The good, the bad and the ugly for the RV industry in 2009

The good: Americans continue to RV.
As most of my readers know, I’m a full time RVer who loves RVing. I encourage families to enjoy the RV lifestyle and all it entails. Despite the awful economy people will continue to enjoy the pleasures of RVing in 2009 and for years to come.

The bad: Manufacturers and dealers continue to fail.
We're not anywhere near the so called “bottom” when RV sales will rebound. Sid Johnson, the marketing director of Jayco recently said, "Most of the experts who have followed the RV industry closely believe we are at or near the bottom now and the market should begin to rebound by the middle of next year." Johnson blames hard-to-get financing as the culprit.

In a CNBC interview, Avondale RV analyst Kathryn Thompson said any rebound in RV sales in the near future is unlikely, noting that "prospects for a recovery in 2009 remain dim."

RV manufacturer CEO Mike Mitchell said his company could not see enough "light at the end of the tunnel to feel confident that market conditions would improve sufficiently to justify continued losses that would be incurred waiting for the market to return."

He is the CEO of the Chanute, Kansas based NuWa Industries makers of the 5th wheel brands Hitchhiker LS, Hitchhiker Discovery and Hitchhiker Champagne. Today they threw in the towel saying they plan to make, “a graceful exit from the RV industry” by maintaining a skeleton staff at the factory to do warranty work and support dealers with parts until 2010.I know I’m repeating myself, but for those who may have missed my previous articles, please make sure you have any RV warranty work done before your dealer or manufacturer goes out of business. The sooner you take care of it the better!

Even high end coach maker Marathon booted 150 workers just before Thanksgiving - nice!According to CNBC Standard & Poors is giving Monaco Coach the boot tomorrow removing them from the S&P SmallCap 600 trading board because they are now worth less than $25 million and the requirement to remain a public traded company with S&P is $200 million.According the Fresno Bee newspaper, RV king Dan Gamel closed all but one of his dealerships last week and fired 150 employees.

And from Riverside, California we learn that Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. has been officially notified by the New York Stock Exchange they have failed to keep an average market capitalization of not less than $25 million over a consecutive 30 day trading period. I suppose this means their grandiose financial reorganization plans aren’t working out. Unless they can raise the money soon they are off the NYSE.

The ugly: RIVA goes begging for bailout money.
Richard Coon, president of the RV Industry Association (RVIA) has hired additional federal lobbyists to ensure the RV industry is in line for possible bailout money. Does that sit well with you?

RVIA released the November numbers and they are UGLY! Representing the largest year-over-year decline for 2008 November shipments totaled 6,000 units compared with 21,500 just one year ago. That is a whopping 72.1% decline. No industry can stay and play with these kinds of numbers! These facts continue to bear out my thesis that the RV industry as we know it is history.

Prospects for the RV industry in 2009:We will continue to see an exodus of both RV manufacturers and dealerships from the playing field. They will attempt to stay afloat by laying off more workers, cutting work weeks and production. They will attempt to restructure their financial obligations by renegotiating their debt through repayment extensions and financial paper manipulation. In 2009 upper management from many of these companies will find themselves in the same position as the employees they’ve recently fired.

A few manufacturers who are better financed will manage to hang on through the year but will find themselves staring into the same deep pit that swallowed the others this time next year. I expect only a handful of RV manufacturers to be standing at the end of 2010.

With the disappearance of dealerships where will you get your RV repair work done? Not to worry, many enterprising RV industry workers and technicians who were laid off will start their own mobile RV businesses to service current RV owners.The RV “elite” are telling us they have seen this kind of downturn before and they will weather the storm just like they’ve done before. They are putting lipstick on the mule because in reality they are scared to death. They have never experienced anything near this magnitude of economic depression and are hoping and praying customers will start buying RVs again before they loose their livelihood. If you’re working in the RV industrial complex and aren't actively seeking other employment right now, you better get into high gear because the pink slip is on the way.

And for my detractors (trolls), I am not reliant on the RV industry for my income and am therefore free to express my ideas and opinions and report the news as it emerges. If you don’t like what I have to say, then I invite you to stop reading my column. Also, if you don’t have the courage to tell us who you are in the comments section, then I invite you not to participate. Happy New Year - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Redeeming underutilized RV spaces

Tools and devices that can be used in multiple ways are critical in the RV realm because of weight restraints and space limitations.

RVers don't have the luxury of squandering space as frequently occurs in a stick house with more room. So, it's important to consider how you're utilizing all the spaces in your RV.

