Issue 39 of the best email newsletter for full-time RV enthusiasts and others who want to be.
RELEASED: October 18, 2007
Published every two weeks.
This issue's email alert was sent to more than 25,000 RVers.
Regularly $18.95.
Wed. - Fri. only $14.95!
Guide to Free Campgrounds, Western States
SAVE $4. This is THE comprehensive guide to free and inexpensive campgrounds in the West -- a "must-have" directory for RVers who want to save money on camping. Learn more or order
How to have long-lasting RV batteries
Fulltimers who spend long periods boondocking must rely on batteries for much of their power. Just how much power batteries provide depends on both the number and type of units installed, and how they are used. This article by RV technician Mark Polk explains what you need to know.
Where to boondock near Phoenix
Boondocking in Phoenix? Crowded, noisy Phoenix? Yes, indeed. Well, very close to the city, anyway. This post tells you where you can find quiet, rustic boondocking within an easy drive of the lights and action. Click here.
Company's fifth-wheels look good for fulltiming
If you're considering the purchase of a fifth-wheel trailer for fulltiming, take a look at Travel Supreme's 2008 River Canyon line. The company says the upgraded models offer more for the money, and the price and features suggest that the claim is true. You can access the company's web site through this post. Click here.
Luxury motorcoach features Murphy bed that transforms into home theater
Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. is offering a sneak preview of its tag-axle Tour Master Constellation at the Pomona, Calif., RV Show this weekend, October 19-21. The motorhome's sleeping quarters include a Murphy bed that, when folded up, transforms the room into a home theater. Read all about it.
Explorer RV Insurance
Owners of motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and medium duty tow vehicles save up to 15% over our largest competitors by tailoring their coverage from more than a dozen options. Get a quote now.
Would a washer-dryer solve your laundry needs?
One of the regular chores fulltimers have to deal with is laundry. For some, that means finding a local laundromat. A more convenient solution, if you have a suitable RV, is to install a compact washer-dryer. Fulltimer Jim Twamley uses one, and he has some feedback on how to get the most out of the limited capacity of these clever machines. Click here.
Pizza deliveries in the desert? Pick up your cell phone
Heading to Quartzsite for the winter? You don't have to give up home deliveries of pizza just because you're boondocking in the desert. Now you can pick up a cell phone and have a pizza at your front door in a few minutes, just as you did when you lived in a house or condo. Read on.
Fifth Wheel Bible
This is the first book devoted to fifth wheel travel trailers. It covers everything about these RVs: Buying, towing, operating and enjoying them. Learn more or order.
Florida gets expensive for winter RVers
Florida-bound snowbirds apparently have to be fairly well heeled these days to spend the winter at the more upscale RV parks. You won't find anyone who depends on social security living at the park featured in this post. Could you afford it?
Snowbird-area cops get ready for unique traffic accidents
It's the time of year when RVers by the thousands migrate south to escape cold winters back home. Some of these RVers are destined to be in involved in a type of traffic accident they would never encounter back home. Read all about it.
Find Wal-Mart stores for FREE overnight stays
Let the 2007 Wal-Mart Locator be your guide to America's favorite superstore. Hundreds of changes and updates, plus 100 new stores. This is the best resource for locating Wal-Mart stores (with driving directions), most of which allow free overnight RV stays in their parking lots. Our low price only $19.96. Learn more or order.
Workamping brings delightful fringe benefit
Fulltimers who workamp seek jobs on the road primarily to finance their RVing lifestyle. But most workampers discover an unexpected side benefit that in some ways is more valuable than the money. Do you agree?
Latest RV recalls
Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RVtravel.com. Here are the most recent ones: September -- August -- July -- June
Bella Terra means "Beautiful Land"
and that's exactly what this RV Resort is!
The Gulf Coast's first 5-star master planned RV Resort.Five minutes away from the beautiful sugar-white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, Bella Terra is poised to set the standard for outdoor RV resorts. See for yourself...
Put on a sombrero in the RV Kitchen
Thousands of fulltimers will soon be spending the winter in the desert close to Mexico, so it's time to add a little south-of-the-border flavor to some traditional dishes. Join Janet Groene in the RV Kitchen to see what she's cooking for her snowbird amigos this week.
Protect your awning from damage
One of the functions of an awning is to shield the RV's entry area from rain, yet rain is one the main destroyers of awnings. How can that be? Here's an explanation, as well as a suggestion on how to protect your awning from bad weather such as thunderstorms.
The only campground directory for big RVs!
If you drive a king-sized RV, this directory is for you. The authors provide details about RV parks throughout the USA and Canadian Maritime Provinces where RVs 34 feet and longer are welcome. Learn which campsites are best, local attractions and if WiFi is available. A must for owners of large RVs. Learn more or order.
In the Forums
Black water dumping
So what do you do when you are out boondocking for extended days and you need to dump your black water? Where do you go?
LP prices
I just realized this year that campgrounds were jacking up the price by $10, considering it a delivery fee. I had noticed that in 2005, my fee was in the $7-$9 range; I usually fill when I am down to 2/3. Last summer for the same filling, it was $17-$19 range. I thought it was the energy crisis, until I got an itemized bill for $2.50 a gallon PLUS a $10 delivery fee. This was an eye opener. I had never questioned the fee by the gallon. I stopped getting it at campgrounds, and am buying it at truck stops and farm stores.
Portable ham radio
I am a ham radio operator and I am thinking about buying a portable radio. I spend usually 2-3 months in the southern USA and Mexico using my camperized van. I am thinking about using the radio when I get in a new area in order to get information on free camping, activities to do, etc. Is it worthwhile to have one first and if so, what would be a good brand name, the strength, etc.?
eBooks: INSTANT READING!
