Web Gadget Error
Missing a .RND file!
Web Gadget ErrorMissing a .RND file! |
|
Send your letters by EMail to Sheila@rvtimes.com, or by surface mail to 24851 - 40th Ave. Langley BC Canada V4W 1X2
| Press Release - Galiano Wine Fest About PVI: Vixen 21TD: Good shopping hint: Satellite Coverage: Good Repair: Advice needed: Tansi Sheila and Al: Re: Sliding Windows RVT 75: Aurora Ignition: Re: Dinosaur boards, RVT 75 PVI system: Diesel vs Gas: Trip to Yosemite: Warning: Val Marie, Saskatchewan: Wind Deflectors: Re: RV holding tanks, RVT 75 Checking Inside Duals Driver Licensing Requirements: Satellite TV in Mexico: Trillium Trailers: Satellite Systems: Good Job: |
We have taken some of the most popular topics, and grouped those letters together on separate pages. This is called the "Tips and Letter Archive" page.
There you'll find letters on What Vehicle to Tow? |
 On-Line: |
|||
|
top
Press Release Galiano Wine Festival will be held on Saturday 19th August, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission $25. A fundraiser for the Galiano Health Care Society. Vixen 21TD: I saw an RV that only had Vixen 21TD on the side. Does anyone know who makes this RV? Ron, There's a whole lot of info about the Vixen 21TD on the Web at: Bill Sveinson Good shopping hint: I bought toilet paper in California and felt the price was very high. Today, I went in to Langley RV and found the price there for the identical stuff was the same price as in CA, except the same in Canadian money! Maybe a good hint might be for us to shop locally for such supplies, or at least price out items before a trip. Ray Beaton Advice needed: We just purchased a 26 ft. Tahoe 5th wheel. I am pulling it with a 2000 Dodge dually Diesel. I am having trouble backing up into the spaces at campgrounds. I have no problems with the pull-throughs. If anyone can give me a few tips on how to do this without getting so frustrated . . . Ha Ha!! Thanks to any old full-time RVers who have all the experience. Star McEachern Tansi Sheila and Al: I wish to wish you all be best in the future in the state of your wedded bliss. I must warn you Sheila, being married to a Metis is not the same as anyone else (at least that is what my Mooniaskewew says) so be patient and may the snows of the future be blessed with your tracks together for a long time. On behalf of the Red River West Metis Cultural Assn. Richard Larson of the Fraser/Brazeau Metis Clan Aurora Ignition: Sheila, my wife and I have enjoyed your magazine for a lot of years now. Recently the Aurora ignition failed on my pickup.I phoned Aurora in Abbotsford and was told to ship the ignition to them. It was no longer under warranty but they said they would check it . Two weeks ago we passed through Abbotsford and stopped in at their shop. Jeff gave me a new unit as he was not happy with the old one. I’m very happy with the service I received and would recommend them and their ignition system. Adrian Enzlin Re: Dinosaur boards, RVT 75 pg 10: I work for Dinosaur Electronics. An article was brought to my attention by one of your subscribers as to the location of your Web site. This prompted us to visit the site and read the article. We are flattered by the article and thank the writer for the vote. Unfortunately, the Web address is wrong, the correct site address is: <www.dinosaurelectronics.com> I have received a couple of e-mails looking for the site and have sent them to the correct address. Our address is : PO Box 1263, Lincoln city, OR 97367 Chad W. Shumway Trip to Yosemite: We are planning a trip to Yosemite National Park in September this year. We will be traveling east to west from Lee Vining to Yosemite village and west to Groveland via hwy. 120. I was wondering if any of your readers has traveled that route and would be willing to share any experiences, good or bad. We are traveling in a 27 ft. Class C motorhome. I know this route has the highest vehicle pass in California (9945 ft.). This is a concern, as well as parking in Yosemite Village. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Neil Bradshaw. Warning: A warning to RV owners who have an electronic ignition for the hot water heater. We had our camper parked in the storage area of a Victoria RV Park. On our first trip out this spring we discovered that the electronic circuit board had been stolen from the unlocked access compartment. This entailed just unplugging the board and removing two screws. Fortunately, we were camped near Sidney and the folks at Peden RV were able to locate a board at another dealer. However, it cost us over $200. We now have a lock on the hot water tank compartment (probably in violation of some regulation??). Terry & Edna Sullivan PS: We would be interested in contacting other senior couples who enjoy camping on Vancouver Island. Wind Deflectors: We are planning to tow our 23 foot travel trailer across Canada this summer. We are considering the purchase of a wind deflector for our tow vehicle. Will the addition of such an accessory to our 8 cylinder Ford F 150 make a significant