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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 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.
	Omni awning: My brother is having some problems finding a business that can help him get repair parts for an Omni awning. He purchased it in Yuma Arizona in about 1994. The problem is that the rewinding mechanism on the left side has released, and we can’t seem to make it stay attached to the device inside the roller. We have drilled out the pop rivets three times, removed the mechanism and tried to re-attach the spring to its holder, but each time we put it back together it releases again. We have tried to find the manufacturer through some RV places, but have had no success to date. Does anyone know where this awning can be fixed? Art Jepps artiechokes@hotmail.com Cell service: Whenever my wife and I travel away from our home base we also use a cellphone. We happen to use Telus, and our friends use Rogers. They both have about the same service. Telus charges $75 for 250 minutes or $100 for 400 minutes. They used to charge by the second, but now it’s by the minute, so watch your time. There are no roaming charges or long distant charges, that is it. Someone phoning you doesn’t pay long distant charges, either. This service is good throughout Canada and the US and has worked well for us. Good RVing and enjoy. Al Martindale alvi@shaw.ca top Considering Mexico: We are thinking of driving our 5th wheel to mainland Mexico in January. We don’t want to go as far as Puerto Vallarta, and are wondering if anyone knows about the area between Guaymas and the US border. I understand there are also places just south of San Felipe. We want to be on the water, but think Puerto Penasco and San Felipe are probably too touristy, and are not interested in the Baja. Any tips are greatly appreciated. Daphne & Gordon Robertson ordaph@islandnet.com Daphne & Gordon, We always cross the border around noon at Nogales and then go 60 miles south to Santa Anna, where we stay with Edgar and Anna Asuna at Punta Vista RV Park for a few days. This gets us acquainted with Mexico again, and is a real, not touristy, Mexican town not far south of the border. By far the most popular place is San Carlos, just a few miles before Guaymas. It has lots going for it, but it is inhabited by gringos. There are a lot of trailer parks, however we usually park for free on the beach; if it is short term this is fine. Last year the trailer parks lowered their prices a little (except for a five-star on the other side of San Carlos). There are a couple of trailer parks in Guaymas as well, but they are not as popular. We stayed at the Hotel Playa de Cortez last year and found it a little pricey. A good way to find about the trailer parks is to buy Traveller’s Guide To Mexican Camping by Mike and Terry Church. This book has invaluable information for RVing in Mexico. Hope this helps. Graham Gore Hedley BC top Phone home: I have seen lots of good information for RVing in The RV Times; now I would like to hear about telephone service. What’s reasonable for those of us intending on travelling across Canada and the US . . . do you still keep Telus and have a cell phone or pager? What economical ways are there to keep in touch in case of family emergencies? We plan on being away from four to six months at a time. E. Sutton esutton@pacificcoast.net Pocketmail promo: Great magazine! We look forward to each new issue and have always found several helpful tips to help us enjoy RVing. During the past year we have motorhomed across Canada and south to Texas. We took our laptop computer to e-mail friends and family. We can now tell you that we are able to confirm what your readers have advised in previous issues — e-mailing by laptop is NOT user-friendly. We took the advice of your readers and acquired Pocketmail. Pocketmail does work and is very user-friendly. Pocketmail is not sold widely in Canada. We were able to locate a BC distributor in Maple Ridge however who filled our order promptly and followed up to ensure everything was satisfactory. RVT readers wishing to purchase Pocketmail locally can contact Jess at 604-462-9749 or bellcamplog@pocketmail.com. Wayne & Sheila Jarvis Kamloops BC top BC sani locations: I am a sales rep and I use my camper for travelling throughout BC. I just got back from a northern BC trip, and have prepared the following list of some sani-dumps that are still free. Abbotsford - Going towards Vancouver, it’s at the rest stop. Merritt - Coming from Vancouver take the first exit and go downtown, turn left at the 7-11 and go about three blocks, and it’s on the right. Kamloops - Coming from Vancouver take the first exit after the weigh station, it’s at the Esso gas/truck stop. It’s a really nice one, about a year old. Kelowna - Canadian Tire. Vernon - Coming from Kelowna when you come down the hill turn left at the bottom light and go about one mile, it’s on the left at the sewage treatment plant. Penticton - Canadian Tire. 100 Mile - It is now behind Save-on-Foods. Williams Lake - It’s at the Stampede grounds as you come into town. Quesnel - Going north, it is about one block past the Visitor Info Centre on the left, but you can only get to it coming the other way. Prince George - Going north from Quesnel, it’s at the Shell Gas station on the left at the light. Cathie Sundstrom cathie.rep@shaw.ca Sani location: Just a note to let your readers know there is another sani-station in Nanaimo at the Husky Gas Station, one block north of Old Island Highway at Turner Road (Longwood Station). It is at the corner of Uplands and Turner. The Co-op Gas Bar on Mary Ellen Drive at the north end of Nanaimo is still open. Marion Podritske top Loose generator: I had the misfortune of having my generator break loose from its mounting. Thankfully, I was just coming into Indio California when this happened, and Benlow RV Repair Services was only a block away. They came out and jacked it back into place so that I could get into their shop for repairs. (I must thank them for their very professional and courteous service.) My generator is the type that swings down from the back on a hinge, with a front mounting bracket that is bolted up through the floor with 3/8" bolts and 1" washers. This type of mounting is a disaster waiting to happen. Benlow RV Repair couldn’t believe that a generator would be mounted this way. They installed a 3/16" steel plate 4" X 15" from the inside, and recommended that I tell other RVers with this type of mount to inspect theirs and do the same. Al Martindale alvi@shaw.ca top Financial advice: I am writing in response to a letter in the Sept/Oct issue from Angie Russeau regarding Retiring via RV (RVT 89, pg 26). I am concerned about a portion of the reply from Peggi and John McDonald that states, "The financial advisors I have talked to say that you should borrow as much as possible — this way you use the bank’s money and keep yours invested." Financial advice must be tailored to the individual; there is no such thing as "one size fits all." In this case, the writer didn’t have much of a savings account and their house was not paid for. Without knowing anything