• Drink Specials
• Entertainment Discounts
• Spa Offers
• VIP offers and Front of the Line Access

When you are not staying at the hotel, they’ll text you:

• Special Room Rates
• Info on new events, shows, and upcoming concerts

This was a big Las Vegas hotel and it obviously benefits the larger resorts more than a small motel. What would a smaller place do? “Come to the office now, we reduced the prices on the vending machine for one hour!”

Will text messages become the new email spam? Most people are still charged for each text message. Around 0.20 a message on average. Many people have unlimited plans but we are still a long ways from that being the standard.

Like many offers there will be good and bad aspects of this. If they text you to come to a particular bar in the hotel for a special offer that you’ll like, that is cool. If a company can send you a great coupon that you just have to show on your phone to get, that is cool. If they text you about a Britney Spears concert and room rates every week when you won’t be back in that city for another year, that is not cool.

How do you stop the messages? In the referenced offer that I saw, they had a particular custom text message you send to them and they will stop messages coming to you. As this becomes a more common marketing tactic, perhaps a standard message should be accepted like unsubscribe is to email programs.

Whether they use that number and sell it partners for “related offers” remains to be seen but I’m pretty sure that is where we’re headed.

I can see some benefits to this practice and at least it is optional so far. What do you think?

Hand held GPS devices are great for hiking. You can load maps with trails, elevation and terrain onto them. But they aren’t very good for driving.

Cell phones are handy but also still a bit small for regular use on frequent travels. It’s also harder on the batteries in them. For any real trip, I’d rather have a device designed to travel in the car.

Large touch screen GPS units, especially the 7 inch Garmin models, are great for real travel like in a RV. The screens are big and clear and although you shouldn’t do it all while in motion, you can actually touch a button or two a bit more safely. (If you have an RV, spend the extra money and get a bigger touch screen. You’ll love the difference.)

I like having a laptop on road trips because of the bigger screen and real functionality. You can look up locations for various things much easier and see overall views with Google maps. It works on a laptop pretty well but you don’t always have a laptop with you or the internet connection to power it.

I was driving around Albuquerque the other day, going from one Sprint store to another. The person at the first store told me how to get to the other store. They are a local resident and I am not. They told me the only way they knew was to drive down this one road that had construction and traffic back ups on it, get on I-25, take it as it heads southwest to I-40 and then head east to a certain exit and then head north from there. If you follow the directional indicators there, you know it is taking you out of the way. That was about 19 miles and included several backed up construction areas. I also new the Friday afternoon traffic would make it a tension filled thrill ride. I began to think I’d rather drive by restaurants and stores with a few traffic lights than sit and stare at bumpers in 96 degree heat.

You can play with the GPS settings on the above devices but they are not always smart. They send you the fastest way but you sit in traffic because everyone else is there with you. They send you shortest way but you are going through private neighborhoods and braking for speed bumps. You need a map to show the major surface streets.

By the time you zoom out enough to see an overall view of a city like Albuquerque, you can’t see the roads on most little devices.  I pull out my New Mexico Benchmark Map and look at the Albuquerque pages. I see that I can take this road and that road and this road to make the trip in 13 miles. It was slower by MPH but taking the miles and traffic into consideration, I think I did it much faster than I would have on the interstates. It was easy and I saw more of the city.

The other benefit of maps is that I can sit down with it, maybe outside in the sunshine and plan my next day. I feel that I can relax with a paper map much more so than focusing on a small screen and fiddling with buttons.

What do you use the most and why as you travel?

By Adam Longfellow

The most obvious method is putting a camper onto your 4×4 truck. It’s probably the simplest and cheapest option if you already have a truck. This market has room to grow though. They are not real attractive and options are limited for each type of truck out there. I would love to see more custom options, better styling and paint matching for truck and camper.

There are some companies that have built “4×4 motorhomes” over the years but many of them just don’t look like something I would drive off pavement or even over a big curb. Clearance isn’t good with so much of the RV hanging long and low over the end. The best ones I found are outside of the United States and not available for me. There are also some good custom jobs out there but they are one of a kinds. Toyota Motorhomes is an example of what companies and people have done in the past. Some custom jobs are very nice looking.

I just visited the EarthRoamer factory in Colorado to look at their amazing off road recreational vehicles. As I neared Lafayette, just outside of Denver, Colorado, I was excited to possibly get a look at their amazing off road machines. They have made my dream machine RV for a few years now and recently expanded their line to include a new smaller Jeep model. I met Bill Swails, the Chief Designer and COO at EarthRoamer, who let me look over the two models they had in-house. They are even more impressive in person.

