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DVD: Working On The RV Road
Learn how to earn income while RVing. Author and work camping expert Jaimie Hall reveals what you need to know to gain employment or run your own business while traveling with a recreational vehicle.
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Weekend of November 15, 2008
Issue 353 of RV Travel
Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter is funded through sales at RVbookstore.com, the World's Largest RV Bookstore specializing in books and DVDs about RVs and the RV lifestyle. Email alerts for this issue were sent to 71,113 readers.
Save on
directories of Free campgrounds
The most comprehensive guides to free and inexpensive campgrounds in the East and West -- "must-haves" for budget-minded RVers. Save $5 by buying both East and West editions together. Learn more or order.
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Editor's corner
By Chuck Woodbury
Click on the play button on the video to the right for a special message from the editor.
If you have no shelter -- no home or apartment, then an RV can be a lifesaver. It's hard to blame down-and-out people for holing up in RVs rather than sleeping on the streets, often their only other option.
Most of these RVers are good people. But not all. And where they park their wheeled homes -- often old and beat up -- is increasingly a problem across America. In this week's cover story (below), Jaimie Hall Bruzenak points out the dilemma that homeless RVers are presenting to the city council of Longview, Wash. Farther south, in Santa Barbara, Calif., officials are grappling with the same issue. And the list of cities goes on. . .
In this sour economy of ours, you can bet that more and more people will lose their homes and be forced on to the streets. Some will resort to buying a junker RV to live in -- often with young children. The most destitute will park their RVs on city streets. The RVs are eyesores, often traffic hazards, and their occupants not always upstanding citizens. Drug dealing and the dumping of sewage on the streets are just two of the illegal activities commonly reported to police.
Consequently, laws are passed that ban RV parking on city streets even in front of the RV owner's house. Some towns prohibit RVs in driveways. Other communities pass laws that prohibit RVs from being parked overnight in commercial parking lots, thus outlawing stays in Walmart parking lots, a practice of more than half the readers of this newsletter.
There is no easy answer to this. But the question of whether vagrant RVers are "ruining" RVing for the rest of us is a valid one, as Jaimie's short article illustrates.
 Gas prices continue to plummet
The price of gasoline and diesel fuel continues its recent free fall. According to GasBuddy.com, Friday's price of an average gallon of gasoline was $2.15, down $1 from a month ago and $2 from July. Prices in Canada have experienced similar declines. On Friday, the lowest average price of gas was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.79.
Oil prices plunged below $56 a barrel Friday as awful numbers from retailers and a dismal outlook from automakers lent yet more evidence that the U.S. and the rest of the globe will slash its energy use. The Energy Department said it expects U.S. consumption of petroleum to drop more severely next year than at any time since 1980, with gasoline use dropping by another three percent.
SURVEY
How has the drop in fuel prices affected your RVing plans? Please take 15 seconds to answer a survey.
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RV Industry doomed?
In last week's issue we referred you to a posting by RVtravel.com blogger Jim Twamley, in which he provided reasons why the RV industry is sick and "on life support." Many readers commented, 44 at last count. Read what Jim wrote and/or the comments.
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Fulltime RVer Newsletter
Read last Thursday's monthly edition of the Fulltime RVer newsletter. Cover story: Ten great websites for fulltimers.
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Read my blog. Updated often.
 Learn where RVs can
stay overnight at Wal-Marts
Save $3.59 by purchasing these popular directories together. Most Wal-Mart stores permit a free overnight stay in RVs. The 2008 Wal-Mart Atlas provides driving directions to more than 4,000 Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs. It lists which stores sell diesel, have pharmacies -- and provides store GPS coordinates. The "No Park" Directory lists more than 350 stores that DO NOT allow stays! Learn more or order. |
Are homeless RV campers adversely affecting all RVers?
In Longview, Wash., the city council is working on an ordinance to remove homeless people in RVs who camp on city streets. Could all RVers could be caught in the backlash? Read more.
