Readers' Mailbox RV Times #84
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	Back to Current Issue Tips and Letter Archive On-Line: Discussion Forum		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 Gross Vehicle Weight, Insurance, Sani-stations in BC, Maintenance for RVs and Safety for RVs.
	Classified response: I advertised in the last issue (RVT 83 Sept/Oct) under Wanted – 5th wheel and truck. The response was great (16 calls) and we are very happy with our eventual purchase. The ads really work! So, now I have a camper van to sell! Don Macdonald Abbotsford, BC top Lost that issue: I read an article last year about how good the Bell ExpressVu satellite system was to use in the US. I no longer have the issue that the article was in. Can you help me, and does the author have an e-mail address? Ian Murray Ian, Found it! The author was Don Swoboda: don_swoboda@telus.net. It was Issue 76, page 6. You can get it from this website: www.rvtimes.com/RVT76HTML/ 76mailbox.html. Or, click on Issue 76 on the top right-hand side of this page. Lori Masse Editor top More gas: Just reading your Sept/Oct RV Times. Really enjoy it. Your editor was mistaken on a web site re gas prices (US Gas Prices RVT 83 pg 6). I found the web site inoperative. I found another one that is pretty good that logs prices in Canada and the US www.gaspricewatch.com/ USGas_SearchResults.asp C. Plant Ontario top New US propane regs: There are apparently some new regulations in the US that require upgrading of propane tanks with Overfill Prevention Valves. This may affect Canadian RVers who need to get their cylinders refilled in the US, as propane dealers will start refusing to fill tanks that are not to code. Most tanks will need upgrading. Some of the horizontal RV LPG tanks will not require OPD valves. See www.npga.org/public/articles/ OPD_Consumer_QA.pdf page 3 for info regarding horizontal RV cylinders. Cylinders: www.mantank.com/products/ dot_propane/30_40_gas.htm. Tanks: www.mantank.com/products/ rv_cylinder.htm Here is a site that may be of interest: www.npga.org/. See: Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD) Information - Updated 9/2001. Trevor Inkpen Quill Services Ltd. Victoria quill@quillserv.com top Some good guys: Over a year ago, I bought a pair of those U-shaped step things for my Ford pick-up truck at EXcess Performance Ltd. on Logan Ave in Langley. After a period of time, I think due to a faulty casting, it snapped. I'd had it for more than any reasonable warranty time, but the staff decided to replace it without charge. I went in expecting to buy a replacement, but after discovering it hadn't been struck by a curb, the fellows decided to not only replace it, but also to re-install it, no charge. This company has all sorts of beautiful stuff to customize trucks. They were able to find my name and the purchase time in their computer. I didn't even have to produce the original invoice, or even to whine. Thought you might like to know about yet another bunch of good guys. Ray Beaton rbeaton@windsong.bc.ca top It's so Eaz: I own an Eaz-Lift sway controller. When I went to use it recently I noticed that the pads (oblong pieces of asbestos) were loose and fell out. I placed them back into the sway controller and put it on my hitch. When I went to re-use the sway controller I noticed one was missing. Can I replace these pads? I looked up Eaz-Lift sway control parts on the internet but no luck. My sway control is about four years old. Cherie Hodges Cherie, Eaz-Lift offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. The sway control will need to be returned to an authorized Eaz-Lift distributor for inspection and probable return to Eaz-Lift Corp. along with proof of purchase before a replacement can be delivered, so I would suggest time is of the essence in order to have the components replaced before they are next needed. I cannot personally guarantee that the sway control would be replaced free of charge, but would anticipate that unless there is evidence of abuse by the end user, it probably would be. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top Dog-gone Shuswap: I would like to bring to your attention the most asinine situation that I have come across in all my years. This year, as in the past five, my family and friends went to Scotch Creek Provincial Park on the sunny side of the Shuswap Lake for two weeks of sun, mosquitoes, and wasps, not to mention the ice cream and beach. All of our families brought their pets. The reservation system had taken our money three months earlier without any mention of a new regulation – no dogs allowed anywhere on the beach. We have always been able to take our dogs, on leash, to the boat launch area of the park and let them swim. If you’ve ever seen a miniature daschund swim after a branch using his tail as a rudder, you know that it’s a good holiday. This year, with no prior notice, we were told that we had to get off the boat launch area of the beach with our animals or face a fine or expulsion