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Issue 870 • Week of November 3-9, 2018 #rvtravel
Guest essay
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Russ@RVtravel.com
A few months ago we wrote about a seemingly novel concept that came out of Southern California – RV storage condos. For prices starting at $90,000 and running up to $175,000 (big enough at 5,400 square feet to store two big motorcoaches), you could own a covered, secured, plush garage for your rig.
At the time we made the case it seemed like an awful lot of money to invest in a fancy garage. And we took some heat from readers who thought we were way off base criticizing the idea. Well, maybe they were right. Those storage condos in Beaumont, California, have all sold out. And if you’d like to buy one from somebody who’s vacating, you’ll need to get on a waiting list. Even so, don’t expect to land a unit. According to Ted Deits, the man who developed the complex, when a unit becomes available it typically sells the same day. Ted has a new complex of units in Palm Springs, California, and nearly two-thirds of those are sold out.
Maybe it’s a problem of perspective. While I don’t have any “indoor” RV storage facilities available in my little corner of Arizona in Quartzsite, I could easily find one for $30 a month.
At the prodding of our readers, RVtravel.com did a little price survey based on (if you can call it so) “the real world.” We picked California’s Orange County, as that is a nearby drawing point for the RV storage condos we wrote about. Outdoor storage spaces (when they are available) are running from $189 to $400 a month. Park your rig inside a secure building? Plan on more, maybe far more – but get on the waiting list.
Do you store your RV? How much do you pay? Answer this quick poll.
So is Ted Deits’ idea really crazy? Let’s say you bought into the project when you could find an available $90,000 unit at the condo. Your banker takes your 20 percent down, leaving you to finance $72,000 at, let’s say, 4.8 percent. A 20-year note would set you back $467 a month in payments, and a 30-year mortgage will cost you $377 a month. That’s pretty close running to the “rent” you’ll pay at a rental operation. But as Ted points out, every one who has “invested” in one of his storage units and then subsequently sold it has earned a profit due to appreciation. So call it free storage, or even somebody paying you to store your RV in a secure environment.
This all sounds great – for those who have the money. And as a couple of our readers have mentioned, if you have the Newell Coach to store, you can probably afford the condo. But what about Mr. and Mrs. happy owner of a 15-year-old Class C? They scraped their retirement money together to buy that motorhome to travel in as they checked off their bucket lists. But when they return from a few weeks on the road, and their city ordinance doesn’t allow them to park it in the driveway, how on earth will they come up with the scratch to pay even $200 a month to park it in an outside lot – if they can hack the waiting list in the first place?
It’s a problem that is cropping up more and more often as residents across the country increasingly take pot shots at “unsightly RVs” and pressure local lawmakers to respond by clamping down with tighter parking and storage regulations. Are we headed for a time when the average working-class American will be forced out of the RV lifestyle, not for the price of an RV, not for the price of the fuel to drive it, but simply because they can’t afford to park it?
If you have solutions, we’d love to hear them. Please comment on our forum.
Coming soon
•A new and improved RVtravel.com website. Easier to navigate and more mobile-friendly.
•A special members-only edition of this weekly newsletter with premium content and fewer ads. Become a member.
Update on the Stray Voltage Patrol
The RVtravel.com member-supported Stray Voltage Patrol is on the move, helping identify unsafe power pedestals in RV parks across America. Mike Sokol updates you on the progress of the program, and about an exciting new assignment for some of the 289 members to field test a brand new product to be introduced soon to the RV community. Read Mike’s update, and learn about a dangerous pedestal at one of America’s most popular RV parks.
Sign up for Mike Sokol’s monthly newsletter about RV electricity or any of our other newsletters.
•Did you miss last week’s RV Travel? Read it here.
•Directory of back issues.
