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Book ordering info:
I have had individual requests for info on access to the following books, so thought I would pass it on to all my readers.
If you wish to order:
Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping, Traveler's Guide to European Camping or Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping,
contact Rolling Homes Press at PO Box 2099 Kirkland WA 98083
Tel: 1-888-265-6555 or 425-822-7846 or check out their website at
<www.rollinghomes.com>.
Last I heard, the books were selling for US $19.95 each or $49.95 for all three plus $4 shipping and they do take VISA, MC or cheques in US funds.
Sheila de Groen
Victoria BC
your RVT publisher
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Covering an RV during the winter?
We've heard so many different views on whether you should cover your RV during the winter with a tarp or just leave it and we were interested in your readers' points of view.
It can get very cold here with several feet of snow.
Dom and Lori Pesce
dpesce@cyberlink.bc.ca
Dear Dom & Lori,
Your question was passed on to me by Sheila and yes, there are all kinds of views on covering an RV.
Tarps or covers are an item more appropriate in the southern US where they can help to reduce the damage and fading done by long hours of strong sunlight. Here in Canada, however, you can create more problems using them than not.
Because of the variance in temperatures in most areas of Canada, using a tarp or cover can cause major problems by creating excess condensation throughout the RV. If you feel you really need a cover to protect from snow and ice, then the best way is to build a frame around the RV, to allow for lots of air circulation completely around the unit. If you can, slant or peak the frame to prevent the build up of water or snow.
If you need more information or have any other questions, I will be happy to try and answer them.
Jim Lister
RV INFOrmation Services
<www.eagle.ca/rvinfo>
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Wintering in BC:
My husband and I will be full time RVers in 1999. We are looking for all the information we can find, on RVing in Canada and especially wintering on Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast? There is a lot of information out there but 90% of it is for RVing in the U.S.A. and 10% in Canada.
We contacted Mr. Lister of RV INFOrmation and ordered "How to start full timing in an RV" which gave us most of the information we required for fulltiming.
As we will be on a set budget, we will not be RVing in the U.S.A. due to the dollar and medical. My husband and I have been camping since the early sixties, so we are not new to traveling, camping and fishing.
Sheila, could you put our letter in your column for us? If there are full time RVers out there who are spending their winters on the Island or the Sunshine Coast and touring Canada the rest of the year, who would be willing to share some of their information with us, it would be very much appreciated by both my husband and I. We do not own a computer at this time, but can be e-mailed at our daughter's which is: trimshop@netidea.com or our address:
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Lammle
PO Box 745
Salmo BC V0G 1Z0
Also, Sheila, I would just like to say at this time, – "Thanks" for a great magazine. If it had not been for one of your letters to Dear Sheila – I would not have seen Jim Lister's name and address and written him.
Shirley and Keith Lammle
Salmo BC
Folks,
You will always find Jim's ad (RV INFO) in the Marketpage section of each RV Times as well. He is one of the most RV knowledgeable people I know. He lives full time in an RV in Ontario and loves the lifestyle and is a very nice helpful friend of mine.
Sheila, editor
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Lammle
Sheila de Groen of Victoria and The RV Times has forwarded to us a copy of your letter dated December 12, 1998 on the subject and asked if we could send what info we had.
We are a full serviced RV Park on the outskirts of Victoria. I have included a brochure and a Park map for your perusal and acquaintance. In addition to catering to the transient tourist traffic we also reserve a portion of our Park for seasonal or long term customers (Full Timers). The following should be of some help.
Services:
All sites have water and sewer hook-ups, electrical connections of 15, 30 & 50 amps and all the tiers of Shaw Cable TV. Free showers in our heated washrooms are available at all times. All our sites in addition to having their own hydro meter for seasonal customers are also wired for telephone service. We have two laundromats, open 24 hours a day with 48 washers and dryers for your convenience. We also offer mail service with your own mail box.
