RV Freebies

Mount Rainier Free Entry July 18 & 19

2009-07-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

RVing out in the Northwest? Here's your opportunity to check out Mount Rainier National Park, smack in the middle of Washington State. OK, almost in the middle, but Rainier sticks its head up so high that on those rare clear days you'd say it must be in the middle. Haul your motorhome, your fifth wheel, or miscellaneous RV up here!

Rainier hasn't always been Rainier. Natives called the 14,200 mountain "Tacoma," for which a nearby town (lying in the path of mudflows should the mountain belch) takes its name. The actual park is a popular destination for hikers and campers, and intrepid mountain climbers. The free pass doesn't cut any slack for camping fees, but does make entry through the gate cost-free. Plan your trip quick, the days are coming up fast. Meantime, visit the park web site.

If Mount Rainier is too far for a freebie, then check out ANY nearby National Park--this weekend all of them are waiving the gate fees. What a bargain!

Freebies for RVers With Big Mouths

2009-07-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: We are obviously not working for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. If you have concerns about your waistline, cholesterol level, or any other problem related to eating, please exit this site immediately!

FREE EATS

Fish Fans: Long John Silver's Restaurants will be giving away free Baja Fish Tacos (no strings attached) on July 14 from opening until 2:30 PM.

Arby's Fans: Lots of offers in the next two months:

July 8th - Free Orange Cream Swirl shake with any sandwich purchase
July 15th - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase
July 22nd - Free Roastburger with any soft drink purchase
July 29th - Free FruiTea with any sandwich purchase

August 5th - Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase
August 12th - Free Roast Chicken Club with any soft drink purchase
August 19th - Free FruiTea with any sandwich purchase
August 26th - Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase

Another leetle disclaimer: Check with your local Arby's to ensure they're participating!

Free Antacids! Woops! We're still looking for them!

photo: SuperFantastic on flickr.com

Free Movie at LBJ Ranch

2009-06-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

RVers should bring their folding chairs and soda pop come June 13. If you're in the neighborhood of the L.B. Johnson National Historic Park in Johnson, Texas, you can catch a free western--right along with free popcorn--courtesy of the National Park Service.

The movie, Will Penny, a 1968 western stars Charlton Heston and Joan Hackett. Heston's character is an aging, nomadic cowboy caught up in the threads of a lonely woman and her son. In true Sam Peckinpah fashion (the movie is based on an episode from one of Sam's TV westerns) Heston meets danger and bloodshed in the form of an antagonistic man, Preacher Quint. We won't spoil the plot, and if you miss the film, there are other free movies at the ranch this summer. Catch them on July 18, and August 29.

Check out the Park Service web site for more info on other activities on the Johnson homestead.

Protect Against Influenza While RVing--Free Sample

2009-05-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

We've mentioned in our other blogs that RV travelers need to beware the N1H1 virus--the so-called swine flu--but there are other bugs out there that can sideline you easily. Viruses are generally spread by physical contact--and our hands are the "prime suspects." Here's a new product that promises to kill off 99.9% of germs causing illness--just like hand sanitizers. But what the company that makes SkinWear better is that it lasts not just 15 seconds, but up to 8 hours. It also doubles as a skin moisturizer.

With such a deal as this, and you can get a free sample bottle the company says can protect you for up to a week. What's the catch? You'll need to log on to the company website at skinwearusa.com and click on the free sample tab. Fill out the e-form and in a few days, your sample bottle will wing its way to your mailbox and waiting hands.

Texas RV Parks Want You: Give Guide, Discounts

2007-12-14T08:20:00.001-08:00

A group of Texas campground owners wants you'all to come and visit. To make it easier, they've published a slick paper magazine, dividing that big countryside up into regions, and cleverly showing you where to find each one of their parks--and oh yeah, they've even thrown in a couple of New Mexico RV parks to sweeten the deal.

This is not the first year group has made this offer, and apparently it's a bit popular. The book hasn't hit the streets yet and the group is crowing that 2,000 folks have already asked for the latest edition. Of course, if you're into RV campgrounding in the Lone Star State, it may be because the outfit includes a "Texas Saver Card" which grants the holder 10 to 15 per cent off at participating parks.