This concept will become even more important as smaller more economical RVs gain in popularity. I will continue to give you tips and insights into how to better utilize your RV spaces in future articles and today I will focus on the motorhome pilot position.

Whether it is a class A,B or C the driver position often becomes underutilized space after the day's driving is complete. The type of motorhome will determine the ways you can utilize this important space. I have a class A and since I ejected a "J lounge" couch and replaced it with a desk, I depend on the pilot chair for double duty as living room furniture when parked. Since the chair backs-up against the steering wheel I use the space for temporary storage.

Some people have enough room to use the steering wheel as a table.Others use it as a desk. Here is an example of a simple design. A round wood table top disk (available at any big box hardware store) held in place with wine bottle corks attached to the board.This RVer opted for a larger work area and since the steering wheel didn't tilt completly horizontal, they rigged a hinged brace that fits on the steering wheel.Notice the curved cut on the lip of the brace fits the dimension of the steering wheel to hold it snugly in place.The desktop folds in half with a piano hinge so it can be neatly stored away when not in use. It is also cut at an angle to allow access to the entryway. The desktop rests on the brace and the dash for added stability.These are just a few ideas showing you how to better utilize your RV space. Use your creative RV genius to come up with your own space saving, multi-use designs that will help you get the most out of your RV experience.

Steering you in the right direction - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Rounding up Christmas electric cords in your RV

Many RVers get into the spirit of Christmas by decorating their RVs. Wreaths hanging from the kingpin on a 5th wheel or on the front of a Motorhome. Ribbons and bows, statuary and festive lights festoon RVs.

I especially enjoy looking at the Christmas lights after dark as it reminds me of the scripture found in Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Christmas is about the birth of Christ who brought the light of hope and the possibility of salvation into a world dark with despair. Traditionally Christmas is celebrated for twelve days, so it’s OK to leave your decorations up for a while. Unfortunately commercial retail has been moving Christmas forward so we begin to hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving which makes us want to put all our decorations away the day after Christmas. I trust the commercialization of Christmas has not jaded RVers to the true meaning of the celebration. Decorating your RV for Christmas is a fun way to get into the spirit. Many of our modern decorations have lights attached and the more decorations you display the bigger the tangle of electric cords.
One way to dispense with the cords is to purchase decorations that operate on batteries. With rechargeable batteries you will be able to keep your decorations burning brightly throughout the season. But what can be done to get control of the electric cord tangle?For motorhomes you may want to consider installing additional electric wall outlets in the windshield support column. Here is an example of two outlets one near the dash and the other near the top of the windshield. To do this requires some electrical knowledge and installation skill, but the finished product will keep cords off the floor and away from the door preventing a tripping hazard. You will ned to be very accurate in cutting out the holes for the electric outlet, otherwise you will need to use a standard outlet cover plate.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year full of fun RV adventures! Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

When was fiberglass first used in RV bodies ?

RV manufacturers employ a variety of materials in the construction of modern RVs.

Laminate siding, plastics, vinyl and fiberglass are all common materials used in RV construction today. Newer technologies like carbon fiber promise to make RVs stronger and much lighter in the future. RV manufacturing has come a long way in the last 50 years but you may be surprised to learn that some of these materials were being used over 50 years ago.

Wandering around the “must see” RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame in Indiana this past summer, I came across this 1955 Ranger crank-up tent trailer.Fewer than 200 of these RVs were built in 1955 by Hille Engineering of Anaheim, California.This RV was donated by Robert Howe of College Park, Georgia who also modified this unit with upper bunks that fold out when the roof is raised. RVers are always making modifications to their units - even back then.This RV was innovative for its day because it was the first brand to use fiberglass in making trailer bodies. Another innovation was a bed that slid out of the rear of the trailer making the Ranger the first RV to use the term “slide-out” to describe this unique feature.

The crank-up idea was popular in many pop-up style trailers and is still in use today. The fuel efficiency achieved in the low towing profile and light weight will continue to command RV market share well into the future as RVers become more concerned about economy.

Like many families our first RV was a pop-up trailer. Some of our best family memories center around that first RV because it opened a whole new world to us and our kids.