Rates:
Our discounted winter rate commences on October 1st of each year and ends June 1st the following spring. When paying a month in advance we discount the daily rate of $27.00 for a total fee of $335.00 + GST. This rate includes electricity, water and sewer hook-up, cable TV. hook-up and free hot showers. If you are planning to stay all winter you may take the electric meter over into your own name, as each site is individually metered and the rate would then be $285.00 + GST, which includes all of the above, except electricity.
Club House:
You may be interested to know about the Senior's Clubhouse in our Park. Some examples of the activities available are a well-stocked library, shuffleboard and darts, a pool table as well as other opportunities for social interaction.
I hope this will give you some idea of our Park. We understand you are not on-line to the Internet but should you ever be visiting someone who is, you can get additional information from our website at http://www.fortvicrv.com.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Knight
Reservation Desk
Fort Victoria RV Park
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Previous Issues' Letters:
RV Times 67 Jan. Feb. 99
RV Times 66 Nov. Dec. 98
RV Times 65 Sept. Oct. 98
RV Times 64 July August 98
RV Times 63 May June 98
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Need help:
I am turning to your readers for help.
We are old age pensioners and have decided to take a rambling look at BC and Western Canada. We are selling our home and plan on buying a 30ft plus fifth wheel with two pushouts as we will be living in it year round.
Our main problem is the truck. Would like to get a Dodge truck with Cummins diesel. But which one, how big and what size engine?
I am deaf and cannot hear the engine so I would have to go auto.
What about a converter lockup for braking purposes?
Have been all over Alberta and BC with a 20ft trailer for years so RVing is no stranger to us. We would have to do this right the first time as financially there would be no room for a major error.
Would like to hear from anyone with any useful info. We have no computer
Earl M. Johnson
1100 Bentley Pl.
Kamloops BC V2B 5M5
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Doze Alarm:
Love the magazine Sheila.
I found the 'sleeper beeper' info (page 10 of Nov./Dec. Issue 66) and it is really called 'Doze Alert Sleep Warning Alarm' selling for $19.95US from The Edge Co. 1-800-732-9976.
Also, your readers should check out Brannen Lake Campsites in Nanaimo BC. They offer a hay ride every night during the summer, private beach, working farm. We have spent a month there every year for the last 13!
Neil Klassen
Victoria BC
nklassen@pinc.com
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Our Castle:
My husband Bill and I are from Nanaimo. We lived in a large double wide mobile on an acre. We had a living room, family room, kitchen, dining room, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry room. Bill is a logger and over the past three years has worked between Campbell River and Port Hardy. Our daughter Justine, now 1-1/2 and I have traveled with Bill from logging camps to apartments.
One day Bill and I decided that paying rent for a home we only enjoyed three to seven days a month, and sharing our home life with others, was not the way to go. Only a few days after we came to this conclusion we owned a 30 foot, one bedroom motorhome, not to mention a storage room so full it won't hold another box! We've lost alot of space, but gained alot of fun (my) experiences.
Our Castle
Our house on wheels, I will never forget.
From leaks that made our home a bit wet,
to the closeness our little family has spent.
From Nanaimo to Hardy, and in between,
campsites and driveways, we have seen.
Living in yards, we've blown a few fuses
but we have a house that really cruises!
From broken belts to our motor overheating,
to interesting people we're always meeting.
We learned while in travel to secure the cupboards and fridge door,
otherwise you end up with a real messy floor!
Bill fixed a leaking sewage hose,
but he never came out smelling like a rose!
Our table goes down to make our bed,
"we'd like a bigger home", we've often said.
Justine thinks it's neat to have a steering wheel in our home,
and Bill likes our rims, because of the chrome.
Through good and bad I wouldn't change a thing,
I'm the queen of this castle, and Bill is the king.
Lisa Stevenson
Nanaimo BC
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Internet chain letters and urban myths:
I was just skimming through the January/February issue of The RV Times and noticed the two urban myth stories on page 16 (Pay Telephones and Headlights). I challenge the authenticity of these stories. I suggest that they are not genuine "first hand" reports but rather are urban myths derived from e-mail chain letters circulating on the Internet. I challenge you to name the EMT instructor or the elementary school police officer who originated these stories and name them in such a way that the story can be verified.
