Ultraviolet rays from the sun and smog can dry your exterior paint, causing it to oxidate and invite body rust. Removing the outer layer of paint by high speed polishing, followed by a thorough sealing, extends that new appearance after several thousand miles on the road. It’s best to undergo a high speed polishing once a year.

Waxes and sealants function as a paint preserver by helping it to retain certain oils which reduce oxidation. In addition, they help protect your beloved RV from environmental hazards such as bird droppings, tree sap, smog, hard sprinkler water, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. A professional performed sealing by a reputable detailing company will keep your vehicle glowing with pride.

If you use your RV longer than just the summer season, it may need to be waxed once every three months and perhaps every two months if it’s exposed to harsh road and weather conditions. Hand waxing or sealing your recreational vehicle on a regular basis can maintain its paint quality as much as twice as long as unmaintained vehicles. Combined with an annual professional polishing and sealing, this will add years of beauty to your vehicle’s exterior.

Interior detailing protects the dash, plastic, leather or upholstery from drying and cracking, forming a protective seal against spills, stains and sun damage. Again, a good professional detailer will use appropriate products to preserve the interior of your vehicle. They can also recommend products you can use until your recreational vehicle’s annual “makeover”!

Caution: a nice ad or snappy name doesn’t mean you’ve found a good detailer. Ask for a list of satisfied clients and contact them yourself before spending your money. Isn’t your vehicle worth it?

Anchorage

Campground Name: Anchorage RV Park

Campground’s website: http://www.alaskaheritagetours.com

Campers comments:

Very friendy. Spent 15 days here. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel in July 2005.

Nicest RV Park in Anchorage area. We stayed here twice on our recent RV Trip to Alaska. Very nice showers/restrooms/laundry. Very pleasant staff. WIFI worked, but did cost $10 for 7 consecutive days. (not good for a stay with a break in the middle). Sites had some space between RV’s. Very popular RV Park, that was full by mid afternoon, so reservations nearly a must in mid summer. We camped here in a Motorhome in July 2005.

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Chicken

Campground Name: Original Chicken Gold Camp

Campground’s website: http://www.chickengold.com

Campers comments:

The park is very clean, and neat with very friendly hosts. The park offers gold panning (the owners operate a gold mine adjoining the park) which was great fun and productive! Nice setting and very relaxing. We camped here in a Travel Trailer in 2003.

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Denali National Park

Campground Name: Riley Creek Campground

Campground’s website: http://www.denali.national-park.com/camping.htm

Campers comments:

Very nice large level sites. This is one of three loops for camping right in the park. This campground is kept very clean and its quiet. We stayed for 8 days. Within walking distance to the store, laundry,post office,trails. Just a real nice campground. We camped here in a Motorhome in June 2005.

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North Pole

Campground Name: Santaland RV Park

Campground’s website: http://www.santalandrv.com/index.shtml

Campers comments:

This was a very clean place. It was more tight than we prefer, but the sites were grassy and well maintained. Staff was very friendly and helpful. And the shopping at Santa’s was great! Would definitely recommend to anyone. We camped here in a Motorhome in June 2004.

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Seward

Campground Name: Bear Creek RV Park

Campground’s website: http://www.bearcreekrv.com

Park in quiet area. Spots are well maintained. Offers free WiFi as well as free breakfast. Owners and help are pleasant and helpful. Showers and bathroom are individual rooms and very well maintained. Very nice view of the Mountains from the sites. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel in July 2005.

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Skagway

Campground Name: Garden City RV Park

Campground’s website:

Campers comments:

Very helpful owner. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel in August 2005.

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St George Island

Campground Name: St George Island State Park

Campground’s website:

Campers comments:

Just great, we were there in Nov. and did not have or need a reservation. Beach is gorgeous, good biking and walking. Woodalls says max length for rigs 33′, but there were several there bigger than that. We camped here in a Motorhome in 2002.

Find out why RV Lifestyles said: “The Free Spirit may be just the ticket for RVers looking for a sleek diesel motorhome that can double as a second car.”

