LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 29, 2016 — Winegard announced today that it will display a host of new electronic gadgets at the National RV Trade Show. In the newly-designed booth this year, the company will showcase the Winegard ConnecT Wi-Fi range extender, both the Wi-Fi version that is available now and the WiFi + 4G LTE, which will be available the first quarter of 2017.
Other products on display will include:
Winegard RoadTrip T4 in-motion RV satellite antenna that delivers DISH, DIRECTV and BellTV programming while RVers travel down the road. Smaller and quieter than previous Winegard in-motion satellite antennas, this sleek, compact unit is ultra lightweight, with the smallest footprint, and requires minimal roof space. New motors and updated tracking algorithms reduce noise levels and improve tracking capabilities.
Carryout G2+ includes a power inserter which removes the need for a power cable and allows for switching of providers from inside the RV. It also offers flexibility with options to be completely portable, roof mounted, or mounted on our rear cab, ladder, window or tri-pod mounts.
DISH Playmaker portable satellite antenna works exclusively with DISH HD Solo receiver technology and programming. Powered by single coax connection through the DISH receiver, the fully-automatic system finds DISH satellite orbital locations. The small antenna measures 14.3 inches in diameter, is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 10 pounds. It comes with an easy-grip handle for carrying.
People can spend more time watching TV and enjoying the great outdoors and spend less time pointing their antenna with the Rayzar Automatic, Winegard’s first fully automatic amplified digital HDTV antenna. The system is capable of receiving both VHF and UHF signals, and automatically aims toward the channels to provide more coverage.
Rayzar z1, Winegard’s next generation in digital and HD broadcast TV RV antennas, which delivers crystal clear high definition quality programming and 4K ultra high definition signals, where available. It provides effortless rotation and no cranking is required. Existing antenna units or heads can be replaced with minimal effort.
Roadstar Omni-Directional VHF-UHF antenna may be a compact antenna, but it delivers powerful performance with 360-degree signal reception allowing it to receive all VHF/UHF/FM frequencies while parked. No hand cranking or aiming, the RoadStar antenna is always ready for viewing.
(Nov. 29, 2016) — The 2016 RV Industry Trade Show began today in Louisville, Kentucky. Thor and Winnebago issued news releases about their 2017 RVs to be debuted at the once-a-year event. Here is the very brief overview of models and floor plans as supplied by the PR departments at each company.
Thor: •Aria 3401 – Campground friendly diesel pusher featuring king size bed with Tilt-A-ViewTM inclining bed mechanism, 100-watt solar charging system & unique custom dash layout.
Windsport 31Z
•Windsport 31Z – Innovative basement design allows campers to store full size bicycles and kayaks in a basement storage compartment while providing a walk-around queen size bed, power drop-down overhead bunk and optional dual A/C with 50-amp service and upgraded 5500-watt gas generator.
•Quantum KM24 – Fuel efficient Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter based model with full wall slide-out and abundance of sleeping areas
•Chateau 31Y – The first Thor Motor Coach with dual front swivel seats on the Ford E-Series chassis is this luxurious Class C with a full wall slide-out and massive exterior storage.
•Miramar 35.3 – Bath-and-a-half model with a Dream Dinette® booth, expanding sofa, residential refrigerator and washer/dryer prep
Winnebago’s new products and floor plans: •Paseo 48P (Class B) – The first Class B motorhome built on the Ford® Transit Van chassis. Featuring the powerful Ford EcoBoost engine, the Paseo offers a rear dinette that can be used as a dining and lounging area and a cross-coach sleeping space.
• Era 70M (Class B) – An industry first in a Class B RV – the Era 70M features a slide room that houses a standard powered Murphy + bed that hinges down to form a continuous sleeping space.
•Vista/Sunstar 27PE (Class A Gas) – Offers Class A amenities at a comfortable price and length. A dinette and sofa bed oppose each other at the front of the coach, a split galley is located mid coach and a private master bedroom and bathroom are located in back.
•Vista/Sunstar 32YE (Class A Gas) – The new, double slide 32YE is well-designed, with a dinette, swivel cab seats and sofa/bed positioned to create a lounge for family and friends to enjoy.
•Forza 38W (Class A Diesel) – Features three slide rooms, two full bathrooms and fixed bunk beds. The living space houses an entertainment wall with a large HDTV on a flexible mount. Other amenities in the living area include a standard electric fireplace, a dinette with a picture window and plush furniture.
•Journey 40J (Class A Diesel) – The new 40J is the quintessential diesel featuring our exclusive Maxum Chassis®, generous storage and increased towing power. Factor in a full -wall slide and this bath and a half floorplan will impress with spacious living up front, a large master bath and entertainment features including an available 11-speaker premium cab sound system.
•Winnie Drop 170K (Travel Trailer) – Newest entry to the retro profile line up. It features an outside kitchen, sleeping, cooking and bath areas in an easy to pull light weight design.
•Minnie Plus 26RBSS (Travel Trailer) – The first model in a new line up of Minnie Plus travel trailers. The Minnie Plus completes the line of this series beginning with the Micro Minnie, the Minnie and the new Minnie Plus. These models will feature bigger slides and be traditionally sized campers.
•Spyder 29KS (Toy Hauler) – Exciting new design in travel trailer toy haulers that features a creative floorplan with a galley slide room. The floorplan allows for maximum cargo area while towing and maximum living space when arrived.
•Voyage Lite, Voyage and Voyage Suites (Fifth Wheels) – A new lineup of fifth wheels covering the half ton towable market, the mid profile segment and also the full profile extended stay traveler.
Water is one of the vital resources that we need to sustain life, and for RVing it becomes more critical than for homeowners. Permanent home dwellers use just one source of supply for their water (two if you count bottled drinking water) and as such generally know the quality and consistency of the supplier — generally a closely monitored municipal water supply, sometimes a well.
But when on the road, water suppliers change with every change in campground. Some campgrounds use municipal water while others may use a well and monitor the water quality and safety themselves. Can you be confident in the diligence of their monitoring practices?
When boondocking, we fill our water tanks frequently, and from varied water sources that we have no way of knowing where the water is coming from or its quality. Other than sterilizing our water tanks regularly, there are some simple, inexpensive precautions that we can take to swing the odds in our favor for keeping free of waterborne illnesses.
Start with the water coming into your tank or from a water hook-up. Attach a sediment filter to your hose before it enters the tank, or before the pressure regulator if hooked up. This will take most of the debris out of the water before it gets into your system. There is surprisingly more debris than you might think, especially in many of the water supply systems in the southwestern deserts where I have found sand and tiny pebbles in the filter. Consider using a home-style water filter sold by a major retailer like Walmart, Sears, or Camping World so that you can easily find filters wherever you are — and at competitive prices.
After this cleaner water enters your rig, there is no need to filter it further going to the shower, but a filter should be attached to the water coming out of your kitchen faucet either with an under-sink inline filter (such as an Everpure), or a water filter like the Brita attached directly to your kitchen faucet. In all cases, make sure you change the filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
An option for the inline filter would be to keep a Brita-type pitcher of water with built in filter in your fridge. If you use the pitcher system, remember to use the filtered water for washing veggies, making coffee, tea, cold drinks, or ice cubes, and for brushing teeth.