The original model is based on Super Duty trucks. It is not a camper on a pickup. Or a RV built upon another manufacturers chassis. They transform a quad cab Super Duty truck from the ground up into a Earthroamer. It becomes one machine rather than just assemble parts. And it is awesome. I would be living in one if it was just me. It holds more fuel, water and waste then my own RV. The price tag runs well over $200,000 depending on options.

The second model is based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and starts at around $110,000. This is more for the single travel, possible a couple, since it is a two seater. This is not luxurious RV travel but it will get you just about anywhere on Earth that four wheels can go. The roof opens up into a tent. You also have the minimal basics with a toilet, shower, fridge, water and a furnace.

I can’t put enough photos on here to do it justice so I recommend going to their website at www.earthroamer.com to check these out (and a 5 minute video here) They are pricey and you could even say they are quite expensive. But then again, you could spend more for a big rig that can’t even drive or park in many places. This is the only truly nice RV that is 4×4 I’ve found. I have seen a few deals on used ones if you need to have one. No, I don’t have one and it was hard but I left the building without one as well.

RV companies are struggling these days. If you are considering one, do your research as to if the company is still alive and well. Some have closed, sold or changed hands and you want to be careful before handing over a large deposit.

EarthRoamer

Tiger Motor Homes

Xplorer Motor Homes

Toyota Motorhomes

By Adam Longfellow (Updated October 17, 2009)

I don’t want this to be about a particular case and it’s details but it is what got me thinking. Does having a cell phone make people think they are always safe and therefore make people think that they do not need to prepare as much when they go into the wilderness? People use them for GPS devices, for lights in the dark, and to call when they are lost.

Do I carry a cell phone? Usually, but I don’t expect it to work when I am out in nature. Coverage is getting better but it still doesn’t work in most of the places I find myself. I probably wouldn’t be calling 911 until I knew I was in real trouble. Most of these situations occur when a mountain or wilderness area hangs over a populated city like Santa Fe or Phoenix, Arizona. I mention Phoenix because I used to be in Arizona and remember all the people that would go up into the nearby mountains late in the day or without much water and have to be rescued.

It is not Disney World out there. Try standing at the top of the Grand Canyon right by the Bright Angel Trailhead and watch how many people start walking on it without any gear. It is quite amazing. They walk right by the signs telling about young top notch athletes that die there because they under estimate nature. I once watched an older couple looking for the wheel chair acess ramp for the trail.

If you go on a hike, you should be carrying water and snacks for at least a couple days. I Even when I’m walking near my own neighborhood, I keep a habit going and carry a small backpack. It always has water, a breakfast bar, trail mix, compass, a glowstick, waterproof matches and first aid in it, ready to go at all times.  I have it at home, in my car and my RV at all times. Even if you are just going on a trail or a day hike, you should plan on being out longer with some minimal supplies. People should have maps or know an area when they go out on the trails. With a GPS device, she could mark the trailhead and always have something to head back towards when lost. So GPS devices are better than cell phones but one should not rely on them completely either. Batteries and electronic devices fail. There is no shortage of books, map and outdoor gear in stores all over the world. Be prepared.

The cost and danger of people wandering around with cell phones, doing things they wouldn’t have done before they had the phone, is getting out of control. What do you think?

I see digital compasses and I can feel a tremor in my bones when I think about your life depending on it in a snowstorm or in hundred degree desert heat when it fails on you. Sure, they look cool and you can easily spend nearly a hundred dollars on the latest ones. But I think I’d rather have one from an antique sale for my own survival.

I have gone through a couple of digital thermometers for my current RV,  which is only two years old, where the displays stops working or doesn’t work in extreme temperatures. And that is when you need it the most. It looks like I need an old fashioned one again.

My parents have had the same old weigh scale since before I was born. It works. So when I went to buy a scale recently, I had to look long and hard to find one that didn’t have an LCD readout. There were usually a half dozen electronic versions and an empty space for the one analog one that they carried. But I found one. I figured I may as well just buy one for the life of my family instead of replacing it every coupe of years.

I have an old air gauge for my tires that goes back at least twenty years now. Last year I got a neat little digital one. It’s compact and it let me read my air pressure in several different measures. When it worked. When the temperature dropped to around freezing or below, it didn’t work. And now at about one year of use it doesn’t work at all.

I have a wind up stop watch I’ve had since I was kid. It’s probably around forty years old. My cool digital one that I got last year? The display fades and I can’t use it now.

