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Issue 886 • Week of March 2–8, 2019
Editor’s corner
With Chuck Woodbury | Chuck (at) RVtravel.com
This will be the final Saturday issue of this newsletter for our non-member subscribers, who will now receive their advertising-supported newsletter mid-morning Sunday, which is when we published it for many years.
Our 3,500 member-readers, those who voluntarily subscribe, will continue to receive their issues a day earlier, early Saturday morning. Their issues will be advertising-free, funded by their donations. We hope the transition will go smoothly, but please excuse us if we experience a few bumps.
Within two weeks we will publish the first issue of our Fulltime RVer newsletter after a long absence. If you are not on the list, you can sign up here.
I believe we can take some credit at RVtravel.com for a YouTube video that Camping World/Good Sam CEO Marcus Lemonis released this week in which he talked about why it can sometimes take so long to get an RV serviced at Camping World. While what he says makes sense, there’s more to the story that he conveniently omits. Watch the video. Lemonis visited the RVtravel.com website about a month ago where he encountered a slew of comments critical of him and his company. I believe this video was his response.
Related, earlier this week Forest River got slammed by a South Bend, Indiana, TV station, which aired a piece about poor worker safety at the company’s manufacturing plants, and a quarter million dollar fine for various infractions. The reporting was sloppy, which to me diminished its credibility. Still, I suspect much of what was said is true — including the use of drugs in the workplace, an issue with most large Elkhart-area RV manufacturers, not just Forest River. Watch the video.
If you have a website or blog and would like to earn money signing up new RVtravel.com readers through our affiliate program, please let me know. We are also looking for a part-time editor who lives in the Seattle/Everett area of Washington. Work mostly from home, with staff meetings two times a week or more often when necessary. For job details contact Diane(at)RVtravel.com. Please include your resume or explain your relevant background.
Also, we are still looking for bloggers who would like to increase their readership by blogging at RVtravel.com. The first to sign on is Andy Pargh, the Gadget Guru. For many years, Andy was the gadget expert for NBC’s Today Show. We’ll ask Andy to share the segment where he explains the newfangled thing called “email” to host Matt Lauer. What a hoot! Andy drives a large motorcoach, and his postings are often on subjects related to his coach and other “big rigs,” plus about parks where he stays. Read his first blog and video: 14 luxury motor coach resorts: What you need to know in 60 seconds.
Finally, we’re starting a new feature, RV Parks With A Twist. We’ll tell you about parks that have something special that you don’t normally find. We kick off this series (see below) with a report about a Maine RV park that will deliver a lobster dinner to your RV’s front door. If you know of a unique park, please let us know at editor@rvtravel.com.
P.S. 
I’d like to welcome the more than 2,200 new subscribers who signed up last week. Our efforts to build our circulation continue to pay off. The more readers we have, the more influence we will have in effecting positive change in the RV industry. We ended up with more than 8,000 new subscribers in February, our biggest one-month circulation gain ever.
My Roadside Journal
(about whatever is on my mind, not necessarily RV-related)
Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?
Sign up!
Sign up for our RV Electricity Newsletter or any of our other newsletters, including editor Chuck Woodbury’s Roadside Journal, here. Also, we’re restarting our Full Time RVer Newsletter after more than a year’s absence. If you are not among the nearly 16,000 subscribers already signed up please do so here. No charge, of course (and no spam).
Help us serve you better! Become a member-reader
The staff of RVtravel.com works hard to bring you an honest, unbiased, valuable newsletter every Saturday. Readers help make it possible by becoming member-readers with their “voluntary subscriptions.” Many readers set up an ongoing membership, most $5 to $10 a month. But even a one-time contribution of $10 or $20 helps make it possible for us to write about important matters, not just fluff to please advertisers and RV industry big shots.
Comprehensive list of RV-related recalls for February
The list of latest recalls on RVs and other vehicles and/or products of interest to RVers has been released by the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The list includes several models from Forest River as well as Heartland, Keystone and others — plus other vehicles commonly used by RVers. Is your RV or other vehicle on the list? Find out here.
Cover Story
Battle brewing between campers and RV parks on cost of electricity
RV park owner Andy Zipser weighs in on the issue of electricity usage by RVers. He writes, “RV Travel recently counseled readers to ‘conserve propane by switching on your electric water heater instead of propane.’ It further suggested that another way to conserve propane is to ‘use an electric space heater instead of the furnace to stay warm.’” How does the owner of an RV park with a monthly electric bill of $6,000 feel about that? Here’s what Andy thinks.