Another option is the Remco WaterMaker Five water filter system. Read my review.
With these systems in place you will be reasonably safe from the hidden bugs in your water supply. And if you are particularly sensitive to stomach disturbances, drink bottled water, though in most cases it is not necessary and an added expense.
You can find Bob Difley’s RVing e-books on Amazon Kindle.
Based on news release from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
With deliveries of RVs climbing toward an all-time high, the North American RV industry is planning to accelerate its marketing efforts on three groups of consumers most likely to buy – Active Family Adventurers, Nature Lovers and Kid-Free Adult Adventurers. Combined, they represent 40 percent of U.S. households.
According to a news release, the three target groups were identified as part of a recent Go RVing Communications Planning Study conducted by A.C. Nielsen. The study provides new data about the demographics and psychographics of prospective and current RV buyers, and identifies effective marketing strategies for reaching both.
In general, the research showed that consumers in all three primary opportunity segments have favorable views towards RVs and the RV lifestyle.
Active Family Adventurers have children who significantly influence leisure trip decisions. They’re the most likely to have rented or owned an RV, to have visited an RV dealership and to peruse RV and travel publications and websites. Of the three segments, this one has the highest percentage of Gen Xers and African-Americans.
Nature Lovers are likely to have tent camped or rented a cabin in the past two years. They enjoy visiting locations with natural beauty, seeking out lesser-known destinations, and finding opportunities for outdoor sports and recreation. This group is younger, and uses travel-related apps on their smartphones or computers.
The study recommends that Go RVing reach out to Active Family Adventurers and Nature Lovers with family-friendly messages that convey how RVs offer a home away from home, unique freedoms and an easy way to escape and connect with nature. In addition, since the perceived expense of RV ownership is a key barrier, the study suggests focusing on long-term vacation savings.
Kid-Free Adult Adventurers relish trips that offer learning opportunities, romantic getaways, exploring lesser-known destinations, visiting family, spending time in nature and attending sporting events. This segment has the second highest percentage of African-Americans. For this group, the study recommends highlighting the freedom and convenience of RVing, including the ability to travel with pets, and focusing on entry-level RV options with lower costs and features.
In terms of current RV owners, the study found that they love their RVs and the RV lifestyle. When asked about their overall RV experience with their RVs, 88 percent ranked it as good, very good or excellent, and the majority said that their expectations of RV ownership were either met or exceeded. One-third of current owners are repeat buyers, with the conventional travel trailer being the most commonly owned type of RV among those surveyed. RV owners take an average of five trips per year in their RV, primarily to go camping at a variety of destinations.
While owners say that the most important part of RV travel is having an opportunity to enjoy nature, 75 percent say it’s important to have internet connectivity while traveling by RV. In terms of what RV owners look for when making an RV purchase, comfort and cost top the list of important factors. Since only 20 percent of RV buyers surveyed bought the same brand, there’s an opportunity for manufacturers to build stronger brand equity.
The research was conducted via an online survey among 2,523 owners and prospects. Of the 1,518 prospects, 1,304 said they would consider an RV purchase. Respondents were all U.S. residents, aged 18 and older. Non-owners were 18-70 and were additionally screened for a minimum household income of $40,000. All non-owners were also screened to ensure that they had taken at least one overnight trip in the past year. Data was weighted to be representative of the population of interest.
If you miss having the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace in your RV, the Dimplex 25″ LED Electric Fireplace Insert may be the next best thing. The simulated fireplace looks like a real fire burning, and also will heat your interior, a pleasant plus for fall and winter camping.
Features:
LED Technology: Lasts more than 35 times longer and uses 10 times less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
Supplemental Heat: Includes a powerful fan-forced heater designed to keep the rooms you spend the most time in warm and comfortable. Reduce your central furnace temperature and cut your heating costs!
Includes a thermostat controlled fan-forced heater to ensure consistent comfort.
On-screen Display allows you to view temperature settings and functions easily.
Multi-function Remote: Control 100% of the fireplace features from the comfort of your chair.
Year-round Enjoyment: Enjoy the ambiance of the flame with or without the heater for year-round enjoyment.
Economical to operate, costing only pennies per hour.
The green alternative. No harmful particulates or emissions and 100% efficient.
Safe: Front glass stays cool, making it safe to touch.
Instant Ambiance: Plugs into any standard AC outlet.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles is recalling 2,045 model year 2015-2016 Cyclone travel trailers manufactured July 6, 2014, to September 29, 2015, and 2015-2016 Road Warrior and 2016 Torque trailers manufactured July 18, 2014, to September 30, 2015. The affected trailers are equipped with aluminum black ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries that have retractable hinges, each with a welded ‘top hat’ that can separate from the hinge.
If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will install hinge braces over the back of the existing hinges, free of charge. The recall was expected to begin November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland’s number for this recall is 99-01-28.
While plenty of folks were out hitting the highways over the long weekend, it seems our readers took their electronic devices along to keep up with the newsletter. Here’s a bit of the feedback we’ve received in the last couple of weeks.
Few boondockers?
Our man Bob Difley posed the question, “Why so few boondockers?” There were plenty of comments from those that don’t boondock – and from those that do. Here’s a sample.
Nigel Brown photo
Pete D. spoke for many when he wrote, “We love to boondock but don’t many times because we are afraid of getting into places we can’t easily get out of. I would dread having to back my trailer two mikes down the road if I can’t find a turn around. I guess that is my biggest deterrent. Heading off down a dirt road you are not familiar with can lead to some dangerous situations.”
Shannon P echoed similarly, but also provided a potential solution: “Love to boondock but driving a trailer down an unknown forest road can be scary. We always fear that we’ll drive somewhere and then be unable to turn around. We’re learning to use boondock-friendly resources to plan our adventures and are getting braver each time we head out.”
What are those “friendly resources”? Chris Hemstead suggests some: “Today, with Google maps and the Escapees’ ‘Day’s End’ publication, I have a good idea of boondocking spots before I get there. I will not drive down an unknown dirt road with a large 5er in tow.”
If you’re an Escapees Club member, you can purchase the “Days End” CD, which lists tried-and-true boondocking sites all over the U.S. And we second the suggestion of using Google maps. We’ve found that by setting the map for an aerial view, we can often “see” in advance the terrain and available turnarounds (or lack thereof) before we go down an unknown road with our truck and trailer combination.
Enrique Dans on wikimedia
But that’s not the only fear readers mentioned. Here’s a representative one from Glen J.: “When I was a young man, I and my family lived in Western Canada and camped deep in the wilderness. Now that I live in the USA, and am in my seventies, I am truly afraid of camping in remote spots. There are lots of bad guys around, and I am simply unable to look after me and mine if confronted. Also, I can no longer walk a few miles to civilization if something happens. This is not a reflection on the USA, but the realities of the times we live in and the age I have become.”
Glen isn’t the only one concerned about bad guys. Others mentioned their apprehensions about bad hombres lurking in the woods. However, Robbie brings up a point that many boondockers make: “We feel more secure boondocking than being in any RV park. We see very few people where we boondock, and the chances of the ‘bad guy’ being in these remote places is less than him being at the RV park or in a Walmart parking lot.”
