Featured State...
Virginia The Old Dominion

Mother of Presidents
Of the first twelve Presidents of the United States, seven were Virginians -- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and Zachary Taylor. In the 20th century, Woodrow Wilson became the eighth Virginian to serve as president.

A Slogan to Remember
Since 1969, Virginia tourism has benefited from one of the most memorable advertising slogans of any U.S. state -- "Virginia is for Lovers". The slogan was developed by a Richmond advertising agency, Martin and Woltz Inc., at the behest of the Virginia State Travel Service and was designed to appeal to a younger generation of tourists. No one has been able to determine precisely why the slogan has been so durable, but tourism officials contend that the slogan's vagueness is part of its mystique. Whether it's the state's history, mountains, beaches, or people, Virginia offers a lot to love.

Points of Interest
When you're in Virginia, you're never far from a special place to visit. Among the most popular destinations for tourists are Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington; Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson; Stratford, the home of Robert E. Lee; the Booker T. Washington birthplace near Roanoke; Richmond, capital of the Confederacy and of Virginia; Williamsburg, the restored colonial capital, Luray Caverns, the Skyline Drive, and the Blue Ridge National Parkway.

Web Sites
www.virginia.org
www.myvirginia.org

Virginia National Parks
Colonial National Historical Park
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
Shenandoah National Park
Full List National Parks in Virginia

Site Updates
The RV-Coach Network is continually upgrading our web sites in response to your feedback. Below is a summary of the most significant recent changes.

RV Glossary
Learn to speak the language of the RVing world.

RV Types
RVs come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the main categories and classes that make up the RV world.

RV Manufacturers Directory
Find out more about the companies that build the RVs you see on the road.

Find RVs for Sale
We've added powerful new search features in our Classified Ads to help you quickly find the RVs you're looking for. In addition to searching by category (Class A, Bus Conversions, Fifth Wheel, etc.), you now have the ability to target a single state/province, manufacturer, or dealer. If you need to narrow your focus still further, check out our advanced search tools.

RV Dealers Special
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Benefits of a Dealer account:

• Show your inventory to 100,000+ RVers each month.
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• Convert your online inventory to printed flyers in seconds.
• Gain exposure on web sites throughout the RV-Coach Network.
• Enjoy priority rankings within category and search result listings.
• Point customers to your own dealership web page.

Private Owners --
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Chat Box
We appreciate all our visitors, especially those who are willing to help out fellow RVers. This newsletter, special thanks goes to ED, Stephanie, and rosemarie anthony for offering friendly advice to a newbie planning a year-long road trip.

Newbie RVers
Advice for to-be newbie.... please!
Q: from britt -- I was hoping to get some advise from some experienced people! Here's my situation: I and my good friend (I'm 21 she's 24) live in Indiana. We are hoping to buy a old used RV, maybe allow 8 months to save $, and take off! We think we could survive fine by living somewhere a few months, working as waitresses to pay our expenses, and then move on as we please. We are hoping to do this for about a year (or until we get sick of one another!). We just need advise like: will 2 girls be able to handle all of this? Are we being naive? Any advise regarding ANYTHING would be awesome... We just want to have fun while we are young and not commited! Thanks

A: from ED -- Well, you certainly are in for a treat! This country has much to offer for the RV traveler. Of course, wisdom is going to be your best defense. We do live in a troubled world, and the two of you would be wise to consider safety. That being said, you should read as many articles, books, etc. about being on the road. Just because you can survive on the road doesn't mean you'll enjoy it. So, careful planning is in order.

Go to the FAQ section of this site for "newbie" information and traveling costs.

Make sure you have a cell phone. Make sure you tell people where you are each day. Make sure you have a route planned (which doesn't mean you can't revise it as you go), so that you will be missed if something were to happen.

You may want to rent an RV for a week, or borrow one, to see if you can live in close quarters with someone. The worst thing to do is spend all the money first, only to find out that you can be friends, but only if your not living in an RV!

Calculate your expenses wisely, and then double check them with someone else.

Hope this ranting helps...

A: from Stephanie -- Well I'm just about to buy my first RV, a 1987 Winnebago. I have found several out there with low miles and between the $7-16K range. I don't know much but I would say look for low miles and if you can, a single owner so you can find out it's history. I will have my husband and 13-year-old son with me so I don't worry much. I think you could have a great time if you're smart. Find out where you want to go (North, South, East or West), then check the area you want to go. (Check with the Chambers of Commerce in that area; even call the police to check the crime rate.) I think you should try the Northeast along the coast. I know Maine has alot of RV parks that would be great in the summer and you could walk to a job (if you like the beach). Have a great time and make sure you have extra money for fix it jobs! I don't know what they will be, but I'm sure there will be many. :) Have Fun!

A: from rosemarie anthony -- Yes. Do it! You will have the time of your life. Many times your mishaps lead to the most interesting times of your trip. That said, you must be cautious. Stay with the rules you would go by at home. No pickups in bars etc. Now to the important stuff. Travel with others can be hard if you aren't flexible people. Your only private times will be at campgrounds. At the rv campgrounds talk to everyone. The rvers are a wealth of knowledge and info. Stop at info centers for great maps, info on campgrounds etc. Now the most important:you must buy a really good old rv. Pay to have it checked throughly. Problems on the road can cost alot. Join AAA for info, maps, help on the road. You MUST have a cell phone. Get a plan with free long distance for calls home. Check in with someone every night with your location. With planning you'll have a great adventure!

