Locate Wal-Mart stores Use to plan free overnight stays Learn the location of every Wal-Mart in America. Easy driving directions. Use to plan free overnight stays in parking lots. Updated for 2005. Get more information about the 2005 Wal-Mart Locator.

Camping With the Corps of Engineers New guidebook describes more than 850 campgrounds across the USA managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ranging from free, primitive locations to full-service campgrounds. All U.S. citizens aged 62 and older camp for half price. Learn more or order

2005 Next Exit Directory Don't get lost! Never take a wrong exit off an Interstate highway again. The 2005 Next Exit lists every exit along every Interstate and what's at each: campgrounds, fuel, truck stops, casinos, malls, rest areas, hospitals and more. Still only $12.95.

PRIVACY STATEMENT
This newsletter's email addresses are never sold, rented or shared.
Rotten Rodney, our Cybertruth Tiger, guards them and he eats spam for breakfast.

Dear fellow RVer,

I spent two days last week at the Life On Wheels Conference in Moscow, Idaho. What a wonderful, affordable opportunity this is for RVers — new or experienced — to learn more about RVing from experts about virtually every aspect of the RV lifestyle. Most attendees camp in their own RVs right on the University of Idaho campus. Others, who have not yet bought their first rig, stay nearby in hotels. Each day, a dozen or so seminars run back-to-back in university classrooms with RV experts teaching what they know best. The next Life on Wheels Conference will be at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA August 5-8. Call Tina Frindt for details at 1-570-839-2778. Tuition is $199.

I was at Life on Wheels with a crew producing a new DVD for the Better Business Bureau about how to buy an RV. The BBB gets 25 million calls a year from consumers seeking information about products or services, or complaints about a purchase. This DVD will address common questions asked by RVers — and the BBB receives literally millions of calls a year on the subject. I'll tell you more about the DVD when it's finished.

While not conducting interviews, I was able to chat with two nationally-known experts on RV propane systems and fire safety. I asked both to answer a question that I have never had answered to my satisfaction. I wanted to get the final word on whether it's okay or not okay to leave an RV's propane on while traveling. Both answered "absolutely not!"

Mac McCoy, the national authority on RV fire safety, told me that there are 13,000 RV fires a year resulting in an average of 22 deaths. He tells his Life on Wheels students that it is essential that they turn off their propane right at the tank before heading down the road. If not, a leak in the system or a crash can be catastrophic — with an RV literally exploding. Mac also strongly advocates carrying more than one fire extinguisher. He carries several inside his 5th wheel and three in its outside propane compartment with a large red sign on the door "Fire Extinguisher Inside." Mac notes, "The compartment door is always open so anyone in a campground can get to an extinguisher easily." He also advises RVers to have an evacuation plan in case they need to escape their RV in a hurry. He points out that many large or overweight RVers cannot even fit through their fire escape window: in an emergency, they could be trapped and doomed.

GMAC Insurance, I recently learned, receives at least 400 claims per year due to RV refrigerator fires caused by leaking propane. Another problem, reports GMAC, is that tailgating sports fans sometimes paint their tanks a team's colors — not wise: Dark colors more readily absorb the sun's rays and can cause the tank to overheat and explode.

If all goes as planned, I will be at the Great American RV Rally in Redmond, OR on July 12 and 13. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Enjoy your Fourth of July weekend. And please be very careful with fire.

The Moscow, Idaho Life on Wheels Conference

RV BOOKSTORE NEWS: We are now offering three books by national-respected RV authors Vicki and Joe Kieva. We only have a limited supply, but will be getting more in a few weeks. Learn about the Kievas' books.

No winner last week in our Zip Code Pot of Gold contest so the cash prize is now $200. This week's contest will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon (Pacific Time) at RVbookstore.com. If you live in the Zip Code of the Day, you'll win if you're the first to tell us. Certain rules apply.

Don't forget to visit our RV Travel readers forum — now 3,200 members strong.

Opening early August in Edmonds, Washington
The real-world, brick and mortar RV bookstore.
Free coffee, great books & videos. . . & plenty of "Rig Talk."

Watch out for the kids in this part of town!

Win swell prizes.
Information is below.

Look for a pop quiz or two with terrific prizes most weeks at RVbookstore.com.
Sign up to receive an email alert of quiz start times.

Past reader surveys and results

How many RVers carry a firearm with them on their travels? Find out here.

Travel Guide to the Navajo and Hopi Reservations
"Native Roads" is hot off the press. A superb guide to these native lands.

Florida climbs on "RV Friendly state" bandwagon
Florida will join Louisiana and Oregon as an "RV Friendly" state by erecting signs saying so along its highways. The "RV Friendly" markers — bright yellow circles with crescent smiles under the letters RV — will direct RVers to RV friendly businesses. They could appear on Florida highways as early as this fall. Learn more.

