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Weekend of November 29, 2008
Issue 355 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 71,187 readers.
Best selling Directory of RV services at Truck Stops!
 2009 RVers Friend Hot off the Press
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. Order the 2009 edition now -- just published! Learn more or order.
To ensure you continue to receive email alerts for this newsletter, please place the following email address in your own email address book: rvtraveler@topica.email-publisher.com
Editor's corner
By Chuck Woodbury
Enjoy this special 30 second video seasons greeting from the RVbookstore.com/RVtravel.com Holiday Moose!
Hello again. Welcome to the 355th edition of this newsletter.
I have been writing quite a bit lately in my blog Roadside Journal. It's not always about RVing -- often simply thoughts about what's on my mind. If you followed me during the decade I spent on the road writing and publishing my "on-the-road" newspaper Out West, then these short essays will seem familiar. Please take a look.
My daughter Emily, my only child, got her driver's license last month. This is a good thing because it means I can loan her my car to avoid having to drive her everywhere. Her mother works 20 miles from home and I am self-employed and close by Emily's school, so until just recently, when it came to running her around, I was the designated driver. Self-employed people, as everyone knows, don't really work like in a real job, so they are always available to do errands for someone else. Yeah, right! If you're self-employed, you know what I mean.
The good thing about my daughter being more mobile is that I can now get away a little easier in my motorhome without fear of leaving her stranded without transportation. So this good news, indeed, for me. I yearn to get back on the road in my motorhome to do more writing, and, I have more freedom to do so than before.
But here's my dilemma: In less than two years, Emily will be off to college in the East. I will remain here on the Pacific Coast. So we will likely be 3,000 miles apart, which means there will be no wonderful young lady for me to pal with on a regular basis. Alas, I am already spending way too much time pondering her future absence (and often feeling sad in the process). So, for now, every moment with her is precious.
Consequently, going away for a month now in my RV is trading one love for another. The way I figure it, though, the RV will still be with me in two years. My daughter won't.
So for the next couple of years, I'll sneak out for a week or two when I can, and dream of the day when I can go farther and longer. That time will arrive soon enough.
 HOLIDAY SHOPPING NOTE: As you probably know, this newsletter is made possible by sales at RVbookstore.com -- the world's largest store specializing in titles about RVs and the RV lifestyle. When you're doing your holiday shopping would you please consider giving your favorite RVer a book or DVD from RVbookstore.com? They will love it, and the proceeds will help our store and this newsletter keep rolling along! Thanks!
* * *
In last week's RVtravel.com reader survey we asked you if you were a member of the Good Sam Club, which is the largest (by far) club of RV enthusiasts. Almost 80 percent of you reported that you do, in fact, belong to the group.
I've personally been a member of the club for many years, and find that my membership is worth it for the 10 percent I save on commercial campgrounds, and the club's monthly magazine Highways. But, as many of you noted in your comments, the club is notorious for the amount of junk mail it sends to its members. It's an annoyance to me, and apparently to many of you judging from your comments. The club is part of the Affinity Group, which also publishes Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines and owns Camping World. Read the results of the survey and the comments.
Wal-Mart Atlas now includes bonus "No Parking" Directory
Just in time for Holiday shopping, our best-selling "Wal-Mart Atlas" now includes the free bonus of our equally popular directory of Wal-Marts that DO NOT allow overnight RV stays in Wal-Mart parking lots. You save nearly $10 by taking advantage of this special offer. So now, learn where to stay for free in a Wal-Mart parking lot and where not to stay! This is a great Holiday gift! Read more or order.
Read my blog. Updated often.
 Bargains at RVbookstore.com
Low, low prices. Save up to 80% and even more!
Taking the census in Quartzsite stinks!
Quartzsite,
Arizona is an unusual town. For eight or nine months of the year, it's
almost a ghost town. Then the brutally hot weather turns mild and the
town comes to life. By the time winter sets in, the place is crawling
with RV snowbirds -- nobody knows how many at any one time -- tens of
thousands or hundreds of thousands? When the city officials want to get
an estimate of the crowd, they don't just count RVs and multiply by 2.
Nope, they head to the sewer plant! Read more.
 Travel To Exciting Places!
Drive the Alcan to America's Last Frontier, envision yourself on Nova Scotia's miles of coastal drives, celebrate Mardi Gras, cross the border to sunny Mexico, form friendships you'll treasure the rest of your days. All arrangements, including RV parks, by Tracks RV Tours, est. 1975. Click here for your FREE CATALOG or call 800-351-6053.