To latch on to your copy, call (682) 518-1989, or visit the current on-line edition (the 2008 will be available in January).

On-Line Scenic Drives Great for Trip Planning

2007-10-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

No matter what state you visit in the US, there's a scenic drive nearby. The trick is finding them, and knowing whether there's something on the drive you want to go for. Enter firestonelegendarydrives.com. Herein lie the most scenic drives in the country, along with tips and information about places to drop into for a good feed.

Since the sponsor is a tire manufacturing firm, you can also figure that a good focus on the site are automotive museums. Great detail is given to these. Although other attractions are listed, the coverage is not nearly as thorough but it's not a bad start.

Here's an example entry of the kind of information you can pick up on the site:

"The town of Florence, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, is the last place to offer hometown amenities before venturing onto the desolate highway. Be sure to check your gas gauge before leaving the city limits – there won't be a gas station or convenience store for the next 45 miles. Although Florence is a quiet burg, its main thoroughfare exposes some of life's reality more harsh than its desert surroundings.

"At the intersection of Rte. 79 and Butte Avenue is the Arizona State Prison Complex, a sprawling mass of buildings that house five correctional facilities. Hardened types from as far away as Alaska are brought here. Across from the prison, on Butte Avenue, is the Prisoner Outlet Store – a retail shop for those travelers seeking that "one of a kind" gift. Traveling down Rte. 79, you pass the Arizona National Guard Training Range and the River Bottom Saloon, a local watering hole at the edge of the now dry Gila River. With the glitzy sparkle of the prison's sunlit barbed wire still visible in your rearview mirror, head south out of town into the Sonoran where the arms of the saguaro cactus embrace you for 45 miles on your driving journey toward Tucson.

"Plenty of wayside areas are along the road, including one dedicated to the early cowboy film star Tom Mix. These sites make for an adventuresome picnic stop, but like the desert itself, lack water and the usual creature comforts. Picnic tables and cabanas are provided; tree shade is not. Driving the old two-lane to where it splits at Oracle for Tucson takes you into the desert, not past it. The beauty of Rte. 79 is its slow pace, where one can absorb the grandeur of Sonoran Desert."

Photo: firestonelegendarydrives.com

Looking to Visit Arizona?

2007-10-17T14:42:00.003-07:00

If you're looking to visit Arizona this fall or winter, you won't be alone. If statistics hold, tourism will up again this year. In 2006 the Grand Canyon State estimated that about 3.3% more out of visitors showed up than in previous years. Not surprisingly, "Baby Boomers" made up the largest share of those who came--36% of non-resident visitors. But following on their heels, "Gen-Xers" made up 30% who came from out of state for leisure.

What did they come for? Camping ranked high on the "West Coast" of Arizona. And plenty of sight seeing: 2 1/2 million folks visited the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City--but if that's big, consider those who visited the Grand Canyon, nearly 4 1/2 million in 2006.

What about you? Want a free trip planner for your visit to this winter wonderland? Arizona tourism folks would love to send you one. Sign up for an e- or print version here.

Free answers to questions for Walleye anglers

2007-10-02T10:44:00.001-07:00

RVers who enjoy fishing for Walleye can now get free answers to their questions about the freshwater sport by fishing researcher Dan Eggertsen at his new website Ask Walleye Fishing. Eggertsen and his panel of Walleye fishing experts field questions from Walleye fishermen throughout North America in hopes of bringing more exposure to the hobby, and also to satisfy the knowledge gap that exists between beginners and experts. There is no cost to ask a question on the site askwalleyefishing.com.

Free Access to US Public Lands September 29

2007-09-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 29th, RVers (and others) can get free access into any area managed by the US Department of Interior. And with a little bit of your sweat, you can get a free pass for a day's visit later. See the full story on RVs in the News.