That was the RV week that was …
The latest news about RVing from our newsroom
IMPORTANT STORIES:
• There may be some troubles brewing in RV land.
• Mitsubishi Tribrid camper van goes 1,000 miles per tank.
• Thousands Trails celebrates 50 years.
… and much more.
Recent recalls:
• Keystone recalls trailers. Tires could rub floor support.
• Forest River recalls some Salem and Wildwood trailers.
Buying a new RV without a warranty? Be careful
Top-rated RV lemon law attorney Ron Burdge warns you to be careful if you’re thinking of buying an RV that doesn’t come with a factory warranty. (Case in point: Hymer North America and Roadtrek.) Very important information.
Own a piece of RV history from the ’20s
Among RVers there are plenty of history buffs. For those with the real itch – and enough money – there’s an opportunity to buy a rare piece of RV history. Imagine owning one of the last two known-to-exist 1921 Lampsteed Kampkars (displayed until recently in a museum in Texas). Learn more.
RV electricity expert Mike Sokol interviewed on radio program
RVtravel.com electricity expert Mike Sokol is interviewed by Alan Warren of the syndicated radio program The RV Show USA. Mike is considered the national authority on RV electricity. In this half-hour interview he and Alan discuss a variety of topics including how an RV can actually electrocute someone in certain conditions. Watch and listen.
Video: Why loading a trailer improperly can lead to danger
In this fascinating 30-second video you’ll see why weight distribution on a trailer matters so much. Watch the short video. (You won’t forget it.)
What’s old is new again: Shepherd wagons
Shepherd wagons were used in France and the United Kingdom from the 1400s to the 1900s by shepherds tending their sheep. They were also used in the U.S. during the late 1800s and early 1900s as people headed West searching for gold and new places to settle. Now, thanks to the tiny house movement, there’s a renewed interest in these functional and funky trailers. Read more.
Reader Poll
Do you carry a spare tire for your RV?
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.
What we learned about you last week
How satisfied are you with your RV’s factory warranty? Do you get tired of living in a small space? Would you ever consider living in a tiny home? Do you have a washer or dryer in your RV? Did you end up in a profession you thought you would? All this and more, right here.
Trailer overturns on California highway due to high winds
The California Highway Patrol issued this photo of a travel trailer which was overturned by high winds on U.S. 395 in eastern California. Read more, including two important tips for pulling a trailer.
RV sales for 2019 to dip. January shipments off nearly 40 percent
RV shipments will dip for the second straight year in 2019, according to a new forecast prepared by longtime RV industry analyst Richard Curtin. He projects total RV shipments will most likely be 460,100 units, a dip of 4.9 percent from 2018. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) announced that total RV shipments ended January with 25,540 wholesale shipments, a decrease of 39.8% from the 42,441 units shipped the same month last year. Learn more.
How to store stick butter or margarine
When traveling in an RV, it’s easy to store opened butter or margarine in a tub with a snap-on lid. But what if you like your butter stick-style and want to keep it in good shape without air discoloring the surface? Take a look at what Rich “The Wanderman” found.
Need something for your RV?
Vent covers, roof sealant tapes, back-up cameras, generators, water pressure regulators, windshield covers, water filters, leveling blocks, a new memory foam mattress cover, wi-fi extenders, you name it, you can find everything you’ll ever need for your RV here and have it delivered straight to your door.
Popular articles from last week’s issue
• Hymer goes bust! Big losers – owners with now-worthless warranties.
• Newmar to debut new Super C motorhome.
• RV dealer association offers coping tactics to Hymer dealers.
• Building an RV Park: Why we decided to “go for it.”
• RVer Safety: Protection is a personal matter.
• RV Electricity – An easy way to measure 50-amp outlets.
• What we learned about you last week (February 16-22).
• RV Tire Safety – “China bomb” tires and McDonald’s fries? What?
Stay for free at more than 700 wineries and farms
With a Harvest Hosts membership, you can stay overnight at more than 700 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.) Save 15 percent by using code HHFRIENDS15 at checkout. Learn more.
Resources
RV Tours
Prefer to travel with a group of RVers? There are plenty of great RV trips to choose from. Here are a few.
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.
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.
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.
If you shop at Amazon, would you use one of the links below to do your shopping? The link in the blue bar above also works. Thanks.
U.S. shoppers: Shop at Amazon.com
Canadian shoppers: Shop at Amazon.ca
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of February 25, 2019:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.39. [Calif.: $3.18]
Change from week before: Up 7 cents; Change from year before: Down 16 cents.