from the campsite. We were told that we would have to go around a fence to another private beach next door where a building had been condemned. Why? I think the public has the right to know what to expect when they get to our parks, and I would ask all of you who use Scotch Creek to ask these questions of your MLA. When we paid three months ago this rule was not in effect, and we were apprised of it only when we registered in the park. All the families that stayed at the park and had this same experience should write Monty Downs, District Manager, Kamloops district office, and respectfully request a full refund. I was told that the motto hanging over the Kamloops district office essentially says that they, BC Parks, are there so that "The People of BC can enjoy their parks." Maybe the district needs to re-examine their part in the holiday equation. Murray P. Schwabe Langley BC top Club dilemma: We very much appreciate Peggi McDonald's articles on campground membership and camping clubs, as I have just retired and we intend to do some US travelling. My question is; why would we pay the higher cost of campground membership for a safe and inexpensive place to camp when the same benefit is available through a camping club membership for so much less? My compliments and thanks for your publication. Gerry Hemmings girardythe@home.com Gerry, This is a question with no easy answer. The system you expect to gain the most from is the one you should purchase or join. Membership camping programs are great if the park you buy into is nearby and you plan to use it a lot. System rules vary slightly but the following is a general overview. Once you spend your up-front purchase money to buy into a "home park" you basically can then camp for no cost at that park for a two-week period – you must then leave for a week. You can return over and over to your home park for a no-cost "two weeks in plus one week out" throughout the season. If you are travelling from place to place you can visit other parks in the system for a week at a time (two visits at each park per year) – cost will range from $5-$6 dollars per night. Parks in the system within 125-mile radius to your home park are off-limits. NOTE: Members are assessed annual maintenance dues (approximately $250 - $350 US or Cdn depending on the country of park location) as well as annual club dues ($45 to $65 US). Divide the days you plan to use the system into your total cost to determine your overnight rate. We bought into a home park that was numerous miles away, as a result use of our no-cost weeks were extremely limited –it was not a wise investment because we rarely used the member portion of the program. Camping clubs allow you to join a camping system with no home park and no up-front fees for a low annual membership fee (approximately $100 US). However, every night you spend in a park you will pay either 1/2 of the regular camping rate or $10 per night (most of the $5 per night parks have disappeared) depending on the camping club you join. Some parks restrict discounts to a one-day stopover, others allow two weeks and a few encourage long-term stops for the club rate of $10 per night. Since you have NO home park, you pay every night but you can return over and over again as long as the park has room. Usual rule is "time in equals time out." Some parks have many blackout dates, such as no discount during a long weekend. Other systems have NO blackout dates. In most cases if you use your camping club 5-6 times you are at a break-even point. Additional nights mean you save money. Like everything you purchase, it pays to shop around. No one program will suit everyone. Most seasoned RVers are members in more than one system. Buying into a long-term program may seem more economical at the time, but if the park closes or goes out of the system you could lose your investment. Shop smart! Peggi and John McDonald RV Lifestyle Consultants, author of Spirit of The Open Road and e-books, RV Living – Facts, Tips Hints and More: Volume One and Two. Check out www.rvliving.net to download these free e-book(s). top It's a Honey: I have a 28 ft Class C Honey motorhome and I would like to find out what company, if any, bought out the company and has the prints or floor plans for my unit. I had a problem with water coming in around the front window and rotting out the overhead bed platform and supporting structure. I am going to repair the unit and replace the wood but it would be very helpful to have an assembly manual on plans to go by. However, if it is not possible to obtain this information from someone associated with the former Honey manufacturer or their new owners, is there someone or company that can furnish me with some similar information? I would be very grateful to anyone who can help me. S.E.Wilson Jr. 622 A St Staunton VA 24401 S.E., Most RVs of this vintage are of very similar construction. If you're brave enough to tackle this job and have a large enough area to work, you really shouldn't have a problem doing