Updated on September 10, 1999.
These are links to lists of website links that we have found to be useful and/or interesting to us. We will be adding more as time permits.
Those links that are boldfaced point to a list; those that are not boldfaced are empty because we have not yet found anything worth listing -- let us know if you have a good candidate and please tell us of any broken links. Hope you find those that are filled to helpful.
Books for RVers - [TOP]
There are books and bookstores that provide some good information
for RVers. Some books should be carried along when you travel, especially
if you are upgrading your RV.
Alternate Lifestyle
This book is Ron and Barb Hofmeister's summary of what you need to know to life the RV lifestyle.Cottage Bookstore
This is a bookstore for camping and RVing. They have most of the primary titles of books for RVers.
Buying an RV - [TOP]
If you are going to purchase and new or used RV, Tow Vehicle,
or Toad, do some research first. Be prepared, because many salesmen at the
RV Sales lots you see along the highways do not know much about RVs, and
they cannot give you good information about what is best. Here are some
great sites to get started, and then some of the vendor sites you can visit.
phred Tinseth: BUYING RVs, TOW VEHICLES AND TOADS
This is your primer. This is where you start. Read it carefully and follow its instructions. This guy knows his business.RV Consumers Group
This is an organization that will give you the straight poop on RVs. It costs a small amount to join, but you will make the cost back in peace of mind alone. phred says you must join if you are going to buy an RV.Edmunds.com
Edmunds does not cover motorhomes or trailers, but when you get ready to purchase a tow vehicle or toad, take a look at Edmunds.com. They provide a means for determining what a new vehicle with certain option will cost, and give you references to find someone who will sell it to you at the best price in the area you want. I used them to find a great deal on my truck in Texas.rvNetLinx list of dealers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of dealers by state.rvNetLinx list of manufacturers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of manufacturers of RVs.Towing World - NEW 7/30
phred Tinseth says these folks have great information about what to buy for towing.
Campgrounds - [TOP] - NEW 7/30
There are a number of campground lists on the Internet, and
I am not going to try to cover them all.
rvNetLinx campground listings - NEW 7/30
This is one of the more complete lists, and it points to some other lists of campgrounds.
Class A Motorhomes - [TOP]
- NEW 7/30
If you are searching for a dealer or manufacturer of Class
A motorhomes, take a look at these sites.
rvNetLinx list of dealers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of dealers by state.rvNetLinx list of manufacturers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of manufacturers of RVs.
Class C Motorhomes - [TOP]
- NEW 7/30
If you are searching for a dealer or manufacturer of Class
C motorhomes, take a look at these sites.
rvNetLinx list of dealers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of dealers by state.rvNetLinx list of manufacturers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of manufacturers of RVs.
Computer Peripherals - [TOP]
If you have a computer in your RV, you undoubtedly have one or
more peripherals, equipment that attaches to your computer to do specialized
tasks. Here are some sites that discuss possible peripherals.
What Computer Peripherals Should You Have in an RV?
We, the Pennys, have three computers in our rig. Here is a description of what
we have.PC LANs
If you have more than one computer in your rig, you might want to consider connecting them with a Local Area Network so they can share information and peripherals. This site tells what we did.
Computers in RVs - [TOP]
If you are reading this, you are using a computer and probably
would like to use one on the road. Here are some helpful sites.
RV Computing with Sam and Alice
We, the Pennys, have three computers in our rig -- probably overkill. This site tells you about our system.Why Have a PC in an RV?
Alice and I have many uses for computers as we full-time around the country. This list might give you some ideas.RVers OnLine: Computing on the Road for RVers
This site was started because of the difficulty in gaining Internet access while on the road. It continues to have a variety of useful suggestions for getting online.Campground Online
This is another website covering the subject of how to be on the Internet while traveling around the country.RVComputing
This site provides useful information about what computers work in campgrounds and on the road.
Dumping Issues for RVs - [TOP]
discusses various aspects of dumping the wastes from an RV, including
how to do it and where to do it.
RV Travels Report on Sewer Hose Supports
If you just let your sewer hose lay on the ground from your rig to the sewer connection, you can end up with a big stink. This report discusses some of the commercially available systems for supporting the sewer hose and describes a system I invented for myself.phred Tinseth: Macerators and other Sewage Stuff
You will learn more than you ever thought you needed to know about Sewage Stuff in this four part series by phred. This should be required reading for anyone taking an RV out for the first time.Fulltiming America - Public RV Dump Sites
If you are going to be boondocking or staying at a campground where there is no dump, you are going to need to find one. This is a good resource to start your search. Hint: look it up before you head out of town. Then you can stop along the way coming back home.