Getting dental work done in Mexico. Part 2
Professor of RVing, Jim Twamley takes you back to Mexico in this second installment of his five part series "Dental Tourism." If you're not covered by a dental plan, then learn from Jim about no frills high quality dental work in Mexico border towns at a fraction of the price you'd pay in the USA. In this episode, Jim continues his dental tour of Los Algodones, across the border near Yuma, Arizona.
Did you miss the first installment on this series?Read it here.
RELEASED THIS YEAR BY FILMMAKER JOHN HOLOD
 DVD: RVing Alaska
(with Joe and Vicki Kieva)
Learn everything you need to know about traveling by RV to and from Alaska via the Alaska Highway and the Alaska ferry. Essential viewing for Alaska-bound RVers. WONDERFUL HOLIDAY GIFT!Learn more or order.
Noise keeping you awake at night? Here's a solution
For the most part, the RV lifestyle is a dream come true. But there are a few drawbacks, like having to stay in a truck stop or rest area overnight. The traffic noise can really raise Cain with getting a decent night's sleep. There is an alternative to stuffing your ears with cotton, or hitting a Homer D. Poe for a set of contractor earplugs. Mask the sound.
 New composite, ultra-lightweight trailer debuts from Dutchmen
Dutchmen Manufacturing has announced a new, lightweight European-style ultra light travel trailer, the EcoLogic. The RV features a 100 percent composite superstructure and is one of the lightest trailers ever built for the North American RV market. Read more.
Why a cheap RV may be best for you. Or not!
Not all RVs are created equal. The cheapest construction may be just fine for the weekend camper, but a rig with sturdier construction would serve the avid or full-time RVer far better. Which is best for you? Here are some tips.
Paying bills electronically? Don't lose track of the details
For
fulltimers and other RVers who spend a lot of time on the road,
electronic bill paying may be the neatest thing since sliced bread. Simply
sit down at your computer, press a few buttons, and voila! Your bills
are paid, no stamps, no post office, and no worrying about whether your
bills will catch up with you, after all, you got them over the
Internet. But hold on. All this convenience can come with its own set of danger -- if you don't stay on top of the details.
 FREE SHIPPING
at RVbookstore.com
Order $49 or more and choose to pay absolutely no postage or handling fees (USA addresses only). Nearly ALL orders ship same day. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it." ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY GIFTS AT RVbookstore.com
Surveys reveal habits, behavior of RVers
Did you know that 25 percent of RVers have ordered a pizza delivered to their campsite, or that seven percent of RVers would not loan their RV to a close friend, or that 63 percent of RVers' first choice of a morning beverage is coffee? Five years of weekly surveys by the editors of RVtravel.com have revealed these behaviors of RVers and many more. Read more.
 Protect your rig with an RV cover, shelter or garage
A shelter for your RV, whether a permanent garage, carport structure or fabric cover, can help prolong the life of your motorhome or other recreational vehicle for many years. One leak can cause costly structural damage. Sun damage is brutal. So what does an RVer do?
Headed to Alaska?
Check out RVbookstore.com's selection of books and DVDs about travel to and in Alaska. Click here.
 Two terrific recipes
from the RV Kitchen
Janet Groene shares her recipe for Corned Beef Lickety Skillet. Or maybe you'd like to try her Thanksgiving Hash in a Flash. You won't go wrong with either of these recipes! Yum, yum! There's always something good cooking in the RVtravel.com RV Kitchen.
This travel companion can keep you sane, save your marriage
What weighs 15 ounces; is the size of a deck of cards and could possibly save an RVer's marriage? RV tech expert Mark Polk has the answer, and he wonders why it took so long to find it! Curious? Read on.
 RVs FOR SALE
Motorhomes, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Truck Campers, Pop ups and much more. See the big selection at NewRVer.com. Click here
Recent RV recalls
Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RV-Recalls.com. Here are the most recent ones: October -- September -- August -- July -- June -- May -- April -- March -- February -- January
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.
 2008 Wal-Mart Atlas & Bonus
"No Overnight RV Parking" Directory
Order the popular Wal-Mart Atlas and receive the "No Overnight Parking" Directory for FREE. SAVE $9.90! 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.
