Entering the final lap in our search for the perfect DP

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminWelcome back to the ongoing, never ending search for the perfect diesel pusher.  After reviewing all the previous posts and the stuff we have been talking about, I have decided to take a bit of a right turn here and slightly change the way I am reviewing the various motorhomes we will be looking at.  First of all, I have cut down the list of motorhomes to a total of 8 and second, I am going to use the 32 items we listed in our earlier posts to come up with a grade for each of the motorhomes we review.  I will start in this post with the number 8 coach on the list as graded by my very arbitrary scale.  First let me say that in doing these reviews, I do not claim to have actually walked into all, or even any of these coaches.  To find a representative model to look at would require me to drive several hundred miles in several directions from my home and I simply can’t do that.  I did spend quite a bit of time on the various manufacturer’s websites looking at the information presented there.  One thing I did learn for certain is that virtually all the manufacturer’s... Read more

More bears

By Bob Difley There was another bear attack (this time a grizzly) this week on campers. Kevin Kammer of Grand Rapids, Michigan was dragged from his tent in Soda Butte campground in the Gallatin National Forest in northeastern Yellowstone National Park near Cooke City, Montana. Kammer was dragged for twenty-five feet where he was killed. Fish and Wildlife personnel blamed the attack on a sow and her three yearling cubs. At least one of the bears fed on the man. The bears were also believed to have attacked another man who started punching the bear as it was biting him on the leg and it ran off.  The bears attacked another woman and her husband who were tent camping nearby.  The woman received bites and a broken arm.  The woman said she had bear spray in her tent but couldn’t get to it when the bear attacked. She played dead and the bear wandered off. The sow and all three cubs have been captured and DNA tests determined that the sow was the attacker. She was destroyed and her cubs will be sent to a zoo. This is at least the second incidence in the last few weeks of a person who had bear spray being attacked by a bear but did not have it handy enough to use it. The other was a trio of bicyclists in Alaska. The bear spray was in a backpack when the bear attacked. If you don’t have bear spray and are camping or boondocking in bear country, get some–and a holster or clip so you can attach it  to your belt to keep it handy. It  works! Another disturbing aspect... Read more

Our Alaska Trip Part XXVII Responding to You

This is the 27th in a continuing series about our trip through Canada to Alaska Wednesday we arrived in Skagway, Alaska, after a long drive from Destruction Bay, Yukon.  The trip took us into two provinces (Yukon Territory and British Columbia) and one state (Alaska) and included two surprises.  Surprise 1 – The road out of Destruction Bay began as another of those horrid blacktops with jarring frost heaves that caused members of the caravan to be ready to stomp on the brakes at all times for about a hundred miles.  The tough part was that the highway was fine for a mile or two until we began bouncing unexpectedly.  Some spots were marked with signs or flags but most weren’t.  Caution, caution, caution!   Surprise 2 – The second surprise was that this was one of the most awe-inspiring segments of the trip that we have encountered.  Monique called it “outrageous” because of the beauty.  Not only are the lakes, mountain, rivers and terrain gorgeous, but there are a variety of attractions along the way that slowed down our progress.  A “glacial desert” among the mountains, the historic village of Carcross, two interesting bridges and other unexpected sights begged us to make roadside stops.   "Outrageous," "Awe-Inspiring," Call it what you will, the drive to Skagway (top right) is worth taking the bumps in the road Skagway is a major port of call for cruise ships, many of which carry more passengers and crew than the town’s population... Read more

Driving An RV. How Old Is Too Old?

A Lug_Nut pondering thought.   A while ago, while staying in an RV resort, I got to thinking about the aging population.  Of those that enjoy RVing today many are in the upper middle age group.  This is particularly true when looking at the people that own larger RV’s like motor homes and 5th wheel trailers combinations.  Despite the average age of people that own RV’s in the U.S. being in the mid forties, one must realize that RV;s include everything from a tent trailer and up. In the larger class of both motor homes and trailers there are many owners that are 65 years old and older.  This may be partially due to the cost of some of these rigs.  For the investment required, the average working person could not possibly reap enough benefits from it given the available free time their job may offer.  Then of course there is the affordability.  Life is backwards, by the time you can afford what you want, you are too old to enjoy it.  Well, that may fit most cases, but with an RV that may not hold true. So, how old is too old to operate a motor home or trailer combination?  There is no correct answer.  There is a time when one must quit.  This time is when one may become either physically or mentally unable to operate their vehicle in a safe manner for all concerned.  This does not only affect aging drivers, but applies to all.  But, we will look at those that are caused by age. What actually causes this to happen to an otherwise healthy senior citizen?  His eye... Read more

