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Coleman Oven:
I am trying to find a Coleman Oven. It sits on the top of a campstove and bakes, roasts, and steams food. Unfortunately thru several phone calls, I’ve discovered that they are no longer being produced. They used to be available thru Canadian Tire.
I’m wondering if any of your readers know where I can get one. Perhaps some other company is making them? They work like a charm.
We thoroughly enjoy your magazine, especially Letters to the Editor, helpful RV hints and travels by your readers. It’s probably the only magazine in our house that gets read from cover to cover.
Ron and Maxine Laughlin
Turner Valley AB
403-933-5244
Making new friends:
A “getting to know you” column would be a great idea. Take me, for instance. I’m new to Kelowna, love fishing, the outdoors, sports, music, etc., but not into the “pub scene”.
I would love to meet an Out Door-Z pal 50+ for fun and companionship. The RV Magazine would probably be a great place to find someone with the same interests that I enjoy.
I hope that your suggestion is successful.
Marilyn
Kelowna BC
Marilyn,
Though you did give me your phone number, I decided to not include it with your letter. Not sure how to proceed with this. Hey, wait a minute. In Issue 63, page 6, David from Westbank wrote in asking to connect with new folks too so how about dropping him a line via PO Box 140,1850 Shannon Lake Rd, Westbank BC V4T 1L6. All the best, Sheila :>)
RV Mainland Mexico:
We are planning a 5th wheel trip down the Mexican Mainland from Tucson to south of Mazatlan with another couple and their rig from Nov. to Mar/98. We would like to get trip and campground information from anyone who has had a successful winter on this route.
We are primarily interested in birding and beaching and nature travels away from the city. We are also very interested in any birding location books that are available for this region as it has been very poorly documented.
Anyone with any information, we would appreciate your contact.
Allan Dupilka
dupilka@quesnelbc.com
Snowbird Medical:
Attention BC Snowbirds: On July 17/98, I contacted Medical Services Plan of BC, and much to my surprise found that if I will be out of the Province for more than 60 consecutive days, I MUST advise them. This to ensure my provincial medical coverage is and remains in good standing.
Seems this rule came in last year. Feels rather like being made to raise your hand before you leave the room.
Roy & Pat Cameron
PAT_CAMERON@bc.sympatico.ca
Crossword Puzzles:
Sheila, I know you have heard it all before, but your RV Times is great. Both my husband and I have learned a lot from it. I read it from cover to cover.
I have never seen an article by anyone requesting you put a crossword puzzle in your magazine. I know of different RVers who would really like one to work on in their leisure time. I know I certainly would. It would be also nice to work on them as a group. They are lots of fun.
Keep sending us out all your great articles. I await every new issue.
Willena Ernst
Surrey BC
Willena,
Jim Lister (RV INFO - see his ad in the Marketpage) has volunteered to take on this task for us. See inside for his first - starting with a Framework puzzle - I started it for you. . . Enjoy!
Sheila :>)
Which cleaner works?
Sheila, I really enjoy reading The RV Times. Keep it up, it’s a good magazine.
We have a Wilderness travel trailer and I wonder if any of your readers could give me a tip on what to use to clean the exterior. It seems these black marks keep coming back around the edges and windows.
Elliott Wheeler
bwheeler@axion.net
Editor’s Note:
Elliott, I asked Brian Yeates of Langley RV Parts & Service to comment on this problem for everyone’s education.
Brian said:
“The black streaks are caused by oxidation of the aluminum and/or oils seeping from the putty sealants. Nothing will stop them but there are a number of manufacturers who make a “Black Streak Remover” that will speed up the cleaning process. You can then use a good quality wax specifically made for painted aluminum, or fibreglass, which will ease the chore of cleaning in the future.”
RVT popularity:
I’ve distributed about 60 of your mags. to the First Nations People, who are really impressed with it. It’s become the where to go Bible.
It’s kind of neat to go to the First Nation festivals and Powwows and see people walking around with your books, and making plans with their friends deciding which events to go to.
Mik
Richmond BC
mikmac@axion.net
Generator needed?
Just picked up the May/June issue of The RV Times on the weekend when we were shopping for some items we wanted to add to our motorhome. I had looked at a copy of the magazine last year and found it lacked much content but the latest issue was a good read and gave me some useful tips.