Engine

MBE 600 2.7 Liter Turbocharged 5 cyl. Diesel

Horse Power

154 @ 3,800 rpm

Torque

243 ft. lb ft. @ 1600-2400 rpm

Transmission

Mercedes-Benz 5-speed Auto/w/OD

Tire Size

225x75R16 load Range E

Tire Pressure

FT 55lbs, rear 79 lbs

Brakes

4-wheel disc w/ABS

Fuel Tank

26.4 gallons U.S.

100 Liters

Air Bags

Passenger and Driver

LEISURE SPECS

Fresh Water Tank

26 US Gallons

99 Liters

Grey Water Tank

21 US Gallons

79 Liters

Black Water Tank

9.8 US Gallons

37.09 Liters

Hot Water Tank

(Propane/110v)

6 US Gallons

22.7 Liters

Box Awning

13’2″

4.02m

Propane Tank w/electric shut off

11.5 US Gallons/39 lbs

2.5KW Propane Onan Generator

(no load 0.9lb/hr, 1/2 load 1.5 lb/hr, full load 2.4 lb/hr

Furnace

16,000 BTU

Air Conditioner

9100 cold Air delivered BTU’s Coleman Polar Cub w/1800 Watt Heat Strip

Features

Ground Clearance standard @ sewer disposal 8 1/2″

No isolator automatic selonoid shut off for auxillary battery

Water Expension lines w/low point drain

18′ pre connected sewer hose

Warranty

Base Vehicle

3 yrs/36,000 miles or 60,000 kilometers

Diesel Engine

7 yrs/100,000 miles or 160,000 kilometers ($100 deductible after 5 yrs)

Power Train

7 yrs/100,000 miles or 160,000 kilometers ($100 deductible after 3 yrs/36,000 miles)

Body Corrosion-All Panels

3 yrs/unlimited miles: Outer Panels-5 yrs/100,000 miles or 160,000 kilometers

Road Side Assistance

3 yrs/36,000 miles or 60,000 kilometers

Federal Emissions

5 yrs/100,000 miles or 160,000 kilometers

BODY CONSTRUCTION

* Heavy-Duty Steel Superstructure

* Steel Cage Cockpit Construction

* Seamless One-Piece Molded Crowned Fiberglass Roof

* All-Season Foam Insulated Roof

* Laminated Gel Coat Fiberglass Sidewalls

* Five-Layer Flooring with Two Layers of 5/8½ Dyna-Span Flooring

* One-Piece Front and Rear Molded Fiberglass Caps with Recess in Front Cap for Mirror Bases and Integrated Air and Turbo Intake in Rear Cap

* Deluxe Full-Body Paint

* One-Piece Front Windshield

* Triple Head Power Controlled Heated Chrome Exterior Mirrors with

COCKPIT

* Fiberglass Automotive Dash with Silver Circuit Board Instrumentation Panel

* Tan Gauges with Black Lettering and Gun Metal Bezels

* In-Dash Outside Temperature

* Aladdin™ Video Coach System with On/Momentary Switch and Integrated Compass

* CB Radio with Antenna

* Recessed Slide-Out Dash Workstation

* Power Sunvisors

* Pilot and Co-Pilot Side Window Manual Sunscreens

* Adjustable Brake and Accelerator Pedals

* In-Dash AM/FM Stereo with Cassette and Single CD Player

* Color Rear Vision System with Audio

* Lighted VIP Smartwheel® with Controls for Windshield Wipers

APPLIANCES AND ACCESSORIES

* Double-Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker and Raised Panel Doors

