RV Traveler Email Newsletter #74

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Essential reading for fulltime RVers
or those who aspire to be.

RV Traveler #74
August 31, 2003

SHOPPING FOR AN RV EXTENDED WARRANTY?
The Good Sam Club's Continued Service Plan covers your coach,
engine, appliances and accessories in your new or used
motorhome, trailer and even tow vehicle! Get an online quote.

On this date in 1899 a Stanley Steamer became the first car to
reach the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire.

This newsletter brought to you by
Beginners Guide to RVing
Free Campgrounds of the West
RV Bookstore
RV Links
RV Jokes

Sponsors
Camping World
Explorer RV Insurance
RV Trader. Buy or sell an RV

This issue's email circulation: 57,011

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

As I promised last issue, I have posted some letters from
readers about how they used their RVs during the big
power blackout of a few weeks ago. You don't often read
about RVs being used for emergencies, I suppose because
there is so much to write about using them for fun camping
trips and even full-time living.

Yet, when the power goes out in a local community — or even
an entire region as happened recently — those of us who own
RVs typically need only walk to our parked RVs where we can
enjoy most or all the comforts of home until the power is
restored.

And so it was during the "Big Blackout." Each RV Traveler reader
who wrote had a slightly different tale. One couple hooked up
their trailer to their truck and headed for a hilltop, where
they watched the sunset. Another scored points with his
spouse when the RV they seldom use saved the day. Thanks to
his RV, one man was able to tune in the news and learn that
the local rumor that the blackout was terrorism-related was
false. "If I had not owned an RV we would have been in the
dark about what had happened," he wrote. One woman wrote
that she was able to salvage her daughter's 23rd birthday party
by moving it from the power-less house to the RV where
"we had a great time." Yet another reader wasted no time
vacating her house and moving into the RV with all its still-
functioning conveniences. "Who needs a big ol' house?" she
asked. But most readers reported that they simply moved
into their RVs where they stayed cool with the air-
conditioning) and passed the time reading a good book or
watching TV.

Read more about how RV Traveler readers relied on their
rigs to cope with the Big Blackout:

If you are reading this issue shortly after it was emailed
(12:15 p.m. Pacific time) right about now I should be 35,000 feet
above Mother Earth, flying back to Seattle after a few days
in northern California's Sierra foothills. My folks live in
Grass Valley, which is an ex-gold mining town near
Sacramento. My wife, daughter and I try to make it
down each year at this time to celebrate my mother's
birthday. Some years we drive the motorhome — a comfortable
two-day trip from Seattle, but when time is limited, we fly.

Also: As some of you noticed last issue, our RVbookstore.com
website was offline on Sunday. It's up and running again now,
so if you're in search of the perfect book, video, DVD or RV
magazine subscription, you can now order it with no problem.

Finally, I saw a very funny sign the other day that caused me
to chuckle. It said, "I'm so far behind I think I'm in first place."
If you are a fan of any type of racing, you can probably
understand how a racer so far behind the field could feel
that way with no competitor visible ahead.

Anyway, at the moment, being a very busy guy, I identify
with those "way behind" folks, and have laughed many
times recalling the slogan.

Have a great week.

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GAS SKYROCKETS IN PRICE
Supply shortages pushed average retail gasoline prices up more
than 15 cents a gallon nationally during the past two weeks, the
largest retail price hike on record since the Lundberg Survey began
keeping records 50 years ago. Self-serve regular gasoline showed
an average weighted price of $1.7191 a gallon. Phoenix had the
highest leap in the nation during the two-week period, with prices
jumping 60.42 cents a gallon for self-serve regular. Temporary
refinery shutdowns caused by the massive East Coast/Midwest
blackout combined with a break in a major pipeline in Arizona to
cause the supply disruptions. Good news, though: prices are
expected to fall again in September.

So far, the RV industry is not too concerned. "At this
point, availability hasn't affected our sales," Ed Caudill,
president and CEO of Riverside, Calif.-based Fleetwood
Enterprises Inc., told RV Business. "Temporary gas price
volatility may have a short term impact, but the longer
term supply of gas seems to be stable. Obviously, we hope
this spike in retail prices is short term."

GOOD SAM EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE
Protects you, your spouse, AND all children age 25 or younger
(living at home or attending college), your RV, AND all household
cars, SUVs, minivans, and pick-ups! Only $79.95!

MANUALS FOR DOMETIC AND NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS
Lost your manual for one of these RV fridges? Read it here.

THE THICK AND THIN OF OIL VISCOSITY
Of all the characteristics a lubricant may possess, the most
important is its viscosity. The viscosity of a fluid and how
that fluid reacts to certain variables will determine how well
the fluid can perform the basic functions of a lubricant. What is
viscosity? Find out.

DO YOU RV IN FLORIDA?
Subscribe to the free Florida RVer email newsletter. Read the
current issue or sign up.

INSTALLING A VOLTMETER
An RVer voices his opinion about why you should install one
of these devices on your RV.

WHICH STATE IS BEST FOR A FULL-TIME RVing HOME BASE?
There is no definitive answer to this question, but here's a
good overview of the subject that will of help RVers who
are searching for a place to establish a home base.

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.

RVing THE ALASKA HIGHWAY
Each year, thousands of RVers make their dream trip to
Alaska via the Alaska Highway, also called the Alcan. Read
a story about this grand RV adventure.

WOMEN RVers: RVing isn't just for guys. Read more.

FEEDING FIDO ON THE ROAD
Does a dog accompany you on your RV trips? Then advice about
how and what to feed your furry friend may be welcomed.

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
Winterizing Your RV

COOKING BY THE CAMPFIRE RANGES FROM SIMPLE TO SUBLIME
Most of us who own RVs do our cooking in our RV kitchens.
But other folks spend a lot of time by the campfire. Here is
an article from the Sacramento Bee detailing some campers'
cooking techniques over the open flame.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AN RV WASHER/DRYER
Do you love stopping at laundries while on the road? We thought
so -- no fun, eh? And that's why many full-time or frequent
RVers opt for an onboard washer-dryer. That said, here's
more on the subject.

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.

A DOUBLE DECKER MOTORHOME!
Yeah, right, you're thinking! But we're not kidding. Here's a story
about a two-story motorhome with an observation deck on the
upper level. Alas, you can't buy this RV because it was built 70
years ago, and has seen its last campsite. But you can read its
history and see an illustration.

FREELANCE WRITING ON THE ROAD
Do you know that you can get paid for writing articles for
newspapers and magazines? Many RVers earn a part-time
income doing just that. Here's a brief look at how to do it.

Best-selling books and videos about RVing

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!

VIDEO: ROCKY MOUNTAINS BY RV
Visit Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier and Rocky Mountain Nat. Parks

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

ALL ABOUT CLASS A MOTORHOMES
Advice for Class A buyers about rig selection, getting a good deal, and
how to inspect a rig before taking delivery.

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We never sell or share any information about our readers or customers with any outside party.