difference to its fuel consumption? Wayne Spencer Wayne, A deflector is designed to smooth the air flow around the front of the trailer. (Trailers are generally about as aerodynamic as a brick.) If your trailer is a 5th wheeler, a deflector on the cab roof will save gas because it’s close enough to the front of the trailer to break the airflow for it. With a travel trailer, though, the trailer front is too far from the deflector to do any good. Your gas economy would likely be worse. Bill Sveinson Checking Inside Duals Sheila, thank you for printing my cry for help regarding holding tank gauges. I’m trying denture tablets !! Since buying my 28 foot Triple E motorhome, I've been looking for an easy way of checking the tire pressure on the inside duals. I don't like those rubber extensions, and the plastic and metal ones that Canadian tire sells don't do the job. I finally found the solution: 5" metal extensions sold by Tach Can, out of Vernon BC. These are a good quality product . The ever-helpful men at Kal Tire on Kirschner Street in Kelowna installed a pair at a reasonable price. They make checking tire pressure on those rear duals as easy as on the single front tires. Do be sure to finger tighten only! If you use a wrench it will destroy the rubber seals. I hope this may help others with a similar problem. Ray Spokes Satellite Systems: In your last issue, there was a letter asking for information about satellite systems. We have a Canadian system, Bell Express Vu. They launched a new and very powerful satellite in mid-1999. We just returned from California and Arizona, and had no problems, even using an 18" dish 60 miles north of the Mexican border. We receive all US networks, Western from Seattle stations (KOMO, KIRO, etc.) and Eastern from Boston. We receive at least one station from each major Canadian city from Newfoundland to BC, including all Vancouver stations (BCTV, CBC, VTV, and CKVU). Their service can be cancelled and restarted any time without cost. (Rogers please note.) We now use the same system at home, and we’ve never been happier. We understand that Canadian dealers will take your old "Gray-Market" system from the US and replace it with an Express Vu receiver at no cost. Call them at 1-888-SKYDISH. We got ours at Future Shop. PS: Almost forgot, you can apparently use your satellite system for Internet access. We are looking into this. Barney and Pat Schollen RV info: I am looking for information on the "how-to's" about traveling Canada by road. We are on a really limited budget and have five kids with us. We have a bus that is almost fully converted into an RV. It will be ready in about three months when we plan to take off for a number of months (up to a year). I have found a LOT of interesting information on your website (and a few others) but so far nothing on travelling with families. Information on affordable showers (we have one but when travelling with seven in one vehicle we are hoping not to use it often but instead find more imaginative ways to keep clean), laundry facilities, tips on anything and everything that might apply. We have a route in mind but so far haven't the practical details. Does anyone know specifics about family allowance while on the road, home schooling (and all the options) or health insurance? I know there are a lot of questions here. Any links that your readers think might be suitable (or family contacts that have attempted this) or anything else they might be able to offer would be MOST APPRECIATED. Wendy Hebert Pros and cons of full-timing: My husband and I have worked for the last 15 years solely to be able to retire in a new motor home. We think that it would be wonderful to travel this beautiful country and be able to see what so many Americans will never see in their life time. Lot’s of our friends are trying to discourage us as well as our financial adviser. He says that we are investing in something that will "lose value" and we will one day find ourselves with no where to go. With so many people on the road today, how could traveling in a new RV be viewed so negatively, opposed to being tied down to painting a large house, paying high utility bills, cleaning and maintenance, etc ? I understand that the motor home will depreciate up to 15% the first year and 10% the second year and then 5% each year after. Are we considering a move that is totally against better judgement. I would just like to hear from someone who has done this and finds it to be the best thing they have ever done. Can you put me in touch with people who have done it so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel and who can answer questions like: How much would insurance be, "ball park" on a 160K motor home for someone with a good driving record? Can the depreciation be deducted from income tax? Can you purchase a piece of land in a state where there is no sales tax and then after having domicile in that state, avoid paying large dollars in sales tax? Has anyone you know done this, given up everything, to full time it just to see our great country and found it was a good decision? Can anyone give me good reasons to do this instead of all the negative feed back we’re getting now. Our friends are telling us we are crazy but is it all about money or is it about not waiting until you are blind, deaf and immobile before you can afford to make the move? Comments from anyone whose been there, done it and loves it "more than welcome" here. Ruth M |
