Archive for February, 2009

by Guest Authors: Jack and Julee Meltzer
In the U.S. alone each year, more than 30 million people take their pets with them on RV trips. While there are numerous issues to consider while RVing with dogs, The tips below are some of the most important.

1. Make Sure that Your Dog Can’t Get Lost. Either train your dog to come when called or make absolutely sure that they’re on a leash at all times.

2. Get All Vaccinations Up to Date. If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or a person), the central issue will become their rabies shots. If you stay at a campground that has a demanding pet policy, you’ll need to verify your dog’s vaccination records. If you cross into Canada, you’ll have to confirm that your dog has had its shots.

3. Make Your Dog Easy to Identify. If your dog does get lost, the ability to easily identify it will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or microchips. At a minimum, make sure the dog wear tags that show its name, the date of the last rabies vaccination and your current phone number.

4. Clean Up After Your Dog. The biggest complaint other RVers have about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior.

5. Learn How to Provide First Aid to Your Dog. Although there are ways to get help while on the road, it always takes more time. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog’s life.

6. Involve Your Dog in Your Activities. If you really want your dogs to have a good time, include them in everything you do.

7. Call the Campgrounds Before You Go. Even if a park claims they’re pet-friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dog. “Pet-friendly” may mean dogs weighing under 20 pounds and there may be other restrictions.

8. Plan Ahead for the Unexpected. Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, a serious accident, or a fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes and a pet carrier.

9. Learn About Your Camping Environment. The U.S. is a huge country with a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife and treacherous plants, you might inadvertently be putting your dog, and yourself, in danger.

10. Recognize and Respect the Views of Others. While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after him, you won’t give others anything to grumble about.
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Even though WiFi isn’t everywhere there are enough hotspots (locations with a WiFi internet access point) in places RVers go to make it worthwhile having the capability to use it.

Certainly fee-based hotspots will be around for the next few years but it seems WiFi is becoming just another free amenity.

Free hotspots are also offered by other retail businesses that feel the service sets them apart from their competition and attracts customers. Even Starbucks now provides free WiFi if you’re willing to buy a cup of coffee. If you are an AT&T DSL subscriber you don’t even have to buy the coffee… but you should anyway. Panera Bread Cafes, McDonalds, are just some of the places you can find free WiFi.

Wi-Fi is also frequently offered by public agencies… libraries, schools, public parks, etc. In many areas, WiFi users themselves are working together to provide free hotspots to the community.

Of special interest to RVers are the many RV parks which are installing Wi-Fi as a guest amenity. As with other hotspots some parks have a charge and others offer Wi-Fi for free.

Some RV parks are installing Wi-Fi access points in their activity centers and other common areas but others are covering the entire park so that guests can have access at their site.

You only need to know the SSID (service set identifier) for the park’s network and your computer with installed Wi-Fi will be able to join the park’s wireless network. Your Wi-Fi utility will tell if an Access Point is in range and what it’s SSID is.

You should be able to join the network without problems. If the service is free then your good to start surfing and downloading your email.

If the RV park charges a fee to use the WiFi you’ll know as soon as you try to surf the net with your browser. Fee based hotspots almost always use a Captive Portal which simply means that you will only be able to see the hotspot provider’s web page which will offer a way to pay for internet access. Just follow the instructions on the web page to make your payment and get online.

There are two major hotspot service providers that specialize in providing fee-based WiFi internet to RV parks, Tengo Internet and LinkSpot. Each has a directory of the parks they service.
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Over-the-Road Wireless For Dummies Learn how to get connected on the road. Covers WiFi, choosing equipment and services, protecting data, managing your business and personal affairs, enjoying online entertainment and more.

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