2008 RVers Friend
This best-selling directory lists RV services at truck stops with free "camping," dumps, Internet, propane, repair services & more. Truck stops offer more to RVers than ever. Let this best selling book be your guide. Learn more or order.
Rubber roof maintenance and RV winter storage
In this three-minute video, an RV technician does an excellent job of telling you how to protect your rubber roof, especially in the winter. He discusses the pros and cons of covering an RV to protect it from the elements, and provides a tip about slideout positioning in the winter season. This is valuable advice.
How to stay warm with alternative RV heaters
Even folks who flee the north country and head south for the winter find themselves needing heat from time to time. Don't let anybody fool you, the Desert Southwest may be "shirt sleeve" weather by day, but winter nights can be downright chilling. Staying warm is a good trick for any RVer, but if you're a boondocker -- somebody who camps away from electrical hookups, keeping warm without killing off your batteries is a major trick. Learn more.
Chat with RV Travel on Sunday
 Join RV Travel Forum Moderator Adrienne Kristine this Sunday evening, Nov. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) for an informal online chat. To participate, go to http://www.rvtravel.com/chat and type in the chat room RVTravel.
Survey reveals RVers adjusting to economy
The latest Campfire Canvass fall/winter survey of RV owners by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reveals that 29 percent of RVers plan to travel more this fall and winter than last year; 56 percent plan to travel the same amount as last year; and 15 percent plan to travel less than last year. Read more.
 Motorhome burns: owner tells what went wrong
In this two-minute video, the owner explains exactly how the fire started in her recent-model motorhome. Then a fire fighter explains how he and his crew fought the fire. Although you see no flames in this video, you see the final result -- a totaled coach -- and get a good explanation of what happened.
Optimizing RV storage compartments makes RVing more enjoyable
It takes a few years of serious RVing before you settle on what items are essential to take along in your RV. Many men think it important to bring tools along and the type and quantity varies with each guy. Women RVers may find it important to have craft projects and the tools that accompany them. Since everyone has different tastes RV manufacturers leave it up to individuals to determine how to configure empty storage space. Here is how one RVer tweaked his space to make it more efficient.
 RVs for sale
Motorhomes, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Truck Campers, Pop ups and much more. See the big selection at NewRVer.com. Click here
RV recalls issued for October
The latest recalls of RVs have been announced by the federal government. Companies involved include Damon, Winnebago, Jayco, Tiffin, Monaco, Sunnybrook RVs, Coachmen plus a host of other companies. Tens of thousands of RVs are affected. Check to see if yours needs fixin.'
Recent RV recalls
Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RV-Recalls.com. Here are the most recent ones: September -- August -- July -- June -- May -- April -- March -- February -- January
 Strong, folding hammock stores in tiny space, holds up to 500 pounds!
You will love this highly portable hammock! It folds up to about the size of a large bag chair, but holds up to 500 pounds. Sets up in a jiffy! Comes with carrying/storage bag. You'll be the envy of the campground with this! Reg. $99.99. On sale now for only $59.99. Save $40! Great holiday gift! Learn more or order from RVtoyOutlet.com.
UPDATED
2008 Fall and Winter RV Show Schedule
Learn about RV shows through the winter of 2008. Check in here to learn when shows will be held in your area.
HUGE FALL CLEARANCE -- PRICES SLASHED!
Save big on RV books and DVDs
We're clearing the shelves at RVbookstore.com to make room for 2009 products. Get incredible bargains on more than 150 RV-related books and DVDs, some discounted more than 80%! Hurry! Some titles already sold out. Hurry! Click here.
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READ BACK ISSUES OF THIS NEWSLETTER: Click here.
Workhorse UFO Chassis
 The hottest RV chassis going these days is the UFO from Workhorse. Poke around the company's website to learn about this chassis, and about everything else going on at Workhorse (which is a LOT). Don't miss the entertaining videos.
Learn more.
 Special toilet paper for RVers?
Most RVtravel.com readers use standard toilet paper and not special brands made specifically for recreational vehicles. Fifty-eight percent of the 3,297 RVers who responded to our survey said they use regular TP from the supermarket. Forty percent buy RV-specific paper. Almost two percent reported they use a corn cob, but we're pretty sure they're joking. See the results of the survey and read the comments.
