Featured State...
Florida Sunshine State

Land of Lakes
Geologists estimate that Florida was the last land mass in the continental United States to emerge from the ocean. As a result, Florida is dotted with about 7,800 lakes, most of which originated either as sink holes, sea-bottom depressions, or erosion points of rivers. In general, Florida's lakes are relatively shallow. The biggest is Lake Okeechobee, which covers 448,000 acres and is the second largest freshwater lake in the United States.

Spanish Presence
St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, is the oldest continously inhabited city in the United States. In 1564, France established a colony named Fort Caroline in a failed attempt to stake a claim on the peninsula.

Boom and Bust
Florida's first major real estate boom started after World War I, when developers began building on newly drained swamp land to attract homebuyers from northern states. The bubble burst in 1926, when the real estate market cooled and credit for development ran dry. The collapse was compounded by severe hurricanes that struck the state in 1926 and 1928.

Points of Interest
Tourism is Florida's leading industry, and the state abounds with world-class tourist attractions. At the top of most lists are Miami Beach, Palm Beach, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, and Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic side; Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico; and Key West off the southern tip of the peninsula. The Orlando area, where Disney World is located on a 27,000-acre site, is Florida's most popular tourist destination. The NASA Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA, the Everglades National Park, and the Epcot Center also draw millions of visitors.

Web Sites
www.myflorida.com
www.flausa.com
www.floridacamping.com

Florida National Parks
Big Cypress National Preserve
Biscayne National Park
Canaveral National Seashore
Castillo De San Marcos National Monument
De Soto National Memorial
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Fort Caroline National Memorial
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Full List National Parks in Florida

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 Ratings
We've invited visitors to the RV-Coach Network of web sites to rate their RVs. So far, more than 300 of your fellow RVers have shared their opinions. You're welcome to review the results and complete the survey yourself.

Roadmaster Tow Bars
The RV-Coach Network now offers great prices on a full range of Roadmaster tow bars and related equipment.

RV Rental Directory
If you're considering renting an RV for your next road trip, check out our directory of RV rental outlets.

RV Dealers Special
If you're an RV dealer, or provide a listing service, our Classifieds Dealer program was made for you. Sign up now and begin enjoying the benefits today. Your first month is FREE.

Benefits of a Dealer account:

• Show your inventory to 100,000+ RVers each month.
• Manage your inventory over the web.
• Post up to 50 ads under your account.
• Display as many as 10 photos with each ad.
• 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 --
Sell Your RV Online
Basic text listings are free. Or you can add up to ten photos for only $25. You can revise your ad whenever you wish. Register now.

Chat Box
We appreciate all our visitors, especially those who are willing to help out fellow RVers. This newsletter, special thanks goes to Ed, Gary CC NV, Phil Feinstein, and John Ogletree for debating the pros and cons of replacing a gasoline-powered engine with a diesel engine.

Mechanic's Corner:
Swap 454 for diesel

Q: from Ed -- I saw mention somewhere of a P30 with a diesel. Has anyone ever replaced a 454 with a diesel?

A: from Gary CC NV -- I'm interested in what everyone has to say about this also. One of the mechanics at work yesterday asked me why I don't put a diesel in my motor home. I told him I've thought about it, but I was going to wait till the Chevy 454 blew up first. He has a friend that converted his M/H over to diesel and now it gets 12 miles per gallon, in a older model Class A.

A: from Phil Feinstein -- Diesels tend to be much more fuel efficient, so on the whole this sounds like a great idea. One thing that would make me hesitate is that I've found it much harder to find diesel fuel on a long trip than finding gasoline. I know exactly *ONE* place in Colorado to find an LPG vehicle fueling station, but I would assume that you could go anywhere that sells propane and get a fill.

My experiance is mostly gasoline engines, so I'd need to live with one for a while to get comfortable with its needs and requirements. I've done oil changes on rigs and heavy equip't and I can bleed a fuel pump or prime it with not much sweat, but that isn't my comfort zone. I've worked on the Ford powerstoke diesels and the electronic injection isn't much different, but has a few major distinctions (120v under the hood, for one). For me, the cons outweigh the pros. I'd rather build a big gas engine and get some sort of EFI set up to get the fuel efficiancy.

Just my 0.02.

A: from Ed -- Having driven a diesel car for about 20 years I've never found diesel hard to find. Sometimes small towns off the beaten path won't have much choice but I don't know that I'd want to buy gas there either. With the extended range from better diesel mileage I think driving on the top half of the tank would be appropriate when in the "outback". Otherwise, everywhere the big transport trucks go you'll find diesel. In Canada diesel is almost always cheaper than gas too: 10 cents a litre less is quite common. That adds up pretty quickly when you're travelling.

For an old rig (like mine: '88 Winnebago) the cost of a diesel may not be justified but who knows?

A: from John Ogletree -- As always, if money is a factor, you need to figure out how long it would take for the fuel savings to pay for the diesel engine. I would think that for all except fulltimers who spend most of the time moving down the road, it would never happen. On the other hand, if you just have your heart set on diesel, go for it.

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: How do I know what size generator I need?

A: The most important piece of information that you need to know is how much electrical power you will need in your specific situation. Nothing will be more disappointing than to buy a generator that does not produce adequate power for your needs.