Some of the old ideas are still around for a good reason - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

What it was like to RV in 1964

I remember RVing with my grandparents in a rented travel trailer during the 1960s. They rented a Scotty brand travel trailer and took me with them on a tour of the California coastline. During the 60s the RV industry was still in it's infancy and most people were still "tent camping". So it's understandable that when these "fancy" new trailers started showing up they captured the immagination of America. They were the perfect match for a country hooked on automobile travel.This 1964 Coachmen Cadet Travel Trailer is on display at the RV/Mothorhome Hall of Fame in Indiana.This was the first production travel trailer built by Coachmen. It featured a new idea of a bed that stored up against the ceiling when not in use. It was manually lowered into position above the dinette for sleeping.This RV was quite luxurious for it’s time. Notice the one faucet for external hook-up and the manual pump faucet to draw water out of the holding tank.The now famous company symbol, “Pete” the Dalmatian, became part of the company early in its development. The company was founded by three brothers Thomas, Keith and Claude Corson.

Coachmen industries RV division was recently sold to Forrest River who intends to keep the Coachmen brand in production.Looking back while looking forward - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part V

This, the final segment of the five part series on RV dental tourism in Mexico, will focus on optometry and audiology. Many medical plans do not cover hearing aids or glasses, so this may be the best financial solution for some RVers.

Along with top notch dental care you will also find competent optometrists who will give you an eye exam and prescription for your glasses. The glasses themselves are very reasonable, starting at $20 for single vision, $45 for bifocals and $50 for progressive lenses.If you have not done so already, you may want to read my four previous articles and view the attached videos. Clicking on any of the titles below will take you directly to previous articles:

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part I - Los Algodones, Mexico
RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part II - Los Algodones, Mexico
RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part III - Acuña, Mexico
RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part IV - New Progreso, Mexico

In every border town you will find optometry clinics. Dr. J. Carlos Arvizu is a practicing optometrist in Los Algodones, Mexico. He will provide you with all the services you could receive from a U.S. or Canadian optometry clinic and for a fraction of the cost. He is located in the bright yellow Plaza Guadalajara where you will also find one of the best restaurants in town.Dr. Victor M. Lopez has been practicing audiology and correcting hearing impairments with hearing aids for 30 years. I spoke with one of his patients and not only could he hear me (a good sign) but he was completely satisfied with his new hearing aids and the great price. Dr. Lopez says you will save from 35% to 50% versus Canadian and U.S. prices. The hearing aids are also guaranteed. If warranty work is required it can easily be obtained through warranty centers in the U.S. and Canada. Since he buys his hearing aids from the U.S. the warranty is serviceable in the U.S. Because of the low overhead, no middleman and no taxes, Dr. Lopez is able to pass the savings on to his patients.Dr. Lopez will give you a state-of-the-art hearing examination to determine the level of hearing loss and prescribe the proper hearing aid.

There are also many pharmacies in Mexico that can save you a bundle of cash. Most popular Canadian and U.S. pharmaceuticals are available under their brand names. They are manufactured under the direction of the same pharmaceutical companies that produce them for the U.S. and Canada. Many common drugs that require a prescription in the U.S. are available without prescription in Mexico. Controlled drugs such as narcotics will require a written prescription. Many lesser known drugs are also available, but they will more than likely be under a Spanish brand name. Look up the medication and the dosage on the internet before you go, so the Mexican pharmacist can give you the correct equivalent.

Helping fellow RVers find affordable dental, optometry and audiology care - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Remembering a great RV traveling companion

When I worked a regular job and lived in a stick house, Barney would be waiting to greet me at the door. Barney was our miniature schnauzer who loved us dearly and we him. One time when I had been away on a business trip, the taxi delivered me back to the house, where Barney, in his excitement to welcome me, knocked out a ground level window screen and ran to meet me. He was a loyal friend and a wonderful traveling companion.When I retired and we began full-time RVing Barney was with us 24/7 and enjoyed every minute of it. I promised him he could smell as many bushes across America as his little schnauzer heart desired. He did a pretty good job of it, too!Barney made sure I was up and out of the RV to take him for a walk at least twice a day. He met nearly every RVer in the park wherever we stayed and everyone enjoyed being his friend. You see, Barney didn’t have any enemies, only friends. In fact, he was directly responsible for my making many new RV friends because he made sure I got out and visited folks in the RV park. Now that I think of it, perhaps it was Barney who was taking me for a walk.He was very patient, allowing me to speak with my friends during the walk. It wasn’t uncommon for him to just lie down until the conversation ran its course. I remember taking him out on dark Arizona nights and being amazed at the splash of glorious stars. If it weren’t for Barney, I wouldn’t have seen nearly as many starry nights.

