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Weekend of April 11, 2009 Issue 373 of RV Travel  2008 Wal-Mart Atlas & FREE Bonus "No Overnight RV Parking" Directory Order the best-selling Wal-Mart Atlas and receive the "No Overnight Parking" Directory for FREE. SAVE $9.90! Most Wal-Mart stores permit a free overnight stay in RVs. The 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 it provides store GPS coordinates. The "No Park" Directory lists more than 350 stores that DO NOT allow stays! Learn more or order. Editor's corner By Chuck Woodbury Dear reader,   Here at RVtravel.com we know a lot about RVers. We know because we get lots of email, we know because we monitor our forums, and we know because we pose a weekly survey question for readers of this newsletter.But we know a lot about RVers from what you may not immediately think of as a likely source: We know because our offices are in the same space as RVbookstore.com. All day long we observe what customers are ordering. I can tell you right now, for example, that a lot of RVers are headed to Alaska this summer. Books and DVDs about traveling the Alaska Highway and/or traveling in the state are flying off our warehouse shelves, probably three times faster than last year. I think lower gas prices are the reason. Also flying off our shelves are books and DVDs about buying an RV. For most of 2008, sales of those products were slow -- no surprise because few people were buying RVs. But in the last month, sales have picked up dramatically. The Better Business Bureau DVD that I host, Buying a Recreational Vehicle, is selling like in the good ol' days. This is very good news for everyone in the RV industry. The profits from RVbookstore.com fund this newsletter. If you haven't visited the store lately, please take a look. We probably have four times the number of titles about RVing as Amazon, and we add new ones constantly. And unlike Amazon, which sometimes sells older editions of books and takes days or even a week to ship, we sell only new editions unless we tell our readers otherwise and we usually ship the same day an order is placed. Photo: Morning pickup of orders at RVbookstore.com. Best Road, Good Road. . . and now Goodnough Drive   In last week's issue we ran photos of road signs for Good Road and Best Road. Reader Rich Schager sent us this photo of another road -- for motorists who don't care if their road is the best or even just good. Goodnough Drive, Rich explains, is just west of Purdy, Wash., near Goodnough Creek. Upside down with your RV loan Last issue I commented on an RVtravel.com reader survey that showed that one out of four readers were "upside down" with their RV loans. The term "upside down" refers to owing more on an RV loan than the vehicle could be sold for. Here are the comments to this article in our forum.
 2009 Next Exit DirectoryThis should be an essential guide for every road-tripping RVer! Learn what you will find at every Interstate highway exit: gas/diesel fuel, campgrounds, truck stops, casinos, stores, malls, hospitals, factory outlet stores, parks and more. Learn more.  Get the latest RV news headlines at TwitterKeep up with the latest in RV news and information at our new RV Travel headline service at Twitter.com. Plus, you'll be the first to get an alert about each new issue of the weekly RVtravel.com newsletter. Go there now. Other Twitters to follow RV Bookstore RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury Julianne Crane, RV Wheel Life RVtravel.com forum moderator Adrienne Kristine RV Wal-Mart: Overnight RV parking news DID YOU MISS last issue of this newsletter? If so, read it here. READ BACK ISSUES: Click here. Please join RVtravel.com's Adrienne Kristine every Sunday at 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) for our weekly chat. Discuss anything to do with RVing. Statistics RVtravel.com Forum Update as of 4/10/09 at 3:30 pm: 9,522 registered members, 26,149messages. RVtravel.com Alexa ranking: 81,620* *Rank in the world among tens of millions of websites. Number of RVtravel.com followers at Twitter: 1,471  Number of free and inexpensive campgrounds now profiled at FreeCampgrounds.com (as of 4/10/09): 1,755 Hey, fulltime RVers: are you homeless? A story last week in the Seattle Times dealt with the increasing problem of people living in cars and RVs. The question arose of whether these people are considered homeless. Federal guidelines, the article pointed out, say people aren't truly homeless if they can afford vehicles. But here's what Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty had to say. "In our view, someone in an RV who is moving place to place ... is homeless." We don't think most of you reading this who travel fulltime with an RV will agree.  