else about their financial affairs, such as whether or not they have a pension plan, it is not possible to give sound financial advice. However, borrowing to buy an RV at retirement with little in the way of assets or income can be costly and could result in disastrous consequences. Since a retired person with limited financial resources should invest conservatively to preserve capital, their borrowing costs would be expected to exceed their rate of return on investments. After paying taxes on the investment income, there would be an even more significant shortage. In short, the cost of borrowing takes money away from the limited resources available for living expenses. Borrowing "as much as possible" is good advice for the right person in the right circumstances, but it can also be the worst advice in a particular circumstance. When a financial advisor recommends that you borrow money, consider this: Will the advisor benefit financially if you take that advice? For example, if borrowing results in you having more funds to invest, will the advisor receive commission income from those investments? Not all financial advisors have your interests at the forefront. Some are primarily interested in selling investments. Look for a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who will review all aspects of your financial situation before offering advice, and then make sure you understand, not only the potential benefits of taking the advice you receive, but more importantly, what the potential costs or downside could be. Check out the website of the Financial Planners Standards Council for more information on Certified Financial Planners and how to find one: cfp-ca.org/. Dan McNeill, CGA, CFP dan@mcneillcga.com top Zinc rods: I saw an example of a corroded hot water tank at an RV Dealer. It was completely eaten away. It convinced me to buy a zinc rod for my hot water tank for $24.99. I installed it into the drain of our tank, but later I questioned my decision. Do hot water tanks actually disintegrate from the inside due to electrolysis? How many such failures are there? Is it possible that the zinc is the only thing that gets eaten away inside (along with my $24.99)? How about toxicity? Is this a special type of zinc for potable water? Bob Hoogstins Port Coquitlam BC Bob, The Zinc Znode rod you refer to is made specifically for the Suburban or American Appliance water heaters. You should not install this into an Atwood water heater, as it will cause more problems than you would want. Yes, in the right application, it prevents the water heater from corroding from the inside out due to the mineral content in the various water supplies you might access. This is a time-proven technique and has been part of the marine industry for at least decades. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top Blind solution: It seems many RVs these days come with Venetian-style blinds. They have these little plastic clips on the bottom to keep the blinds from moving around while the rig is in motion. The trouble is, they are often awkward to unclip to allow the blinds to be raised. I have found a solution that seems to work great. Magnets! Specifically, a small, strong kind called rare-earth magnets. These are simply affixed to the wall where the plastic clips used to be, but an inch or so closer to the middle of the blind. When the blind is lowered, the magnets attract the metal lower rail of the blind and hold them solid. When the string is pulled the blind simply slides off the magnet and raises. Works great. These magnets are available from Lee Valley Tools (1-800-267-8767 or www.leevalley.com) and are available in a variety of sizes. The 3/8-inch size (99K32.03) works well for small blinds and the 1/2-inch size (99K31.03) for larger ones. To affix them to the wall use the steel cups in matching sizes (99K32.52 and 99K32.53) and screw them on with #4 flathead wood screws. Earl Gyselman earl@virga.ca top Spruce Grove stars: I would like to put in a good word for two excellent companies in Spruce Grove Alberta. While on vacation this year, I had the misfortune to lose a bearing on one wheel of my 5th wheel. I was able to get to a service station and remove the wheel. Now I was at a loss of what to do. Just then, a tow truck driver from Meadowlark towing (780-962-8750 or 1-800-668-4164) came along, and even though he was not able to tow me in, he loaned me a chain, showed me how to tie up my axle and told me how to get to a RV repair shop in Spruce Grove. He did not even want my name nor would he accept remuneration. The shop he sent me to was Spruceland Brake, Steering & Trailer (780-962-4097) who worked very hard to get me going and on my way. The service was very good and reasonable and I appreciated their work. These are two very excellent companies that I highly recommend if you are in that area. Glenn Stenson gstenson@telus.net top What’s the law? I have a question for Constable Tim Schewe: What are the legalities regarding moving from the driving compartment of a motorhome to the living quarters while the vehicle is in motion? As per seat belt requirements, what would happen if one was involved in an MVA while not belted in — there are no seat belts in the potty room. And what about open alcohol in the coach portion of motorhome? I understand there are two US states that do no allow any open alcohol, even in a motorhome. Robert Moore Wagonmaster Pleasure-Way Sams Robert, You will find a few of your answers on our website, www.island.net/~cihp. The unbelted passenger is in the RV FAQ area and the liquor question is in the General FAQ area. In BC not wearing a seatbelt can be regarded as contributory negligence, and any award you may be entitled to could be reduced because of it. Tickets for seatbelt violations in BC are $86, and open liquor in a vehicle is a $58 penalty for the driver. Constable Tim Schewe Vancouver Island Traffic Services top Smallest trailer: Can you tell me what is the smallest travel trailer built? Ten years ago I saw one incredibly small; I have never seen one before or since. M.H.Looper Memphis TN M.H., If you are referring to a hard-walled travel trailer as opposed to a soft-sided trailer, the smallest I have seen in Canada is the 13 ft Trillium built by Neoex. This was built out of fibreglass and similar to an egg in shape. Others were the Surfside by Triple E, Bigfoot (www.bigfootindustries.com), Casita (www.casitatraveltrailers.com) and Boler. Most ceased production in the ’80s, save for Bigfoot and Casita. The predecessor of this was the Teardrop trailer popular in the post second world war. To get an example of the Teardrop, visit www.kitmfg.com. There were many hybrids that came along as a result of the gas crunch in the early ‘70s; many did not survive the march of time. Some trailers were almost coffin-sized and were for sleeping only, usually two people. You might want to check out the RV Industry’s Hall of Fame at www.rv-mh-hall-of-fame.org. Brian Jones Richmond BC top Now they’re cool! Many thanks for your prompt reply to my fridge problem (Not cool, RVT 89, pg 23). We will certainly file away Brian Yeates’ instructions for future reference. Fortunately, my problem