the repair. Most of the materials involved are lumberyard products except for any mouldings, sealants and metal that you will need to replace as part of the project. I am not aware of any blueprints available for this or any other unit, and would suggest you take very careful measurements as you disassemble the front bunk area so you can make up your own drawings as you progress. You might also consider taking Polaroid's of the RV as you work on it. This gives you a visual refresher of what you started with and can prove very valuable on resale of the motorhome. Even if you were able to locate blueprints for your specific unit, chances are the manufacturer would have had on-going design changes during the production run of that or any other unit. Knowing that you will be needing RV specific parts during your repair, I would suggest you locate a reputable RV repair facility in your area, get to know the service manager and see if he will give you the benefit of some of his experience by showing you units he may have apart in his shop. You should end up with a relationship that is mutually beneficial – he gets to sell parts and you glean knowledge. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top Towing regulations: I am looking at the June 1998 item for towing in BC as shown on your website. Are those the latest regulations? Some people have told us that we can't tow our 22 ft (4500 lbs gross weight) trailer in BC with a half-ton truck. Do you know if that is correct? We looked last week for the ICBC page and could not find anything that said that. Also, I tried to phone their 800 number, but apparently they can wait to answer longer than a patient man can wait for them to answer. David Bridger wincrafters@sk.simpatico.ca David, The information is not listed anywhere that covers all towing specifics. You need to determine the answer for each application based on the individual tow vehicle and type of rig being towed. For instance, in BC you can tow a "toad" behind your motorhome of up to 4400 pounds or 40 per cent of the weight of the motorhome, whichever is less, without requiring brakes being hooked up on the "toad." On the other hand, if your trailer– either fifth wheel or regular pull-type – exceeds 3000 pounds or 50 per cent of the weight of the towing vehicle, whichever is less, then it must have a braking system, complete with breakaway switch. To determine the towing capacity of a truck, sport utility, or other passenger vehicle, you really need to investigate the manufacturer's specifications for that vehicle. Most half-ton trucks should be more than capable of handling a 22 ft 4500 pound trailer. What you need to do is to hitch up your trailer and load it the way you would for normal use, then physically weigh the truck with the trailer hitched and weigh the trailer. Ideally, you should weigh each axle individually, and then you will be able to determine the actual weights of the loaded truck, the loaded trailer, and the Gross Combined Weight of the whole package. You can then compare the truck weight to the manufacturers GVWR as displayed on your driver's door post of the truck and also compare the GCWR of your rig to the manufacturer's specs to be sure you are within the limitations of your truck. Hope this helps without confusing too much. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top Newbie advice: Since I am a newcomer to RVing (I bought a 1986 Vanguard, Class C, 24 feet), could anybody explain how to do proper a roof joint sealing? Mine is not leaking, but one day I will have to do it! It would be nice if somebody could do an article on how to do repair a roof properly on older RVs. Also, I have three valves underneath my sink. Two seem to connect into the hot water tank with a crossover. Could you tell me which to turn on and off when I only need city hook-up and cold water coming in from the storage tank and what to do for winterising? Frank Walter Coquitlam B.C. Frank, The easy one first – the three taps on the back of the water heater are to bypass the water heater in periods of storage or non-use. You do this by first draining the water heater and then closing the top and bottom valves, which stop the water, flow into and out of the water heater then you open the tap on the line that runs between the hot and cold lines. This enables you to pump non-toxic antifreeze into the pipes without having to first fill the water heater with antifreeze. To reseal your metal roof you must first completely remove ALL the old sealant. Now give your vents and other roof fixtures a very close inspection for deterioration, particularly if they have a plastic base mounting them to the roof. If there are any cracks in the plastic, you must replace the vent or other fixture, as the crack will only spread even under the fresh sealant and all your hard work will be in vain. Once the roof is completely stripped and dry, you can apply a roof coating over the seams and around the roof fixtures following the manufacturers' instructions. Most