 Find Services at Interstate Exits
Never take a wrong exit off an Interstate highway again. The 2008 Next Exit lists every exit along every Interstate and details exactly what you will find at each: gas stations (including which brands and if they offer diesel), campgrounds, truck stops, casinos, laundries, retail stores, drug stores, hospitals, rest areas, and more!
Should kids be allowed to ride in the back of a truck camper?In an RV users' forum, a member mentioned he carried children in his truck camper. This set off a firestorm of commentary regarding the safety of carrying passengers in truck mounted campers. Most readers were pretty adamant about the subject, on one side or the other. Viewpoints exchanged ran the gamut of "protecting the lives of children," to avoiding the scourge of "allowing Big Brother to dictate our every move." Read more. Lighthouse comes with a mysteryIf you're a lighthouse fan, here's a site you shouldn't miss, and now it comes with a mystery. Find out why the light from this lighthouse is really a "distant light"
Remodeling an RV with slide-out rooms
Remodeling an RV with slide-out rooms may present problems. For instance, if you plan on laying new tile in your rig you may need to remove the decorative molding around the interior slide-out frame and extend the slide-out room enough to expose the floor. What if you want to get rid of an extra couch and replace it with a desk or recliner? Find out how one RVer did just that.
 Visit Arizona's
Finest RV Resorts
 Fisherman nearly dies when attacked by bear
Wow! Read this story from the Vancouver Sun about a fisherman who had a brush with death when he was attacked by a bear at a marina and RV park. It's amazing he survived! Read how bystanders came to his aid, and what one of them did to stop the bear in its tracks! Click here.
Watkins Glen KOA honored
Paul and Cam Friesen, owners of the Watkins Glen, NY KOA, were named Franchisees of the Year for 2008 at the annual KOA Jamboree Nov. 10 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. 
How to build your own Teardrop Trailer
In this seven minute video, an RVer shows how he built a Teardrop-type trailer from the ground up. If you have ever thought of building a similar RV, you will get an excellent idea of how to do it after watching this.
 Explorer RV Insurance
GET A FREE QUOTE
Owners of motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and medium duty tow vehicles save up to 15% over our largest competitors by tailoring their coverage from more than a dozen options. Get a quote now.
This Week's Reader Survey
Do you shut off your RV's propane at the tank while traveling? Answer here. Last week's survey question
Have you ever stayed overnight in your RV at Wal-Mart? Read the answer here.
Past reader surveys and results
 ROADTREK
MOTORHOMES
The Fuel Efficient Motorhomes You'll Love to Drive! Learn all about them here.
 Ask the RV Doctor
Gary Bunzer, The RV Doctor is a well known RV author and the host of RV Roadtrips, the DIY Network cable television show. He is one of the RV industry's most sought after speakers and the host of the popular DVD Do It Yourself RV Care.
RVer wonders why his RV furnace needs to be maintained so often
Dear RV Doctor,
We live in a fifth wheel year round and supplement our gas furnace with small electric heaters to prevent the LP furnace from running too much. Even with that I have to replace the electrode assembly about twice a year (the old one is very burnt and crumbly when I take it out). Is this normal? I have asked others living around us and they don't seem to have to replace the electrode but every few years. What's up?
Read Gary's response. Read previous RV Doctor columns
 American's largest RV Consignment Dealer
Buy or sell your used motorhome, diesel pusher, fifth wheel, or travel trailer hassle free at PPL Motor Homes. PPL is the largest RV consignment dealer in the USA, selling over 18,880 consigned RVs since 1972. Visit the PPL website.
Trivia
Subway sandwich shops are just about everywhere these days. Do you know where the company got its name? Was the first location in a subway? Nope! The company was founded above ground in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1965 by 17-year-old Fred DeLucca on a $1,000 loan. He chose the name Subway because of the submarine sandwiches he sold.
 Bella Terra RV Resort
Now Open for Rental Occupancy!