Get an email alert for upcoming issues of this newsletter. It only takes 20 seconds to sign up. Your email address is never sold or shared with outsiders. No exceptions.
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.
Spend eternity in Quartzsite, Arizona
About this time of year, tens of thousands of RVers flock to Quartzsite, Ariz., where they camp for less than a dollar a day on federal lands just outside town. Quartzsite is the West's RV Snowbird Capital. But what about RVers who love Quartzsite so much they want to stay forever? They can, and for a mere $500! What a deal! But there's a catch that may spoil this offer for you. Read all about it.
. . . See the current temperature in Quartzsite.
Scroll down the page and look to the left.
Arizona state trust lands offer boondocking opportunities
Here's a little-known recreational opportunity for those fleeing the cold of the north. Many RVers take advantage of land managed by the federal government, most by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). But the state itself holds title to over nine million acres of trust lands, and of that, nearly eight million acres is open to recreation. Learn more.
 How to test the accuracy of your campsite's 50 amp electric service
Professor of RVing Jim Twamley shows you how to use a multi-meter to test the accuracy of your campground's electrical hookups, specifically its 50 amp service. All that's required is an inexpensive device available at most discount stores. Watch the video.
 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!
 The life of an RVing Romance Novel AuthorLong before she actually "lived" the writing life, RVing romance novelist Bess McBride dreamed of what it would be like. In her fantasy, she envisioned herself clacking away on a keyboard all day at home, pausing in between spurts of creative genius to relax in her perfectly ergonomic office chair while she gazed out her window at (1) majestic mountains; (2) turquoise water lapping at a white sandy beach; (3) fabulous maple trees with orange-gold leaves; (4) a castle high on a mountain--maybe in Italy. . . Yeah, right! That was the dream. Read about Bess' reality at her blog RV Romance. Bad times at FleetwoodOn Tuesday, Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. reported a $56.7 million net loss for its fiscal second quarter, ended Oct. 26, due to a steep decline in revenue.  Tiny Teardrop-type trailers coming soon to Camping WorldCamping World will soon be selling tiny teardrop trailers called Little Guys. With models available at around 500 pounds and ranging from 4 to 6 feet in width, Little Guys enable small car owners to camp with many of the benefits of an RV. The tiny trailers can not only be towed by small cars, but even motorcycles. Little Guys will debut in nine Camping World stores in December.
 DVD shows how to
drive a motorhomeLearn how to drive a motorhome the right way from RVer/tour bus driver Lorrin Walsh and host Mark Polk. This should be essential viewing for co-pilots and novice RV drivers. And veteran RVers, too! 67 minutes. Save 10% at RVbookstore.com. Learn more or order.
A Woman's Perspective
By Adrienne Kristine
Have yourself a Fluid Day!
Once a month, I recommend fluid day for your vehicle(s). I started the monthly tradition years ago with some female friends so we could keep our cars in top shape. We would gather around our cars and check the oil, radiator, brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid and battery level. We added oil, antifreeze, fluids and distilled water as needed. We each had a tire gauge and checked the tires for proper inflation. When I purchased my motorhome, I had twice as many items to monitor on two different engines: a Ford and a Dodge 360. I repeat the same checkups with both vehicles. However, I use a small baseball bat to thump the tires on the motorhome. I've learned from the sound whether a tire needs air, especially one of the inside duallies. It doesn't take long to inspect your vehicle(s) and it could prevent problems down the road.
 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
When do you plan to take your next RV trip? Answer here.
Last week's survey question
Are you a member of the Good Sam Club? 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.
Water damage repair and odd-size mattress replacement
Dear RV Doctor,
I have a 1992 Jamboree motorhome that has some interior damage from water leaks. I believe I have stopped the leaking but would like learn how to replace interior ceiling and wall panels damaged by the water. I am also looking for a replacement mattress that has a diagonal cut on the corner. --Ray Pazornick
Read Gary's response.
Read previous RV Doctor columns
PRICE REDUCTION. SAVE BIG RIGHT NOW. HURRY!
 2008 Guide To The Firearm Laws of the 50 States
RVers
who travel with a firearm may not know that what's legal in their home
state may be a felony in another. This guide explains current, specific
gun laws for every state. Don't cross a state line with a gun without
knowing the laws! Reg. $12.95. NOW ONLY $9.95. Learn more or order.