* Recessed High-Output Two-Burner Cooktop with Flush Mount Covers

* Spacesaver Convection Microwave with Touch Control

* Manual TV Antenna with “Antenna Up” Light on Dash

* Prep for Satellite Receiver

* 24½ Flatscreen Color Stereo TV with Remote in Living Area

* 20½ Flatscreen Color Stereo TV with Remote in Bedroom

* Home Theater System with DVD/VCR/CD Player

* Bedroom DVD/VCR Combo

* Universal Remote System

* Cable TV Hook-Up and Telephone Jacks

* Washer/Dryer Prep

INTERIOR

* Alder Hardwood Cabinetry

* Solid Wood Square Raised Panel Cabinet Doors with Hidden Hinges

* Crown Molding in Living Room and Bedroom

* Lined Cabinet Shelves

* Dinette Wall Cabinet with Solid Surface Top

* Built-In Storage Area for Kitchen Countertop Covers

* Bedroom Dresser

* Clothing Hamper in Bedroom

* Low-Friction Roller Drawer Guides

* Padded Vinyl Ceiling with Recess in Living Room

* Solid Surface Galley Countertop with Integrated Solid Surface Sink and Decorative Edge Detail

* Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops with Integrated Sink and Decorative Edge Detail

* Solid Surface Galley Backsplash with Tile Inserts

* Drawer below Washer/Dryer Cabinet for Detergent Storage

* Day/Night Pleated Shades in Living Area and Blackout Shades in Bedroom

* Mini Blinds in Kitchen and Bathroom

* Wallpaper Throughout

FURNITURE

* Queen Mattress (60½ X 80½)
* Corian® Top Legless Dinette Table with Two Freestanding Chairs and Two Folding Chairs
* Passenger Side Fabric J-Lounge
* Driver Side Fabric Sleeper Sofa
* Passenger Side Fabric Swivel Recliner
* Dresser with Corian® Top across from Bed

HEATING, VENTS AND AIR CONDITIONING

* Two Dometic 15M BTU Low-Profile Ducted Roof Air Conditioners with Wall Thermostat and Heat Pump (40 Platinum III Only)

* Three Dometic 15M BTU Low-Profile Ducted Roof Air Conditioners with Wall Thermostat and Heat Pump (N/A: 40 Platinum III)

* Two 25M BTU Electronic Ignition Furnaces

* Electronic AC/Heat Climate Control System

* 12V Attic Fan in Bathroom and in Private Lavatory

* 12V Attic Fan with Wall Thermostat in Kitchen

SAFETY

* Back-Up Alarm
* Fire Extinguisher
* Deadbolt Lock on Entrance Door
* Lighted Interior and Exterior Grab Handles
* 120V GFI Protected Circuit
* LP Gas Detector
* Smoke Detector
* Carbon Monoxide Detector
* Integrated Pilot and Co-Pilot Three Point Seat Belts
* Third Brake Safety Light
* Egress Windows

* Towing capacity is limited by GCWR; your vehicle’s towing capacity is the difference between the GCWR and the actual vehicle weight, including all water, fuel, passengers and cargo. Your towed vehicle should be equipped with auxiliary brakes if the weight of the towed vehicle exceeds 1,000 lbs. Consult your Owner’s Manual for further towing information.

www.motorhomeworld.com offers offers one available in both America and Europe.

“To advertise your motorhome – don’t guess a price.

When buying a motorhome – don’t pay too much.

You can now obtain a realistic price guide on a used motorhome from 1984 onwards. All you have to do is fill in the used motorhome details below. Within 48 hours we will send an e-mail advising you of the wholesale and retail price guide.

Terms

For a special price of only

Continuing A Tradition of Serving RVers

The Good Sam Club began in 1966 when a group of RV owners put Good Samaritan bumper stickers on their rigs so fellow members would know they could get help on the road. From this small club it grew. In the early days, Good Sams members spread the word at RV parks and other club events. Soon everyone wanted to know how to get a Good Sam “smiling face” decal.

Today, the goal remains the same as from those days: to make RVing safer and more enjoyable, and save members money through club-endorsed benefits and services. The Good Sam Club is now 1 million RVing families strong and still growing! Members still have fun, members stop to help one another and meet our responsibilities to the environment, the highways and the park system.