seems to be over. When your e-mail arrived, I was on my way out to the camper to vacuum/blow out the control heating element, only to find the coils hot, and inside the fridge the temperature was below 0°. It is still a mystery to me how it corrected itself, but Brian stated in his answer that it’s not unusual for a fridge to take a long time to cool down after an extended period of storage (winter months here are about six months, plus). My wife and I enjoy The RV Times immensely: the many stories of far away places, and of course the letters, which we always read while having our coffee break. Joyce & Roger Warburton Prince George BC top Fridge care: We have an old Dometic fridge (1974 Trillium trailer) in which the gas finally failed. It has now been recharged. The trailer is stored in our back yard, so there is easy access to 110-volt power. Will the operational life of the ammonia gas be extended or be more assured if we keep it plugged in during the off-season, or should we turn it off until our next trip? Barrie Redman Sechelt BC Barrie, There is no evidence that keeping a fridge operating in the off-season will extend the life of the fridge. You will definitely shorten the expected life, however, if you operate the fridge when un-level, as this will stop the coolant from properly circulating. I would suggest that in periods of storage, you leave the fridge door ajar to reduce the possibility of mould or mildew and leave the unit turned off. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top Fridge woes: My trailer has a two-way fridge. The unit was bought new in 1990 and parked on an RV lot. It has never been moved since then. The fridge has been turned on in the spring and off in the fall every year. The fridge worked fine until this year, when it went from cold to only cool in the space of a week. This is the result when running on both gas and 110 volts. When started, the burner heats up as it should and the coils above the tank warm up. Checking a bit later, the tank and pipes below it are hot, but the coils above it are cool to touch. There has been no smell of ammonia and the fridge is immaculate. Can my problem be related to the fact that the trailer has never been on the road and the fridge has never been bounced around to keep it healthy? What suggestions or ideas would you have, as I cannot see an 11-year-old fridge packing it in. Rene Froese running_bare1950@yahoo.ca Rene, Unfortunately, you probably will need to have the cooling unit either repaired or replaced. RVs are built with the manufacturer’s intention that they are used generally for three to four weeks and a number of weekends annually, and to withstand the rigors of being bounced down the road for a good part of that time. The fact that you have not moved the trailer, if anything, has probably extended the life of your fridge. But you don’t necessarily need to smell ammonia if the cooling unit has failed internally. You could try to "burp" the fridge by removing it from its cavity and sitting it upside-down, meanwhile tapping the coils lightly with a rubber mallet. When the liquid in the coils stops flowing (you will hear this), return it to the proper position and again tap the coils until the liquid flow stops. Repeat the process three or four times, then reinstall the fridge and see if it cools. This has been known to work sometimes, but even if it does now cool, there is no guarantee that it will last for any great length of time. While the fridge is out, make sure that the passageway at the back of the cabinet is clear all the way to the roof. If this is obstructed by a bird’s nest or something else, there is no way for the cooling air to circulate properly over the fridge cooling unit and this will stop the fridge from working properly as well. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd Fridge power: We own a 5th wheel trailer with a two-way fridge: 110 volt and propane. I have been wondering if it is possible to run it on 110 volt through an inverter, hooked to a separate solenoid on the truck, so it only gets power when the engine is running. If so, how would you wire it in? I enjoy your magazine immensely, and read it cover to cover. It has a lot of information both on technical and travelling matters. Cato Larsen Courtenay BC Cato, I suppose in theory this will work, but you will need an inverter large enough to meet the 110-volt requirements of the fridge, 12-volt cables about the size of welder ground wire, a larger alternator on the tow vehicle, and the necessary 12-volt and 110-volt circuit breakers. I think that once you’ve totalled the costs up you may want to rethink this. Most fridges will hold temperature for at least five to six hours once chilled down. I’ve never used the 12-volt side on a fridge, even in the hottest temperatures, and have never had a problem with food spoilage. My recommendation would be to chill the fridge before the trip starts and leave it shut off while driving, then when you do stop for lunch, find a reasonably level place to park and fire up the propane on the fridge for the hour or so that you’ve stopped. If you really are serious about running an inverter strictly for the fridge, you will need to first determine the draw of the specific fridge on 110 volts, then we can help you to properly size the inverter and all the related components needed. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top		Inspired by the RVT: During an unusually quiet moment spent researching the internet, I noticed a story that one of your readers had submitted to your publication in the fall of 1999 (RVing through the USA in Arvy, RVT 77, pg 52). In the article it mentioned our little town of Westport Ontario and our store, the Village Green. Our focus for the past eighteen years has been serving people in the best way possible, and in doing so only hope that we have made a small difference in peoples lives. The article written by Jim and Rhonda McDougall inspires us daily to continue to live up to their positive comments and encourages us to follow in their enthusiastic footsteps and that of your magazine for RVing. Many sincere thanks. Stan & Cathie Mantrop Owners, Village Green top Parking lot camping: As much as I have to agree with the Matland’s letter about people "setting up camp" in Wal-Mart parking lots (Whitehorse Wal-Mart, RVT 89, pg 22), other things must be considered. When you travel from point A to B, and have no plans to stay in a city or town for more than one night, I find it ludicrous to pay for sewer, water, power, TV, toilets, swimming pools, playgrounds, meeting rooms, etc. when I have no need or plans to use the facilities. What is needed is a reasonably priced, safe place (Wal-Mart is safety in numbers) to stay for the night. If you need power, then pay for the power. If you need water or to dump tanks, then pay for the right to do so. But do not charge me for things I do not need or want. This becomes more obvious when you consider rates can go as high as $40 Cdn. Let me add: People are wrong to set up camp in a Wal-Mart or any other parking lot. Leonard J. Lemieux Princeton BC top Wal-Mart is the way: We strongly disagree with the statement