Our regular readers are familiar with the extensive amount of RV related information which has been accumulated at RVers Online. At last count this site is comprised of nearly 2,000 text pages of commercial-free information. As a help for new readers, we'd like to outline briefly the many categories of information you'll find here. Although the following is a "road map" to site structure and maintenance, you can find the items you're looking for by using the site search engine on out main menu page. Just type in one or two words and our search engine will instantly find everything on our site responsive to your inquiry -- and link you directly to the information you're looking for.
Using the Menus:
Bulletin Board: This is where we regularly post new information of general interest to all RVers. This item gets updated, on average, at least twice a week. Sometimes daily. We suggest you touch bases here every time you return to the site. It will tell you what new or newsworthy information to look for elsewhere within our site.
Information Resources for RVers: There's an extensive collection of material packaged under this main menu topic. Click on it and you'll find:
Links for RVers: We take VERY special pride in having the best set of links to other websites of interest to RVers. No one can "buy" a link from us -- we're not for sale. So we focus on putting in links to those sites RVers are most likely to find helpful and interesting. Just click on any one of them, and it will take you there.
RVer Education: Here you'll find RV topics ranging from Inverters to RVing in Europe: from Cummins engines to Propane Appliances. These topics record our "class notes" from the annual week-long University of Idaho Conference on RVing; from the Annual RV Conference offered at Okanagan University College; and from other RV seminars. These class notes are "updated" each year from what we believe are among the best genuine "learning experiences" available to RVers. They are not a substitute for attending -- but will give you an idea of the scope of what you'll learn when you do so.
RV Sites: Our Top Choices: Here we list what we consider truly wonderful RV destinations. Again, RV parks can't "buy" a spot on this list. We don't take advertising, and we've never accepted a complimentary site. We just tell it like it is. We continually update this listing with new "finds".
RVers Guide to Special Cafes: No, we don't mean five star restaurants. What we're really highlighting here are those special roadside cafes. You know, those "special finds" which typically have super friendly service, especially tasty menu choices, good prices, and a place to park the RV nearby. Send us your favorites to add to the list!
Full Timers' Corner: The world of full-timing is becoming so important that we've created a separate place for special resources of particular interest to full timers -- or those who would like to learn more about it. Here's you'll find our exclusive copyrighted series by Tom & Marilyn Clark, who have documented in "real time" their preparation for, and transition to, full timing. We think this may be the most valuable information prospective full time RVers can find -- anywhere. Included here as well is a collection of resources that full time RVers will find handy when make a "home state" selection.
RV Products and Services: These are simply "personal choices". We're a bit weary of sales pitches and claims, and think its time to give new meaning to "word of mouth advertising". When we find a product or service we think deserves the attention of our readers, we put it here.
High Speed Enabled RV Parks: We've compiled a growing list of RV parks that offer free (or very low cost) WiFi (or other modes for high speed access) for overnight guests. This list continues to grow based on reader reports.
Articles, Editorials and Travelogues: Here we're building a growing library of articles which are specifically intended to inform RVers. We've written a few ourselves, but anyone can (and is invited to be) a guest author. We've divided the subjects into eight separate topics, each of which has its own bibliography of articles. They are: General Interest Articles; Computing on the Road; RVing Mexico; RV Travel Destinations; RV Safety; RV Technical Topics; "How To" items; and Editorials. Each has a separate index.
Postcards: These are Stephanie's unique contributions. She's always sending home a card to the kids, and to friends and neighbors. Now she's posting some of them here as well. They pretty much tell the story of the places we go, the people we meet, and the experiences we have on the road. Our readers have enjoyed them so much we're now including our collection from past RV trips.
RVers Mailbox: Our most popular interactive feature. This is a different kind of "mailbox". We post only items of general interest. We don't accept what amount to personal "classifieds". And we're quite careful what we post here. Sometimes we offer comment on the questions sent in. And we always provide a "mailto" to the person submitting the item. This means you'll find the name of the person who sent us the item highlighted. All you need to do is "click" on it, and you'll have a pre-addressed note which you can use to create and send along your answers or comments. Just jot down your comments, and click on the "send" button. Your response will go to that person -- not to us.
Ask Our Advisors: An exclusive to RVers Online, here's a list of RVers with a particular expertise which they've offered to share with other RVers. You'll find our growing list of topics including everything from Towed Vehicles to DSS systems to Purchasing a Used RV to Traveling with Pets. Just click on the name of our volunteer Online Advisor, and you'll have a preaddressed note upon which you can enter your question. Just click on the "send" button, and your question will be sent to our volunteer expert for his or her consideration and reply.
Tips For Selling an RV: Because we're a non-commercial site, we can't post the hundreds of emails we get from readers wanting to buy or sell an RV. Instead we commissioned an article summarizing our advice for using the Internet for selling an RV. In addition, after getting consistently positive feedback on one listing service, we negotiated a discount for those of our readers who might choose to use that service.
For our RV Park Owners. We're pleased to have an increasing number of those who own and manage the RV parks we all visit. Many of these folks are actively contributing to the site. And we're constantly posting informatio in this section which we think RV park owners and managers will find helpful. We want to communicate an RVers perspective TO them. But we're equally interested in learning FROM them. We've become a website where RVers and Park owners can share in a positive dialogue. We'd love to expand this dialogue to include other industry segments -- most particularly RV manufacturers. We'd not only like to have them listen to to the comments and concerns of RVers -- we'd like to hear from them as well. If we could both talk to and listen to each other in a constructive way, we think RVing can become an even better lifestyle choice, and we'll all be winners in the process.
About Us. That's Stephanie and me. Here we tell you a little bit about ourselves. We're just RVers like you, except we've volunteered to host the site we call RVers Online. We think you'll like it here. You're a "Member" if you've gotten this far. The good news is there are no dues, no meetings, no junk mailings, and no costs -- just information. We'd like to think of this as "RVers helping RVers" at its best. We look forward to your joining us in building this growing public service information resource for RVers everywhere.