TL/MH/TLD eNews - October 2009
Keep eNews coming. To ensure you continue to receive emails from us, please add
enews@trailerlifedirectory.com to your address box or approved sender list.
Having trouble viewing the email below? See it online. |
| October 2009 |
 |
www.TrailerLife.com I www.MotorHomeMagazine.com I www.TrailerLifeDirectory.com
| Welcome |
|
|
|
Welcome to October, one of the most colorful months of the year, and absolutely the perfect time for RVers to be on the road. The shoulder season boasts less traffic, fewer vacationers and more areas to call your own. This is the time to explore the country and try your luck on the golf course … or the fishing stream … or the bike path … or wherever your heart desires. Sample a new recipe, attend an RV show or visit an RV dealership, read a good book, consider a new product and take advantage of the freedom of the road. |
|
 Out and About
Great Getaways
The Other L.A.
Although Lower Alabama holds the title "Riviera of the South" thanks to the area's splendid beaches, fertile waters, challenging golf courses and outstanding cuisine, many visitors to this tourist-friendly region insist that golf is king here. Nationally, when the subject of golf in Alabama arises, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail may dominate some conversations, but Alabama's Gulf Shores/Orange Beach region should soon begin to pop up on those must-play lists, since the 10 courses that belong to the Gulf Shores Golf Association feature incredible variety, countless challenges and well-maintained tracks designed by some of the biggest names in the game.
The sun-kissed sand and rippling waters of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach draw thousands of snowbirds each winter to its numerous campgrounds and RV resorts. Most of these facilities, including Bay Breeze RV on the Bay and the lovely Island Retreat RV Park, lie along State Route 180, which squiggles between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay on a narrow peninsula that terminates on its western extreme at Fort Morgan State Park. Here, Admiral David G. Farragut shouted the phrase, "Damn the Torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" during the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. History buffs and curious children will likely enjoy exploring Fort Morgan itself, since the fortifications fascinate.
Click to continue…
|
|
 Featured RV Parks
Hershey Highmeadow Campground, Hershey, Pennsylvania
If you're ever passing through the state of Pennsylvania, be sure to make a detour to the city of Hershey and park your rig at Hershey Highmeadow Campground. It has 225 gravel RV campsites, each with a picnic table and fire grill. Choose from pull-through sites with full hookups, or a back-in site with electrical, water and cable TV hookups.
The pet-friendly park features paved roads and a self-service laundry room. You'll enjoy clean, modern restrooms with showers and wheelchair-accessible facilities. Ice, firewood and LP-gas are available at the country store, which also sells groceries and RV supplies. The campground also offers basketball, volleyball and shuffleboard courts, in addition to two pools and horseshoe pits for a full afternoon of fun.
The campground is conveniently located near all the attractions in the Sweetest Place on Earth: Hersheypark, ZooAmerica, Hershey's Chocolate World, the Hershey Country Club, Hershey Gardens, and other attractions. Guests of the campground will also enjoy special pricing on Hersheypark and Dutch Wonderland tickets, early admission to select rides at Hersheypark and a complimentary seasonal shuttle service to Hersheypark.
Click here to read more about this park.
To search for more great RV Parks and campgrounds, visit www.trailerlifedirectory.com.
Focus on Luxury
Developers of RV resorts are getting the message. RV enthusiasts want increasingly luxurious parks in scenic locations with huge sites and five-star amenities. They want to be close to nature. They want to have a variety of activities, both inside and outside the park. They want to be able to own their own site. And they want value for their money.