made by the Maitland’s that "there is simply no justification to camp anywhere other than at a legitimate campground or Territorial Park" (Whitehorse Wal-Mart, RVT 89, pg 22). To make such a blanket statement assumes that we are all independently wealthy, or at least comfortably well off. That is not the case for us, not even close, or for many other RVers. We are just a few years away from retirement and are hoping to full-time RV for at least two years. We’re presently reading everything we can on the subject, as well as talking to other retired RVers and asking many questions. We enjoy RVing so much that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to realize our dream, including renting out our modest home, to have the freedom to do so. It’s not our style to expect something for nothing, but in order to be able to travel full-time and stay within our fixed income (pensions), we must combine full-service camping with dry camping (boondocking). Wal-Mart serves that purpose well, as we can restock groceries and other necessities while there. When you’re on the move and just want a quick stop for the night and make an early get-away, a Wal-Mart or Costco lot is perfect, as you don’t have to drive around out of your way looking for a campground, or wait until the gates are unlocked in the morning to get out. In addition, as the bulk of the baby-boomers retire and take to the highways, there is likely to be a shortage of camping spots in many areas. So thank you, Wal-Mart, Costco and other businesses, for allowing us to overnight. We hope this privilege will not be abused, or it could be lost. Jack & Mim Friesen Kamloops BC top Wal-Mart locations: Regarding Beverley Burmeister’s enquiry (RVing down under, RVT 89, pg 14), Wal-Mart sells a Rand McNally Road Atlas that is produced for their stores in Canada and the US. The front cover of the atlas purchased in Canada is stamped: Wal-Mart price $6.96 includes store directory. This atlas lists all the Wal-Mart stores in Canada (to 2001) and also has maps of the stores’ locations. To get the US locations, you have to purchase this road atlas at a US Wal-Mart. It has the same stamp on the upper right-hand corner of the cover with a price of $4.97 US. The Canadian locations are also listed in the US edition. We use our extra copy of the Rand McNally Road Atlas to highlight the roads we have travelled during our RV trips. Pearl Newman bnewman@axion.net top RV back-up camera: Using a Curtis model RT045 baby monitor, I now have a rear-view camera for about $120. The unit is quite satisfactory, except when the sun is behind the RV the iris control of the lens does not have the range to reduce the light entering the camera. A small modification had to be made to the TV to reverse the picture (a mirror reverses the image), less than one hour to change the wiring and check. Alan Furmedge North Vancouver BC Oven help: This is a BIG thank you to Charlotte Martin of Squamish BC for her help with RV ovens (Perfect pies, RVT 89 pg 13). Mine kept burning everything until I read about using lava bricks to diffuse the flame evenly. Although I couldn’t find lava bricks (due to the end of summer season), I did find firebricks that did the same job. These can be obtained at fireplace stores. Harold & Kathy deWeyer harold_deweyer@telus.net top There is a guide: I just read the letter from Joyce Boyett in Issue 89 (Blue book, pg 14) asking for a website address to find prices for used RVs. I also noted Marcel Desjardin’s negative response. I found an excellent site that gives prices for new and used RVs, as well as cars, boats, trucks, you name it. It is www.NADAguides.com. Just follow the links and you can find what you are looking for. You can add the options you have (or want, if you are buying). The prices are in US dollars, which would be fine for Joyce. I used the guide when I was shopping in Nanaimo, and converted the prices to Canadian dollars. At least I had someplace to start my bargaining. Lary Hansen dilary2@shaw.ca top Happy customer: I just thought I would drop you a line about one of The RV Times advertisers. I went into the website for www.dovetailmanufacturing.com, and corresponded by e-mail to Len. He explained the auto boat loader to me, and we proceeded to go to Kelowna. After seeing it and talking to Len, we had one installed the next day. I have never been treated so well by any commercial enterprise. I cannot say enough about Len and Reneta, as to their hospitality and the products they produce. I would encourage anyone who is in the market for an automatic boat loader to look them up, and see for themselves. Their attention to detail on their products goes without saying. Thank you very much. Bill & Esther Dixon Agassiz BC Didn’t mention it: I would rather that you did not mention it (Don’t mention it, RVT 89, pg 38), than tell us about a place we might never find! What is the purpose of the magazine, if not to inform readers about neat places to visit? Why tell us about the locale if we will never get to go to it? Just my opinion, but my husband felt the same way about the article, so I assume others did too. Otherwise, we love your magazine articles since we are dreaming of the day when we will get to escape to Mexico or? during our clammy winters! Anna Adamson Prince Rupert BC top Mazatlan TV: Do you know if Canadian or US satellite TV reception will work as far south as Mazatlan, Mexico? We are RVing there in December, and if it doesn’t work, no point taking our dish. Bernie & Irene Eurchuk ieurchuk@cablelan.net Bernie & Irene, You can receive ExpressVu from Mazatlan, but the size of the dish is still uncertain. I know that with a five ft dish there is no problem; I have been told that you can receive with as little as a 30 inch to 36 inch but I have not been able to confirm this. Dan Wiens Digital Electrical Systems Fixed awning: This is regarding the question of repairing an awning submitted by Rowena Salisbury of Mission (Ripped awning, RVT 89, pg 20). Rowena should check with her insurance company, as they may cover the replacement under the comprehensive portion of her insurance. A number of years ago, I left the awning up when we were hit by a freak snowstorm. The heavy snow tore my awning. I took the RV to ICBC, and they had the awning material replaced for me at the cost of the deductible on my comprehensive insurance. John Doskoch mrleger@shaw.ca top Driving and sleeping: Okanagan University College in Kelowna now offers a new Driver Training course for RV drivers. Participants in their RV Lifestyle Seminar weekend generated it from comments. Contact is Randy Werger, Program Coordinator, at 250-862-5494 or e-mail him at rwerger@ouc.bc.ca. Also, we found there is a company that makes replacement mattresses for RVs, Majestic Mattress in Kelowna. We’ve ordered one for our Tahoe 5th wheel (we have a "short queen" in our unit, 60" X 75"). It takes them about a week to make one. Di Holmes & Lary Hansen dilary2@shaw.ca Not the first: There is an error in the article about Lindsay Butt (RV Technicican blazes a new trail, RVT 89, pg 63). She is not the first female certified as an RV Technician, but she is the first to have completed