Barney visited national parks and campgrounds all over the United States and Canada. After nearly sixteen years as a faithful companion, traveling with us in many different RVs, Barney is no longer with us. Today I held him and wept as the vet administered the injection and he drifted painlessly off to sleep. It’s an emotional wound I know will heal with time. I will think of our noble Barney every time I see another RVer walking their beloved pets.Take a little extra time to love your pets today; they truly are amazing friends! Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Living small while living large in your RV

We love RVing, in fact we enjoy it so much we sold our house and now we RV every day. We are living large while traveling in the comfort of our motorhome. One Sunday while attending the church of friend who pastors in Bend, Oregon we were talking outside. He asked me, "So how do you like full time RVing?" to which I replied by directing his attention to the grand mountains in the distance and said, "This is our backyard and it extends throughout North America." To which he replied, "Wow, I like what you're doing with it." RVing unlocks the freedom to live large!However, living large requires that you learn to live small. RVing requires some changes in your living habits simply due to the confines of space. In this article I cover some important housekeeping issues that will help you enjoy your RVing experience even more.

Clutter can be a detriment to life inside your RV. Unlike a stick house where you can get away with leaving a mess on the counter for a while, it becomes a hindrance in the small quarters of an RV. Counter space is at a premium and if you're towing or driving your RV frequently clutter can become a hazard.The best way to deal effectively with clutter in an RV is to have a designated storage place for everything. Get into the habit of cleaning up your mess as soon as possible. When you get something out put it back in it's designated place when you're finished using it. This simple habit will keep the clutter down and you'll be able to easily locate the items the next time you need them.

Having clean, clutter free counters really helps when you are unloading groceries. It's so much easier to put away pantry and refrigerator items when you have open counter space.

Dirty dishes stack up quickly and seem to multiply in the sink and before you know it there are no spoons left in the silverware drawer. We frequently use paper plates and bowels which cuts down on the amount of dishes we have to wash. Some newer RVs have built in dishwashers so if you are lucky enough to have one you can simply "load as you go" and then turn it on when it's full. Most of us still have to do dishes the old fashioned way.We like having side by side sinks in the galley because it makes doing dishes much easier. After washing then rinsing the dishes in hot water, we remove them to a dish drainer. If we are parked someplace for a few days we usually leave the dishes to dry by themselves. If we are moving the RV then we simply dry them with a dishtowel and put them back where they belong. Clean counters keep the RV looking spacious and inviting, so we put the dishes away as soon as they're dry.

The bedroom can be a stumbling hazard if you don't keep things tidy. Since RVs are multiuse spaces it is important to keep things like electric cords, vacuum cleaners, portable heaters and other small items out of the way of your walking path. We make the bed every day before we do anything else because it helps us clear a space for dressing. We store our laundry basket and a few other items in the shower so we pull those out and put them on the bed making room to use the shower. Having the bed made up makes this process much more efficient. Once we're through using the bathroom and are dressed for the day we put the items back into the shower stall.

Keeping life simple and cutting down on clutter will go a long way in making your RV experience enjoyable. Following the full-timers rule of "bring it in take something out" will not only help you keep the clutter down but will also help you manage the RV weight. Once you have everything you need to live comfortably in your RV you really only to replace things that are worn or broken. If you purchase a new coat, then throw the old one out. How many coats do you actually need? This simple rule helps cut down on carrying around duplicate items and gives you more room for the important stuff.

Living large while living small in our RV - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part IV, New Progreso

RVers will find excellent dental care in many Mexican border towns. In this, the fourth installment of my series on dental tourism in Mexico I take you to New Progreso, Mexico located near Brownsville, Texas.

The Rio Grande Valley is home to thousands of “Winter Texans” who are mostly RVers seeking relief from colder climates. While here many of them take advantage of the huge savings available by using Mexican dentists.

If you haven’t read the previous articles and viewed the videos I suggest you take a look as I cover Mexican dental practice, education and professionalism. You may also want to read the comments section as some important clarifications are made available there.Clicking on the highlighted titles below will take you to my previous articles and videos:

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part I

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part II

RV dental tourism in Mexico - Part III
Taking Texas highway 1015 leads you to the border crossing over the International Bridge. If you plan on doing some serious shopping and bringing back heavy items like pottery planters then by all means take your car, just be sure you have proper Mexican insurance coverage when you cross.If you are just going to visit the dentist, then park on the U.S. side ($2.00) and walk across. There are clean public bathrooms available on the U.S. side prior to crossing the bridge. You will need a quarter to put into the turnstile to get across and to come back. Be sure to bring a passport and ID to get back across the border into the U.S.