We have to concur. From our own experience, there have been plenty of times we’ve felt uncomfortable in more urban settings than when in the “outback.” Crime is often bred by opportunity and, face it, it’s a lot easier to find an RV to burgle close to home than to drive out in the sticks looking for an RV or two. We often advise, if you pull into a site, trust your instincts. If it feels hinky, fire up the engine and move along.
Finally, long-time boondocking booster Greg Illes sums up other reasons why some just don’t boondock. “[Boondocking is] just too much of a dark mystery. Unknowns are challenging and exciting to some people, and off-putting to others. Like other walks of life, there’s a LOT of diversity amongst us road-travelers. Viva la difference, eh?”
Dennis Lylyk has issues with some theft-proof cables. “Those so-called uncuttable are nothing but a scam, they’re easily cut with a 24″ bolt cutter. The university I worked at used very expensive cable to secure computers in student area common areas. We opened a new area that was very poorly designed and easy escape route to the outside, and were puzzled when [computers] were stolen. How did they cut the cables? When we reviewed the security footage we were shocked. It appeared the guys cut them with what looked like ordinary cable cutters! I took a piece of cable home with me and to my surprise I could cut it like a matchstick with cheap 24″ bolt cutters. It appeared that the coating on the wire held the stands together and prevented it from flattening out. These were not cheap cables. I believe they cost us over a $100 a kit. So the moral of the story is: Do not trust the sales claims, try cutting it before you use it while you still have the receipt in your hand.”
Give up on cables? Ralph Cox has a suggestion: “If you use case hardened chain, even a diamond blade will have a hard time getting through it. Bolt cutters are absolutely useless with case hardened chain. You can get it at McMaster-Carr. mcmaster.com”
Thanks for all your feedback! We look forward to hearing your raves — and rants.
You may have noticed that the water you hook up to at some campgrounds and RV resorts is considerably taste-challenged. Campground water can come from a variety of sources and is not always tested for taste and purity as often as you might like. And you can bet that most of these water sources are not filtering out things like arsenic and lead and other nasties you don’t want to put into your family’s bodies.
The compact Remco WaterMaker Five reverse osmosis (RO) system from Nimbus Water Systems produces high-quality drinking water quickly, easily and on demand. The system features hygienically sealed filter cartridges and color-coded fittings for fast installation and easy service. Compared to traditional RO systems, the unique WaterMaker Five delivers 30% more flow from the faucet and the 50-gallon-per-day membrane quickly refills the storage tank.
FEATURES:
Residential Reverse Osmosis System
Tested and certified by NSF International, Standard 58, for the reduction of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Lead, Fluoride, Arsenic V, and Cysts
Certified as a carbon neutral product through independent, third party assessment.
Top-quality coconut carbon post-filtration provides final polishing for the freshest taste.
Learn more and find a dealer near you on the Remco website.
(Nov. 27, 2016) — Newmar is recalling certain 2016-2017 Dutch Star and Ventana motorhomes manufactured January 22, 2016, to November 7, 2016, equipped with Cummins ISL engines. These vehicles, built on a Freightliner chassis, have a power steering hose that may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.
Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.
Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose for proper clearance, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2017. Owners may contact Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar’s number for this recall is 16V 809.
It’s not unusual for your RV to be exposed to faulty campground electrical wiring like open neutral, open ground and reverse polarity. If ignored when hooking up at a campground or RV park, such conditions can damage or destroy appliances and expensive electronics. In this short video, Mark Polk demonstrates how several inexpensive Surge Guard RV Power Protectors can help ensure you stay out of trouble. All of the products are available at Amazon.com.
Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter, now in its 16th year of continuous publication, is funded primarily through advertising and voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you!
Issue 770 • Week of Nov. 26–Dec. 2, 2016
Editor’s corner With Chuck Woodbury Chuck (at) RVtravel.com
The World’s Largest Turkey, “Big Tom,” stands 20 feet tall and has more than 3,000 fiberglass feathers.
Happy belated Thanksgiving! I hope you had an excellent celebration and are now enjoying your leftovers. In honor of the holiday and all the turkeys that made the supreme sacrifice, I am showing you this terrific photo I took of Gail last summer sitting beneath the World’s Largest Turkey, Big Tom, in Frazee, Minnesota. I hope you get a chance to visit Big Tom, for it’s one of those life experiences you never forget (okay, maybe you will).
Changing the subject The non-RVers that Gail and I meet these days ask us where we are headed in the months ahead. We answer that we don’t know. Most accept our answer, but I don’t think they grasp the concept of “purposeful wandering.”
They also want to know what we did with our “stuff.”
Most of my old stuff is gone, as in FOREVER! Back when I was traveling as a part-time RVer, I used to say that if my house were to burn down I’d be okay because all my important possessions were with me. Now, there is no house to burn down while I am away because my house is a motor-house, and everything I own travels with me.
I am now rid of the excess of my life. The clothes that hung in my closet at my ex-home stretched about six feet; the clothes in my motorhome take up less than two feet. I never wore two-thirds of my clothes anyway. In general, in a year’s time I never even touched 90 percent of what I owned. It was pretty easy to part with most of it.
HERE’S HOW I DID IT: It’s not necessary to get rid of all your stuff at once. You do it in waves. You start by parting with the easy stuff. For example, I bet I had two dozen coffee mugs. On my first round of purging, it was easy to get rid of a half dozen. But I couldn’t bear to part with any more. So I stopped and worked on getting rid of clothes. Then, maybe a couple of weeks later, I went back to the coffee mugs and it was easy enough to give away a few more. Then I went back to getting rid of clothes.
Most of what I owned went to Goodwill or other charities.
Some days I couldn’t part with anything. I would be locked in the packrat part of my brain. It was stressful just thinking of getting rid of stuff, especially things like the old Irish Setter-shaped bookends that I inherited (from whom, I don’t even remember). So on those days, I’d just do something else — watch TV, drive somewhere, drink coffee — do anything but get rid of stuff.
Then, maybe only a day or two later, I would wake up at 7 a.m., sit straight up, wide awake, thinking “Must get rid of stuff!” And then I would quickly take my shower, down two cups of coffee (my drug of choice), eat some Cheerios, and then begin slinging stuff left and right into cardboard boxes for Goodwill. Five more coffee mugs would go, five more shirts, more pants, more socks, more bad art from the walls. The dog bookends went. The junk drawer was almost empty — a monumental accomplishment!
It took me months, but finally everything was gone except what I really needed. Now, in my third month of full-time, purposeful wandering, I don’t miss anything. Stuff no longer owns me. I’m a lean, mean, wandering machine!
Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary!
Wish your special someone a Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary and we’ll post your well-wishes and your short comment right in this newsletter. It’s super easy to leave your greeting. Just click here. Remember to send them in prior to the Saturday before the big event.
See this week’s greetings near the bottom of this newsletter.
RV Parts and Accessories
Give Dyers a try on your next purchase of RV parts or accessories. Large selection, great service, low prices and fast shipping. Visit our website.
