*************************************************************************** THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter *************************************************************************** June, 2003 *************************************************************************** Total subscribers this issue 8857! Last issue 8685! Welcome to our new 172 subscribers! Yes, we are growing! Tell all your RV'ing friends about us! Send them to: http://www.rverscorner.com/newsltr.html This newsletter has grown from a few friends in 1997 to 8800+ friends in 2003. It seems that we must be doing something right, so we will continue to do so. Many of us converse on the RVerscorner Bulletin board ... and all are welcome there ... posting rules are moderate and there are many fine people who help with questions and answers. Check it out at: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus Inside this issue: - Driving that big RV (Part 1) ... by Peggi McDonald - VACATION TIME ... By Don Wetmore-Professional Speaker - RV Glossary - terms and phrases used by RV'ers - Questions and Answers ... from the True RV'ers Forum ... Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's Corner Newsletter: *************************************************************************** Driving that big RV ... by Peggi McDonald When John and I picked up our first RV, the dealer included a three-hour familiarization promo as part of the sale procedure. It covered many aspects of how to live in our new home on wheels and use all the house type amenities. At that point we were handed the keys and told to go and have fun. John had never driven anything bigger than a sedan but he set out on a very challenging journey alone; we were not towing at the time so I had to drive the car home. Both of us arrived safe and sound but unfortunately this scenario is repeated too many times when novice RVers take control of their new unit. As a result the onus is on you, the RVer, to find a safe way to travel the highways. On a positive note, driving an RV is not a difficult task once you gain a little confidence. From the beginning seasoned RVers advised that we both should be comfortable driving our motorhome - we pass this advice on to all RVing twosomes. Although John prefers to be the primary driver I take a periodic turn at the wheel. Several years ago, John accidentally turned his right ankle while walking the dogs on a gravel road - he couldn't walk for a week due to a painful sprain. Since we were on the move from A to B; it was good that driving our motorhome was second nature to me. We both practiced parking maneuvres and controlling our unit in defined spaces at a nearby shopping mall parking lot after hours. We also fine-tuned our hand signals to direct each other into a specific area. Next we ventured onto quiet secondary roads with low traffic flow to get the feel of our longer length and height plus the drag of a truck passing. Eventually we our excursion included a major highway - but not during a high traffic times. Some RVers enroll in a professional truck driver course; it may be a bit costly but so is your RV. There is no special licencing to drive an RV unless your unit has air brakes then a course in most provinces and states is required for a licence endorsement. The rulings, regulations and type of qualifications differ, but training is usually a must. Climbing mountains is the ultimate test of your driving skills. I will never forget our first such encounter at Siskiyou Pass, Oregon during year one. We had just came out of Mexico and although we traveled those mountains with relative ease this one was so long - four miles up, seven miles down. We had recently added new brake shoes to our motorhome and felt it was OK to use our brakes as needed. We were completely unaware that when going down mountains the general rule for RVers is to use one gear lower when descending a mountain than was used to climb it. That way the engine does the braking and limits the amount you need to use your brakes - otherwise they will get hot and fade from overuse. When we smelled burning breaks halfway down the mountain we had no idea it was our motorhome. Thank heavens a rest area was waiting around the next bend. The Mountain Directory by Richard Miller (Mountain Directory West) http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=17484 (Mountain Directory East) http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=17483 explains details of all Mountain Passes in the USA. It is so comforting to know distance, curves, elevations and what's waiting around the next bend. Be aware of these cautionary alerts Ø Over-the-counter drugs; many cause drowsiness. Ø Ask your pharmacist or your doctor if over-the-counter choices will conflict with your prescription meds. Ø A little coffee may help keep you awake but too much can work in reverse. Ø Take frequent breaks, a nap or switch drivers when possible at the first signs of becoming sleepy or if your eyes feel heavy etc. Ø Truck stops are preferred safe places for a prolonged stop rather than at a rest area. Ø An open window with a breeze in your face helps you stay alert; passengers can always cover up if they are cool. Keep your tires properly inflated and check them regularly for cracking sidewalls. Most, but not all, RV manufacturers suggest you rotate all tires at regular intervals. Many RVers feel if the tread is in good shape and their tires have been subject to limited driving miles they do not need replacing. However sitting in one spot can cause mega problems to the strength of the sidewalls especially as tires near a five-year usage. When RV's have dual tires you should add a quality set of stainless steel valve extenders - it is the only way to check the pressure and add air to the inside dual. We recently ran over a nail and ruined a front tire on our car. Now there are two new tires on our 'tow car' because it tracks better during flat towing when both front tires are of the same calibre. Tune in next month for tips covering all-season, all-weather driving. They serve as a good reminder for driving any vehicle but especially these large RV's. Peggi and John McDonald are entering their 18th year as fulltime RVers. Their informative website of www.rvliving.net is loaded with mega tips and hints for all RVers from Newbies to Part-timers to Fulltimers too. Peggi