Last month, San Diego was the spot: we gave you the top five RV parks to stay at if Sea World was your destination (read post).  In August, we explained the easiest way for an RV family to have a blast at Disneyland (read post).

This month, December, we’re taking a look at yet another California mecca: Universal Studios Hollywood.  California is the perfect place to visit in the cold wintery months.  This kid- and adult-friendly park is a bit more complicated when it comes to traveling by RV–but that is exactly why we are helping you out.  This time, we’re giving you the top 5 (plus one!) closest RV parks to the Studios themselves (between 12 and 37 miles away) so you can decide what other fun stuff you want to explore as well.

 

Universal Studios Hollywood

 

1. Birmingham RV Park (818-785-0949 or www.birminghamrv.com) is 12 miles from the park in Van Nuys, California.  Daily rates are $46 for two people, each extra person is $5/day.  They also have weekly ($189) and monthly ($575) rates.  Discounts are available for seniors and Goodsam members.  Not only close to Universal Studios, they are within driving distance of most Southern California attractions.

2. Walnut RV Park (818-775-0704 or www.walnutrvpark.com) is 18 miles from Universal.  Rates are daily ($55), weekly ($250), and monthly ($700 + electric) for two people; extra people are $4/day.  Free wi-fi is available for all guests, as well as showers, a laundry room, and a swimming pool.

3. Castaic Lake RV Park (661-257-3340 or www.castaiclakervpark.com) is 32 miles from Universal.  At this distance, it’s easy to hit other hotspots on the SoCal tour without taking more than a day trip.  As the name suggests, the park is within a mile of Castaic Lake; rates are mostly daily ($50 for two, extra people $2/day) but you can apply for an extended stay.  A camp store, laundry facilities, and picnic tables for each group are provided.

4. Valencia Travel Village (661-257-3333 or www.valenciatravelvillagellc.com) is 32 miles from Universal.  There are 2 heated pools, a spa, a kiddie pool, a playground and an arcade.  Specific rates are not mentioned on the website but can be obtained if you call.  Other amenities include 303 full hookup sites, 78 partial hookup sites, and a convenience store.  It is pet friendly.

5. Malibu RV Park (310-456-6052 or www.maliburv.com) is 33 miles away from the park.  In the off season (such as now) rates for a full hookup with an ocean view runs from weekday at $65 to a four week stay at $1500.  Mountain views are slightly less.  There are washers and dryers, a gameroom, a TV room, modem access, limited wi-fi, and grills.

6.  Fairplex KOA/RV Park (909-593-8915 or www.fairplex.com) is 37 miles away from the park.  It is about $100 to park your RV at this site, but to make sure, call ahead of time to make reservations.  There are tent sites, an on-site pool and spa, a laundry room and showers, a mini-market, and a fully equipped gym.

It is the first week of December; winter has fast come upon us.

You need to check the roof seals, window seals and access door seals of your RV at least twice a year. As your RV sits in storage the unit expands and contracts with the changes in weather and temperature. This can cause the seams to crack and leak.

As your RV travels down the road the bumps and ruts cause your RV to flex. This can lead to cracks and leaks in the seams and sealers used on your RV.

This is a good time to check the inside of your RV. Check the water lines and the fittings to the toilet to make sure all the connections are tight and no leaks have developed. A small drip in the water lines can lead to dry-rot damage in the floor or mildewed carpet.

A maintenance check when you put your RV in storage at the end of the season and again when you get it out of storage will help prevent costly leaks and dry-rot, prolonging the life of your RV.

What are the best products to protect and keep your RV for the next season?

Here is a group of the greatest products RVShop.com is selling to assist you and make your winter preparation that much easier.

Aqua Shed RV Cover.  This cover is great for areas with moderate moisture and moderate sun.  For Class A motorhomes.  As simple and easy as it comes for covering up your RV for storage.  Highly water resistant.  $421.49.

Instant Roof Repair (Clear or Black).  For quick and simple RV roof repairs.  This contains everything you might need for a damaged roof: 1 quart roof repair, 1 brush, and a roll of polylace fabric mesh.  Immediate and permanent in a one-step application.  $47.59.

Insta-Glas is a combination of photo-curing polyester resin and chop-stranded fiberglass for use on fiberglass, most plastics, wood and metal. The working time is indefinite as it quickly hardens only when exposed to UV light or sunlight. Simply apply with a flat stick or your finger, clean up is easily done with water (before curing).  4 ounces, $17.99.