Help us do more! Support this newsletter
The staff of RVtravel.com works hard to bring you an honest, unbiased, valuable newsletter every Saturday. Readers help make it possible with their “voluntary subscriptions.” Even a pledge of $5, $10 or $20 a year is appreciated — that’s for more than 50 weekly issues (add another 208 issues if you read our RV Daily Tips Newsletter)! Many readers set up an ongoing subscription, most $5 to $10 a month. But even a one-time contribution of $5 or $10 helps make it possible for us to write about important matters, not just fluff to please advertisers and RV industry big shots. Enter a voluntary subscription. Use a credit card, PayPal or mail a check.
Stay for free at more than 600 wineries and farms
With a Harvest Hosts membership (just $49/year), you can stay overnight at more than 600 wineries, farms, breweries, etc., for free! Harvest Hosts offers an alternative to traditional campgrounds, where members can meet interesting people, taste great wines, eat fresh produce and stay in peaceful settings. (RVtravel.com recently stayed in a blueberry orchard.) Learn more.
The latest news
about RVing from our newsroom
• County forces evacuation of tenants from overcrowded RV park.
• Cummins’ Garry Enyart elected Chairman of RVIA.
• West Sacramento residents challenge RV parking ban on private property.
• Oakland awarded $8.6 mil. grant to open housing, RV parks for homeless.
• Motorhome and toad engulfed in flames in Pilot Flying J parking lot.
• AZ State Parks bulldozes Native American sites in park development.
• Mobile unveils new RV City plan for Mardi Gras.
• Seattle spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to dispose of unwanted RVs.
• Music lovers flock to UtopiaFest music festival this weekend, Nov. 2-4.
• Forest Service closes recreation facilities around Lake Tahoe for the season.
• San Francisco’s street RV residents under scrutiny – again.
• Homeless Navy vet’s new tiny home runs afoul with county code.
• Judge orders state legislator to vacate his RV he lives in.
• Yellowstone on pace to attract more than 4 million visitors again.
• “Tear Jerkers” rally on South Whidbey Island, WA.
• Hipcamp will find you a campsite on a goat farm or at a hot spring.
Recent recalls:
• Some Forest River, Coachmen motorhomes recalled.
• Airstream recalls motorhomes: screen door fire issue.
Full-timers:
Need an RV Home Base?
Then you need Americas Mailbox! You’ll enjoy great tax advantages with your South Dakota “residency,” like no state income tax and low insurance rates. Many plans are available. Click the video where RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury talks with Americas Mailbox owner Don Humes. Or click here to learn more or enroll.
National Parks contain volcanoes with highest threats
According to the latest U.S. Geological Survey National Volcanic Threat Assessment, 34 of the volcanic systems (about 21 percent overall) mentioned are either entirely or partially within areas managed as national parks or national monuments. Learn how volcanoes are categorized according to their threat level, and which ones made this list.
Corps of Engineers campgrounds among RVers’ favorites
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation with more than 90,000 campsites across the country at more than 450 lakes and waterways. Many RVers consider COE parks the best places to camp. Military members on R & R are eligible for free camping. Here’s a quick look at Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania, which is a great example of what to expect at a Corps campground. Watch the video.
Last chance (for awhile): Nearly all Yellowstone NP entrances and roads close Monday
This is your last chance (before winter). If you want to visit Yellowstone just one more time, this weekend is your last chance to drive to many iconic locations in the park before they close for winter prep. The west, south and east entrances and all roads, with one exception, will close to vehicle travel at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, so the park can prepare them for the winter season. Learn more.
Kid-sized trailer
is cuter than cute!
If you have small children or grandkids, think twice about showing them this homemade travel trailer: They may hound you into getting them one! What fun! Read more and see more photos.
Nevada state parks lost $1.2 million in uncollected entrance fees last year
Hey, you deadbeats! Did you know that nearly a third of the 3.5 million people who visited a Nevada state park last year didn’t pay? According to a new state audit, uncollected entrance fees translates into an estimated $1.2 million in lost revenue for the state. Ouch! Read more.
This week’s Reader Poll
Do you plan to vote on Tuesday?
Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment. We’ll post the final results in next week’s newsletter. CLICK HERE.
