Fulltime RVer

Fulltiming Doesn't Mean Major Eating Change

2008-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Despite the fact that a lot of "high end" motorhome builders have eliminated the 'old fashioned' oven, it seems many fulltimers still eat much as they did before they went on the road.

In a recent question posted on a fulltimer's forum, a huge majority of respondents said they pretty well stuck with the way they cooked "back home." How's that? Here's a sampling of some of the "menu items" fulltimers take to eating:

"I cook pretty much everything from scratch, so nobody can convince me that can't be done in RV living. Lots of homemade soups, stews, chicken casseroles. Breakfast possibly cereal, or just toast & yogurt, and often eggs in many different ways. I bake jalapeno corn bread which is always a winner..hmm, biscuits, bread. Don't do desserts much either.....so, even rving equals good cookin."

"Breakfast is fruit OR muffins OR cold cereal w/bannana. Lunch is sandwich or leftovers. Supper is normally done in the microwave or convection. We do grill out often, with the favorite being pork steak. Veggies are either canned or frozen "steam fresh" type. In cooler weather we do lots of soups or crock pot meals. We eat out maybe 2 to 3 times a month unless visiting friends or family in their stick houses, then eating out happens more."

"We seldom eat out. [Hubby] would be willing to go out a lot more often, but most times we enjoy having dinner on trays in front of the TV. RV living has never seemed to impact our way of cooking. In fact I enjoy it more now than I did when I was raising a family, maybe because back then I had to do it; now I choose to."

Fulltimers also commented that in some ways, traveling has made their eating habits better than when living in a "stickbuilt" home. " was going to say "we eat the same as we did before we went on the road" but that's not true. When our house was anchored we didn't have access to fresh vegetables in the winter or good seafood on a regular basis. I'm gonna say we eat considerably better and for less money than we used to. Sometimes we have to change the menu a bit based on what is available but so far that has all been for the better."

Our own fulltime lifestyle has revealed that in the small confines of a trailer without slideouts creative cooking tends to suffer. We generally eat simple meals, nothing elaborate, except when time and inclination hit and we do something really special. But then cleaning up afterwards without a dishwasher generally puts an end to special meals for a few weeks.

Six Rules for Traveling In Tight Quarters

2008-01-16T11:58:00.000-08:00

"The Johnstons just completed another three-month motor home journey. Three months is a long time to be on the road with someone else in a vehicle not much larger than a Wal-Mart dressing room."

Thereafter follows the six rules, which look like so much extinguishing for the fire that rises between the sexes. If the 'fur has been flying' between you and your road partner, check out some suggestions here.

Photo: picmel1983 on flickr.com

The Return of the Blue Bird

2008-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

It's not spring, and our feathered friends are still fluffing out in southern climes. But the return of the BlueBird is certain--that is, the Blue Bird Motorcoach.

Considered by many to be the pinacle of fulltiming RV luxury, Blue Bird Wanderlodge was the first $100,000 motorhome to hit the market. If you rode 'the big yellows' to school as a kid, you may have rode in one Wanderlodge's parent company school buses--Blue Bird was (and still is) a major bus manufacturer.

But last year the bus folks sold out the venerable motorcoach side of the business to CoachWorks Holdings in Riverside, California. Would it mark the end of the luxurious line of Wanderlodges? The answer rolls out in Florida this week: CoachWorks' first Wanderlodge will debut at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. At present all that's available for viewing on the web are teaser photos of color swatches and glimpses of high grade stuff like golden bathtub fixtures. Seems only appropriate--since the new Wanderlodge Premier XL will price at just under a cool million dollars.

What we know is the rig is all stainless steel, has plenty of marble and granite, and plenty of expensive stuff built in. To move all that weight, it's probably only appropriate that there's a 600 horsepower Cummins "under the hood," as standard equipment. What we don't know--at least today--is what the thing really looks like, inside and out.

The Wanderlodge website has a digital clock ticking off the days, hours, and minutes leading up to the rollout. When the clock hits zero across the board, will they let us see real pictures, or will we have to hold our breath and head to Tampa?

Financial Columnists Suggest RVing Alternative

2008-01-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

The financial column, Motley Fool, recently ran a piece entitled "The Cost of Working." In it, authors Billy and Akaisha Kaderli questioned the wisdom of working longer to build up the 401K retirement plan. After examining just how much more it costs to work, rather than to retire, the Kaderlis provided some suggestions on how to cut back on costs. One of them? Consider leaving the conventional stix and brix house behind.

"And why not try someplace new? There are many ways to downsize your housing expenses. You could rent or purchase a condo, with amenities that management takes care of," write the minding-your-money folks, "You could move to a sailing vessel or houseboat, or maybe an RV. We know many RV and boat "full-timers" who long ago gave up the conventional house. It's not because they cannot afford one -- they simply prefer the unhampered lifestyle."

The article also provides other insights on how to reduce the cost of working--and helps you get closer to retirement (and that fulltime RV lifestyle). Check it out here.

Photo: AndWat on flickr.com

Guide helps fulltimers decide on an RV homebase

2008-01-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

For anyone considering the fulltime RV lifestyle, a state to establish a home base can be vitally important. For these RVers, the new 2008 guide "Selecting An RV Home Base" from the editors of Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines is a "must-have" planning tool for selecting a state to call "home." 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? The fact is, picking the wrong state to establish an official residence could result in spending thousands of dollars a year that could be saved by establishing a home base elsewhere. And just how does a full-time RVer establish an official residency? Is it enough to simply rent a post office box? Probably not. In this annual guide you will learn: financial liability by state, Federal taxes for fulltime RVers, state retirement exemptions, tax advantages of each state, vehicle licensing registration specifics, voting rules and requirements. This is a little book but the information is valuable and almost impossible to find elsewhere without countless hours of research. The book can be ordered at RVbookstore.com.

Camp Hosting Doesn't Always Mean "No Money"

2008-01-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

A couple who camp host in a small town in Texas prove that a camping hosting position doesn't always mean an RVer who puts in time only for an RV site.

Rosie and Walt Bullock camp host in Grapevine, Texas. In addition to having a free hookup website, the couple also receives a stipend for their work. Do they work 7 days a week in a slave labor position? Not at all, in fact, the couple works 3 days, then has 7 days off. Not bad at all, and it's a contract job with the city, which owns the local campground.

Check out the full story in the Star Telegram. But take one thing with a grain of salt: The paper indicates the city pays stipends of $70 to $100 per day for working. If it's true, better hurry--that's a pretty rich allowance in addition to the hookups!

Photo: Star Telegram

RV Voter Rights Challenged in Tennessee

2007-12-28T15:24:00.000-08:00

While fulltime RV folks who call Oregon their registration "home" may not have trouble with upcoming elections, that apparently isn't the case with those from the Volunteer State. According to news from the Good Sam Club, 286 fulltimers who used a mail forwarding service in Cleveland got tossed off the Bradley County voter's rolls. Why so? Because they'd dared to use the mail forwarding facility's address as their permanent address.

The American Civil Liberties Union has stepped into the fray, filing a lawsuit on the part of the disenfranchised RVers, with the claim that these folks have had their constitutional rights abridged by the action of the local county government. The afore mentioned RV club says they'll file an amicus brief in support of the RVers. This "friend of the court" brief, coming from an outside party, is aimed at assisting the court in making a fair decision. It will be up to the court to determine whether it wishes to admit the brief or deny it.

Whether or not the court will hear--and decide--on the case in time for next fall's elections remains to be seen.

To listen to the story, check out this audio post on NPR radio.

Photo: CAVE CANEM on flickr.com

Keeping Timely: Fulltimer's Maintenance Checklist

2007-12-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Life is pretty busy, even for fulltiming RVers. Actually, maybe it's "mow busy" for us fulltimers. It seems like if we have a spare moment, something comes up that eats at that spare moment, to the point we find ourselves coming and going.

But if we slip up and forget something important, we all know what happens. Any of those spare moments we were looking forward to spending on ourselves wind up being spent on something else--like changing out a hot water heater that went gunny bag because we failed to spend a few minutes when we should checking on its welfare.

Enter "Firedude," a fulltime RVer with a heart. Firedude has put together a nifty maintenance checklist in "Word" format. You can download the list, print it out, and hang it up with your calendar as a reminder (with a suggested timeline) that will help you remember to check on the anode rod in the water heater, the batteries, and those other important items that get swept to the backs of our minds by all those other pressing issues. Follow this link to your own copy. It might help you to keep from having a Homer Simpson day.

Photo: Grant Robertson on Flickr

Oregon Voter Rights for Fulltimers?

2007-12-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

With the election on everyone's mind (kind of hard to be away from your mind if you watch the news) the question of voter rights often is raised. How about fulltimers out on the road?

If you're an Oregon resident--and just what constitutes an Oregon resident is a subject taken up in the Albany Democrat Herald newspaper. Using the illustration of the Oregon resident who a decade ago sold their 'stix n brix' home, bought a motorhome, and ran off to sunny Mexico, the Democrat Herald writer points up that Oregon law still considers you an Oregon resident. What marks the point when your 'Beaver Tail' disappear? Apparently until you 'intend not to return.'

I'm not going out the limb and hand you the saw. Since the law on the Oregon books is considered a bit vague, then leave me out of it. Just read the story for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Photo: BBC

Firemen Ask for Solo RVer's Help

2007-12-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

In a free seminar put on by the Quartzsite, Arizona fire department for RVers, an interesting--and somewhat 'stop and think about it'--topic was brought up. Almost every year, says the fire department representative, a body is found in the Quartzsite desert, usually of someone who wandered off, got disoriented, and never made it back to their rig. Since solo RVers have nobody "at home" to notice their absence, 'could we please make it easier on the fire department and medical services folks?'

The recommendation was that solo RVers put emergency contact information on their person and in their rigs? One possibility is the so-called "vial of life," something as simple as a jar inside your refrigerator with your personal information inside. At times government officials finally wind up going inside an apparently abandoned RV to try and get the bottom of a missing owner. Too often they're able to identify the owner from vehicle registration information, but just who to contact may not be clear. In one instance the police found a cell phone in an "abandoned" rig and kept it charged up and at the station until a concerned friend called find out why they hadn't heard from their loved one.

Sobering, yes. But loving kindness moves us to do what we can to avoid this problem.

Electricity or Gas--Whatcha Gonna Heat Your RV With?

2007-11-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

If you're sitting in an RV park or other place where you pay for your electricity, you may wonder if it's cheaper to heat with propane or with electricity. This is far from an academic question, since the price of propane is shooting up--probably trying to keep pace with gasoline and diesel for some perverse reason.

A sharp RVer did some calculations to help you "do the math" easily. He observes that electricity produces 3,800 btus per kilowatt, and that LP produces 92,000 btus per gallon. How do you compare these energy apples and oranges? It's a ratio of 24:1. Soooo, as long as a gallon of propane costs you less than 24 times the cost of a kilowatt of electricity, all things being equal, the gas is cheaper.

In our part of the country (southern Arizona) RVers report paying about 17 cents per kilowatt of power in the typical RV park. Our favorite LP supplier is charging $2.29 per gallon of the precious fuel. 17 cents times 24 equals $4.08--LP is still the fuel of choice. Provided everything else is equal. But is it?