Inverter Power Consumption
For RVers, power inverters are the neatest thing since sliced bread. They convert 12-volt battery power into a form that’s "edible" to most shore power (120 volt) AC devices. But inverters have their "dark side." They aren’t super efficient critters, and hence, they can chew up a lot of battery power if not controlled. Here’s a handy formula for watching how much precious battery power you use to power up your AC toys: Battery Amp-Hours consumed = (AC amps x 10) x 1.2 x hours of use. The "10" multiplier represents the factor of going from 120 volts down to the 12 volt power of your battery bank. The "hours of use" represent how much time the AC equipment is used. But that "1.2" multiplier is the factor that must be applied to account for inverter inefficiency. Example: To watch the News Hour on your 2 amp shore power TV, here’s the works: (2 x 10) x 1.2 x 1 = That’s a good 24 amp hours from your battery bank just to watch an hour of television. Time to get a smaller TV!

Russ and Tiña Demaris are the authors of RV Boondocking Basics.

Books and videos about Boondocking

QUESTION: Is traveling with a pet a good idea? ANSWER: It's common. In fact, about 60 percent of RV Travel readers bring along a pet. Some private campgrounds will charge an extra dollar or two per animal and most have strict leash laws. Always remember when traveling with a pet to be considerate of your fellow campers. If your dog barks a lot when lonely, do not leave it alone. The noise will spoil the solitude of nearby campers.

Books and DVDs for beginning RVers

The following information was provided by visitors to FreeCampgrounds.com. The information has not been verified.

Petro Truck Stop: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Truck stop at exit 178B off I-81 with separate RV parking. Electric for a fee and restrooms available. Small store and a very nice buffet for a reasonable price. Free.

Carson Campground: Carson, Iowa
This campground is in the city park and has water, electric and a dump area. It is only $5 per night and you can watch ball games or soccer as this park is used by 2 towns. Horses are brought to the park on a regular basis. There is also a rodeo setup on the grounds. Council Bluffs and Omaha, NE are within 25 miles.

Canyon City Park: Amarillo, Texas
Small park with 30 and 50 amp service. Water and dump station for gray water only. Supermarket across street. Lots to see around area. Cost: Less than $10.

Read about these and more than 480 other free and inexpensive campgrounds at FreeCampgrounds.com

Guidebooks and DVDs about RVing in Mexico

Time Management
In a former life (before I became a full-time RVer), I was an educational sales trainer. One of the many subjects we discussed in our training sessions was making a plan and sticking to it. The same kind of planning should be done in the RV lifestyle. We don't drive aimlessly in a direction we think we want to go and stop only when we’re exhausted. We have a plan. If we want to be in a certain place at a certain time, we calculate the drive time and allow for making detours to see points of interest along the way. The best part about planning and managing your time is that it doesn't take long to create a lifestyle that has the best aspects of RVing. You can do as much or as little as you want. You can, as my mentor said, "Work with intensity to design a life. When you loaf, loaf up a storm." Read more.

Read more articles by Adrienne Kristine.

Read articles by Malia Lane.

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

2005 Traveler's Guide To The Firearm Laws of the 50 States
Explains the specific gun laws of every U.S. state.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Kentucky have been making Bourbon. Their dedication to the fine art of distilling eventually gave Bardstown the title of Bourbon Capital of the World. Each year the town celebrates its passion and history of Bourbon at The Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The next festival, September 14-18, provides a weekend of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, great entertainment and a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality. For information, email the festival organizers at info@kybourbonfestival.com.

RVers Guide to Solar Battery Charging
Learn everything an RVer needs to know to enjoy the
comforts of household power through the power of the sun.

RVers Guide to Dump Stations
A state-by-state directory of most of the known public dump
stations in America. Learn more or order.

Manage Your RV's 12 Volt System
Learn all about your RVs 12-volt electrical system including
how to upgrade and operate it and troubleshoot problems.

National Park Service Camping Guide
Learn where to camp at America's National Parks.

All The Stuff You Need To Know About RVing
The best book for beginning RVers.
Order or get more information.

Learn how to operate everything on your RV
New, 72-minute DVD shows you step-by-step how to operate
everything on an RV. It's like getting a personal tour from
RV technician Tim Collard. Winterizing tips, too.

Quartzsite, Arizona. See it on DVD!
Visit the Boondocking Capital of the West on DVD. Like being there!

Buying an RV?
Don't buy one before reading The RV Buyers Survival Guide. Ex-RV
sales manager Bob Randall reveals how to get the best deal from
an RV dealer. Don't pay too much. Available as printed book
or instant eBook.

Books about earning an income on the road

RV books for less than $9.99

Books and videos from Trailer Life. Great prices!