Although I have owned a motorhome for 3 years I am just starting to use it (had it rented out and got tired of looking at a sunny weekend and noting it had been rented). I am currently considering adding a generator to the unit to make us truly mobile. I have a 1995 25ft Capri.
If anyone has any ideas on where I should look for info on generators I would appreciate it. Possibly an article for us new users hints and tips would be appreciated. I find the user manuals with the equipment and the motorhome to be non-user-friendly.
Keep up the good work. Especially liked the comments on bad experience. We too have a dog and must be aware of where dogs are welcomed.
Dick Wareham
dwareham@simply.bc.ca
Dear Readers,
I passed this Email message on to my RV INFO helper, Jim Lister who said:
Dear Dick;
Sheila from RV Times passed along your question about a generator. I’ll try to help if I can.
First of all, what do you really want to do with it? Today more and more RVers are trying to get away from using generators because of noise, CO problems and pollution. Unless you are really in need of using the a/c while boondocking, a good solar panel set up with a large capacity battery and an inverter should do the job quietly and efficiently.
If you can give me an idea of what appliances or accessories you plan to run off the unit I can give you a better idea of size needed or if an inverter will work as well.
Dick said:
Basically we will want to operate microwave, TV/VCR, coffeemaker, interior lights, and also a portable computer.
To which Jim responded:
Dick, you should be able to operate all of these items, although not at once, using battery power through an inverter and the batteries kept charged up by a solar panel. A good rule of thumb is one solar panel for each battery. One or two deep cycle RV batteries, or better still, two 6 volt 220 amp hours golf cart batteries wired in series, should do the trick. Total cost for a good quality system shouldn’t be any more than you would pay for a good generator, but a lot less noise, maintenance, fumes and operating costs.
To get more info on solar panels try contacting
Soltek Solar Energy Ltd.
2-745 Vanalman Avenue
Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6
Phone: 800-667-6527,
Email: soltek@pinc.com or visit their website at http://vvv.com/~soltek
Take care and good travelling.
Jim Lister
RV INFOrmation Services
jim.lister@sympatico.ca
www.eagle.ca/rvinfo
Travelling to Mexico:
We have just sent in a membership to the RVOABC and we thoroughly enjoy reading The RV Times.
Now that we have both retired we are planning a trip to Pt Vallarta and maybe points beyond. We would like some information regarding vehicle and RV insurance, medical insurance, taking a pet, etc.
Gayle & Tony Dixon, 250-724-4556 or <gdixon@sd70.bc.ca>
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Oldies Radio Stations
If you are still tracking good oldies radio stations, here are two more that we have come across in the last couple of months of travel. Also, 600 AM here in Vancouver has just changed to adult memory music - it’s terrific.
Reno NV: 1230 AM - excellent
Salt Lake City UT: 106.6 FM - also excellent.
Bud Dalley
Langley BC
Help needed:
We are coming to Vancouver Island after the labour day weekend, and would like to visit some RV Resorts/estates between Nanaimo–Parksville–Qualicum Beach– Tofino or general area, with the idea of retirement within two years. Do you know of any?
Pat & Godfrey
Squamish BC
godfrey@direct.ca
Readers,
I sent this off to the wonderful folks at the office of the BC Motel, Campground, Resort Association in Port Moody BC, who responded with some contact names and phone numbers that I felt the rest of you would benefit from as well:
Dear Pat & Godfrey,
Your request for camping information was passed on to us by Sheila de Groen of The RV Times magazine.
To help plan your trip effectively, please visit the internet site www.camping.bc.ca and walk through the many choices of properties listed. Here you may choose from any number of private campgrounds to suit your needs. Some properties have linkages to their own webpage or e-mail that allow you to book from there.
If you would prefer a magazine format, we can mail you a free copy of Super Camping BC which lists private campgrounds and RV parks in BC. To request your 1998 copy, contact BC Motels Campgrounds Resorts Association at 604-945-7676 or fax 604-945-7606.
For Provincial Park information, please contact Discover Camping at 604-689-9025.
Marie Zecchel
Director of Member Services
BC Motels, Campgrounds, Resorts Assn.
Tel: 604-945-7676 or 1-888-923-4678
Fax: 604-945-7606
E-Mail: bcmcra@camping.bc.ca
Alaska highway travel:
We have just recently come back from a trip to Alaska and traveled the whole length of the Alaska Highway. Generally all businesses along the way were very friendly and helpful, with one exception.