First, if you're heating with your factory equipped LP furnace, a great deal of heat is "going up the chimney" or rather, out the vent on the side of your rig. Let's say it was 40% of the burned energy. By my calculations, once LP reaches $2.45 it might be time to think about running an electric space heater. But for those who use a non-vented heater efficiencies are MUCH higher--see our story on these hunky-dory heaters here, you'll still find LP a great saver.

Of course, other factors come into play: If you buy your LP 'in the park' or delivered, you'll probably pay a lot more money. But if your back disagrees with the idea of lifting and tossing a big, heavy LP container, electricity may be better for heating--and less needed for the heating pad.

Photo: hokkey on flickr.com

Keeping Track of the Details: RVer's Notebook

2007-11-28T12:38:00.000-08:00

As RVers--and particularly as fulltimers--keeping track of the details is both necessary, but time and space consuming. For years RVers have been carrying notebooks in the cab of the tow vehicle, writing down such necessary information as fuel costs, trip distances, expenses for maintenance and repairs. On the road it's nice to know how to project your living expenses, particularly when oil prices are volatile, we've all got to pinch here and there to maintain the lifestyle.

Enter "RVer's Notebook," a handy little Windows or Vista computer program that keeps track of all those little details, and adds a lot of other valuable RV features as well. Imagine weighing in your roving home and discovering you're a wee bit heavy on one side, and a little light elsewhere. Enter the wheel weights, capacities and locations of fluids, etc, and this nifty program will help you nail down how to move a few things around to keep a balanced and safe weight. It'll also suggest tire pressures based on your axle weights and the specific tires you use.

Trip logs? Campground details? Where you been? Where you wanna go? Digital photos stored and ready to use? All these and a lot of other 'RVer Stuff' can be kept at hand and orderly in one location. Lots of fulltimers talk about writing spreadsheets and complex routines for their computers, but hey, sorry, our lives are so busy now the thought of trying to sit down and just think of the fields for a spreadsheet are not on our agenda. For $40 and a 30-day money back guarantee, this may be program of choice for you.

Vacuum Cleaning the RV Doesn't Have to Suck

2007-11-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

Vacuuming the old RV carpets can be a real drag. As fulltimers know, it's often hard to find a place to store a "full size" vacuum cleaner. So we "go small" and deal with machines that often don't have enough muscle or fall apart after a few short months.

We got a news release from interVac, a vac' manufacturing company who claims they know how to help us. Their "H" model unit can be surface mounted where you want it (with four screws or velcro) or if you have a "dead space" in a cabinet area, a cutout can be made and the whole unit flush mounted. From there, the factory provided hose is said to get you around a thousand square feet of living space--"depending on configuration" reads the fine print.

Since most of us living in less than a thousand square feet, that old hose ought to reach out and touch whatever is needed. And, sez the company, their "H" unit provides "100 feet of water lift" which in vacuumspeak means you could probably suck up the cat if you aimed the hose incorrectly. No, this is NOT a "wet n dry vac" but that "water lift" is an industry measurement of how much suck power a unit provides. The big promo is that with the actual vacuum unit left in one place, the machine will last much longer--no banging around furniture and baseboards. Easier for you, easier for the machinery.

While this is "like" a central vac idea, there's no "plumbing" involved, which is certainly a plus. How much will you spend? A whole lot less than one of those fancy yellow machines you've seen touted on the tele: The SRP for the "H" unit is a mere (?) $250. But wait! There's more! After a closer look you'll find that the $250 pays for the vac unit. You'll probably want a hose, some nozzles, maybe a few bags? Well, run that price up to $329 with the goodies. That may be an attractive price over the long haul, after all, you probably won't be replacing an upright every six months.

By the way, the interVac operates on shore power; boondockers might not appreciate having to set aside the nearly 1500 watts it requires to run on. But if you're still interested, trot on over to the interVac web site and check out the full specs and an interesting video on installing one of these units.

To Have and To Hold? Or Sell That House and Go Fulltiming

2007-11-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

It's a question that a lot of fulltime wannabees have: Should we sell the house and go fulltiming, or fulltime and still "hold onto" the house. Well, maybe the answer lies in crunching numbers.

Rick and Orinda, who participate in the Escapees Club RV forum put together a clever spreadsheet that you can download an stick your own numbers into. By taking into account variables like the cost of insurance, maintenance, and all those other goodies that stix-n-brix owners have to deal with. But what about "appreciation"? Is there such a thing in today's bloated, foreclosure-infested real estate market? Rick's taken that into account as well.

Check out Rick and Orinda's thinking--and you can download the spreadsheet and crunch the numbers yourself. Click here.

Wannabees Wanna Know: Staying Warm In Winter

2007-11-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

An RV forum recently had the question posed: Can you live full time in your RV on $1,000 a month? We know some that do. While that question is too multifaceted to tackle in just one little blog, we thought it might be good to talk about one aspect: Heating your rig.

Being a fulltimer allows you the freedom to 'travel with the sun.' Sure enough, you'll find lots of fulltimers heading south as winter rolls in. Mexico for some--that's a lovely place; but for those who must (or want) to stay stateside, those sunbelt states are a good place to 'hole up' when the geese start flying.

But staying warm is important. Even in Quartzsite, you can wake up with below the freezing mark temps in the deep end of winter. Happily as Sol tracks across the sky, daytime temperatures rise up. But you've seen the news lately--those nasty fuel prices aren't going to hit just our tow vehicles--you can expect the price of ALL heating fuels will increase. What's to be done?

Many RVers have found that the efficiency of their factory provided RV furnaces is far from wallet friendly. If you fire up that RV furnace and stick your hand anywhere close to the outside breather port, you'll know an awful lot of your heating budget is flying outside. That's just the nature of the beast. So consider retiring your furnace and using a localized heat source in your rig--either a catalytic or 'blue flame' style heater.

"Cat" heaters use a specially treated catalytic "bed" or mat that allows heat to be produced from propane flamelessly. They're highly efficient, and most are equipped with a sensor that shuts them off if the oxygen levels in the RV become low enough to be of safety concern. They use no electricity--a real plus for boondockers. However, most cat heaters are adjustable only to the degree of "high, medium, and low," meaning you set them and they run continuously--they can be too hot or too cold.

"Blue flame" style heaters don't have a catalytic bed, but have a burner, the flames of which can usually be seen, kind of like a mini-fireplace. Some of these have a completely adjustable thermostat that will "turn off and on" to accommodate a steady room temperature. A close cousin, "brick" heaters don't have burners, per se, but have one or more ceramic blocks with tiny orifices. Some are completely adjustable, others like cat heaters are high, medium, low guys. You pay your money and take your choice.

In any event, all these fellows are "air breathers." Always follow the safety instructions that come with the product. That usually means cracking a window to provide plenty of ventilation. And since these are not 'outside vented' they will put humidity into your RV. If you're staying in high-humidity country, you'll have to take actions to contend with this. Down in the desert areas, the added humidity to some is a side benefit.

Photo courtesy US Catalytic

No problem with voting rights for New Hampshire full-time RVers

2007-11-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

New Hampshire residents and visitors to the state who live full time in RVs can vote there under most circumstances.

Nationally, the U.S. Census says more than 100,000 Americans live full time in RVs, and many of them are uncertain about where they can vote or have had their voting rights taken taken away. In some states, election officials have purged RV residents from their voting rolls if their only official address is a post office box.

But in New Hampshire, Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan says that full-time RV residents who sell their New Hampshire homes and head off on the road full time can vote, as long as they haven't established a legal residence elsewhere.

RV owners who come to New Hampshire also can vote, says Scanla, as long as they establish a permanent residence by renting a space, buying a piece of land or setting up their RV on a family member's land, or doing something similar.

RV Insurance for Fulltimers?

2007-10-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

One of the big question that folks making the jump from "sticks and bricks" to a "life on the road" is a good, solid, important one: What about insurance on the RV?

Sticks and bricks insurance protects you from loss: The house burns, the burglars burgle, the unexpected (and probably) uninvited trips over your rake and breaks a leg. These losses can be real--and hugely expensive. Not just "any" insurance company will be able to handle your new circumstances on the road. Really, it's best to talk to companies that are completely literate and often specialize in RV insurance.

A few things to keep in mind: The first at the top of the list is simply--ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. Never take anything for granted. Can you assume "RV replacement insurance" will completely replace your "totaled" RV? Yes? No? Maybe? The latter is probably the most likely answer. Replacement insurance should replace your rig, but there may be limitations like, "For the first five years after manufacture." Or possibly, "Yes, but not for 'add ons' like awnings, solar panels, etc.'

What about liability? While it's true you don't own "real estate," what happens around your rig when it's parked somewhere can run you up a big bill. Somebody walks around the corner of your rig while it's parked in an RV park and bonks their head on your slide out. Seems like they ought to be smart enough to keep their eyes open, but in this litiginous society, lots of dummies like to sue. Can you afford a lawsuit?

Contents? Ah, the glories of contents. Some insurance companies base how much they'll pay your for "loss of contents" based on a percentage of the value of the rig. If you're a big gadget geek, a percentage of how much your rig is worth may not even come close to replacing your fancy treasures.

Not all fulltimers have insurance. Some are "self-insured" because they figure they have enough in the bank to cover any contingency. Some are "self-insured" because they don't have enough money in the bank to cover the cost of the premiums. It's a gamble any way you look at it. Nevertheless, when shopping for coverage, always ask questions.

Dialysis on Road Could Be In Your Own RV

2007-10-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

For folks who face a regular regimen of kidney dialysis, trips to the dialysis center can really kill the dream of any sort of RV lifestyle. One woman has shown that the lifestyle may be more in reach of RVers than they'd dreamed.

Diane Rachey has been on regular, three-times-a-week dialysis treatments since the end of 2005. Needless to say, while both she and her husband are retired, getting to use an RV seemed out of reach. But not long ago, Diane and hubby hopped in their RV for a two-week trip--and never stepped in a dialysis center. What happened?

Diane is now working with a new portable dialysis system called NxStage that takes dialysis out of the clinic and into the home--even if that home is on wheels. Says Diane, “Once I started using NxStage, I felt great! I am 100% better both mentally and physically. Going to the center was extremely restrictive. My whole outlook on life now is much more positive, especially because I am able to spend more time enjoying life!”

As opposed to 3-a-week treatments, the NxStage system calls for 6-a-week at home treatments lasting around two and a half hours each. The firm that produces the system has equipment and supplies available throughout the US. Learn more about Diane's story here. Or for more information about the NxStage system, visit their website here.

Backpacker "Doesn't Get It"

2007-10-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

"If you drive a motor home, you’re insulated from the rain. Your hips will never lay down to rest on a rock that’s sharp enough to poke through your sleeping pad. You won’t wake up covered in condensation, you won’t drool on the down jacket that doubles as a pillow, and you won’t have to pump your stove 45 times."

Ah, the idylic life of the backpacker. These are the comments of Evelyn Spence, an editor with Backpacker Magazine. She and a friend took a road trip through the west and were amazed at the curious names RV manufacturers choose to adorn their rigs with.