Here's a look at some of the most luxurious RV resorts in the country:
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/images/pdf/RVResortsAdvertorialENEWS.pdf
|
| Top of page |
|
Calling All Train Lovers
 Situated in Silverhill, Alabama, in a lovely sheltered area of pastures and forests, the Wales West Train & Garden Lovers RV Resort entices children from 1 to 100 years young. Not only is this well-groomed and activity-abundant resort a Good Sam Park in high esteem, it is also a true destination resort and historical venue boasting the only authentic Welsh Victorian two-foot narrow gauge railroad in the Americas. Snowbirds and families thrill to the amenities here year-round. From its intriguing entrance called "The Keeps" after the medieval Welsh fortifications of old, to its 71 sites (some appropriate for big rigs), Wales West offers a cornucopia of helpful and playful attractions such as WiFi, short and long-term RV storage, a swimming pool, a playground, laundry and much, much more. The park, which is located 10 miles south of Interstate 10 and a short drive from the Gulf Coast, includes beautiful Lake Victoria, a 3 1/2-acre freshwater lake offering fishing, swimming, pedal boats and model boat events. Also on the property, the large community room, reminiscent of an English manor house, will delight guests; the structure includes a half-size Olympic pool, group kitchen, stage, library and exercise room. In addition to all of the above, however, it is the resort's enchanting trains, villages and colorful events that draw the largest crowds. The Promenade hosts Victorian buildings on its 400-foot long course from Shady Circle to the Train Station; the Main Train Station features not only the "G" scale train but also gingerbread structures, a tea room and a gift shop. An extensive list of wild-and-crazy themed parties, which are held primarily at Chapel Halt in conjunction with the main train, include Easter egg hunts, the Pumpkin Patch Express, the Ghoul Family Night Train and the Arctic Express.
For a full list of additional attractions and year-round events, go to www.waleswest.com.
The 57th Annual California RV Show, October 16-25, 2009
RVing is all about having fun. The fun really begins at the 57th Annual California RV Show, October 16-25 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. This show displays all the newest and greenest in RVs and RV products. Now is the time to begin building RVing memories that last a lifetime for your family.
This one-stop shopping show makes comparing various RV models and brands easy. To make it even easier to purchase a new RV, you can drive your car, truck, motorcycle or RV trade-ins to the show for a free appraisal. On-the-spot financing and aggressive discounts make buying easy.
In addition to the big RV show, admission on October 17 includes a Classic Car Show with some of the best street rods and classics in the West. On Sunday, October 18, the Discovery Center and FSEA present Land Yacht Racing, in which family teams build a simple toy car at the show and race the wind-powered car. There is no cost to enter and no tools to bring. Just come and have fun.
Tickets are only available at the gate. Prices are $6, $5 for seniors, 18 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Discount coupons good for $2 off on Friday-Sunday are available at www.CARVShow.com. Monday through Thursday, adults and seniors are admitted for just $1. No coupon is needed and no discounts apply on Dollar Days. Active Duty Military with Government ID admission is free. Parking is $9 for cars or $12 for RVs and is located off White Avenue, right outside the show gate.
For More Information contact: Penny Nicolai (818) 881-6458 or pennynicolai@aol.com
|
| Top of page |
RV Trends
Motorhomes and Trailers
Oklahoma!
|
"When you value the journey as much as the destination," Newell is the coach for you. Built from scratch with uncompromising quality, every Newell reflects the owner's personal preferences because each model is constructed with the engineers and designers. Owners may even voice their choices in the construction process, as there are several options from which to choose.
Newell is the crème de la crème in customized bus conversions, building every model from the ground up; components are built directly into the coach rather than as afterthoughts. Various floorplans allow for different locations of doors and windows. The chassis provides the foundation for this creativity; it is all-steel and mated to an aircraft-type aluminum body.
Customers are invited to the plant in Miami, Oklahoma, to discuss the details of their new motorhome and buy it directly from the company, but a few coaches may be viewed and purchased through special dealers. For example, the 2009 Newell #1281, a 45-foot quad-slide with a rear master bathroom and a mid half-bath is on display at Holland Motorhomes in San Diego, California. This magnificent model features a Caterpillar C-15 625HP engine, Allison 6-speed transmission, 20kW generator, SubZero refrigerator, Gaggenau Recessed Cooktop and three televisions. The Corian countertops and granite floors complement the leather upholstery. A garbage disposal is an extra touch in the kitchen, and a stacked washer/dryer combo helps during inclement weather.
Newell Coach Corporation was begun in 1967 by L.K.Newell, who went on to introduce one of the first basement-model coaches and soon after one of the first diesel-powered motorhomes. Today, Karl and Alice Blade carry on the commitment to quality, luxury and innovation.
For more information, go to www.newellcoach.com.
|
| Top of page |
Gimme Five!
|
Some companies do a great job offering diverse products to their diverse audience; others choose to concentrate on one product and do the best they can with their field of expertise. NuWa of Chanute, Kansas, belongs to the latter group. Building luxury fifth-wheel trailers since 1969, NuWa is the "oldest existing manufacturer of fifth-wheel trailers in the country." Focusing on its exclusive models has allowed the company to create processes and materials that add to its reputation of "substance versus superficiality." NuWa's Vacu-bonded Panel-Core Super Structure with its "Blue Dow" foam insulation — the only wall system with a 15-year guaranteed R-factor — has resulted in trailers with unsurpassed strength and four-season capability, suitable for snowbirds and fulltimers.
