of your comments in this newsletter each week.
RELEASES IN 2008 BY FILMMAKER JOHN HOLOD  DVD: RVing Alaska (with Joe and Vicki Kieva) Learn everything you need to know about traveling by RV to and from Alaska via the Alaska Highway and the Alaska ferry. Essential viewing for Alaska-bound RVers. Learn more or order. Stupid RV Tricks: Proof that some humans failed to evolve  Ok, folks. . . here's another example of stupid people doing stupid things. This is perhaps the stupidest trick involving a recreational vehicle we have ever witnessed. Watch as this group of mentally challenged young adults perform a trick that can only come out of incredibly low intelligence, boredom, a jaded sense of what is funny, and the inability to pass 8th grade. Watch the short video.Stinky! RVer charged with dumping sewer tank in parking lot A Minnesota man has been accused of emptying his RV's sewage tank in the parking lot of a tavern, causing such a stink that the bar staff and patrons were forced to evacuate. The stench of the sewage was blown into the business at about 10:45 p.m, and was so bad that about 75 customers hastily called it an evening. Read more.  Find Free RV Campgrounds "Don't pay to stay!" Visit FreeCampgrounds.com and find nearly 2,100 free and inexpensive places to stay in the USA in an RV. Stretch your RVing budget by staying overnight at these freebie locations.
Check out our RV Travel Forum discussions Battery cable repair I neglected to clean the terminals on my six-volt batteries on my Class A motorhome this summer. When I finally decided to do it, I found that some of the cable terminals were so badly corroded that one was actually broken off. I have been trying to find a source for the cable ends with no luck. These are big cables. So two questions: 1. Is this something I can repair on my own if I can find the cable ends (ring terminals) for these big cables? Where should I look for the ring terminals and a tool to crimp them? 2. If I don't turn on the aux battery switch on the control panel, can I start the unit to drive it to the dealer for repair? I've been reluctant to start the unit as I don't know if these batteries are required for driving or are the main batteries all that are required? Read or comment. Awning disaster I just bought a Dutchman 5th wheel and I cannot get the awning to extend. The camper is in the woods. I turned the handle and nothing? I do not know what I am doing. Do I need a ladder? Read or comment. Will radial trailer tires improve gas mileage? Will replacing the bias plied tires that came on my Aliner with radial tires such as Goodyear Marathons make a noticeable improvement in gas mileage? If so, what brands do you recommend? Also, are there any low-friction trailer wheel bearings or bearing lube available designed to reduce rolling resistance? My camper is relatively light (1,700 lbs loaded) so load capacity is not as important as on a bigger unit. Read or comment. Baja or bust Any good stories/advice out there for a trip from Vancouver, BC to somewhere in Baja in January? Sure is a loooong way, and I wonder if any of you have suggestions re routes in winter. Also, I understand you have to get insurance to travel in Mexico. Any recommendations? Disney World I am headed to Disney World over Christmas 2008. Fort Wilderness campground is already sold out so I am looking for other kid-friendly campgrounds. Suggestions? RVbuyingTips.com. Get good advice here. Books and DVDs about Fulltime RVing Bill's Hints
Bumper Snicker  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. Worth Pondering I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character! --Theodore Roosevelt RV Links. Learn about the best RV websites at RV-links.com. RVs for sale at NewRVer.com. Check them out. READ BACK ISSUES OF THIS NEWSLETTER: Click here. 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. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Web Operations Guru: Zoey Platt. Clapper/Loader: Emily Woodbury. 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. © Copyright 2007 by RVbookstore.com |
Drive Your
Each summer since 1975, he and some church friends have headed out West from their homes near Reading, Pennsylvania. This year's group was 15-strong. Ralph's buddy Tim Barrett came along with his 22-foot Itasca Class C motorhome, towing a Viking pop up trailer -- making this year's trip a four-RV affair -- two motorhomes pulling two trailers.
Due to many requests from 
The 2008 Trailer Life RV Road Atlas 
RV Tech Tip by Mark Polk
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