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Resources For RVers
A wealth of resources for RVers is available on the Internet, but who has the time to search through them all?
Many websites provide nothing but links to other websites. That can be a good thing -- if that's what you're looking for.
I've devoted this website to writing about what I know. Everything I write is based on my first hand experience. I could write about a lot of aspects of RVing but I've found my niche. As my logo states, my website is all about "affordable adventures" - Sharing how Randy and I have been able to travel extensively on a very small budget.
My intent with this page is to provide you with links to some of the best related websites I've found-- resources for RVers as well as backpackers.
These are sites that we refer to ourselves, so I think you'll appreciate them too.
RV Dumps In USA And Canada
Search by state or province. A comprehensive, visitor-generated list of dump stations across the continent. Many are free. Where a fee is charged, it is listed.
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Free "How To" Videos
Thirty excellent free videos provide tips for buying, driving, insuring, and maintaining your RV plus many other aspects of the RV lifestyle. RV industry expert Mark Polk is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVDs, videos, books, and e-books.
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Harvest Hosts
Already a practice in many areas of the world and now it's made it's way to the USA.
Harvest Hosts, operated by Kim and Don Green, an experienced RVing couple, offers an annual membership subscription that allows free dry-camping at wineries and farms scattered across the country. In 2010, their inaugural year, the overnight stops include wineries, farms and orchards in Washington, Oregon, and California. As the year continues, additional overnight stops will be added in all of the lower 48 States. With annual memebership at only $20.00 - it's a great concept so get yourself signed up today!
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Possibly the most comprehensive RV related site on the Internet today:
RV Basics.
RV topics, links, news, and editorials. My favorite section is the RV Tip Of The Day.
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Free attractions and free things to do in all 50 United States and over 1,500 Cities, are listed in a data base at
Free-AttractionsListings include free museums, parks, concerts, parades, festivals, and zoos. The website gives a brief synopsis of each free attraction and usually a phone number -- a follow up to the official website for each listing is usually needed to get more specific information.
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A data base for Wi-Fi hot spots is an amazing resource for frugal travelers traveling with a laptop. Whenever we're on the Internet, we use these websites to look up and make notes of the available hot spots along the next stage of our planned route.
Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory
lets you find free Wi-Fi Internet access by typing in the nearest city or zip code.
JiWirehas a registry of nearly 300,000 free and pay Wi-Fi locations, worldwide, in 139 countries.
Wi-Fi ZONE Finder,a division of Ji-Wire is an official service of the Wi-Fi Alliance. This directory indexes only hotspot providers (free and pay) that have registered for the ZONE program which usually means the highest quality connections.
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Not your stereoptypical RVers,
NuRVers
is a community website for young and active RVers, many of whom work while on the road full time.
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Road Trip Journal an on-line magazine dedicated to discovering small town America. A collection of blogs and journals by various "Road Warriors" and a great place to start planning your next road trip or to contribute your own entries about places you've seen and recommend.
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Geocahing The ultimate frugal adventure activity that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. A treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. Chances are there are "treasures" hidden somewhere along almost all the trails you hike. Geocahing is free to join and the best thing ever to entice kids (of all ages) to take up trail-hiking.
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Geeks On Tour provides computer education for travelers who want to learn to use their computers for managing digital photos, making blogs, using maps and other online resources. The geeks, Jim and Chris Guld, are computer support professionals and on the road full-time in their RV.
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Cheap RV Living Various accounts from people who have converted a van or built their own camper to live cheaply on the road.
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See more of the world without paying to rent an RV. Much like a home exchange, here are two reputable RV exchange programs to connect you with motorhome owners in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The United States and many European countries:
Worldwide Motorhome Holiday Exchange
Registration and participation is free for the first year.
RV Motorhome Exchange
Here you can set up an RV swap or just let your RV pay for itself while you're not using it, by listing it in the "RV For Rent" section. For a limited time you can join for free and, doing so, ensures you'll get 50% off the reasonable $49.90 annual fee forever. So, even if you don't plan to RV on other continents this year, why not list now to see what type of offers you can expect to get?
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Buying something online? Ready to pay and you are asked if you have a promotional code. Now you're frustrated because you realize you could be saving money if you had one.
Downloadable codes and coupons are available here:
In the USA: Promotional Codes for USA
Or in Canada: Promotional Codes for Canada
Find more coupons, freebees, and promotional deals for Canadians at:
Red Flag Deals
Smart Canuks
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Tips for spending less yet living well - both on the road and in a bricks and mortar location.