the four-year apprenticeship to become a certified RV Service Technician. Joanne Martin was the first certified RV Technician, but she did it before there was apprenticeship program for RV Technicians. She put in the required time and then challenged the exam at the end. Al Cohoe Okanagan University College top He knows Norseman: In regards to Norseman awning instructions and spare parts questions a reader had (Norseman, RVT 89, pg 7), I may have the answer. Norseman Inc. is still in business (but not in RV awnings). They will likely still have instructions available. Also, many dealers in the Edmonton area still have parts. All RV techs that have been in the business for seven years or more in Alberta will know about Norseman awnings, as Norseman Inc. has three places in Edmonton. Paul T. Spencer Certified RV Tech Hill closures: We just got back from Bella Coola Valley. I must mention that the famous Hill along Hwy 20 is just as picturesque as in 1960, the first time I visited Bella Coola. There are roadwork and closures (blasting and rock removal) on the Hill until November 15th and possibly beyond. So, travellers should check beforehand with the Provincial Highways Road Reports or on the internet at: Highways Road Reports Rein Neem Blaine WA top Hitch support: Have your discussions covered 5th wheel ‘hitch’ support, or a jack for the hitch itself? Thank you, I have learned so much through your magazine. Carol ianandcarol@shaw.ca Carol, Hitch supports or tri-pod supports for the king pin really do work for making your 5th wheel more solid and offers weight relief for the forward section of your RV. Marcel Desjardin Travelhome, The RV Marketplace Pressure advice: Notice your water pressure dropping off? Time to get a new pressure reducer? Just take your old one, drop it in a cup of CLR for 30 seconds, rinse it well and it will work like new, especially if you’ve spent anytime in the south. Now, put that ten bucks you save every year to a subscription to The RV Times! Barney Schollen Maple Ridge BC top Not so fresh water: I love your magazine. Actually, both my husband and I love it. We read it cover to cover. I have found the information valuable and the articles very entertaining. I have a concern regarding our water supply in our RV. As far as I know, nothing is wrong with the water lines. My uneasiness comes from the fact that my husband doesn’t empty the fresh water tank after each camping trip. He refills the water tank, "mixing" the fresh water and the now old water from the previous trip. We have never been sick from this practice, but could we become sick from using that water? Do I have reasons to worry? Please put my mind at ease. Diane Landry-Sealy ohnesealy@shaw.ca Diane, There is nothing specifically wrong with topping up the water in your fresh water tank, but personally I have always emptied the tank at the end of each campout and refilled with fresh water just before the start of the next one. We simply prefer the taste of fresh water, and by emptying the tank and flushing it out reduce the possibility of contamination in the water supply. If you are concerned about water purity, there are additives you can add to your fresh water and a wide variety of water filters that can be used in the water system, and both of these are becoming more popular with campers today. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd Diane, Water is a very important commodity to RVers, and it is important that you have clean, potable water wherever you are camping. If you use bottled water to drink, or purify your water in another way, you have no worries. If you fill your tank ONLY from city water supplies that you know to be safe for drinking, you also probably have no worries. But, if you ever get water from a campground well supply or a lake or stream supply, then you should be suspect of the water and do something to purify your drinking water. Even city water, when it sits around in a closed storage tank, will become stagnant and will no longer have a fresh taste. My suggestion, therefore, would be to empty your water tank completely upon returning from a trip, drain the hot water tank, and drain the lines as well. This will ensure that bacteria and algae do not have a place to flourish. If you want to be sure your entire water system is free from contaminants, you should get a product from your RV dealer called Pristine. The large size is enough to treat your entire water system, including your hot water tank and all lines. It will kill all viruses and bacteria and will neutralize other harmful contaminants. Morgan Wilks Advance Chemicals top Insurance warning: If you winter in Mexico and think you don’t need US travel insurance, you should know that if you have to be transported to a better medical facility, you may find yourself in the US having to pay their fees from your own pocket. Yvonne Lacoursiere Vernon BC Motorhome vs. camper: I have just finished reading the article recommending a motorhome over a truck and camper, truck and fiver, or truck and trailer combo (Think it over twice, RVT 70, pg 52). While I agree with much of what Murray Jackson stated, and I would personally prefer to have a motorhome, my wife is a big horse-enthusiast and we typically tow their trailer everywhere with us. In fact, most of the places we go are horse-related, such as jamborees. The need to tow the horse trailer precludes us from towing a "toad," and also eliminates many of the advantages we might otherwise derive from a motorhome. Similarly, motorhomes don’t come in four-wheel drives, but trucks do, and we need one to get into some of the jamboree locations. I can only imagine that avid boaters, ski-dooers, fishermen, and even hunters will be in a similar situation where the need to tow a trailer precludes the ability to have a "toad" and thereby eliminates any advantages of a motorhome. Just some thoughts, thanks for the article. David Hunt huntdh@shaw.ca top Propane storage: I have just discovered The RV Times website. I am impressed and will be a frequent visitor. I wonder if someone out there can help me out with a problem. Last year, I purchased a small RV. I still do most of my cooking at the campsite using a portable Coleman stove on the picnic table. After a year of using those small propane cylinders, the cost of cooking went sky-high. To resolve this situation, I just obtained a small five-pound propane tank and the necessary hook-ups to allow me to use the tank to supply the portable stove. My problem? Where can I safely carry a five-pound propane tank on a small RV when it is fully charged with propane? All the information I have recently read cautions against carrying it indoors or in a sealed outer compartment. Does anyone know where I can get a commercially available box, rack or brackets to secure the propane tank either to the rear ladder or back bumper? Steve Hancock tetris@telusplanet.net Steve, You may be able to find a rack to mount your spare LP bottle on the rear of your camper, but I would hesitate to recommend this solution, unless you can mount the rack in such a way that the bottle is contained within the frame of the vehicle when in the rack. In other words, it should be in front of the rear bumper to give maximum protection from impact. You would be best to secure the bottle in a storage compartment, and make sure that the bottle is in the upright position, and then vent the compartment so any LP gas that may escape from the bottle will be able to escape to the atmosphere. Your other solution would be to install an adapter tee at the LP bottle on your RV and run a hose from this fitting to the portable stove. This allows you to use your onboard LP supply tank for both the inside of the RV and any portable LP appliances, and is probably the safest and most convenient option for you. These tees and hoses are available at most RV dealers. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top Getting shocks: I have an 18 ft travel trailer with an electrical problem. If I am grounded outside, I can get a shock from the frame of the trailer. If I connect a voltmeter to the hot side of any outlet, the second lead shows 110 volts to a water pipe, to the gas stove (but NOT the copper gas line). Outside, the voltmeter on a water pipe shows 110 volts to a doorframe, which has no contact with any conductor. I tried running a lead from the water line to the ground rod of my home, expecting a spark or a tripped breaker, but nothing happened. I get no shock inside the trailer by touching the water line and the stove, but am still nervous about the situation. Can anyone explain what is happening and, hopefully, suggest a solution? John M. McDonald macdo88@shaw.ca John, You most definitely have a serious electrical problem. I suggest you get a 110-volt plug-in tester from the local hardware store or lumberyard. These little tools simply plug into your 110-volt outlets and through a series of lights indicate if the plug is wired correctly or not by showing a reversed polarity, reversed ground and neutral, no neutral, no ground, or any of a number of different scenarios. You will also need to check the outlet you’ve plugged the trailer into, and don’t forget to check the 110-volt park adapter if you’re using one. I have on occasion seen even a brand new adapter that had an internal flaw, and caused the problem that you’re experiencing. If this is nothing simple that you are able to rectify, do not hesitate to have a licensed technician repair it, whatever the cost. This is extremely dangerous and you shouldn’t use the 110-volt in the trailer until it’s fixed. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top		Previous Issues' Letters: RV Times 89 Sep/Oct 2002 RV Times 88 Jul/Aug 2002 RV Times 87 May/Jun 2002 RV Times 86 Mar/Apr 2002 RV Times 85 Jan/Feb 2002 RV Times 84 Nov/Dec 2001 RV Times 83 Sept/Oct 2001 RV Times 82 Jul/Aug 2001 RV Times 81 May/Jun 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 RV Times 76 Jul/Aug 2000 RV Times 75 May/Jun 2000 RV Times 74 Mar/Apr 2000 RV Times 73 Jan/Feb 2000 RV Times 72 Nov/Dec 99 RV Times 71 Sept/Oct 99 RV Times 70 Jul/Aug 99 RV Times 69 May/Jun 99 RV Times 68 Mar/Apr 99 RV Times 67 Jan/Feb 99 RV Times 66 Nov/Dec 98 RV Times 65 Sept/Oct 98 RV Times 64 July/Aug 98 RV Times 63 May/Jun 98 top Towing ticket: This was given to us recently from a friend in Yuma. We thought it was worth passing on to all of us towing a vehicle: Hi Bud, I have been meaning to send you this information for a while. We went on a short vacation in August. We went to Vegas first, taking I-5 from Oregon and California, then over to Nevada. Both going and coming went through California. We were pulling our Jeep behind our motorhome. Of course, when you go through California, you see all of these traffic signs saying "Autos with Trailers, Trucks 55 Maximum." Well, I made an educated decision, and decided this didn't pertain to us. I continued on at the speed of 65 or 70, whatever was posted. No problems on the beginning trip through CA. I even passed the parked State Police cars. But on the return trip from Oregon, I was pulled over on I-5 doing 65. I asked the police officer what was up. I said I wasn't speeding as the posted speed was 70. He said that is correct. You were speeding at 65, 10 miles over the posted 55. I protested my innocence but to no avail. He said the court would send me the fine information to my Alaska address. My son sent me the letter from the court a few days later. I nearly fainted, the bail (which was the fine —$250) would increase to $550 if there was no immediate response (plus a warrant out for my arrest). WOW. I checked with the State Police at home, and the officer said the law states that any vehicle, car, pick-up, truck or motorhome pulling or towing another vehicle or trailer must follow the speed limit of 55. This includes 5th wheel trailers, etc. The officer I talked with said he thought the fine was a little steep. As well, I have to take traffic school if I don't want a report sent to my insurance company. You might want to forward this information, as I saw various rigs pass me all the time. This could save some one an ordeal that I had to go through. By the way, I asked the local officer I talked to at what point did he stop a speeder. He said if the traffic is light, he won't stop them unless they are over 65, if the traffic is rather heavy, 60 is the magic point. He also said it was more or less the discretion of the officer. Jack K Vandelaar We always wondered about those signs, but never thought they included motorhomes! Something to think about, right? Carol & Don caradon@telus.net top Five-star service: We recently stayed in a beautiful park in Nanaimo called Resort on the Lake. The staff bent over backwards for all of the RVers. There was coffee on at 8 a.m. every morning in the beautiful clubhouse (free) until 10 p.m. every day. We had a beautiful potluck dinner on Labour Day weekend, with the managers supplying all the turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and an awesome dressing. They have many talented people in the park. The dinner was followed by a karaoke evening. The manager's wife bakes fresh muffins all through the winter in the kitchen. We are now planning to rent year-round in this beautiful park. Kudos to all the staff at Resort on the Lake (which we saw advertised in The RV Times). Jan Stewart Calgary AB top Cross Canada costs: We enjoy The RV Times immensely and can hardly wait for each issue. We do have a request though, in relation to the financial cost of trips across Canada (from BC to Nova Scotia). Some of your readers write about the costs of gas, ferry fees, bridge fees and camping fees to Mexico, etc., but none have told the total cost of a trip across Canada for the average RVer. We have an older Ford 250 and pull a 20 ft 5th wheel. We are pensioners and need to budget carefully. Are there any tips for saving money on this trip? It would be appreciated if we heard about trips from others with small units, not always from the big diesel pushers, who I am sure don’t need to think about budgets that much! Harold & Kathy deWeyer harold_deweyer@telus.net top Towing mirrors: My wife and I have recently purchased a small 5th wheel trailer. Because of this, we have discovered your magazine. It’s a joy to read and is chock full of useful information by some very