Writes Spence,"As we bee-lined across the Bonneville Salt Flats the next morning, we had numerous wildlife sightings. Dolphin. Coyote. Mallard. The Eagle. Road Bear. We had cute, nonsensical re-spellings that would make Lynne Truss want to kill herself. Carri-Lite. Komfort. Magestic. We even had mythical heroes (Midas). Heroic descriptors, or slightly exploitative First Nations references (Brave, Chieftain). Classic rock stars (Santana). Possible cartoon superheroes (The Road Ranger). Some of the names I just didn’t get. Layton. (Was that someone’s dad?) Prowler (um, creepy). Concourse. (Aren’t you driving an RV to get away from airports?)"

After mentioning how tough the life of an RVer must be, after all, we'll never hear the howl of the coyotes, nor be able to drink in the fresh scents of the wilderness, readers are presented with an opportunity to make their own comments. Not surprisingly, one of the first ones came from a Washington state woman, Elaine W. Perhaps echoing the comments of many of us 'old duffers,' Elaine writes (in part), "After 24 years growing herbs for the wholesale business, bending, weeding, planting, and constantly working so hard that most people, including you, probably can't even imagine, I want to SEE this great country of ours and sleep in my own bed at night. We are taking the plunge to 'fulltimers"... So...get over yourself! And add this to your list... "Yipee-ti-yi-yae!"

For the full story, and your own opportunity to comment, visit the High Country News.

28-year old Pitches Fulltiming, Biodiesel at RV Show

2007-10-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

While dozens of RV dealers promote hundreds of RVs at Washington State's Tacoma Dome, a young man with a plan promotes not sales--but lifestyle changes. Ty Adams, a former employee of Monaco Motorcoach, decided to sell his home and instead of mortgage payment, took out an RV payment. Monaco gave Adams a huge discount on a new motorhome, and Ty took the offer and ran with it.

Adams believes in the RV lifestyle, but he thinks that it could be a lot more eco-friendly. To that end, Ty Adams promotes the use of biodiesel wherever he goes, and he walks the talk. The younger RV-buying set is listening: When Adams appeared at the Tacoma Dome show he had plenty of questions, and had plenty of answers to give. Handing out information on where to buy biodiesel, Adams talks about his experiences as a fulltimer motohoming around the country.

You can learn more about his story by reading an article in the Seattle Times or visit Adam's website.

Photo: The Seattle Times

Loonies Making Florida Resurgence

2007-10-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Fulltimers and snowbirds of every stripe are beginning to make their way to their winter RV havens. The favorable Canada-US currency exchange rate is helping to bring Canadian "birds" to Florida already. It's all because the Loonie (the Canadian dollar coin with its memorable reproduction of the Loon) is so close to parity with Old George that plenty of Canadians are finding the winter trip a whole lot easier to take--financially--than in the past.

While we can't say we've seen a huge influx of Maple Leaf Flag Fliers cruising into Arizona just yet, according to Florida's Herald Tribune, the south-bound influx is already on. With the strength of the Loonie as good as it is, some Canucks are planning on buying big dollar items. Check out the whole story in the Tribune's piece, "Early Birds Get the Deal."

Photo courtesy bgilliard on Flickr

UPDATE on TV Makeover Show Needs RVers

2007-10-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week we posted an item about a TV makeover show that was looking for fulltimer RVers interested in having their rigs renovated. At the time we mentioned we'd try and get more information.

The staff of the show contacted us today--don't get out your hammer yet: The show has been scuttled, at least for the time being. We've killed the e-mail address in the original post but left the post in place as it was linked out to other sites. If the show is resurrected, we'll let you know.

TV "Makeover" Show Needs Fulltime RVers

2007-10-03T12:31:00.001-07:00

This post recently appeared on the Escapee's fulltimer forum:

"Hi,I work for a popular home makeover show on TLC. We would love to makeover an RV (the bigger the better)Candidates get their own designer, a carpenter and a $2,000 budget. If anyone is interested feel free to respond to this post or e-mail me directly at: xxxxxxxx and I will send you more info and answer any questions."

We're trying to find out how legitimate the issue is, but for now, here's a shot at it for you all.

EDITORS NOTE: We just received an update from the makeover show--apparently the show has been scuttled for the time being. If it rises from the ashes, we'll let you know. 10/5/07

Looking for Fall Color? How About Alberta?

2007-10-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

One of the blessings we as RV fulltimers often have is the ability to change plans. That flexibility allows us to change plans and do the unexpected.

Here's what might be an unexpected beauty to take in: This fall's color in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular. If you're in the neighborhood of Alberta, check out our fall color in the Canadian Rockies entry in our sister blog, RVing Canada.

Photo courtesy Travel Alberta

See Your National Lands--For Free

2007-09-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 29th, RVers (and others) can get free access into any area managed by the US Department of Interior. And with a little bit of your sweat, you can get a free pass for a day's visit later. See the full story on RVs in the News.

Walmart Camping Draws Mixed RV Park Owner Reaction

2007-09-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's certainly a subject of controversy: Staying overnight in your RV on a Walmart parking lot can raise the hackles of local RV park owners who feel, 'You're stealing my livelihood.'

The Coulee News out of West Salem, Wisconsin recently ran a feature piece on the practice, interviewing a couple of fulltimers--and taking comments from RV park owners. We found the responses of those park folks to be interesting, not necessarily filled with the vitriolic, rabid rhetoric so often put out by the commercial crowd. All in all, a nicely balanced piece that you might enjoy reading. Find it on the Coulee News site.

The comments of the fulltiming couple, Dan and Linda Rowland, regarding "parking lot etiquette" always bear repeating and enhancing: Don't litter, keep the lawn chairs and the barbecue left on the racks, and don't abuse the privilege. Lot's of us enjoy "Camp Walmart," and as we all mind our manners, it keeps the welcome mat in place.

Is it Safe Out There?

2007-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Many of those new to the RV lifestyle are concerned about safety. They read about crimes and wonder--how subject to the criminal element are folks in RVs? If you sit around the campfire, sooner or later there's some sort of RV "crime story" bound to come up--but if you push your source for specifics, it often seems things seem to get vague. Yes, we have heard of actual incidents where travelers have run into trouble--but in reality, it's a very RARE situation.

RVs are pretty hard to break into, compared to the common home. After all, in the dark of night, a big old house presents a lot of places to sneak in. Your little old RV is so small if somebody breaks a window, it's sure to wake you up. Burglars don't want to let you know they're coming.

Too, robberies most often involve planning: The neighborhood mini-mart. The bank. The liquor store. Somebody's home known to have valuables or lots of dough. By our transient nature, as RVers, we're a whole lot harder work into a well planned robbery effort. That, and for some reason, a prevailing view of RVers is that we all carry sawed off shotguns around, begging for chance to "make my day."

We'll leave the thought of toting a weapon up to you, but there are a few tips that can make your RV experience more secure. First, use common sense. Don't open your door to anyone (particularly at night) who you don't know. Don't park your rig in neighborhoods infested with "tagging" graffiti. Keep your doors locked. Leave the hitchhiker for somebody else to pick up. If you do stay overnight in a "rest area," use your own bathroom at night, rather than presenting yourself as an easy mark as you wander up to the public one.

We all have a "sixth sense" about danger. We've had experiences on the road where we just felt that, "Something isn't right here..." and we heeded it: We picked up and moved on. After years of roving about in our RV, we can honestly say that's only happened less than a handful to times, and we've never had any real trouble out there.

Thinking About Fulltiming: In the Galley

2007-09-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

If you're considering the switch to fulltime RVing and already have RV experience, you know that the RV galley is a whole lot smaller than the one "back home." But for those jumping into the lifestyle without having experienced the "joys" of the micro-sized RV kitchen here's a tip:

Before you make the switch, determine what you "really" need to cook in your new lifestyle. Now, can you stuff all of it in a single kitchen cabinet in your land-based home? Physically try it! Now maybe your new RV will have more cupboard space than that single "home kitchen" cabinet, but then again, it's often a fair shake to size things up. Seems like a lot of RV manufacturers seem to think that folks who use RVs must "eat out" a lot--they galley cabinets on many new rigs are just plain minuscule.

Looking for a Southwest Fulltiming Base? Watch the Market

2007-09-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Some fulltimers or fulltime wannabes feel more comfortable having a "fall back" position: A piece of property or another home where, if and when they need to, they can go and get off the road. Many snowbirds and fulltimers have found the desert southwest an ideal place for their home base.

We've watched the prices of land and homes in Arizona skyrocket over the last few years, but it seems that 'the fat lady has sung.' A real estate agent friend in Lake Havasu City tells us that the market has definitely taken a hit--many real estate sales folks are taking on second jobs to support themselves while the market holds its breath.

We have to agree with many that greed got the better of the market. People bought properties, many holding them only for a short time, then put them back up on the market looking for huge profits. For a while, it worked. But the whole game has come to a screeching halt. In Quartzsite, Arizona, we've watched real estate signs go up all over town--and stay up--until the desert sun has faded the lettering, or disgusted owners have simply taken them down.

What do the pundits say? Real estate insiders tell us that if you're thinking about buying southwest property, hold onto your cash for a while. They don't look to see things turn around until the presidential election. Meantime, like the Burma Shave advertising representatives used to say, "A minute of your patience," "A moment of your time," "Pardon me buddy," "But can you spare a dime?" Roll up those Versachi shirt sleeves fellas, washing dishes ain't good on real estate salesmen's cuffs.

Fulltiming Pastimes: Critter Identification

2007-09-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

One of the happier sides of boondocking is getting out where the wildlife is. Face it, RV parks just don't attract most critters--unless they're in the form of cockroaches, invading ants, and garbage can flies.

On the other hand, farther away from civilization, the more likely you are to find yourself in amongst plants and animals who prefer the quieter side of life. Having a camera to record their appearance is great; a pair of binoculars is good for closing in on those that keep their distance. But we've found having a field guide that helps us identify and learn more about this wildlife a real boon.

You don't need a guide that's elaborate or expensive. We've found that many national park visitor's centers have inexpensive field identification guides tailored to the region. We picked up one small "pocket guide" to desert life and it's proved to help us identify and learn more about the fascinating lives of hot, dry country dwellers

Young fulltime RVers: They're out there!

2007-09-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Most fulltime RVers are in their 60s or older. Most are finished with their careers, have money in the bank, and have decided that living in a home that can change location is more stimulating than living in one that stays put all the time. But what about the younger full-timers? Yes, they are out there -- not in big numbers, but their ranks are growing. In this two-minute video, fulltime RVer Evanne Schumarder reflects on "starting young" and asks other young fulltimers to get in touch.

Route Planning: How to Find Attractions

2007-09-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

The joys of fulltiming include having a bit more time and ability to see the world and its various attractions. But how do you find "stuff" to see on the road?

One of the best "guides" we've found are the AAA auto club's "TourBooks." While a lot of the guidebook is dedicated to the evaluation of hotels and motels--not something we need to worry about--there are also great sections devoted to attractions, both natural and "commercialized." These are laid out alphabetically by city in the various states covered in the guides. For example, we're currently planning a route through Utah, so we're falling back on the Colorado & Utah TourBook to help us find stops we want to make along the way.

While the TourBooks are free to AAA members, since we've started RVing we haven't found AAA membership to be as attractive as it once was, as we don't like their "no change flat tires on trailers" road insurance policy. How do we get TourBooks? We've found we can often bum last year's copy from friends who are AAA members, and we've also found that many used bookstores and yard sales have them at reasonable prices.

Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone---Get WIFI Too

2007-09-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

With apologies to the Master Teacher, you can have your cake, eat it, and get your internet connectivity, too. Across the US, a major franchise of bakery/coffee shops has sprung up, offering some pretty good things for RVers.

There's so much ado about Starbucks, but face it, not everybody likes that high octane breed of "coffee" that they brew up. And having to pay for internet connectivity, why that's "grounds" for divorcing from the Starbucks mermaid. Enter Panera Bread, the company that as the wife says, "Makes coffee that doesn't taste like lye water."

We dropped into a Panera outlet a few days ago. She had coffee, we shared a "Cobblestone Muffin." Great big flavorful confection full of raisins and cinnamon, wow! Our friends downed coffee and a delectable bowl of soup, but you could have a choice of "wholesome" sammies, made from a wide selection of Panera made-there breads. And bring your laptop because the internet is free! Yep, Panera Bread bakeries across the country offer free wifi connectivity and a good cup of java without costing you your firstborn.

Custom Bag Maker Saves Space and Frustration

2007-09-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

On the back of our bathroom door we have a homebrew "bag dispenser." When we come in from grocery shopping, all the leftover plastic bags get stuffed in there, and as we need them we can pull them back out. That's great when you need a grocery store sized bag. But what if you're looking for something a bit smaller, or conversely, a lot larger?

Enter Knot-a-Bag. Yes, it's a bag dispenser, but one with a twist: Pull out the length of bag you need, cut it to length on a safety trimmer, then "knot" the bottom of the bag to make your bag "to order." How big a bag can you beg from Knot-a-Bag? All the bags have a 24" circumference, and by starting with a fresh roll of the replaceable bag material, you could conceivably build a bag about 32 feet long. That's a lot of catfish.

Planning on hiking and bringing back trash or treasures? The device will clip on your belt or pocket so you can take it with you. With a $7.50 price, it may be the answer to your custom containment needs.

Fulltimers in Hot Water

2007-09-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Adjusting to the fulltime lifestyle includes many different areas of life. One of them is hot running water. Sure, you have a water heater in your RV, typically its a six gallon job, while your old land-based heater was probably 40 or 50 gallons. All is not lost, most of you won't be doing piles of laundry, so the biggest adjustment will be showers.

First, think "Navy Shower." You get in the shower, turn on the taps and adjust the temperature. Rinse off. NOW turn the valve on the shower head to turn off the flow of water, without turning off the mixing valves. Soap up, stick shampoo in your hair. Water back on, rinse off. For some this just isn't satisfying, but with the "necessities" taken care of, now you can flip the valve open and 'drain the tank' without fear of running out of hot water with shampoo on your dome.

Some fulltimers who have "pilot light" water heaters rarely allow the main burner of their heater to come on. They simply leave the heater set on pilot when in warm climates, and let the pilot light heat the water in the tank. By so doing they reduce the amount of LP used, and don't suffer the "blowtorch" noise of the main burner, popping off anytime day or night. Those with an electronic ignition often simply "turn on" the heater a few minutes before needing water, then shut it off when they're through.

RV Park Bulldozed to Build Another Strip Mall

2007-08-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

A nice RV park located in Sisters, Oregon is closing to make room for more retail stores. When I first heard this it made me mad. I thought, “I'm a full time RVer, if they plow under all the RV parks there won’t be anyplace for us to stay.” Then I put on my thinking cap and came up with a different view. First, I will now be able to park in the shopping center parking lot for free unless there is an ordinance against it. Second, this should encourage land owners and developers to build more RV parks. That’s right, it makes perfect economic sense to buy a piece of land somewhere in the growth radius of a town and make it into a revenue producing RV park while you're waiting for WalMart to make you an offer. There are few buildings that will need to be demolished and you can take tax write-offs and make money while you wait for the big contract. So how about it land owners? Get off the dime and start building RV Parks everywhere! Keeping you entertained - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing and ROAD Scholar

Fulltime First Day on the Road

2007-08-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Many fulltimers were inveterate RVers long before they jumped into the lifestyle fulltime. However, we're finding a lot of young people these days who are selling off their homes, or getting out of rented homes and apartments and moving directly into an RV. Older ones too, on reaching retirement are ready to hit the road, and sometimes do so without prior RV experience.

If you can, "practice" the fulltime lifestyle by moving into your RV in the driveway or an RV park near your old home first. It'll give you an opportunity to learn how to get around in your rig, and establish what new ways of doing things you'll need to cover. If you have to move into your rig directly, make sure your "first day on the road," is a SHORT one--no more than just a few hours. Leave yourself plenty of daylight to get some of the immediate bugs worked out. Not only that, you'll feel a lot less pressured and you can enter the ranks of the fulltimers without unnecessary stress.

Dry Camping? Remember Your Battery

2007-08-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

While many fulltimers rarely stray from an RV park, there's a lot of beauty that can be reached only when "dry camping" or boondocking. If you're new to the idea of RVing without hookups, a good reminder regarding battery life.

RV batteries take a LONG time to charge, particularly if you're trying to charge them with the typical RV converter-charger. Here's a scenario: "I've been out here a couple of days and my lights started going dim. So I fired up the generator and it's been running for hours, but my battery is still low!"

The standard "factory equipped" converter-charger rarely sends more than 3 or 4 amps to the battery when "shore power" or generator power is available. At that rate it can take many, many hours to really charge up the RV battery. If you don't have solar or wind power and don't have a built-in high current charging system, here's how to make your RV generator help out:

Use a fairly high current freestanding battery charger--like you'd pick up at an auto parts store--and hook it directly to the RV "house" battery--the one that operates your interior lights and water pump. If you need an extension cord, be sure to use a suitably "gauged" (heavy enough) cord for the charger.

Reflections on Too Much Highway, Way Too Fast

2007-08-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

My friend Dick Budrow would have taken a look at us, and with a quick sniff rolled out the pronouncement: "You look like a couple of vagabonds, and smell like unwashed camels."

It's no way to live--running down the road with deadlines ahead and too much pavement to cover in the time allowed. I don't know about other fulltimers, but five hours in the saddle is just way too much time behind the wheel. But to try and meet appointment deadlines in the Northwest, that's about what it's taking to make the deadline.

Drive. And drive. And drive. Make the occasional fuel stop and grumble about the high prices. Find a suitable place to drop anchor. Make a quick meal. Try and unwind. Then fall into the sheets with road weariness. I know the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness; still I think Moses had them sit tight for more than just a night before moving on to the next stop.

This day to day grind causes you to miss too much. Driving so fast with the "next stop" in your sights doesn't allow enough time to smell roses, or anything else--other than yourself and the exhaust pipe of the guy ahead of you. Of the two, I'm not sure which is worse. I know I'll be kicking myself for a while over the one that happened yesterday: Driving across an empty stretch of Nevada I came upon a "deer crossing" warning sign. Sure enough, some frustrated hunter had used the sign for target practice--but he didn't just put the obligatory single shot through the deer's heart area: He roundly and precisely put shots all around the silhouette of the critter. Would have been a great addition to my "sign" photo collection. But I didn't have time to stop and shoot the sign myself.

On the return trip, I promise myself, things will be different.

Generator University Revisited

2007-08-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

A while back we mentioned a free school for generator technicians, put on by Generac Power Systems. As you may recall, the company is looking to fill positions in its own dealer networks, and with a paucity of interested folk, the company rolled out the red carpet to people with a mechanical aptitude, a handle on basic math, and an enjoyment of working with their hands.

The company not only provides free tuition, also rooming and some feeding. The hitches? You'll have to provide your own transportation to and from Wisconsin, be 18 years old with a high school diploma (or GED), and pay $200 up-front for books and materials. This latter will be refunded to all who successfully graduate from the course. The early classes of GEN-U were in and out in four weeks; the company now tells us they've refined the course work: You'll graduate in three weeks with knowledge of sizing, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.

Interested? Send an e-mail to genu@generac.com and ask for more information.

Going fulltime? What do people say?

2007-08-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

RVtravel.com blogger and author Jaimie Hall offers a brief insight into how people react when someone announces he or she plans to travel full-time with a recreational vehicle. She also tells of how her decision to sell her home and travel with an RV benefited her in an unexpected and special way.

"Stilted" Campers? RV Park Thinking Amazes Us

2007-08-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since we've tried taking a truck camper into an RV park. Last time was years ago when we reviewed a new RV park, and the management--knowing who we were--was on their "best behavior." Most times we don't "do" RV parks, preferring boondocking or public parks.

Not long ago we attended a convention in Glendale, just outside Phoenix. On arrival at the RV park our "hosts," on learning we were truck camping, told us we had to leave the camper on the truck. "You can't leave it up on stilts," said the registration clerk, "otherwise the wind can blow it over." Stilts? Wind blow over? We were a bit baffled, but since we had other transportation to the convention site, it wasn't a big problem.

Back on the road, we landed in the Las Vegas area at day's end. With the monsoon season in full blossom, the humidity would have made a Mississippian happy. Not wanting to run a generator all night to run the air conditioning, we drove on into the Sam's Town RV park. A familiar refrain hit the air as soon as we mentioned we had a truck camper. "Of course," said the clerk, "you can't take the camper off the truck."

Hello? Maybe our lack of experience with commercial RV parks leaves us in ignorance. Is this the common attitude of RV park owners? Are we--heaven forbid--"camper trash"? Are these excuses of "wind will blow you over" rooted in real experiences that park owners have dealt with, or just that, a flimsy excuse to somehow hide the real issue at hand? We may never know. Maybe some RV park owner lurking here will leave an anonymous comment and clue us in.

Over the years we've cut the camper loose from the truck dozens of times. And yes, we've actually left the camper sitting around in some pretty gusty winds--right on the edge of Washington's Snake River for example. We've got enough smarts not to leave the rig stuck up high on the jacks like some kind of "America's Got Talent" routine. In addition to keeping that center of gravity low, we also bolster the support of the corner jacks with additional supports under the camper "tub" area.

What's your experience?

Sizing It Up--Blogsters Really Shrink It Down

2007-07-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Pardon the contradictory blog title here, give us a second to explain. For the last several years we've been fulltiming in a 28' fifth wheel. Mind you, it's an older rig, built before slide outs were the rage. Of late, two of us plus a fairly large (and self-centered) cat have been trying to live and operate a business out of that 28' feet of space. It hasn't been easy, and we've done more than just a little "kicking around" of maybe getting a rig with slide outs.

Still, as small as those 28 feet seem, we have been missing the "old days" when we traveled about the west with a much smaller rig--a truck camper. We went places where angels put on their hiking boots and saw some spectacular sights. It was never a problem, "flipping a U turn" if we saw something that we wanted to go back and look at again. We did hundreds of travel stories and it was just too easy. Once we got into the fiver though, those quick U turns were a thing of the past. We missed a lot of opportunities to research and write about things we saw on the road.

So a few months ago, we picked up a "project rig." A much abused truck camper with what we hoped was "potential." We've worked on it, and it's certainly worked on us, but hey, now we're ready for the first big trip, roughly 3,500 miles starting with a convention in Glendale, Arizona and thence to the Pacific NW. As is our habit, we try to "move in" to an RV a few days before we leave on a major trip--well, that's what we "use to do," when we had a land-based home. So now we're moving out of the fifth wheel and into the truck camper.

