| From FullTimeRVer.com Fulltime RVer Newsletter Issue 24 of the best email newsletter for full-time RV enthusiasts and others who want to be. This newsletter is posted early every-other week.
Editors at the Wheel by Russ and Tina De Maris Unless you've been living under a rock, the overworked phrase, "Pain at the pump" has probably hit you in the wallet. The unprecedented run-up in fuel prices is making everybody take notice. On one RV discussion forum, the idea was introduced that drivers should boycott two of the major oil companies’ stations, to "force a price war." The planners figured that by united action, drivers could force gasoline prices back down into the $1.30 range.
Whatever the "solution" might be, there is one thing we do know: Prices of fuel this summer are going to hurt. How much remains to be seen. Fulltimers aren't immune to the effects of gas pains, but there are a few things we can do to pull our knees back away from our bellies. 1. Put fuel economy practices to work. Check out our story on fuel efficient driving farther down in this newsletter. 2. When you do find "less expensive" fuel, if you can, take advantage of it. With fuel going up 24 cents in a couple of weeks, filling up a 50-gallon tank would’ve saved you $12. My cranky father-in-law used to say, "It doesn't cost any more to keep the top half full than it does the bottom half." 3. Light for a bit. Instead of doing extensive traveling this summer, find a "port of call" you like and do the "spoke and hub" method of exploring. Park the RV in a good boondocking location, inexpensive campground, or kin-folk's backyard and use the toad to explore nearby venues. Pick one direction out from your hub and find out what there is to see. Later, pick another direction. 4. Combine trips. Even when using the less-expensive-to-fuel toad car, try and cut back on unnecessary trips. Do the grocery shopping the same time you hit the post office. Carpool where you can. Hopefully, with time, we'll all get through this mess. Surely, prices will never go back to where they were in the "good old days of $1.50 a gallon" fuel, but with time, things should level off and we'll see a drop in fuel prices. BREAKING NEWS: Popular stopping point town along Alaska Highway plans to outlaw freebie stays in parking lots including Wal-Mart. Read more. 2006 Big Rigs Campground Directory! JUST PUBLISHED! Do you drive a long motorhome or trailer/tow vehicle combination? Then you know that not every RV park can accommodate you! Learn which ones can and even which campsites are best! Plus: Extensive directory of WiFi parks. The editors of the 2006 Big Rigs Best Bets Campground Directory have visited every campground in their best-selling directory. Learn more or order.
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Fulltime Feedback--Your Regular Survey The 2006 Milepost is here! -- THE guide for Alaska-bound RVers The long-awaited 2006 Milepost is hot off the press, and we've got them at RVbookstore.com. In its 58th year, this is THE guidebook that everyone who drives the Alaska Highway must have. Learn mile-by-mile what's along the road -- food, gas, attractions, campgrounds and much more. Learn more or order. "Rita"-Damaged Texas Campgrounds Coming Back to Life For the first time since Hurricane Rita ripped through East Texas last September, destroying much in its path and forcing several state parks to shut down, one site is welcoming campers again, and another is planning to open soon. Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, near Jasper, welcomed back hundreds of visitors over the Easter holiday weekend, after being closed for repairs, maintenance and cleanup for more than six months. A partial reopening of Village Creek State Park near Lumberton, about 60 miles to the south, is expected by summer. Much of the money for repairs at the Dies park have come from the sale of timber salvaged from the park’s numerous old growth pines and hardwoods felled by the hurricane-force winds and torrential rains. Estimates suggest the state park lost about 30 percent of its timber and suffered $500,000 worth of damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to reimburse 75 percent of the cost to repair the park. 2006 Traveler's Guide to the FIREARM LAWS of the 50 States Don't carry a weapon across state lines without knowing the laws. What's legal in one state may be a felony in another. Explains the specific gun laws of every U.S. state. Many changes since last year. Still only $11.95. Learn more or order. FulltimeRVer Newsletter Mailbag "Family Radio Service--Now You're Talking" In issue 23, we mentioned the usefulness of using two-way radios for backing the rig into a difficult spot. One reader apparently thinks we’re on the fringe of being sissies: "I have NEVER had someone guide me back into a parking spot. I get out at the start see what it looks like, then back in. What is with these people that cannot back into a parking spot? Every