of the roof sealants will need to be renewed every two to three years, but you can "touch-up" any minor cracks or flaking as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top		top Hydro Flame Corp: I would like to contact Hydro Flame Corp if they are still around. My furnace only says Salt Lake City, Utah. I have an RV furnace that needs some help and I can't find anyone that knows anything about these older furnaces. Please help. Anne Anne, The contact we have is: Hydro Flame Corp. 1874 Pioneer Road Salt Lake City, UT 84104 tel: (801) 972-4621 fax: (801) 973-9836 Lori Masse Editor top Lori, They answered the phone there. They used to be Hydro Flame Corp. The receptionist transferred my call to a furnace technician. He was very helpful and informative. I should be able to fix my furnace now. Thank you very much! Anne top GPS advice needed: As a subscriber of The RV Times for many years I have a question today. I own a Class A motorhome and travel in Canada as well as in the US. To make travelling a bit easier, I am interested in buying a GPS (Global Positioning System). The systems I found so far are all offered with software for the US, but I did not find any that offer software for Canada. Do any of your readers know of a GPS system offering the hardware as well as software for the US and for Canada? I am interested in the brand name and if possible a dealership address. Jan W. Ihmels jankacanada@aol.com top Medipac number: Graham makes a quick reference to Medipac for good travel insurance. My husband and I are going to be travelling to the US for five or six months this year and are in "sticker price shock" over travel insurance costs! Do you know how we would contact Medipac and whether or not it can be purchased by non-B.C. residents (we live in Alberta)? Thanks for your help and love your magazine! Pat and Jim Bourgeois pat_bourgeois@yahoo.com Pat & Jim, The number for Medipac is 1-800-563-5104. You can be from any province for this. The head office is in Ontario. Hope this works for you Graham top Gaswatching: Just picked up the newest RV Times at the Duncan Tourist Info Centre and see your comments on "gaswatch.org" for gas prices. Have you checked that website lately? I just did and for Yuma AZ they "have no listings for that location" and the listings for Arizona are only for Phoenix area (I think – didn't really check) but the prices are TWO months old! Likewise checking prices for BC - listings are TWO months old. I think www.gastips.com is pretty good for BC listings and www.boondocker.com used to have US prices but it looks like they gave up on the idea. Maurice Drew modrew@home.com top Central America anyone? My husband and I thoroughly enjoy reading The RV Times. We can't wait for it to come out. Although we subscribe to six RV magazines, The RV Times has something special. My wife and I are planning a trip to all the countries of Central America. We are looking for another couple interested in such a journey. We hope to go for three to four months, departing Canada at the end of November or beginning of December 2002. Should any of your readers be dreaming of such a trip please contact us at either: marquismg@hotmail.com or marquimg@telusplanet.net. G.M. Lizee Lethbridge Alberta top Toad discrimination: We have sent a letter to the Ministry regarding the discriminatory fee being charged for towed vehicles in BC Provincial Parks. We had read letters in your magazine regarding this fee (BC Parks New Camping Party Definition, RVT 83 pg 10), but were still flabbergasted when we were actually charged for it; we initially had a difficult time believing that there was such a ruling when we read the letters. Hopefully, other RVers will write to the Ministry before next season to have the towed vehicle charge removed and retain the extra vehicle charge. Brent and Sandi Hodgins Comox Campsite upgrades: Just thought you should know that the Nairn Falls campground is undergoing a substantial upgrade. While we were there last weekend, they were taking down trees, pulling out the stumps and filling the holes with the big rocks that were lying around. The sites are being made longer to accommodate larger RVs, and the grade is being properly levelled. The picnic tables are being placed in better locations. It's really going to be great! For more information, you can call the Squamish Parks Board. The park is closed now, but will be re-opening May 15. Ed Brechin Vancouver top Valley women: I have been trying to contact the number you gave in the May/June issue (Type to buy, RVT 81 pg 12) for RVing Women, but no luck. We wanted to know if one of the groups in this area wanted to speak at one of our Valley Network Women's Luncheons. Perhaps they could share some of their stories and maybe make some contacts for their membership. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Eleanor Wells Langley BC Eleanor, RVing Women can be reached at www.rvingwomen.com. Their toll-free number is 1-888-55-rving, or fax 623-975-2263. Good luck! Lori Masse Editor top Mr. Fix-it: I wrote you earlier and was looking for a technical service manual to repair the RV that I have, and a few friends' RVs. Got the book yesterday (thanks for your help) and have already fixed most of the problems we all had with our motorhomes. It covers all RVs. You can recommend this book to your readers: RV Repair & Maintenance Manual by Bob Livingston, published by Trailer Life, ISBN #0-934798-45-1. John trre@hotmail.com top Guatemala insurance: Thought I'd let your readers know what I found out about Guatemala Vehicle Insurance. It can be purchased over the phone/fax using a credit card: 1. San Xavier Mexican Insurance, Arizona – toll free 1-888-377-1570 (Bob Acosta). Liability or Full Coverage. 2. Nelson Insurance Agency, AZ – toll free 1-800-638-9423. Liability or Full Coverage (depending on age of vehicle). 3. Sanborns – liability only. Hope this helps! G. Chase chaseonbowen@pacificcoast.net top Old camper: I have just purchased an old fibreglass Aeroflo camper by Polyfiber, made in Renfrew, Ontario. It is possibly a Model 8 and was built in the '60s. I was wondering if any of your readers could give me more details or information on it. D. Watson PO Box 672 Valemount, BC V0E 2Z0 top Puerto problem: I have just come across the best RV magazine ever!!! I am planning my very first camperised trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, in December any and all information would be greatly received. Les Pearson tips111@hotmail.com top Yellowstone dealer: I recently purchased a used Yellowstone class C motorhome. I have been unable to find a dealer here in the Lower Mainland so I can buy some specific items that I have to replace. These items are not available at other dealers nor can they order them from Yellowstone as they do not have a dealership. I would appreciate it if someone could inform me where I can find this dealer. I enjoy reading your magazine, keep up the good work. Leo leob@lightspeed.ca Leo, We suggest you contact the RV Dealers Association at 604-270-7744 and/or the RVIA. If neither of these is able to locate the Yellowstone manufacturer, they've likely gone out of business and you will need to retrofit other brand components for the parts you're looking for. By the way, you haven't indicated which parts you need. You may be able to locate the manufacturer of the individual parts through the internet. Hope this is of some help. Brian Yeates Langley RV top Motor advice: I am looking for some help. I will be ordering a new truck and I would like to hear from your readers on which motor/transmission I should go with. I tow a 31' travel trailer with the GVW of 7500 lbs. (I want to think ahead to the future as well.) I am interested in the GMC/Chev 3/4-ton extended cab 2-wheel drive with the 4:10 axle, trailer package, etc. The standard motor is the 6.0 Litre and I would also go with the 4 speed automatic transmission. Optional motor is the 8.1 litre and 5 speed Allison Automatic transmission. I would like to hear from your readers which motor I should go with; their towing results and size of trailer they tow, fuel mileage (solo & towing). My truck would be used 60% towing and 40% solo with most of the towing in the foothills and mountains. I am not interested in a diesel. Mike Boyes, St. Albert, Alta. mikeboye@telusplanet.net top Awning replacement: My husband and I very much appreciate your magazine and now that it is on the internet it is wonderful. I was wondering where might be a good place to purchase a replacement awning cover, mine is a Norseman. I live on Vancouver Island, and my motorhome is an Empress and was made in Alberta. Do other covers, such as A&E, fit? Who has the best prices? Are they hard to replace yourself? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Laurie Lamont laurielamont@home.com Laurie, I would suggest going to one of the major RV dealers on the island and start from there. You could also go to the Norseman site on the Internet to see what they have to offer. I never recommend mixing and swapping brands although sometimes it might work. Expensive??? Compared to not having one on a hot sunny day or on a rainy day when it might prevent tracking mud into your unit??? Hope this helps. Bob's Concerned top Motorhome blues: We're still fixing and fiddling with our old blunder bus. A blunder bus is any bus-like vehicle – i.e. a motorhome – the purchase of which soon proves to be a blunder. (Take-off on the term blunderbuss – an antique musket with a flare muzzle.) It provoked the following song that solicits knowing nods at the campfire singalongs: Those Rusted, Busted, Broken-down Motorhome Blues Words by W. L. M. (Bill) Wilson Sung to the tune of Six Days On The Road Let me tell you the story of our old motorhome, It gets us where we're going if the trucks up ahead are towin', We've fixed everything in sight, but nothin' in it ever stays right, We've got the rusted, busted, broken-down motorhome blues. The old blunder bus keeps a-chuggin' on down the