Hi,

My name is Doron and I am from Isarael. We spend two months in Argentina and Chile .
we rented a RV (motorhome) in Argentina and it was our home for two months. While we were parking in Mendosa, someone broke into the RV and stole all our belongings (shoes, cloths, coats, camera, Ipod etc) value of $2500.
The insurance company did not want to pay the demage and limited its liability to $ 400 as it was breaking into car ..
We went to court with an argument that it was our home during this period it should be considered as breaking into our home therefore the insurance company's liability is higher and should pay the whole demage. The judge asked us to bring him a precedent or legal case establishing this principle within a week.
If you know of such a precedent in your country I will appreciate if you send me details about this case.

My wife and I are from Florida. We have a 40' Tiffin Pheaton. We are considering buying a lot in New Mexico to use as a second base of travel. Found a 1500 RV Resort and Spa outside of Santa Fe. When finished it looks to be quite beautiful. Please let us know what you think and how is the Santa Fe Area? www.sangredecristoresort.com Thanks Kirk

we returned to Canada expecting the weather in BC to be above 0. Unfortunately the temp dropped to way below 0 last night and we were full in an a blasting north wind. We did not hook up to the fresh water tap but thought we could continue to use the water in the storage tank. By morning the water pump was frozen. We have wrapped the pump and tank in an old quilt but are at a loss as what we should do to assist the pump to thaw. The temp only climbed to 1 today and will drop to -8 again tonight. Any suggestions?

Road Trip 2009: Ways to Save

Even in these tight economic times, a road trip is still the way to go! Recent research shows RVing is typically 27-61% less expensive than other vacations, according to studies comparing vacation costs.

With an increase in fuel prices, food and other necessities it is more important than ever to watch spending and cut back on unnecessary luxuries. Vacation doesn’t need to be one of them! With these tips for saving money and cutting costs you’ll be on the road and headed for a fabulous vacation in no time. Check out our guide to the Top 10 RV Destinations for RV trip ideas.

Road Trip 2009 - Top 10 RV Destinations

Answer the call of the open road. A long-standing American tradition is the RV road trip; traveling the nation’s (and our neighbors’) highways and byways in a recreational vehicle. Whether it is a grand getaway for a few weeks or a short trip of a few days, settle into one of these top picks for RV destinations:

1. Madison Arm Resort – West Yellowstone, Montana

RV trip in South Dakota Highlight: Located eight miles from Yellowstone National Park.

The campground itself lies on the shores of Hebgen Lake, home to trout-filled waters. Wildlife in the region is plentiful – day sightings of bison and elk is not uncommon. A trip to Big Sky country wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Madison Arm Resort offers a getaway from the often-overcrowded site of Yellowstone itself. Drive along Grand Loop Road, watch Old Faithful and gaze over the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The perfect road trip for couples, families or friends.

2. Tunnel Mountain Campground – Banff National Park, Canada

Highlight: Located at the top of Tunnel Mountain with views of the sprawling countryside.

Huddled at the top of a mountain, sits Tunnel Mountain Campground in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Winter adventures and activities are aplenty at this RV Resort & Campground – or throw on some extra layers and head north to the Rockies and Banff National Park. The area's powdered slopes will challenge skiers and snowmobilers and hikers and cyclists will adore the glaciers, mineral hot springs and ice fields. The campground offers trolley service to the cozy town of Banff, a true winter wonderland as well as food, laundry and a water slide close by.

3. Verde Valley - Cottonwood, Arizona

Highlight: Surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Red Rocks to the north, Mingus Mountains to the west and the Hackberry Mountains to the south.

This 300-acre oasis is located in the high desert of Arizona under the towering southwestern rim of the vast Colorado Plateau, the city of Sedona is blessed with four mild seasons marked by abundant sunshine and clean air. Characterized by massive red-rock formations, as well as other amazing natural beauties, the area surrounding Sedona is considered to be as beautiful as many national parks. Verde Valley is situated on the Verde River and surrounded by rich geological and cultural history.

4. Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort – Oceano, California

Highlight: Nestled among the dunes of the beautiful Oceano Preserve, offering breathtaking vistas and trails to the beach.