These stories are created as practical jokes but get amazing circulation among naive people. They start to take on a life of their own. Publishing the stories in magazines and newsletters only serves to give them credence.
The rule of thumb with chain letters on the Internet is the same as those that arrive in print form. Almost without exception, they are myths.
Allan Alton
aalton@bc.sympatico.ca
Allan, You were the second person to mention this. Yes, they were from the Internet.
Not the first time I have been called naive! Back to the ol' "don't believe everything you read"!
- Sheila, editor
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Solar Info:
We have travelled far and wide over the years with our 1981 Bigfoot holiday trailer, which is still in excellent condition, and have made the BC Provincial Campgrounds our number one choice. Since retiring in 1995 we are now able to take advantage of May and June as well as September and October vacations avoiding the heavy tourist months of July and August. We prefer the distances between sites, the remoteness, and the cleanliness of your BC Provincial Campgrounds.
May and October can be rather chilly, daylight somewhat shorter making evenings longer, and with no electrical hookups available in Provincial Campgrounds brings me to the question of the installation of a solar battery charging system which we know very little about. Our unit is equipped with a 110 to 12 volt converter which runs the lights and heater (12 volt) and one 12 volt RV battery which is charged from the tow vehicle (very slowly). We are probably not the only ones with this dilemma: a dead battery after two or three nights camped in one location. Any information your readers can provide would be appreciated.
We came across The RV Times for the first time in Overwaitea in Terrace BC while travelling the Yellowhead to the West Coast and found this magazine very informative in many ways.
Kurt and Lynne Kutschera
3809 - 114A Street NW
Edmonton AB T6J 1N
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New KOA in Baja:
Considering the current U.S./Canada exchange rate, are you finding that more of your readers are venturing into Mexico? If so, KOA has recently opened a new property in Tecate, Baja California Norte. It's only about 45 miles southeast of San Diego, California, and the border crossing is fairly simple, as it's a small station.
The town of Tecate is a typical small Mexican town; sightseeing/recreation options such as wineries, deep sea fishing, the towns of Ensenada and Tijuana, and Baja California mission restoration sites are all located within about 90 minutes drive.
If you'd like more information, just let me know.
Annette E. Murray
Public Relations Manager
Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Inc.
PO Box 30558
Billings MT 59114-0558
Tel: (406) 248-7444
Fax: 406.248.7414
E-mail: amurray@wtp.net
URL: www.koakampgrounds.com
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Sani Stations- Westbank BC
The Shell station at 2551 S Highway 97, Westbank and the Chevron station at 2499 S Highway 97, Westbank provide dump facilities.
During the winter months the water supply is shut off however one can still utilize the dump facilities without charge (year round).
John W. Darker
darker@silk.net
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Sani Dumps In Kelowna:
I would like to correct a listing in your January/February edition whereby under the heading Comments on page 10 it listed a sani dump station at the Esso Station in Westbank BC [2520 Main Street] as having these facilities.
This location, the only Esso station on Highway 97 in Westbank does not now nor according to the staff ever had one to their recollection.
We are looking forward to your listing of these facilities around the province in some not too distant issue of The RV Times.
John W. Darker
Westbank BC
darker@silk.net
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RV Swapping:
Sheila, thank you for a very interesting and informative magazine. I look forward to every issue and read it from cover to cover.
I really enjoyed the article in the Jan./Feb. issue, written by Edward W. Bacon, Motorhome Swapping/Touring New Zealand.
I would love to get a hold of information on RV swapping in different countries, and correspond with RVers who have done so already. Do any of your readers know of an address or club that I can join to get information on this topic? I tried looking on the "net" but only found house swapping listings.
Any help from your readers would be greatly appreciated.
K. Gration
Terrace BC
fgration@kermode.net
Sheila, for K. Gration:
I was surfing the net and came across <www.workamper.com> and that gave a link to <rvswap@rvnetwork.com>. It said it was available for swapping RVs in other countries. I took a quick look and there are a few.