Keep gray tank odors awayAND MAKE MORE ROOM UNDER YOUR SINKS
What we learned about you last week
You’d spend $15 to stay at a truck stop overnight with electric hookups (though you’d probably complain about the noise), and there’s a good chance you’re currently reading this, right now, on your computer. For those of you who do plan on buying another RV, it’ll probably be about the same size as your current one. On hot days you like to stick to cold water to drink, though you also appreciate iced tea and lemonade. You use a pressure restrictor when hooking up to water, and you think your Keystone Montana Fifth Wheel is a pretty good rig. All this and more, right here.
How to snag a campsite in Arches NP even when “Campground Full”
No one needs to remind you that unless you have a reservation for some of the most popular National Parks you are unlikely to find a campsite. But Leslie and John don’t always follow the general consensus and sometimes the payoff works. Here’s how they scored a campsite at Arches NP.
Unfold this tiny trailer into a 100-square-foot cabin
On the road, the compact Camp365 trailer looks a bit like a futuristic sleeping pod and weighs only 1480 pounds. Arrive at camp, engage the mechanical lift assist, and voila, in about 10 minutes the tiny camper transforms into a 100-square-foot cabin with a 7-foot 6-inch ceiling which can sleep up to six people. It’s built to be used any season. Read more.
Michigan’s popular Sleeping Bear Dunes new reservation system delayed
If you’ve been looking forward to a time when you didn’t have to sleep in your RV in a long line outside Sleeping Bear Dunes campground in order to get a campsite, you will have to wait a bit longer. The new reservation system you’ve been waiting for is being delayed. Learn more.
Save your propane! Easily convert to electric heat!
SAVE $$$! Until now, the standard for heating recreation vehicles of all types has been to use bottled propane (LPG). With the CheapHeat™ system there’s a better option. Now you have a choice to change the central heating system between gas and electric with the flip of a switch. When you choose to run on electric heat rather than gas, your coach will be heated by the electricity provided by the RV park. Learn more.
How to winterize and preclean for next season – Work smarter, not harder!
After Rich “The Wanderman’s” last trip of the season, it came time to shut down all the RV systems for winter as well as clean and sanitize the interior so it’s mostly ready to go next season. What works? What doesn’t work? Find out here.
Pleasure-Way unveils lithium-powered class B motorhome
New Atlas takes a look at an all-new Class B motorhome made in North America rather in Europe, where many of the electric innovations have been introduced. One such camper van hitting American roads, the Ram Promaster-based Tofino from Canada’s Pleasure-Way, is a compact powerhouse with a lithium battery bank and a focus on electric appliances. Drop in the available solar package and you can start up an extended off-grid adventure. Read more.
Law firm seeks investors who lost money in Camping World stock
More problems crop up for Marcus Lemonis and Camping World as a law firm investigates securities issues. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Camping World Holdings, Inc. The firm is asking investors who lost more than $50,000 by investing in Camping World stock or options between March 8, 2017 and August 7, 2018 to contact it. Learn more.
And read about yet another, similar Camping World lawsuit.
Goodbye Holding Tank Odors and Clogs, Hello Convenience!
The best just got better. Now you can get the unsurpassed strength of RV Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment in a convenient, easy to use drop-in pod. RV Digest-It has long been known as the premier all-around tank treatment for those looking for the best in both odor elimination and waste digestion – now you can add convenience to that list. Learn more here.
Popular articles from last week’s issue
• Already nervous RV driver led astray by expensive GPS.
• Storing RV batteries during a harsh winter.
• Don’t look a Class B white elephant in the mouth.
• Class action lawsuit filed against Camping World.
• What we learned about you last week (October 20-26).
Keep road flares in the RV for emergency
You should always have road flares in your RV in case of an emergency. This pack of three bright, waterproof, and shatterproof LED disks are perfect to keep tucked away. These bright lights can be seen from a mile away and can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, as a rescue beacon and they can also be used for recreational activities such as camping and hiking. Learn more or order here.
