Fulltime RVer Newsletter
Fulltime RVer 28: Can you help this RVer?
June 23, 2006

Issue 28 of the best email newsletter for full-time RV enthusiasts and others who want to be.

This newsletter is posted every-other week.

We get a lot of letters from folks with questions about the fulltime lifestyle. Many we can answer from our experience, but today we've got one we need your help on.

Pat writes us about a problem she's encountered in trying to get out on the road. At 62, she's a wheelchair user, tows a fifth wheel, and lives a solo lifestyle. The usual "preflight" routines are not a problem, nor is setting up the rig (attaching sewer hoses, power, etc.). But there is a hitch--the fifth wheel hitch. Pat's upper body strength doesn't allow her to yank hard enough on the hitch locking lever. So far, her son has come to her rescue--but once outside a 50 mile circle, Pat faces the dilemma of not having his assistance. She writes, "Am I doomed to travel and remain 'hitched up' until my son can help with this last unhitch maneuver when I get back in his area?"

While she can maneuver a bit out of her chair, and can reach the fifth wheel hitch, this last matter has her stymied. We're putting it out to you, our clever readers, to see if you have any brilliant ideas that may help this frustrated reader fledge and get out on the open road.

We'd also like to hear from folks with their experiences on buying a new RV. Ever get a "lemon"? Did you get the problem fixed? Our "Fulltime Feedback" survey asks these pertinent questions. Our regular features will also help everyone, old and new to the lifestyle, get more out of their RV life.

We'll look forward to your insightful comments. ftrveditor@icanrv.com.

Courtesy NOAA Central Library

If you don't recall the Tin Can Tourists, you're to be forgiven. Perhaps the oldest RV club in history, the TCT folks first rounded up in 1919. Celebrating the freedom of "autocamping" as the lifestyle was then known, the club flourished until World War II, and by the '70s was as dead as T. Rex. But you can't keep a good thing down for long.  In 1998 the group saw a modern-day resurrection, and now has over 600 member-enthusiasts whose love for older RVs is contagious. They have a fascinating website, loaded with pictures of older rigs, restored for life on the highway.

Ah, those little things that mean so much. At night, a place to stick your glasses, your watch, maybe those bottles of "midnight medications." With space in the rig at a premium, just having a little place to put things can be a big blessing.

Enter the RV spice rack, those little, "few inches wide, couple inches deep" racks built for savory containers. Hang one on the wall near the bed, and watch that collection of little stuff stay put, instead of taking up residence with the dust mice under the bed. We've found ours to be a good place to slip our, "go to sleep book," and a bottle of massage lotion. Inexpensive and easily hung with wood screws, you'll find plenty of uses for them.

"Boondocking Bonus" Reader Suggests a Few of His Own
"I enjoy your weekly newsletter very much. I also enjoy my Motorhome Magazine and Highways. My only complaint is that so much is written on the west and southwest or far east leaving out the wonderful places in the Midwest. I live in Ohio and like to go out in the motorhome for 7-10 days at a time. With Columbus, Ohio as the hub, I would like to suggest several nice adventures within a 500 mile radius.

Kentucky: Berea, Boonsboro, Louisville, Cumberland Falls to name a few.

Indiana: Pokegon State Park, Turkey Run S.P., Cliffty Falls State Park, Spring Mill S.P., Conner's Prairie in Indianopolis, Turkey Run S.P.

Illinois: Alton, Starved Rock S.P., Moline and the Quad Cities; if you go in June you can see the International Woodcarving Congress. And don't forget Chicago--you can park at Camping World for a couple of days.

West Virginia: Tamarac, New River Found Gorge, Wheeling and Martin's Ferry area.

We have stayed out of Pennsylvania because the campgrounds are so unfriendly to dogs and we have a very small Sheltie." -- JG

JG, we assume you just must have read "Boondocking Bonus" in our last issue, where we covered an Ohio boondocker's getaway. -- ED

Courtesy Fr. Bandito, Los Algadones, BC, Mex

A couple of reminders for those headed to "siesta land." The most recent information from the U.S. Department of State indicates that by December 31, 2006 (this year) you'll need a passport to get back into the U.S. from Mexico when traveling by sea or air. But until December 31, 2007 you won't need a passport (but you may be asked to show a birth certificate and government issued photo ID) to make the trip back in by land.

Driving into Mexico? U.S.-issued auto insurance is NOT recognized in Mexico. Can you say, "Kiss your RV good-bye," if you're involved in an accident south of the border and you don't have insurance issued by a recognized Mexican insurance company? Get it on the U.S. side at most border crossings.

And if bringing back your medications from Mexico, don't tell that nice border official that you're "bringing back my drugs." We've seen a hapless gringo quickly "disappeared" into the back room when making such a flippant remark. A much safer term is, "prescription medications." It's best to have a signed, current prescription form from a U.S. doctor to show if asked.

And don't even think about taking guns or ammunition into Mexico. The government there takes a dim view of folks who violate that strictly enforced law. We've been told that the jails down there are pretty nasty, the food isn't good, and in some places you're in so far, "they have to pump light to you."

Does Fulltiming Equal a Pointless Lifestyle?
After working hard for many years, a lot of RVers look forward to 'ditching the nine-to-five' and kicking back, just doing what they want to do. The big day comes, they move into the RV, and down the road they go. But for some, the reality soon sets in. Not content with seeing the country and meeting other RVers, they begin to feel that perhaps the RV lifestyle just isn't what they expected--they become bored. "Is this all there is?" some ask.