Sta-Put II Spray Adhesive is specially formulated for styrofoam.  Sta-Put also available: Sta-Put eliminates expensive equipment & maintenance costs. Ready to bond in 4 minutes and requires no set time under pressure. Proven effective for installation of tub wall surrounds, mirrors, splash blocks, counter top laminates, bottom board materials, moldings, carpets and linoleum.

Winter Diesel Fuel Supplement.  Some of the benefits of using this in winter:

–Prevents fuel gelling in temperatures as low as -40°F.
–Equals the performance of a 50/50 blend of No. 2 and No. 1 diesel fuels
–Lowers Cold-Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) as much as 36°F.  and keeps fuel-filters from plugging with wax
–Boosts cetane up to 4 numbers for faster cold starts
–Contains anti-icing additives – protects against fuel-filter icing

Pump Converter Winterizing Kit.  Simply install the Pump Converter Valve to the pump entry port.  When it is time to winterize, attach the siphon hose to the valve and place other end directly into a bottle of antifreeze.  Turn on pump to circulate the antifreeze.  Complete with pump adapters for different pumps, valve with cap, siphon hose with fitting and Teflon tape.

Still need tips? Check out our Winterizing Tips article and increase your understanding.  The most important part of RV care is knowing what to do!

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The holiday season is fast approaching and the rush to find the perfect gift for your friends and family comes along with it.

But with this handy list compiled by RVShop.com, finding presents for the RVers in your life is simpler than ever.

#1 Java To Go by Max Burton.  This handy cup will keep coffee and other beverages hot for hours on end.  It will even heat cold liquids!  16 fl. oz. capacity, non-skid bottom, and spill-proof lid.  The perfect present for those who like to take coffee or tea when in the car. $14.89.

#2 Pot Popper and Electric Saucepan by Max Burton.  This dual use appliance can pop popcorn as well as cook stews, soups, and beans.  1 liter capacity, 5 ft. DC power cord, lightweight aluminum.  $41.89.

#3 Stove To Go by Max Burton.  One of the most convenient pieces for the RVer always on the go!  Essentially it is a lunchbox that prepares hot meals on its own.  Includes cookbook with 18 starter recipes.  5.5 cup liquid capacity, 6 ft. power cord, storage built-in.  $36.89.

#4 Scrabble High Stakes Card Game.  A fun starter for a family RV game collection!  Easy to play and perfect for on the go.  A mix of Scrabble word fun and card game luck.  $8.29.

#5 Jarts.  A fun game of aim for the whole family.  Perfect for otherwise boring stops in RV parks.  A game that gets everyone in the fresh air for a while.  A mix between horseshoes and darts.  $20.89.

#6 Pie Iron (available in square or round versions).  The Pie Iron is the ideal present for those who love to cook over an open campfire but want more options for what to eat.  By placing a sandwich or dessert in the cavity, it is evenly cooked and ready to eat in minutes. The solid cast iron design holds up to the rigors of an open campfire.  $18.99 (square), $21.19 (round).

#7 Pie Iron Recipes by Richard O’Russa.  A great companion for the Pie Iron lover.  With recipes from Tuna Burgers to Cuban Sandwiches, anything is possible.  $7.29.  64 pages.

#8 State Sticker Map.  Have unsightly empty wall space in your RV?  Fill it with this fun Sticker State Map to chronicle all the places you’ve been.  Very durable.  $23.79.

#9 Vacuum To Go by Max Burton.  A great gift for those who like to keep everything spic and span.  5 attachments, 1 gallon capacity, 15 ft. DC power cord, 36″ flexible hose, shoulder strap, reusable/washable filter, high and low speed suction.  $46.89.

#10 Turbo Fan by Max Burton.  A great gift for keeping your RV cool in especially warm weather; everyone will want one!  Plug into any 12-volt receptacle.  Heavy-duty clamp, high or low speed, 7.5 ft. power cord.  $19.89.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  At RVShop.com, there are three pages of great gift ideas just like these; more games, appliances, and useful items than you could give to all your favorite RVers.  If you want your Christmas shopping to be easier than it ever was, just try the RVShop Gift Guide.

Purchasing an RV is one of the biggest decision you can make.  Besides being expensive, the quality of your RV affects the quality of the trips you take.  One can never be too careful, which is why we’re providing a list of the most important things to keep in mind while making your choice.

