RV Traveler Email Newsletter #25

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RV Traveler #25
September 1, 2002

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WIN A $50,000 LAKESIDE RV LOT
IN BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA

THIS NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Beginners Guide to RVing
Free Campgrounds of the West
RV Links
RV Jokes
RV Bookstore

SPONSORS
Camping World
Fantasy RV Tours
Explorer RV Insurance
Poulsbo RV

THIS ISSUE'S EMAIL CIRCULATION: 30,045

FROM CHUCK WOODBURY
editor, http://www.RVtraveler.com

Welcome to the 25th edition of the fabulous RV Traveler Newsletter,
brought to you by the websites and sponsors above and me, a guy named
Chuck, who would rather spend a night in his motorhome than in a fancy
hotel.

Please check out the long list of upcoming RV shows in this issue. This is
the time of year when the 2003 models are rolling into dealer's lots and
2002 models are being priced to sell. Aspiring RVers or veterans looking
for a new rig can cover a lot of ground by attending an RV show, where they
can typically view hundreds of RVs, many at marked-down prices.

A word of warning, however: Be sure to take your time when buying and don't
let emotion take over at the expense of your pocketbook. If you plan to buy
an RV in the next month or two, you should read and study Bob Randall's book
"RV Buyers Survival Guide" for insider advice about how a dealer makes his
money, and how you can get your best deal. Read more about the book (also
available as an instant e-book) at http://www.NewRVer.com/rvbook.html

And one more thing, Mark Polk has just released a new VHS home video titled
"Winterizing Your RV." If you plan to store your RV for the winter, then
you should consider getting this video. Read about it at
http://www.NewRVer.com/winterize.html .

JOIN THE WORLD'S LARGEST RV CLUB. ONLY $19
Join the GOOD SAM club. Save on camping fees and receive
a free subscription to Highways Magazine! Only $19 a year!
http://www.newrver.com/gs.html

BE CAREFUL WHEN TURNING A MOTORHOME SHARPLY
There is one phenomenon, common on all vehicles, that most drivers are
not conscious of: when you turn the steering wheel sharply to the RIGHT,
the portion of the vehicle behind the rear wheels "swings" LEFT (and vice-
versa). In a car you will seldom be close enough to anything to cause a
problem, but remember that a motorhome has a lot more sticking out behind
the rear wheels. You must not be too close to a vehicle or obstacle when you
turn away from it, because the "swing" is much more pronounced.
(Source: Motorhomes Made Easy, http://www.NewRVer.com/easy.html)

HOW TO SAFELY TOW YOUR TRAILER
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a new
online brochure titled "Towing a Trailer: Being Equipped For Safety." This
is a comprehensive resource and should be "must reading" for anyone who
tows a trailer. Each year there are 59,000 crashes involving vehicles
towing trailers, and this information is meant to help reduce those
accidents. Read more about the brochure.

HOME VIDEOS HELP NEW RV OWNERS LEARN HOW TO USE THEIR RIGS
RV Education 101 presents two videos on how to operate everything
on a motorhome or trailer/fifth wheel. Each VHS video is 75-minutes
long and very useful to anyone new to RVing. Read more or order at
http://www.NewRVer.com/RV101.html

Pop Up Trailer Video: http://www.newrver.com/popupvideo.html

WOW! WHAT A MONEY-SAVING RESOURCE FOR SENIORS!
If you are 55 or older and interested in taking advantage of senior
discounts from businesses, then you should visit this website. Thousands
of discounts are listed. Punch in your Zip Code and see what's nearby.
This is very handy: http://www.seniordiscounts.com

WATCH THE SPEED LIMIT IN NORTH CAROLINA AND CALIFORNIA
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is cracking down on speeders on I-95
from the South Carolina to Virginia state lines using unmarked patrol
vehicles, motorcycles and helicopters. Future crackdowns on highways
throughout the state are planned. AND WATCH OUT FOR 'GHOST CARS' in
California, where highway patrolmen are patrolling state highways in
sleek, all-white Camaros. With only a CHP emblem on the two doors and
a thin light bar on the roof, the "ghost cars" are hard to spot.