caring people. We are on our third consecutive issue. We’re ready for our first road test. The only hitch, if you’ll excuse the pun, is locating towing mirrors for our 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport. Dodge makes awesome fold out mirrors for the Ram model, but nothing intended for towing with the Dakota . . . that we know of. It has been suggested that there used to be one made for an older Dakota in Mexico. The stock mirrors on our truck are 5" x 7". Visiting our local dealer and RV service/suppliers, we have explored slide-ons and strap-ons. All of this has left us disappointed either from the amount of vibration, or wind resistance. The possibility of theft of the temporary mirrors while parked exists, as well as reduction of trade-in value or all the above. Has anyone out there been faced with this and come up with a solution for a permanent or more permanent set of side mirrors that are not ugly? Make, part number and supplier would help us in our quest. We aren’t going to put up with these strap-ons for very long. From a safety point of view, this is the most important decision with which we have been faced. Steve & Sue Isaac Parksville BC steveandsue@shaw.ca top What a rip! I have a new trailer and I ripped the awning (about three feet) with a tree branch. How can I repair the awning without buying a new one? The awning is new and in perfect shape, except for the rip. Paul Booth paul@paulbooth.net Paul, Most upholstery repair shops should be able to repair the tear in your awning; however, this will require removing the awning from the RV and then removing the fabric from the roller tube assembly. Be very careful here, as the tension springs at each end of the roller tube have the capacity to break your fingers unless removed properly. If the tear is near either edge, the shop will cut the awning back and re-stitch the beading around a fresh section of fabric, reducing the span of the fabric by the amount cut off. If the tear is at either end, they can shorten the fabric to eliminate the tear. If the tear is anywhere more than three to four inches from an edge, the only repair is to add a patch over the existing fabric. You will then have a section of awning that is thicker than the rest, and the awning will no longer roll up evenly or tightly and is prone to opening while in transit. We recommend against this type of repair. If this were the case, it would be best to order replacement fabric to make the best repair. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top They’re the best! Just want you to know about a wonderful company that rescued us from a very bad predicament. On July 26, 2002, as we drove our PleasureWay Class B van from Kamloops to Vancouver on Trans Canada 1, we ran over a piece of metal in the road that kicked up, hitting the underside of the van. Fortunately, my husband saw a large splash in the rear-view mirror, and a roadside inspection confirmed that the metal had sheared off both waste tank drain valves and the sewer connection! A quick telephone call to the PleasureWay factory located a dealer in Chilliwack, BC, O’Connor RV Centre Ltd. As we drove through Chilliwack, we looked at the town we expected to be our home for a few days, checking out the motels and restaurants. We arrived at O’Connor’s a bit before noon, where the van was looked at within a half hour and our problem confirmed. Understanding that we couldn’t stay in the van until it was fixed, the service manager, Lisa Bertrand, apologized that it would be an hour before they could begin the repair! They did an excellent repair at a fair price, and we were on our way by five o’clock. We can’t believe RVers could ever get more excellent help and service than at O’Connor. Their slogan is "We want to be the best!" Well, we think they already are. Judy & Sam Davis Flat Rock, NC top Cracking tires: We have recently purchased a 1986 Vanguard 5th wheel. The gross weight is 7140 lbs, but we may a bit heavier when we head for Arizona this fall. The tires on it are bias 4-ply tires, load range D. There is still lots of tread on them, but there is a lot of cracking that runs around the sidewall in a circular fashion. I have been told that this is probably due to exposure to the sun and that the tires could blow at any time. Do you agree? A tire dealer suggested that 4-ply automotive radial tires would be adequate. These tires would cost $81, 6-ply trailer tires would be $116 and 8-ply $125 each. What would you suggest our best course of action would be? Thank you very much and your publication is first-class. Syl Dzus Kelowna BC Syl, Anytime you can see cracking in the sidewall area it is something to be very concerned about. The Vanguard manual calls for G78-15 load range D, so we do not think that 4-ply car tires would be a very good idea. For the price differences, we would suggest a ST225/75R15 load range D, max load 2540 lbs @ 65 psi, which usually sells for around $115-$120. Also, there are some tire dressings out now that are supposed to help stop the UV rays from affecting the tire sidewalls. Ray Shillinglaw R & M Tire Ltd. top Mexican insurance: Interesting article in the Sept/Oct issue of The RV Times regarding Mexican Insurance (What you should know about Mexican Insurance, RVT 89, pg 40). I would like to add another tidbit of information. This past winter, I had the misfortune of having my Ford F150 catch on fire while towing our 5th wheel trailer up the Santa Rosalia hill. (Santa Rosalia is about halfway down the Baja peninsula.) Fortunately, my insurance coverage included fire, theft and collision. I made the necessary phone calls, the adjuster finally arrived four days later, and eventually my wife and I were back in Burnaby. (How we got home is another story.) The Mexican insurance company told me that the truck was a write-off and that I would be paid out. Now this is where things get complicated — is there anything slower than a lame turtle? Yes, Mexican insurance settlements! I had purchased my policy from Cartmell Insurance, right here in Chilliwack BC. Every time I got frustrated with delays in Mexico, I made a phone call to Barrie Cartmell, and he would use his power to prod them along. Eventually, my settlement cheque arrived. Barrie was most helpful, and furthermore, I did not have to speak to him in Spanish, and he has a toll free number: 1-800-667-7267. I recommend buying your Mexican insurance there. Looking forward to seeing all of you again in Baja. Bev & Gord Denham Burnaby BC top Compass lesson: A clarification to Al Badiuk’s example of the correction from magnetic to true heading is that it varies greatly across the continent (True satellite headings, RVT 89 pg 14). His example of -20° is typical of the West Coast. However, Alaska will need a much larger correction, and the east will require opposite values (+20° or more in Newfoundland). The correction is required because the magnetic pole is 1,000 km away from the North Pole. You could determine the correction using strings on a globe, knowing that the magnetic pole is somewhere to the northwest of Ellef Ringnes Island. However, boaters and pilots have tables or computers, and many local maps give an