line, Blowing out smoke, leavin' chunks of the engine behind, It eats gas like it's Turkish Delight, and we can't trust the brakes or the lights, We've got the rusted, busted, broken-down motorhome blues. We keep on hoping we've finally fixed everything, And we pray the old bus will take us back home next spring, But the batteries are starting to die and a muffler just said goodbye, Here comes those rusted, busted, broken-down motorhome blues. Well, if we win the lotto, we know how to end all this, We'll aim the old bus at a cliff and we'll make a wish, That it doesn't survive the fall and give some other snowbirds all, Those rusted, busted, broken-down motorhome blues. Verdelle and Bill Wilson Qualicum Beach BC top Baja Winters: I would like to thank all the Canadian folks that have travelled with Baja Winters RV Caravans over the last nine years. It has been a great experience for us, the owners, Jan and Kirk Brown. We have made many friends, and still hear from many of you who like to keep in touch with us. It is with a sad heart that I tell you of Kirk's passing away. The last four years Kirk has battled colon cancer. He was brave and determined to beat the odds. But, on May 29, 2001, Kirk left to attend the Great Wagonmaster's meeting in the sky. I would like to add that we have sold the business to a couple, John and Becky Smith. We met the Smiths, about 12 years ago, in Baja at the RV Park near Todos Santos. They know Baja as well as Kirk and I, and have actually been travelling to Baja about 35 years. They are very capable, professional folks who will carry on the Baja Winters tradition. Please support them as you did us. And again, thank you so much for the wonderful memories. Jan Brown wintersinjuly@hotmail.com top		Previous Issues' Letters: RV Times 83 Sept. Oct. 2001 RV Times 82 July August 2001 RV Times 81 May June 2001 RV Times 80 Mar. Apr. 2001 RV Times 79 Jan. Feb. 2001 RV Times 78 Nov. Dec. 2000 RV Times 77 Sept. Oct. 2000 top Boogie boarding: Could someone please help me find a good boogie-boarding beach in Mexico, either on the Baja or the west coast of the mainland? I would sure like your help in this matter! H. Da Silva Kanake4@home.com top Euro licensing From the RVDA of BC: ICBC has confirmed that the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has agreed that the European Drivers’ Licenses will be treated as equivalent to a class 5 BC DL license and will be accepted for the rental of motorhomes providing validity and restrictions do not prohibit. In BC all motorhomes (including 3 axles) can be operated on a BC class 5 DL. If a motorhome is equipped with air brakes, an air brake endorsement or a higher class DL, with an air endorsement included, will be required. NOTE: A motorhome driven on a class 5 driver’s license or equivalent may only tow a trailer or other vehicle up to a maximum of 4600 kg. The use of blocks to level motorhomes/RV’s equipped with radial tires: Source RVDA of BC via ICBC: Caution must be taken to ensure that the tires are fully supported when using blocks to level motorhomes and/or RV’s. The load on the tire should be evenly distributed on the block and in the case of duals, evenly distributed on blocks for both tires. If not properly done, the steel cables in the sidewall of the tires may be damaged and could lead to premature fatigue of the sidewalls. The blocks should be wider than the tread and longer than the tire’s footprint. This provides maximum support to the tires and assures that the load is evenly distributed throughout the tire’s foot print area. top Too cold, too hot: Sheila, I am glad I met you at the RV Show at the Tradex. First thing you told me is to calm down! What I'd like somebody to do is write an article in the RV Times how to prepare properly the roof on older RV's (roof corking, etc.). Also, explain how to properly winterise one. We have a Vanguard 1986, 3 valves under the sink. I don't know what to do with them. Even the manufacturer's specs don't tell you what they are for. Also, on my 460 Ford V8 I get the heating and the air conditioning only from the defroster vents. Some flap snapped, I know everything is on vacuum. Could somebody please give me an idea what it could be, so I get heat and air conditioning out of the dashboard again. At $96 per hour labour you have to do a lot of asking around. Frank Walter Coquitlam BC susannew@telus.net Frank, While each chassis manufacturer chooses somewhat different methods for controlling the heating system on a motorhome, you are correct in determining that it is vacuum controlled. As this is an automotive component, you should have a qualified automotive technician do the work, but you really don't need to pay $96 an hour unless you feel you must go to the Ford dealership. I would suggest you make arrangements with a reputable radiator repair shop, as most of these also do air-conditioning repairs and are fully conversant with the heater controls and their individual components. You often are not able to repair or replace the required parts without special tools and test equipment so it really is best to leave this one to the pros. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top Seminar correction: Hi Sheila! It was great to have you and Allen at the RV Lifestyles Seminar, and from the comments in your article, (Chatting with Sheila and Al, RVT 83 pg 4) glad you both enjoyed it! A lot of fellow RVers thoroughly enjoyed meeting you both! I would like to make note of the picture of me in that article – the notation has me as Seminar Leader. This is incorrect. I taught the Propane Safety/Systems Courses. Our Seminar Leader and the head of the RV Dept at Okanagan University College is Al Cohoe, who I'm sure you remember from the seminar (he was the one who never slows down!). Al Cohoe has worked for years developing this seminar in collaboration with Janet and Cathy from the RVDA (BC), and improving on it every year to try to have something for everyone. Those of us who work at OUC try to support him with his endeavours by teaching some of the courses and pitching-in to help where we can. As you mentioned, it is a great seminar to attend to learn from the 40-plus lectures available, meet fellow RVers, tour the Okanagan and generally have a lot of fun! Al Graydon OUC RV Dept top Leaky tank: I am searching for a way to fix a holding tank leak. It seems to be in the tank and not the fitting. Ed French EFrench@universalcompression.com Ed, In my opinion the only way to permanently "fix" a leak in a plastic holding tank is with a proper patching kit (which are available but hard to find), and it usually requires the job to be done by a professional who is trained in "plastic welding." In most cases you have to determine the exact location of the leak, then apply a material for sealing that is compatible with the tank material. The area must be clean and well prepared and it is a lot of work. If the tank can be removed then it might make the job easier, or at least you can take it to someone for a professional repair and save yourself some labour charges. Sorry I can't be of more help but it is one of those areas that can be very specialized. Bob's Concerned BotinCartin@aol.com top Southeast sani: I'm looking to travel across the southeast in a motorhome. How do I go about locating sani-stations to dump my waste while I'm on the road? Thank you in advance for any helpful tips. Sean SWebb1973@aol.com Sean, Boy, I wish I could help you with that type of info but unfortunately I haven't found a single publication that will answer that question. I carry an atlas put out by Wal Mart and in it is lists all their stores across the country and what facilities they may have and it has helped at times. Sometimes national and state parks have sani-stations that can be used by non-campers for a small price. Some major truck stops such as the Flying "J" have dump stations and I have found some of the major freeway rest stops have facilities as well. Hope this helps a bit and do enjoy your trip. Bob's Concerned top top Dealer thanks: My good wife and I have purchased several RVs over the years, be they new or used, self powered or tow type, on both the mainland and the island. To be honest with you, our dealings with the different dealers have been, to say the least, different. Imagine our surprise when we went on another buying mission that took us to West Coast Motor Sport, in Lantzville. We were greeted by a very reputable salesperson, no high pressure, and very knowledgeable of his product. To make a long story short, we put together a purchase that was acceptable to both parties. There were a few promises made about replacing various things. You guessed it – they followed through with their word. We would therefore like to thank the staff at West Coast Motor Sport for their fine service, customer dealings, and after-sales service. We would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone. Thanks Guys. John and Beverlee O'Sullivan Chemainus, BC top Workhorse Chassis: I recently bought a new Class A motorhome on a WorkHorse chassis. As luck would have it, I never made it home into my driveway, about 10 km away, when the transmission refused to go into gear. Something wrong with the electronics. I'll leave out all the details, but a half-dozen fuses or so later it was towed from the RV dealer's place to a General Motors service centre, where it sits as I write this letter. I'd like to recommend that RV dealers who sell units on this chassis obtain a set of manuals to better assist their customers. Apparently Workhorse is still seeking service associations and they even have an application form on their website – www.workhorsecc.com. I hope a lot of GM agencies apply! At the moment they show only one on Vancouver Island and one in Surrey. Not great for us RVers who are usually "out there" somewhere! Norm Alexander normalex2@home.com top Say Hi to LoW's: We have a small group of people who are interested in starting a LoW’s chapter here in BC LoW is Loners on Wheels, a group of