Lary Hansen
lary_hansen@bc.sympatico.ca
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Retire in Mexico seminars:
Sheila, I would like to inform you and your readers that this Consulate General of Mexico, 810-1130 West Pender St., Vancouver, is interested in locating and contacting persons who are retired or ready to retire, in order to invite them to seminars we will be organizing to provide information and to promote retirement in Mexico.
We are also available and would like to be invited as speakers at events for retirees, in order to do presentations on the advantages, the different destinations in Mexico, the available services, the requirements, etc. as well as to also invite people who already have had this experience, to share it.
Anyone interested in speaking to me about this, please contact me by phone at 604-684-1859 or 684-3547 extension 315 or by fax at 604-684-2485.
Elizabeth L. Gonda
Public Relations
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Grateful for information:
Since our arrival to beautiful BRING CASH August 98, we have been reviewing all aspects of full time RVing before making a very expensive purchase.
But like others, we find the selection process boggling to the mind. Information gleamed from retail/private sources various to such a degree that novice RVers, ourselves, back off and become very reluctant to take the plunge.
As indicated in your Issue 64 by Murray J. Jackson, it should appear that unless a large, diesel power plant specifically built for freight transport is the primary unit, smaller under-powered trucks may require costly modifications to meet operational requirements. To purchase new or pre-owned trucks may be a limited exercise, resulting in early replacement sooner than expected that a SINGLE INCOME NO KIDS (SINK) pension can afford.
To be cost-effective, a 5th wheel unit would provide us more flexibility for RVing but whether we go 4x2, 4x4, diesel or gas is questionable. Comments submitted as requested (see Help Wanted, page 6 RVT 64) by experienced RVers would be most helpful in our search.
Keep the infomation coming in folks, please!
Albert A. Taylor
Lazo BC
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Insurance for fulltimers:
Am in the midst of a running dispute with Good Sam at the moment. They have introduced their VIP Insurance plan to "Canada". It is advertised as the "RV Insurer specializing in RV protection, regardless of size, shape or model" etc., etc.. The only problem is, "Canada" means Ontario only, and as far as coverage is concerned, there is none for full-timers!!!!! The one group of RVers that really needs it! There isn't a single insurance company in Canada, including the ones that say they are "RV Specialists", that covers full-timers.
There are a lot of full-time RVers out there who think they are fully covered for contents and liability, but unless they still own a house or apartment that includes coverage for contents and liability outside the home, they are out of luck if they have a claim. It is amazing how many roadblocks both governments and businesses put in the way of full-timers, simple because they don't fit the required "mold".
J.L.
I asked one of our new BC advertisers, Dolphin Insurance Services Inc. to respond to this.
Craig Minaker said:
This situation is not true anymore. It used to be a problem. Our new package insurance is "up-n-running". A full timer’s cost is higher than part time pleasure use. Like for boats, coverage for motorhomes, on owner’s personal effects, is very good but limited, and items covered isn’t as broad as a homeowner’s policy; but still all risks and replacement coverage is included.
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Public Safety on Canadian Highways:
As an RV owner and retired highways ministry worker, I have safety concerns for seniors who travel the Canadian highways.
All major vehicle suppliers now offer free-of-charge on new vehicle purchases, the high visibility school bus yellow colour #13432 Canadian and USA standard #595 B for fleets who want recognition factors to enhance public safety by recognition principles.
In BC in 1992, the government changed their colour from hi visibility to lead orange to polar white colour on all vehicles. Below one ton in size for the highways ministry (political decision beside a water cooler in an office).
This proves to be a disaster for seniors with eyesight that is an aging process.
The white colour produces no caution message of work in progress.
And secondly, the white colour blends with snow, fog, sleet, hail and sand storm conditions making vehicles hard to distinguish from surroundings.
There is also a liability problem in accidents, as the recommendation for all units involved with highway repairs or monitoring such activities is school bus yellow #13432. Ref. # Transportation Association of Canada. Phone: (613) 736-1350 Fax: (613) 736-1395
Bob Johnson
Nelson BC
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