From the RVtravel.com Reader Forums
Fridge gets hot when RV moves
Our refrigerator works great on electric or gas as long as we are sitting still; as soon as we hit the road it gets to 58 inside whether on inverter or gas or off. We keep it closed while traveling. Any ideas? Comment here.
Seeking info on emergency radio
I am looking to purchase an emergency radio and also a set of walkie talkies. We will be boondocking in the desert and near National Parks and will often not have phone service so want to be able to connect with civilization should we have an emergency. I also heard there is a device that you can push a button in an emergency and it will automatically go to emergency personnel and give the GPS where the call is coming from. I can’t find any information on what it is called or where to get it. I am looking for suggestions on which of each of these to purchase (not the cheapest but not ones that will break the bank – just ones that work well!). Comment here.
Night shade problems
My front split MCI Shades in my 2006 Allegro Bus will lower properly, but when retracting only the driver’s side retracts. Anyone had same problem? I contacted MCI and they sent re-programming info. No luck there. Comment here.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: New users register here.
Say goodbye to goop!
Have you ever seen the sediment that collects in your water heater? You probably don’t want to. Camco’s water-tank rinser is an easy-to-use gadget that is a must-have for any RVer. The tank rinser will get out all the yucky sediment that’s been sitting at the bottom of your water heater and, most importantly, will extend the life of it too. Read the many positive reviews, and get one for yourself here.
RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.
Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks.
This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.
The RV Show USA
Listen each Wednesday evening on Facebook or YouTube for the live taping of America’s only syndicated radio program about RVing. Sponsored by Cheyenne Camping Center and PPL Motorhomes.
Did you buy a lemon RV?
Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.
The best phone mount for RV
Endorsed by the RVtravel staff!
This phone mount suctions or clips to your dashboard or windshield, and is a sturdy, safe place to keep your phone while driving. Perfect for using the GPS while going down the road. The mount is cushioned for a wobble-free phone and can rotate 360 degrees. We highly recommend this one! Learn more or order.
Ask the RV Shrink
Better to leave keys in toad overnight or remove them?
Dear RV Shrink:
We travel in a Class C motorhome and pull a small sedan. My husband is always paranoid that someone is going to steal the car. If we stop for the night at a Walmart or other stopover, he pulls the keys. I think we should leave them in the ignition in the correct position so that if we have to leave in the middle of the night we do not have to exit the motorhome. …
Read the rest of the question and the RV Shrink’s advice.
Can’t get enough of the Shrink? Read his new e-book: Dr. R.V. Shrink: Everything you ever wanted to know about the RV Lifestyle but were afraid to ask or check out his other e-books.
Easily clean those stubborn bugs off your RV
The Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge has millions of tiny fibers embedded in the microfiber cloth that grabs and holds the dust and dirt. It is so effective it even cleans without chemicals, saving both time and money. The secret of this sponge lies in its unique, double-layer microfiber mesh. Older nylon bug sponges can harm your clear coat, but this one is completely paint safe. Learn more or order.
Latest fuel prices as of October 29, 2018
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.81. [Calif.: $3.68]
Change from week before: No change; Change from year before: Up 32 cents.
Diesel: $3.36. [Calif.: $4.07]
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Up 54 cents.
Double your storage instantly!
Need extra storage? Say no more. This two-pack of shelves hang in your cabinets, giving you two bonus shelves in the same amount of space. Use these in your kitchen, bathroom or closet and instantly double your storage. You’ll want to order a few sets here.
RV Quick Tips
Hanging heavy TV on inside wall
Want to hang a TV mount on an RV inner wall? Tap carefully, you may find there aren’t any “studs” to tie into. Now look on the other side of the wall. Is there yet another piece of thin paneling or laminate? If you’re dealing with a closet on the other side of your proposed TV hang-out, you may have a sweet setup.