is the author of the best selling how-to publication ‘Spirit of the Open Road’ and two fr-ee ebooks ‘RV Living--- Facts Tips Hints and More: Vol One and Two. ‘Spirit of the Open Road’ is now on sale and all profits will be donated to the cancer fund! See: http://www.rvliving.net/Spiritsalecont.htm Excerpt from the June issue of the RV gazette - voice of the Explorer RV Club: www.rvgazette.com *********************************** Two-For-One Cancer Fund-Raiser As a contribution to our fund-raising event for the Canadian Cancer Society, Peggi and John McDonald will be donating the proceeds (minus shipping and handling) from every sale of Peggi’s book, Spirit Of The Open Road to the Explorer RV Club Cancer Fund. As an extra incentive for this worth-while cause, the McDonald’s are offering a special summer promotion. Buy one book for only $19.00 (regular cost: $24.00) or buy one book for the special price and get a second one for only $10.00 more (for a total of $29.00). This is a great deal for two RVing neighbours who both need their own copy of Spirit or, you can use the second book as a gift for an RVing friend. To cut administration and postal costs, the two books must be mailed in the same package (Xpress-Post, anywhere in Canada). As an added bonus, each book can be individually autographed by Peggi. Just give the details to the operator when you order your copy. To order a copy (or copies) of this comprehensive guide to Canadian RVing, call 1-800-999-0819. The special offer runs from the 20th of May to 30th September, 2003. Make sure that you tell the operator that you’re calling about the special summer promotion printed in the RV gazette. (and the RVerscorner Newsletter, of course!) *************************************************************************** VACATION TIME ... Don Wetmore-Professional Speaker Vacation time is productive time, as much as work time. No, you're not selling anything or working on those important projects but you are charging up your batteries to make your return more productive. We're not mindless machines that can function forever. Time at your job dulls us out over time. And we don't have to all do it the same way. Some like taking their vacation time a day here and a day there, while others prefer to take a full week or two at a time. However it works for you, be sure to take vacation time. It is productive time and you do deserve it. fr-ee information: click now: http://www.balancetime.com or email Don directly at: mailto:ctsem@msn.com *************************************************************************** From the True RV'ers Forum: Reader Question: We're buying our first RV. We've been quoted anywhere from $385-750 a year with a $250 deductable ... that's full coverage with towing! Any advice? 2nd Reader asks: This was one of my myriad of questions, too. I went to AAA and was told $532 a year for a '88 Class C with full coverage, towing. Now we're getting a 5th and haven't asked about insurance. But, one of my questions about insurance has to do with companies that "specialize" in RV's. Does that matter? If they specialize, what do they specialize in? Can they offer something that other insurance companies can't? Are there things to consider about the fact that if the RV is stolen or damaged beyond repair that we wouldn't have anything to live in? Ok. I guess my question answers itself, but, are there different types of home owner's insurance for RV's on top of the motor vehicle type? Does a 5th wheel need different insurance than a Class C? How does the insurance vary depending on whether the 5th wheel is parked with no truck as opposed to moving with a truck? Bob answers: As for insurance, I spent my whole working life in the business, handling claims. So I'll tackle your questions. Firstly, the $532. quoted for the Class "C" sounds about average, but I'm looking at Canadian rates and rates will vary tremendously according to your state of registry and even your domicile. You will pay a lot more to insure the same vehicle or rig in New York City, L.A. or Detroit than you would in Montana, or rural Texas or Arkansas. Think traffic volume and crime rates and you'll get the picture in a hurry. How that makes sense on a vehicle that is admittedly going to travel all over creation, remains a mystery to all but those infallible underwriters. Why go to a "Specialized Company": Well would you get your annual medical at a Dentist or eat steak at a sea food restaurant? Yea, I guess you could but you would be better served at a diagnostician and a steak house. Like all business, Insurance Companies are made up of people and they tend to develop more of a comfort level in a limited field than broad generalists. It's like buying your R.V., you could get one from the local used car lot or you can deal with a major R.V. dealer, you just know who can best answer your questions. The same will apply to insurance company's staff. While the insurance industry has a host of "General" companies offering so called "All Lines", R.V.'s would fall in the same category as trucking, marine, aviation, transportation, jewellers blocks, furriers bonds etc. All these lines gave rise to a small number of specialized companies that limit their marketing to their chosen field and accordingly develop staff expertise closely related to these fields, allowing them to deal much more expeditiously with their clients. (Well you asked!!) There is major differences to covering a Class "C" and a Fiver. One is a self propelled motorized vehicle while the other is an attachment to a Motor Vehicle. Coverage for physical damage, read fire, theft, collision, upset, vandalism, windstorm, in short any damage to the R.V. itself, would be covered in very similar fashion on both units. Where the big difference comes in is in the Liability for Bodily Injury or Property Damage to others that the "MOTOR" vehicle might occasion. The class "C"'s premium will be all inclusive and require only one policy. The fiver will require it's own policy that will also afford liability coverage for injuries or damage to property of others but that is meant to cover the unit when it is stationary!!! Think slip and falls, dog bites, theft etc. With the fiver, you will also have a standard auto policy to cover your truck, and it will cover all "rolling" liability issues. (Confused yet?) R.V. Insurance will normally be written on a