The Hitchhiker LS line offers a compact, yet luxurious, 26.5 RL BG model for 2009 (check back soon for the 2010 models and updated brochures). The actual length of this particular model is 28' 5" with a height of 12' 7"; the gvwr tips the scale at 12,500 pounds with a hitch weight of 1,940 pounds. This 266-square-foot model features a bedroom slideout that houses a generous 60- x 80-inch queen bed with soft top and wood headboard, while the second larger slideout room includes the dining table and four chairs, in addition to a plush captain's chair.
The ample galley includes an 8-cubic-foot Norcold refrigerator with raised panel doors, a SpaceSaver Microwave oven, three-burner stove and oven, Corian Solid Surface Kitchen Countertops with backsplash and Corian Solid Surface Sink Covers. Owners may opt for a 10-cubic-foot refrigerator, sealed burner stove and cover and wood-grained laminate flooring in the kitchen.
Living accoutrements include a 32-inch HD LCD TV, single-disc DVD/CD player with surround sound, Venetian blinds and a swivel rocker. The unit is prepped for satellite dish, cable, Internet and phone connections. Optional features available on this and other NuWa models include leather recliners, lightweight Euro chairs with footstools, fireplace and vacuum sweeper.
Fulltimers especially will appreciate the Filon Fiberglass Laminated Sidewalls, Super Insulated Vacu-Bonded Walls, SunChaser Series A&E patio awning, and heated subfloor and holding tanks, making it appropriate for all-season travel.
For more information, go to www.nuwa.com.
|
| Top of page |
Trucks & SUVs
2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickups
|
Dodge's new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup, available this autumn, adds more comfort, capabilities and options: The Quad Cab will be replaced by a true crew cab, while the regular and Mega cabs are continued.
A Hemi V-8 is offered, with 383 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, on Ram 2500 only; the Ram 3500 now requires the Cummins diesel. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the Hemi.
The 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine has 350 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 650 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm with the automatic transmission or 350 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque with the manual transmission. Diesels can be equipped with a G56 six-speed manual transmission with an extra-low first gear, or a six-speed automatic that now includes Electronic Range Select. An exhaust brake is standard on diesels, and the base alternator is increased from 136 to 180 amps.
Two cargo beds (6 feet 4 inches and 8 feet) are available, as are single and dual-rear-wheel setups. Ride is improved by re-tuned suspensions and special hydro-mounts under the cab reduce bounce. Interior upgrades include optional heated seats and steering wheel, climate control, memory seats and mirrors, GPS, adjustable pedals and numerous infotainment options including a 10-speaker audio system.
Tow ratings are up, with the Ram 3500 with dual rear wheels, diesel, automatic, and 4.10:1 rear axle boasting a 25,400-pound gcwr and the Ram 3500 can tow up to 18,500 pounds. A trailer brake controller is built in. The rear suspension includes two-stage springs for greater load capability and better unloaded ride. The tailgate accommodates an available backup camera for convenient trailer hitching.
Mirrors are equipped with turn-signal indicators, memory, lamps and convex mirrors. The larger mirrors for trailer towing are standard on 3500 models and available on the 2500 series. These mirrors move out for trailer-tow use. Manufacturer's suggested retail prices start just north of $30,000.
|
| Top of page |
 What's New?
Warm and Toasty
Winter is fast approaching, and for those die-hard anglers who continue their sport perched atop the ice, Frabill portable shelters offer all the security, warmth and convenience anglers need to pull up those fish and drop them at their feet. These lightweight and durable "houses" are constructed of 300 Denier tent material, with extra polyurethane coatings for more warmth and dryness. The dark material absorbs the sunlight for additional coziness. Available in the two-person Frontier, the Outpost for three fishermen and the Headquarters for up to six anglers, these comfortable portable homes feature large zippered doors, removable windows, anchoring kits to protect against strong winds and the exclusive MaxVent System that provides energy efficiency. The Frontier Cube-Style Portable Shelter for two packs into a small, convenient travel bag that can be carried in one hand; setup is simple and quick — lift, pull and pop-up ready.
For more information, go to www.frabill.com.
