Fulltime RVer issue 49
RELEASED: March 6, 2008
Published every two weeks. This issue’s email alert was sent to more than 25,000 RVers.
At 45% off the regular price - it’s a steal!
2008 Trailer Life RV Parks & Campground Navigator CD-ROM
America’s most popular RV campground directory is now on 2 CD-ROM disks. The user friendly interface provides the ultimate RV travel planning software for the U.S. and Canada. This is the only CD-ROM in the world created just for RVers. Retail price: $59.95. Now only $32.97. Learn more or order.
No more ongoing turn signals
Ever make a turn in your RV and discover miles down the road that the turn signal is still on? No, we’ve never done that either. Of course, it’s embarrassing, and it can be confusing and annoying to drivers behind you. Well, with a small modification you can make sure the signal goes back to neutral after the turn. Watch the video.
Laptop or desktop: which is best for fulltiming?
Fifth-wheel versus travel trailer, Ford versus Chevy, diesel versus gas.When you tire of debating these ongoing questions by the campfire, here’s another one to discuss: laptop versus desktop. Each type of computer has advantages and disadvantages, and the pointers in this article will help you decide which is best for your brand of fulltime RVing.
This will save you tons of money!
Senior Citizen Discounts Guide 2008-2009
This annual directory will save you a ton of money. Learn about thousands of senior discounts throughout the USA. Most are not publicized elsewhere. National and local businesses are listed. You will get your money back many times over with this directory. Learn more or order.
Add a more appealing curtain system to your RV
These fulltimers didn’t like the standard curtains that came with their motorhome, so they decided to upgrade. Here’s what they did. Maybe you’ll want to do the same. Click here.
Close-out special
2007 Alaska Milepost
This is THE mile-by-mile guidebook for RV or auto travelers headed to Alaska, the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Now only $13.98 - that’s 50% off the regular price! Learn more or order.
Older workampers gain the upper hand in job hunting
It used to be that in many industries, being a senior citizen was a deterrent to getting a job. That’s called “ageism.” These days, though, job seekers over 60 actually have an advantage in some states. So if you’re an RV workamper, you’ll want to read this report.
Save on Camping Fees!
Join the Good Sam Club and save 10% on camping fees at thousands of RV parks. Plus many other benefits including a free subscription to Highways magazine. Good Sam is the World’s largest RV club. Only $19 a year.
Increase your RVing lore at a LOW conference
There’s always something new to learn about RVing, and if you’re a fulltimer or planning to become one, increasing your RVing knowledge is especially important. You may have already heard about the Life on Wheels educational conferences. If you haven’t attended one, you’re missing a great opportunity to expand your fulltiming horizons. Here’s some information about this year’s gatherings.
Extend the life of your RV batteries
Fulltimers who boondock a lot, either because of financial need or lifestyle preference, depend on their batteries for power. New batteries are expensive, so it’s important to make the current ones last as long as possible. Many RVers claim this procedure will extend battery longevity, but apparently there are no scientific studies to back it up. Read this report and decide if you want to follow the procedure.
Latest RV recalls
Each month we list the latest recalls of RVs at RVtravel.com. Here are the most recent ones: January – December — November — October — September – August
An Essential resource for any fulltimer
2008 Selecting An RV Home Base
For fulltimers, which state to establish an official home base is critical. Among the most important issues for RVers are taxes and RV fees. Which states have the best income tax advantages? Which states offer the best rates on RV registration? This book is an essential planning tool. Learn more or order.
Make sure expenses are covered if tragedy strikes
It’s a situation no fulltimer likes to think about but one that all of us should consider: paying for funeral arrangements if a death occurs while on the road. Although conventional prepaid funeral plans tend to be inadequate for RVers, this one seems to fit perfectly. Details.
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 $19.98. Learn more or order.
Empty your RV’s holding tanks the easy way
As a former occasional RVer, you probably overnighted mostly at campgrounds with full hookups. Now, as a fulltimer, you’re likely interested in saving money by boondocking in places without hookups. That raises the question of how to dispose of the contents of your gray and black holding tanks. You could drive your whole rig to the nearest dump station every time the tanks are full. Or, you could do what most veteran fulltimers do. Read on.
Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos ready for action
As a fulltimer, you might like to stop at casinos now and then for gaming or a sumptuous buffet. Here’s an update on a couple of casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that have been rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Click here.
Thinking about becoming a Fulltime RVer?
DVD: Extended and Fulltime RV Travel
In this RVtravel.com seminar presented in 2007 in Sacramento, California, Joe and Vicki Kieva show RVers who plan to travel much or all of the time how to successfully live a life on the RV road. They cover banking, bill-paying, e-mail, telephone communications, mail forwarding, medical care, taking care of an unoccupied house and other considerations while on the road for weeks or months at a time. Learn more and buy yours now.
In the Forums
Revamping older class B: should I remove/replace these?
I travel alone mostly in AZ and NM. I have just gotten this older RV to use for a base camp while oot and aboot on my Moto Guzzi that I trailer behind. My Horizon Chevy van/Class B has a generator, Dometic AC and ‘fridge, and no roof vent. This stuff is all 1986-vintage, and I’m wondering if it would make sense to remove the built-in generator and just use a Honda 3000. I think it would save some weight and would be more gas efficient. Maybe I can use the vacant generator space for something? I’m also thinking of installing a solar-powered roof vent. Can anyone steer me towards a good one?
Size of RV for fulltiming
Help! Have a 26′ Class C Sunseeker; thinking of trading up to a 30′ Sunseeker with 2 slides. Is this too small to use for fulltime, 2 people? Any experience out there would be much appreciated.
Short bed slider
We are brand new to this and have purchased a GMC 2500HD Diesel short bed. Trying to figure out just what model 5th wheel we want. The question is do you really need a slider hitch for this truck?
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
FMCA: The best club for motorhome owners
If you drive a motorhome you should join the Family Motor Coaching Association, the largest and best club exclusively for motorhome owners. Many benefits including rallies, local chapters and thick monthly magazine. Special new member price of $35. Click here to learn more or join.
Organize your finances for a life on the road
RVers are able to leave traffic, noise, job stress and other hassles of civilization behind when they travel, but to some extent they must bring their finances with them. After all, there are regular expenses such as campgrounds, fuel and food to pay for. RV repairs and medical services might be necessary. In this article, a veteran fulltimer shares his thoughts about credit cards, ATMs, banks and other aspects of RVing finances. Click here.
Live longer by working
Thousands of fulltimers workamp because they need more income, and many of them regret that necessity. If you’d rather not have to work at all, this report might change your mind. As a workamper, maybe you’re more fortunate than you realize. Click here.
A Mean, Green, Machines - EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles
The Earth Roamer Motorhomes are built to last and with sustainable materials. They won’t be contributing to the landfills anytime soon, they emit far fewer toxins in the production process and while in use and best of all, they run on renewable power sources. Click here to read more.
Books and DVDs
of special interest to fulltimers
U.S. Military Campgrounds Directory on CD
Guide to Full-time RVing
DVD: Extended and Full-time RVing
Support Your RV Lifestyle
Fifth Wheel Bible
DVD: Fulltiming, The Documentary
Yours free: Alaska Vacation Planner
Send for the Alaska Vacation Planner, available free from the state of Alaska. Learn where to go, what to see, where to stay including where to camp with your RV. This is the official state vacation planner. Get yours now.
RV Travel Blogs: Good reading!
Fulltime RVer
If you’re a fulltime RVer or plan to be someday, then stop by for the latest news and information about fulltiming.
Great RV Stuff
The latest neat RV stuff in this always fascinating blog. Gizmos and gadgets that might even make your RVing more enjoyable.
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.
See the complete lineup of RV Travel blogs
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. Fulfillment Manager: Erin Hanson. Web Operations Guru: Zoey Platt. Clapper/Loader: Emily Woodbury. Stress Relief: Mikey the slinky dog.
The best source for information about Workamping
Workamper News is far and away the very best resource for finding a job while living and/or traveling with an RV. No other service comes even close to Workamper News in helping RVers find jobs! Learn more.
Buy or sell at America’s largest RV consignment dealer
Buy or sell an RV from America’s largest consignment RV dealer — PPL Motorhomes . Read all about it.
Books and DVDs about Fulltime RVing
Largest selection in the World.
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Bella Terra