Good Sam Club Benefits

* Personalized Good Sam Membership Card

* All privileges and benefits of membership

* One year subscription to Highways magazine

* 10% discount at over 1,600 RV Parks & Campgrounds in the US and Canada

* 10% discount on RV parts & accessories at hundreds of RV service centers

* Discounts on Trailer Life RV Campground Directory and RV-related books and magazines

* Discounts on long distance telephone services

* Discounts on eye exams, contact lenses and eye wear

* Information on joining a local chapter

Good Sam Club Member Services

* FREE RV trip routing service, FREE Spouse Membership, FREE Credit card loss protection

* Online campground reservation services

* Members-only rates on RV and auto insurance – Avg. member saves $258.50 annually

* Opportunity to join Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service and CVP (cars, vans, pickups) Roadside Assistance

* Good Sam Continued Service Plan can save you thousands on RV repairs.

* Preferred rates on RV financing and refinancing

* Good Sam VISA credit card that can earn you points towards discounts on RV-related products and services

* Mail forwarding

You can find out about all this and more at www.goodsamsclub.com.

ATVs, off-road motorcycles, jetskis, go-carts, fifth wheel campers and pop-up trailer campers all fit the basic description. However, the first four are specifically made for one or two passengers to ride on various terrains, sometimes very quickly.

Fifth wheel campers and pop-up trailer campers are intended for two or more persons to travel together on paved roads, with the additional ability to do most of what you would do at home in the same place. You probably wouldn’t be terribly comfortable sleeping in a go-cart or cooking breakfast on your off-road motorcycle.

As designs improve and space expands as a result, the typical small-group (we’ll just call them “family”) camper seems to be moving away from the “small” category. They still remain suited only for family trips, as enhancements allow greater comfort and usability without morphing into something akin to an NFL team’s bus.

Their appeal lies in their portability and readiness, and not what they can hold. A few hours’ preparation transforms them into a little home away from home while you’re…well…away from home. You can enjoy the feeling of firm walls and ceilings surrounding you and providing stronger protection from the elements than a mere tent can afford. It’s that sense of having a “place” to which you can return after exploring new surroundings that makes it fun.

Why then are they considered small recreational vehicles? They don’t provide the recreation. They simply make it possible in more places and more ways than it might normally be. You see the world and a lot more of it instead of watching it zip by you!

From Oregon to Florida, these parks are giving the new fleet of superexpensive motorhomes a suitably posh place to park (and in the right neighborhood). With spots alone selling for $200,000 or more, some of these parks come with Venetian-style canals, private docks and patio-side wine chillers. And with the number of people traveling domestically inching up 2.5% this summer, according to the Travel Industry Association, luxury RV resorts are booming even more.

Still, the rich and famous of the motorhome set can’t escape the drawbacks of life on the road. Because these resorts obviously don’t have valets, owners have to park their rolling behemoths themselves – and keep the inside tidy (no maid service). And never mind if your RV costs more than $1 million: you’ll still have to drain your own sewer tank.

The parks, of course, are trying to catch up with the nation’s ever-rising interest in upscale RVs. Sales of supersize trailers and motorhomes, measuring as long as 40 feet, increased about 26% last year to $2.45 billion, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. But until recently, most parks offered little more than a Ms Pac-Man game and a shuffleboard court – much to the displeasure of new “land yacht” owners, many of whom are retiring baby boomers with wanderlust.

Kampgrounds of America, based in Billings, Montana, charges a 20 – 30% premium for its “supersites,” parking spaces souped up with $400 gas grills, Internet hookups, private Jacuzzis and even patio lights with dimmer switches. Heck, that’s nothing: at Desert Shores Motorcoach Resort in Southern California, most spots are outfitted with casitas (a small house) for expanded room – and sell for six figures. One even has a granite fireplace, heated stone floors and a 10,000-gallon swimming pool with a four-tier waterfall. It just sold for $550,000.

