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I am back from Louisville, Kentucky and I have bandages on my feet. As I told you last week, I attended the big National RV Trade Show, where everything to do with RVing was on display including 3,455 devices to help your sewer tank smell real good and/or dump easier. All together 14,000 people attended, which meant a busy show and lively after-hours parties in hotel bars.

It was my first National RV Trade Show. All together, there was close to one million square feet of display space. Imagine Disneyland and you'll get an idea. I brought along what I thought were good walking shoes. Nope! Not so good after all, hence the bandages on my feet after Day One of the three-day show.

The event opened with a breakfast presentation by RV industry leaders, who painted a very rosy picture of the years ahead. A recent survey noted that nearly a half-million more RVs will be on the road by 2010. So be sure to make your campground reservations early when those RVers start hitting the road. The average age of an RV buyer has gone down, too, to 49.

The only blip in the industry's optimistic forecast was a note of concern about studies that show consumer confidence in RV quality and service after the sale have not improved in recent years. "Consumers do not see us improving like the auto industry," said Richard Coon, president-elect of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.

Along with our technical editor Christopher Dougherty who attended the show with me, in the days ahead I'll post articles on the RVtravel.com website about what I learned at the show. In general, major developments in RVs we observed at the show included full-side slideouts in high-end motorcoaches from Fleetwood and Monaco: the entire side of the RV expands, making for a true "house" feeling. Pop-up trailers just keep getting better. Some have bathrooms, and one aimed at hunters even comes with camouflage canvas. Hybrid trailer introductions were big this year: the hard shell part of the trailer expands with a pop up camper-type bed (or beds) extending from the front and/or rear. I was very impressed, too, with the hard-sided Aliner and HiLo trailers that fold down while on the road, but open easily at the campground. HiLo's trailers, when expanded, are almost indistinguishable from traditional travel trailers once you are inside.

There were far more toy haulers introduced this year than in the past. Toy haulers are trailers and even motorhomes that open fully at their rears with the folded down wall serving as a ramp to roll up an ATV, motorcycle or even a small car.

Lightweight trailers were everywhere. Many can be pulled with the smallest of cars. These are great for vacations where the family car can serve as the tow vehicle.

Newmar introduced a 2007 All Star diesel motorhome with a two-story rear bedroom. The unit sleeps eight instead of six, the usual case.

Airstream debuted a special 75th anniversary edition, 19-foot trailer that is cute beyond cute. Oh my goodness, I want one!

Some high end truck campers are beginning to look a lot like motorhomes — very spacious with slideouts that create rooms with lots of living space, not the case with truck campers of the past. I loved an 11-foot model from Lance that is downright spacious and elegant.

Our technical editor Chris Dougherty has filed his first report about the show, with a good overview of what he found interesting or otherwise noteworthy.

. . . don't forget: RVbookstore is THE place to get a holiday gift for your favorite RVer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
We announced last week that our Full Time RVer email newsletter would begin resume publishing yesterday, Dec. 3. Well, we ran into some glitches so look for the newsletter next Saturday. If you are not already on the list and would like to receive it, sign up here.

There was no winner last week in our Pot of Gold Quiz. The cash prize now stands at $151. Be sure to visit RVbookstore.com every weekday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Pacific Time) to see if you live in that day's randomly selected Zip Code.

Okay. . . on with the issue.

How did RV Travel readers respond to this question:
"If you were to able to live as you wish, would you prefer to live in a regular house or travel full-time with an RV?"
Learn how more than 2,100 readers responded.

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

Huge RV show coming soon
The giant, annual Sports, Vacation and RV Show is coming to Quartzsite, Ariz., January 19-21. This is one of the biggest RV shows in America. Although RV park spaces in tiny Quartzsite will likely be filled up, there are miles of surrounding desert land where up to two weeks of camping is free compliments of the U.S. government.

