2009 Stella Award Winner (It isn’t Winnebago)

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 AdminIf you think it’s been a bad year for the RV industry, and especially motorhome manufacturers, this year’s first place Stella Award must have those at Winnebago shaking their heads and asking, “What next”? In case you don’t recognize the Stella Awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck, who spilled hot coffee in her lap after she took the lid off the coffee, placed it between her legs, and drove off. It didn’t occur to her that it might spill and burn her, which it did. The kicker is, of course, that she successfully sued the McDonald’s in New Mexico where she purchased the coffee and won. The annual awards are for the most ridiculous law suits–not for being filed, but for actually being won! This year’s runaway First Place Stella Award winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mrs. Grazinski purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home and on her first trip home from an Oklahoma U football game, she drove onto the freeway, set the cruise control at 70 mph. Then she calmly left the driver’s... Read more

Gas-Powered Lazy Boy - Perfect for RV Parks and Shows

Ever wish you had a quick, yet comfortable way to get around an RV Park or RV Show? This gentleman figured it out. Watch the video and smile more… Tell a Friend Read More →

Guy Rules

Okay, fellows, this is for your eyes only. If your beautiful bride spots this we’re both in big trouble. These helpful hints are guaranteed to make things easier as you travel down the highway of life with the girl of your dreams. Strict adherence to these “guy rules” can add years of enjoyment to your leisure time, while ignoring them could make the rest of your days one long journey through a traffic jam in a construction zone. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Am I a Full-timer? I think so…

I was in the valley over Easter spending time with family and stayed with them. During my stay I observed some humorous things. It made me think a little and laugh a lot and wondered if after nearly 7 years if I was a seasoned full-timer or what. I found myself at everyone’s house trying to flush their toilet with my foot. I also found myself turning the water off a couple times in the shower while scrubbing down then turning it back on and almost asked my brother how often he dumped his tanks. Little things like that. I watched my sons neighbor who’s a friend of mine mow his lawn and work up a sweat. I myself got tired watching him and have to have something cool to drink with him afterwards. It seemed like a half day event to walk from one end of the house to the other, it was like an adventure walk. I looked around my brother’s house and thought, what in the world would I do with all this stuff!? He had more stuff in his garage than I had in my whole RV! I did get a little choked up seeing my old mower and weed eater, but was glad they were still together. I had raised them their whole life and that was one of the things that really bothered me in leaving on my full-time adventures, splitting the two up and in different homes. Sure glad my brother came to the rescue! One family member told me they sure wished they could do what I was doing, but I told them to forget it as it was cost prohibitive as house movers cost a fortune! I drove by my old house and stopped.... Read more

RV’ing dull? Not with Firedude!

Not if you’re riding with me! What Firedude has an occasional boo boo? I thought a bit of humor was in store for my next blog. Here’s an excerpt from my first book….. Now Firedude being the seasoned expert that I am of course I never make any mistakes. Well until now I just haven’t admitted to any. I figured maybe I had better come clean in hopes of saving you some money, time and the embarrassment! I know many of you thought the Firedude was/is an expert on RV’ing (yeah right), but well I have my moments. I’m trying my best to minimize and eliminate these nowadays. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Encounters of a different kind

I found out as a camp host given the fact you’re in the campground all the time versus occasional camping trips you tend to see some “different” things. In this blog I thought I’d offer some of the interesting things I’ve ran across and seen. One is you can meet a wide variety of campers such as Melanie from Las Vegas. She was camping with her “dad” who has had her since a baby. At 33 years old she was the hit of the campground and drew quite a crowd! The kids loved her! While not your typical camper, nonetheless she enjoyed her trip to the beach. Here’s “Mel”… Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

5 Easy Steps to Help Keep RV Dump Stations Open

There is a real concern about what the future holds for RV dump stations. RV dump stations everywhere are closing down operation because of several reasons. Some, but not all of these reasons are the costs and headaches involved to keep them operating and properly maintained, the wrong types of chemical treatments used by RVers, and because of neglect and poor housekeeping by RVers who use these dump stations. Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

Eight Ways to Deal with Global Warming Nutcases

Are you convinced that global warming is a bunch of political bunk concocted out of personal greed? Is “drill, baby, drill” the answer to high fuel prices (that are now starting to creep up again) and the solution to importing OPEC oil? Do you feel that you have earned your McMansion-on-wheels and you are going to get the most out of it? You are not alone. So, for those of you that want to throw down the gauntlet of deniability, a pie in the face of enviro-whackos and climate change fanatics, here are eight ways to flaunt your frontier-style independence, your choice of free will over scientific malarkey, and to demonstrate your God-given right to what you deserve and the freedom to choose how you decide—not somebody else—how to live your life. 1. Forget that nonsense about driving slower. Cruising at 70 mph or better (watch out for those speed traps) will get you where you are going faster so you can beat others to the best campsites. 2. Don’t waste time staying at campgrounds too long. Once you spend about half a day seeing the sights, you’ve probably seen what there is to see. It’s time to move on to another place. Otherwise, how can you see the whole country if you stay too long in one place. 3. Leave your old-style lights bulbs that came with your rig until they burn out, then replace them with the same cheap ones. Why spend money when you don’t have to for lower energy lights. The campground pays for the electricity anyway. 4. Get rid of your recycle bins.... Read more

The Lighter Side, 10 things you should NEVER do with your RV!

Ten things you NEVER do with your RV. Some of these are just plain old common sense, some you learn the hard way and some… well; you just don’t do it with an RV! Read more Tell a Friend Read More →

So, you want to be a Camp Host?

From the desk of Firedude Well it can sure be an interesting position. I was a volunteer camp host on the central coast of California for California State Parks for nearly 6 years. During which time I hosted about 9-10 months of the year and traveled the rest. I thought I had seen it all in my 33 year career as a firefighter, but couldn’t have been more wrong! The position was great and I was allowed to set the schedules. We worked a 3 day on 3 day off (firefighter style) shift. That meant you worked 3 straight days and off 3 straight days leaving you time to go places, see things and even take short trips if you desired. This didn’t mean you had to be in the campground 24/7 by any means. My position consisted of a morning and noon camp check and be available to sell firewood at hours you designate (within reason) and available to answer questions etc. In reality it could have been done in a matter of 2-3 hours per day. You can put forth more effort if you wish and of course I did because I enjoyed it. I decided even though I was retired I wanted to stay active and not sit on my duff. In exchange you received your full hookup campsite and other perks such a free tours of Hearst Castle for you and friends, an annual swim party at the pool at Hearst Castle, a free day use pass for all Ca. state parks, free firewood and some others. Staff also put on a few BBQ’s per year as well and very enjoyable. In our sector there was NO maintenance or cleaning of restrooms... Read more

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