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Say No to the Snow! This year, say NO to the snow, and head south for the winter! Florida, Arizona and South Texas benefit from beautiful sunny days and gentle warm breezes. You can too! Stay a week, a month, or the whole season! Book your long-term seasonal or annual stay at one of over 80 resorts in the southeastern United States. Click here to learn more!
Forest River, Jayco and Winnebago issue recalls
Forest River is recalling certain model year 2017 Vibe trailers, as well as certain model year 2017 Salem recreational trailers, and certain model year 2017 Wildwood recreational trailers. Jayco is recalling certain model year 2017 Jay Sport camping trailers. Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2017 Winnebago View and Itasca Navion motorhomes. Learn more.
RV Armor has tough skin!
RV Armor’s tough skin was featured recently in Trailer Life. Read the full story here. RV Armor offers a unique, liquid applied roof system that is Guaranteed for the Life of the RV! No more maintenance, seams, or headaches. Nationwide mobile service. We come to you. To learn more, call 1-855-782-7667 or click here. Click the video to see our 2-day process in 6 minutes!
Reader RVs
What RV do you drive or tow? Send us a photo of your RV (and tow vehicle) with a 150-200 word description of where and how often you travel with it, and what you like or don’t like about it. Include your name(s) and hometown. We’ll post them to RVtravel.com. Send to assistant editor Diane McGovern at Diane (at) RVtravel.com .
CLICK HERE to see last week’s RV Travel Reader RVs. More next week!
Reduce air drag and boost fuel efficiency — Airtab® your RV! Just peel and stick Airtabs™ to the rear sides and the rear roof of your RV coach or trailer to create swirls of air that reduce aerodynamic drag, save fuel and improve stability. Airtabs™ dramatically reduce trailer ‘fish tailing’ and crosswinds pressure to RVs from passing trucks, while improving fuel efficiency 2% – 5%! Click on the video.
THIS WEEK’S CONTEST! UPDATE 12:15 Sunday: WE HAVE OUR WINNER (as picked by Random.org). Win this absolutely wonderful Freudian Sips Coffee Mug, with the message “When you say one thing but mean your mother.”The winner will be chosen randomly out of all correct entries received by noon (Pacific), Sunday. The question: California has approximately 840 miles of shoreline along its coast. About how many miles of shoreline does Montana’s Fort Peck Lake have? 975 miles, 1,520 miles or 3,380 miles? See the answer below in our Trivia section. Email your answer to RVcontests (at) gmail.com. We can only ship prizes to addresses with a U.S. Zip Code. Only one entry per household. Contest ends Sunday at noon (Pacific) at which time a winner will be selected using Random.org. We’ll let you know if you win. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or forfeit the prize. After that, another potential winner will be selected until we hear from and have a winner.
Last week’s winner (correct entry #31, as picked by Random.org): Thomas Hathaway, of Lakeside, California
U.S. sales of new motorhomes continued to rise in September. Compared to September 2015, sales were up more than 12 percent, with Class A motorhomes showing better than a 3 percent uptick. But adding the most to the surge were sales of Class C units, up 22 percent. Source: Statistical Surveys Inc.
Are you a night sky watcher? Add Stephen C. Foster State Park to your list. The Georgia park recently received the designation of an “International Dark Sky Park” for having little light pollution, making a clear view of celestial phenomenon a reality.
Fiat Chrysler and Cummins say the companies will fight a class-action lawsuit brought against the truck manufacturers by some owners of 2007-2012 diesel-fired Dodge Ram pickups. The suit accuses the builders “conspired to purposefully deceive customers and regulators of illegally high levels of diesel emissions in their automobiles.” An attorney representing owners says faulty emission catalysts in some cases allowed trucks to belch out emissions at more than 10 times the lawful level.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants you to put your phone down while driving – and they’re asking carmakers to help. The agency is pushing voluntary manufacturer guidelines that would pair driver’s e-devices with vehicle “infotainment” systems, and provide simplified user controls called Driver Mode. The goal: Reduce driver distraction and lower the accident rate.
Another one bites the dust: This time it’s Thompson Family RV in Davenport, Iowa. The outfit, founded in 1959, has been in family control for three generations. Sometime in the next couple of months the Iowa dealer will fall into the hands of Camping World, which anticipates taking over the site and building a retail store.
Ever wonder what it would cost you to buy a developed RV park? Here’s a sample from Arizona. Out of Yuma, two resorts, Adobe Village and Sunset Palm, with a combined total of 235 sites, recently sold for $3 million. Spend a bit more? Leaf Verde RV Resort in Buckeye has 377 sites, a heated pool and club room. A purchaser recently plunked down $7.75 million for the place.
The year 2017 marks 150 years of confederation for Canada, and Parks Canada commemorates the occasion with a special camping season at Jasper National Park (Alberta). Wapiti and Whistlers campgrounds will open early in May and not close until October. Pocahontas and Wabasso campgrounds open in time for May’s long weekend and remain so until mid-September. Reservations can be made beginning at 8:00 a.m. on January 10 by clicking here.
In a die-off deemed unprecedented in California’s modern history, U.S. Forest Service officials are reporting that 62 million trees have died this year across state forests, mostly in the southern and central Sierra, bumping total tree mortality to 102 million since the onslaught of the region’s historic drought, the Santa Barbara Independent reported.
Statistical Surveys Inc. reports September wasn’t kind to Canadian towable RV sales. Overall, sales submarined by nearly 25 percent, compared to September 2015 sales. Travel trailers did “best,” in a comparative way, losing only 22.5 percent; fifth wheels lost nearly 29 percent; pop-ups plummeted almost 30 percent; and park models took a torpedo – losing a whopping 83 percent.
Drive there in your RV, tour there on your Evelo! Park your RV and use your space-saving EVELO electric bike to tour, run errands and stay in shape (by using manual mode). The EVELO is fun, economical and energy-efficient — a perfect match for RVing adventures. Save BIG during our currentBlack Friday sale! Watch the video, then click here for more details on the sale and how to purchase.
More News
Forest Service officials have installed 27 bear-proof food lockers in the Colville National Forest (Washington). To keep bears at bay, when camping there you must either use a food locker, keep your food and “smell goods” in a hard-sided vehicle, or suspend the goodies at least 10 feet in the air and four feet away from the nearest tree trunk. Sorry, Yogi!
When in Rome, don’t look for a luxury RV park. At least not in Rome, Ga., where a proposal for a $2.5 million luxury RV resort has taken fire from local residents. The 22-acre site along Alabama Highway would have 81 full-hookup sites if granted a special use permit. But neighbors, citing problems from noise to sewage and crime, don’t want it. It’s up to local officials to do a thumbs up or down.
When Glencoe, Minn., city fathers plowed $100,000 into building a city campground, some may have wondered if it was a folly with funds. The campground opened in mid-summer, and city budget hawks report the campground will reel in $25,000 this year alone.
If you’re frustrated by road conditions like potholes, try out Fred Borody’s “road rage.” The Chilliwack, British Columbia, resident is boiling about how long it’s taking road construction crews to complete a project outside his home. Road crews have raised the level of his sidewalk and driveway apron – but haven’t completed the road to match. Result? When he tried backing his travel trailer in the driveway the height difference ripped two stabilizer jacks off the rig. To get the rig out of the driveway he’s had to put down two-by-fours to gap the distance. City officials say they’ve had problems with the road contractors and suggest Borody could file a claim for damages.