Carefully remove the wall in the closet and measure the dead space between the two walls. Is there room enough for a 3/4″ piece of plywood? Cut one to fit inside the space, then reinstall the closet wall. Mark the spots for your TV mount screws, and drill through the wall. From the TV side, use BOLTS, not screws, long enough to go completely through into the closet side. Then use fender washers and cap nuts to make a finished, non-snagging way that will securely mount your TV. Using wood screws as attaching hardware may pull out as the leveraged weight of the TV bounces down the road.
Easy check for water leaks
Check your RV for plumbing system water leaks easily. With water in the fresh tank, turn on your water pump. After it shuts off, signaling the system is pressurized, it won’t turn on again until you “call for water.” If it does turn on, you have a leak.
Do you have a Quick Tip? Send it to Russ (at) RVtravel.com and you just might see it here!
Best-selling vent cover!
Keep rain out and fresh air inside your RV
Few add-ons are more enthusiastically endorsed by RVers as MaxxAir vents. This is the original and best-selling model. Install this over your RV vents, then keep them open in any weather. On rainy days, air from inside your RV can exit without a single drop of rain coming inside. Keep your vents open during storage and while driving. Learn more or order.
Gizmos and Gadgets
Extend your action camera up to 9 feet
You’ve possibly used – or thought about using – your smartphone on a selfie stick to take some great shots of your RV travels. But if you’ve found it to be a bit flimsy and limited in its use, you may want to consider the Shurhold Camera Adapter, a rugged appendage that will attach to the 9-foot end of one of Shurhold’s telescoping handles, making it the Goliath of selfie sticks. Learn more.
Be sure to sign up for our monthly Great RV Accessories Newsletter. Click here.
Fire Extinguishing Aerosol, Two-pack
The First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguishing Aerosol Spray is easier to use and discharges 4 times longer than traditional fire extinguishers. With an aerosol nozzle and portable size, it’s suited for the kitchen, car, garage, boat or RV. The formula wipes away with a damp cloth & is biodegradable. Learn more or order.
Rate your RV
This new poll asks readers of popular RVs to rate their vehicles.
This week:
Rate your Jayco Jay Flight travel trailer
Click here.
ONLY RESPOND if you currently own a recent model of this vehicle. To see the current results without voting, simply click “View Results” in the bottom left corner of the poll.
Keep mice out of your RV
The positive reviews on this product from Earthkind make it the best bet for keeping your RV mouse-free. It’s the only plant-based rodent repellent registered for inside use by the EPA. It effectively repels rodents up to 90 days with a “woodsy” scent that’s pleasant to humans but offensive to rodents. It’s safe around kids and pets, too. 98% biodegradable. Learn more or order.
Ask the RV Doctor
The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, answers your questions
Poorly designed RV makes winterizing it very difficult
Dear Gary:
Winterizing my motorhome is a joke. There are no bypasses and to reach the pump you have to crawl over the bed to access it. There’s hardly room to add a winterizing kit and there are no valves to bypass the hot water tank. Accessing the back of the water heater, you have to get on your knees and go under a closet just to see anything!…
Read the rest of the question and Gary’s response.
Read more from Gary Bunzer at the RVdoctor.com. See Gary’s videos about RV repair and maintenance.
Don’t blow out your plumbing
!
Sooner or later, usually “sooner,” every RVer comes upon an RV park water hookup with pressure so high it could blow out the plumbing. None of us want that because it causes a lot of damage and is expensive to fix. The simple solution is to be sure when you hook up use a water pressure regulator, like this one that features a lead-free design to prevent lead contamination. Learn more or order.
Ask BoondockBob
with Bob Difley
A silent water pump doesn’t necessarily mean no leaks
Hi Bob,
I have assumed that if I turn off park water and turn on my water pump and it is quiet, that is a good indication of no water leaks. Anything wrong with my theory? —Tom
Do you have a question for Bob? Email him at bob.rvtravel (at) gmail.com .
You can find Bob Difley’s e-books on Amazon Kindle.