Electric Power for RVs - [TOP]
identifies sites discussing batteries, converters, inverters,
and solar power.
phred Tinseth: Batteries and Other Electric Stuff
This is a good place to start to understand how the electrical system of an RV works. 12 volt DC systems are not the same as 120 volt AC systems, and even the AC system in your RV is not the same as the one in your home.phred Tinseth: Electric Surges
Next, understand how your RV can be affected by power surges, and where those surges come from.phred Tinseth: Electricity from the Sun
Now you are ready to read phred's explanation of solar power, how it works, and how it fits into the RV lifestyle.phred Tinseth: Inverters
Finally, phred explains how inverters take the energy stored in the battery from the sun and turns it back into AC power to drive the toys and electronics in your RV.Batteries and Convertors
Really, though, phred is not the only expert in town. Here is another good description of the 12 volt DC system in an RV.Solar Design Catalog
Vendors also provide good information on things like the design of a solar system. Here is AAA Solar Power's complete guide to a solar system.AAA Solar Power
This is a vendor in Alberquerque, NM that is available over the Internet.RV Solar Electric
is a vendor in Scottsdale, AZ, available over the Internet.Sunelco
is a vendor in Hamilton, MT, available over the Internet.
Fifth Wheel Trailers - [TOP]
- NEW 7/30
If you are searching for a dealer or manufacturer of fifth
wheel trailers, take a look at these sites.
rvNetLinx list of dealers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of dealers by state.rvNetLinx list of manufacturers - NEW 7/30
This is an exhaustive list of manufacturers of RVs.
Government Services - [TOP]
are sites that involve your government and often offer information
and/or services useful to you.
Social Security
This is a place to check your Social Security Status.
GPS for RVers - [TOP]
are sites that describe Global Positioning Satellite based systems
for guiding RVers around the country. They normally include some kind of
mapping software to help plan trips.
DeLorme
This is one of the first companies to provide mapping software and GPS systems for the PC.TravRoute
This company makes the Door-to-Door Co-Pilot system that we use in our travels.Adventure GPS Products
This site was recommended in Esapees Magazine as an interesting site about GPS for RVers.
Home Base - [TOP]
Home Base is where an RVer has some kind of permanent roots,
where there may be some things in storage, where you tell someone where
your home is. It may be your permanent residence; it may be your domicile.
It may be one of the several residences you have around the country where
you go to stay from time to time.
Escapees Co-op Parks
A number of Escapees make the Escapees Co-op Parks their home base. Here they can lease a lot where they can park their rig, some or all of the time. Here they can establish a community.Jojoba Hills SKP Resort
This is one example of a Co-op Park. We recently joined and this is as close to a home base as we get at this time. We expect to spend about three months a year at Jojoba Hills.
Internet Access from an RV -
[TOP]
These sites address the problems of finding access to Internet
while on the road. There are several different solutions, some good and
some not so good. Read on.
Internet Access and RVs
This is our report on the problems of Internet Access. It is a summary of some of the ways to obtain access.RVers Online: Computing on the Road
This series by Mel Chaney discusses in detail some of his experiences with different methods of accessing the Internet on the road.Acoustic Couplers, Satellites and Cellular
This is a great discussion of what works with acoustic couplers. It is only one of the articles by Mel Chaney.Cellular Modem Site
This is a "HiTech" site with some interesting discussions about getting Internet access on the road.List of Internet Service Providers
When you are going to a new area, it sometimes help to know what ISPs are available there. This site lets you find out the phone numbers of local ISP POPs within an area code.Netscape's ISP Select list
Netscape provides this site to help you select an ISP by the location where you are, much like the site above.Modem Friendly Campgrounds - NEW 9/11
More and more campgrounds are offering modem access. Some have it at the camping site. However, there are some that refuse service or charge for it. This is a RV Travel Report on the subject.
MegaSites on the Net - [TOP]
are large, all-inclusive websites on RVing and RV-related camping.
These sites offer lists of campgrounds, suppliers, commentary, and a plethora
of other information. I have only included the largest and most complete
here.
RVers Online
This is one of the longest running websites on RVs, with a particular focus on getting on-line while on the road.Camping Guide at About.com
This is a useful site on camping where much searching out of data from the Web on the subject of camping has been done.RV Travel Guide at About.com
This site will be available soon; as of 6/10 it was not yet ready. It is another of About.com's sites where useful information about the subject of RV Travel will be searched out from the Web.Escapees RV Club
The Escapes RV Club is a group of serious RVers with a unique camaraderie. Their site is growing and offers a number useful links and information.rvNetLinx - NEW 7/30
This is a relatively new website that is attempting to have the complete set of lists of pointers. If they can keep up what they started with, it will continue to be a great resource. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Membership Campgrounds - [TOP]
are groups of campgrounds which are accessible only to their
membership. You join such campgrounds by paying an upfront fee and an annual
maintenance fee. For those costs, you have rights to some number of camping
nights in the associated campgrounds. This can be a good deal if you use
it.