Best seller! Special low price of $14.972009 Trailer Life Campground Directory Year after this is the best selling directory of RV parks and campgrounds. If you travel by RV you need this! Check out our special low price. Order now Sleeping in a Class C motorhome's bunk can get old after awhile For many RVing couples, a move from a Class C motorhome to a Class A motorhome may be more about the location of the bed as anything else. There just comes a time when sleeping on the overhead bunk isn't fun anymore. Read the story. Best California rest area for RVers Most of us would rather not spend the night in a highway rest area -- particularly along an interstate highway. The noise, lack of privacy, frequent dirtiness, and all the rest, make rest areas less than desirable overnight spots. But for some reason, "the first and the last" along California's Interstate 5 seems to break the mold on that thinking. Read more.  Corps Camping Guide to Corps of Engineers Campgrounds This best-selling guidebook describes more than 600 Corps-managed campgrounds suitable for RVs on nearly 200 lakes around the USA. Haven't camped at a Corps of Engineers' facility? Then you've missed out! Learn more or order Camper Jacks: Hydraulic versus electric It's a topic that comes up among truck camper folks: What's better--hydraulic jacks or electrics? Sometimes you wonder if this is one of those perennial "Ford versus Dodge" discussions. Here are some differences to be considered. Coachmen drops from New York Stock Exchange RV maker Coachmen Industries fell off the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. The company was suspended because it did not maintain an average global market capitalization of at least $15 million during a consecutive 30 trading-day period. Instead, its common stock will be quoted and traded on over-the-counter markets under the ticker symbol COHM.   Three piece picnic cover set -- 99 cents Yes, only 99 cents! (reg. $9.99)  This kind of deal does not come around every day! You'll love this beautiful picnic table set. You'll be proud that your picnic table is the best looking one in the whole campground! And yes, that's the correct price above -- only 99 cents. But hurry! We appreciate your business.Thanks! Learn more or order. News Briefs Shasta County, Calif. authorities have issued arrest warrants for three former workers of R&R RV, who are accused of selling more than 80 consignment vehicles without paying the owners. The charges: fraud, embezzlement and criminal conspiracy. Annual day-use pass for Oregon State Parks are available at a discount through April 30. From May to Sept., passengers and vehicles traveling the Alaska Marine Highway System to or from Prince Rupert, B.C. receive 10 percent off the price of their ferry ticket. RV dealer Poulsbo RV closed its Ridgefield, Wash., store on Friday, another victim of the slumping economy. Its stores in Everett, Auburn, Kent, Mount Vernon and Chehalis will remain open. The company closed its flagship store in Poulsbo in 2008. RV manufacturer and resort operator Monaco has asked a court for permission to auction off its resort business, about two weeks after receiving a $50 million offer for its core operations. In a motion filed Tuesday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Monaco asked the court to set an auction of its RV resort assets for May. Decorator Industries of Goshen, Ind., that made window coverings and bedding for RVs has switched to making purses and shopping bags now that the market for RVs has soured in the economic downturn. And good news, people are buying the products. The Goshen area has an 18 percent unemployment rate. Country Coach has terminated 460 previous furloughed employees who have been out of work since mid-November. The company is currently attempting to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Country Coach will keep about 100 employees with the goal of producing one coach a week -- far fewer than when it had 1,800 employees.
Dear Gary, How can I get a metal (or tin-like) taste out of my RV's water tank? I have always flushed the tank with clean water before every trip, then I fill it with clean water, but it still tastes bad. We live in an area where our water is supposedly the best right out the tap. Our RV is a 1991 Flair and we bought it new. Appreciate your answer to help us solve this foul problem. --Bud Harrison Read previous RV Doctor columns   Special discount: Save $500!Come along with us on THE OREGON TRAIL Join Tracks as we follow the footsteps of the pioneers who traveled west on the Oregon Trail. See the old wagon ruts. Savor steaks over the campfire. Ride a real Conestoga Wagon! Form friendships you'll treasure forever on this 33-day RV tour from Missouri to Oregon. All arrangements including RV parks by Tracks RV Tours. Click here for your FREE full-color magazine covering this tour and all our others or call 800-351-6053. This Week's Reader Survey Is your RV paid for or are you making payments? Answer here. Last week's survey question Past reader surveys and results Recent RV recalls Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RV-Recalls.com. Here are the most recent ones: 2009: January/February 2008: December -- November -- October -- September -- August -- July -- June -- May -- April -- March  Essential for Fulltimers!2009 'Choosing Your RV Home Base' For would-be fulltimers, which state to establish an official home base is critical. Picking the wrong state can result in paying thousands of dollars extra each year in taxes or RV registration fees. Don't let that happen! This best selling guidebook is an essential planning tool. Learn more or order.