replacement cost basis, in other words, no depreciation if your unit is destroyed by whatever! I understand that coverage for Additional Living Expense is offered by some companies and would be a must for full timers. That is likely something that non-specialized companies would not offer. In closing, to illustrate what I mean, my old firm has a deep discount plan for retired employees. When I got into R.V.ing, I figured I would save money by insuring both the fiver and truck with them. Well after some fifteen minutes of trying to explain what a fifth wheel trailer was, what I meant by secured storage lot, truck hitch, etc. etc. I gave up, insured the Silverado with them at a fantastic rate but paid full retail for my fiver at a "Specialist" Company. I strongly recommend that you insure both units with the same company. Not only will that likely make you eligible for a "multi vehicle discount", it will avoid inter-company squabbles in case of coverage overlap, which can happen. All this said, I wish you luck in finding a good insurance market for your rig. Bob Visit the forum at: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus *************************************************************************** The RVers Corner welcomes Camping World to our list of sponsors! Get more info and a fr-ee Camping World catalog here! Plus !!! the RVers Corner gets $.25 for every catalog requested ... every little '2 bits' help to maintain this website and this newsletter! Help the RVers Corner and get your catalog now! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html *************************************************************************** RV Glossary - terms and phrases used by RV'ers (continued) UNDERBELLY - The RV's underfloor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofed material. UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW) or Dry Weight - Sometimes called the Dry Weight, it is the weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. The manufacturers uvw will not include any dealer-installed options. WET WEIGHT - The weight of the vehicle with the fuel, freshwater and propane tanks full. WHEELBASE - Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles. More? http://www.rverscorner.com/glossary.html *************************************************************************** The NEW Rvers Corner bulletin board Come join in the discussions on the web's newest RV discussion group! No password or account set-up is needed. Just post your message or browse the categories! Pictures can be posted - just follow the instructions under the Help section. Have fun! http://www.rverscorner.com/discus *************************************************************************** RV VIDEOS Do you own an RV and sometimes forget how everything works? Are you exploring the RV lifestyle and would like to know more about it? Are you looking for a perfect gift for the new or experienced RVer? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then these videos are an absolute must for You! http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html *************************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADS *************************************************************************** NEW RV HOME VIDEOS RV Education 101 presents home videos on how to operate everything on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing. Read more, or order at: http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html *************************************************************************** SPIRIT OF THE OPEN ROAD by Peggi McDonald is a 'must have' for all RVers, both novice and experienced travelers. Although written from a Canadian point of view it is 95% generic and a valuable guide to RVers from all countries. For complete details - http://www.rvliving.net/Spiritsalecont.htm *************************************************************************** The RV'ers Corner is pleased to annouce our affiliation with Camping World! Help support the RV'ers Corner and get a fr-ee Camping World Catalog mailed to your door! The RVeres Corner gets a quarter for every catalog request! Get your fr-ee Camping World catalog here! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html *************************************************************************** RV Satallite TV! http://www.allsat.com/index.shtml?kbid=1415 *************************************************************************** Aluria's Spyware Eliminator Your privacy is being invaded. What you are doing on your computer is being watched right now. There are companies that know you are looking at this page. They know what you typed to your family, friends and coworkers. They know what you are emailing to people. They watch your IMs. Hackers are watching to capture your credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. The online world is no longer safe. UNTIL NOW. http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html *************************************************************************** I bought it, I use it, and I recommend it ... The Everlasting Pop Stopper ... Aluria's Spyware Eliminator ... Dr Speed V 2.0 ... The All New Mp3 Master V 6.0 ... Kid Surfer ... http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html *************************************************************************** !!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!! Les Doll - RV Technician My advice is fr-ee and worth only what you gain from it! E-mail address mailto:webmaster@rverscorner.com The RVers Corner - http://www.rverscorner.com/ Visit the RV'ers Corner bulletin board: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus The RVers Corner Newsletter is a monthly newsletter dedicated to enhancing the RV experience - you are being sent this newsletter as a result of subscribing to the RV Corner mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. We value each one of our subscribers, and you may be assured that we will protect your privacy. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Les Doll Meet the webmaster at: http://www.rverscorner.com/bio.html *************************************************************************** We hope that this newsletter will prove valuable to you and we strive to bring fresh, new content with every issue. 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