top
About PVI: Firstly Sheila, I want to say that your mag is the finest in the RV industry. I would like to answer a letter from Mike Fuller about PVI for use on his 460 Ford. I am presently towing a 12000 lb 5th wheel with a GMC 7.4 Vortec. I installed the PVI system to increase my mileage. It never happened. However I now buy the cheapest gas I can find (i.e. 85 octane) which I found in Utah this winter and no pinging of any sort. Is it worth the initial cost? I would not bother if I bought another gas engine. I too would like to enter the argument on gas vs diesel. I have owned three trucks. First a gas, then a Cummings and now the 7.4 GM. The main advantage to the diesel is when towing at an altitude such as in BC, Nevada, western Montana. Many passes are above 6000 feet and the diesel really shines vs the gas. They both have advantages and disadvantages. As far as the diesel outlasting the gas, most one tons won’t last that long when towing a heavy load. Thank you for letting me say my piece and I want to take this time to wish you and Al the very best in the coming years. Larry Swallow Good Repair: We have all read and heard so many bad experiences RVers have had with repair shops along the road that I would like to write about a good one. We were returning to British Columbia from Arizona in March of this year when we lost our trailer brakes while travelling on I-5 through Oregon. It was late on Friday afternoon so we stopped for the night in Canyonville, OR. The next morning I started looking for a garage to repair the brakes, but the best they could do was Monday morning. I happened to ask a local worker if he knew of any repair shops. I was directed to the Seven Feathers Truck Stop. Behind this is a place called Jerry’s Repair Shop. Away we went and found the shop, but Jerry wasn’t around.. Another person in the shop made a phone call, and, within minutes, Jerry was there. He started working on our brakes immediately and after about an hour found the problem in the left wheel of the front trailer axle. It was shorting out and disabling all the brakes. Although he could only do a temporary repair job (no parts) we were back on the road in just over an hour. This repair job lasted all the way home. Good honest work for a very fair price. Thanks again to Jerry’s Mobile Repair Shop at 541-839-4173. Dave and Verna Matthews Re: Sliding Windows RVT 75 pg 7: Dear Monica, A few years ago I had the same problem you are experiencing with your Elixir sliding windows. I contacted every RV parts supplier in Western Canada, and some in the States. The answer was, "We can’t help you, but we can sell you new windows." After checking out the price of new windows, I decided to fix them. What I needed was a small channel to fit into the existing window channel, and then I could use the standard "cat whiskers" that are available at Fraserway RV Centre in Abbotsford. To get a channel that fits snugly into the existing channel, I purchased aluminum screen window framing from my local building supply centre and cut off the area where you insert the screen. Then you have a channel that fits snugly into your existing window channel. Here’s the step by step procedure I used Remove window from unit. Disassemble window unit and discard old cat whiskers. Measure window frame to get length of channel required. Cut household aluminum screen window framing to obtain your channel. Notch channel legs so they can be fitted into the corners of the existing channel. Put nylon strips or thin aluminum into the existing channel so your new channel is the same height as the existing window channel. This gives you a snug fit for the glass. Install new cat whisker and glass. Reassemble your window and put it back into your unit (use a good sealing tape). If I have confused you or you have any questions please call me at 604-883-2122 Ken Hawkins Diesel vs Gas: I'm in the market for a 3/4 ton diesel truck, short box and extended cab, to tow a 5th wheel with a maximum gross weight of about 9000- 10000 pounds. I prefer a diesel to gas because of the better mileage, and longer lasting engine. Today I was going to buy the Dodge with the Cummings engine, but after driving for about 15 minutes, my wife and I were completely deafened by the noise, both with the windows closed and partially opened. Is there any way we can have extra insulation fitted to reduce the noise, or does anyone have any advise regarding other makes with different diesels? We plan on using the truck each winter for about three months, but the rest of the time it will be used for just driving around locally in speed zones of 40.m.p.h. or less. I would