With eBooks you don't have to wait to read your book. Just place your order and your eBook will be delivered almost instantly to your email inbox. You can be reading it moments later. All these eBooks are written by RV experts and delivered instantly in PDF format.
Buying an RV the Smart Way
I Have A Convection Oven in My RV. Now What?
The ABCs of Pop Up Campers
Boondocking Tips - More Fun Without Hookups
Complete Guide to Dinghy Towing
The Woman's Guide to Solo RVing
A Collection of RV Tips
ABCs of RVing
The 3 Primary Systems of an RV: LP Gas, Water & Electricity
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitchwork and Backing
RV Check-List
Many RV-friendly casinos await southbound snowbirds
Planning to head south pretty soon to escape the upcoming cold and snow? Lots of RV-friendly casinos await you along the way, offering free or inexpensive overnight stays as well as gaming and dining opportunities. Here's how to find out where they are.
Weird, wacky and wonderful RVs
Most of us travel with manufactured RVs that from the outside look pretty much like a hundred or a thousand others. But not so with these RVs, which are definitely one of a kind. See for yourself.
Heaven on Earth - Enjoy nature in Tennessee
If you prefer a breath of fresh air without actually getting your heart rate up, Tennessee is your kind of sightseeing tour. Come unwind in Tennessee, a state known for its abundance of natural resources in eye candy. Learn more.
Build your own wind generator
Solar panels are great for boondocking, but of course the sun doesn't always shine on them. As long as the wind is blowing, a wind generator can keep energy flowing into the batteries at night and other times when the solar panels are inactive. And you don't have to shell out a lot of money for a wind generator; fulltimer Russ De Maris shows you how to build your own fairly inexpensively. Click here.
How to keep toilet paper from unrolling in a moving RV
In case you missed our RV Travel TV Moment awhile back, here's RVtravel.com forum administrator Adrienne Kristine with a brief video tip about how to keep TP from unraveling as an RV bounces down the highway.
"My RV laundry
isn't wrinkled anymore!"
How about yours? Does it come out a wrinkled mess?
Learn how to use your RV's Splendide washer/dryer to not only clean your clothes but dry them without wrinkles. If you have a washer-dryer on board your RV, you need this book! Learn more or order.
How to cook with an RV's convection oven
If you have a convection oven and would like to learn how to use it better -- and pick up some great new recipes, you will enjoy the eBook "I've Got A Convection Oven in My RV: Now What?"
Toot, toot! Tickets, please. All aboard!
Once upon a time many kids, mesmerized by the toot of the whistle, the belch of smoke from the stack and the click-clack of wheels on the tracks, dreamed of being an engineer on a locomotive. Working on a train of yore is still possible. If you want to spice up your fulltiming and satisfy the little kid in your soul, read this post.
Workhorse UFO Chassis
The hottest RV chassis going these days is the UFO from Workhorse. Poke around the company's website to learn about this chassis, and about everything else going on at Workhorse (which is a LOT). Don't miss the entertaining videos. Learn more.
RV Travel Blogs: Good reading!
Great RV Stuff
The latest neat RV stuff in this always fasincating blog. Gizmos and gadgets that might even make your RVing more enjoyable.
RV Tech Tips with Mark Polk
A veteran RV technician, gives useful tips and advice.
Military RVing
Learn where you can camp on military bases and other camping-related benefits that you qualify for with of your military connection.
Working on the RV Road
Get up-to-date about news and information about earning income while RVing.
Boondocking
Do you use your RV away from utilities? Here you'll pick up tips on how to do it, and learn about some great places to boondock.
RVing Quartzsite
"RV Snowbird Central" for the winter season, home of huge gem shows and flea markets and the land of free camping on government lands.
RV Short Stops
Our RVtravel.com blogger's favorite places to visit in their RVs -- Great suggestions for places to visit on your own travels.
RVs in the News
"Concentrated RV news." Practical, useful, and fun news on recreational vehicle issues. Always be up to date.
Casino RV Camping
Learn about casino RV parks, freebie camping, and great deals on gaming and dining for RVers who visit.
Fulltime RVer
If you're a fulltime RVer or plan to be someday, then stop by for the latest news and information about fulltiming.
See the complete lineup of RV Travel blogs
Cross that bridge BEFORE you get to it with CoPilot!
CoPilot is the award-winning GPS navigation system trusted by thousands of RV owners on the road today. With a quick installation on your laptop, CoPilot's great views and clearly spoken turn-by-turn directions provide worry-free route guidance to any destination nationwide. Learn more about CoPilot GPS systems here
Broken drawer in your RV? View this video for repair tips
This video by Professor of RVing Jim Twamley shows you how to fix a broken drawer in your unit. No need to pay for a professional repair or replacement. Do-it-yourself is the spirit of RVing. Click here to view the video.
NEW ARRIVALS at RVbookstore.com. Check them out
FulltimeRVer.com staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributors: Russ and Tina De Maris, Gerry Bruder, Jim Twamley, Jaimie Hall. Forum Administrator : Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Roving Outfielder: Eric Brotman. Fulfillment Manager: Erin Hanson. Web Operations Guru: Zoey Platt. Clapper/Loader: Emily Woodbury. Stress Relief: Mikey the slinky dog.
Casino Camping: Guide to RV-Friendly Casinos
This 2007 directory is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks or offer free overnight stays. Plus get tips and information about other casino benefits for RVers. Learn more or order.
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Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We're just human! So don't go spending $10,000 on something we said was good just because we said so, or fixing something like we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. So be sure to check things out.
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This newsletter and website is copyright 2007 by RVbookstore.com. Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 170 W. Dayton Street, Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020.
Guidebook to Tourist Railroads. Learn about 150 train attractions.