I had an alarm clock radio when I was a kid. It had a manual radio dial with a bright read clock display. It lasted me through the late 1970s and 1980s until only certain numbers showed. I got tired of guessing what time it was so I had to dump it. It had a good run. My last two digital clocks have lasted about two years each.

I have seen a couple stories lately where people went hiking use their cell phones for light instead of carrying a flashlight. In my experience with cell phone battery time, this is not the best tactic. Get an led flashlight that lasts practically forever on a battery.

If I could find the bicycle I had when I was a kid, I bet the old speedometer and mileage gauge is still winding up. It still has all those miles on it that I rode when I was a kid. Locked in that little time capsule. Today? I’ve gone through a couple of bicycle computers in recent years. History lost. Easily reset, erased and replaced.

To be fair, I looked around and I do have some things with LCD displays that have lasted a number of years now. They are not a complete loss. But now I think twice about everything I do buy. I’m now trying to find a dishwasher without LCD controls even though my own survival doesn’t depend on it.

Digital devices are cool but don’t use them when your life depends on it. Do you want a thermometer that only works when it’s 30 to 80 degrees? Do you want a compass that only reads out one direction?

How about you? What are your experiences with LCD based equipment compared to the old? Do you have any survival gear that relies on newer technology?

I still see a lot of confusion from people who mix up terms and don’t really know what they are looking for when it comes to towing a vehicle the first time. I currently do not tow anything as I now have a smaller RV that gets me into most places I want to go. And I travel mostly in the west where the wide open spaces are greater. and easier to move around. That is a personal choice. If you have a larger RV, you most likely need to tow a vehicle to get around and do some real sightseeing or shopping.

Tow Dolly

A tow dolly is two wheels, an axel and a tongue. This allows you to tow almost any vehicle including front wheel drive models, without adding the miles to them. You don’t need to think about the model as much or installing a base plate. With 4 wheel drives, rear wheel drives and all wheel drives, you may need to look at disconnecting and/or removing the drive shaft. The tow dolly also adds weight. They can be anywhere from 500 to 1500 pounds that you need to add into your overall towing weight. You may also need one with brakes. Check for state laws on whether you need a license for your tow dolly.

Tow Bar

A tow bar or tow hitch is attached to the RV or towing vehicle and then to the vehicle being towed. This has now become pretty easy to do and can be done by one person. The bar can be mounted on either the RV or the vehicle. You need to get a base plate for your particular vehicle as well. The bars can be stowed when not in use compared to dollies which have to always be dealt with in some way.

It is best to have your tow vehicle or have one in mind when you buy the tow bar. Different models, weight and ground clearance all have to be considered together. You tow the vehicle with all wheels down with the tow bar.

With either option, check with your vehicles manufacture for any special considerations or for things you need to know. Some vehicles just make better toads than others.

Whichever Method

Whatever method you choose, make sure to do the required maintenance for safe use. Remember that you can’t tow and drive like normal all the time. You can’t just throw it into reverse and back up when you are all hooked up with a tow vehicle. Both methods require the proper chains and light hookups.

If you are having any electrical problems, don’t plug into an electric hookup until problems are checked and fixed. Who knows what kind of damage could occur if you plug in without knowing what the problem is that you are having.

Surges are not really surges in most cases. They rarely are in fact a huge surge or power off the power lines. Most problems are actually caused by ourselves or those around us. These are now quite common. We notice more of what we call surges because our equipment is getting more and more sensitive. We have many items with circuit boards in them, all of which are more easily damaged by power fluctuations.

Low voltage

Low voltage is actually more common than high voltage. This is the most common cause of damage as many electrical items can be damaged by low power. This can ruin computers, tvs, vcrs, dvd players and most anything with a circuit board. The fan may run too slowly and not cool the board. Water heaters with an ignition also have circuit boards. Relays can fail that kill the circuit board in fridges. Fluorescent lamps may fail early due to over cycling of the circuit board and ballast.

Always unplug certain items when not in use. Heating items, automatic coffee makers and toasters all can cause a disaster when off and plugged in.Years ago, my neighbor burned an entire condo down just by leaving his toaster plugged in.

High voltage

High voltage may not necessarily be a surge. It is voltage of more than 130VAC for longer periods of time. This can kill lights, heating elements in fridges, and sensitive electronics. Yes, modern electronics are killed by both low and high voltage.

Hooking up

Before even getting all parked and leveled in your space, check out the conditions of the hookup. Use your voltage meter, check the polarity and the voltage. First flip off the breaker at the campground pole. This allows you to avoid sparks and find out if the fit is good for your plug. Plug in your RV electric cord. Flip the breaker on.