Daily RV Deal: 2010 Keystone Raptor

2010 Keystone Raptor Previously $76,782 – Now $49,999 41 ft Toy Hauler will be perfect for your next Adventurcation. Room for whatever you want to haul, and Luxury Living Pkg., Entertainment Pkg., Safety Pkg., Interior Value Pkg., Exterior Value Pkg., 15.0 Ducted AC, Onan Generator w/Fuel Station, and so much more! Offered from Kitsmiller RV, Inc. in Mason, MI. Email seller for details on this 2010 Keystone Raptor! Find more great RVs on  Read More →

Our Alaska Trip Part XXVI The Weather in Alaska

This is the 26th in a continuing series about our trip through Canada to Alaska  Our caravan has arrived at its 23rd stop in 48 days.  We have seen an incredible amount of geography from Washington State through British Columbia and Alaska, with a glimpse of Alberta. This series has focused, not on the scenery, history or wildlife, but on our experiences as RVers taking part in a caravan.  There have been dozens of side trips, excursions, cultural talks and events that haven’t been included, but they have definitely contributed to this journey-of-a-lifetime.  We are still finding more RV-related topics to discuss as we enter the final 10 days of our caravan and probably after that, but we’re always interested in what else you want to know about the trip.   Please let us know in the Comments Section.  And if you missed any of this series, you can see all of it and a few more previous posts at blog.rv.net/author/barry-zander.  THE WEATHER – Can you image the shock if you sat down at a Blackjack table in Las Vegas and were dealt 10 Blackjacks in a row?  That’s the thrill that Monique and I have felt over the past six weeks.  While we have had dreary, chilly days along the way, rainy nights and travel days, it seems like clouds have parted and the sun came out for every tour and day-long cruise on our route.   As I mentioned in an earlier article, it may be that the Creator of all this beauty wanted us to see it at its best so we could convey our excitement to... Read more

Daily RV Deal: 2006 Fleetwood 33R

2006 Fleetwood 33R Previously $69,750 – Now $46,999 This 33 ft class A used RV will keep you traveling in style without breaking the bank! Kept in amazing condition, it includes many features such as backup camera, dual ac, 5.0KW generator up grade, entertainment system, basement storage, sofa/dinette slide out, and more! Offered from El Monte RV – Santa Fe Spings in Santa Fe Spring, CA. Email seller for details on this 2006 Fleetwood 33R! Find more great RVs on  Read More →

Daily RV Deal: 2010 Winnebago View 24J

2010 Winnebago View 24J Previously $94,781 – Now $78,900 24 ft class B diesel RV is the perfect choice for hassle free comfort. For a small RV, you’ll be blown away by the features it has, enclosed shower, exterior wash station, 3.6 Kw Onan generator, over cabin bunk, booth dinette, and more! Offered from Town & Country RV in Clyde, OH. Email seller for details on this 2010 Winnebago View 24J! Find more great RVs on  Read More →

VIDEO: The Most Civilized Thing in the World?

“Long Long Honeymoon” is now available on DVD — see ALL the videos, PLUS original commentary soundtracks. A great gift for any RVer! CLICK HERE for more information.”   Several years ago, my brother and his family lived in Detroit. I thus visited the Motor City many times. While we spent much of our time just hangin’ out in the suburbs, we also explored vast expanses of urban sprawl for which Detroit is famous (and/or infamous). Thereafter, whenever someone mentioned “Michigan,” my brain conjured images of concrete, steel, and asphalt. But this stretch of our Long Long Honeymoon has opened my eyes. The vast majority of Michigan could not be more different from Mo-Town. Read more  Read More →

Daily Preventive Maintenance Travel Checks

  We just returned from a five week long RV trip, traversing the country from east to west and back again. Something I noticed that surprised me is the majority of RVers I saw at the campground did not take a minute or two to check the fluid levels in their RV or tow vehicle after arriving at the campground, or before leaving on the next days journey. I’m sure some people did check their vehicle over and I just didn’t see it, but what I am saying is that out of all the campgrounds we stayed I saw very few people with the hood up checking fluid levels.  Read more  Read More →

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