Escapees
Our report on the Escapes RV Club tells why we like them so much and links you to their website. The Escapees offer several campgrounds around the country where its members can stay at reduced rates. For the cost of membership, this is one of the best deals available.RV Report on Escapees Co-op Parks
This report tells about the Escapees Co-ops. We own a lot at the Jojoba Hills SKP Resort, a co-op near Aguanga, California.Thousand Trails/NACO
The Thousand Trails system has been around for a number of years and has over fifty campgrounds across the country. After suffering financial troubles a few years ago, it is now on sound footing and offers one of the best systems for the serious RVer.
Modem-Friendly Parks - [TOP]
are those parks that offer some kind of modem access to their
visitors. This ranges from allowing visitors brief use of the fax or credit
card phone line (modem-share), to availability of a separate phone
in location for people to visit with their laptops (modem-ready),
to separate phone lines wired to the hitching post at each campsite (modem-loving).
Thousand Trails/NACO
All Thousand Trails/NACO parks provide modem-ready Internet access at their family lodge or adult center for collecting/sending email and making reservations. They ask for a donation for its use.Modem Friendly Campgrounds - NEW 9/11
More and more campgrounds are offering modem access. Some have it at the camping site. However, there are some that refuse service or charge for it. This is a RV Travel Report on the subject.
Off-Roading - [TOP]
are sites that discuss off-road adventures and equipment.
Off-Road
This is a site recommended by Escapees because it discusses GPS.
Pets on the Road - [TOP]
These are sites that have helpful information for those who have
pets with them in their travels.
Pets Welcome
This is a site recommended by Sandy Mueller. She and her husband are going full time soon and they have two 12 year old labs to take along.
Phones on the Road - [TOP]
Phones are a problem for people who travel in RVs. Almost every
call is long distance, so it can cost a bundle. Often you have to either
stand in the weather at a payphone or find a place where your cell-phone
works. Cell-phones offer real convenience, but they too are expensive. What
to do?
phred Tinseth: Communications
phred has a great discussion of the different problems of communications. The first part discusses cell-phones. Continue reading if you are interrested in satellites.Full-Timer.Com
Adam & Liegh Anne Brodwolf operate this small site. Right now they are serving in South America. From that distance they can still offer inexpensive phone cards.AT&T One Rate
We now use the nation-wide AT&T One Rate cell-phone plan. It costs $90 per month plus taxes and surcharges (up to $12 now!) for up to 10 hours of time per month. That does cover the roaming and long-distance charges.
Recipes for the Road - [TOP]
is a very select set of links to recipes that we personally enjoy.
Some are our own, others we have found on the web and tried and liked.
Sam and Alice's Recipes That Work in an RV
Here are some dishes that we have found that work better in an RV than others.
Resources on the Internet - [TOP]
are pages (like this one) that contain many links to other interesting
websites on the Internet. No value is placed on these sites, they just happen
to be where you can find large piles of hay in which you can search for
the needle you want.
Escapees RV Network
The Escapees RV Club has a good set of links.Falcor's Findings
This site is referenced by a number of other sites.Full-Timer Links
These links are oriented to the full-time RVer.Great Outdoors Recreation Pages Links
GORP, as it is sometimes called, is a wealth of information.Movin On's Best Links
This is a great site from Ron and Barb.Outdoor Guides
This is an interesting set of links.phred Tensith: Sources and Resources - NEW 7/30
This is a tremendous source of links and references. phred has been around a long time and provides a wealth of information.rvNetLinx - NEW 7/30
This is a megasite of links to RVing information on the web.
Retirement on the Road - [TOP]
These are links to sites that discuss retirement in an RV.
Planning for retirement in an RV
This is our report on how we plannned for retirement. One of the joys of retirement is that we found we could go live in an RV. But we had to be sure we could afford it.Social Security
This is a place to check your Social Security Status.AARP
The American Association of Retired People has become a major spokesgroup and lobbies for aging Americans. You should keep aware of what they are saying, and make your comments to move them in the direction you want them to go.Senior.com and Senior Net
These are two links to sites that are concerned about the issues of senior citizens. If you are not one, be warned: you will be one day.
Reviews of RV Products - [TOP]
are sites that review different products used in an RV and tell
what is good and what is bad.
Sam and Alice's Review of Products That Work in an RV
Here are some of the commercial products that we have found that work better in an RV than products.