Arturos Restaurant and Bar is a well known and respected eatery with linen and waiters in coat and tie. Established in 1956 the prices are reasonable and the food is top notch. The menu includes traditional Mexican, seafood, steaks and game. It is located one block past the bridge on the left. If you’re driving, then by all means eat at the restaurant and they will validate your parking and you’ll be able to park for free in their guarded lot while you shop and go to the dentist.

I had the opportunity to interview many dentists while here. They are friendly, professional and most take major credit cards as payment. Be sure to watch the video below for more details.

Dr. Ileana Sanchez Vega (young enough to be one of my daughters) works at the Monterrey Dental Clinic which is located in the mall immediately on the right after you cross the bridge. In her clinic I found Winter Texan Roger Peterson from Madison, South Dakota. He and his wife have been seeing Dr. Vega for three years. Last year had all his teeth pulled and new dentures made for a cost of $800.If you are interested in having dental implants you will want to see Dr. Manuela Guiterrez (In the green scrubs on the right). Dr. Patricia Mendez is a general dental practitioner who works in the same office. They are located downstairs in the dental plaza immediately on your left after crossing the bridge.

Dr. Fabio Durzzo is located on the second floor of the building located to the right of the first intersection after crossing the bridge. Speaking of bridges, if you need one he can fix you up.

Someone asked for the phone numbers of these dentists so I have included them in the comments section below.

There is also ample shopping available in the many shops along the main street.Stay tuned next week as I talk about other services available in Mexico like hearing aids, glasses, pharmacies and more. Taking a bite out of the high cost of dental work - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Making RV cabinet adjustments

RV cabinetry ranges from solid wood to veneer covered particle board to plastic and every combination in between. Unfortunately no RV cabinetry system will be exactly how you like it so you'll need to either live with it the way it is or improvise and modify.

I've modified every RV I've ever owned and you probably have done the same. On my current coach I didn't like the European design sliders on my cabinet drawers so I changed them out for full extension sliders. I also built a storage system under my sink to effectively utilize the wasted space. Simple changes can make your cabinetry system more effecient and better suited for your personal style and tastes.

Ron and Dianne Fry from Anacortes, Washington have been RVing over 40 years and are aggressive about making changes and modifications to their RV. Dianne wanted a place to keep all her detergent and cleaners handy. She didn't want to have to pull six bottles out of a cabinet in order to reach the one she wanted in the back corner. Instead Ron redesigned one of the cabinets making it into a full extension slide out drawer.

Now Dianne can easily access all her cleaning products without getting out a step ladder or getting on her hands and knees to dig around under the sink.Ron made a drawer and mounted the two full extension sliders underneath. This allows for maximum width of the drawer without sacrificing a half inch on each side to make room for the sliders.Ron used the existing cabinet door as the new face for the drawer. A few screws installed from inside the drawer (short enough not to protrude through the drawer face) was the finishing touch.Bringing you great ideas from your fellow RVers - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Another week of bad RV industry news.

This week SunnyBrook RV, makers of towable RVs, laid off half of its workforce and the largest Jellystone RV park filed bankruptcy. Meanwhile attendance at the opening day at the prestigious National RV Trade Show fell 37% from what it was last year.

The dealer attendance was even worse and are you surprised? After all, we’ve lost so many RV manufacturers and dealers this year I’ve lost count.

I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I know a trend when I see one. With the big three automakers up against the wall and begging congress for a bailout is it any wonder discretionary spending categories like boats and RVs have fallen off a cliff? The present RV industry is a dinosaur destined for extinction.If you believe the RV market is going to turn around any time soon you’re from another planet. The fact is we will continue to see more RV manufactures, RV parks, RV dealers and RV related businesses tank in 2009. Call me a wet blanket or call me a pessimist, in fact you can call me anything you want, but it doesn’t change the facts. The RV industry is dying and I’m writing the obituary now.

You’ll hear pundits say things like, “The RV industry has gone through tough times before and we survived and we’ll survive it this time as well.” I have some advice for the pundits, “Go see a psychiatrist while you still have health insurance because you’re living in a fantasy world.”

The RV industry as we know it will not recover this time. If the largest U.S. auto makers can’t make it without you and me giving them a monster loan through our taxes, then what makes the pundits think the RV industry is going to survive?

Every CEO in the RV industry knows the end is near. They’re fearful and doing desperate things like quietly looking for buyers like Coachmen successfully did last month. They’re trying to fend off bankruptcy by negotiating with their investors while not being able to make interest payments on their loans like the manufacturer Fleetwood and the largest Florida RV dealer Lazydays.

