"How to Buy An RV" from the Better Business Bureau
New 50-minute DVD from the BBB explains how to buy an RV. Learn how to get the best deal, the best rig (for you) and how to avoid classic buying mistakes. Hosted by RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury. Introductory price: $19.95. Available in DVD and VHS.
December 16, 2005
Welcome to issue #8 of the RV-Links.com email newsletter. We hope you enjoy visiting the websites below. Once a month we'll bring you more. Please tell your friends about this newsletter and about RV-Links.com where they can sign up to receive this newsletter.
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RV websites of the week:
What's the best kind of RV for fulltiming?
This site goes into detail about the pros and cons of each regarding this hotly debated topic. What's safer, what's more economical, what's more comfortable? From price to space to maintenance considerations, here are a few things to think about on the subject Motor Home vs. Trailer? They also share their experiences after moving from an Airstream into a motor home towing a car on the Good and Bad section of the site.
Want still another choice in RVs?
It looks like there will be another option in RV choices soon. Whaddaya think about the "SRV" - the Split Recreational Vehicle? Ever wished you could leave your bedroom and living room area behind, and take only your bathroom and kitchen with you on your day trips? The rear section is the same as a fifth wheel trailer and gets left behind at the campground, while the front section is the same as a Class A motorhome and takes off for day trips. Here's your chance to have the best of both wheel worlds!
How to Stay on Track
Many RVers use GPS systems to guide their way. But with so many choices on the market today, how do you know which one is best for your needs? GPS Information.Net reviews all the major models, explaining which is best for auto/RV navigation with screens large enough to be easily seen. Taking into consideration your desired application, the money you want to spend, and the features that you like, this is a good guide that lists brands, reviews of their pros/cons, along with pictures and detailed descriptions.
Hiking Heaven
Local Hikes.com lets you search for the area you want to hike around in, how much time you have to spend, difficulty level, etc. It then gives you all the info you need to prepare for it - how long is the trail, what is its condition, what you see on it, how much elevation is gained, how much time it takes, along with reviews from others who have hiked it.
Locate Wal-Mart stores. Use this directory to plan free overnight stays.
Learn the location of every Wal-Mart in America. Easy driving directions tell you exactly where to find
each store. Use to plan free overnight stays in parking lots. Get more info about the Wal-Mart Locator.
RV News
A Happy Camper/Shopper
The Christmas best buys from the Best Buy store in Tukwila were so hot, they handed out purchase-reservation tickets to the waiting shoppers. The first guy in line parked his RV in the mall lot the night before so he could take breaks from standing in line. Yet another inventive use for your RV! Ho, ho, ho!
A New Police Weapon
Lompoc police have a new mobile command post they describe as an "RV on Steroids". The command post includes satellite phones in case local service is disrupted, the ability to dispatch police, satellite TV to get the latest news reports during a disaster, a conference room, and the ability to connect to the city's wireless Internet system to improve communications and get digital images. “It's the city's version of Air Force One...”
Jackie Chan's New Coach
See the Monaco that beat out the competition for shipment to China to serve as a hospitality suite and a place to rest up while filming is going on. It's a 40-foot, quad-slide motorhome, complete with red airbrushed emblems. It spans 13 feet across when the two slide-outs are fully extended.
Don't pay to stay: Learn about more than 900 places where an RVer can camp for free on $10 or less. You'll find an ever-expanding directory at FreeCampgrounds.com
Just for Fun
Deck the Dually
RVers may have small spaces, but they usually have huge holiday spirits. Here are some tips from Coleen Sykora for decorating an RV for Christmas.
Grand Canyon Skywalk - The Real Deal or Urban Legend?
Check out this picture and see if you'd have the guts to go out here for a bird's eye view of the magnificent Grand Canyon.
Christmas Lore
An aptly named woman, Laura Legend, shares Christmas traditions, myths and truths. If you've always wondered about the origin of Christmas lights, stockings and the bag of rocks, here's your chance.
Odds & Ends
The Lazy Way to Shop for Christmas
Don't stress over finding just the right Christmas gift. This site gives great ideas for personalized gift baskets for all - from babies to winos (oh, excuse me - I mean wine connoisseurs).
Safe Shopping
You might not have to worry about pickpockets in the mall crowd by shopping online, but you should protect yourself from cyberspace cons by reviewing these tips for your online holiday shopping safety.
Single Women RVers
An interesting forum topic sharing feminine smarts for things like maintenance, safety, boondocking, and just good ole' fashioned support for the concept "We can do it on our own!"
Who Says You're Too Old?
There are women who don't spend their "senior years" knitting grandbaby booties or watching daytime soaps. This article introduces you to two hard-core RV enthusiasts who take temp jobs to underwrite their travels throughout the United States. One says she feels a good two decades younger than her chronological age: "I suppose there'll come a time when we get too old..." but "I'm going to continue to live that 40-year-old part for as long as that 62-year-old part will let me." You go gals!
An RV with brick floors???
These "boomers with bucks" weren't satisfied with only having custom leather sofas, dark-cherry cabinets and a 68-in. projection TV in their RV. There's stainless steel in the kitchen, brick and hardwood on the floors. "Where I'm from in the South, real wood and brick, that's a stately look." These people are serious about taking all the comforts of the mansion with them when they hit the road. "This is not your grandfather's RV." Now that's the understatement of the year!
More RV website links
Women on the Road: Many women RV by themselves. Here are some good websites on the subject.
Clubs for RVers: No matter what your interest or type of RV you own, there's an RV club for you.
Working on the road: Many RVers work as they travel. Learn helpful information.
2006 Mapquest RV & Campsites Guide & Atlas
Finally, a road atlas especially for RVers! This 2006 Mapquest Road Atlas and Campground Directory is outstanding! Complete with US state and Canadian province road maps, color photos and 3,700 campground listings. Read more or order,
What links do you like?
Want to share your favorites? Send link to editor Malia Lane at RVLinks@Gmail.com.
This newsletter is published monthly by RVbookstore.com, 170 West Dayton St., Suite 103, Edmonds, WA 98020. Subscriber addresses are never sold, shared or otherwise made public. We respect your privacy. RVbookstore.com and our family of websites including RV-Links.com and RVtravel.com are members of the Better Business Bureau.
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