 Best Defense
One of the biggest concerns for iPod users is protecting their investment. We generally take the small mp3 players with us wherever we go, meaning they are constantly tossed into compartments, stuffed into backpacks or dropped in the dirt. To reduce the likelihood of damage to the expensive gadgets, OtterBox offers The Defender Series. We tested the Defender for the Nano, though it is available for all iPod models. The Defender features three layers of protection — a rubber outer covering, a hard plastic shell and a fully interactive membrane to protect the screen and click wheel. The Defender's design also allows users to plug the iPod into the tow-vehicle or motorhome auxiliary jack without removing the case. Syncing and charging can also be done with the Defender in place. MSRP for the Nano Defender Case is $29.95.
For more information on this and other OtterBox products, visit www.otterbox.com.
|
| Top of page |
|
Around the Rig
Helpful Hints
Mark Your Calendars
November 7-8, 2009, has been set aside for the Harvest Celebration Barrel Tasting at the Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country Festival. The year-end party honors new and unreleased wines, in addition to barrel and tank samples. The special wines are accompanied by cuisine created by local chefs and by vintners themselves specializing in home-style cooking.
For more information, go to www.temeculacvb.com
Whether you intend to don your best garb, loosen up your vocal chords, put on your tap shoes or merely sit in the bleachers as a spectator, plan on attending The Rally in Louisville, Kentucky. This incredible combination of RV expertise, unusual products, delectable food and outrageous talent begins on July 22, 2010.
For more information, go to www.therally.com.
More Resources
Add the following Canadian numbers to your list of state tourism boards printed in previous issues of the Enewsletter:
Alberta, www.explorealberta.com.
British Columbia, www.travel.bc.ca.
Manitoba, www.travelmanitoba.com.
New Brunswick, www.tourismnbcanada.com.
Newfoundland and Labrador, www.gov.nf.ca.
Northwest Territories, www.spectacularnwt.com.
Nova Scotia, www.explore.gov.ns.ca.
Nunavut, www.nunavuttourism.com.
Ontario, www.travelinx.com.
Prince Edward Island, www.gov.pe.ca.
Quebec, www.quebecregion.com.
Saskatchewan, www.sasktourism.com.
Yukon, www.travelyukon.com.
Plumbing
One nice aspect of most RVs is that they provide one of the more important comforts of a home: a plumbing system. Without it, RVing likely wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as it is. Freshwater and waste systems are included, and they are relatively simple.
The freshwater system operates much like that in a house: water flows automatically when a faucet is turned on. The water may come from a tank inside the RV (filled with a hose from an outside faucet in a campground). When it comes from the on-board tank, pressure is created by an automatic 12-volt DC pump. When the switch (usually located in the kitchen) is turned on, the pump automatically cycles on and off as needed to pressurize the system to 20 to 40 psi. The on-board tank is filled through an inlet on the side of the RV that is clearly…
Click to Continue
|
|
 Maintenance Madness Solved
A Shocking Situation
Taking care of our vehicle batteries is something we all have to do and everybody knows how to service them, right? Distilled water, gloves, eye protection and so forth are involved in the maintenance of the batteries. But note where the batteries are located; usually in a very cramped area with thick wires preventing easy access. Unless your RV has a slideout tray, you may have to…
Click to Continue
|
| Top of page |
 Good Reads
Experiencing history through movies has always been a favorite pastime for folks of a "certain age," and now through a carefully researched and crafted book, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, avid moviegoers can enjoy, remember and relive many of their memorable events and performances. Author Manny Pacheco offers a colorful review of the stars of yesterday, those performers whose faces are familiar but whose names often escape us. Through these character actors and their roles in special Hollywood films, Pacheco presents a patchwork of the performers' lives, the eras in which they lived and the movies in which they acted, and how they all intertwined. Each of the 13 chapters highlights one character actor such as Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Ward Bond and Walter Brennan. Chapter 10 features Van Heflin, who made numerous films in the 1940s and also served as a commissioned naval officer — during which time he narrated several military documents. Other actors featured in the black-and-white, 126-page softcover book include Thomas Mitchell, John Carradine, Donald Crisp and Basil Rathbone. The author is a graduate of UCLA and has had a long career in both radio and television. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, published by Book Publishers Network of Bothell, Washington, is available in most bookstores for $18.95.
One dollar from the sale of each book will be donated to Chicago's Mooseheart Child City & School, a residential childcare facility dedicated to children in need.