Seriously, this time next year you’ll be saying, “The Professor of RVing was right, the RV industry really did tank…I wish I would have listened to him and had that warranty work done while my dealer was still in business.”

Thinking about joining one of those RV park membership systems? I would think twice before I committed any money into that sink hole.

Thinking about purchasing a new RV? Do yourself a favor and buy a quality used RV instead because it is likely that most of the warranty work has already been done and the majority of the bugs worked out.

If you insist on purchasing a new RV subtract at least 40% off the already marked down price. If they don’t want to deal, give them your phone number and tell them to call you when they get serious and walk off the lot. You might as well get the best price you can because you’re not going to be able to get any warranty work done after they’ve gone out of business. Better yet, wait until the bankruptcy court appointed trustee holds an auction and sells the same RV for pennies on the dollar.

The main stream media has fallen down on the job of reporting the facts that we are entering the most serious global depression in history. Just this week we learned the U.S. has been in a recession since December 2007. You didn’t have to wait for the mainstream media to tell you the RV industry was in trouble because I told you back on December 2nd, 2007 in the article entitled, “RV industry in financial crisis.” Now I’m making another prediction: The next few years will be the worst catastrophe in economic history and the RV industry will not be spared. The worst part of our current economic crisis is yet to come!

I caught a lot of flack from my December article but it turned out to be true. I suppose I’ll catch even more flack from this article, but as a journalist covering the RV beat I would be professionally negligent if I did not tell the truth and report the facts as they emerge.

This coming year our world will be shaken to the core and it will never again be the same. I doubt there will even be a National RV Trade Show in 2009 and if it does happen it will be a much smaller event, unrecognizable from its former grandeur.

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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RVer works out the wrinkles with this new approach to ironing

Many RVers couldn't care less about whether they have a wrinkle or two in their clothing and an iron and ironing board are the last things they want to bring camping.

Full time RVers, on the other hand, sometimes need to dress up for church, a funeral, weddings or just for fun and therefore need an iron and ironing board.

The problem is not the iron, but the ironing board because of it's size it is difficult to find a place to store it. We use a full size ironing board and store it under the couch.

Ron & Dianne Fry from Anacortes, Washington came up with an entirely new approach to this issue. Many RVs have these small protruding shelves somewhere near the gally. They don't really serve any purpose except as a platform to collect junk. Ron decided to make this island shelf into an ironing table.To accomplish this he used a small ironing board and attached it to a plywood box. The box slides neatly onto the island shelf.Notice the box is lined with carpet so it won't scratch the surface of the island shelf.

Also note the box is designed to grip the lip of the island shelf to hold it firmly in place.Dianne enjoys this design because the board swivles in a 180 degree arc making it easier to iron.Ron drilled a hole through the ironing board and the box with a counter sink under the box and on top of the ironing board. With a washer inbetween the board and the box the ironing board freely rotates while the bolt is flush with the surface of the box and the board.

RVers continue to amaze and astound me with their innovative ideas. I never get bored with this bunch - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV dental tourism in Mexico part III - Acuña, Mexico

RVing near Del Rio, Texas is great in the winter. There are many RV parks and a huge reservoir for recreation as well as some interesting historical locations. This is Judge Roy Bean country where he was “the law west of the Pecos.”

The old cowboy town of Acuña, Mexico is located just across the river from Del Rio, Texas and easily accessible by car or truck. It’s too far to park and walk, so plan on taking your vehicle. Be sure you have insurance coverage for driving in Mexico before you go. Once in town there is ample parking in guarded parking facilities costing from $3 to $5 a day.There are many Dentists in Acuña and their numbers continue to grow each year as many tourists and Texans take advantage of inexpensive and professional dental care.I happened to meet up with Royce Vick, a Baptist missionary to Mexico, who was bringing some Texas friends to Acuña for dental work. He and his family are routinely seen by Dr.DIsmael Rodriguez Guajardo D.D.S.He is a pediatric dentist and oral surgeon who has been practicing in Acuña for many years. He mentioned the local dental association has grown over the years and many of the patients are U.S. citizens.

Acuña is a safe border town patrolled by tourist police that are there to help you. Most speak English and can assist you with directions and information. Like most border towns, there are many restaurants and shops to explore.Del Rio, Texas and Acuña have a special relationship being the only border crossing having an annual parade that crosses one side of the bridge to the other. Both cities have cultivated a friendship with deep historical roots.

Next week I’ll take you to New Progresso, Mexico where the food is excellent and the dental care is great!


Taking a bite out of the high cost of dental care - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing