RV Traveler Email Newsletter #86

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Selecting An RV Home Base
Plan to RV full time? You need this.

RV Traveler #86
November 23, 2003

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This issue's email circulation: 58,025

This newsletter brought to you by
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FROM CHUCK WOODBURY
editor, http://www.RVtraveler.com

Welcome to another information-packed edition of
RV Traveler, the world's largest consumer email
newsletter about RVing with 58,000 subscribers from
coast-to-coast and in dozens of countries around
the globe.

I was surprised by the results of last issue's reader
survey where I asked if you had ever spent the night in
your RV at a Walmart store. As you probably know, with
some exceptions, Walmarts allow an overnight stay
in a self-contained RV in their parking lots.

What raised my eyebrow was how many of you have
actually stayed at a Walmart. Out of 1,700 responses, a
whopping 45% of you reported you have stayed. I never
imagined the percentage would be so high.

Personally, I have never stayed at a Walmart. I understand,
however, why others do.

One woman reported that while traveling alone in her RV
she suddenly became very ill. "I had all I could do to just
keep driving," she said. "It was already dark and I had no
idea if there were any RV parks nearby." She had never
before stayed at a Walmart. "But there I was, too sick to
drive, and a Walmart was ahead." So she pulled into the
parking lot, climbed into bed and was well enough the
next morning to resume her trip.

Other RVers stay when they are simply too tired to go on.
Face it, there are many places where an RV park or public
campground is not easy to find. At times like this, a
Walmart alongside the road is a good alternative. It isn't
"camping," but it's a far safer place to spend a night than
alongside the road. Many RVers have told me that they object
to paying $20 to $30 for a campsite when all they need is a
level place to park for six-10 hours to grab some sleep.

But there are some RVers who consider Walmart a
"campground," and they commonly stay days or even weeks
on end. I have no respect for these people. They are abusing
a good thing and will, I predict, ultimately force Walmart to
ban overnight stays at all its stores. As it is, every day a
store or two posts "No Overnight Parking" signs.

So to those of you who stay at a Walmart, I urge you to
do so in moderation, and not as a way to beat the system.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER ABOUT FULL TIME RVing
The first issue of another one of our email newsletters has
debuted. Anyone who currently travels full time by RV or
plans to one day should sign up for this monthly.

GOOD SAM VIP INSURANCE
Get a free, no obligation rate quote. The only vehicle insurance
program endorsed by the one-million-strong Good Sam Club.

This week's reader survey
For couples: Who washes the dishes in your RV, him or her?
Is "he" doing his share or is this still a woman's work?
Please let us know and/or learn how others respond.

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.

EDITOR'S FAVORITE PHOTOS
Kids with gas, heaving pavement and more. Can this be true?
See for yourself.

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

GETTING YOUR MAIL ON THE ROAD
If you spend a lot of time traveling in your RV, you will
need a way to receive your postal mail while away. Here's
some advice about how to do it.

MAKE YOUR OWN COMPASS
Here's how to build a compass so that if you should find
yourself lost in a forest without a regular compass you can
find your way out. A compass can be built using a needle, a
stick or even your watch. Okay, now learn how to make one

RV PARKS WITH WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS
New parks added weekly
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
When visiting the Puget Sound area of Washington be sure to
hop aboard a state ferry for a memorable and usually scenic
mini-cruise. RVs are welcome, although the rate is much
higher than for a passenger car. The ferries connect major
islands and peninsulas of the Puget Sound region and one
provides a link to Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Learn all about the ferries including rates and schedules:
And check out the live photos of the terminals.

Other Western ferries:
Alaska
British Columbia

STABILIZING YOUR TRAILER
After you have your RV level you will probably want to
stabilize it. Stabilizing your rig is just for comfort so it's
not necessary to do it. However, unless you like the feeling
of being in an earthquake it's a good idea. More.

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.

GOT MICE?
Keith Lamb's house and RV were attracting an army of mice.
So he invented a better mousetrap — one that zaps the pests.
Now he's mouse-free and selling his invention to others, among
them RVers with mouses in their houses. Read more.

. . . here's an article about keeping a mouse out of your RV house.

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:
Winterizing Your RV
Class A motorhome video
Class C motorhome video
Trailer/5th wheel video
Pop Up Trailer Video

FLORIDA RVer EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Read the current issue — all about RVing in Florida

KOA TO OPERATE CIRCUS CIRCUS RV PARK
Beginning Dec. 1, KOA will begin operating the Circusland
RV Park alongside the Circus Circus casino on the Las Vegas
strip. The park will replace KOA's current one that has
operated at the Silverton Hotel and Casino for the last
three years. That campground was not on the strip.

KOA DISCOUNTS
Here are some great deals at KOAs around the country.
Take advantage of these to save some money.

Best-selling books and videos about RVing

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

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.

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

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!

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!

VIDEO: DELIVERING MOTORHOMES TO RV DEALERS FOR PROFIT

THE ABCs OF RVing (Also available as an instant ebook)
A primer for new RVers written by Chuck Woodbury. Lots of info!

GUIDE TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAMPGROUNDS
An awesome directory of campgrounds in National Parks

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

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.

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.

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.

ABOUT THE EDITOR
Chuck Woodbury has been roaming America by RV off and on
for nearly two decades. During that time he published a
quirky travel newspaper about his adventures and was a
member of the stable of writers for the New York Times
Syndicate. Nowadays, he lives near Seattle where he drinks
coffee (required by law) and travels when he can in his
motorhome and sometimes by plane when vast expanses of
saltwater are involved.

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

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