The “Milepost” warns travellers about the unfriendly dog at “Fireside” milepost DC524.2 (approx.). They should also warn about the unfriendly people! Horror stories about their service to tourists are spoken of all up and down the Alaska Highway, and all other business owners are well aware of the poor service at this establishment.
Why do they have to have a Rotweiler dog running around loose?
Why do they have to charge 10 cents a litre more for their gas than gas stations before and after their location??
Why will they not allow customers to take on a little water for their RV unless their gas tank has been “filled” completely???
The list could go on. We would advise other people travelling this route to avoid this place if at all possible! Fireside BC, just before the Yukon border.
Dave Reimer
Celista BC
Class B insurance:
We appreciate your magazine and enjoy the class of articles contained in each issue and therefore felt we could raise this issue with you.
It seems that owners of Class B motorhomes are not accorded the same vehicle insurance options that other classes of recreational vehicles have the privilege of obtaining. Presently, excess coverage, (that is over the basic coverage required by BC law), for Class B’s can only be purchased through ICBC yet owners of Class A or C’s are able to purchase this coverage through independent insurance carriers.
BCAA openly solicits RV insurance sales yet when approached for the advertised coverage they will only offer the standard ICBC coverage. In many cases this results in higher premium charges than an independent carrier might be prepared to offer this extra coverage at. The reasons given are that “often Class B motorhomes are not self contained and as a general rule they can and are used for general transportation like driving to and from work, to the grocery store, etc.”
I find it hard to believe that one uses a $50-65,000 unit as an about town runabout. ICBC insurance clearly states that “Vehicles not driven to or from or part way to or from work”, seems that Class B owners are not given a fair deal on vehicle coverage.
I feel it is time for the manufacturing and sellers of these units to lobby for a more equable treatment by the insurance industry of BC.
Thanks for allowing me to air my views and concerns on this issue.
John W. Darker
Westbank BC
darker@silk.net
Diesel vs gas:
This regards the letter in your Jul/Aug 98 issue by John and Barbara Hunt (page 6) re their need for “HELP” in deciding on what to get in a 5th wheel/truck combo. As a person who has traveled quite extensively since 1992, I would like to offer some advice.
By all means decide on a fiver no smaller than 25' and preferably 27-29' feet, and one with a slide is definitely recommended – both for comfort when you use it and for value when you sell it!
You will not need a 4x4 unless you plan to do extensive off road travel – they cost more and can be expensive to repair and there is no advantage to normal towing.
By all means get a 3/4 ton with the largest engine (i.e. gas 460/454) as smaller engines will cost as much to operate (or more). Most 3/4 tons with large engines are operating at close to peak loads as is – any vehicle of smaller size will be labouring on the hills, putting more strain on engine and tranny.
I cannot speak for diesel engines as I do not care for them. I’m sure many will write to extol their virtues. Many acquaintances of mine swear by them – others swear at them! The Dodge/Cummins combo is very popular by many. Perhaps the reason there are not many trade-ins is the fact people are happy with their vehicle?
I would recommend you visit truck dealers to obtain the technical information and do extensive research on trailers. Through magazines and personal interviews – most RVers I have met are very honest in describing the good and the bad qualities of their unit.
John Baker
Chilliwack BC
GCVW enforcement in BC:
We hear via the grapevine that authorities, particularly around Golden, are very strictly enforcing GCVW regulations. We’ve been told that anyone who exceeds the rating for his/her tow vehicle is fined heavily and sent back out of BC immediately without any mercy.
Accordingly, I’m wondering if you (or perhaps “B.C.” aka Bob Martin) have heard anything about that. Is there a formula defined in the BC Highway reg’s that is used to determine what the GCVW should be for a given tow-vehicle (since not all manufacturers rate their trucks etc. exactly the same)? For instance, do they use tire size to determine GCVW?
In our case, we have a 28.5' Travelaire 5th wheel trailer which we pull very comfortably with a ’93 GMC 2500 equipped with the 6.5 Turbo Diesel engine. However, when I fill the fresh water tank in our trailer and have the fuel tank in the truck full, and with us in the truck, we’re over GM’s rated GCVW for that truck by almost 1,000 lbs.
If what I’ve heard is correct then I better stay out of BC for a while, or at least use the Yellowhead Route rather than the Trans-Canada route.
Any illumination in this regard that you can provide would be appreciated.