Diesel: $3.05. [Calif.: $3.77]
Change from week before: Up 4 cents; Change from year before: Up 4 cents.
NEW: RV Parks With a Twist
Maine “lobstah” delivered to your RV
If you’re heading to Maine for some “lobstah,” you might as well have it delivered to your RV, right? At Sagadahoc Bay Campground on Maine’s beautiful Georgetown Island, you can book a spot on the water and have a freshly caught lobster delivered right to your RV – hot and ready to eat, or ready to be cooked, your choice. Read more.
If you know of a unique park, please let us know at editor@rvtravel.com.
Easily hang heavy objects in your RV
RV walls aren’t exactly designed for having screws or nails driven into them. Enter acrylic mounting tape. This is a clear, double-sided tape that is sturdy enough to hang heavy objects and can easily be removed without doing damage to the walls. Get some on Amazon here.
RV Quick Tips
Campsite setup for newbies
• Plan to get to your site well before sunset. Backing into your site and setting up can be difficult even in daylight; doing it at night is much harder.
• During business hours, many campgrounds will show you to your site and help you. If you arrive late you might be on your own. If you didn’t pick your site out ask what sites are available when you arrive and see if you can check them out. You might find that perfect site overlooking the lake is open.
• When you park make sure your RV door is facing the picnic table. When you park your RV check the location of the water, electric and sewer hookups. This way you can position your RV where all the lines will reach.
• Before opening any slide-outs make sure all cabinet and room doors around the slide are closed. An open door can get caught by the moving slide and get ripped right off the hinges. I know one person who had this happen in their brand new 5th wheel. From weekendrvadventures.com.
Used RV shopping – Low miles aren’t always the best
When buying a used RV, lower mileage isn’t necessarily a good thing. When someone is driving an RV often, it usually means it’s being well-maintained. Lower mileage when buying a used RV could mean it’s been sitting on an empty lot somewhere and you can wind up with a lot of issues. From “Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America.” Available on Amazon.
Do you have a Quick Tip? Send it to Russ (at) RVtravel.com
RVer Safety
The good, the bad and the ugly of self-protection in a campground
Are guns the only way to protect yourself? What about bear spray? Pepper spray? And what’s the chance of something bad happening to you in a campground, anyway? Ex-cop Mike Sherman takes a look at the good (weapons of choice and a plan), the bad (what happens if you are forced to use a weapon) and the ugly (acknowledging that bad things can happen). Learn more.
Ask the RV Shrink
Hubby worried wife’s “navigation” in RV will get them stuck
A couple with a 34-ft. motorhome and a toad need some advice from the RV Shrink because the wife’s driving directions often lead to dead-ends and arguments. Read the RV Shrink’s advice.
Work Camping
What happens if you’re let go?
Getting let go from your work camping position – It’s not as bad as it sounds, but it can be pretty traumatic. In our travels, we have been very close to work campers that have, for one reason or another, been “let go” or fired. Read more.
New for 2019 – RV Camping in Corps of Engineers Parks
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers — boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
Ask the RV Doctor
Possible fixes for hard-to-reach toilet leak
A reader asks the RV Doctor if he has to remove the toilet in his older Tioga motorhome to repair a hard-to-reach leak. Gary explains possible causes for the leak and how to repair them here.
RV Electricity
Do I need a 30- or 50-amp surge protector?
After Mike Sokol’s recent post “An easy way to measure 50-amp outlets,” a reader asked about when they don’t have access to 50-amp service and use a 30-amp connection, will the 50-amp EMS still work? Read Mike’s response.
RV Tire Safety
Optimum, appropriate or required inflation? What’s on a tire placard?
Tire expert Roger Marble has seen people use a variety of words to describe the inflation numbers on vehicle tire placards. These numbers are arrived at by different methods for different vehicles. Roger explains here.
Astronomy for RVers
Asteroids – We may be between a rock and a hard place
Chris Fellows has talked about lots of things in our universe in previous articles but realized he somehow left out asteroids. Since one of those “bad boys” is the most likely thing to kill us, he’s devoting a little time to this subject here.
Western Views
Following the great California Wagon Trail
If you’re driving to or from California this summer, you’re following one of the great wagon trails left by our forefathers. Consider taking a little time along the way to learn about the route and the intrepid travelers that built this nation. Read more from Len Wilcox or listen to him read his essay.