appreciate all help. James Taylor Murray L. Jackson replies: Mr. Taylor's concerns are well founded. All diesels are noisy, some more than others. A six-cylinder Cummins 5.9 BTA is noisier than any 8-cylinder, ie Ford or GM, since more cylinder block surface area is exposed. Besides, each firing is louder due to the larger piston in the six. If Mr. Taylor truly wants a diesel 3/4 ton for that 10000 lb fiver, I suggest he wait until this autumn and check out the new Durmax 3/4 ton from GM which will have the 6.6 litre V8 Izuzu diesel and the 5-speed Allison auto tranny. Candidly, though, my preference would be the V-10 gas 3/4 ton Dodge with 4:10 axle ratio. Sure, it takes more fuel, but, including taxes, it costs $5808 LESS to buy than the 5.9 BTA Cummins. That sum buys exactly 2324 gallons (Imp) of unleaded gas at current prices. Besides, he'd have a very quiet truck overall for day-after-day driving. My opinion, think twice and go buy gasoline. Val Marie, Saskatchewan: We have been reading with interest the letters to the editor in regards to Climax, Saskatchewan as a snowbird summer residence. We decided to take a trip to Saskatchewan to investigate this for ourselves. We had initially decided to look at four different towns but because of a severe storm (snow, freezing temp etc) we ended up in a small village named Val Marie. To say the least we fell in love with the town. It is very small (160 people at last count). The people there are extremely friendly and open. We spent three days there and in the end we purchased a lot. There are still lots and inexpensive housing available (both private and owned by the village). The infrastructure is in place, for example, sewer, water, hydro and natural gas etc. There is a small grocery store, two restaurants, post office, hotel, bulk fuel plant etc. Also the town is approximately 45 minutes to an hour from Swift Current and 10 minutes from the US border. There is a huge area that is very close to the town that is a park. The federal government is talking about declaring it a national park called Grasslands National Park. At the moment it is a haven for artists and photographers as well as some tourists. We found in our travels that many towns in the area are experiencing growth, mainly from snowbirds and other retirees. Some are buying lots just for the RVs but others are buying them to establish permanent residence. It is our plan to make this our permanent home when we retire. We were amazed at the number of people that have moved into the area from BC. If you want peace and quiet then this is the place to go. If you are interested in more information, contact the mayor of Val Marie, Robert Ducan at villageofvalmarie@sk.sympatico.ca. Vic & Sheila Rasmussen Driver Licensing Requirements: I recently received my Class 5 Drivers License with Code 20 endorsement. From reading several past issues of The RV Times it appears that may RVers are either confused or misinformed about the requirement for such a license and the procedure to obtain this endorsement. Everyone who pulls a trailer with a weight of more than 4600 kilograms on a highway in BC, provided that trailer is not equipped with air brakes, requires either a Class 3 Driver’s License or a Class 5 Driver’s License with Code 20 endorsement. As this can become an insurance issue if one were to be involved in an accident and not properly licensed, I believe it is imperative that all RVers with 4600 plus kg trailers become properly licensed. The process for me was enjoyable as it required some study, and gaining new knowledge is a good thing. The people at the ICBC Driver Licensing Office in Richmond were very helpful in advising what was required. I wrote the Class 3 test as if I was working toward a commercial license. This test did not contain any questions that did not pertain to the pulling of any type of trailer. I took my road test some 10 days later which was the same test as if I was going for the commercial license. Again I found the examiner to be fair and helpful. She told me that the road test including the pre trip inspection was the same as she would give to a commercial applicant, however, RVers were given a bit more slack. As I was not getting a Class 3 license there was no need for a medical. The cost to obtain my Code 20 endorsement was: $15.00 for the written test, $50.00 for the road test and $17.00 to issue my new Class 5 license with the Code 20 endorsement. Sheila, this is my experience with ICBC in obtaining the necessary license to pull my 32 foot 5th.wheel. Again, because this can easily become an insurance issue, I urge all RVers to get the Code 20 endorsement. Jim Lavery What Vehicle to Tow? Just received my May/June issue of The RV Times and read your request for information on vehicles that are towable behind a motorhome. Although you should find the printed replies to be most helpful, I believe I can shed some additional illumination on the subject. You must first determine how heavy a vehicle you can tow. You need to do this in two ways. Firstly, subtract