Aglaia Cardona is a veterinarian with a heart. To keep her pets – Arthur, the Chocolate lab, and Iris, her gray tabby – close at hand, she bought a motorhome she uses to commute to her four-day-a-week job in Modesto, Calif., along with the pets. Aglaia and Arthur came out from work one evening to find the motorhome gone – along with Iris. Panicked, she pleaded over media outlets with the motorhome thieves to drop Iris off at a shelter. Well, Iris turned up at a local shelter, delivered by a tow truck driver. Sure enough, her motorhome had been impounded – without any explanation as to why.
Seasonal camping at the Alma RV Park in Alma, Neb., is highly coveted. For $1,500, a site can be secured for six months – but who gets them? The park is owned by the Army Corp of Engineers but managed by the city. In keeping with Corps policy, the city will make the 26 sites available through a lottery process, where applicants are assigned a number and if theirs is chosen, they get the spot.
When Ted Klug looked in his barn near Maxwell, Neb., he was surprised. No horses inside, but instead, a couple of snowbirds – and their motorhome. Michigan residents Dion and Kay Chilberg were aiming to winter over in Arizona when a blown front tire forced their Class A motorhome off the road and into Klug’s barn. No injuries.
TODAY’S DEALS ON RV PARTS & ACCESSORIES AT AMAZON.COM. Click.
Keep up with RV Industry news throughout the week at RVbusiness.com.
Light up your RV with Boogey Lights! RV accent lighting is all the rage! Just look around the RV park! Enter Boogey Lights®! These robust, super-bright, state-of-the-art LED lights with hi-tech controller technology represent the next generation in LED lighting for RVs. The AWNING & UNDER-GLOW LIGHT KITS are specifically designed to withstand harsh operating environments. Don’t waste your money on junk! Get Boogey Lights! You can even control them with your Smart Phone! Learn more or click the video for a demonstration.
RV Quick Tips
Cover your roof top air conditioner
Is your RV going to “sit tight” in one location for awhile and not be used? Think about covering your roof top air conditioner. It will protect it against UV damage and keep debris out of the unit.
Forgetful?
Fearful of things forgotten? Reader “jjmessy” sends this idea: Tie a string from one end of the driver’s sun visor to the other end. Now use clothes pins on the string to attach notes like, “Turn off propane,” “Raise jacks,” etc. When ready to move simply remove the notes as the task is performed, and slip the pins to the dash mat or elsewhere, keeping the notes for “next time.” Thanks, JJ!
Simple custom-sized trash cans
Finding suitably sized trash cans for RVing can be a hassle. Visit the plasticware section of your local discount store and pick up a plastic cereal storage container. The same bag the cashier packs it in fits great for a trash can liner. If it threatens to slide around, use double-stick Velcro tape on the bottom.
Do you have a Quick Tip? Send it to Diane (at) RVtravel.com and you just might see it here!
America’s Largest RV Consignment Dealer Buy or sell your used motorhome, diesel pusher, fifth wheel or travel trailer hassle free at PPL Motor Homes. And check our huge selection of parts! PPL is the largest RV consignment dealer in the USA, selling more than 24,000 consigned RVs since 1972. Visit the PPL website.
FMCA announces RV Basics education program
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) will debut a program for new coach owners, but open to all RVers! Attendees at the RV Basics program will learn the ins and outs of all RV systems and their safe operation. The three key educators are Gary Bunzer (the RV Doctor), Walter Cannon, Executive Director of RV Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF), and Mac McCoy (Mac the Fire Guy). The event will be held March 5 and 6, 2017, ahead of FMCA’s 95th International Convention and RV Expo in Chandler, Ariz. An FMCA membership is not necessary to attend, but space is limited so sign up ASAP. Learn more.
How to prepare your RV tires for winter storage
When preparing an RV for winter storage, should an RV’s tires be winterized in addition to the plumbing system? RV tire expert Roger Marble of RV Tire Safety says yes, and tells how in this video.
Be careful: Crooks want your vehicle
Just because you own a car (or RV) doesn’t mean you can always keep it. Thieves want it, too, and every 46 seconds they steal a motor vehicle from somewhere in the USA. Learn the top 10 stolen vehicles, the states where the most vehicles are stolen and the cause of half of all car thefts. It’s all here.
Video: Tour the 2017 Winnebago View/Navion Itasca
Take a tour of the Winnebago 2017 View/Navion 24G Class C motorhomes in this video from Winnebago Industries. These RV cousins (both from Winnebago Industries), feature a unique two-slideout design on the Mercedes Sprinter Chassis. Watch the video.
USB thumb drives, hard drives and SD memory cards — Oh my!
Last week Rich “The Wanderman” wrote about deciding which type of “television” to stick with while he travels. He’s still pondering that question, but remembered that with his existing system, he can still watch video files that he downloads online. Now his question is what to store them on? Read more.
Why so few RV boondockers?
Less than 1 in 4 RVers boondock, preferring to stay in organized campgrounds. Bob Difley, aka Boondock Bob, explores why this might be so while debating the pros and cons of boondocking versus staying at a campground. What are your thoughts on the subject? Read this, then let us know.
A GREAT GIFT No-touch dispenser automatically dispenses soap Just put your hands beneath the dispenser, and presto, just the right amount of soap is dispensed. Never pump again! Hayden’s soap dispenser uses Infrared Technology to automatically detect your hand fast. Uses 3 AAA batteries. Learn more or order.
No Shock Zone, Part Ten
In this episode, learn about GFCI troubleshooting, and understanding and preventing RV electrical damage. The information in this 12-part series has saved lives. It’s very important.Take the time to read. If you missed last week’s episode with a review of the previous episodes and a call for action, read it here.
Quick mod: Stop annoying water pump noise
If your water pump makes any noise other than the sound of the running motor, such as a vibration noise, it may be time to remount your pump. Learn how.
Defrosting RV fridge makes for icy relationship
Chris Dougherty, certified RV technician, received a question from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor regarding defrosting a Dometic fridge/freezer. The reader is a full-timer and so it is especially inconvenient to defrost it. The last time it was done, the husband damaged the freezer in an attempt to speed up the process. Read Chris’ advice.
Tour the 2017 Unity TB motorhome by Leisure Travel The new European body design on a Sprinter chassis features integrated running boards, LED taillights, clean aerodynamic lines and four available paint schemes. And, with fiberglass curved baggage doors with struts and an increased baggage area opening, packing and unpacking is very convenient. Watch the video.
Prevent thieves from stealing your generator
If it’s December or thereabouts, you can be sure that there are plenty of RVers boondocking on the desert near Quartzsite. And you can also bet good money that the local police agency will be investigating reports of stolen generators from some of those boondockers. Just what can you do to keep somebody from running off with your generator? Find out here.
RV wheel covers versus wheel simulators
Looking for a new set of wheel covers or wheel simulators to dress up your motorhome? Stainless steel covers and simulators are one of the simplest things you can do to give your motorhome an extra “shine.” However, a lot of people have questions about these wheel coverings and how they work. Learn all about them in this informative article from Dicor Corporation.
Which state is bestfor a full-time home base? The full-time lifestyle gives you the unique opportunity to choose any state to call “home.” But there are many factors to consider; a state with the lowest state income tax is not always the best option. This guide provides a wealth of valuable information to help you select the state where you will benefit the most. Learn more or order.
This week in history Week of Nov. 26–Dec. 2 Compiled by Dell Bert
1520 – Magellan reaches the Pacific.
1835 – Mark Twain is born.
1895 – Duryea Motor Wagon wins first car race in U.S.
1925 – The Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting.
1942 – “Casablanca” premieres.
1942 – Jimi Hendrix is born.
1955 – Rosa Parks ignites bus boycott.
2004 – Ken Jennings’ winning streak on “Jeopardy” ends ($2.5+ million).
Great gift for a child!A Lego RV What a great gift for an RVer’s children or grandchildren! Check out the variety of Lego RVs at Amazon — motorhomes vans, trailers and more. The RVs include doors that open, roof compartments and lots of space inside for the little people to move around — just like in a for-real RV! Learn more or order.
RV Club of the Week Here is an RV club we like. We hope you do, too!
Ultra Van Motor Coach Club
A club for all who are interested in Ultra Vans, this is a Chapter of the Corvair Society of America. “Ultra Van, The World’s Largest Production Corvair!” The Ultra Van is a unique motorhome that was produced in limited quantities by Ultra, Inc. of Hutchinson, Kansas, until June of 1970.
Toss your colander. This is better! The adjustable Snap ‘n Strain silicone strainer fits nearly all pots and pans. Once snapped in, the pot can be tilted over a sink or bowl to do its magic. Leave it on the pan even while cooking! Works with heavier foods like potatoes. Super compact for storing, perfect for RVs. Dishwasher safe. Learn more or order.
Bumper sticker of the week Watch out — The guy behind me is driving like an idiot!
Funny/clever business slogan Spotted by reader Tom Harvey at a South Dakota muffler shop: “Our work is exhausting.”
Have you seen a funny bumper sticker or business slogan? Send it to Diane (at) RVtravel.com
Portable Military Folding Shovel and Pickax GREAT GIFT! The first time you get stuck in the middle of nowhere and need a shovel to dig your tires out of sand or mud, you’ll wish you had this along. The shovel blade and handle are made of high-carbon steel. It includes an extension handle and can be used as a hexagonal wrench, saw, bottle opener, nail extractor, hoe, scales knife, hunting knife, emergency whistle and fire bar. Folds up for storage! Learn more or order at a discount price.
Upcoming RV Shows See the list of upcoming RV shows for 2016 and 2017.
Microwave cover collapses for easy storage When heating your food you don’t want to spend 10 minutes later cleaning the splatters inside the microwave. Here’s the solution — perfect for RVers: It pops down flat for easy storage. Lid perforations allow steam to escape to keep food moist. Doubles as a strainer! Learn more or order.
Websites of the Week Here are three we like:
The 16 best Christmas towns in America
Country Living picked 16 of the best places to celebrate the holidays in America. Lots of lights and decorations to ooh and aah over, along with memorable festivities to enjoy at locations scattered around the country. From countryliving.com and msn.com.
51 cozy slow-cooker soups
Try some of these hearty slow-cooker recipes on cold, dreary winter days to warm you up as they fill you up. Maryland-style Crab Soup, Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone, Pepperoni Pizza Soup, Autumn Pumpkin Chili — so many to choose from! And so easy to prepare while you’re out and about for the day, or even driving to your next destination. From TasteofHome.com and msn.com.
Odd phenomena that only happen in these places
From sailing stones to an eternally burning fire, MSN Weather looks at some of the most unusual phenomena that happen at these locations only — and some of which are in the U.S. Fascinating! From msn.com.
Good Sam Campground Guide PRE-ORDER NOW. Be the first to get this guide when it’s published next month. With more than 12,500 locations listed across the USA and Canada, the Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide is the only print directory of RV parks and campgrounds. The 2017 edition features an expert rating system with all evaluations completed on site in the past 12 months. Park listings include amenities, services, restrictions, rates, contact info, Good Sam discount locations, hundreds of dollars’ worth of Camping World savings and pages of helpful information. Learn more or pre-order.
Good reading from RV123.com
• This new take on a timeless camping classic is pretty awesome!
• Don’t have the time or know-how to edit your smartphone videos? Magisto can help!
• Watch this video to learn some helpful tips for taking care of your RV power cables!
Give ‘keyboard waffles’ to your favorite writer
What a great gift for a writer or blogger — a waffle iron that makes waffles in the shape of a keyboard. Or get this for yourself and serve up a “waffle keyboard” to your favorite writer or anyone who spends time at a keyboard. What a great conversation piece! Learn more or order.
Ask the RV Shrink
Two years to find RV’s water leak — Now what?
Dear RV Shrink:
It’s jump or swim around here. I need your help. I feel like I am married to Jacques Cousteau. We have had a water leak for almost two years. My husband refuses to have someone else solve his problems. … Yesterday he came in with a big grin on his face and said, “Eureka, I found the leak!” I felt relief until I realized that now he is on to the discovery phase of the fix. You might say he is fixated. …—Donna in Dripping Springs
12-volt warming blanket is perfect for winter! Here’s a way to keep warm in your RV without wasting propane to run your heater. Just snuggle up with a warming blanket! This one operates on 12-volt, perfect for RV use. Stitched from 100-percent polyester fleece, the blanket is comfortable, functional, safe and gentle on your RV’s battery. Put it on your bed before turning in to warm your sheets! Learn more or order from Amazon.
RV Tech Tips from Mark Polk
RV refrigerators: “They’re different!”
RV refrigerators are much different than the one in your house. They don’t have compressors and they work off the principle of absorption. You should turn the RV refrigerator on several hours before putting food in it. It is best to leave it on overnight and put your food in it just prior to leaving. Always keep a small thermometer in your RV refrigerator so you can monitor the temperature. Food can begin to go bad at about 40 degrees.
Mark Polk is the owner of RV Education 101, the premiere source of educational DVDs about buying, maintaining and using an RV. Learn more.
Latest fuel prices Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel: Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.16 (on Nov. 21). Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Up 6 cents. Diesel: $2.42 (on Nov. 21). Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down 2 cents.
Essential for big RVs! 2017 Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas If you drive a big RV — extra long or extra tall — then this truck driver’s road atlas will be a huge help in knowing where you can drive without encountering a low bridge or getting stuck hanging over a cliff. This is an essential aid even if you have a GPS! Coverage: United States, Canada, and Mexico. Learn more or order.
RV Travel Reader Pets
Do you travel with a pet? We’d love to introduce your pet(s) to fellow readers. Send a photo or two of Fido or Boots and a 150-200 word description of your furry friend(s), along with your name(s) and hometown to Diane(at)RVtravel.com .
Click here to see the last issue of RV Travel Reader Pets.