Pismo Beach Oceano is rich in geographic, archaeological and cultural history. Pacific Dunes Resort offers stunning views in a secluded and quiet – but not remote – location. Guests of the Ranch enjoy nearby off-road recreation, horse rentals and boarding facilities, large BBQ areas and magnificent Pacific Coast sunsets at Pismo Beach area's most unique RV resort.

5. Boyd’s Key West Campground – Key West, Florida

Highlight: Ocean front campsites, saltwater fishing, on site Tiki Hut and a heated swimming pool.

Travel three hours down Route 1 from Miami to the tropical Florida Keys to find an RV island oasis. Offering oceanfront RV sites, campers will be drawn to the quiet, laid-back style of Boyd’s. Located near Duval Street, where travelers can relax with a frothy margarita and enjoy Mallory Square's sunset celebration, where tightrope walkers, jugglers and fire-eaters provide nightly amusement.

6. Mt. Hood Village RV Resort – Welches, Oregon

Highlight: Timberline, located in Mt. Hood National Forest, is the only location in the United States to offer year-round skiing and snowboarding.

The Village has come to be known throughout the industry as the premier RV destination in the Northwest. Fun and adventure for all ages can be found within minutes of Mt. Hood Village. A 27-hole golf course, groomed hiking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, miniature golf, fishing, lakes and streams to explore, and the Alpine Slide are just a few of the activities found in Mt. Hood National Forest in the summertime. Within the Village, guests will find many amenities and activities, including the Huckleberry Festival, Wild Mushroom Festival and Salmon Bake Festival held each year at the Resort.

7. Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort - Bar Harbor, Maine

Highlight: Lobster dinners, ice cream socials and pancake breakfasts!

The Campground offers panoramic ocean views and waterfront campsites. As New England’s only National Park, much of the regions most scenic views are found on Mt. Desert Island by driving Acadia National Park's 27-mile "Park Loop Road." Take a hike in Acadia National Park, bike or stroll the carriage roads or go whale watching – the activities at Mt. Desert Narrows are endless. Don't miss Maine Lobster in July & August!

8. OConnells Yogi Bear RV Resort – Amboy, Illinois

Highlight: The perfect RV trip for All-American families with young children.

Looking to experience a slice of true Americana? Point your wheels toward Northern Illinois, home to some of the finest fishing, hiking, golfing, natural scenic wonders, and wildlife America has to offer. OConnells Yogi Bear RV Resort is perfectly located just 90 miles west of Chicago and offers heated swimming pools, kiddie pools, spas and beach swimming. With Yogi Bear appearances, Candy Bar Bingo and weekly evening events it is the ideal escape for family fun.

9. Horse Thief Lake Campground - Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Highlight: Close proximity to Mt. Rushmore, with excellent views from the Resort.

Horse Thief's central location makes it easy to enjoy the best the Black Hills has to offer: Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and much more. Great location to partake in many activities such as rock climbing, photography, exploring ghost towns, mines and caves, biking, hiking, water sports, fishing and more.

10. Rivers Edge RV Park - Fairbanks, Alaska

Highlight: Located in Fairbanks, the geographic and population hub of Alaska, surrounded by beautiful scenery and in close proximity to all of Northern Alaska’s wonders.

Rivers Edge RV Park is located on the shores of the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska. Acclaimed as one of Alaska's premier parks, the amenities offered by the Park are nearly unparalleled. The Park offers a free shuttle service to Riverboat Discovery and the Alaska Salmon Bake, among other conveniences. Enjoy travels along the famous Alaska Highway and learn the history of this beautiful state through attractions such as Alaskaland, with fresh Alaskan salmon served up at the Salmon Bakes. Follow the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline on a motor coach excursion or take a paddle wheeler day cruise to capture a glimpse into the state's past.