There are still just a handful of truly upscale RV resorts. In fact, fewer than 5% of the nation’s 8,500 campgrounds and parks fall into the category, according to the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Not for long. In addition to Outdoor Resorts’ new parks, KOA is rolling out scores of upgraded “supersites.” And it’s not just the big RV park chains spending big on perks: Independent Deer Park Golf & RV Resort near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, also completed a million-dollar upgrade, adding a new swimming pool, spa and movie theatre.

Many people who pull into these ritzy RV parks stay for weeks, if not months, before hitting the highway again. Some upscale resorts limit the amount of time site owners can stay to six months or less (to prevent people from permanently moving in). When they’re gone, owners can either rent their spot or let it sit vacant.

LA PACIFICA R V RESORT 1010 W San Ysidro Blvd San Ysidro, CA 92173 (619) 428-4411

LAKE ALMANOR RESORTS 326 Peninsula Dr Westwood, CA 96137 (530) 596-3575

LAKE BERRYESSA MARINA RESORT 5800 KNOXVILLE RD NAPA, CA 94558 (707) 966-0443

LAKE BERRYESSA MARINA RESORT – Main Gate Napa, CA 94558 (707) 966-0443

LAKE BERRYESSA MARINA RESORT – Main Office Napa, CA 94558 (707) 966-2161

Here’s a list of fifth wheel travel trailer manufacturers in the US affiliated with RVUSA.com, a major RV parts site. One may even be close to you, but they’d love to hear your questions. Good luck!

Alfa Leisure 1612 S. Cucamonga Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761 909-628-5574

Ameri-Camp PO Box 249
72440 SR 13
Syracuse, IN 46567 574-528-6007

Americana RV PO Box 2493
Capo Beach, CA 92624 800-552-5250

Apache RVs 28868 Paul Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514 574-262-1923

Arnold Engineering 5135 W. 3000 S.
PO Box 1917
Roosevelt, UT 84066 435-823-5160

ATS Interiors 1245 Old Lamar Road
Hope Hull, AL 36043 334-613-0018

Automate, Inc. 150 West G Street
PO Box 831
Los Banos, CA 93635

Custom Campers PO Box 965
Chanute, KS 66720 620-431-3990

Damon Corporation 2958 Gateway Drive
PO Box 2888
Elkhart, IN 46515 219-262-2624

Double B Trailers, LLC 1124 S. MacArthur
Oklahoma City, OK 73128 405-917-1800

Double Duty RV Conversion 23024 Hospital Street
Cassopolis, MI 49031 616-445-3763

Dream Catcher Interiors 11301 S I-44 Service Road
PO Box 890430
Oklahoma City, OK 73189 405-691-8222

Duster Camper II 2050 Bluebonnet Pkwy
McGregor, TX 76657 254-840-3770

Dutchmen Mfg 2164 Caragana Court
Goshen, IN 46526 574-534-1224

Eclipse Recreational Vehicles, Inc. 5486 Industrial Pkwy, Bldg B
San Bernardino, CA 92407 909-880-6868

Euro-Liner, LLC 4251 Pine Creek Road
Elkhart, IN 46514 574-296-1550

Exiss Aluminum Trailers 900 Exiss Blvd.
PO Box D
El Reno, OK 73036 405-262-6471

Extreme RVs 412 S Kit Avenue
PO Box 1420
Caldwell, ID 83606 208-453-2500

Featherlite Mfg 816 7th St W. Erickson Ind. Pk
PO Box 380
Cresco, IA 52136 319-547-2600

Fleetwood RV 3125 Myers St.
Riverside, CA 92503 951-351-3500

Forest River 255 S. Pepper Avenue
Rialto, CA 92376 909-873-3777

Horizons 2168 Mid America Drive
Junction City, KS 66441 785-238-7575

Kit Manufacturing 412 S Kit Avenue
PO Box 1420
Caldwell, ID 83606 208-453-2500

Komfort Corporation Division Of Thor Industries 12628 SE Jennifer St.
Clackamas, OR 97015 503-722-5199