RVers Get A Free DVD Rental from Redbox

2007-07-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

RVers love DVD players because they are light and compact. They also have them installed in their RV entertainment systems. Here is an offer to take advantage of a free DVD rental from Redbox DVD kiosks. This a great idea for RVers because you can return the DVDs at any Redbox kiosk at over 3,500 locations nation-wide. This means you can pick up DVDs while you’re traveling and not have to worry about returning them back to the same place you got them. Get your free DVD here: Redbox Keeping you up-to-speed on the latest RV issues - Jim Twamley

Free Fishin' for Texas State Park Goers

2007-05-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

In addition to a license-free day of fishing in Texas on June 2, you can take in free fishing in Texas state parks at other times. Visit our sister web site, RVs in the News for details.

Photo copyright Texas State Parks & Wildlife Department

Montana Vacation Planner free for the asking

2007-04-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

The state of Montana will send you its beautiful 2007-2008 Vacation Planner. The colorful, magazine-sized publication is chock full of ideas of where to go and what to see in the state. And there is a lot to see — the state is the nation’s fourth largest — it could accommodate Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York within its boundaries, and still have room to spare. Yet, in all this space, the population is smaller than that of Phoenix, Arizona. To request a free copy of the Vacation Planner as well as a state road map and other publications, click here.

Get Free Stuff And Save The Planet At The Same Time

2007-04-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a place where you can find what you need for free. It will probably be slightly used, but you can’t argue with the price FREE! One man’s junk is another man’s treasure drives this website of redistribution. It’s a free service and a GREAT concept! You sign up with a group in your area and they will post things that people are giving away FREE. You email them and tell them you want it and then make arrangements for delivery. In the same way if you need to find a home for grandma’s rocker, post it at your group site and away it goes. If you need something, all you have to do is post an email asking for it, and if someone has the item you’re looking for, bingo, you win. Freecycle

So, Don’t Throw It Away Freecycle It!

Free guide takes mystery out of vehicle care

2007-04-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

(NewsUSA) - A new guide for motorists turns technical automotive jargon into everyday language, taking the mystery out of vehicle maintenance and repair.

The free guide, published by the Car Care Council, can be ordered online at www.carcare.org.

The guide, which fits easily in a glove box, explains the nine most common preventative maintenance procedures and repairs that need to be performed to keep cars operating safely and reliably, while maintaining their long-term value. It also includes a list of questions to ask when these procedures are being done on a car.

To further familiarize motorists with their vehicles, the guide has clear, concise descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts. A "Car Care Checklist" reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.

"The first step toward a safe and dependable vehicle is to be car care aware — to understand your vehicle, what kind of care it needs, when it needs it and why," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "The easy-to-follow guide provides this information, cutting through the technical language and terms that often confuse or prevent motorists from really taking good care of their vehicles."

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. For more information, log on to www.carcare.org.

Uncle Wants You to Tow Safely--Get the Book

2007-04-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while we come across a nasty accident involving a towable rig. That's a good reminder that "things can happen." Sadly, some things happen to RVers that might not have needed to happen.

The federal government's Highway Traffic Safety Administration has put together a free downloadable booklet on trailer safety tips, including some excellent advice on how to tow a trailer, good for all of us, but particularly those new to the game. Get your free downloadable booklet.

Washington State Patrol photo from KGW.COM

How about some free food?

2007-04-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

If you go to http://www.kashi.com/trialevent3/freesample/, you can request a free sample of their GoLean Crunch cereal. It promises to keep you going until lunch.

For those unfamiliar with Kashi, the company makes a 7-grain cereal that is good for you, priced right and doesn't taste like cardboard. Their motto is "7 whole grains on a mission." Enjoy!

Free online Sudoku with a click

2007-04-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

If you're a Sudoku fan and have Internet connectivity, go to http://www.aarp.org/fun/puzzles. You'll not only find a daily Sudoku game, you'll also be able to time yourself solving a four-letter, four-line word completion puzzle; Jumble© ; a jigsaw puzzle and a Word Search© game, along with several others. Have fun!

Tennessee Vacation Guide available by mail or download

2007-04-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Send for a free Tennessee Vacation Guide, compliments of the state's tourism office. You can request either a printed guide to be mailed to you, or you can read it right online through the magic of "instant download." Whichever way you choose, you'll find some excellent reading, good travel tips and lots of pretty photos. Get your guide here (scroll down and click on the "Request A Free Vacation Guide" graphic.