How to make veggies last longer
A common complaint among RVers is that it seems veggies don't last as long as in the "home fridge." Here are a few tips that may help:
-- Bag the lettuce: Don't just dump your lettuce heads in the fridge, even in the "crisper" drawer. First, put a paper towel around the "cut" end of the head, then put the whole works in a zip-style plastic bag.
--Bag the salad: The same trick works well for "prepared" salads. Lay a paper towel at the bottom of the zip-bag, then dump the prepared salad in on top. Stays fresher without browning.
--Carrot Capers: Many RVers find that "baby carrots" last longer than long carrots.
--Celery Plating? Some swear that if you wrap your celery in aluminum foil before you store it, it will last longer.
--Sprouts Sprout!: Avoid lettuce problems for sandwich dressing altogether. Get a pint wide-mouth canning jar, a small piece of clean nylon stocking and a jar ring to fit. Put a tablespoon or so of alfalfa, beans, or mixed "sprouting" seeds (try a food cooperative) in the jar. Put the stocking over the top of the jar and lock it down with the jar ring. Now add water to cover the seeds and let soak for a few hours. Now drain the water off through the "netting," (saving the water for your house plants). Let the jar sit on the counter in indirect light until the next day. Next day, rinse your seeds again and repeat daily until the seeds sprout and produce great sandwich and salad addings. Be sure to refrigerate your sprout jar after you've reached the "edible" stage, but continue to rinse them every day until you've et 'em all. Mung bean sprouts are great in scrambled eggs!

Russ and Tina Demaris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics and Boondocking Tips for RVers: More Fun Without Hookups

Books and videos about Boondocking

Books & DVDs at RVbookstore.com

2005 Big Rig Best Bets Campground Directory: Drive a king-sized RV? This directory is for you. Buy or get info. RV Boondocking Basics Learn how to RV without hookups in the best-selling book "RV Boondocking Basics." Live well without plugging in and hooking up, and save money in the process. Covers solar, wind power and more. Get more information 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. 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. RVing the Alaska Highway Join Bob and Judy Howen as they drive the Alaska Highway in their motorhome. See the road through their front window. Visit campgrounds and other RVer attractions. Quartzsite, Arizona. See it on DVD! Visit the Boondocking Capital of the West on DVD. Like being there! 2005 Campground Directories . . . from Trailer Life, Woodall's and Frommer's. Headed to Alaska? The Milepost is the #1 guide to getting there. DVDs show how to operate your RV Learn how to use every system, how to set up, how to drive or pull your RV and more. Class A motorhome • Class C motorhome • Pop Up • Travel Trailer/Fifth Wheel Camp at Casino RV Parks. . . (Sometimes for FREE) Learn which casinos have RV parks and which ones offer free overnight stays in their parking lots. Learn more. 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. A superb value! Camping and RVing with Dogs Get expert advice on traveling with a dog and learn about dog-friendly campgrounds and RV parks Learn more or order 2005 Guide to Free Campgrounds of the West Tired of paying too much for campgrounds. How about staying for free (or nearly free). Learn more or order. Traveler's Guide To The Firearm Laws of the 50 States Don't carry a weapon across state lines without knowing the laws. Explains the specific gun laws of every U.S. state. All The Stuff You Need To Know About RVing The best book for beginning RVers. Order or get more information. Books and DVDs about how to buy an RV Books about earning an income on the road RV books for less than $9.99

Super fast delivery. Nine out of ten orders (Mon.-Sat.) ship within 6 hours. "You need it, so we speed it!"

QUESTION: What's the difference between a campground and an RV park? ANSWER: An RV park is a campground, but most are privately owned. Campground is a term that is used mostly to describe a public facility like those in National Parks, National Forests and State Parks. Generally speaking, an RV park offers more amenities than a public campground including full utility hookups, a game room, swimming pool and even a general store (but many are more spartan). Public campgrounds may offer hookups, but in sheer numbers, most are primitive, where at best there will be a restroom with flush toilets. Some public campgrounds, however, do offer hookups, typically just electric and water.

Ocotillo BLM: Ocotillo, California
From I-8 exit 88 or 90 in Ocotillo, take SR 98 east for 11 miles to Coyote #2 Road, then two miles west. Dry camping with room for many RVs near Crucifixion Thorn National Recreation Area. Free.

Amarillo Ranch RV Park: Amarillo, Texas
Located on I-40 exit 74. These sites are back in; no pull-throughs. Six boondocking sites at $10 per night and two sites with water and electric at $12.50 per night. Showers are extra.

Bootleg Access: Potosi, Missouri
Off Highway 21 going from Potosi toward Belgrade. Missouri Conservations sign on left just before Big River Bridge. Turn onto gravel road. Three campsites are at the end of the road. No amenities. Quiet, in the woods and close to river. Circle firepits in each site. Free.