singles-only people RVing and camping together. It is a great group that was started in the US and has many chapters. Their members have lots of fun mixing and camping together. I went to a rally for the NWLoW's (North West Loners on Wheels – Washington). There were about 165 people with RVs that attended. The five days held seminars, meals and entertainment. It was so great I want to start a chapter locally. But we need more interested people in BC before we can go ahead. If anyone is interested, or know of anyone who is interested, please contact me at 604-534-9982. Louise freeasaneagle@home.com top Mexico planning: We do enjoy reading your RV Times. We are planning with two or three other friends to travel to Copper Canyon, Mexico in January with our RV's. We were wondering if your readers have any information about reasonable lodging at Creel and El Divisadero, and whether we should drive to El Fuerte and board the train there. Any information about what or how we should do this trip would be appreciated very much. We had planned to leave our rigs at Los Mochis and one family has a dog that has to have babysitting while we are on the train. It isn't easy to get information or maybe we haven't gone the right route. Alf and Dolly Funk Chilliwack, BC adfuncwk@dowco.com top Travelling tip: I have wanted to give you a tip for a while now that I use when we are out and about. There are times when either my husband or myself go in our vehicle away from the camping site or RV Park. I thought it would be an awfully good idea to have a note with my driver's license as to where our unit was parked and the name of my husband, in case of an accident. I very often go to the closest town to shop and no one would know where to find my husband. So that is my tip to you and your readers. Love to read your magazine. Keep up the good work. Joan Johnston Ladysmith top North to Alaska: My wife, 13-year-old son and I would like to motorhome to Alaska and take a cruise for the return trip (or vice versa - cruise to Alaska and drive home). We would like to find a family that would like to do the opposite trip – cruise to Alaska and drive back Langley (or vice versa). Since we do not have a motorhome at this point, we would need to rent one or pay the other family for the use of theirs if they owned one that could be used. We are experienced with motorhomes, having owned three for nine years and rented two. Is there a family out there that would be interested? Alan Goard agoard@direct.ca top New websites: I am pleased to announce that the BCLCA's redesigned Lodging and Camping sites are both officially live. Please take the time to look around and explore our new web pages. www.lodging.bc.ca www.camping.bc.ca In the future, look for new content editors to redesign travel-british-columbia.com and to add information sections for each of BC's sub-regions and cities. The sites are far from finished and will keep growing to benefit our members. As always, the BCLCA appreciates any comments or suggestions. Direct your mail to Joss Penny (jpenny@bclca.com) and let us know what you think of our two new web sites. Greg Johnson Content Editor British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association 209-3003 St. John's Street Port Moody BC V3H 2C4 top Carcross un-crossed: Please note that in going from Haines Junction, Yukon to Haines, Alaska, and also from Carcross, Yukon to Skagway, Alaska, you definitely pass through portions of upper British Columbia (Setting the record straight, RVT 83 pg 12). Part of the confusion is created by the fact that most Canadian maps and those of British Columbia simply cut off the northern portion as if no one desired to go that far. Canadians need to somehow convince their mapmakers that it is important to present the whole picture, both for residents and visitors alike. When we receive an offer of travel guides, atlases or maps, we always ask what is the northernmost city they show? When the answer is Fort St. John or Fort Nelson, we say, "no thanks." Enjoy the magazine, Sheila! Fred Beeks beeks@aptalaska.net top Love your magazine! In one of the letters to the editor in the Sept/Oct issue, the writer, Maurice Drew, is very critical of another RVer for indicating that they crossed the border between BC and Alaska on their way to Skagway and Haynes. Seems to me that this is the only way to drive to those two locations (unless it's off the ferry). Perhaps Maurice should check his map. In any event, perhaps you should set the record straight as many people will read this and take is a fact. Keep up the good work. Jackie Frampton d.and.j@home.com Fred and Jackie, We received the following from the author of the above-mentioned letter: Well, I sure accomplished one thing – response from your readers! As for the error, yup, guilty as charged! I had taken a glance at a map that was very poor to say the least – BIG MISTAKE! That map has been relegated to the recycle bin. I apologize for failing to open my eyes. Regards to all Maurice Drew top