The RV Kitchen
Pineapple Curry Meatballs
Meatball magic. Frozen meatballs are one of the RV cook’s best friends because you can do so much with them. Here’s a sweet way to make a saucy main dish. Just add rice made from scratch or warmed from a pouch. Get the recipe.
2019 Guide to Firearm Laws now available
If you travel with a firearm, you need this to avoid breaking state laws. This details the firearm laws of all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, and how to prepare, carry and transport your weapons. What’s legal in one state may be a felony in another! Essential for RVers who cross state lines. Learn more or order.
NEW: Guest Bloggers
• From Andy Pargh, The Gadget Guru: VIDEO: 14 luxury motorcoach resorts – What you need to know in 60 seconds.
Need mail forwarding? Choose the best!
Choose Americas Mailbox! It’s the best, endorsed by RVtravel.com which has toured its South Dakota facility and interviewed its very customer-oriented owner. Many plans available. Learn more. Or view the video interview RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury conducted with Americas Mailbox owner Don Humes.
Interesting Facebook Groups
• Extreme Low Budget RV Living
• Hiking the World
• Bird Watching
PLUS OUR OWN GROUPS: RV Horror Stories & RV Advice
Free and bargain camping
From OvernightRVparking.com
Cracker Barrel # 329, Chester, VA
FREE! Overnight parking is allowed. Obtain permission from the store. Park in one of five marked Bus/RV spaces behind the store, or as directed. Well-lit and appears pretty level. Possible traffic noise from nearby I-95. Click here for more details.
Beloit Roadside Park, Beloit, KS
FREE! Overnight parking is allowed. City Ordinance No. 2216 allows parking at the Roadside Park as long as the parking term does not exceed 24 hours. There are three shelter areas with picnic tables, trash cans, and a water spigot (may not be threaded for potable water fill). Click here for more details.
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.
New & interesting finds at Amazon.com
See what really cool stuff Amazon is featuring today. It’s a whole lot of fun just browsing through all these great items. The selection changes every day, so check back often. You never know what you will find, which is part of the fun of visiting here. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s just plain entertaining to explore this department at Amazon. Check it out
Museum of the Week
Future of Flight & Boeing Tour
Mukilteo, WA
Staff writer Emily recently went on the Boeing Factory Tour and boy it sounds neat! Here’s what she had to say about it: “The Boeing Factory Tour was one of the neatest tours I’ve ever done. The 90-minute tour north of Seattle takes you through the factory (which is the world’s largest building, by the way) where you see every stage of an airplane being built. It’s pretty darn impressive to look out over the observation deck and see nine planes right in front of you…in the same room!” Visit the official website here to plan your visit.
Upcoming RV Shows
• Battle Creek RV & Camping Show, February 28 – March 3, Battle Creek, MI
• Milwaukee RV Show, February 28 – March 3, West Allis, WI
• CNY RV and Camping Show & Sale, February 28 – March 3, Syracuse, NY
• Greater Philadelphia RV Show, February 28 – March 3, Oaks, PA
• Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show, February 28 – March 3, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Central Illinois RV Show – Peoria, March 1-3, Peoria, IL
• Eugene Spring RV Show, March 1-3, Eugene, OR
• Fredericksburg RV Show, March 1-3, Fredericksburg, VA
• Rhode Island RV & Camping Show, March 1-3, Providence, RI
• The Spring RV Show of Shows, March 6-10, Portland, OR
• Colorado RV, Sports & Travel Show, March 7-10, Denver, CO
• Port Huron RV & Camping Show, March 7-10, Port Huron, MI
• Central Wisconsin RV & Camping Show, March 8-10, Wausau, WI
• Southern New England RV & Camping Show, March 8-10, Uncasville, CT
• Virginia RV Show – Hampton, March 8-10, Hampton, VA
• York RV Show, March 8-10, York, PA
• FMCA’s 99th International Convention & RV Expo, March 13-16, Perry, GA
• Flint RV & Camping Show, March 14-17, Flint, MI
• El Paso RV Show, March 15-17, El Paso, TX
See the complete list of upcoming RV shows.
Truck Parts & Accessories
Wow! Just about anything and everything you would need for your truck is on 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.
Trivia
The birth of unsolicited electronic messages (“spam”) dates back to 1864, when con artists used Western Union to telegraph shady investment offers to potential investors. Worldwide, spam costs more than $130 billion annually in lost productivity and energy. In 2004, Bill Gates predicted spam would be eradicated within two years. (Oops.) From Court Stroud on Forbes.com.