HALF-PRICE CAMPING AT RV PARKS
Save 50% at more than 700 RV parks:
http://www.newrver.com/happycamper.html

FORD MAY DROP SUV POPULAR WITH TRAILERISTS
Trailer Life reports that Ford may end production of its king-sized Excursion
sport-utility vehicle with the current generation of vehicle. The Excursion,
Ford's largest SUV, has been criticized by environmentalists. The end for the
vehicle could come as soon as 2004, so trailerists who intend to buy one
should take action soon.

CONVERTERS AND INVERTERS ARE NOT THE SAME
A RV's converter transforms 120-volt AC into usable 12-volt DC electricity.
Converters are standard onboard most RVs. An inverter is the opposite of
a converter. Inverters turn 12-volt DC into 120-volt AC power for use in
running larger equipment. Power is listed in terms of watts, which governs
the output of each device. SOURCE: "Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing."

. . . more about Inverters. . .

SUBSCRIBE TO THESE RV MAGAZINES. Best prices:
Motorhome, Trailer Life, RV Journal, RV Companion, Gypsy Journal
and Pop Up Times: http://www.NewRVer.com/rvmags.html

WHEN BUYING A USED RV, IS IT BEST TO BUY FROM AN RV DEALER?
For many customers, a pre-owned unit will be their first experience with
RV travel. A recent University of Michigan Survey conducted for the
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association revealed that among households
planning to buy an RV, an eye-opening 66 percent said they planned to buy a
used unit. Here are reasons (from the RV industry's point of view) of why
it's best to buy a used RV from a dealer rather than a private party.
http://www.rvda.org/buyersguide/usedrvs.htm

FIND A FOSSIL, KEEP IT
It's finders keepers at Sylvania, Ohio's Fossil Park, where you can dig for
Trilobites, Brachiopods, Horn Corals, and more than 200 species of life that
existed 375 million years ago. Most visitors will find plenty of fossils with
just a little digging. And they get to keep them all. Read more:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/travel/3889146.htm

RV FINANCING. GET A QUICK QUOTE
Financial Underwriters Network provides exceptional customer service
and exceptional interest rates. Get a quick online quote and caring service.

THE BASICS OF LP GAS SYSTEMS
The LP gas system on a RV is for storing and conveying the LP gas to the
appliances. This system includes the LP gas containers, regulators, hoses,
pipe and tubing, and the appliances. Learn more about LP gas systems in this
article aimed at educating technicians who work on them.
http://www.rvda.org/rvtechnician/lpgas.htm

CANADA TOWING LAWS
If you plan to tow a trailer or car behind your RV and you'll be traveling
in Canada, here's a good rundown of the towing laws of each province:
http://www.rvsafety.com/CanTowLaw.htm

"DRIVE" THE ALASKA HIGHWAY BEFORE YOU GO
Three new home videos provide a sneak preview of traveling north of
our border. "RV Alaska" details Bob and Judy Howen's 67-day, 6,700-mile
trip on the Alaska Highway and then in Alaska itself (with a return trip via
the Inland Passage by ferry). Their other videos, "Western Canada By RV"
and "Eastern Canada by RV" are equally entertaining. Read more about
these home videos or order at http://www.RVbookstore.com/howens.html

AND IF YOU PLAN TO DRIVE TO ALASKA or Western Canada, you MUST
bring along The Milepost — the VERY best guidebook to traveling the
Alaska Highway and other roads of the far North:
http://www.RVbookstore.com/milepost.html

BUMPER SNICKER
Spotted on a back of a car in Taos, New Mexico:
"Custer Wore An Arrow Shirt." Have you seen a good one? Email
Email it to Chuck Woodbury outwest@seanet.com

MOTORHOME STORAGE MYTH #1
If you plan to store your motorhome for a long time you are likely familiar with
this myth: "Park the RV and have someone start the engine and run it for awhile
every couple of weeks to 'top off' batteries and 'exercise' the engine."
OKAY, THE TRUTH: Engines don't need "exercise." Starting an engine every
two weeks will just cause wear and tear on the engine and transmission.
So what do you do? See http://www.phrannie.org/storeRV.html

GM REDUCING POWERTRAINS
Due to continuing efforts to reduce costs, General Motors has announced plans
to reduce the number of gasoline-engine "families" that it produces worldwide
from 27 to 13 over the next few years. Meanwhile, diesel families will be
trimmed from seven to four. Source: Trailerlife.com