Overnight camping on Rhode Island beaches not a "done deal"
A plan to allow overnight camping at Rhode Island's Misquamicut and Scarborough state beaches is "not a done deal" claims a state senator who opposes the plan. Sen. James C. Sheehan said he will object to the state Department of Environmental Management plan to allowing overnight camping. The proposal has been approved by the House and will be taken up by the Senate later this week. The camping sites would be created from existing parking spaces at the two beaches totaling 125 sites — 75 at Scarborough and 50 at Misquamicut. The daily rate would be $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.

Peggi McDonald is the author of the new eBook, RV Travel To Canada and the webmaster of RVliving.net.

Prize: A terrific RVbookstore.com coffee mug.

---

This issue's Knowledge Quiz

TWO QUIZZES TODAY

Prizes (not necessarily awarded in this order)

• A water resistant self-powered radio. Just crank a lever for 90 seconds for 20 minutes of air time. The AM/FM radio also includes a built in, self-powered flashlight. Pack this along in your RV for an emergency.

•The Trailer Life book "RV Repair & Maintenance Manual," the most popular resource for owners who like to work on their own RVs, whether trailers, motorhomes, truck campers, fifth wheels or popups.

Quiz Start Times:
Sunday, July 3 at 10 a.m. and Noon., Pacific Time.

Take the quizzes here beginning at the times above.

Last week's winners
Laurie Otto won the DVD "Alaska by RV" and the Book "Next Exit
Marilyn Lehrkamp won an RVbookstore.com coffee mug
Dave Keeler won an ice cream sandwich maker
Jim Brown won a replica of a diving sub toy
Jimmie Brooks won the 2005 Trailer Life Directory.

See the results of previous quizzes

Knowledge Quiz official rules

Camp for Half Price at 1,000 RV Parks!
Join the Happy Camper Club for $49.95 and pay
half-price at more than 1,000 RV parks. If you camp more than
a few weeks a year, a membership can save you a bundle.

Representatives of the company that manufactures Red Vines licorice are traveling the USA in a 2004 Winnebago motorhome passing out licorice and touting it as the perfect road snack. • • • Coachmen RV is refocusing its products with an emphasis on entry towable lines • • • Damon Corp. will increase its output of Class A gas and diesel pusher coaches by 25 percent at its Elkhart, IN plant. • • • Campers at the White Birches Campground in Bar Harbor, Maine had a startling midnight surprise on Wednesday when what they believe was a black bear decided to do some "shopping" for groceries among their tents and RVs. • • • Ford Motor Company recently announced it will recommend that vehicle owners replace their tires after six years. • • • Foretravel will introduce a high-end Phenix Class A motorhome as part of the company's 2006 lineup. The new Phenix will offer maximum slideouts, a higher interior and exterior and additional under-coach storage space. • • • A recent survey revealed that 32 percent of automotive warranty expenditures are for electronics-related concerns. • • • National RV has redesigned its Dolphin gas-powered Class A motorhome for 2006 with new front and rear caps, ergonomically designed padded vinyl dashboards and improved cockpit window visibility. • • • Ocean City Campground — Ocean City, Maryland's last campground, will close November 30. Condos will go up on the oceanside property. • • • An Elvis impersonator appeared yesterday (Saturday) at the Scenic Mountain RV Park in Milledgeville, Georgia. • • • A California man lodged his 34-foot motorhome between a power pole and a traffic light Saturday in Carson City, NV after the RV's brakes failed. No one was injured. • • • The Illinois Attorney General has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Willow Creek Resorts campground failed to meet public health standards after floods in 1993 and 1996. The owner of the membership campground has been charged with failing to provide electrical hookups, sewage disposal and drinking water as contractually obligated. • • • Two people were hospitalized after lightning struck a Jellystone Campground in Jefferson County, Wisconsin last Sunday. Several others were also hit but had less serious injuries. There was no word where in the park they were hit. • • • Visitors to the Jayco factory in Middlebury, Indiana are offered the opportunity to play the local Springs Meadow Farm golf course for 30 percent off the regular rate.

Archives of early issues of RV Travel

Upcoming RV Shows

RV-Links
Loads of links to great websites about RVing

Investigate a company with the
Better Business Bureau before making a purchase.

RV Travel Forum
Exchange ideas and information with other RVers.
Beginners Guide to RVing

RVing the Northwest

RVing in Mexico

Full Time RVing

Post your own website of your travels.

RV Recalls

Workamping Information

This newsletter is rated PG* by the American Women's Northern Utah Theatrical Society (AWNUTS).

RV Travel is copyright 2005 by RVbookstore.com. Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 117 W. Dayton St., Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020, USA, Earth, Milky Way, Known Universe, Unknown Universe.

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