Keep your hoses wrapped up and kink-free
Wrap up those stiff hoses kink- and twist-free with these Coil n’ Wrap Velcro water hose straps. They wrap the hose up so tight you’ll have more storage space, which, as RVers know, can be hard to come by. Learn more.
RV Electricity
with Mike Sokol
30-amp to 50-amp generator connections
Dear Mike,
Most generators, with the exception of really large units, 10kw or bigger, do not have a 50-amp plug. I currently have a 3000 Honda and am looking to upgrade to the 6000. The 6000 has both a 30-amp/120-volt and a 30-amp/240-volt connection. Is it possible to wire the 50-amp plug to the 30-amp/240-volt outlet on the Honda 6000? And if so, is there any advantage to doing this? …
Read the rest of the question and Mike’s response.
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. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
Fun! Fake parking violation warnings
These fake parking violations are a hoot! Bring these to family functions, sporting events, or put them around the RV park for a good laugh. There are other similar products (some of them aren’t as polite) so poke around and make yourself giggle. Learn more or order.
RV Tire Safety
with RV tire expert Roger Marble
Carry an air compressor? And finding a certified tire inspector
Roger saw an RV forum post on whether you need your own air compressor, as well as where to find certified tire inspectors/technicians. Here is his answer.
Organize that junk drawer!
This handy, space-saving battery organizer will save your junk drawer from drowning in loose batteries (because we all have that drawer). This organizer has space for 82 batteries and comes with a removable battery tester – throw out the ones that don’t work! Store it in a drawer, mount it on the wall, throw it in the toolbox and thank us later. Learn more or order here.
Astronomy for RVers
with Chris Fellows
The Big Picture (Part 3) – Galaxies, the cosmic neighborhoods
So, what is a galaxy? One definition is: “A system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction.” That’s a good description but it leaves out the planets, moons, comets and asteroids that are certainly out there, and it also neglects supermassive black holes that seem to be at the center of every galaxy. And which came first: the galaxies or their black holes? Hmm. Here’s a fascinating article by Chris about that perplexing question and more.
The RV Kitchen
with Janet Groene
Pretend Posole
Make a Mexican hot pot. Traditional posole (or pozole), a specialty in Mexico on feast days and family occasions, takes hours to make and is made with pork. Thanks to canned turkey and canned white hominy, you can have hot and tasty posole quick and ready from your pantry. It’s an easy, one-pot treat to cook on the campfire, camp stove or RV range. Get the recipe.
Check out hundreds of other recipes by Janet . . . and her many books at Amazon.com, including “The Survival Food Handbook.”
BEST-SELLERS IN KITCHEN AND DINING AT AMAZON.COM
Keep the mud where it belongs…outside!
Camco’s wrap-around step rug is just what you need for the wet, muddy months ahead. This rug comes in two sizes and fits both manual and electronic RV steps. Save your RV carpet and keep all that dirt outside. It’s a must-have for winter. Learn more here.
Digital RVer
with Geeks on Tour
How to make a map of your RV travels
Chris and Jim Guld, Geeks on Tour, did a lot of RV traveling this summer (as usual). They take a lot of photos and keep a blog, but there’s nothing like a map to bring it all together. It’s the perfect souvenir of your travels. You will have a full-size, interactive map. You can zoom in and out. You can also click on the markers to see photos of that place and maybe even a link to a blog post. Learn how easy it is to make your own personal map here.
Learn about smartphones and tablets
… from Geeks On Tour. Here is their most recent webcast: #155, Smartphone Apps: Install, Uninstall, Organize. Watch live or archives of past programs.
Be sure to check out the just-released 2nd edition of Mrs. Geek’s Guide to Google Photos, available at Amazon.com.
Special offer for RV Travel readers!
Visit the Geeks’ Store to buy a membership. Use the coupon code rvtravel and get a 20% discount off anything you order.
The holidays are fast approaching! Who will you get this cute mug for?