Your dream of five-star, luxury RV living is becoming a reality. At Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, we pride ourselves on creating unique travel experiences for our guests. Make a RV lot reservation now. Call toll free 1-866-475-7746 or complete our reservation form online.
Take a 3-minute
video tour of Bella Terra.
RV Boondocking Tips
Add More Solar Power
By Russ and Tina De Maris
The nice thing about RV solar power is you can "add on" to the system as needs increase. There are a couple of caveats to consider before you rush out and buy another solar panel. First, make sure your panel controller has sufficient "muscle" to handle the increased power. Add up the amount of current that all panels will produce, and ensure it doesn't exceed the panel controller ratings. Next, consider the amount of storage capacity you have.
It doesn't make any sense to invest a lot of money in solar panels if your battery capacity will be outstripped. It's like pouring water into a glass. When the glass is full, to keep pouring is a waste. If your batteries are regularly getting fully charged with what solar panels you have, you'll need to add more battery storage capacity if you want to take advantage of more solar power.
Russ and Tina De Maris are the authors of RV Boondocking Basics.
Are you a veteran boondocker?
Would you please share some of your tips and tricks at our RVtravel.com reader forum? We'll reprint some of your comments in this newsletter each week.
Books and DVDs about camping on public lands and RV boondocking.
 New Low Price!
Greatest DVD on Quartzsite
Take an armchair visit to Quartzsite, Arizona, a hotspot for wintering RVers. See where to camp for free, tour RV parks, learn about local attractions and more. Was $24.95. Now only $19.95.
Learn more or order.
 RV Tech Tip by Mark Polk
How to determine towing capacity
When determining the tow capacity of a vehicle make sure you know the rear axle ratio. It's possible to have the same type and size of vehicle with the same engine and the tow ratings vary by several thousand pounds. The axle ratio is a comparison of how many times the drive shaft rotates, versus the rear wheels. A 4.10:1 axle ratio means the drive shaft or pinion gear rotates 4.1 times for each rotation of the rear axle or ring gear. The higher the numeric value the better the vehicle will tow.
Some people wrongly believe that a vehicle with 4-WD will have a higher tow rating than an identical vehicle that is two-wheel drive. In reality, the 2-WD vehicle will have the higher tow rating. The reason for this is the transfer case in the four-wheel drive vehicle adds additional weight to the vehicle, usually close to 500 pounds, which lowers the tow rating by that same amount. Keep in mind that any weight you add to the tow vehicle takes that same amount of weight away from the vehicles tow rating and Gross Combined Weight Rating.
Learn how to winterize your RV with Mark's best-selling DVD.
Find out about DVDs and eBooks by RV expert Mark Polk.
FMCA:
The best club for motorhome owners
 If you drive a motorhome you should join the Family Motor Coaching Association, the largest and best club exclusively for motorhome owners. Many benefits including rallies, local chapters and thick monthly magazine. Special new member price of $35. Click here to learn more or join.
Check out these RV Travel Forum discussions
Fifth wheel purchase advice wanted
We plan to purchase a 5th wheel within two years. We own an 08 Dodge 1 ton w/6.7 L Cummins, long bed. We have grandchildren in Georgia and Arizona, and plan to travel to each and staying for a few months. Eventually we are going to purchase a home in s/w Georgia and still travel about. Going from high humidity to very little, I need suggestions on a brand of 5th wheels to consider and what options. Right now we live in southern Oregon. Is it best to purchase a hitch after the 5th wheel purchase?
Lubricating slideouts
Can anyone advise me on what type product to use and where to apply it? I have two slides and one is making noise as it rides in.
Genset start hookup
Now that I have an inverter/charger and battery bank, I want to add a 4K genset. When the Onan is running, there is a trickle charge going to charge the start battery. Do I use the same battery bank for starting or do I need a separate Onan battery? If the battery bank is used, how does the inverter's charger act with the Onan's trickle charge? How does the trickle charge work trying to feed 4 big batteries? Do you have advice?