once in a while I go to a large vacant parking lot and practice backing, turning, and anything else I can think of. Keep up the writing I enjoy it." --S We couldn't help but include S's e-mail tag line. For some reason, it reminds us of some folks we've known on the road: DVD tells what it's like to be a full-time RVer Anyone who is thinking of traveling full-time with an RV will have his or her questions answered in this wonderful 90-minute DVD. Interviews with dozens of fulltimers as well as experts on the lifestyle. Learn more or order. Maine-e-ac Idea: Discover RVing In Maine Week RVers have known the joys of their lifestyle for decades. Now it seems even the government has caught on. This week marks the first annual "Discover RVing in Maine" Week. In an official declaration, "The Way Life Should Be", Maine governor John Baldacci wants folks to come in their RVs to find out what the state is all about. If the effort is successful, perhaps the unofficial state slogan, "Cheap lawb-stuh," will actually be edged out by the official one. Nearby, Rhode Island is keeping an eye on Maine's play. Perhaps next year they'll have an official "Discover RVing in Rhode Island Week-End." Casino Camping: 2006 Guide to RV-Friendly Campgrounds JUST PUBLISHED! This is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks or offer free overnight stays. Plus information about other casino benefits and freebies for RVers. Learn more or order. Focus on Fulltiming Since fulltimers, by definition, live in their rigs year-round, it's no surprise that they run into problems other RVers don't. One of them is trying to keep the floors clean--carpets just don't seem to last as long without looking like a herd of Ibex (is that Ibexes?) ran through in search of a waterhole. What's to do? Several ideas may help. First, try and keep the dirt outside. Some RVers have a "no shoes" rule. Others equip their steps with track-off mats as a first line of defense. A track-off mat inside the door is a good idea, and if you use a cheap one, you won't feel bad tossing it out and replacing it when it becomes too soiled for a resurrection. Take special care to wipe your Number Nines when parking in an area frequented by fuel and lube spills--say truck stops and rest areas. In areas like these, it may pay to take off your shoes prior to going in the rig, as these high viscosity Klingons really do raise a ruckus with a clean carpet. Once the carpets do reach the "can't take it anymore" stage, what's to do? If there's sufficient room to move, you could rent a "steam cleaner" and take after it. Obviously, sticking to the "hose and wand" type cleaner will work better than trying to use an upright cleaner. When carpet replacement time comes, consider your choices carefully. Some fulltimers have found that "commercial grade" carpet in a low profile (non shag) works real well, both in ease of cleaning and in terms of longevity. Subdued colors tend to hide the yuck longer, and make it safer to invite in company that shows up unannounced. When vinyl flooring reaches the "end of the hunt," you might even consider putting down a new floor with a laminate substance, like Pergo brand. Not quite as lightweight as vinyl, it does stand up to traffic, broken eggs, beach grit, and other indiscretions brought about by the male gender. A quick "once over" with vinegar in warm water will bring back the shine in no time flat and it looks great. Fulltimers: Where should you select a home base? Pick the wrong state and you may pay too much in licenses and taxes. Learn the best state for you. Want to Caravan to Mexico? Group Promises Lower Rates New RV travelers to Mexico will now get a chance to drive with experienced RV’ers south of the border without spending thousands of dollars on the services of professional caravans. Bill and Dorothy Bell, who have extensively traveled to over 400 RV and camping locations throughout Old Mexico, will lead a caravan starting in late October of 2006 from Nogales, Arizona to La Penita, Nayarit, Mexico. "Many first time road travelers to Mexico are a little nervous," says Dorothy Bell, "but with this caravan, they will receive assistance on the proper documentation needed to cross the border, plus they will receive an extensive four-hour course on traveling in Mexico before they start." The caravan links up on October 25 and heads out the following day. After several days of travel, the group will reach La Peñita. While the caravan is free, there is a catch: Travelers will need to agree to spend at least a month at the La Penita RV Park, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The park is said to have a pool, Internet wifi connections, pure drinking water, hot tubbing, and TV via satellite or cable. Rates are $450 a month. In addition, a $100 registration fee is required with the caravan group, and includes the four-hour course on Mexico traveling. Interested? Slots in the caravan are limited. See the Bell's website at