Fix it In Foil! Tasty Recipes. Easy cleanup! Easy prep, great taste, good nutrition, quick clean-up! “Fix It In Foil” includes 51 fantastic recipes to make in foil — plus instructions for cooking in an oven, on an outdoor grill, or on a campfire. Fix it in foil and forget about scrubbing pots and pans. And, with plenty of substitution suggestions, enjoy a whole new list of recipe possibilities! Great for RVing! Learn more or order.
The RV Kitchen with Janet Groene
Salmon Snowball A spread for the party.
It’s party time in the campground. Center this spread on a big platter and surround it with crackers or chips. If the food police are patrolling, use fruit and vegetable slices instead of high-carb snacks. Get the recipe.
Perfect stocking stuffer!
Lucy and Desi go RVing Now, here’s the perfect stocking stuffer — Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz go RVing! In this 1954 classic — in gorgeous Technicolor — the famous couple (as newlyweds) invest in a 40-foot travel trailer and hit the road. The result is hilarious! The scene in which Lucy tries to make beef stew, a Caesar salad and cake in the wobbling, moving trailer is a classic! This DVD is a great gift for your favorite RVer! Learn more or order for only $5.97.
App of the Week
Dash cam apps to document your travels
Would you like to have an automatic recording of the road you traveled? Think of the beauty you could capture driving through the mountains. Or when that jerk pulled out in front of you, how would you like to capture that license plate? Maybe it’s not important enough for you to buy a dash cam, but did you know you could use that tablet that’s just been gathering dust? Learn how in this article from Chris Guld of Geeks on Tour.
Endorsed by Roger Marble of RVtireSafety.com! An excellent tire pressure gauge The Accutire MS-4021B digital tire pressure gauge has an easy-to-read LCD display that provides pressure readings from 5-150 PSI. It’s ergonomically designed with an angled head and a rubber-coated easy-grip handle. If you forget to turn off the gauge, don’t worry, it will automatically shut off. The included lithium battery never needs to be recharged or replaced. And all this for about $12! Learn more or order.
Boondocking tips with Bob Difley
A few items can save the day
A few indispensable items in your emergency kit can save the day when supplies and services are miles away. Keep these items on board and separate from your regular supplies — and make sure you replace them immediately if you use them up. Feel free to add some favorites of your own to the following: duct tape, extra filled water jug, wood matches, a loud whistle or crank siren, toilet paper, wind-up flashlight and radio. I would also add peanut butter.
Collapsible laundry hamper perfect for RVers Trips to the laundry are a part of life for many RVers. This collapsible travel hamper is terrific! It measures 14” x 22” full-size but collapses flat for easy storage. Carry detergents in handy side pocket. Two handles make carrying easy. The last we looked, the price was less $10. Learn more or order.
Gadgets and Gizmos
Sportneer’s compact and cozy sleeping bag
Even for RVers, there may come a time when a sleeping bag would be handy — like when guests spend the night or if you go on an overnighter with the grandkids. Sportneer has come up with a lightweight sleeping bag that is wind and water resistant and can handle temperatures down to 20 F. The side unzips from the top or bottom, and the bag is equipped with an interior pocket to hold a phone or cash. A plus for RVers, it easily rolls into a compact bundle that fits in its nylon case for easy storage. Read more.
Truma’s decalcification tablets solve water heater problems
Truma’s AquaGo hybrid instant water heater has set a new level of excellence in terms of technology, operating ease, safety and design, the company announced. Truma’s new decalcification tablets were developed to extend the life of the AquaGo water heater and to maintain its performance … just like the day it was purchased. The decalcification process is simple and semi-automatic. Learn more.
Space heater uses only 200 watts! GREAT GIFT! It’s hard to believe that an electric space heater could use a mere 200 watts — the same as a couple of light bulbs —a fraction of other space heaters. And this one really works! It’s meant to heat a nearby person, not a room (although it will keep the chill away in a small bathroom). Put it on your desk or at your feet. Perfect for the RVer who’s “always cold.” For about $17, this is a winner. Learn more or order at Amazon.com.
RV Electricity with Mike Sokol
Is surge protector’s reading sufficient to be safe from “hot skin”?
Dear Mike,
Thank you so much for your discussion of “hot skin.” I recently got a shock touching my small trailer and found out I had a bad extension cord. A question: I use a surge protector between shore power and my trailer. The protector claims to detect lack of power, reversed polarity, open neutral and open ground conditions (using a series of green and red lights). I sometimes plug into a friend’s “garage” power outlet while camped in their driveway. Can I assume if the protector says I have power, correct polarity, no open neutral and no open ground that I am good regarding hot skin? Or is it still prudent to do your test? Thanks. —Lou
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 40 years in the industry. Visit NoShockZone.org for more electrical safety tips. His excellent book RV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com.
Easily brew a single cup of coffee This is great for RVers! Brew a single cup of coffee without the high cost of an expensive coffee maker with the MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker! Just fill reservoir with hot water from tea kettle, or heat water in a microwave. Assemble, place K-Cup pack in base, attach the water reservoir and pump. Watch the video for a short demonstration or learn more or order at a big discount.
Stupid Statements of Yesteryear
“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”
—H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927
SUPER HANDY! Add an outdoor water faucet to your RV! This lead-free outdoor faucet is really handy. If you don’t have one, here’s a super inexpensive way to add one. No tools required and it installs in a minute (just screw it on). Brass T included with the plastic faucet, just as it’s shown in the product photo. Learn more or order.
Videos you’ll like
Three ways to open a lock
If one day you can’t open a padlock because you lost a key or a key won’t work, here are three creative ways that might do it. Watch the video
Worst car in the world to drive
In this hilarious video, see a demonstration of one of the all-time worst designed cars and how nearly impossible it is to drive. FYI: “F” word used at the end if that might offend you. Watch the video.
Random RV Thought Unless your motorhome or tow vehicle is “headlights always on,” always switch to your parking lights when driving in a campground after dark. Your neighbors will appreciate it.
Be prepared for a roadside emergency! Forget messing around with flares. You’ll be thankful to have this set of three emergency flashers along with you if you’re forced to the side of a busy highway with a flat tire, mechanical or other issue. One FlareAlert™ provides about 20 hours of safety before a battery change (three AAAs in each). You’d need to strike 80 incendiary flares, one after another, to achieve the same thing.Learn more or order.
Trivia
California has approximately 840 miles of shoreline along its coast. But that pales in comparison to Montana’s Fort Peck Lake. With its irregular shoreline it has approximately 1,520 miles.
Worth Pondering GENE AUTRY’S COWBOY CODE
The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
He must always tell the truth.
He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
He must help people in distress.
He must be a good worker.
He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
He must respect women, parents, and his nation’s laws.
The Cowboy is a patriot.
The Most Scenic Drives in America The newly updated trip planner & travel guide will steer you down the most scenic road every time. From Florida’s Road to Flamingo, to British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Highway, to Cape Cod’s Sandy Shores, each featured road trip is pictured in stunning full color and described in vivid text, keyed to an easy-to-follow map. Whether you choose a drive on a distant road or a back road in your own state, this book is your ticket to North America’s most beautiful byways. Learn more or order.