your GVWR from your GCWR. This figure gives you the maximum weight your motorhome can safely and legally tow. Secondly, you need to know the rating of your motorhome hitch. When we went motorhome shopping last fall we found that most hitches are rated for towing either 3,000 or 5,000 pounds. If yours is rated for 3,000 pounds, your choice of towable vehicles is severely reduced. Also consider that the weight of the vehicle being towed affects your power and fuel economy. We settled on a Chevy Tracker because we wanted a 4X4 and a vehicle weighing less than 3,000 pounds. Depending on whether it's a 2-door or a 4-door, the year 2000 Tracker weighs between 2,723 and 2,987 pounds. The Jeep Cherokee weighs over 3,000 pounds and the Grand Cherokee weighs in at about 4,000. Two other popular towed vehicles, the Honda CR-V and Malibu also weigh in at slightly over 3,000 pounds. It is important that you check the owner’s manual of any vehicle you intend to tow to ensure that the vehicle is doing what you want it to do. Just as there is no single coach that is best for everyone to drive, there is no best vehicle for everyone to tow. However, chances are there is a best vehicle for you personally. I believe that I found mine. Talk with your friends and do all the research you can. I found the Alberta Motor Association to be more than willing to provide me with copies of Consumer Report and critical reviews of vehicles. The importance of safety in towing cannot be overemphasized. Everything, including the tow bar and hitch, must be properly selected, installed, maintained, and used. Rex Vogel Mail Advice: Maureen, your note to The RV Times caught my attention having just completed a 6 month first time adventure down south: 25,000 Km and 6,000 litres of gas touring the US down to Texas, taking a very exciting two month caravan down the Colonial spine of Mexico, then the Mayan peninsular with its Pyramids, then solo up the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi until it was time to return to Victoria. We totally ignored the mail! First we arranged for all incoming monies to go directly to the bank to a savings account, then we arranged for all major expenses to be billed directly to a chequing account at the bank, then we arranged for the bank to transfer sufficient monies each month to cover. This leaves very little mail of importance to worry about and we engaged the Cdn PO to hold mail for six months. Costs about $75. Now for the family: FORGET MAIL OF ANY SORT! You can never be sure where you will be on any particular weekend so arrange an 800 number phone card and call as often as you can afford! Secondly, get a laptop and an account with AOL (or equivalent) and use their system in the USA to stay in touch. Works like a charm, but NOT in Mexico. In MX there are many Internet cafes where you can interconnect with your email family/friends at home. For this you need a free HOTMAIL account since AOL is not well represented in MX. Everyone in Mexico Internet cafes knows HOTMAIL so access is easy. You do not even need Spanish to get on-line and 20/30 pesos will get you done for the day! That's about Cdn$3 a time. If you have a laptop, then you can pre-write your messages, put them on a diskette and then transfer them on-line when at the cafe. For Mx telephone, get a prepaid TelMex card to fit into any MX public telephone, call your 800 number and place the call. Really easy once you get the hang of it. Forget mail in MX, you will NEVER receive anything on time and you will be lucky if your posted MX mail will ever get back to Cda under two months! Ken Bartlett |
Previous Issues' Letters:
Satellite Coverage: The following represents the virtually unanimous conclusion of the responses I received from my inquiry as to satellite coverage in the March/April issue of The RV Times. The responses were very much appreciated and have convinced me that the best way to meet my needs is to go with the Bell ExpressVU System for travel in both Canada and the US as well as have the use of the system for home or BC interior cottage use. Findings: Bell Express VU is far and away the most popular Canadian system. This system gives good service in Canada, the US and about 300 miles into Mexico. The 18" dish provides a strong signal; a larger dish is unnecessary for good reception via the new Express VU satellite over all provinces of Canada, the lower US states and into Mexico. There are reports that Star Choice will be launching a new satellite soon which should improve service into the US (now restricted to about the southern part of Montana) and then only require the smaller 18" dish. Signal strength improves the farther south you go. This is attributed to the satellite being positioned over the Equator. Signal strength of 78 reported in the Kelowna/Westbank area versus 90 in the Yuma/Mesa areas. One respondent uses a US system when in the States and employs a Canadian system when in Canada. Such expense seems unnecessary unless there are some specific US channels that are must sees (e.g. several ESPN channels). A real advantage to the Canadian system is that you maintain contact with the Canadian news scene which is almost impossible to get on US TV. The Canadian satellite systems include the US networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, etc. which are not available on US satellite systems. There were a number of good suggestions on dish types and dish mountings. The Winegard Dish is reportedly compatible with the Bell Express VU receiver and includes a model to automatically locate the satellite with the flick of a switch. Some respondents mounted the dish on a piece of plywood and anchored it to their roof rack for long stays or placed it in the ground weighed down with sand bags for short stays. Still others were innovative in mounting the dish to a piece of electrical conduit or rigid plastic pipe to their unit's roof ladder. One respondent questioned the suitability of a tripod mount which he found difficult to anchor to the ground leaving it vulnerable to the wind and the possibility that the dish could be bent or the LNBF arm damaged or knocked out of alignment. Satellite use for TV access seems well suited for RVers as local broadcast signals are marginal at best in larger centers and non-existent in remote sites. Furthermore, most RV parks don't have cable TV available yet. And last but certainly not least, the cost of a Canadian system is less than it's US counterpart. Don Swoboda PVI system: A friend in BC just sent me your March/April issue and I really enjoyed it- cover to cover! I live in Manitoba. I did pick up an issue two years ago when we were in BC and note that you have grown a lot since then! I feel compelled to write in answer to Mike Fuller's questions about the PVI system. The short answer is, "Don’t". We saw ads and checked out their web page which is impressive. My husband phoned and talked to the fellow and was favourably impressed but still had doubts. So he phoned a neighbour who is a licensed mechanic and asked if he'd heard about it. Had he! He had bought two systems, one for his son as well, and was very unhappy. You must keep records on your vehicle’s performance for some months ahead of installing this system or the warranty is void. And after you finish the first kit you must start all over and buy another. You can't just buy more additive. Our friend had kept the records and tested the system on his four or five year old pickup. He had to pay $85 first to change something in his engine. He had a job 300 km from home and drove home on weekends. He feels he gave it a good test but saw NO IMPROVEMENT in gas consumption. Neither did his son. In fact he felt it was detrimental and took both systems out. There was a similar letter published in a local paper and the columnist did some research and cost analysis as to promised savings, versus gas cost, investment outlay etc. and figured she might save $850 in five years on her ‘94 pickup. But her friend might save $100 in five years on his '80 Datsun. This was a fraction of what the salesman had promised. But NOWHERE could she find information that IT WOULD NOT DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE. And there is some concern about metallic additives in your fuel. It was Maggie Van Camp in the March 20 issue of Grainews who thoroughly investigated the product. It would be wiser to follow good driving practices as to SAVING fuel: ~ Don't leave your engine idling. The axle ratio is an important towing consideration. It's a trade-off of torque over mileage! We found that when the cruise control is on (so we know we are maintaining a constant speed) and then we turn on the air conditioning, the truck slows noticeably - about five mph. It REALLY slows us on steep hills so we turn it off til we're over the top. Dianne Clowes Re: RV holding tanks, RVT 75 pg 8: I have been using a spray wand for many years to keep my holding tank gauges working OK. After each visit to the sani-dump, I hook this homemade spray wand to the water supply and pass it through the bowl into the tank. I direct the stream towards the sending units and check the gauge after each spray until the reading is OK. John Dunning Satellite TV in Mexico: We spend our winters near Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, about 1000 miles south of the US — Mexico border. We would really like to talk to anyone who has tried to receive Canadian satellite TV down south, especially the Bell Express Vu system. If any of your readers has done this, perhaps they could call us at 250-335-1515 and we could compare notes. Gordon and Barbara MacDonald Trillium Trailers: Dear Sheila, Congrats on your new state of married bliss. My new (1year) hubby and I have just purchased our first trailer. It is a 1972,13ft Trillium. I see there is a Boler trailer club listed in your e-mail addresses and we were wondering if there are any other Trillium owners reading the RV Times? We will be towing it behind our 1938 Ford so we will be getting "the looks" from passers by. We want to change the interior colour