The information above was provided by visitors to FreeCampgrounds.com. The information has not been verified. Learn about more than 870 free and inexpensive campgrounds.

Guidebooks and DVDs about RVing in Mexico

This issue's secret sentence: Papa secretly loved his snake Lilly.

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This issue's
Knowledge Quiz

THREE QUIZZES TODAY
with fabulous prizes!

The prizes:
--$100 in books and/or DVDs at RVbookstore.com! This will come in mighty handy for holiday gifts for your favorite RVer!
--The book RVers Guide to Dump Stations. This 2006 directory offers a comprehensive listing by state and by highway of most known public dump stations in America. RVers should pack this along on their trips!
-- A DVD with three episodes of the 50s TV western The Cisco Kid. Join Cisco and Pancho as they ride the West righting wrongs. This DVD is digitally remastered and sound enhanced.

Answer the Quizzes here on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Pacific Time.

Knowledge Quiz official rules

Full-length slideouts, higher ceilings coming our way
For 2006, full side-length slide out rooms and increased ceiling height are becoming more popular. These rooms encompass most of the side of a coach, and allow the RVer to dramatically increase the square footage of the floor plan with the push of a button. These super-slide rooms are currently offered on the 2006 Fleetwood Pace Arrow, Discovery, Excursion and Providence, which also feature 84” high coach ceilings; the 2006 Monaco Knight and the Holiday Rambler Ambassador, both of which feature 84" high ceilings.

Don't forget to protect your tires in winter
Even though it's the off season for some of us, that doesn't mean you can let your RV tires just sit unprotected. In fact, it's more important to protect your tires for the winter storage. Make sure your tires are clean, and up off the ground for storage on blocks of wood, or some other surface. I spray my tires with a tire protectant, which is available commercially or from your RV parts and accessories store. Then I cover the tires with tire covers which tie onto the wheel, and are also available from your favorite RV parts and accessories supplier.

How much is 30 amps?
A 30-amp electrical system on an RV has the capability of using 3,600 watts or 30 amps before you will overload the system. 120 volts X 30 amps = 3,600 watts. Think of it like this: you could use 36 one-hundred watt light bulbs and when you turn the 37th one on, it will probably trip a breaker. You should never run more than one major appliance at a time, i.e. air conditioner and microwave. — Mark Polk (Learn about Mark Polk's RV "How-to" DVDs and eBooks.)

Visit the RV Travel Reader Forum to discuss
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Worth Pondering
"I shall try to correct errors when show to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be new views." -- President Abraham Lincoln

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Products for $9.99 or less at RV Bookstore. Check them out.

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Random RV Thought
The range of RVs from low end to high end is getting wider. In the beginning, all RVs were for camping. Now if you attend an RV show, you get the feeling that most are so fancy and with so many amenities that they are better suited for touring or "living" than simply camping. Ten years ago, about the most anyone would pay for an RV was $100,000 — and that was r-e-a-l-l-y expensive. Now, spending $200,000 or more is routine: rigs in this price range are definitely not made for family vacations at Yellowstone.

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Photo above: No, it's not an alien, but a 1937 Airstream Clipper trailer. The Clipper line went into production in 1936. Strongly influenced by aircraft principles, it was a moncoque, riveted aluminum-shelled RV designed to travel down the highway "like a stream of air."

Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We're just human! So don't go spending $10,000 on something we said was good just because we said so, or fixing something like we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. So be sure to check things out.

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RVbookstore.com is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. We strive for excellence in all we do and that's the absolutely, 100 percent and honest truth. Our customers receive really, really fast service. We move so fast in sending out a customer's order that sometimes we move too fast to even see. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it," and no truer words were ever spoken! If you're in Edmonds, Wash., stop by to tour our offices and warehouse and meet our staff. We're a block from the fishing pier near the passenger terminal of the Kingston Ferry, gateway to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.

RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributors: Russ and Tina Demaris, Chris Dougherty, Mark Polk, Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown, Bill and Dot Bell. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Web Operations Director: Zoey Platt. Warehouse Administrator: Walter Cardwell. Clapper Loader: Emily Woodbury. Mascot: Georgie, the "give me food now or else!" Jack Russell terrier.

RV Travel is copyright 2005 by RVbookstore.com. Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 170 W. Dayton Street, Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020, USA, Earth, Milky Way, Known Universe, Unknown Universe.

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