My wife and I are getting close to retirement and would like to replace our 25' drag alond with a new 5th wheel. Recieved
my RV Comparison Guide and find that ther are many good
fifth wheels to choose from. Heartland... Keystone (Cougar)...
Jayco (Eagles)... Holiday Ramblers & on & on. We are open to all of your reviews. THANX, Rick

My wife, Kelly, and I are just getting into RVing. We have purchased a new 34" 5th Wheel and a new Dodge 3500 diesel truck. We pick the truck up this Friday and the 5th wheel next Friday. We are both nervous about learning to pull the 5th wheel. I drive a Nissan Frontier. Is there any place that we can practice pulling this trailer before we start on the road. I retire at the end of June after 42 years of teaching and coaching and want to be experienced in pulling it before we leave on an extended trip.

we have a 1983 Holiday Ramble Monitor...it was purchased by dad in GA, we picked it up and the former owner gave a quick this is how it works, in the rain,growing dark.. We hurried back to Richmond VA and realized that the instructions for lighting the furnace made no sense...and now cant get a call back from former owner.. it says to remove decorative panel on the outside, the panel is screwed in with propritary screws, so I am thinking that is not something I am meant to remove everytime I go out in the cool weather..may be wrong..but the last RV had a quick key release door panel on the outside, and one had a place to light on the inside.. We really would like to go out for a spin.. but need heat. any ideas?

Does anyone have experience with Winnebago's Rialta?  Like when did they stop putting the Renault engine in and start using VW engines.  Also is there appreciably less power on inclines given the size of the engine?   Thanks  Christine

Well we leave January 2nd, 2009, from Maplewood Minnesota, right now they (weather man) say 3 to 6 inches of snow comming tonight and tomorrow morning!

Will try to keep this up to date!

Bruce

Well trying to figure out how to add todays entry?  12/30/2008, I quit snowing about an hour ago, no more forcast until we are out of town Friday Morning.  Having trouble with RV-Talk, can not send a message (New Message that is) I can reply to messages that are posted OK.  Then I recived a message that my message was recieved OK, but I still don't have it in my in box!

Hate to try to fix problems when I am on the road, and my connection is via Cell phone.  Same as trying to enter a (New) or add on (Next Day Message here.

So If someone would send me the e-mail address I should be using for RV-Talk I would really appreciate it.  Right now I may be using the "old" e-mail address of years ago.

Bruce

RVClub R-1707

• Poor economy is the nail in the RV industry's tire
• Study Shows RV Vacations Leave Smaller Carbon Footprint 
• Recreational-Vehicle Shipments in 2008 May Fall to 12-Year Low 
• RV Financing Available for Creditworthy Customers
• Survey Shows RVers Adjusting to Economy
• Springerville might tighten RV codes
• Thor Industries Q1 Profit Plunges, Sales Down 42.5% - Update 
• Winnebago Industries to Receive 13th Consecutive RVDA Quality Circle Award

RVs --big, lumbering gas guzzlers, hardly eco-friendly and economical, right?

Not so fast. SFGate has a story about a few RVers who are turning their rigs into green-friendly rides.

Recreational vehicles, which get about 8 miles a gallon, are often considered the antithesis of low-impact living. But it doesn't have to be that way, said Sara Janssen, speaking by phone from her home, a 36-foot 1998 Western Alpine Coach, when it was parked in Des Moines recently.

Their motor home has a hot water capacity of only six gallons, "so I know how long my showers are," said Janssen, a 31-year old photographer who also works for her father, a developer of franchises for Cold Stone Creamery. The RV's limited space also means "we can't buy anything because it won't fit," she said.

Add to that a comprehensive remodeling, including nontoxic paints, bamboo floors and the waste-grease fueling system, and the Janssen mobile home "is a self-contained lifestyle," Janssen said.

Fascinating article. Read the whole thing.

• Coachmen to sell Recreational Vehicle Business to Forest River
• Manteca considering new RV parking rules
• Recreational vehicle sector littered with roadkill
• Protonex Ready To Put Fuel Cells In RVs
• Beaudry RV Co. files for Chapter 11

Have any of you had any problems when boondocking?   Also are most parks safe.  Do you need to keep everything locked up all the time? 

We are the newbys,  we just ordered our fifth wheel.  A Jayco.  Will be ready in the spring when we are ready to take off.  We have so much to learn, but are reading books and blogs.  I do worry about safety though and would like any information you offer or reading material we should read.  Thanks.

Hi,

Please check out our travel blog - it's full of information about campgrounds, places we visit, great restaurants, hiking, biking, and more!!

Suzanne and Brad's Travel Adventures....

Thanks, enjoy & Happy Travels!!
Suzanne & Brad

We are new, hope i am doing this correctly,

e just bought into Coast to Coast 2 weeks ago.  Do not have our paperwork yet.  Can anyone tell me their experience with them.. I am soooo wishing we would not have done this.  We are so excited to get traveling that we have lost our sences I do believe.