www.ontheroadin.com. Best way to preserve your rubber roof! No other product can match the durability of EPDM rubber. Learn more about Liquid Roof and Liquid Rubber. Boondocking Bonus Plenty of RVers live away from the RV park scene. Some do it for a short time, others practically full time "in the boonies." We'll share tips and places to go. This time around... Hot Ideas for Staying Cool While some boondockers have gensets to power up large appliances, it isn't always necessary to bring up the "Onan Chorus" when the sun stands high above the old RV. With the price of fuel like it is today, running the A/C unit for a few hours a day could dwarf Imelda Marcos' shoe budget. Check out the story on alternative cooling methods. Do you know of an RV park or campground that loves dogs! Tell other RVers about it. Put Down That Hairbrush, Maude--Keep Yer Eyes on the Road Question: Name the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. Answer: It's not drunk drivers. In actuality, eight out of 10 road crashes are related to distraction. So says a major study undertaken by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One hundred vehicles were equipped with video monitors and sensors, then turned loose with 241 different drivers, who drove them nearly two million miles. Results? 82 crashes and 761 near-misses. From the data, researchers said that distractions are the biggest cause of traffic accidents. Before you point the finger at the cellular phone, listen up: While cell phones do appear to be a big problem, reading, putting on makeup, and ‘dashboard dining’ all increased the likelihood of stacking it up. NEED AN RV LOAN? Learn if you qualify in only seconds Financial Underwriters Network (F.U.N.) provides exceptional service and low loan rates. Learn if you qualify. Roadwork--Working While Living the RV Lifestyle How do you find a Workamping position in a specific location? If you want to work in a certain area, be proactive and contact employers in the area. Here are some resources: --Workamper News. Ads are in zip-code order. --Check your campground directory for RV parks and resorts. --Contact the chamber of commerce or the tourist information center for their list of members and for a vacation planner (usually available online). --Find the local newspaper online and look at the classifieds. --Ask other Workampers and RV friends. --Post questions on RV forums. --Search for volunteer opportunities at www.volunteer.gov/gov Jaimie Hall is the author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road.
Books and DVDs about Full-time RVing. Big selection. Rolling Tech RVer's have plenty of "home work" to keep up with. Caring for the rig demands far different skills than those left "back home." "Rolling Tech" will cover technical issues for the RV set. In light of the recent explosion in gasoline prices, we focus our attention this time to ways to cut back on fuel usage. How can you see more of the road, and less of the pump? Does the answer lie in those Internet-marketed "fuel saving" devices or snake oil-for-your-tank brews? You may be surprised -- there really are ways to go more miles on your tankful. See our story, Get Past the Gas Pump--Reduce Fuel Consumption. "How to Buy An RV" from the Better Business Bureau New 50-minute DVD from the BBB explains how to buy an RV. Learn how to get the best deal, the best rig (for you) and how to avoid classic buying mistakes. Hosted by RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury. Introductory price: $19.95. Available in DVD and VHS. Free Attractions USA--Get Out and See It For Free Places to go, see, and experience at no cost. Mark these on your traveling maps and prepare to experience something where you can leave your wallet in your pocket. We'll give tips from every state in the union. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: If
fine art isn't quite your taste, how about an old car museum? His and
hers? Both are available at the Frick Art and Historical Center.
Really, this is a big complex of museums and historical buildings on a
five-acre chunk of landscape in the city's highbrow East End, based on
the home turf of the late Henry Clay Frick, an industrialist and art
collector. The art gallery, "car and carriage museum," and greenhouse
are all tourable at no charge; for a few dollars more, you can gain
access into Frick's home. Los Alamos, New Mexico: Fine
arts and cars too much? Science more your taste in tea? Bring your
"glow in the dark" watch to Los Alamos and visit the Bradbury Science
Museum. The ticket is free, this one on Uncle Sam's nuclear research
laboratory. This is all part of the Los Alamos National Laboratory,
birthplace of the "Manhattan Project," or the original home of nuclear
weaponry. That's it for this edition! Wherever
you go, may your travels bring you happiness. We'd love to hear from
you, kudos to komplaints, let us know. ftrveditor@icanrv.com
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