Can you say: Anxiety? Stress? Raised voices? Looking back onto those "tough days" in 28 feet seem pretty laughable right now. Where on earth do you put a 5 gallon pail of cat litter in an 11' truck camper? How many pairs of socks will I need between laundry days? Should we toss out a lot of those plastic water bottles we've been refilling? And who has to share the dinette seat (living room seat, visitor's seat--all rolled into one) with Ithmah, the 17 pound pussycat?

I dunno, I guess you really don't miss your water.

Dreaming of an RV Related Career? How About Generator Service?

2007-07-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

Generac Power Systems Inc. is generating more than power these days. The Wisconsin manufacturer has thrown open the doors to its new Generac University for generator service technicians. Apparently seeing a shortfall of qualified techs, the firm is offering a four-week intensive training course at its company headquarters. Subjects? Sizing, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.

What's interesting is the company will provide qualified students free training, room, and two square meals a day. After successfully completing the course, the company may give assistance to graduates to locate jobs with Generac dealers. What's the catch? Those who qualify will be asked to pay $200 for training materials. (For students who successfully complete the course, the materials fee will be refunded.) What's it take to qualify? Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma (or equivalent). Have an interest or knowledge of basic electrical principles. Have a knowledge of basic math and a mechanical aptitude, and enjoy working with your hands.

Generac spokesman, Mike Carr, told Fulltime RVer that the college is on ongoing program, but will not last indefinitely. He urges those with interest in the coursework to e-mail MCarr@Generac.com

Editor's Note: The original e-mail address we were given by Generac proved to be dead. The current email address is temporary until they tell us something new--it's a good one for the company, and we're sure it'll encourage the good folks at Generac to check their e-mail system.

Fulltime RVer Provides "Get Ready to Fulltime" Checklist

2007-07-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

One of the things that haunts a lot of fulltime wannabees is, "What if I forget something important?" There's nothing like a good case of the jitters, after all, you really are going out in a whole new adventure.

Enter "firedude," an RVer with a mind to lists. His "fulltimers checklist" could be just what you're looking for. A handy sheet, it carries you from dealing with utilities to health insurance, and information in between. You can download your own copy at no charge from his website, and print it with a Microsoft Word compatible word processing program. Here's the handy link.

Insomniac photo courtesy mayr on flickr.com

How Your Electrician Can Rig a 50 Amp RV Service

2007-07-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Parking your RV at a friend’s of relative’s house? What happens if you keep blowing fuses because your RV pulls more amps than the 15 amp circuit can supply? Heat wave not allowing you to use your air conditioner because you really need 50 amps to make it happen? Well, do not despair, help is as near as your local hardware store. Depending on the electric code of the state you live in, this job may be done several ways either as a temporary set-up or as a permanent outdoor 50 amp receptacle. Either way I highly recommend you hire a certified electrician to connect it for you because we are dealing with electricity here and it’s DANGEROUS if you don’t know what you’re doing. In reality, it’s dangerous even if you do know what you’re doing! A certified electrician will install your receptacle using the proper code guidelines for your state. That being said your electrician can put a 50 amp circuit breaker in the electric service box, hook up #6 wire to it and run it outside and into a weatherproof 2 gang (deep) box with a weatherproof cover and you are in business. In my case I could not route the romex #6 wire casing outside without tearing out the drywall around the box. Since we are only staying here a few days my brother-in-law and I decided to rig a temporary “emergency” set-up until a more permanent solution could be achieved. I bought about 10 feet of #6 romex wire which has four wires in a sheath. It consists of a ground wire, a white #6 common, a red #6 and a black #6 and costs around $2.50 per foot at Home Depot. I also purchased a 50 amp breaker that fit the electric service box and a 50 amp female receptacle that has its own self contained box. We basically made a heavy duty extension cord that comes right off the electrical service box. The electrician will remove the service cover and determine if there is room for a 50 amp breaker. In our case we removed a 40 amp breaker that wasn’t being used. We installed the receptacle after stripping the proper amount of wire off the romex. We removed about 16 inches of the romex cover to expose the wires that would be going to the breaker and service box. We stripped the tips of the wires and inserted the black into one side of the breaker and the red into the other side. It doesn’t matter which side your electrician puts the red or black wires on. Next we inserted the white common wire on the electric service common bar and also inserted the ground wire onto the ground bar in the box. All these connections are made secure by tightening screws down on the wires. How your electrician brings the wire out of the box to the receptacle depends on the local electric code. We inserted the breaker, tested the receptacle with a volt meter, plugged in the RV and flipped the breaker to the “on” position and have been enjoying refreshing air conditioning ever since. The way you test to make sure the receptacle is properly wired is to set you volt meter on AC to measure 240 amps. Place one lead into the receptacle where the black wire is and one where the red wire is and you should get a reading of 240 volts. Move the black test lead down to the common (white) wire and you should read 120. Now move the test lead that is on the red wire over to the black side while leaving the other test lead in the common (white) and you should read 120. Next move the lead on the black wire to the ground wire (the hole) and the other lead remains in the common (white – bottom blade) and you should read 0. If it checks out you’re good to go, if not, then trouble shoot the problem. Make sure the ground wire is in the green receptacle screw down holder and the common (white) is in the bottom blade position on the receptacle. Here is a link where you can learn more about how a 50 amp RV service is wired: RV Electric Service Warning: Do not attempt this as a do-it-yourself project; use a qualified electrician to install it for you. This information is only intended to inform you so you can speak intelligently to the electrician you hire to install your outlet. Jim Twamley

Fulltimers Candid Comments on Motorhome Fulltiming

2007-07-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Jose and Jill fulfilled their dream: Out the window went the "corporate lifestyle." They sold their townhouse and moved into a 40' motorhome, pursuing the fulltime lifestyle. Now after a few years on the road, they have their own views--based on experience--of the pros and cons of fulltiming in a motorhome.

From the ever-changing scenery, to matters of indoor living--like furniture, the Two Js have set out their likes and dislikes on one of their website pages. While some of their lists of raves and rants are motorhome specific, others touch on the the matter of RV living itself--so don't cut it short if you're planning on fulltiming in a fifth wheel.

Jill and Jose's site is not limited to a short discussion about the pros and cons of motorhomes, they have a fairly wide assortment of RV topics they cover. Check out their website.

Photo your-rv-lifestyle.com

Woman's Dream of Fulltiming Yields Hints on Unloading Stuff

2007-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

"Nearly all her life, [she] has compulsively collected the odd and unusual. Some things are beautiful, such as a porcelain encased French clock built in 1870 that still works. Other things, such as a 1950s crabby-looking black poodle sculpture that doubles as a pin cushion, might fall into the so-ugly-it's-cute category. Or just ugly."

She is Becky Jones, a St. Petersburg, Florida woman who's made the decision to pack it up, sell it, and move to the fulltimer lifestyle. But she has a lot of "packing it up" to do in order to make that dream come true. Decades of collecting, including 65 pairs of shoes (eat your heart out, Imelda), a over two dozen silver place settings.

What may interest many aspiring fulltimers is how Jones is unloading it. One word: eBay. Jones is parlaying her collection into money to buy a fifth wheel and tow rig through an eBay "shop." This is a fair warning: If you're trying to get ready to hit the road, you may want to avoid the site, lest you be tempted to pick up that Victorian era pickle jar.

For the full story, check out the St. Petersburg Times.

Photo: St. Petersburg Times

Shopping for the Fulltime Rig: Bathroom or Badroom?

2007-06-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

It may be the room where you spend the least amount of time in your RV, but if you're living with a bathroom that doesn't work for you, it'll seem like you spend a lifetime there.

RV bathrooms are a necessary evil, sometimes they can be real evil. How do you sort out the good from the bad? When shopping for that new rig, make it your business to go about your bathroom business. No, we're not suggesting leaving a calling card behind, but work your way through the bathroom area as if you were going to be living with it.

Take off your shoes, step into the shower--is there enough headroom and elbowroom? Are there places to put that necessary "stuff" like shampoo, conditioners, and razors? When you step out, is safety a concern--might you need to add grab bars to enchance mobility?

What about (as the Brits call it) the Loo? Some RV toilets are stuck away in a "closet" for privacy. Sit down on the pot with the door closed. Is there enough room for you feet to rest comfortably, or will your knees be in your chin while you fish for the paper? For that matter, where is the toilet paper--is it in easy reach? When you try to get back up off the throne, will you need help from a strong man?

Now in front of the mirror--how's the lighting? How about the medicine cabinet storage space--enough room for that, and all the other things you "must have" while in the powder room? If there isn't enough room for linens, is there a close and usable place for them? Are there shore power outlets in easy reach--and are they guarded by safety enhanced ground-fault-interrupter circuits?

Heating and ventilation, too, are important in the John. Back to the "toilet closet." Are there air conditioning and heating ducts? If you or your traveling companions spend a lot of time on the throne, it can get might uncomfortable if there is sufficient "environmental regulation." How about ventilation? Ceiling vents? Openable windows?

How about the bathroom layout and doorway arrangements? Is the bathroom sufficiently hidden away from other parts of the living area? When you take a shower, will you emerge "buck nek-ed" into the bedroom? Is that a problem?

By acting like you live there, you'll quickly discover whether the bathroom in your prospective RV will work for you, or whether you'd better take a powder and look for something else.

RVing couple discusses their full-time life

2007-06-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

We recently posted an video interview on RVvideos.com with Jim and Jan Waytashek, who sold their Wisconsin farm in 1993 to live and travel full-time in a recreational vehicle. In the four-minute video they talk about their decision to go full-time and the creative way they got rid of a lifetime of belongings. They were interviewed in Quartzsite, Arizona in their fifth wheel trailer, and they talk about their interesting lives there as well. See the video.

How Many Fulltime RVers? How Many RVs?

2007-06-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

In a broad-ranging article on RVing, a Baltimore Sun journalist suggests the number of fulltime RVers in the United States is around one million. While the writer doesn't say where his information comes from, it's an interesting thought. That would mean that a little over 3/10ths of 1% of the US population calls an RV home. As an interesting excercise, we started tallying up the folks that we know who are fulltimers to compare to those who weren't. We had to finally give it up, because we know too many people to keep it all straight.

If our experiences with readers of various blogs and articles that we publish is any indicator, there are a whole lot of folks who want to mushroom out that one million fulltimers estimate. Just take a look at any Internet forum directed to the fulltime lifestyle. Yes, there's a lot of fulltimers who participate, and lots more who have intelligent, meaningful questions about the lifestyle, those who want to get out and do it. Almost universally the advice that's given by fulltimers boils down to: "Don't let the grass grow under your feet--get out there!"

Other statistics from the Balty story: Averaging it all out, the typical RVer is married, 49-years old, owns a home (we presume landlocked), and lives in a household with a $68,000 annual income. In terms of age groups, if you own an RV and you're between 35 and 54, you're in the biggest group of RV owners. Across the US, over 7% of households have at least one RV--8 million homes with RVs.

Check out the full story in the Baltimore Sun.

Photo: FEMA

Don't Ignore Health Danger Signs

2007-06-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

When we got into the fulltime lifestyle, we spent more and more time away from our "usual haunts," including the doctors we'd developed relationships with over years of "land locked" living. When you're on the road, it's sometimes easy to lose track of regular health maintenance. For those without any ties to the medical docs, health care "issues" can plain get away from you.