RV Boondocking Tips Russ and Tina De Maris are the authors of RV Boondocking Basics.  THE guide for Alaska-bound RVers! The 2009 Milepost is THE guide to visiting Alaska This is THE mile-by-mile guidebook for RV or auto travelers headed to Alaska, the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. If you only take one guidebook to Alaska, take this! Learn more or order at a discount price.  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. A Woman's Perspective
by Adrienne Kristine Treat your feet Learn more about RVing as a woman.  Buy or sell an RV!Whether you are buying or selling an RV, RV Trader is the place to do it. Still in the early stage of the buying process? You won't find a better place to research your new vehicle. See photos of RVs and videos, too. Search by type of RV, location, price, new or used. . . Visit RVtraderOnline.com  The RV KitchenJanet Groene's Apple-Pumpkin Sauce Cookbooks for RVers: Big selection at RVbookstore.com
Learn how to drive a motorhome the right way from RVer/tour bus driver Lorrin Walsh and host Mark Polk. This should be essential viewing for co-pilots and novice RV drivers. And experienced RVers, too! 67 minutes. Save 10% at RVbookstore.com. Learn more or order.
NEWLY UPDATED Bella Terra RV Resort  Grand Opening Celebration May 6-10Now Open for Rental Occupancy! Your dream of five-star, luxury RV living is becoming a reality. Make a RV lot reservation now. Don't forget to ask about our Buy One/Get One Free Promotion. Make a RV lot reservation now. Call toll free 1-866-475-7746 or complete our reservation form online. 
Working on the road
Excellent book about Workamping: Roadwork II Finance your RV at RVfinancing.com RVfinancing.com is THE largest online RV financing company. Lowest rates nationwide. Visit its website or call 1-888-929-4424. Toll-free 24-hour recorded RV financing tips at 877-905-0060. Endorsed by RVtravel.com
 Photo of the weekWhat elves do in the off-season Elves are considered to be very mischievous creatures. Of course, the best known elves are those at the North Pole who help Santa build a whole buncha toys. But do you know what Elves do in their off-season? Well, now you know. . . they wash cars!
Books and DVDs about Full-time RVing 
Question about maintaining air conditioner, fridge Dear Mark, Find out about DVDs and eBooks by RV expert Mark Polk.
 The good ol' days. . .Early RV makers were survivors The men and women who built the RV industry were survivors in a true sense. They were entrepreneurs who thumbed their noses at the Great Depression. About the time they laid down roots, along came World War II. Only those who could adapt could survive the shortage of raw materials and manpower. The economic boom that followed was good for the industry, as returning soldiers and their families were looking for new ways to enjoy their new-found prosperity. But the coming decades were still full of challenges for the pioneers who built the industry, their successors and the thousands of people who depended upon the RV industry for their livelihoods. There were wars, gas shortages, recessions and inflation. An industry built by dreamers, that was once associated with gypsies and ne'er do wells, survived to become a fulltime lifestyle for many. From The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That. New laws for 2009.  2009 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. Check out these RV Travel Forum discussions Concerned about using power from home to RV I have a couple of basic questions concerning running my RV on electric from an outdoor plug at my house. First, my RV has a 30A shore power cord and I bought a short adapter that will allow me to plug into my outdoor outlet. However, the shore power cord (along with the adapter) is not long enough to reach the outlet. Can I use a regular outdoor extension cord or do I need a special one? I understand that the circuit to my outside outlet is either a 15A or 20A. If my adapter is a 30A to 15A adapter, can it be plugged into a 20A circuit? I know I'm limited in what I can run doing this, but am mainly interested in getting my refrigerator ready the night before trips. RV refrigerator cooling time How long approximately does it take for fridge to start getting cool on AC power? Thanks for any info. Advice wanted about transmission I'm thinking of installing a Gear Vendor Aux transmission on my Chevy C30 to get better gas mileage and a little more speed for uphill pulls. Does anyone out there have any experience with this type of transmission? Will it work? Do 12-volt portable freezers work? We are making a cross-country trip in May. I like to plan meals ahead. My freezer space in my class C is limited. Is there a portable freezer with 12 volts you can buy to