1. If RVing is something new to you, the best idea is to try a rental first. You can test drive it as much as you want and find out if the concept itself is right for you.  Just driving an RV is a different experience; it’s good to make sure you feel comfortable before you jump in too quickly.  Even if you are used to the RV world, rentals are the best way to get acquainted with your possible mobile home without making any commitment up front.
2. Be an intelligent observer: make sure you know what you’re talking about.  Research as much as you can before going to try out RVs.  Look up credible websites, purchase books or check them out at the library, or even just chat with people whose opinion you can trust.  Find out facts about RVs that you think could be a possibility for your lifestyle.  Whatever you do, don’t approach the situation without a clue.
3. Look at the different layouts and decide which RV suits you and your family the most comfortably.  If there are certain things you absolutely cannot live without, make sure that they are included.
4. Once again, research; however, this time, look into the information behind the manufacturers and retailers themselves.  Who can get you the most quality for your price range?  Who has the most customer satisfaction?  Who is suited for your needs?  This can all be researched through the internet as well as word of mouth.
5. When you finally get down to purchasing your RV, make sure the dealer is reputable as well.  And, most importantly, test drive.  There is never any need to rush.  Take your time and make sure that your choice is the one you want to stick with indefinitely.

Preparing you RV for storage is one of the most important things to do all year.  In order to make sure your mobile home is as home-y as ever for the next season, follow these top seven steps:

1. If your unit’s water heater is not equipped with a bypass system, it would be advisable to install one at this time.  This reduces the use of 6 to 12 gallons of antifreeze that would have been used up by the water heater tank.
2. Drain all tanks completely (fresh water, gray water, and black water) and then close the drain valve(s).
3. Open a faucet inside and then drain the water heater.  If equipped, also open all low point drain valves.  This will allow most of the water in the lines to drain.
4. Using a blow out plug, blow out the system at the city water inlet for 10 to 15 seconds.  This will ensure that the section of the line from that point to the main system is clear.  The system now should be free of the majority of water.  Close the faucet and all drain valves.
5. Put the water heater bypass into bypass mode.  Locate the water pump and disconnect the tank side.  It would be feasible to install a pump converter winterizing kit at this time.  This allows easy access each year from here on and allows drawing antifreeze directly from the bottle.  Otherwise, use a swivel fitting that fits the pump and a length of tubing that will reach from the pump to the gallon bottle of antifreeze and connect it to the pump.
6. Turn the pump on and open the nearest cold faucet from the pump and close it after the antifreeze starts to run.  Now do the same with the hot side.  Do this for each faucet after that.  Don’t forget to flush the toilet as well.
7. To finish the job, pour one to two cups of antifreeze into each sink trap and the tub.

This process of winterization should last you until the next time you need to use your RV!

For the past couple months, we’ve looking at the beginnings of the recreational vehicle.  From its start as a covered wagon to its development at the turn of the century, RVs have a colorful past.

In fact, the modern RV’s 100th birthday is in this year, 2010, because many sources state that the first trailers had their foundation in the year 1910.

So as we continue to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the RV, we’ll take a look into its next years of development: the Great Depression and World War II.

By the late 1920s, the RV was well established in America and Canada.  With the start of the 1930s, it spread across the world; some of the first Australian models were created during this period, as well as European countries. New words were created in world languages to give a name to this new technology.  From the French “camping-car” to the Chinese “房车” or “house-car”, the RV was making a statement without boundaries.

But in America, arguably the home of the RV, people were hitting hard times.  The Great Depression had just started, and people who were previously able to take trips across the country were forced to struggle just to stay in their house.

Many however, were forced to sell their homes to pay debts.  “Hoovervilles” (named after President Herbert Hoover, who many blamed for the depression) sprouted quickly in large cities as well as small towns.  They were communities of their own, filled with shacks and tents that hobos, tramps, and even once-respectable stock market gamblers populated.  High-, middle-, and low-class were all the same in a Hooverville; everyone was struggling to live.

A Hooverville in Seattle. (historylink.org)

But even in these primitive, bare-bones structures, one can see the influence of the RV and the on-the-move lifestyle.  The way that the Hooverville families lived was reminiscent of the days of covered wagons: they went day to day, never knowing where their food or money was coming from; they teamed up, putting together funds to help the community survive; and they found entertainment in the simple things such as guitar playing, sidewalk games, and conversations.

However, with the beginnings of war came the end of Great Depression.  President Franklin Roosevelt, elected in 1933, brought hope to many families made homeless or destitute by the economy.  And even before America was officially involved with the Second World War, they were relied upon to produce supplies for countries such as England and France.

Recovery was on the horizon by 1941–but so was tragedy.  The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th escalated America into war as well as almost repairing the economy overnight.  As men went to war, women went to work, and suddenly nearly everyone had something they could do for the war cause.