RV Short Stop 
Dr. Fox’s Giant Statues
Auburn, California
Just off I-80 and California State Route 49 through the Gold Country, you’ll find the statues of Dr. Kenneth Fox, a dentist who divided his time between fixing teeth and building concrete giants. Fox built them in the 1960s right next to his office at 319 Auburn Ravine Road. His son eventually took over his dental practice. It’s only a five-minute detour off the interstate to see the huge creations (no charge), with plenty of space to park any size RV. The photo is of Fox’s “Amazon Woman.”
Back scratched? Yes, please!
Now this is the size we’re talkin’ about! This “redneck” backscratcher will do two great things for the person you get it for: 1) please them, and 2) make them laugh. As the description says, “4 out of 5 shoppers at Winn Dixie said it scratched their backs better than their ex-wives did.” Ha! Order this for you or your spouse here (your arm will thank you).
LOT LIZARD: The salespeople who stand around an RV dealership, usually in small groups of two or three, waiting for a customer to come along so they can pounce on them to make a sale
THIRD BASEMAN: An individual who accompanies a prospective buyer because the buyer feels he is better versed in haggling over the price of the RV and/or knows more about it mechanically, thereby decreasing the chances of getting stuck with a “lemon”.
WALKING FIGURES: When the salesman knows for sure that the customer will not buy an RV at this time because he wants to check out some other dealerships, the salesman will give him a ridiculously low figure to try to beat, knowing that, in the end, he will have to come back to him.
More next issue. Courtesy of the Burdge Law Office.
Are you handy? So is this bucket!
This “Bucket Boss” will change the way you work! Use this well-organized bucket as a toolbox (and never lose anything again), for your car and RV parts, or for garden tools. It couldn’t make things easier! We’re guessing that everyone who sees you using this will want one too! Learn more or order.
Facebook Groups about RVing
• RV Hacking Camping Ideas
• RV Gadgets, Decor & More
• RV Classifieds
PLUS OUR OWN GROUP: RV Horror Stories
Truck Parts & Accessories
Wow! Just about anything and everything you would need for your truck is at Amazon. Plus, you’ll get instant savings with automotive coupons. No matter what make or model you’re driving, you’ll likely find what you want here, without wasting an ounce of gas or diesel driving anywhere. Explore the huge online store.
Free and bargain camping
From OvernightRVparking.com
Dome Creek Rest Area, McBride, B.C.
FREE! Overnight parking is allowed. Permission is not required. Toilets, trash bins, and picnic tables on site. Location: On the west side of Hwy 16 at ~ Km post 846, ~ 55.1 mi N of McBride, BC or ~ 71 mi SE of Prince George, BC Airport. GPS: 53.726, -121.14248
Walmart Store # 4471, Rawlins, WY
FREE! Overnight parking is allowed. Obtain permission from the store. Store specifies no loud parties and no running generators all night. Lot is level and well-lit. Significant noise all night from I-80 and RR tracks behind the store. Gas station on site, with diesel. Address: 2390 E Cedar St. GPS: 41.790727, -107.206272
Overnight RV Parking, with more than 13,480 locations listed, is the largest and best resource for locating free and inexpensive places to spend a night in an RV. For membership information and a demo of the site, click here. A modest membership fee required, but try the free demo. Watch a video about OvernightRVparking.com.
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.
Museum of the Week
The Museum of Edgar Allen Poe
Richmond, VA
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…” Name that poem! If you said “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe, you are correct! This eerie museum is dedicated to all thing Poe and is located inside the oldest house still standing in Richmond. See the author’s original manuscripts, letters, personal belongings and much more. The museum’s collection is the most comprehensive in the world and hosts programs for scholars, authors, teachers and literary enthusiasts. Visit the museum website here to learn more.
Secrets of RVing on Social Security
Author Jerry Minchey takes you on a journey that lets you discover how you can travel around the country and live the fascinating RV lifestyle for far less than it costs to live in your sticks-and-bricks home. Among other things, he shows you step-by-step how to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while traveling and living on just your Social Security income. Learn more or order.