No matter who you are, or where you are, though, problems can come up. Here's a list of 10 health issues you should NOT ignore, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic. This might be a good list to print and post inside the bathroom cabinet door--assuming you have one.

1. Unexplained weight loss — Experiencing a 5 percent weight loss in a month or a 10 percent weight loss within six to 12 months could signal a number of different conditions such as an overactive thyroid, depression, liver disease, cancer or other noncancerous disorders that interfere with how well your body absorbs nutrients.

2. Persistent fever — A persistent low-grade fever — over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit — should be evaluated if it lasts for a week or more. Fever can signal underlying infections. Some underlying cancers and other medical conditions can cause prolonged, persistent fever. A fever accompanied by violent chills or greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit should be evaluated right away.

3. Shortness of breath — Gasping for air or wheezing are medical emergencies. Causes vary widely and can include asthma, heart problems, anxiety, panic attacks, or a blood clot in the lungs.

4. Unexplained changes in bowel habits — Bowel habit changes may signal a bacterial infection, a viral infection, inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer. Seek care for any of the following:
-- Severe diarrhea lasting more than two days -- Mild diarrhea lasting a week
-- Constipation that lasts for more than two weeks

-- Unexplained urges to have a bowel movement -- Bloody diarrhea
-- Black or tarry-colored stools

5. Mental status changes — Changes in behavior or thinking may be due to infection, head injury, stroke, low blood sugar or medications. Immediate medical care is warranted for any of the following:
-- Sudden or gradual confused thinking -- Disorientation -- Sudden aggressive behavior
-- Hallucinations in someone who has never had them

6. New or more-severe headaches (especially for those over age 50) — Medical attention is needed right away for:
-- A sudden and severe headache, often called a thunderclap headache, because it comes on suddenly like a clap of thunder.
-- A headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizure, vision changes, weakness, numbness, speaking difficulties, scalp tenderness or pain with chewing.

Causes vary for headaches that are considered medical emergencies and may include stroke, blood vessel inflammation, meningitis, brain tumor, aneurysm or bleeding on the brain after head trauma.

7. Short-term loss of vision, speaking, movement or control — Minutes count because these are symptoms of a possible stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Seek immediate emergency care for any of the following:
-- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, leg on one side of the body
-- Sudden dimness, blurring or loss of vision

-- Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech
-- A sudden or severe headache -- Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a fall

8. Flashes of light — The sudden sensation of flashing lights may signal the beginning of retinal detachment. For that condition, immediate care is needed to save vision in the affected eye.

9. Feeling full after eating very little — Feeling full sooner than normal after eating or having persistent nausea or vomiting for a week might indicate possible gastrointestinal disorders, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer or ovarian cancer.

10. Hot, red or swollen joints — These warning signs may occur with a joint infection, which requires emergency care to save the joint and prevent the spread of bacteria. Other causes could include gout or certain types of arthritis.

Photo: New York City Fire Department

Shopping the Fulltime Rig: In the Galley

2007-06-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

Not everyone already has an RV when the begin their "fulltime career." Well, I guess we did--it was a large truck camper, but it didn't take long to figure out that fulltiming in a slide-in camper just wasn't going to cut it. So we started shopping for a "new" home. Maybe you're in the same position. There are many areas of concern when evaluating an RV for fulltime-ability, and we'll touch on them now and then. To get started, let's talk about the galley:

Weekend RV users don't need to worry much about their galley--after all, it is just a weekend, or an occasional week or two. But when fulltiming, you can't always rely on hitting Burger Doodle, when the cook has had enough of cramped cooking spaces. One of the first things to examine is counter space. If there isn't enough of it, your cook will soon go batty. Where will you put those little appliances? Toaster, coffee maker, (for us, bread maker), et al? And once they're in place, will there be enough space left over to work in the kitchen? Since most fulltimers go without a dishwasher, where will you put the dishes to dry?

Sure, RV builders are clever: "See this neat sink cover? Need more room, just toss the cover on!" Fine, as long as you don't need the other half of the sink. We don't find the need of a "residential" size kitchen sink in our galley, we'd rather have those extra inches of space in counter tops. And speaking of that, what material is best for an RV counter top? Granite and Corian looks great! But my, oh my, consider the weight--it all adds up, and you've got to drag that weight around. Consider those two little big words: fuel economy. We eventually added a "dog leg" counter top extension that folds down beside a kitchen cabinet when not in use. It helped a lot.

When evaluating rigs, end kitchens usually have more counter space by virtue of the design. Some rigs with slide out kitchens have tacked on "islands" in the kitchen. Whenever you evaluate, make sure she (or he) who does the cooking spends a few minutes really looking the place over. Is there sufficient (and handy) cabinet space for what you keep in your kitchen? Getting down on your "prayer bones" to get supplies out gets old in a hurry.

While you're on those bones, consider the galley floor covering. Our "new" old rig came with carpet throughout, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. It didn't take long for us to give most of that carpet the heave-ho, and replace it with something we could really live with: Laminate flooring, light weight, durable, and good looking. Ever broken an egg on carpet?

Finally, consider the galley appliances: Some cooks really want four-burner stoves--and they're hard to find. Some motorhome builders apparently figure you don't need an oven--they give you a microwave oven and a 3-burner stove top (if you're fortunate). Again, is that really going to satisfy the real roving cook? And carefully consider the RV refrigerator--make sure it's big enough and configured to meet your needs.

RV Transport Services Need Drivers

2007-05-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

An industry business journal, RV Business, reports that RV manufacturers are looking at huge backlogs of new rigs waiting to go to dealers. The problem? Not enough folks willing to transport RVs across the country. What's required? For many firms, a 3/4 ton or one ton pickup, and experience in pulling trailers.

How does a transporter job work? You pick up a trailer at the plant and tow it to the designated delivery location. Drivers are generally paid by the mile, and are responsible for all of their own costs, including fuel. So how does that work out in practice? One transporter firm, Horizon, says its drivers working out of Coburg, Oregon average a "gross profit" (after deducting fuel costs) of about $81 on a one-day, less than 500 mile job, up to $1132 for a 4-day 2,000 mile job. Keep in mind you'll required to get yourself and your truck back to wherever you want to go next.

Transporters also do "drive aways" taking motorhomes to dealers. For this same firm, gross profit figures for these folks range from a little over $100 for a day-long less than 500 mile trip out to a little over $800 for a 4-day 2,000 mile job.

How do you find a job as an RV transporter? Do an internet search (we like Google) using the keywords, "RV transporters wanted."

Truck photo: jde-07 from flickr.com

Whatcha Do With Your Time? How About Teaching?

2007-05-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

While Glen and Rose Woods aren't fulltimers yet, they have a giving spirit that so typifies many who do live the fulltime lifestyle. Ardent snowbirds, this couple from Canada calls Mexico home when the ice and snow turns their northland stomping ground too chilly for their liking.

But they don't just spend their winters hanging out in margarita bars--they spend their spare moments teaching English as a second language to both students--and teachers--of the language. They aren't alone: Volunteers make up the staff of this little school in Lo de Marcos, just north of Puerto Vallarta. And the curriculum in this unusual classroom isn't all about English: Others teach computer skills, arts and crafts, and other subjects that the south-of-the-border young people clammor for.

Learn more about the Woods' experience, and reflect: You probably know something that you can pass along to others. The fulltime lifestyle makes it a natural.

External Wifi Antenna Can Make the Difference

2007-05-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

One of the difficulties that a lot of fulltimers complain about is internet connectivity. While satellite internet can make a huge difference, it does have its own set of problems: Expense, complexity, and in some cases, technical know-how. While we do use satellite when we're in one place for an extended time frame, dragging out the tripod and locating the satellite makes using it on a spur-of-the-moment basis out of the question.

Many of us turn to wifi when traveling. With so many free wifi hotspots popping up around the country, it's a natural for us. Nevertheless, you've got to be close enough to the wifi carrier to make the connection. Not everyone wants to drag the laptop into the coffee shop; it's nice to be able to work out of the rig. Still distance issues cause trouble.

Enter the external wifi antenna. Properly equipped you can extend your connectivity by several factors. What do you need? An appropriate external wifi antenna mounted on your rig, a connecting cable (often run through the slide out gasket), and a wifi card with a suitable external antenna fitting to mate up to the cable.

When looking for an external antenna, you'll have a choice between directional antennas, and omnidirectional antennas. The directional antenna needs to be "pointed" at the source of your wifi signal--which may be good if you're parked long enough to get up to the antenna and take the time to point it precisely. A directional antenna is by far the best when dealing with great distances to the wifi provider. However, an omnidirectional antenna works (theoretically) equally well in all directions, albeit useful for shorter distances. That's probably a whole lot better for those of us who move frequently.

Here's a link to RadioLabs, Inc, who sells an omnidirectional antenna that may be right for you. BY ALL MEANS they are NOT the only internet seller of external wifi antennas, but they do illustrate what you might be looking for. If you're unsure, look for a local provider of external wifi antennas (check local computer stores for referrals) and have them show you on your own computer how an antenna could work for you. For the technical at heart, here's a great discussion of "gain" relative to antennas, and what that means in practical terms.

Never Stop Learning--RV Seminar in BC

2007-05-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about the fulltime--make that "anytime"--RV lifestyle is the constant learning. If not from your travels, then sometimes from your travails. There's so many "things" about RVing that you need to know.

Enter the "RV Owners Lifestyle Seminar 2007" in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. With three full days of RV classes, and four nights dry camping on the campus of Okanagan College, this one should prove to be a hit. Choose from over 40 different topics (you'll need to narrow it down, there's only 11 class slots per attendee), you'll surely find things you need to know. Here are some examples:

Appliance maintenance. Cooking on the road. GPS navigation for RVers. Motorhome towing tips and fundamentals. The list, as you can imagine, goes on. At a cost of $150 (Canadian) per person, this may be one of the biggest education bargains around. But beware! Registration firmly closes on May 21 for the classes, which run from June 23 through 25. Find out more about the seminar and register at http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/rvlife/Index.htm.

Sell the House to Full Time?

2007-05-06T18:07:00.000-07:00

One of the key critical issues for those considering the fulltime lifestyle is whether or not to sell the "land locked" home. It's not only a financial and physical question, it also touches deeply on the heart. After all, you may have raised the kids here, cultivated friendships, and seen important milestones. Much must be weighed in the balance.

Many have found "selling" to be helpful. They point out they no longer have property taxes and insurance to pay, no worries about maintenance and upkeep while on the road. They don't fret what vandals or burglars may do in their absence. Sale of the house for some makes the purchase of a traveling rig possible.

On the other hand, some point out that keeping the home has its advantages. If good quality renters can be found, keeping the house can serve as an investment and provide needed income. Others leave the house empty, but for their furniture or other possessions they have no room for in the rig. Some feel safer, always having a "home base" to return to if something doesn't pan out on the road.

Making the move to the fulltime lifestyle is not something to be considered lightly. Individual circumstances vary. Some take a middle-of-the-road approach and hang onto the house for some time, seeing how they adjust to road living. Then, if things are going well, they eventually sell their old homestead and stick with the road life, tucking away the proceeds from their home sale in a safe investment, hedging against life's uncertainties.