I really think I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can't get out of this.  Big fat chance, right?????

We travel with cats and have sense we started. we started this life style with two older (14 yrs) cats. bless them after 3 years they passed on. We thought it better not to replace them but while we were on one job a stray cat decided to adopt us. We took her with us and thought she might like a friend so we adopted another female from a shelter.
The first two cats were male, the two we have now are female.
we have a 34' fifthwheel and a 10' slide in we have traveled with the cats in both. We normally leave the cats in the rv while traveling except when the temperatures soar then we keep them with us in the air conditioning. One of the cats we have now is leash trained, the other is ok on leash until she gets scared and then the poor thing goes like a fish on a hook.
All that being said....your cats will adapt...when traveling they will find a place they like (hidey hole) at first you may have to dig them out after the days travel but they will learn the routine and ours now appear every time we stop.
I guess the only worries that we have is that they would wander away from the rv and as we are in a different place every few days not find their way back. The leash trained cat has gotten off the leash and "lost" for as long as 3 hours.
Just a note about the leash thingy......use a collar that wont choke them .....they never seem to know when to stop....also if you put them out on the leash keep an eye out for that loose dog.

Im wondering How everyone feels about the economy and your RV lifestyle. We are off the road until spring and by then we will have:  A new president. The ressesion will either be in full swing or perhaps under control. Gas will be back to normal (I dont think it will ever drop to $3.00 again) or perhaps unobtainable.

My questions are. ( some may be a bit drastic)

 1. If you cant find fuel what are your plans for getting back to your home?

  2. Do you think sitting say in a BLM is possible until the storm passes?

  3. Do (or are you planning) on you keeping cash on hand in case the you know what hits the fan?

 4. Why do you think that any person in their right mind would want to be president and take over the mess that our country seems to be in. Who ever wins I hope they are ready.

 These next few months will be interesting to say the least.

 I'm not writing this to start a debate there is enough of that crap going on I am courious as to you plan (or not to plan) in case the worst happens.

Our home was Fl. Therefore we kept Fl. as our home state....That being said here is how we handle being away.
1. Mail this is the easiest part we have a mail service in Fl. This service provides several things. first they forward our mail for a reasonable fee(this includes as many forwarding changes as we want)....some charge for everything so be aware and ask before you sign up with them. second they are a legal address in the state of Fl. so it keeps us as residents of Fl.
Most all post offices will let you receive mail as "general delivery" so even if you are just passing through a town you can time your mail so you can pick it up as you travel... just be sure there is only one post office for the zip code you are using or you could find yourself having to go from one to another...
2. you mentioned drivers licenses in Fl. you can renew both on line.......let me say here that you will find the internet your best friend as you travel. check with your dl office..if nothing else I would get it renewed before you leave if you can this will save a bit of worries...
3. Banking..A bit of a plug here we use "Everbank.com" they are an online bank (very few brick and mortar buildings). They pay interest on checking.....provide prepaid deposit envelopes, return atm fees and they have support "e-billing" this is where say your credit card sends the bill directly to the bank and you can to "pay" whatever the minimum may be... automatically ....then you can change the payment to whatever you want.....This is not automatic debit it is acteally responding to the bill and if you select to pay the min you dont ever have to worry about missing a payment....we weeded out all of the businesses that don't e-bill. so all of our banking is done automatically ....for instance.credit cards..sprint, direct tv , Hughs net, car insurance all send e_bills...really a cool thing ...perhaps your bank supports the same thing....
By the way the family forwarding thing really doesn't work in most cases......go ahead and bite the bullit and get a real service......

Since we're hitting the road in October (as in next month), we're somewhat at a lost for how to handle mail.  We've sold our house and stored all our worldly belongings.  What do full time RVers do with their mail?  We thought about using our son's address in NC and having them forward stuff to us (we set up UPS and FedEx accounts).  We do as much as we can online (pay bills, etc) but you still need an address for some things.

My husband heard something about a National mail box but the small Post Office in Cherryville, NC didn't seem to know anything about it.  My driver's license expires next June in NC.  How do you handle that?

OK, so you get the picture, right?  Can anyone shed some light on this?