EXTENDED RV WARRANTIES. GET AN ONLINE QUOTE
Buying an RV? Protect that investment with extended warranty coverage
from Web Direct Warranty. Fast online quotes; coverage for new and used
motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-up campers
at great prices. http://www.webdirectwarranty.com/connect2wdw.asp

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT COMPOSTING TOILETS

TIPS ABOUT CARING FOR A POP UP CAMPER

BEST SELLING BOOKS ABOUT RVing

NEW: MOUNTAIN PASS GUIDE, WEST AND EAST EDITIONS
Ever get surprised by a steep or narrow road on a mountain pass?
Don't be surprised again. These guides tell you everything you need to
know about driving over 700 mountain passes in the USA.
http://www.RVbookstore.com/mountaindirectory.html

ON SALE: BUREAU OF RECLAMATION LAKES GUIDE.
Learn what to see and do at 250 lakes in the West and Midwest.
Most of these areas have low-cost campgrounds. Only $6.95
http://www.RVbookstore.com/reclamation.html

RV BUYERS SURVIVAL GUIDE (Also available as an ebook)
Buying an RV? You must read this first. Written by an ex-RV
sales manager who reveals all. Read this and save big money!
http://www.NewRVer.com/rvbook.html

CAMPING WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Describes more than 900 campgrounds across the USA managed by the
Corps of Engineers. A fabulous resource! Seniors camp for half-price.
http://www.RVbookstore.com/corps.html

RVers FRIEND
Learn what services truck stops provide RVers, including whether they
allow free overnight stays: http://www.NewRVer.com/rversfriend.html

FREE CAMPGROUNDS OF THE WEST (Also available as an ebook)
2002 edition: How and where to camp in an RV in the West for free.
Includes official campgrounds and "unofficial" places to stay.
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com/guide.html

DON WRIGHT'S GUIDE TO FREE CAMPGROUNDS
Don Wright's long-awaited 2002 Free Campgrounds Directory is hot off
the press, this time in two editions, Eastern USA and Western USA. Lists all
free and inexpensive campgrounds including those far off the beaten path.
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com/fcwright.html

BIG RIGS BEST BETS CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
A directory of campgrounds that accommodate large RVs.
http://www.NewRVer.com/bigrigbook.html

MOTORHOMES MADE EASY, TRAILERS MADE EASY
These two books explain how to use everything on a motorhome
or trailer (or 5th wheel). And what a bargain at only $8.95 each!
http://www.NewRVer.com/easy.html

THE ABCs OF RVing (Also available as an ebook)
A primer for new RVers written by Chuck Woodbury. Lots of info!
http://www.NewRVer.com/ABC.html

WINTERIZE YOUR RV HOME VIDEO
RV expert Mark Polk shows how to prepare an RV for winter in this half-hour
VHS home video. His step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and what
you learn could save you a bundle in repair bills — or at the very least make getting
ready to hit the road in spring much easier. $24.95
MORE INFORMATION OR PLACE AN ONLINE ORDER

UPCOMING RV SHOWS, RALLIES, SEMINARS
Fall RV and Outdoor Recreation Show, Seattle, Sept. 5-8
St. Louis Fall RV Show and Sale, Sept. 6-8
Life On Wheels, Harrisburg, Penn., Sept. 8-11
Pennsylvania RV and Camping Show, Harrisburg, Sept. 9-15
Fall Boat and RV Show, Indianapolis, Sept. 12-15
Portland (Oregon) Fall RV and Van Show, Sept. 12-15
Escapees Fall Escapade, Van Wert, Ohio, Sept. 22-27
Fall RV and Outdoor Recreation Show, Seattle, Sept. 26-29
Atlanta Camping and RV Show, Sept. 26-29
Fort Wayne RV and Boat Super Sale, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sept. 26-29
Fall RV Show, Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 26-29
Snowbird RV Show and Sale, Abbotsford, B.C., Sept. 26-29
Life On Wheels, Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 27-30
FMCA National Convention, Hutchinson, Kansas, Oct. 1-3
Tacoma (Wash.) Fall RV Show, Oct. 2-6

RESERVE A CAMPSITE
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