Vic Stobee
Edmonton AB
vastobee@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
More on Gross Vehicle Weight (click here)
Consumer Reports for RV’s:
I am asking if anyone knows of a “Consumer Reports” type magazine that rates Recreational Vehicles from the Class A to the Tent trailers.
In the past when I have purchased a car, the information in the Annual Auto Issue of “Consumers Report” has helped me make my short list. Is there a publication like this dealing with RV products?
Unfortunately the magazines one buys at the bookstores or news stands never find anything wrong with the featured RV. Can this be so? Just as there are some cars you should be wary of, I am sure the same must hold true in RV land. As someone looking to buy an RV, I do not want my first purchase to be a costly mistake.
While cruising the Internet recently I came across the home page for RV CONSUMER GROUP. According to the information on their home page they are a non-profit organization modeled after Consumer Report, and can be found at <http://www.rv.org>. They appear to have a rating system for various RV but you need to be a member to access it.
If any of your other readers has information concerning either a Consumer Report type magazine for RVs or has used the information supplied by RV Consumer Group in selecting an RV, please drop me a line.
Daniel Dobson
ddobson@direct.ca
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Gallery and Guild:
Sheila, we want to invite all your readers to come by and see us here at the Gallery on Fort Street in Hope BC.
The Hope Artists’ Guild was formed in May of 1997 by Blaine Orloff and a group of 15 other people. (This is a non-profit organization.) From then until April of 1998 the group met at Blaine’s place, displaying works wherever they could. This included a huge showing at the Grand Opening of the Dan Sharrers Aquatic Centre @ Library Complex, a display in Memorial Park at The Festival of The Woods, and 11 of our members donating items to an auction to raise money to build play equipment at an Elementary School within School District #78.
In March of 1998 we rented the building we are now in, from The District of Hope, and with a lot of elbow grease opened our doors on April 1, 1998 with the official opening held on May 1, 1998. All items displayed are by local artists, and are for sale. These include Raku Pottery, pine-needle baskets, paintings in watercolor; acrylic and oils, painted “Pet Rocks”, Native Indian Art, Ceramics, wood furniture, porcelain dolls, greeting cards, District of Hope street banners, sweatshirts and T-shirts, stained glass, with new items constantly coming in.
We have produced an Artwalk map, which shows the location of Pete Ryan’s woodcarvings and Art Guild Members work, which are displayed in 18 businesses in the downtown core. (We know Sheila really appreciates Pete’s work and even had one on her RVT Issue 35 front cover!)
The hours are:
Monday to Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday & Saturday 12 pm - 8 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
There is plenty of unlimited parking on Fort Street, and in the District of Hope parking lot located right next to our Gallery. We are wheelchair accessible! Admission by donation.
Sharon L Blythe
Hope BC
Error noted:
At the bottom of page 20 of Issue 64 you have a box stating that the flag on the two-dollar bill is an American flag. I am disappointed in you in that you not only have the wrong bill involved in that controversy, but that you would accept this old chestnut at face value.
The bank note in question is the $10.00 1989 issue. When it was placed in circulation that year there was a great hullabaloo about the flag. The portrait on the bill is Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. The parliament buildings illustrated are the original Canadian Parliament buildings, which were destroyed by fire in 1917.
The flag flying above the parliament buildings is the Red Ensign, which was the Canadian flag from confederation till replaced by the Maple Leaf flag in 1965. The Red Ensign was a red field with a Union Jack in the upper quarter closest to the pole, and the Canadian Coat-of-Arms in the lower, outer quarter.
As you can see rather than insulting Canadians with an American flag the bank note reminds us of our heritage.
Les Copan
Surrey BC
Les, Yes indeed I goofed there, didn’t I?. Took that all at face value!!! Sheila :>)
Repair Shop in Mexico:
For RVers traveling in Mexico who have problems with their RVs, there is now an RV service in Mexico. The owner is a gentleman named Dave Betts. A former Vancouverite, he saw a need in Mexico and moved there to address it. Dave was licensed an RV and appliance mechanic in Canada, and also has a factory trained gas certification but he does say he is reluctant to work on RV refrigerators as the most common problem is leaking due to corrosion. Repair the leak and before long another leak occurs and Dave says he then has an unhappy customer, so he would rather not work on refrigerators.
