RV Traveler Email Newsletter #52

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Campground Guide for King-Sized RVs
2003 edition is hot off the press

RV Traveler #52
March 30, 2003

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

Welcome to Issue 52 of the RV Traveler Newsletter.

The war in Iraq certainly has our economy in a state of confusion,
and the travel industry is hurting badly. The airlines are
scrambling to stay in business, and hotels, motels, car rental
companies and other travel businesses are experiences steep
declines. The RV industry seems to be one segment of the travel
industry that isn't ill, and, in fact, sales of RVs are for the most
part still brisk. High gasoline prices are expected to continue
through the summer, but RVers tell me they are planning trips
anyway. Many will stay closer to home, where the price of
a gallon of gas won't make much difference when only short
distances are involved.

My own trip from Seattle to Arizona and back last month cost me
about $630 in gasoline. My class C motorhome got about nine
miles a gallon, and it wasn't fun at the gas pump watching the price
of filling my tank reach new all time highs. Even though my fuel
costs were higher than ever for such a trip, they were probably
about $200 higher than a year before, so I took some comfort in
knowing that the $200 increase -- about $7 a day -- was the true
extra cost of traveling during such a price crisis.

Two issues ago, I asked the readers of this newsletter to email
me their fuel-saving tips. And many did. Read some of their
suggestions here. The Department of Energy offers some good
fuel-saving advice at its website. One tip: "Gas mileage decreases
rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph
is like paying an additional ten cents per gallon for gas. Observing
the speed limit is also safer." Read more.

NEW IN OUR RV BOOKSTORE
Survival of the RV Snowbirds. RVers who dream of a life as
fulltime RVers will benefit from authors and Escapees Club founders'
Joe and Kay Peterson's extensive knowledge of "boondocking," where
it's possible to travel comfortably and rent-free in an RV.

2003 Trailer Life Campgrounds and RV Park Directory
Only $13.95. Save 50%. More than 12,000 campgrounds listed!

WISCONSIN CLOSES DUMP STATIONS AT REST AREAS
RVs that need a dump will no longer be able to do so at a Wisconsin
rest area. The state has closed its rest area waste disposal facilities.
Many are in need of repair, and the state claimed they were too
expensive to fix. The Department of Transportation defended the
action by saying there are many state parks, forests, and
campgrounds that offer waste disposal facilities.

MEANWHILE ... IN MINNESOTA MANY REST AREAS MAY BE CLOSED
When a state government is deeply in debt, it finds ways to cut
expenses. In Minnesota, Lt. Gov., Carol Molnau has proposed many
cuts, including the elimination of 45 rest areas. The state legislature
is currently examining the idea.

ESSENTIAL READING ABOUT RVing IN ALASKA AND CANADA
Alaska By RV, Western Canada By RV, Eastern Canada By RV:
http://www.RVbookstore.com/howens.html. And don't forget the
2003 ALASKA MILEPOST DIRECTORY. If you are headed to Alaska,
Yukon Territory, BC, Alberta or NW Territories, this 55th edition
guidebook is essential. Get info or order.

U.S. GAS PRICES REACH RECORD LEVELS
The United States set a new record for the average price of
self-serve regular unleaded gasoline last week. The previous high
of $1.718 was set on May 15, 2001 as the nation was experiencing
its annual conversion to a variety of cleaner burning fuels required
during the summer months. Last Tuesday's AAA Fuel Gauge Report
registered a new record high price of $1.722 per gallon. Meanwhile,
the US Department of Energy is predicting prices will continue to
increase and reach an average of $1.76 per gallon next month and
that motorists will pay more than $1.70 per gallon through the
summer driving months. AAA urges motorists to understand that
regardless of what might occur in the opening stages of a war in
Iraq, there will be no immediate effect on gasoline supplies at local
stations.

HOW MANY SLIDEOUTS CAN AN RV HAVE?
Well, at least five, because that's what Carriage features in its
new 36-foot Carri-Lite "XTRM5" fifth wheel trailer. The XTRM5 is
the first fifth wheel with opposing slide-outs in the bedroom. The five
slide-out mechanism does not reduce the amount of storage space in
the basement. Read more and see a pic

NEW WINNEBAGO MOTORHOME OFFERS THREE SLIDEOUTS
Winnebago's high end 2003 Ultimate Freedom Class A motorcoach is
now available in two triple-slideout floorplans. The high end coach
sells for roughly $250,000 to $300,000. Read more and see photos.

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

THE BASICS OF SATELLITE TV
Are you tired of squinting at two snowy channels while your neighbor
is watching the Big Game on his wiz-bang satellite system? Just not
sure where to get a satellite for your very own? Boy, are you in luck,
because this article is for you.