NEW: Silly Tourist Questions
From reader Tom Gutzke
During a visit to Yellowstone National Park, a tourist ahead of us complained to the ranger that his family didn’t see any animals in the wild. He asked, “When will you let them out so we can see them?”
From reader Nicki Loth
When I was a travel agent, a person booking a hotel room in Orlando, FL, requested an ocean view room. When I advised them that you can’t see the ocean from Orlando, I was called dumb because the client was looking at the map and could clearly see how narrow Florida was.
Have you overheard a silly tourist question at a National Park or other well-known tourist location? Send it to diane(at)RVtravel.com
Bumper sticker of the week
From reader AC Holt
Yes, this is my truck. No, I won’t help you move.
Have you seen a funny bumper sticker? Send it to diane(at)RVtravel.com
Joke of the Week
A museum in town displays quilts from around the country. An elderly man asked the woman at the front desk about a senior discount. “Sir,” she said, “this is a quilt museum. We give discounts to teenagers.”
Worth Pondering
“Our culture made a virtue of living only as extroverts. We discouraged the inner journey, the quest for a center. So we lost our center and have to find it again.” —Anais Nin
RV Travel staff
CONTACT US at editor@RVtravel.com
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editor: Russ De Maris. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Mike Sokol, Greg Illes, Bob Difley, Richard Miller, Richard Mallery, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Dave Helgeson, Chris Fellows, Dennis Prichard, Len Wilcox, Sam Suva, Mike Sherman, Machelle James, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
REGIONAL AND LOCAL ADVERTISING: We can now run banners on RVtravel.com in your town or in a designated area near you, for example to readers within 100, 200, etc., miles of your business. 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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2019 by RVtravel.com
Hi Chuck, What’s the reason for changing this advertised sponsored newsletter to Sunday mid morning, again? Is the content going to be any different than it is now? I am just wondering, as I do enjoy this newsletter on Saturday mornings. Thanks.
Bill T. We feel that our donors deserve some special treatment because they appreciate well enough what we do that they voluntarily subscribe. And, frankly, I have promised them an ad-free newsletter for a long time. Also, we will often include special content in the members’ newsletter (I plan to write there more than in the free edition) that will not appear in the Sunday (free) edition.
For about 8 years, the now-Saturday newsletter was published on Sunday, so publishing there again is just returning to what we did before. FYI: Some of our members pay us $5 or $10 one time and never again, I don’t think that’s too much to receive some special treatment over other non-member readers. Even $5 or $10 a subscriber adds up if enough readers do it.
Lots of people have complained about too many ads. We feel, like any decent publication, ours is worth paying for. Those who want to read for free still can, and that will always be our largest audience, but that edition will be paid for by advertisers. There are about a dozen of us who earn our livings from RVtravel.com and one way or another we need to generate revenue to pay ourselves and all our other bills. And so, some changes. Thanks for asking.
Chuck … a few months back I sent y’all a check for $50. I never heard squat from you, but the check did clear. Not sure what I’ll be seeing next week.
Hi LD,
I’m the guilty party for not getting a thank you to you in a timely manner. Please contact me directly so that I can make sure you’re on our Member Donor list. gail@rvtravel.com.
Thanks Chuck. I have been donating about $50 each year for a few years now and I like that donors are going to get a more informative newsletter, especially when some of the non-donors are the ones that comment on here every week but won’t cough up a dime to read it.
Hey Donny. Interesting perspective… were you saying nondonors shouldn’t comment so much, or just saying more people should donate to this newsletter? I’m curious because I feel some of the frequent commenters add a lot of interesting “content” to the site for free…
Lurker, I agree that some of the frequent commenters add interesting content, but if they like reading this newsletter every week and comment each week, they could at least contribute monetarily to help pay the expenses of the people that provide us with a lot of very useful information.
Thank you for your kind words of support, Donny. We appreciate them, and you, very much! Have a good night. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thanks for getting back to me Chuck. I understand the needs of the donors and having their own area and newsletter, that’s great. I Just don’t see why they can’t both be published on Saturday. I don’t know if I am the only one out here who likes getting it Saturday mornings, ads and all, when I have a quiet morning to read it. I am sure there are other folks out there, who like to get the free newsletter on Saturday mornings as well. Can you post the survey question about which day people would like the free newsletter posted? If there is a big enough call for it, will you publish back on Saturdays. Thanks.
I don’t understand why this is such a big deal. Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday . . . I have yet to read anything in the newsletter that is so timely that if I don’t read it on Saturday, I might as well not read it at all. The newsletter is information, it’s entertaining, it’s interesting, but it’s not like a tornado warning when you’re driving across Kansas.