Hoovervilles became a thing of the past, but their influence stayed.  Instead of purchasing expensive, detailed homes to pass down through the family, smart 1940s homeowners purchased factory-made homes.  They were smaller, exactly like your neighbor’s, and rather boring, but they served their purpose.  They had more similarities to the RV of years to come than to the house of days past.

A purposeful place. (rootsweb.ancestry.com)

While the RV itself is not as prevalent during these years of strife and tragedy, depression and war, its influence can clearly be seen.  From Hoovervilles of the 1930s to the factory-made GI homes of the 1940s, the RV was waiting in the background until it would find a receptive audience once again.

NEXT MONTH: RV History 401 (1950s-1960s)

One of the easiest, most delicious, and fun treats to whip up for a long drive is a batch of homemade cookies.  It doesn’t matter whether your favorite is chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, or peanut butter; everyone likes a warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie.

Some of the most fun cookies, however, are new experiments that no one has heard of but everyone comes to love.  Baking a couple dozen of an experimental treat for a road trip often turns into baking those same treats consistently for school lunches and weekend snacks.

Cookies...Always a favorite, always delicious.

But the thing that makes cookies really a universal kind of treat is that they can go anywhere.  Pack them up already baked and stash them away for when kids get hungry in the middle of a road trip.  Or, if possible, mix the dough before hand, bag it, put it in a cooler, and take it along to bake in your handy RV oven.  Homemade snacks from your home on the road!

We’ve compiled a list of a few cookies we think stand up to the test of time–and your kids’ taste buds.  Each recipe was tested by your friends at RVShop (very happily, I might add) and the best are provided here for you.

Banana Spice Cookies

These cookies are very similar to a bite of banana bread.  Soft, chewy, and full of banana flavor, they’re a must have for fans of the fruit.

• 1/2 cup shortening*
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix well shortening, sugar, and eggs.  Stir in bananas.  Mix dry ingredients together and stir into wet mixture.  If using nuts, blend them in.  Chill for around 1 hour.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Drop rounded tablespoons of dough around 2″ apart on a nonstick or lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  (Makes 3-4 dozen cookies).

Ginger Creams

These are similar in consistency to the Banana Spice Cookies.  They have the taste of a ginger snap, but the soft chewiness and sugar-coated top of a gourmet dessert.

For Cookie:

• 1/3 cup shortening*
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix shortening, sugar, egg, molasses, and water thoroughly.  Stir dry ingredients together and blend into wet mixture.  Chill dough [I usually do 20-30 minutes].  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Drop dough by teaspoons about 2″ apart on nonstick or lightly greased baking sheet.  Cookies will spread slightly when baking.  Bake about 8 min., or until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly.  When slightly warm, spread with lemon or vanilla icing (see below).  (Makes about 4 dozen cookies).

For Icing:

• 1 cup Confectioner’s sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla OR lemon flavoring
• 1-1/2 tbsp. cream OR 1 tbsp. water

Blend sugar, salt, and flavoring.  Add cream as needed [Note: Sometimes I needed a tsp. or two more than suggested to make the icing a good consistency.  Use what you need to create your desired result].  (Makes icing for 3-5 dozen cookies).

Molasses Crinkles

A favorite of my family, the not-too-molasses-y taste is loved by even those who hate molasses on anything else.  They have a crackled sugary top that makes anyone who bakes them look like a professional.  The consistency is somewhere between chewy and crunchy.  Not too hard, not too soft, these delicious cookies are just right.

• 3/4 cup shortening*
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cloves
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• granulated sugar

Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and molasses thoroughly.  Blend the dry ingredients and stir them into the wet mixture.  Chill [about 20-30 minutes].  Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough in 1-1/4″ balls.  Dip the tops in sugar.  Place balls, sugar side up, 3″ apart on a nonstick or lightly greased baking sheet.  Sprinkle each with 2-3 drops of water [Note: This sprinkling of water produces the crackling effect on the top of the cookies].  Bake 10-12 minutes, or just until set but not hard.  (Makes 4 dozen cookies).

As you can see, making delicious cookies does not need to take all day long.  Just setting aside an hour can leave you with 4 or 5 dozen tasty treats to take along or devour right then and there.

We’d love to hear: what are your favorite childhood cookies?

*Butter or margarine cannot be substituted for shortening.  Shortening produces a different consistency in a cookie than butter or margarine; no amount of either could make it equal.  All-vegetable shortening is easy to find at the average supermarket.  Organic, trans-fat free shortening can be found in major supermarkets and health food stores.