Planet Cheapskate
and
Squawkfox Where frugal living is sexy, delicious, and fun.
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Why pay for campground directory guides? Road Campingis a free comprehensive guide created to help you find campgrounds by highway routes or by town name in all of the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. Along with campground information you'll find google maps and geographic co-ordinates for most campgrounds.
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Find unbiased Reviews of RV Parks. RV Shark
RV Park ReviewsFor RV parks all across the U.S.A. posted by RVers who have stayed in them. You're invited to share your own comments about a positive or negative RV park experience.
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Here's a website that will ensure you don't miss a single stop along the scenic route you're driving.
RV Itinerary Guides
The Itineraries list what you'll find, mile by mile, along many popular tourist routes in The USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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Find tips and tricks for sprucing up and maintaining the exterior of your new or used RV at
Auto Fetish Detail |
Finding free natural hot springs is always a highlight of our travels. A $10.00 lifetime membership to Soakers Bible
will give you access to directions and information for all the developed hot springs in the eleven western states.
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While my website concentrates on my niche - RV boondocking and affordable adventures, there's so much more to know about RVing in general.
When I'm looking for links to more general information, these websites, written by real people, RVers like us, are among my favorites:
Everything About RVing
and
Love RVing
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NADA Guide for RV PricingThis is the guide used by banks and RV dealers to determine the value of a used RV. Type in the details of the RV you are hoping to buy or sell to determine a fair price.
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Fulltime RVingprovides tips, resources, and inspiration for wannabe's and veteran Rvers'.
This website is all about sharing experiences and providing information to
others about the RV lifestyle.
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RV Boondocking - The GoodlifeThis website is just plain fun to read, providing sage boondocking advice with a sense of humor. After years on the road, this RVer discusses the benefits of downsizing to a smaller rig.
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Good RV FoodDedicated to the art of preparing easy and delicious meals in the relatively small spaces of an RV with recipes, tips, and even a free cookbook.
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Affordable Small Camper Vans For Rent
Finally! A rental option for those who don't want or need a big RV. Based in San Francisco, California, you can rent a completely equipped camping van for little more than it would cost to rent a car. Unlike the big RV rental companies, you're allowed to drive a Lost Campers Van on gravel roads to access the free campsites listed in the Frugal Shunpiker's Guides. Highly recommended!
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Hiking Lady has tips and tricks for casual and avid hikers alike, and a comprehensive resource with up to date, fun, and useful information for every level of hiker.
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Here's an opportunity to get in on the ground level of a new idea...free membership in an RV Resort Exchange. It won't be free forever.
RV Resort Exchange
A great idea - check it out and be one of the first to join!
And....
For an affordable alternative or just for a change from RVing and camping, have you considered a house swap?
Easy Home Exchange
offers FREE home exchange listing for one year (yes, FREE), unlimited home exchanges, unlimited updates to your listing, upload unlimited photos, you'll will be automatically contacted when someone shows an interest in your listing, free email alerts come to you when a new listing matches places you want to stay.
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RVers who are heading to Texas will find Fun Things To Do In Texas
a good place to start.
Frugal travelers who (like us) are always on the lookout for a (free) festival or other affordable entertainment will especially like the
Events Calendar and
Cheap Tickets pages on this website.
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Talk about affordable adventures!
What could be more adventurous than the Australian Outback?
The Kimberley Australia Travel Guide shows you how it can also be affordable. It's the best place to start planning your trip "down under."
As an aside - In his youth, Randy lived in Australia for several years. Someday we hope to travel there together and I'll write about those adventures myself. Meanwhile, this is one of the best resources for RVers I've found for exploring the real Australia.
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Considering an RV trip to the beaches of North Carolina?
Exploring The Outer Banks
is your guide to help plan a trip to the Outer Banks of
North Carolina. Learn about favorite attractions and things to do,
while camping at one of the National or Private Campgrounds on this string
of Barrier Islands along the Atlantic coast.
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Who can afford to buy a new RV? Instead, why not pick up an older model (for a song) and refurbish it?
GMC Co-operative Motorworks specializes in beautifully Restoring Vintage MotorhomesA full restoration done by this unique shop is not cheap but the website is full of information and inspiration!
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More to come...
More links to resources for RVers, particularly those of interest to frugal travelers, will be added as I discover them.
The traveler's way of paying it forward:
Share information that may enhance a fellow traveler's journey. You will always be paid back ten-fold.
Return from Resources For RVers
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