Buy an RV or advertise for free to sell one

2007-04-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

It seems like everywhere you look there's a place to buy or sell an RV. There are always traditional sources -- newspaper classified ads, local Nifty Nickel tabloids. . . and you can always park your RV on the street with a "For Sale" sign. And nowadays you can choose from dozens of websites that are devoted exclusively to the sale of RVs. You'll pay for these services, of course. But here's a good place to either buy or sell an RV (or a tow vehicle) where the service is free. It's Craiglist.com at www.craigslist.com. Once you get to the website, click on the city near or where you live, then go to the "For Sale" section and within that click on RVs.

Get a free pedometer

2007-04-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

If you go to the My Heart Now website http://www.myheartnow.com/content/index.jsp and fill out a brief survey, Pfizer will send you a free pedometer. It takes just a few minutes and you'll be on your way to a simple, effective exercise program.

Send for free catalog of government publications

2007-04-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

The Federal Government offers hundreds (if not thousands) of free and inexpensive books, brochures and reports on just about any subject of interest to consumers, whether related to health, travel, retirement, computers, employment, education, small business, food, money. . . and more. They even provide publications on camping, campgrounds, federal parks and. . . well, the list is endless. You can send for a free printed catalog or read it online by visiting the website of the Federal Citizen Information Center of Pueblo, Colorado.

This free video could save your life

2007-04-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

How would you react to a blown front tire? Would you slow down? Speed up? No matter how you answer, please watch the informative online video "The Critical Factor" from Michelin. If you can't view it on the Web, email for a free copy. Truly, seeing this video could save your life. And by the way, according to the video, slowing down is the WORST thing you could do!

Find Yourself With This Free GPS Data Goldmine

2007-04-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

Among the best FREE stuff I've ever found for the RV lifestyle was this GPS data goldmine. If you use Delorme, Co Pilot or Microsoft Streets & Trips then you are in luck! You have immediate and free access to just about every kind of locator information you will ever need for your GPS software. I cannot stress enough how many times this data has saved me time and money. Their site is chock full of GPS data for campground clubs like Passport America and Coast to Coast, regular WalMarts, Super WalMarts, casinos, low bridges all over the U.S., Flying J and TA truck stops, Corps of Engineers campgrounds, dump stations, and a host of other very useful information. I take this date and import it into my GPS program and assign it visual "tags" that tell me while I'm driving that I'm coming up on a Flying J truck stop in the next few miles. Does this help me while I'm RVing all over the country? You Bet! Does it save me money? YES! Do I still use the books that tell me this same information? YES! I use both because sometimes the GPS data is incorrect and I always like to use hard-copy books to back up my trip planning. You and I would normally pay big bucks for this kind of data and be happy to do so, but thanks to the Discovery Owners Association it's free for the taking, so have at it!

Find it FREE here: GPS Data Download

If you need information on how to convert this data to your GPS program go here:GPS Data Help

Get a California camping guide

2007-04-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

Looking for a park in Southern California, Northern California or Nevada? Do you want to camp on the beach or near San Francisco? You can find it here. Whether you travel in a motor home, fifth wheel, travel trailer, pop-up camper or stay in a cabin or tent; we welcome everyone! Visit for a few days, several weeks or a whole season. Full time RVers will find a wide selection of parks that offer the features they need for the mobile lifestyle.

You can search by location, recreation facilities and amenities ... access more than 400 RV parks and campgrounds! The parks included here are generally privately owned and offer a wide array of features and services for their guests. Each park listing includes an amenity list so you can easily determine whether a park has the features you need!

Check out http://www.camp-california.com/

Hi-Low trailer DVD is free, or watch video online

2007-04-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a Hi-Lo trailer? Unless you just landed on the planet, you probably have. They’re the famous telescoping trailers -- a trailer in two parts, a top and bottom. When the trailer is being towed, the top drops over the bottom making it very aerodynamically efficient and safer to tow than a traditional trailer. Hi-Lo trailers are now in their 50th year and are more popular than ever. Send for a free DVD or simply watch a streamed video at the company’s website.