All recipes extracted from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book (1963).  See modern Betty Crocker recipes at www.bettycrocker.com.

A little review from RV History 101…

The covered wagons used by those heading west in the 1840s and 1850s perhaps should be seen as the original RV: everything the traveling family needed the wagon provided.

As you remember, the beginnings of the RV came in the 1800s with the advent of the covered wagon.  But what was the next step in bringing the RV to the place it is today?

In Canada and the United States, a resurgence of the recreational vehicle came with the era of the automobile.  The period from 1910-1930 proved to be times when RVing was very much in vogue.  In America, RVing and camping clubs were established across the country, and people wanted to be on the move and experience the country in a new way.  The first “road trips” came into existence as people loaded up their new vehicles to traverse the nation.

Home, Sweet Home. (www.rvbuddiesonline.com)

But the creation of the automobile helped the reinvention of the RV in many ways; in addition to creating a more convenient design, the growth of the automobile industry inspired the need for paved roads.  In a short period of time, many areas previously unreachable except by on foot became gathering spots for early RVers.

At this same time, camping grew in popularity along with and in conjunction with the RV.  Many of the first RVs were used simply for camping, not for family travel from city to city.  Some of the original RVs include the Pierce-Arrows, Auto Kamp Trailers, and Los Angeles Trailer Works.

In fact, the modern RV’s 100th birthday is in this year, 2010, because many sources state that the first trailers had their foundation in the year 1910.

It was an era of extravagance and innovation.  In the years from 1910-1929, wealthy, well-to-do people were able to go where they pleased and do what they pleased due to modern inventions and a new-found confidence in America and the future.  Up until the late 1920s, RVing was a rich man’s hobby; an RV cost around $589 in 1910 ($13,393 in 2009 dollars).  The average hard-working man made around $200 to $300 ($4,000-8,000) annually, making an RV distinctly out of the question.  For a higher-class worker, such as a dentist or veterinarian, it was relatively possible to purchase such a luxury: they made an average of $3000 ($66,000) a year.

It was a time before a true middle-class; either you were rich and able to purchase things you wanted, or you were poor and unable to buy anything but your needs. Throughout the 1800s and the turn of the century, Americans very rarely went outside of their hometown in their entire lifetime.  But with the invention of the widely available car, people were able to discover a whole new world.

RVing took a hold in 1910 America and Canada.  Today, 100 years later, it’s still going strong.  Where will it be by 2110?

NEXT MONTH: RV History 301 (1930s-1940s)

Last month, we headed to Disneyland and explored the RVing possibilities of the Happiest Place on Earth (read post).  This time, a new Southern Californian theme park is next in line: Sea World.

A Step Into an Underwater World

Located in San Diego, it’s a substantial drive from Disneyland and Orange County.  Once there, however, there are many exciting, memorable activities to engage in.  But the most important part is finding a convenient place to camp out for the duration of your stay.

The top five RV parks in the Sea World area are within 15 miles of the park, making it relatively easy to come and go at your leisure.

1. Campland On the Bay (800-4BAY-FUN or www.campland.com) is 3 miles from the park and boasts a marina, internet service, and a cafe featuring BBQ and an ice cream parlor.
2. Coastal Trailer Villa (619-276-0612 or www.coastaltrailervillapark.com) is 4 miles from Sea World.  Pets are allowed, and the park is a mere 15 minutes from the beach.
3. Mission Bay RV Resort (877-219-6900 or www.missionbayrvresort.com) is 5 miles from the park.  Once again, pets are allowed.  Cable TV and Wi-Fi are available as well as the facilities for a boat launch ramp, fishing, and biking.
4. San Diego RV Resort (877-717-6667 or www.sdrvresort.com) is a bit more of a trek: 12 miles away from Sea World.  However, the resort itself has a fitness center, wireless internet, and a heated pool and spa.
5. Last but not least, the San Diego Metro KOA (800-762-5267 or www.koa.com) is the farthest in our top five: 15 miles.  In addition to room for RVs, the KOA also is home to many cabins that are available to rent out for your stay.  Free cable TV and wireless internet are a couple pluses. In addition, kids stay free!

Rates vary from park to park and depend on the size of your RV as well as the size of your family.  Oftentimes, rates are around $40-$80 per night.  Winter rates at certain parks are nearly half the price of their summer rates; to save money and enjoy a trip away from winter-y weather, travel to San Diego in January or February!

Of course, just as in Orange County, make sure that you see all the fun activities that San Diego has to offer visitors.  Turn your Sea World trip into a chance to see the world!