Workamping RVers Get Favorable Press

2007-04-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Not all fulltimers are gainfully retired. There are plenty of us out here that still need to 'bring home the bacon' even if the pan doesn't know which of the lower 48 it's in tonight. The term "workamping" was minted to describe RVers who work their way from place to place. A recent story in the Las Vegas Review Journal gave a good education to folks not familiar with the term--or the lifestyle. Most Las Vegans are thoroughly familiar with "race week" when thousands of folks descend on the local speedway, but they probably had no clues about the big contingent of workampers who help maintain the peace--if there is such a thing at a raceway.

While Las Vegas speedway officials hire plenty of security folks to handle crowd control and security for the 200,000 fans, about 100 RVers are specially "drafted" to help with the on-site RV crowd. Thoroughly briefed on the rules, they're around to gently remind those who may have not known them, or are too inebriated to remember them.

Not limited to paid race crowd control positions, the article also mentioned other types of workamping positions, and how to find out more about them. Check out the full story in the online Review Journal.

Not all workcamping positions at the track. This one is off the beaten path. Photo courtesy of South Dakota State Parks.

Tel-a-Doc--When You Can't Get to Your Regular Physician

2007-04-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

For fulltimers, keeping up with health care often means returning to a "home state" or home base for those annual checkups and consults. But out on the road, far away from the regular physician, things can and do happen. Emergency rooms are frightfully expensive, and even those neighborhood "walk in, we'll see anybody" clinics can run up a big bill, especially when weighed against what may just be a simple problem. Enter http://www.teladoc.com/.

Tela-Doc provides a nationwide network of licensed physicians. You have a problem, you pick up your phone and call in. The company says a licensed doc will call you back, usually with in 30 to 40 minutes--wait more than three hours and the consult fee is waived. Since you pre-register with Tela-Doc, you have a "prior relationship" with the service, and you've already provided medical records that your doctor will look over before calling you. By knowing your previous history, then by consulting directly with you, Tela-Doc physicians can often prescribe treatment and order prescriptions for you to bill filled wherever you are. Of course, if your condition needs "hands-on" care, your doc will advise you to get thee to an ER, urgent care facility, or other center as needed.

What's it cost? Members of the service pay an $18.00 registration fee. When and if a consultation is required, the consult fee is $35.00. To keep your membership active, a single individual pays $4.25 per month; a member plus one dependent pay $5.75 for two per month. If you're interested in enrolling, be sure to review the website thoroughly including the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Keeping the Peace in a Small Space

2007-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

I’m not sexist--and I don’t think the "better half" is either. Nevertheless, it seems that the male of the species comes in for a larger share of criticism, particularly in regard to ‘good nestkeeping.’ It seems the habits of men are the basis for plenty of humor in sitcoms; in the fulltime RV household these can become more than just a talking point, but extend to the femur of contention.

It’s been a bitter lesson for me as the man of the RV house to learn how to keep the other half happy. Something to do with living in a small space can make the failure to cart away and put away anything not in immediate use can drive her up the wall. And as dense as I am, after a while a few magazines, a pair of shoes, and an empty soda container can create a sense of "mess" that drives even me to distraction. If this can happen to folks with slide-outs, for those of us who live in old-time non-sliders find the problem multiplied exponentially.

The advice of an old restaurant manager turned RVer struck a chord: "I always told my employees, ‘Never walk anywhere in here without something in your hand.’" Before heading forward to the bedroom, I now look around the rear living room to see what could put deposited there, or someplace along the way. It’s a simple case of put it away as you go.

Of course, having "a place for everything," is critical to make all of this work. A professional organizer tells us, "The place you put something is best close to where you use the thing." In the small confines of an RV that’s not always possible, but where you can, you’ll find it easier to put whatever it is back after use, if it’s handy to you.

I like peace. Putting it away keeps the World War at bay.

Where Will You Get Your Driver's License in 2008?

2007-04-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

A little publicized piece of federal legislation could create major headaches for fulltime RVers in the not-too-distant future. Called the "Real ID Act" the legislation passed in 2005 and signed by President Bush mandates that all states provide verification of all individual's identities when renewing their state-issued ID cards or driver licenses.

In addition to proving citizenship, those who renew (or apply for) state-issued cards will also need to provide proof of their principle residence address. Typically this would be in the form of a utility bill, showing the name and address of the applicant. What happens to the unnumbered masses of full time RVers who don't have utility bills because they don't have a "home" other than their wheeled residence?

We throw this one open for discussion, because like it or not, the deadline is coming up quickly. The law requires states to begin the verification process in May 2008. States may apply for an extension to December 2009 in order to prepare their agencies for the extra work. What will you do to "prove up" your residence? Without the federally sanctioned ID, you won't be able enter federal facilities, nor fly on federally regulated aircraft. While some states have decried the federal law and say they won't go along with it, it will certainly prove interesting to see how this all shakes out.

For a breakdown of information on this law, visit The National Conference of State Legislatures website. Or check out an entry in Wikipedia--but note, some dispute the neutrality of the article's contents.

How's Your Fulltime Insurance IQ?

2007-04-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Insuring your fulltime RV lifestyle is a whole new ballgame. Insuring your RV through a "auto policy" provider may cover you for on-the-road liability, collision, and comprehensive, but the similarities end there. Your RV is your home and as such, your "tail is out in the wind" if you don't have it adequately covered.

Fulltime RVer, "Firedude" has taken the time to sit down and work up a fulltimer's RV insurance checklist. He covers the usual vehicle coverage issues, and then takes it out and talks about things we sometimes forget about: Contents, rig replacement, trip interruption, and more. He also provides side comments that will help you to think your way through the whole mess. Once you have your checklist filled out, then it's time to go shopping. More on that topic in a later blog.

Download Firedude's insurance checklist from his website.

Photo copyright Russ and Tina DeMaris, may not be used without written permission.

The Pet Sitter of Your Nighmares?

2007-04-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

When folks planning to get into the fulltime lifestyle "test it out," by taking longer trips, they sometimes want to leave "Rover" or "Fluffy" at home. What's better than sticking your pet in a kennel? Well, a home pet sitter, of course!

We found this advert in a small "shopping paper" in the Northwest:

"Neighborhood pet care... You can't always take them with you, but they can still receive loving care in their own home. Call for rates or to schedule a consultation."

Sounds good so far. But the e-mail address was a double take: imahood@____.com Great! Hire a hood to watch your pet in your home!

Solving Your "Overnight Delivery" Headaches?

2007-04-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Fulltime travelers know the agony that comes when traveling and needing an "overnight" delivery from Fed-X or UPS. If you have only a post office box for your mail, you know who won’t deliver there. Michael Parker of Willamina, Oregon has a suggestion: Allow the post office to receive packages from express mail companies, and charge the recipient the small fee of $3.00 for the service.

We’d add to the thought: Have the post office accept those same packages for pickup by "General Delivery" customers. Rather than having to find someone else to act as the receiver, or having those packages held at the "closest" FED-UPS etc. terminal, the package could actually be close to home--wherever it is this week.

Parker’s letter appears Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal.

Anachronism courtesy US Government Centenial of Flight and Loonie D. Mares

"King of Trails" Needs Volunteers

2007-04-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Got some time on your hands? The Continental Divide Trail Alliance can use your help. The Alliance is putting out a call for hundreds of volunteers who might be available for a few days, a week (or maybe more) in helping out with Continental Divide--"The King of Trails"--trail projects across the west.

"We’re looking for people who enjoy activities like digging new trail and moving rocks of various shapes and sizes," said CDTA’s Director of Vounteer Programs, Susan Westhoff. "It’s a great chance to meet new friends, enjoy spectacular scenery, have a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure and participate in one of the largest conservation projects in the nation’s history."

Well, even if you’re not into earth moving, the Alliance can still use you. Crew chefs are needed to feed all those hungry hoards who’ll need plenty of carbohydrates and proteins after moving all those rocks of various shapes and sizes. This year, nearly 60 projects are planned in five states, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, at elevations ranging from 4,000 feet to 13,000 feet. Many projects don’t require experience, and a lot of the assignments offer campsites for your RV.

Check out the Alliance’s website at www.cdtrail.org/getinvolved for more information and a volunteer application packet.

Graphics courtesy Continental Divide Trail Alliance

Oregon Takes Dim View of Phony Resident RV Scheme

2007-03-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Fulltimers often ask about where to establish their "residency." If you’re on the road all the time, it’s difficult to get driver licenses, insurance, and obtain vehicle licensing. Oregon is sometimes recommended because of its low vehicle registration rates and lack of sales tax. Some folks, however, have schemed to use the low Oregon rates for their own purposes, witness the recent crackdown on an Oregon resident who "helped" folks take advantage of those attractive Oregon amenities.

After an 18 month investigation, Oregon officials charged Tualatin, Oregon resident Denise Harden with "Tampering with a Public Record," and violating the "Oregon Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization" law. Harden helped non-Oregonians to register RVs in Oregon, thus avoiding their home-state sales tax and vehicle registration fees. By allowing her "customers" to use her Oregon residence address, Harden made it appear they were Oregon residents.

Harden copped a "no contest" plea, got slapped with $100,000 fine, and was given 24 months of probation. While no information was published regarding what happened to her customers, it’s a good possibility their own home state authorities will be putting them under the microscope of justice. It goes without saying then, that if you do establish Oregon as a fulltimer "residence," be sure to put the dot over the I and the crossbar on the T with respect to legalities. In the past, Washington state residents who registered their vehicles in Oregon and were caught got slapped hard for their trouble.

This isn’t the first occasion of phony RV registration schemes. Some years back, Oregon RV dealer Gauranty RV was hit hard when company employees "sold" Oregon addresses to out-of-staters for registration purposes.

Winter Texans Cry Foul In Tax Pinch

2007-03-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

"Winter Texans" are singing the blues, decrying that they call, "double taxation." It seems down in Hidalgo County, some RVers who put up in some of those sunny RV parks are having their rigs taxed as "real property." The RVers claim their rigs aren’t real property, and that Hidalgo County is unfairly taxing them.

The problem seems to center on interpretation. Many of the rigs in question are park models; the owner’s have already paid sales tax on the rigs, and the county, for their part, wants to add a bit more to their coffers. When the park model rigs are put up in an RV park, those who add porches, awnings, or skirts. The owners claim their park models are easily moved, and the county says, "They’re permanent."

It’s a controversy that’s been going on for years, and it doesn’t look like there’s a quick solution to it. Lawsuits have been filed, but they’re not moving any faster toward resolution than the famed Texas armadillo. Check out the full story.

Dump Station Blues?

2007-03-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

When we take on the fulltime lifestyle, we also put on some new "hats" for the roles we assume. What kind of hat does a "sanitary engineer" wear? I dunno, the only part of my uniform in that role is a pair of good, thick, rubber gloves.

Getting out the sewage becomes our "problem," and that can really BE a problem if we’re not sure of where to ‘get rid of the goods.’ When set up in an RV park, it’s not a problem, but on the road, or when boondocking, it gets a bit more complicated. Here are some possible places to dump your tanks:

Highway rest areas

State, National, and Federal Parks (often dump stations located outside of the campground, but where not, you may be "stuck" paying a small fee. Better than eating it.)

Local government sewage treatment plants (check out the phone book, call the main number and ask for the treatment plant)

Truck stops (particularly those catering to RVers, like Flying J)

DON’T think you can sneak over beside the road and off-load your tanks. The "Midnight Dumper" only creates image problems for RVers, and if you get caught, there can be a really stinky fine associated with such behavior.