Free and bargain camping – Last couple of weeks the details are the same for both locations. This week cracker barrel details are on the roadside park beloit ks. having coordinates to search is much more accurate 🙂
Scroll down on the page to see the second location.
Dah, I’m an idiot. details are same for both… just have to scroll down far enough to see the second location. sorry for false claim 🙂
Would love to see an research article about ReserveAmerica. They just took over the Texas State Park system 2 weeks ago. Prices jumped. Customer services no where to be found. On a search for availability next week, sites were available at certain locations, but were listed as “first-come-first-serve.” So they expect us to drive up to 4 hours hoping they’re still available when you arrive. I fail to see the reason for a system like this. If sites are open, let the customer reserve it. This is beginning to sound like a Marcus Lemonus run operation. I’ll be spending my money at commercial parks from now on.
I’m so sorry to read this. ReserveAmerica is horrible. California just finally after more than a decade got rid of ReserveAmerica. Poor customer service and campsites were no longer available that before RA, we were able to book year after year. They don’t care if you have to drive four hours and find the spot taken because that’s just it, the spot was taken and they got paid and your complaints will fall on deaf ears.
“The reporting was sloppy, which to me diminished its credibility. Still, I suspect much of what was said is true — including the use of drugs in the workplace, an issue with most large Elkhart-area RV manufacturers, not just forest river”
Chuck I wouldn’t know good reporting if it bit me in the face!! I’m a retired mechanic, so I don’t understand what was sloppy about the video? The video was about OHSA violations and the workplace culture and safety practices at the manufacturing plant.
I realize the interview didn’t discuss the product quality leaving the plant but I don’t think that was intent of the interview. Thanks
12 years of RVing (and still going strong) we enjoy and look forward to the Saturday Newsletter. Maybe we are not the “norm” but we don’t mind the advertising. Always great to see new gadgets, ads for new parks, and items that can enhance the RV experience.
We will miss the free Saturday issue with the ads. It has been great reading this news letter for the past 10 years. BYE.
I believe I read (several times recently) that you can still read the newsletter for free, on Sunday . . .
I actually don’t mind seeing the adds.
I’m with you Steve. The ads are useful. I have purchased the tire pressure gauge and infrared thermometer, plus a few other items over the years.
I have a good tip for anything rubber.
Why purchase new windshield wiper blades year after year?
Why purchase tire covers .
If you purchase formula 303 and apply it to anything rubber while they are still in new or good condition.
You will never have to purchase those again until the end of their usefull life.
Just coat them with this stuff two times a year after initially coating them and your set.
I have had the same set of wiper blades for five years and they are like new.
Just make sure the rubber is at least 70 degrees when you soak or reapply.
I absolutely agree with the 303 Protectant recommendation. I use it on anything rubber.
We toured Boeing in the fall of 2016 and were apprehensive because my wife uses a wheelchair. [She can’t climb stairs.] They had a bus with a lift to get us from the visitors’ center to the plant. We couldn’t easily stay at the front of the tour but another employee took us with the group and explained what we were seeing as we couldn’t hear the tour guide in front. At one point we went up an elevator to the upper level where we could see all the way down the assembly line – something we couldn’t accomplish on the lower level. It was well worth the small cost of the tour for what we learned and saw. Boeing did an outstanding job. Highly recommend taking the time to take the tour if you’re going to Seattle. Be sure to make reservations.
Hmmm. I’ve lived north of Seattle for 72 years, and just south of the Boeing plant (which began offering tours in 1968), and I’ve never been on the tour. I guess it’s time! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
As for one who feels put off because we get a day late newsletter due to the fact we are still going free and you want a paid newsletter is going to not sit well with a few of your readers. I am still free because I can’t afford to pay for your newsletter. As for that I say what ever. As for your butter holder? Any big store that sells kitchen wares will have a resealable container that looks like a butter keep with a snap on lid. I have one. As for paying for the newsletter. Might want to ask why some have to go free. Nuff said.
It’s still free, only a day later.
Chuck,I read and commented on the RV electric charges at campgrounds.
I was shocked to see it turn political,and ugly!
If I wanted to hear that kind of comments I would watch television.
Is this the place for politics???
I would think that when an elected official can propose a piece of legislation that marginalizes a sizeable section of the public as well as legislate an entire industry out of existence that would constitute a reasonable topic for discussion as long it is done civil manner. So, yes, this would be a place for politics….