For more information, go to www.bookpublishersnetwork.com.
Off the Bookshelf
Bargain Hunter & Flea Market Finder
Nowadays, just about everyone is looking to cut a few corners and save money when they can, and the helpful guide, Bargain Hunter & Flea Market Finder, is proven to help you do just that. Bargain Hunter & Flea Market Finder is loaded with a directory that has a list of 1,465 flea markets nationwide and includes important information for each, including contact numbers, hours of operation, parking, admission, pet policies and disabled accessibility.
Bargain Hunter & Flea Market Finder is now available in the Trailer Life Directory Travel Store.
Click here to order your copy
|
| Top of page |
From the Galley
Recipe Notebook
Healthy Home Cooking October 2009
By Healthy Exchanges
As you're planning your fall trips in the RV, be sure to stop at the roadside stands and orchards and check out what great apples are available to you all across the United States.
Apples are the most varied food on the planet, with more apple varieties on record than for any other food. The list of apple varieties topped 7,500 the last time someone counted, including more than 2,500 varieties grown here in the United States. Each apple variety has its own unique flavor.
Here's your guide to the top U.S. apple varieties, and some popular up-and-coming new varieties. Be sure to check with suppliers in your area for local favorites, too.
We have also provided information to help you…
Click to Continue
|
| Top of page |
Kitchen Tidbit
On/Off Switch for refrigerator lamp
Upon returning home from camping trips, we usually remove the refrigerator's contents, and defrost and clean the unit. I didn't like the process of removing the refrigerator lamp and lens each time in order to leave the door open and not draw down the battery. There seemed to be no other way to de-energize the lamp without having to…
Click to Continue
|
Good Eats
|
Bonus Recipe
Four-Beans Plus
A new take on a classic salad contributes a lively dish for an autumn gathering, in the RV or the campground. Serve with hot dogs, hamburgers or a chicken casserole.
1 cup red kidney beans
1 cup white beans (cannelloni, kidney, navy, other)
1 cup garbanzo beans
1 cup green beans, whole (not French sliced)
¾ cup diced yellow or white onion
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1 small green pepper, diced
1 small red pepper, diced
½ tsp. salt
Black pepper to taste
4 tbsp. red wine vinegar (or for sweeter taste try balsamic vinegar)
½ cup virgin olive oil
Combine all ingredients in large bowl or plastic container, cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Makes an excellent side dish for a large gathering; keeps well for a couple weeks if tightly covered and refrigerated.
Margie Jenkins
Columbia, Missouri
|
 Wine Tip of the Month
A Yummy Wine Experience
Wonderful wine experiences are everywhere … if you keep your eyes open.
Even in the tiny, isolated community of Seaside, tucked in the northwest corner of Oregon, a little more than an hour by car from Portland.
Since April 2007, Seaside has been home to Yummy, a wine bar and bistro where pretentiousness is checked at the door and proprietor Corey R. Alpert seeks to make wine accessible to the masses.
"One of my goals is to shake the notion that one must know a lot about wine to enjoy the experience of a wine bar," Alpert says. "We are offering a wine bar without the intimidation."
Those who know and love wine will be impressed by the …
Click to continue
Want more wine tips? Sign up for the Vinesse's weekly enewsletter featuring a wine tip each week. It's a light and quick read, intended to be a wide-ranging introduction to the fascinating world of wine.
|
| Top of page |
|
Special Offer
 RV Road Atlas
Don't get stuck with an ordinary atlas! Trailer Life's RV Road Atlas was created just for RVers, to help you stay on the right path. This atlas has all the RV parks, RV service centers and tourist attractions found in the Trailer Life RV Parks, Campgrounds & Services Directory. The easy-access index is sorted by state and city for ease of use — plus all Good Sam discount locations are indicated in red to help you quickly find where you can save money.
No more detours. Compiled especially for RVers. Save money. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. How can you go wrong?
Order Now
|
 |
 |
rvSearch.com's Top RVs eNewsletter
Before putting your RV on the market, find out what the current market value is for your rig. That way, you'll be sure to get a fair price on a sale and you won't risk pricing your RV out of the market. Go to the NADA website and find out your RV's resale value today!
Once you've settled on an asking price, you'll be ready to sell your RV. List it online at rvSearch.com to reach thousands of buyers across North America.
|
| | | |