Trip planning map
I currently use a 1997 version of Road Trips' City to City by TravRoute for trip planning. It's great -- I can enter trip origin and destination with intermediate cities along the way. It gives me mileage and travel times. I want an updated CD to include country and county roads. I only want it for my home computer, not for use in my RV. What are some of you folks using for your trip planning?
I-10 road condition?
We've travelled across Canada and down the eastern seaboard. We're planning on heading west from Jacksonville to California on I-10. We're hauling a 30' fifth wheel. Someone told us to avoid the I-10 as it is made of concrete and the constant bumping will cause major damage to the 5th wheel. Can anyone tell us about the road conditions on the I-10 and what to avoid?
Interesting Forum:
 Women RVers: If you're a woman and travel by RV or want to, then here's where you can ask a question, answer one from another forum member, or just share information that you think would be helpful to other women who travel by RV or who would like to someday.
Read other Forum discussions
Wrinkle Free
RV LaundryLearn how to use your RV's Splendid washer to not only clean your clothes but dry them without wrinkles. If you have a washer-dryer on board your RV, you need this book! Learn more or order.
Random RV Thought
It's cruel and unusual punishment to be eating a breakfast of cold cereal when the RVer next door is cooking bacon and eggs and the wind is blowing your way.
 Find Free RV Campgrounds
"Don't pay to stay!" Visit FreeCampgrounds.com and find more than 1,700 free and inexpensive places to stay in the USA in an RV. Stretch your RVing budget by staying overnight at these freebie locations.
Bill's Hints
"Always carry a minimum of two 25-foot water hoses. Not all spigots are handy to your parking spot, but a 50-footer is a real nuisance when you are close to the faucet." --From Motorhomes Made Easy.
eBooks: INSTANT READING!
With eBooks you don't have to wait to read your book. Just place your order and your eBook will be delivered almost instantly to your email inbox. These eBooks are written by RV experts and delivered instantly in PDF format.
Buying an RV the Smart Way
I Have A Convection Oven in My RV. Now What?
The ABCs of Pop Up Campers
Boondocking Tips - More Fun Without Hookups
Complete Guide to Dinghy Towing
The Woman's Guide to Solo RVing
A Collection of RV Tips
RV Awning Use and Care
RV Care and Maintenance
Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
The 3 Primary Systems of an RV: LP Gas, Water & Electricity
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitchwork and Backing
Bumper Snicker
Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after
Break down on the road? No problem!
Get Good Sam Club's Emergency Road Service. Don't settle for less: Get the best. Learn more or sign up.
Worth Pondering
"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible." --Doug Larson
RV Links. Learn about the best RV websites at RV-links.com. RVbuyingTips.com. Get good advice here. Books and DVDs about Fulltime RVing
Largest selection in the World.
READ BACK ISSUES OF THIS NEWSLETTER: Click here.
About the editor
Chuck Woodbury has been exploring America by RV off and on for nearly three decades. In the '90s he published a quirky travel newspaper about his adventures, and for six years was an "on the road" writer for the New York Times Syndicate. Nowadays, he lives near Seattle where he drinks massive amounts of coffee (required by law) and travels when he can in his motorhome and sometimes by plane when vast expanses of saltwater would turn his RV into a leaky submarine.
RVs for sale at NewRVer.com. Check them out.
RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributing editors: Russ and Tina De Maris, Jim Twamley. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Web Operations Guru: Zoey Platt. Clapper/Loader: Emily Woodbury.
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. At RVbookstore.com we strive for excellence in all we do and that's the honest truth (as opposed to the dishonest truth). Our customers receive really, really fast service. We move so fast in sending out a customer's order that sometimes we pass through the sound barrier, which really upsets our neighbors. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it," and no truer words were ever spoken! RVbookstore.com and RVtravel.com are members of the Better Business Bureau. We are proud commercial members of the Escapees, the Family Motor Coaching Association and a sponsor of the 2008 Life On Wheels Conferences. RV Travel is copyright 2008 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, Expanding Universe. If you read this far, then "thanks a bunch!"
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