Trivia
Austrian composer Franz Shubert wrote approximately 1,000 musical compositions in his short life of 31 years including symphonies and operas. He died in 1828 and was buried next to his hero Beethoven. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest composers in the Western tradition. Because he was so prolific in his short life, he is also known as the world's "fastest composer."
 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
Getting water back to your boondocking site
By Russ and Tina De Maris
For long-seated boondockers, like those who hang out on BLM lands of the Southwest, one of the biggest headaches is getting water back to the rig. Sure you can pull up stakes and drag the trailer (or drive the motorhome) down to the water station, but once you're settled in, who wants to move? Carrying water back in five gallon jugs is feasible, but certainly a pain right up there with doing your taxes. Here's a better solution.
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.
 Visit Arizona's
Finest RV Resorts
Leave the cold and enter the warmth and fun of sunny Arizona. Click here to view resorts
 RV Tech Tip by Mark Polk
Save antifreeze with
a water heater by-pass kit
A water heater by-pass kit can save you six gallons of antifreeze when it's time to winterize your unit. You drain the water heater, put it in the bypass mode and the antifreeze bypasses the tank and goes directly into the water lines. Never drain the water heater tank when it is hot or under pressure. For complete step-by-step procedures on winterizing and storing your RV check out our winterizing DVD.
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
LED for general lighting, advice wanted
We aim to replace all of our interior and exterior lighting with LEDs. So far we have met with limited success: they're fairly expensive and not too many seem to be available with the potential to work as drop in replacements. Please let us/everyone know if you've had any good (or even bad) experience with LED lights for general lighting in your rig!
Generator suggestions wanted
We're getting a new 5th wheel. It is generator prepped but we're not sure we want an LP-Powered generator. Any suggestions on a gas model?
Fitting for 100 gallon propane tank
I can't figure out what kind of fitting I need to make my new 100 lb. propane tank hook up to my trailer. It has a female fitting on the tank with the threads on the inside (like a water faucet). What do I need?
Recipes needed
Does anyone have any wonderful electric cooker recipes for an electric skillet or crockpot?
Cleaning the ceiling
What's the best product to use to clean our rig's ceiling? Some have told us carpet cleaner, but I hesitate to use that stuff.
Interesting Forum:
 RVing with Pets
Does Fido or Boots join you on your RV trips? If so, this RVtravel.com Forum is your kind of place. Read the forum to learn a lot about traveling with cats, dogs or other animals, or post a question and another forum member will usually provide a timely answer. Half of RVers travel with a furry friend, making this a popular place to share information.
Read other Forum discussions
 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.
Random RV Thought
It could be successfully argued that one of the most exhilarating parts of an RV trip is the week leading up to when it begins. The daydreaming is magnificent.
 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
"Keep your fuel tank(s) full when not on the road. Moisture in the form of water vapor can enter by way of tank vents as evening temperatures drop. When the vapor condenses, it forms water. The more empty space, the faster water collects. Water rusts fuel tanks and rust flakes clog up your filters." --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
RV Funnies
Good news and bad news
A young, pregnant RVer named Sally was involved in a traffic accident, but because she was riding in a sturdy motorhome, she survived, although she was left in a coma. When she awoke a few days later in the hospital she was no longer pregnant. She asked her doctor, "What happened?" He replied, "Sally, you had twins -- a boy and a girl. Your brother named them for you."
"Oh, no!" shrieked Sally. "Not my brother! His elevator doesn't go to the top floor, if you know what I mean!" The doctor replied, "Well, Sally, your brother named your daughter Denise." Relieved, she said, "Well, that's not so bad. Then, hesitantly, she asked, "What's the boy's name?"
"Denephew," he said.
From RVjokes.com
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.
Bumper Snicker
Like a roll of toilet paper, life goes faster at the end
 RV Emergency Road Service from the Good Sam Club
Looking for the best RV benefits and the best value in a reliable RV emergency roadside service plan? Look no further than the Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service, the all-in-one roadside assistance club that caters specifically to RV owners. Learn more or sign up.
Worth Pondering
"Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have." --H. Jackson Brown Jr.
 Big Rigs Campground Directory
now available on CD-ROM
The hugely popular Big Rigs Best Bets Campground Directory is now available on CD-ROM. This is the premier guidebook to RV parks that cater to long RVs -- 32 feet and longer. Previously only available in printed form, the publishers have just released the information in a searchable CD-ROM. Learn more.
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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