What else can you do

Plug in a simple voltage monitor to one of your outlets.

Make sure you know what you are doing if you do any handy work in the RV. AC wires are wired differently in an RV than in the house. So even though someone knows how to add an outlet in their home, they may not know how to do it in an RV. The manual covering your load center should cover this.

You are always the safest when you are unplugged and control your own environment. Whenever you plug in, you take on risks with other people and the local power grid. When you are plugged in, anything you do can hurt others. Anything others do can hurt you. Get a good surge protector. Don’t buy the cheapest or the most commonly found one. Consider how much you have invested in your RV and step up to a better model. The other issue is that these are often stolen in RV parks. You can buy a lock for them. Or you can install a more expensive type that is wired inside your RV.

It is best to unplug your rig during a storm or whenever the power goes out at the campground. I have also unplugged when a unkempt RV parked next to me and plugged in. I just didn’t like the look of it and it’s better to be safe.

NEVER run a generator without disconnecting from the power grid. Do not trust any automatic switches to protect yourself or others.

Install a good solar electric system so you won’t need to plug in as often. Many people can’t afford this or think it’s not necessary. If you spend tens of thousands of dollars on an RV, a couple thousand dollars on solar isn’t that much. Make sure to add up the cost of some of your generator fuel, electric hookup fees and even camping fees when you may have been able to choose a more remote boondocking location. Solar may be paid for in fast order if you really think about all the little fees over time. That doesn’t even include the peace of mind of having your own power grid with you all the time. The power goes out at home? You could have a self contained powered living space in your driveway.

Stay safe and happy travels.

Do you need a converter box for your RV?

• If you have a batwing antenna on your RV and an analog TV, you WILL need a converter box. Your antenna is fine as it is.
• If you have a new digital TV, that is a TV with a digital tuner and a batwing antenna, you should be fine. You do NOT need a converter box. Your antenna is fine as it is.
• If you already use a satellite dish and use one of their tuner boxes, you do NOT need a converter box.
• If you hook up to satellite tv or cable tv, you should be fine. They take care of the feed for you. You just plug it in. You do NOT need a converter box.

Your options are:

• Buy a converter box and always need another power source, which is not good for boondocking.
• Buy a DC converter box and not need to plug in, run generator or run an inverter (which wastes power on the conversion).
• Replace your RV TV with a LCD Digital TV. Then you can use your antenna and boondock as much as you want to.

And on a really vague side note to confuse the issue, there are some low power tv stations that don’t have to switch over to digital until down the line. So there is a chance that you’ll still be able to pick up some sort of signal out there. It just won’t be what you really want to watch.

http://www.dtvanswers.com/ – Broadcasters information website.

http://www.dtv2009.gov/ – Get your coupon here for the converter box.

The best option is to buy a converter box with a DC input. This means you can easily plug it into a DC outlet, a cigarette outlet or even hardwire it for power in your RV. So if you are boondocking in Quartzsite, in a national park, a state park, a Wal-Mart parking lot, a truck stop or wherever, you can still check for TV channels.

It does absolutely no good to have a modern RV with a DC powered flat screen television and then have to plug in a 110 volt AC device in order to watch it.

So what do you buy so you don’t have to buy something more than once or wish you had thought of it earlier? The following models are DC powered converter boxes. This means they have a DC power cord outlet that plugs into the back of the unit instead of being a hard wired AC unit. You can then plug in a DC cigarette type power adapter that you buy or may already have for another device. Each product links to the manufacture when we could actually find it.

Airlink101 ATVC101
Airlink101 ATVC102
Artec T3A
Artec T3A Pro
Artec T3AP
Artec T3AP Pro
Kingbox K8V1
Kingbox K8V8
SUNKEY SK-801ATSC
Tatung TDB3001
Zentech DF2000
Zentech EZTV DF2000L

It is now coming up on nearly two years of use. We replaced every light we could with the Sensibulb and they continue to perform in an outstanding manner. Using LED lights like these save you power and money. If you use hookups most of the time, it may not matter to you in your travels. But if you ever do any boondocking or camping without hookups, these will make a difference in the quality of your lifestyle. And that makes it worth it to us. Do you pay for campgrounds based on your power issues? Not worrying about lights may allow you more freedom in camping and parking in other places. In our usage, we no longer worry about leaving lights on for a few extra minutes. In warm camping, you are no longer generating additional heat that your AC then has to work against. You can also buy a dimmer switch for these lights. This is unique in that most LED lights can’t be dimmed.