Becoming a fulltime RVer doesn't have to mean having less purpose in life. Actually, the freedom of the lifestyle can mean making a real difference. Take Ralph and Charlene. Although they don't fulltime in their RV year-round, they do spend months on end in their travel trailer. Now in his 80's, Ralph spent a lot of his working life involved in the construction industry. Both he and Charlene were committed to volunteering.

Courtesy JW Relief Volunteers

A few months ago, that big phenomenon called Katrina struck the Gulf states. Ralph and Charlene packed up their rig and headed to Louisiana, where they both spent every day for several months as volunteers, helping hurricane victims start to rebuild their lives. Despite his age, Ralph was set to work on a tree clearing crew, helping to remove dangerous trees from homes that were otherwise ready for repairs. Fellow volunteers were constantly amazed at Ralph's stamina and demeanor, he could 'work circles around,' those four times younger than himself.

Courtesy JW Relief Volunteers

At other times, Ralph drove his tow rig, equipped with a gooseneck hitch and flatbed trailer, delivering building materials and relief supplies. Back at their volunteer hub, Charlene looked after the needs of other volunteers, washing and mending clothes. Whatever their assignment, they also took time to encourage and build up folks affected by this huge disaster.

Courtesy JW Relief Volunteers

Back "home," they've prepared their travel trailer to roll out at a moment's notice to respond to whatever the next disaster might be. Just talking to these two makes a person want to drop their own concerns and head on out.

Heading out is possible for the fulltime RVer. Free of commitments to lawns, house maintenance, and "things," the fulltimer can readily respond, using existing skills, or learning new ones in the field. Giving of yourself can quickly dispel any feeling of "uselessness." In this era of shrinking "social services dollars," there's a greater need than ever for folks who are willing to share their time, experience, and efforts with others.

Water Conservation Doesn't Have to Hurt
When you're away from "city water" hookups, your mind has to change gears about how you turn on the tap and run water. With a limited amount of fresh water available, conservation is key, but it doesn't have to feel like a toothache. Here's some conservation tips:

• When dish washing, "lose the sink." Using dishpans for wash water reduces the amount required. Pre-wiping dishes with a paper towel cuts down on water-consuming grease and crud.
• When rinsing dishes, stack the "clean" dishes in a tub, then pour rinse water over them. It doesn't require gallons of fresh water to thoroughly rinse dishes.
• Plants love dish rinse water.
• Put a pan in the sink to catch hand-washing rinse water. Turn off the fresh water line to the toilet and use the rinse water to flush.
• Do the "Navy shower." Rinse your body with water, turn off shower valve, soap up. Then rinse off the soap suds.
• Wet your toothbrush--then shut off the tap! Gallons of water go to waste while waiting to rinse out that chopper cleaner.
• Use a cup for shaving--reserve just enough hot water for your shave and cleanup. Or invest in an electric razor.
• Rinse your veggies in a pan, not individually under the tap.
• Waiting for hot water to arrive at the tap? Don't run the tepid stuff down the drain, catch it and use it appropriately.

When I interview, what should I find out about the employer?
During an interview, you are interviewing the employer as much as the employer is interviewing you. It is costly for either of you to make a mistake. Prepare your list of questions in advance. Cover basics like duties, hours, length of season, days off. You also need to find out about your RV site if one is involved. You may also want to know where the nearest shopping and medical facilities are. As you think of more questions, add them to your list.

During the interview, jot down the answers and check them off so you make sure all your questions are answered.

Jaimie Hall is the author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road.

"Take two photographers, four cameras, a stack of field guides, and a spoiled old cat. Put them in a 30 foot fifth wheel trailer, well greased. Mix in 50,000 miles, 1500 rolls of film, a new transmission, 6 tires, 6,000 gallons of gas, a cracked windshield, 14 oil changes, 2 tune-ups, 2 sets of spark plug wires, new truck brakes, 1 computer monitor, 3 hard drives, and a motherboard. Pour through 23 National Parks, 26 states and provinces and stir for 22 months. Bake in the Florida sunshine then freeze in the Canadian Rockies. Defrost and sweat for a year in North Carolina and then pour into a new mold in Israel for several years. Shake and bake them in the Middle East for five years, then leave them sweating in Mobile, Alabama, until….well, with this recipe -- who knows?"

Thus begins the "About Us" section of Lorelle and Brent VanFossen's web site. What can we add to this? If you like traveling, like photography, and a bit of a twisted sense of humor, then don't miss their site, "Taking Your Camera on the Road."

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.

News From Big Pink -- Dallas, Texas
Who arguably has the biggest hot pink building in Dallas--and maybe in all of Texas, for that matter? Who else but Mary Kay, the Queen of Cosmetics? Face paint must be a pretty big deal, as Mary Kay's "modest" facility contains 275,000 square feet, and the vats where all those shadows, sticks, liners, and lotions are prepared are so big it takes a crane to pour in all the goop.

Okay, so maybe us jaded whisker-growers can't get quite as excited as our personal beauty queens can get on this subject, but still, take the tour and walk away with a free product. Think of the money you could save!

Mary Kay Cosmetics, 1330 Regal Row, Dallas, TX 75247. Phone: 972-687-5720. Tours are Mondays at 2 pm, Tuesdays -Thursdays 10:30 am and 2 pm and on Fridays at 10:30 am. Best you should call ahead to schedule a tour, as they fill up quick. No open toes or heels, please.

"Time is that quality of nature which keeps events from happening all at once. Lately it doesn't seem to be working." -- Anon

Great Salt Lake © Russ & Tiña De Maris

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.