Readers’ Birthday and Anniversary Greetings
Happy Birthday! • November 27: To Dean-o from Wifey. Happy 65th birthday!! Thank you for the wonderful life and love you have given and continue to give me. Here’s to many, many more, traveling with our Bentley.
• November 29: To Marty from Bill. Thanks for being my travel mate. You read the maps when you had to — until you bought our GPS. Happy birthday!
• November 29: To Jim (RetDAVUSA) from Karen. 1942 was a “good year”. For six months you’re as “old as me” (almost 3/4 century). Happy Birthday to my Silent Hunter (Cherokee name) from Shining Water. Happy Birthday to Daddy from Barnibear the Pom and Charlituna the 4th (big yellow cat). We love you.
Happy Anniversary!
• November 28: To John from Lana. Happy Anniversary, My Love! I look forward to many more RVing years with you!
• November 30: To Chuck and Bea Kenyon from Bea Kenyon. Happy 48th Year Anniversary!
RV Travel staff Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Assistant editor: Diane McGovern. Contributing editor: Russ De Maris. Contributing writers: Greg Illes, Bob Difley, Richard Miller, Richard Mallery, Janet Groene, Roger Marble, Julianne Crane and Chris Guld.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Chuck Woodbury at Chuck(at)RVtravel.com.
About the RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury has explored America by RV for nearly three decades. In the ’90s he published the quirky travel newspaper Out West, and was an “on the road” writer for the New York Times Syndicate. His book, “The Best from Out West” is available at Amazon.com. Woodbury’s RVing adventures have been profiled on ABC News, CNN, NBC’s Today Show, and in People Magazine, USA Today and in hundreds of newspapers. Nowadays, he lives near Seattle, where he drinks massive amounts of coffee and travels often in his motorhome and sometimes by plane when vast expanses of saltwater would turn his RV into a leaky submarine. He is the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD “Buying a Recreational Vehicle,” the definitive guide to purchasing an RV the right way.
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 simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake.Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
Our offices are located at 610 5th Ave. S, Suite F, Edmonds, WA 98020.
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This newsletter is copyright 2016 by RVtravel.com
TODAY’S DEALS ON RV PARTS & ACCESSORIES AT AMAZON.COM. Click.
The new European body design on a Sprinter chassis features integrated running boards, LED tail lights, clean aerodynamic lines and four available paint schemes. And, with fiberglass curved baggage doors with struts and an increased baggage area opening, packing and unpacking is very convenient. To learn more about the Unity TB visit: https://leisurevans.com/unity/
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Start with the water coming into your tank or from a water hook-up. Attach a sediment filter to your hose before it enters the tank, or before the pressure regulator if hooked up. This will take most of the debris out of the water before it gets into your system. There is surprisingly more debris than you might think, especially in many of the water supply systems in the southwestern deserts where I have found sand and tiny pebbles in the filter. Consider using a home-style water filter sold by a major retailer like Walmart, Sears, or Camping World so that you can easily find filters wherever you are — and at competitive prices.
With deliveries of RVs climbing toward an all-time high, the North American RV industry is planning to accelerate its marketing efforts on three groups of consumers most likely to buy – Active Family Adventurers, Nature Lovers and Kid-Free Adult Adventurers. Combined, they represent 40 percent of U.S. households.
Dennis Lylyk has issues with some theft-proof cables. “Those so-called uncuttable are nothing but a scam, they’re easily cut with a 24″ bolt cutter. The university I worked at used very expensive cable to secure computers in student area common areas. We opened a new area that was very poorly designed and easy escape route to the outside, and were puzzled when [computers] were stolen. How did they cut the cables? When we reviewed the security footage we were shocked. It appeared the guys cut them with what looked like ordinary cable cutters! I took a piece of cable home with me and to my surprise I could cut it like a matchstick with cheap 24″ bolt cutters. It appeared that the coating on the wire held the stands together and prevented it from flattening out. These were not cheap cables. I believe they cost us over a $100 a kit. So the moral of the story is: Do not trust the sales claims, try cutting it before you use it while you still have the receipt in your hand.”
•Did you miss last week’s RV Travel? 
Say No to the Snow!
This year, say NO to the snow, and head south for the winter! Florida, Arizona and South Texas benefit from beautiful sunny days and gentle warm breezes. You can too! Stay a week, a month, or the whole season! Book your long-term seasonal or annual stay at one of over 80 resorts in the southeastern United States. 
RV Armor has tough skin!
Park your RV and use your space-saving EVELO electric bike to tour, run errands and stay in shape (by using manual mode). The EVELO is fun, economical and energy-efficient — a perfect match for RVing adventures. 
When in Rome, don’t look for a luxury RV park. At least not in Rome, Ga., where a proposal for a $2.5 million luxury RV resort has taken fire from local residents. The 22-acre site along Alabama Highway would have 81 full-hookup sites if granted a special use permit. But neighbors, citing problems from noise to sewage and crime, don’t want it. It’s up to local officials to do a thumbs up or down.
Seasonal camping at the Alma RV Park in Alma, Neb., is highly coveted. For $1,500, a site can be secured for six months – but who gets them? The park is owned by the Army Corp of Engineers but managed by the city. In keeping with Corps policy, the city will make the 26 sites available through a lottery process, where applicants are assigned a number and if theirs is chosen, they get the spot.
Keep up with RV Industry news
RV accent lighting is all the rage! Just look around the RV park! Enter Boogey Lights®! These robust, super-bright, state-of-the-art LED lights with hi-tech controller technology represent the next generation in LED lighting for RVs. The AWNING & UNDER-GLOW LIGHT KITS are specifically designed to withstand harsh operating environments. Don’t waste your money on junk! Get Boogey Lights! You can even control them with your Smart Phone! 
RV Quick Tips
America’s Largest
How to prepare your RV tires for winter storage
Just put your hands beneath the dispenser, and presto, just the right amount of soap is dispensed. Never pump again! Hayden’s soap dispenser uses Infrared Technology to automatically detect your hand fast. Uses 3 AAA batteries. 
Tour the 2017 Unity TB motorhome by Leisure Travel
Which state is best
Great gift for a child!
Microwave cover collapses for easy storage
When heating your food you don’t want to spend 10 minutes later cleaning the splatters inside the microwave. Here’s the solution — perfect for RVers: It pops down flat for easy storage. Lid perforations allow steam to escape to keep food moist. Doubles as a strainer! 
Good Sam Campground Guide
Give ‘keyboard waffles’ to your favorite writer
Fix it In Foil! Tasty Recipes. Easy cleanup!
Now, here’s the perfect stocking stuffer — Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz go RVing! In this 1954 classic — in gorgeous Technicolor — the famous couple (as newlyweds) invest in a 40-foot travel trailer and hit the road. The result is hilarious! The scene in which Lucy tries to make beef stew, a Caesar salad and cake in the wobbling, moving trailer is a classic! This DVD is a great gift for your favorite RVer! 
Endorsed by Roger Marble of RVtireSafety.com!
Collapsible laundry hamper perfect for RVers
RV Electricity
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 40 years in the industry. Visit 
Stupid Statements of Yesteryear 
Worst car in the world to drive
Forget messing around with flares. 
Give gift cards to your
The Most Scenic Drives in America