take along? And does it work? How to extend wireless reception We are wireless at both our Kentucky and Florida homes. In addition, we travel with our PCs everywhere. We have found that we need to get some sort of booster to enhance the wireless range for good connectivity. Do any of you have experience with these boosters? What works best for you? Tip of the week from the forum A terrific tip left by a forum member: "A buddy of mine had a big boat that he used a couple of weeks a month. When he was going to be away from the boat for a few days, he would put a handfull of ice cubes in a small bowl in the freezer. That way he could tell if the freezer had been off long enough to spoil the food, even though the food might be refrozen. If the freezer had been off for long, the ice would be frozen into the bowl shape."  The RV Kitchen: Fix It in Foil Interesting Forum:  Truck Campers: Read all about these very cool type of RVs. Ask a question or leave a tip for other truck camper fans.Read other Forum discussions  Best seller!Find Rest Areas, Welcome Centers & more With the 2008 Interstate Travel Guide you will quickly and easily locate rest areas, welcome centers, scenic turnouts, including a list of Flying J Travel Plaza locations popular with RVers. Learn more. Trivia Nicolas Coppola always loved the comic book character Luke Cage, Power Man. So he changed his name to Nicolas Cage, whom we know today as the actor.
  Books and DVDs about Route 66 at RVbookstore.com Random RV Thought If you dream of traveling fulltime in your RV, do not make excuses why you can't do it soon. It is easier than ever these days to be a fulltimer. Putting off your dream might mean you never will. What if you or your partner gets sick before your "day" arrives? So don't make excuses. Set a date today. Then find a way to meet it. Best selling Directory of RV services at Truck Stops!  Get your 2009 RVers FriendThis 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. Order the 2009 edition now -- just published! Learn more or order. Bill's Hints "Do not leave the black water dump valve open when connected to a sewer. Liquids containing the deodorizer will drain away, leaving smelly solids behind. In extreme cases, you may have to replace the tank." --From Motorhomes Made Easy.
Tourist Attraction Spotlight
 Watch cheese-makers and eat cheese, tooA highlight for many RVers when traveling the gorgeous Oregon coast on U.S. 101 is a stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory in Tillamook. Watch cheese being made, learn about cows (actually, some interesting stuff), and shop for cow- and cheese-related souvenirs in the gift shop. In the summer, treat yourself to an ice cream cone and eat it outside in the sunshine. In the winter. . . well, eat inside or wear a rain slicker. And don't leave without buying some Tillamook Cheese, which is yummy to the max! And, yes, there is lots of room to park even the biggest RVs. Do you know of a terrific tourist attraction? Share it with the readers of this newsletter in the RVtravel.com forum.
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? Complete Guide to Dinghy Towing Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance The 3 Primary Systems of an RV: LP Gas, Water & Electricity Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitchwork and Backing RV NEWS HEADLINES: THE LATEST NEWS
Bumper Snicker
Worth Pondering "When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." --Leo Burnett
READ BACK ISSUES of this newsletter: Click here.  2009 Big Rigs Best Bets Campground Directory If you drive a king-sized RV, this directory is for you. The authors provide details about 1,100 RV parks throughout the USA and six Canadian Provinces that welcome long motorhomes and towable RVs. This should be an essential resource for owners of large RVs. Learn more or order About the editor Chuck Woodbury has explored America by RV for nearly three decades. In the '90s he published a quirky travel newspaper about his adventures and was an "on the road" writer for the New York Times Syndicate. Nowadays, he lives near Seattle where he drinks massive amounts of coffee and travels often in his motorhome and sometimes by plane when vast expanses of saltwater would turn his RV into a leaky submarine. He is the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD "Buying a Recreational Vehicle," the definitive guide to purchasing an RV the right way. 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. 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 and the Family Motor Coaching Association. RV Travel is copyright 2009 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 "thanks a bunch!" Looking for a used motorhome?
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