If finding dump stations is near and dear to your heart, then check out The RVers Guide to Dump Stations, a comprehensive guidebook to public dump stations across the US. Available from the RV Bookstore, follow this link for more information.

Happy dumping!

Basement Storage Security

2007-03-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

As fulltimers, most of us have to lug all our stuff with us. That makes "basement storage," those handy outside compartments with lots of stuffing space, so attractive. But beware--that storage may not be as secure as you think.

For outside compartments with the standard "cabinet lock," your lock may not be as secure as you like. Visit any used RV sales lot and try your own compartment key on different RVs. You may be surprised just how many other rig compartments you can open. With so many RVs made, and so few suppliers to the industry, there's bound to be a lot more keys in common than we'd like to think.

Changing out the standard cabinet lock is easy, all it takes is a replacement lock, an adjustable wrench, and a few minutes time. We visited a locksmith and had him make up a number of compartment locks--all keyed alike--to replace our OEM locks. We feel a lot more secure knowing that not just "anybody" will easily open up our storage pods.

Need a High Tech Passtime? Try Geocaching!

2007-03-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

"What do you do with all that time?"

It’s a question fulltimers often hear from friends and relatives unfamiliar with the lifestyle. Aside of eating, sleeping, and doing a lot of things that root-bound folks do, RVers also like to have fun. Card games, horse shoe tossing, visiting, knitting, the list goes on. But a pastime that seems to go hand-in-hand with RV travel is that techno-game known as geocaching ("gee-o-cashing").

It’s a high-tech game of hide and seek, but rather than hiding yourself, or seeking someone, you’re actually seeking something. Someone hides a cache somewhere on the planet, and then giving you a few clues and some geographic coordinates, you go find it. What makes the whole thing work is internet computer access and a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver. It’s a game that involves your mind and reasoning, and in many cases, gives you a good physical workout.

You’ll find an excellent article on the sport on the DesertUSA website.

Photo by Dave Wild; may be reproduced only with credit to the photographer.

Taxes on the Road?

2007-03-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

It’s pushing mid-April and we all know what that means: Flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la, and IRS notices on the wing. Maybe the poetry stinks, but it is that dreaded deadline time. What are traveling RVers to do?

If you’re not where your tax man is, you may be able to file for an extension, to allow yourself more time to get the paperwork out of the way. Of course, if you owe ‘Uncle" any money, you’ll have to estimate what you owe him as best you can and send it by the April deadline. But what about other contacts with the government?

Many RVers have found it best to keep copies of their tax returns (and in some cases, supporting documents) with them wherever they travel. But what if (gulp) you’re summoned for an audit? "Uncle" will probably have the audit set for a city near your record of address. If you’re somewhere else in the country, it can be a frustrating and lengthy experience to get the audit relocated.

For those of you who "do it yourself," using the software program, TurboTax, you have the option of buying into what the company calls, "Audit Defense." For a fairly low fee, you insure yourself against ever having to appear before the IRS. If your return is audited, and you’ve bought the optional service, the Audit Defense folks will appear for you and deal with the Man from Uncle. For my peace of mind, it’s worth the extra money. For more information on TurboTax, visit their web site.

Learn More About Fulltiming at Life on Wheels

2007-02-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

Many fulltimers come into the lifestyle with a limited background in RVing. It’s a big challenge to learn how to fulltime, while getting acquainted with the nuts and bolts of RVing at the same time. Some find that getting "life training" really makes things easier. Enter "Life on Wheels," an annual ‘RV college’ put on in several locations throughout the country.

Life on Wheels conferences provide class settings on a wide array of topics: From safety and technical issues, to boondocking and Mexico travel. Fulltime wantabees may really benefit from some of the lifestyle classes.

This years conferences kick of in Tempe, Arizona--which have already filled up. Other locations for the 2007 conferences include Bowling Green, Kentucky; Moscow, Idaho; Bethlehem, PA; and Des Moines, Iowa. For the full slate of information, including classes available, visit the Life on Wheels web site.

How Do You Budget for Fulltiming?

2007-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

"Can I fulltime on $500 a month?"

This question recently appeared on a fulltime RV forum, and elicited plenty of interest. It's not an outlandish question, but hardly one that can be answered simply. Each individual's needs, wants, and resources vary. Expenses you have on the road will be different than those you now have to cover--but on the other hand, there may be things you pay for now that you won’t on the road.

Here’s a tip: Work up a budget that examines both sides of the issue: Itemize each expense you pay now, and compare to those you may deal with as a fulltimer. To help you out, the RV Hometown website has put together a neat two page budget form that will help you analyze your future. Follow this link to the pdf file.

Finding & Keeping Books on Your RV Travels

2007-02-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

If you’re not too old to remember the 1960’s "Batman" TV show, you might recall Roddy McDowall cast in the villainous role of "Bookworm." This bad guy’s locus of activity was, not surprisingly, "The Bookmobile." Seems that McDowall’s character wasn’t the only one who liked his ‘tomes to go,’ plenty of fulltimers are inveterate readers. "Where," cry the newbies, "Can we find books on the road? And where can we put ‘em?"

Finding books on the road isn’t as difficult as it might appear. Yes, there are public libraries everywhere; many have policies that allow books to be lent out to "non residents." Of course, if you’re just passing through, borrowing a book from the local library might not work out. Hold tight, there are a lot of other places to look for reading material.

We’ve found a ready source of books in many towns are book exchange stores, most of whom specialize in paperbacks. These typically "barter" books, asking a small percentage of the books you "buy" in cash. But freebies abound: Many RV parks have "take a book, leave a book" areas; some laundramats in high RV traffic areas provide a similar service. Public library "friends" groups often have a shelf area in the library where books are sold inexpensively or given away.

Keeping books on board the RV is largely a matter of space. If you have room in a cabinet, so much the better. But in our case, we ran out of cabinet space long before we ran out of books to shelve. I constructed a bookshelf to accomodate paperbacks, but driving around corners would empty the shelves. To keep them in place when rolling down the road, I added a special bracket:

A wooden dowel, as wide as the bookshelf, acts as a restraint to keep the books penned in. To hold it in place, brass welding rod is cut and bent to form two hangers--one on each end of the dowel. Each hanger is bent so that one end pokes into a hole drilled in the end of the dowel, the other into a similar hole drilled into the side of the bookshelf.

Insure Your Stuff in a Self-Storage Unit

2007-02-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

A wanna-be fulltimer posted this query on an internet forum:

"We are planning to RV full time for about a year. When our home sells, we will place our personal effects ( furniture, etc) in storage and go on the road. Our problem is that our insurance company will not insure our goods when they are placed in storage. As long as we have a house, our homeowners insurance covers the items in storage, but as soon as we sell the home it stops. We were offered insurance through the storage company, but it was very expensive."

What’s a fellow to do? Many wanna-be fulltimers face similar decisions: Unsure if they’ll really enjoy the lifestyle, they don’t want to burn their bridges, so they hang on to various possessions and see how things develop.

Depending on what "very expensive" is in your book, we were able to set up a scenario wherein an RVer in Arizona wanted to insure his storage unit items for $10,000. An insurance brokerage agency got us a quote for $50 a month. If that’s not expensive, it may be a way to give you peace of mind. Here’s a link to TenantOne.

Photo courtesy of frozenchipmunk on flicker.com. This image is subject to the following provisions:Your are free to Share -- to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work and to Remix -- to make derivative works but any use must be attributed to frozenchipmunk.

Are Membership Camping Clubs Worthwhile?

2007-02-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Membership camp clubs--are they the answer for the fulltimer? When we say membership clubs, we refer to outfits like Resort Parks International (RPI) where you "buy" into a "home" campground, and then are able to camp at other affiliated campgrounds around the country, often for a few dollars a night.

It’s a never-ending discussion among new fulltimers. Some swear by such memberships, others swear at them. Here are a few things to consider:

Most all membership clubs charge a fee to get started--some low, some quite high. Fine and dandy. From there, however, is the little matter of annual "maintenance" fees. These can range to a little bit, to several hundreds of dollars per year--even more. And once you’ve tied into a membership club, you’re stuck paying those maintenance dues, even if you don’t ever use a club. You may be able to get out of it, if you can find someone who'll buy your membership.

Some RVers find the membership arrangement advantageous, after all, they can travel all over the US and stay in membership parks in their "system" or a cooperating system for only a few dollars a night. Others say: Yeah, but you’ve got to be in the neighborhood of a cooperating park to take advantage of it; if you’re somewhere else, forget it.

For our part, we've looked into joining, but never found one that seemed like the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, especially since we enjoy boondocking so much. One alternative for those who are "on the fence," is an organization like the Happy Camper Club. While you won't find much camping for three or four bucks a night, you will find campground across the country offering half-off their published rates. Since you’re only "tied" into a $49.00 per year membership, it may be a good way to look around while you think about joining up with 'the big dogs.' Check out a Happy Camper Club membership.

Count Birds--Get Prizes

2007-02-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

Fulltimers are sometimes asked: What do you do with all that time to keep from going bats? Forget the bats--some RVers say it’s for the birds. If bird watching is on your hit list, then don’t miss out on the annual "Backyard Bird Count."

Every year the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audobon Society team up to get people out and do a feathered census count. Now in its 10th year, the event will help scientists to see how environmental changes--say urban sprawl and global warming--are affecting our feathered friends. Last year counters tallied up over seven and a half million birds of 622 species. That’s no chicken scratching.

This year participants who send in a birding checklist will be entered in a drawing for some prizes worth squawking about. From birding binoculars to memberships in the Audobon Society (including that nifty "Audobon Magazine," with bird books of all sorts along the way.
So how do you get involved? The great bird count runs from February 16 to 19th in a backyard (forest, swamp, RV park, desert, et al) near you. Sink your talons into the official bird count website at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/. Hurry up or you won’t beak (er, beat) the deadline.

Home is Where You Park It--For Free!

2007-02-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Many fulltimers give up home ownership, and turn to the "home is where I park it" philosophy. But where do you park it? Across the country, state parks are crying out for volunteers to greet campers, give directions, and do a "host" of other light assignments. In exchange for their service, most parks provide a free RV spot, often with utility hookups.

Two such states in need of volunteers for the upcoming summer camping season are South Dakota and West Virginia. In South Dakota, volunteers will be needed this May through September; 24 hours a week are required. In West Virginia, electric and water hookups come with a free RV site in 16 state parks.

Our advice? State parks like to fill their positions early--apply now!

Welcome to Fulltime RVer!

2007-02-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

There’s no way to know just how many folks live in their RVs full time, but the number must be staggering. Why they do it is pretty wide open: Some do it to see the country, others to save money, still others to follow their trade or business. No matter the reason, fulltimers all share their own set of joys and challenges.

For every fulltime RVers, there must be many more sitting "in the wings" biding their time for retirement or home sales to allow them to take to the freedom of the road. Our blog aims to help both the "on the roader," and those in the "not there yet" group. We’ll talk about issues affecting fulltimers from living in the confined space of an RV to broader issues like making a living on the road and payin’ the bills.

We love to hear your feedback! Please use the "comments" column freely. We look forward to seeing you on the blog, and on the road!