GYPSY RV DEALERS 'RIPPING OFF' RV SNOWBIRDS
Some Yuma, Ariz., area RV dealers are upset that unlicensed
"Gypsy" dealers are cheating winter visitors."Why don't
I just rip my sign down and do what the (gypsy dealers) do?"
the owner of one RV dealership told RV Business. Arizona law
prohibits the sale of more than four motor vehicles a year by
an unlicensed dealer, yet gypsy dealers do just that. Bob Callis
of Foothill Area Sales says that gypsy dealers attract customers
because they do not have to charge sales tax. Gypsy dealers
usually work in groups and travel to many cities in Arizona
including winter vacation spots like Yuma, Quartzsite and
Lake Havasu City and may sell RVs that do not have a clear title
or came from salvage yards. Read more.

GET YOUR RV READY FOR SPRING
It's that time of year, and you're getting eager to hit the road.
The question is: Is your rig as ready as you are? Here are ways
to make sure it is

HOME VIDEOS HELP NEW RV OWNERS LEARN TO USE THEIR RIGS
RV Education 101 presents home videos on how to operate everything
on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing.
Read more, view a Quicktime video clip, or order at:
Class A motorhome video
Class C motorhome video
Trailer/5th wheel video
Pop Up Trailer Video

ROAD TRIP CALCULATOR
Here's a way to calculate your mileage between one city and another,
with information about towns and services along the way including
places to camp:

SAVING A BUCK BY STAYING AT TRUCK STOPS
Many RVers spend an occasional night in a freebie spot. Wal-Marts are
the locations of choice at such times, but some RVers also favor truck
stops. Here's a letter we received this week about one RVer's experiences:
"We recently traveled from Canada to Georgia and back. We stayed at
Flying J's, Pilots, Wilco, TA's and a few others. The Flying J's are the
most beautiful ones but I found all of the other ones just as friendly and
helpful. However, the Flying J's have a lot of announcements going day and
night on their exterior loudspeakers. When parked in front in an RV, it makes
for a difficult night's sleep." A good directory of truck stops that welcome
RVs is RVer's Friend.

BUMPER SNICKER
"Driver Carries No Cash — Wife & Kids have it all."
Submitted by Stephenie Olson. Have you seen a good one?
Email it to Chuck Woodbury at outwest@seanet.com .

Best-selling books and videos about RVing

RV TRAVELING TALES:
WOMEN'S JOURNEYS ON THE OPEN ROAD
Women who travel by RV tell about their lives. Superb!

THE NEXT EXIT 2003
Learn what stores and services are located at every Interstate exit.

2003 BIG RIGS BEST BETS CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
A directory of campgrounds that accommodate large RVs.

'CAMPING' AT WAL-MART HOME VIDEO AND DVD
hDocumentary film interviews RVers 'camping' at Wal-Mart

THE RVers BIBLE
Superb, bestseller reference, from buying an RV to using it.

HOW TO GET PAID $50,000 A YEAR TO DELIVER MOTORHOMES

2003 RVer's FRIEND
Learn what services America's truck stops offer RVers. Best Seller!

2003 GUIDE TO REST AREAS
Plus locations of Wal-Mart, Flying J, etc. Only $9.95

SUPPORT YOUR RV LIFESTYLE:
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO WORKING ON THE ROAD
A superb guide about find work as your travel by RV.

VIDEO: TOP 40 RV CAMPING TIPS
RV experts Joe and Vicki Kieva reveal some very clever
ideas to save RVers time, money and hassles.

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.

QUARTZSITE HOME VIDEO AND DVD
Take an armchair visit to the RV Boondocking Capital of the West
on VHS home video or DVD

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.

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 $7.95

RV BUYERS SURVIVAL GUIDE (Also available as an instant 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!

TRAVELERS PLAN SHORTER TRIPS, RV TRAVEL POPULAR
Many travelers are expected to stay closer to home this summer season.
Early indications show that the fear of traveling and threat of terrorism
are making people pick destinations within driving distance. RV sales and
rentals are up, say dealers and manufacturers. Nick Sweeney, a sales
manager at Continental Recreational Vehicles Inc. in Farmingdale, N.Y.,
says the mid-priced motor homes that provide more sleeping capacity and
range in price from $50,000 to upper $70,000s are popular this year.
However, as the start of the war in Iraq got underway, RV rental bookings
took a nosedive, a trend Cruise America believes will change.

RV PARKING RESTRICTIONS CHALLENGED BY UNLIKELY GROUP
Many local governments in California are restricting the rights
of RVers to park their rigs at curbside. But a constitutional
challenge to parking limitations arose in March from an
unlikely source — the homeless. Learn more.

BUY A BURGER: MAYBE WIN A MOTORHOME TRIP

IRAQ WAR SLOWS RV PARK VISITS IN MEXICO

FLORIDA KEYS HOPE TO RETAIN RV PARKS

These articles were available when this email newsletter was issued.

The RV Traveler newsletter contains links to sites on the Internet
that are owned and operated by third parties. It is not responsible
for the availability of, or the content located on or through any
such third-party site.

PRIVACY STATEMENT:
This list's email addresses are never sold or otherwise made public.

This newsletter is copyrighted 2003 by Chuck Woodbury. You may
forward it to as many people as you like, but re-publication for
commercial purposes brings out the worst in our lawyers.

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