from orange and wonder if there is a specific product or if any of the automotive products will do? Anyway, we look forward to the next issue and hope you have a lovely summer, yours in RVing, Roslyn Graham Good Job: I think it can generally be said that many of the letters of appreciation, carried in RV magazines, for exceptional RV service, refer to auto service centres in the United States. In Canada we do have a specialized and dedicated Industry which likewise deserves our recognition. I recently purchased a 1992 Mallard diesel motorhome from a private owner and immediately discovered a problem with cruise control and the in-cab heating system. I took the motorhome to a small auto service facility that had previously been servicing the vehicle and was told by the mechanic that a particular switch controlling the vacuum pump was defective. Efforts to locate a replacement switch were met with negative results, as Mallard motorhomes are no longer in business. The mechanic replaced this switch with a "make-do switch" and suggested that everything should now be fine. (Over $100.00 paid in parts and labor.) On my drive home to White Rock, the cruise control did not work nor did the heating system --nothing had changed. Later, while discussing this problem with a Lordco Parts Rep., I was referred to Anglo Canadian Automotive Supply, a Canadian company specializing in air conditioning, heating and speed control, and eventually I took the vehicle to their Vancouver facility. One of the owners, Jack Daily, carried out an examination and discovered that the speed control module was missing and two of the heating system pots were defective as well as the previously mentioned vacuum switch. Jack worked diligently and tirelessly on the problems and although he was unable to locate and replace the original style of speed control module or the vacuum pump switch, he was able to re-construct the system and to replace the defective heating system pots. Jack is a dedicated specialist who knows his business. My sincere thanks to Anglo Canadian and particularly to Jack for his dedication and expertise. I would highly recommend Anglo Canadian to anyone requiring the service they provide. Ed. Rogers Towing Vehicle: Arnie, With respect to your letter in Issue 75 of The RV Times concerning selection of a suitable dinghy for your Bounder, may I offer the following for consideration. I tow a Saturn station wagon equipped with an automatic transmission and tow with all four wheels on the ground. The Saturn transmission was designed for this purpose. The set up is simple -- just put the gear selector in neutral, parking brake off and ignition switch key to the accessory position (to unlock the steering wheel), and voila -- yer ready to head out. I chose the Saturn because it was in the weight range I was looking for. The bigger the dinghy the harder it is to tow the beast up those long mountain passes. My previous vehicle, a Toyota Camry was a good car, but too heavy (besides Toyota wouldn't approve of towing all four wheels on the pavement). The Saturn weighs in about 3,000 lbs. It’s a good little car and I get about 38 mpg on average. There are many suitable choices of dinghies and it depends largely on what one wants to do when you're not hooked up to the RV. If off road exploration is your main choice, then a 4X4 would be the answer, but if most of your recreational driving was limited to paved roadways and exploring the neighborhood, then a 4X4 would be superfluous (not to mention heavier and more costly to tow). I have an Adventa Tow Bar assembly by BLUE OX, and am very satisfied with its performance. I have towed the Saturn to Texas and back; to Colorado and back; to California and back (three times); and to Saskatchewan and back twice and the tow bar has never failed. I am most impressed with the product. In addition, we just got back from Arizona after three months on the road where we chalked up 7767 kilometers on the RV and 5600 kilometers on the Saturn, which shows just how handy it is to have a small car to tour the surrounding countryside while the RV is resting quietly at the RV Park. (Incidentally the Saturn does NOT chalk up mileage when it is being towed - another innovation by the manufacturer.) Once a year Motorhome Magazine publishes a listing of towable vehicles and would recommend that you try to get one for study purposes. It'll help you make an informed decision on just what kind of dinghy you're looking for. Hopefully, the above will give you some "food for thought". If I can be of further assistance, don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail. Harvey J Bowcott |
Previous Issue Mailboxes: RVT#75 RVT#74 RVT#73 RVT#72 RVT#71 RVT#70 RVT#69 RVT#68 RVT#67 RVT#66 RVT#65 RVT#64 RVT#63 RVT#62
HOME || CURRENT ISSUE || BACK ISSUES || MAILBOX || EVENTS || HELP || CLASSIFIED & ADS || NEWS || FEATURES
All contents © 1987-2000 Sheila Jones Publishing Ltd. 24851 - 40th Ave. Langley BC Canada V4W 1X2 Email
www.rvtimes.com/currentmailbox.html
Web design by Quill Services Ltd.