RV Clubs - [TOP]
are groups of RVers that get together for weekend outings and
camaradery. Some are local; some are national. The national RV Clubs provide
important services to people traveling in RVs. Here are some you might find
of interest.
Escapees RV Club
The Escapes RV Club is a group of serious RVers with a unique camaraderie. Their site is growing and offers a number useful links and information.RV Report on Escapees
Our report on the Escapes RV Club tells why we like them so much and links you to their website. The Escapees offer several campgrounds around the country where its members can stay at reduced rates. For the cost of membership, this is one of the best deals available.RV Report on Escapees Co-op Parks
This report tells about the Escapees Co-ops. We own a lot at the Jojoba Hills SKP Resort, a co-op near Aguanga, California.Good Sam Club
Many RVers belong to the Good Sam Club. Built around the idea of Good Samaritans, it offers a number of benefits to its members, including discounts at a number of RV parks.rvNetLinx list of RV Clubs - NEW 7/30
Here is a great list of links to all the different RV Clubs.
RVer's Websites - [TOP]
belong to real-life RVers who maintain websites on the Internet.
Some have been online for years, others are new to RVing. All have interesting
tales to relate in their own words.
Kay & Tom Seliskar's homepage
The Seliskars travel around the country seeing interesting sights. We met this fine couple at the 1998 Life on Wheels Conference in Idaho. They have interesting tales to tell.Movin' On
Ron and Barb Hofmeister have been sharing their thoughts over the Internet and with published books for a number of years. You will find a wealth of information at their site.Adventures In RVing with Fred and Sandy Mueller
Sandy and Fred are about to head out full-timing. This is their web site where they talk of their adventures and provide some interesting links.rvNetLinx list of personal websites - NEW 7/30
Here is a great list of links to many different personal websites.OurAdventure - NEW 9/10
This is the homepage from Peter and Ginger Shilt. Here you will find a really fun page with lots of action and special effects. They tell of their adventures in Alaska and Canada and have a great FAQ section that tells why they are "doing it." Compare yourself with them; would you be a good fit for a serious full-timer?
Tips for Living on the Road - [TOP]
Occasionally someone puts together a pot pouri of tips for getting
along under the adversity of living in a small, confined space and under
the strain of day to day living on the road. Here are some I have found.
Boondocker - the HiTech Camping Site
This is an interesting list. Maybe it isn't for RVers, but it is worth including here.RV Report on Travel Tips for RVers - NEW 6/26
These are some of the truths Alice and I have gathered in our time on the road. They may be useful to you as well.
Travelogues - [TOP]
belong to real-life RVers who maintain websites on the Internet.
Some have been online for years, others are new to RVing. All have interesting
tales to relate in their own words.
Sam & Alice's RV Travels
We, the Pennys, have a description of our travels around the country at this site. Please take time to browse through it.Road News from Camping.About.Com - NEW 8/6
David Sweet, the Camping Guide at About.com, provides some interesting links to RVers sites on the Internet.A Trip through Utah
Ron and Barb Hofmeister took their two grandson's for a tour of the canyon lands of southern Utah. It is great fun to join them and see some of the sights along the way.Quartzsite
We spent a week in January, 99, on BLM lands near Quartzsite. You might find it an interesting place to go, but only in the winter.A Drive Around Flaming Gorge - NEW 6/24
We recently drove around Flaming Gorge, a 180 mile drive that gives one a chance to see lots of scenery.Trip Back in Time - NEW 6/26
We drove from Casper out to Independence Rock, Devil's Gate, and Martin's Cove. Then back along the Oregon Trail across country. It was a trip back in time.Colorado River Rafting Trip - NEW 9/10
We went to Moab and took an all day rafting trip down the Colorado River. It was delightful.
TV for RVers - [TOP]
are sites for those on the road who spend some amount of time
in front of the tube. Of special interest are those sites about the smaller
satellite dishes.
phred Tinseth: Communications
phred discusses different communications on the road. The last part of this article is on the subject of satellite TV.RVers Online: RV'ERS TV MINI-DISH INFO
This is a discussion of the latest information about satellite TV, including some of the problems of the Big 8 network stations.ACC Satellite TV - Northern CA
This is a vendor of satellite TV systems in northern California.Direct TV
This is the sole provider for mini-dish satellite TV; they just purchased USSB. Don't tell them you live full time in an RV; they do not understand the concept.
Water Supplies for RVs - [TOP]
Not all water you find when you are traveling is potable. It
may be unsafe or just taste bad. These websites are directed towards having
a good supply of water on the road.
phred Tinseth: Water Treatments
phred discusses the problems of water on the road and offers some good suggestions of what to be concerned about.Safeguard
is a top-of-the-line supplier of water reverse osmosis systems. This site describes the principals as well as some of the products available for RVs.