Upcoming RV Shows
• Tampa Bay Fall RV Show, November 8-11, Tampa, FL
• West Palm Beach Fall RV Show, November 8-11, West Palm Beach, FL
• Palm Springs Area RV Show & Sale, December 6-9, Indio, CA
See the complete list of all upcoming RV shows.
Trivia
The first webcam watched a coffee pot. It allowed researchers at the University of Cambridge, England, to monitor the coffee situation without leaving their desks. This was in 1991.
Bumper sticker of the week
I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.
Have you seen a funny bumper sticker? Send it to Gail (at) RVtravel.com
Joke of the Week
I saw a poster that said, “Have you seen my cat?” I phoned the number and told them I haven’t. I like to help where I can.
Worth Pondering
“Our shared values define us more than our differences. And acknowledging those shared values can see us through our challenges today if we have the wisdom to trust in them again.” —Sen. John McCain, Aug. 29, 1936 – Aug. 25, 2018
RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury (chuck@rvtravel.com). Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editor: Russ De Maris. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Greg Illes, Bob Difley, Richard Miller, Richard Mallery, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Mike Sokol, Chris Guld, Julianne Crane, Chris Fellows, Dennis Prichard, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com.
About the RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury has explored America by RV for 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. 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.
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This newsletter is copyright 2018 by RVtravel.com
One of the things I looked for moving from Michigan was a home in better weather with an RV garage. I found a subdivision here in southern Utah that many of the homes have a big garage built into the house. No sun or rain beating up the RV. In Michigan the RV went in the barn.
Lake Havasu City, AZ had sold ‘storage condos’ for years. They are building them fast and selling faster. Generally the RV sized units are 14’X14’X50′. Plenty large enough for any motorhome. I bought one for $35,000 a few years ago. They are selling new for $50,000 now. I rent mine out year round for $200 a month. Havasu is booming now and all new home have huge attached RV garages. The prices in this article are metro prices where land is a premium. The guy who rents my unit, lives in southern CA.
Do the storage units have to have electricity?
Most I’ve seen have lights, electricity (120V/20 amp). Its not for running the RV, but to keep a battery tender running. There are bathrooms and showers inside the complex for tenants to use. Havasu is a big boating town and many of the smaller units are used for boat storage.
Land is dear, people are cheap, how much more fun when the population doubles in the next 40 years…
Wouldn’t San Francisco, as a sanctuary city, for illegal aliens also have to give sanctuary to all legal RVers? Maybe the Caravans should park there!
We choose our lifestyle. If you can pay the rent, great. If you can’t move to somewhere where you can or pick another life style. No more whining without a solution!
In Crossville, TN there is a subdivision that sells homes with attached motorhome garages. I know that several Vol State members live there. I do not know the price but not much more than homes in the area.
Russ, on the RV condo issue – – –
A friend of mine in Minden, NV is involved in this kind of real estate, and there, the equation has been expanded: RV storage with living space above.
Much like similar units on airports, where the airplane is hangared and the tenant has a small apartment on the second floor, these RV/person double condos have all sold out. For people who need to have a fixed-base, with a workshop, storage, and a bit of room-to-roam, they were an ideal solution. Some folks even set them up to live in the RV, and have the upstairs for a workroom, TV theater, art studio, etc. etc.
I don’t recall the exact price, but I think it was in the $175K range. But that was a while back.
Location, location… in the cornfields of central NY, 175K gets you that RV garage…and a 4 bedroom 1800sf house on 5 acres. Granted you may not want the brick and mortar base, and certainly don’t want NY’s socialist taxation, but it’s hard to see $175K for a garage with loft.
I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed to find that I have to ‘join’ the forum in order to comment on a couple of the articles I read this morning. I would have thought that as a regular paying reader I would automatically have access to this section.
Tommy, I don’t think that’s true, but perhaps Chuck or Diane can check into for you. Of course, I’m just the diode head around here, so perhaps I’m missing something.
All our members will soon have automatic access to forums, Tommy. That will go into effect within a month when we debut our new, improved website. And thanks for your support. — Chuck