Dave employs several qualified mechanics and in addition to RV repairs can handle any automotive work. He tells me he can have almost any part required delivered from the U.S. in two days. He has a contact there who purchases the part, does the paper work at the border, and then ships it south by bus. So there is minimum delays when having work done.
His shop is located 38km south of Guadalajara on Highway 15. It is on the left side as you head south and has a large sign on the side of the building, saying RV SERVICE. He has two phone numbers: 31-40-89-69 and 31-40-76-86.
Les Copan
Surrey BC
Diesel Pickups:
It was refreshing to read the article by Murray Jackson regarding his views on diesel pickups (Jul./Aug.). Bravo to Mr. Jackson for sharing his honest experiences of these units. For pulling larger sized units, the performance is not all it’s cracked up to be. And when you consider the initial surcharge, plus all the add-on charges to improve the performance, where is the economy?
And further, not enough emphasis is placed on the disturbing effects of these units. I, for one, object to my peace and quiet shattered by these noisy things. Interestingly, much was made of the issue of the operation of generators, and many RV parks placed restrictions on their use, but allow far more noisier diesels to operate.
Is there anyone else out there that is getting fed up with these noisy, smelly, smoky, clacking things and would like to see them banned from RV parks?
Personally, I run a big block gas engine with a 32ft 5th. I may pay the penalty at the pumps but at least I don’t disturb or wake up all the neighbors.
Walt Lesyk
Vernon BC
wlesyk@bc.sympatico.ca
Gas vs diesel:
Re the letter from John & Barbara Hunt, Sechelt, page 6 Issue 64.
We went through the same problem in 1991 when we decided to become full time RV’ers and sold our home and purchased a new 33 ft Penthouse model Security.
Then came the problem of a tow vehicle. After much research we settled on a Ford F250 extended cab with a 460 gas engine and a 4.1 to 1 ratio rear end. With the additional options we wanted, it had to be ordered from the factory in Kansas City and took 2 1/2 months to get delivery. We have been very satisfied with it and now spend our winters in Arizona and our summers in BC.
We have found out it will out pull any of the equivalent Ford, Chev or Dodge diesels.
For example, in 1996 a friend purchased a used Security 33 ft Penthouse identical to ours and added a brand new Dodge Ram with a turbo diesel. He followed us from Langley to Yuma and on every hill I’d have to wait at the top for him to catch up.
For example, at the top of the long haul on Highway 58 from Bakersfield to Mojave over the Tahachapi, I had to wait 25 minutes for him to catch up.
Using diesel his overall fuel costs were lower but his unit is noisier and smellier.
We will stick to our gas engine!
Mamie & Larry Reid
reid@travelin.com
BC Sani Dumps:
Oh where oh where have the sani dumps gone? Where oh where can they be?
Because our over ten year old house doesn’t have provision for an outdoor sewer connector and we pay Nanaimo water and sewer, we feel we are entitled to free access to a sani dump. Dumping our RV sewage has become harder to do now that the Rutherford and Country Club Mall sani dump stations have been closed. At present You-Pay dumps are in RV camps, namely Brennan Lake, Westwood Lake and Living Forest.
After I had written to our mayor, MLA and sent copies to the Tourist Association, we discovered this past week that North Vancouver and West Vancouver don’t have sanitary dumps either, and the Capilano RV Park is the one both city halls directed us to, with the caution that you had to stay overnight to dump. We were staying in front of our friends homes so we didn’t qualify.
A fireman told us if we were carefully creative, we could drop our hose in a manhole marked SEWAGE. Perhaps he hadn’t seen “Chevy Chases Christmas” when his cousin did this very thing and a ball of methane gas shot high into the night sky?
I suggested to the West Van city clerk that maybe people were using the storm sewers and she almost swallowed her gum. I hope it brings awareness. The closure of the free Abbotsford Sani Dump Station is an inconvenience to any of us returning from the States.
We would ask, in the name of public hygiene, shouldn’t free sani dump stations be in convenient places like on the way to the ferry and in accessible turn arounds or pull-through locations? Is there a data bank of locations? Are we the only ones with this problem? What is everyone else doing with their RV sewage?
ML and OT Nordstrom, Nanaimo BC
My dear readers,
Harry Lali, Minister of Transportation & Highways, sent me a listing of BC sani sites and my sister Maureen is typing it up so hopefully, with the Ministry’s permission, I can include it in future RVTs for everyone’s use.
But I would like to hear from you too as to where the sites are that you currently use. Sheila :>)
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