McKenzie Towables – Monaco 91320 Coburg Industrial Way
Coburg, OR 97408

Mountain High Coachworks 4750 Zinfandel CT
Ontario, CA 91761 909-390-0300

National RV 3411 N Perris Blvd.
Perris, CA 92571 951-943-6007

Northwood Manufacturing 59948 Downs Rd.
La Grande, OR 97850 541-962-6274

Nu-Wa Industries 3701 Johnson Road
Chanute, KS 66720 620-431-2088

Pace American 11550 Harter Drive
Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-7223

Peterson Industries 616 E Hwy 36
Smith Center, KS 66967 785-282-6825

Pilgrim International 14489 US 20
Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-8686

Play-Mor Trailers Hwy 63 South
PO Box 128
Westphalia, MO 65085 573-455-2387

Pony Hills Conversions 12796 State Highway 30
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 507-583-2457

Schooley Custom Conversions 204 Michail Drive
Longview, TX 75603 903-234-8342

Sooner Trailer Mfg. 1515 McCurdy Road
Duncan, OK 73533 580-470-7123

Space Craft Mfg, Inc. 28115 Old Hwy 40
PO Box 946
Concordia, MO 64020 660-463-7520

Stage Coach Conversions 10160 US 62
Leesburg, OH 45135 937-393-3035

Stallion Customs 16307 Aberdeen Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304 612-434-1305

Sunline Coach Company 245 S Muddy Creek Road
Denver, PA 17517 717-336-2858

SunnyBrook RV 201 14th Street
Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-5250

Sycamore Industries 314 Whittle Circle
Sycamore, GA 229-567-0142

The MHC Group 9550 Hermosa Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 909-989-9399

Thor Industries 419 W Pike Street
Jackson Center, OH 45334 937-596-6849

Timberland RV 1482 N. Eel River Cemetery Road
PO Box 1210
Peru, IN 46970 765-475-9500

Trillium Trailors , Wagner Trailer Interiors 7575 Highway 177
Shawnee, OK 74804 405-964-4242

Weekend Warrior Trailers (see Rage’n, Inc.) 1320 Oleander Avenue
Perris, CA 92571 951-940-5556

Western Recreational Vehicles PO Box 9547
Yakima, WA 98909 509-457-4133

4×4 or 4×2

If you plan on going off road, boon docking or camping on beaches, a 4×4 might just be the ticket. But if all you are going to do is stay on highways, park in RV parks and the occasional gravel/dirt campground, a 4×2 is the way to go. If honesty gained points I’m sure a few 4×4 owners would step forward and admit they have never switched into 4-Lo yet.

Trailer brakes

Simply put, the bigger the better. You will hear many people say that the truck has to be able to stop both itself and the trailer, but that justisn’t so. The trailer brakes are designed to stop the trailer. If you have an option to buy larger brakes or disk brakes on the trailer, by all means do it.

Truck Wheelbase

The longer wheel base you can have on the truck, the smoother the ride you will get. The drawbacks are maneuvering around town and their turning radius. You need to decide if the amount of towing you do warrants the longer truck over the inconveniences of everyday driving around town. If you decide on the longer wheel base truck, your back will thank you the first 3000 mile trip you take.

Matching a truck to your “driving style”

Properly matching up a truck to a trailer is more than just looking up weight capacities in a brochure. Will you feel comfortable driving up a 5 mile long 7% grade pulling that 13,000 lb trailer with the 6 liter engine screaming just to go 25 mph, then worrying about the trailer pushing the truck down the hill on the other side because it just doesn’t “feel right”? Or would you feel more comfy pulling the same trailer with a more powerful engine? Half the trip is in the driving, no sense in making it a “white knuckle” experience.

Trucks are expensive

Buying one today only to find out you really should have bought a more capable truck only adds frustration and who needs more of that? Take time evaluating what is important to you now as well as what may be important LATER, which could be as soon as next year. It’s tough trading in a one year old truck… I know! A few more dollars a month in payments or fuel costs may be easily offset by a more pleasurable towing experience on your vacation.

Well, there you have it, now you have some basic knowledge at your disposal to go out and look at trucks and trailers without some salesperson taking advantage of you.