approximate value (it is called "declination," whereas "variation" is the error due to tolerances in your compass system). And here is a website using your lat and long, which you can obtain close enough from most highway maps, to give the correction: Values of Earth's Magnetic Field If your vehicle has a compass system, you should also note the need for correction. Modern electronic compass systems probably include the correction once the user sets it to the appropriate value. Typically, the owner’s manual explains how to enter the setting mode and provides a map of correction settings, or defines a circling maneuver to self-calibrate. I do suggest driving that maneuver before going in circles while lost. :-) Keith Sketchley Victoria BC top Something wrong: This is in regards to Jacked up, page 10 of Issue 89 . . . I cannot let this go by. "There is nothing wrong with jacking a coach up until any or all wheels are off the ground," the letter says. Oh yes there is! But not, as Dennis wrote, from a ruptured hose. Nor, perhaps, if those jacks move only vertically. My jacks fold down then extend. If I were to raise all wheels or both duallies, or even one dually off ground that isn’t level, my motorhome will move downhill. Similarly, with a strong wind from back to front my motorhome moves forward and the jacks partially fold up, fully extended. My parking brake works on the motorhome’s drive shaft. With only one rear wheel in the air and an immobile drive shaft, the other rear wheel can rotate because of the action of the differential. Can and did — I figured the ground was level and the parking brake was on so I didn’t bother to block any of the other three wheels. In hindsight, that was DUMB! I do use the jacks to raise my motorhome completely off the ground. But, now I also use large wooden blocks jammed under the frame to carry most of the load and to prevent lateral and vertical motion. John Plaxton RVing@ogopogo.com top No battery power: We purchased a used 1998 Class C and are having problems with the battery in the RV not going on when we are not hooked up to shore power. My husband put a new battery in, and also put a new converter in, but we still do not have power in the coach unless connected to shore power. Any ideas what we can check to see where the real problem lies? My husband thinks maybe it is in a relay, but he isn’t sure. We hope to go camping again this year, but only if we can solve this problem. Diana Wido Michigan US Diana, There is an automatic changeover relay in the converter box that may be stuck, however, if you’ve changed the whole converter this has probably been changed also. Some motorhomes have a separate in-line fuse for the coach battery, usually at or near the coach battery that may have blown or has a broken or corroded connection where the battery is grounded to the frame. All you can do is visually follow both battery leads to locate the point where either the ground has failed or the positive lead loses the voltage. This can be time consuming to locate, but will most likely then be very easy to repair. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd. top Rock guard: I have a 1990 Prowler travel trailer. During a trip on the Yellowhead Hwy, I encountered a very bad windstorm. The wind got under my front window protector and completely disintegrated it. I replaced it with hardboard, but now it is starting to warp. I need the proper material to replace it permanently, but am having trouble finding a supplier. The frame is not damaged; I need only the panel material. I contacted Fleetwood, but they were of no help. Any advice is appreciated. Frank Zilinsky mrzip@wcteltech.net Frank, You should be able to order the complete rock guard from your local Fleetwood dealer. The factory, like most of the manufacturers, will not sell direct to the end user, but only to their dealer network. If all you wish to replace is the fiberglass-like centre panel(s), you can order material called Filon® from your local RV parts store. It is cut from a four-foot wide roll to the length you wish, so there will be a fair bit of leftover material for you to pay for and dispose of once you’ve completed your repair. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd Frank, Filon® is available through Laird Plastics Inc., one of The RV Times advertisers. Lori Masse RVT Editor top Trailer age: How long can a travel trailer last? I am considering the purchase of a 1979 Fleetwood travel trailer, 19 ft Wilderness model. It is in very good condition, has a propane certification, good brakes, has had no leaks and everything works. The asking price is $4,000 Cdn. But, as I have said, how long can a travel trailer last? We intend to do long-distance travelling during the next three to four years. Also, is there a website for owners of "antique" travel trailers? George Zaleski gzaleski@shaw.ca George, Firstly, I would not consider a 1979 model an antique. If kept under cover, or inside a building, rot would not pose a problem. Rot is in fact the major contributor to the demise of old RVs, coupled with no proper maintenance. Certainly, appliances have a life expectancy in hours, but unlike household appliances (that may run year round, 24 hours a day), RVs seldom get this type of use. If there is no rot, all the systems and appliances function, and it’s appearance spotless, then you have found a trailer that should give you many more years of enjoyment. Remember, the maintenance curve is proportionate to the age, but this is tempered by its selling price. Good luck! Brian Jones Richmond BC top Hot water: We have a ‘92 Itasca Micro-mini motorhome. Recently we have been having problems with hot water leaking into the cold water line. When we turn on any cold tap, there is a short spell of cold water, and then it becomes hot for a period of time, then cold. This is not good for the seals on the toilet etc. One dealer suggested a check valve on the cold water line. Have you ever heard of this problem before? We did not have it in our other motorhomes. Any ideas on what might be causing it or how to fix it? Dorothy & Larry rigate@telusplanet.net Dorothy & Larry, You are probably experiencing some bleed back from the hot water tank supply line. I would suggest you install a check valve in the hot water line coming from the water heater to eliminate this. Some RV manufacturers do this as a routine factory installation, but others do not and don’t experience the problems you have, but the check valve should eliminate this for you, although you may notice less water pressure on the hot side once this is in. Brian Yeates Langley RV Ltd top Riverview Park: Dear RV Times readers, River View Park in Acme Washington, on the South Fork Nooksack River, has been purchased by Whatcom County under the Flood Mitigation Program. I have owned this property for 18 years. I developed the RV park for its natural beauty and open space. "Shadow" and I would like to express our overwhelming gratitude for all The RV Times readers and the BC public for their many years of support. I leave with fond memories of the friends made over the years. Thank you and happy travels, neighbours! Betty Lou Close Acme, WA top