Fast FAQs
Below is one of our most popular Frequently Asked Question in recent weeks. For more RV FAQs, please visit our FAQs section, where you are invited to contribute your own FAQ.

Q: What are the best tow vehicles?

A: That is really a question of opinion. But, keep in mind, the best tow vehicle in one that can be towed with its wheels on the ground, is relatively lightweight, and doesn’t register miles while being towed. Check the discussion groups on this site for further opinions.

RVCN News Desk
Below are recent articles from the RV-Coach Network. For more news from the RV world, please visit our news articles section, where you are invited to contribute your own article.

While towing was once seen as a daunting task, new technology has made taking along a "toad" or "dinghy" easier than ever. If you'd like to hitch up a towed vehicle, the main challenge you face is deciding which towing option best suits your needs. Below are a few key considerations.

The Right "Toad": In general, the lighter the towed vehicle, the better for both your motorhome and the towing system. Towing is also easier if the "toad" can be pulled with its wheels on the ground and does not register miles while being towed.

Tow Bars and Tow Dollies: If your vehicle can be towed with all four wheels on the road, you'll need a tow bar to connect it to your motorhome. Make sure the load capacity of your tow bar is rated well above the weight of your towed vehicle. You'll also need to choose between the two basic varieties of tow bars: rigid A-frame (cheaper but less flexible) or collapsible (more expensive but easier to connect). If a tow bar won't work with your towed vehicle, a tow dolly may solve your problem. Tow dollies are low, wheeled frames that are designed to lift the drive wheels of a vehicle off the ground.

Safety Cables: If disaster strikes and your tow bar or tow dolly is disconnected from your motorhome, safety cables (or chains) will support your towed vehicle until you can pull off the road. Safety chains must be loosely crossed beneath the coupler, forming an "X" shape. The connection should be slack enough to allow for sharp turns but tight enough to prevent the cables from dragging on the ground.

Signal Lights: The brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals on your towed vehicle must operate in sync with your motorhome. If your towed vehicle is going to be a regular companion in your RVing, it probably makes sense to connect the lights of the "toad" to the wiring system of your motorhome. For a temporary solution, brake/signal light accessory kits may be strapped or magnetically connected to the rear of the towed vehicle.

Supplemental Braking Systems: If you're involved in a sudden stop or driving down a steep mountain road, you'll appreciate the value of a supplemental braking system. Moreover, supplemental brakes on your towed vehicle will reduce the strain on your motorhome's braking system. The heavier the towed vehicle, the greater the need for a supplemental braking system.

Towing Safety Checklist: Ready to roll? Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to review your safety measures.

• Have you followed your towed vehicle manufacturer's instructions for towing?
• Has the tow bar or dolly been checked for structural weaknesses or cracks?
• Is the tow bar or dolly properly connected, and are all pins and clips properly secured?
• Are all nuts and bolts tight?
• Are safety cables/chains properly hooked up, crossing under the coupler?
• Are the signal lights functioning properly on both vehicles?
• Is the transmission in the proper gear for towing?
• If necessary, is the drive shaft disengaged?
• If equipped, has the braking system for the towed vehicle been properly connected and tested?
• Has the towed vehicle's parking brake been released?
• Is the towed vehicle's ignition in the first "ON" position, allowing the steering wheel to freely turn?
• Is the towed vehicle locked and do you have a spare key?

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Whatever the reason, RV owners recognize that driving safety takes a backseat to no one. Recent studies support the importance of personal driving habits. A report by the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that too many drivers fail to stay focused on the task of operating their vehicles. The authors of the report placed cameras in the vehicles of volunteers to record their behavior and found that the drivers were engaged in distracting behavior 16 percent of the time their vehicles were moving. (Previous studies have shown that distractions cause 25-30 percent of reported accidents.)

Although cellphone use has become a particular safety concern lately, AAA researchers noted that cellphones are far from the most common sources of distractions. Instead, drivers are more often distracted by reaching for objects in their vehicles, tuning their radios or CD players, and eating or drinking. Nearly half of the drivers were observed grooming themselves and reading or writing. Whatever the source of the distraction, the authors of the AAA report stressed that even the briefest diversion may lead to tragic consequences.

Another safety issue that has received growing attention recently is the problem of driver fatigue. Study after study has shown that American adults get less sleep than their bodies need. The result is a motoring population that is often drowsy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 100,000 reported accidents a year are related to driver fatigue. Moreover, approximately 1,500 traffic deaths in the United States (about 4 percent of all traffic fatalities) are caused by drivers falling asleep.

Drivers traveling long distances and at night are especially prone to fatigue. That group includes RVers. Safety experts warn that the only real remedy for fatigue is sleep. The caffeine in a cup of coffee or chocolate bar may provide a temporary jolt of energy, but the effects typically wear off after half an hour. Fortunately, even a 20-minute nap is often enough to restore a driver's vitality. The next time you're feeling drowsy behind the wheel of your RV, don't hesitate to pull off the road and take advantage of the comforts of your home away from home.

If you have RV news to share, we have a place on our web site just for you. Please visit here to add your article.