1. Determine what electrical devices you will want to run from the generator. Your home has appliances that run on either 120 volts or 240 volts. Most lights and small appliances are 120 volt devices and most bigger items (electric stoves and clothes dryers) are 240 volt devices. Practically all generators produce 120 volts, but not all produce 240 volts. If you need to run 240 volt devices, be sure to get a generator that provides a 240 volt output.

2. Determine the power requirements in watts for all the devices that you want to run at the same time. Wattage ratings are printed on light bulbs; other devices like hair dryers and electric heaters are also described by their wattage requirements. If the device doesn't provide a wattage requirement, you can determine watts by multiplying volts times amps. If you just can't find the power requirement of a device, look at the table in the worksheet to the right. (Remember that the table is just a guide; actual wattage requirements vary significantly among brands and types.) Be aware that some electrical devices have starting wattage requirements that are larger than the running watts. If so, use the starting wattage requirement for the largest of the devices you want to run and the running watts for all other devices.

3. Add together the wattage requirements for all the electrical devices that you want to use at the same time. This is the minimum wattage you will need from a generator. You should also consider the current ratings of the electrical outlets (receptacles) on the generator as well as the outlets' mechanical configuration. Be sure that the outlets are the right match for the electrical devices you want to power.

Use the chart on the rv-coach.com web site to help you in determining your power requirements.

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.

Quartzsite is the mother of all RV shows. The exhibits sprawl over four acres, most of them housed under the show's trademark "Big Tent". More than 350 companies are expected to be represented. In addition, an estimated 40-50,000 RVs will be parked in and around the town.

Of course, it wasn't always so. The first RV show in Quartzsite, held in 1984, was launched with 60 exhibits under a small tent. From the beginning, however, the show enjoyed a few advantages that ensured its success. As a town, Quartzsite has long been popular with RVers and snowbirds in general. Its Arizona desert climate and proximity to Southern California have made it a favorite winter destination.

Initially, many were attracted to the area's reputation as a rock collectors paradise. Agates, limonite cubes, gold, and quartz abound in the open spaces nearby. Rock collectors have served as the core audience for a string of gem and mineral shows that Quartzsite hosts during the winter months. Numerous swap meets and flea markets have staked their claim in the area as well. Today, over 1 million RVers a year make a stop in Quartzsite.

The promoters of the RV show, Kenny King and Mal Mallory, have ridden the wave of popularity. Since 1984, they've moved the site of the show four times. Their current location, which boasts more than 15 acres of free parking, is 1/2 mile south of I-10 on Highway 95.

King and Mallory have also added other events to complement the RV show. In 2004, the 7th Annual Quartzsite Hobby, Craft and Gems Show will be held January 28-February 1 and the 6th Annual Quartzsite Rock and Roll Classic Car Show will take place January 31-February 1.

For more information, visit www.quartzsitervshow.com or call 800-969-5464.

The truth is, however, that travel trailer accidents are rare. That's largely because trailer owners understand the importance of safety. They've grown accustomed to proceeding through extensive safety checklists before they get behind the wheel. Towing a trailer is not for the foolhardy, but neither is it as demanding as flying a 747. With common sense and the proper training, almost all responsible drivers can learn to safely tow.

Any discussion of towing begins with the hitch that connects the tow vehicle and the trailer. Hitches are rated in terms of their load capacity. Make sure that your tow vehicle's hitch is strong enough to pull your trailer. For example, if you're trailer weighs 5,000 lbs., the load capacity of your hitch should be rated at 6,000 lbs. or more. Don't cut corners.

Hooking up your hitch is also critical. The coupling of the trailer must completely cover the ball of the hitch. (A little grease on the ball will help.) Once the tow vehicle and trailer are joined, secure the latch with a padlock and check that all nuts and bolts are tight.

Next comes the safety chains or cables. If the hitch gives way, the safety chains are meant to hold the tongue of the trailer above the roadway until you can pull over. For that reason, the length and strength of the chains is important. Make sure that the chains are long enough so as not to impede turning but not so long that they drag on the ground. Attach the chains to the frame of the tow vehicle, not to the hitch, and be sure to cross them under the trailer's tongue.

Now, plug in the electrical connections and test the safety lights. Check the trailer brakes and ensure that the break-away system is functioning properly. Finally, step back and make sure that the tow vehicle and the trailer are more or less level. If there's a pronounced dip where the hitch and tongue meet, you've got a problem. By the same token, make sure that the hitch is supporting sufficient trailer weight to prevent sway. Typically, 10-15 percent of the trailer's weight should be placed on the hitch. A quick test drive will likely give you a feel for load distribution. If there's too much weight toward the rear of the trailer, the trailer will tend to sway and swerve. If there's too much weight toward the front, your tow vehicle will feel sluggish and tight.

There are also more mundane issues involved in towing safety, such as tires and mirrors. Properly inflated tires on both the tow vehicle and the trailer are essential. Keep in mind that heavier loads demand greater tire pressure. Get yourself a trustworthy pressure gauge and put it to good use. Likewise, towing means that you're going to rely more than ever on your sideview mirrors. Generally, the rule of thumb is the bigger the better. Convex mirrors are a good idea for minimizing blind spots. From the driver's seat, you should be able to see the length of the trailer and at least 200 feet beyond from either sideview mirror. Adjust your mirrors until you feel comfortable.

Of course, this article is hardly the last word in towing safety. Instead, think of it as a start in developing your own safety checklist.

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.