RV Weekly Round-Up (June 13-19, 2009)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news, events and video from this past week. 1. Latest RV-Related Recalls: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a new list of recalls for several products related to the RV industry. The latest round of recalls include components for fifth wheels, travel trailers and class A RVs See the recall release for the full list of affected products. Read more  Read More →

2009 Jayco Seneca HD 35 GS

2009 Jayco Seneca HD 35 GS Previously $154,910 – Now $141,635 Triple slide w/rear queen bed slideout, booth dinette and recliner slideout, entertainment center over cab, angled shower & private toilet, hide-a-bed sofa and more! Offered from Bill Plemmons RV World in Rural Hall, NC. Learn More! As featured on  Read More →

Camp at an Old Time Texas Cotton Gin

Trailer Life Cream of the Crop Campsites: Ole Towne Cotton Gin RV Park—Goodlett, TX Located at the site of an old converted cotton gin, this unique park is an attraction in itself! Ole Towne Cotton Gin RV Park features 40 gravel RV sites with full hookups (30/50 amp). There are 20 pull-thru sites measuring 28×85 ft., while back-in sites measure 27×60 ft. There’s plenty of room for slideouts and big rigs! Handicap accessible sites are also available. Each site has a picnic table.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Camp_at_an_Old_Time_Texas_Cotton_Gin'; There’s a large meeting hall for groups and rallies. Sit for a spell on the outdoor patio in the evening, or relax in the pool and spa. The park hosts a library and video rental service for your family’s entertainment. Laundry and firewood are available, and a park convenience store sells groceries, gifts and other camping supplies. For a full list of park amenities see the Trailer Life Directory. Rates: Last year’s nightly rates for two people ranged from $24-$26 depending on type of site. Each additional person (age 10 and up) is $3 per night. TACO, Good Sam Club and other club discounts are available. Area Attractions: Goodlett is near the Texas/Oklahoma border, in between Amarillo and Dallas/Ft. Worth. The Pease River Playhouse is just three blocks from the park and produces live theatre and cultural/heritage events throughout the year. See the park’s local attractions page for more exciting things... Read more

Autotransformers steal power?

AUTOTRANSFORMERS Manufactured by Hughes, Frank’s and Power Master. At 105 volts we get 30 amps of power, or 3150 watts of energy. At 130 volts we get 30 amps of power, or 3900 watts of energy. We get 8% increase in usable energy. Or 750 watts of power. 750 watts can run some coffee pots, a blender, vacuum cleaner, and some toasters Most space heaters draw 15 amps. The circuit breakers in most rigs are 20amps. But not hair dryers, microwave ovens, or larger appliance. Most campgrounds have 6-8 sites on a 200-amp breaker. 200 divided by 6 is 33 amps, but line losses can subtract another 5 amps. HEAT is a major loss on energy from any electrical device. We lose less heat (energy) the lower the amperage we can obtain. The higher the voltage (up to 130volts) the less power we use while operating any electrical device. A 600-watt electrical appliance will use 5.45 amps at 110 volts. This 600-watt device will draw 4.6 amps at 130 volts. We save almost one amp using the higher voltage. Your converter/battery charger will use 3-4 amps off the top. These autotransformers act as a superior Surge-spike protector. The autotransformer will draw ½ to one amp of power on it’s own. Do we steal power-when we use an autotransformer? The following scenario is offered by Dave & Helen Dmouth, www.damouth.com: You and one neighbor in a remote part of the RV Park share a long power feed from the park’s distant feed. I’ll assume that the main feed is always at 120vac,... Read more

RV Cooking Show Celebrates Dad Grillside

Hello campers, In honor of fathers everywhere I must say that this is the “manliest” RV Cooking Show to date. Our travels take us to the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. To this day, its harsh beauty continues to inspire. TR arrived in North Dakota ready for big game hunting. Instead, what he found near the Little Missouri River was a buffalo herd decimated by commercial interests. His experiences in the wilderness began to solidify in his mind the need for conservation, which he pursued notably in his Presidential years.  The National Park named in his honor is remarkable and not-to-be missed. When we return from a busy day of exploring we’ll make an unbelievable meal fit for an outdoor-loving president and especially Dad. The not-your-average-backyard Grilled Panini Burger and steak fries in this RV Cooking Show episode will make you swoon. Red pepper aioli, prosciutto ham, and manchego cheese make this burger so flavorful. The crispy, grill-marked fries add a special touch to this delicious dinner. Do Dad a favor, pick up the ingredients and make him a Father’s Day meal that he can sink his teeth into! Have a look-see for yourself… And there’s more…we’ve gussied up the recipe section of the RV Cooking Show website (where you can print all of our delish recipes) - I think you’ll like it, posted some terrific articles on our RV Cooking Show blog, and have been Tweeting and Facebooking like... Read more

Factory Service May Be The Answer

The Lug_Nut view. Motorized recreational vehicles are not a daily driver, and in general are used infrequently, usually only for vacations or a weekend get-away.  In fact, the average RV in the United States travels about 4,500 miles per year.   Many times mechanical issues can spoil or cancel an otherwise great trip.  Unlike an automobile, you can not just rent a like unit or get a loaner while the vehicle is being repaired.  You then become dependant on how fast the issues can be addressed and fixed.  So you take it to your local dealer and hope they can get right on it.  You have a slide problem, a refrigerator that stopped cooling and an awning that has a bent arm.  As a general rule most dealers assign one technician to work on your rig.   Even if they start on the unit that day, usually not much is done except the diagnostic part of the issues.  Next there are parts that are usually required.  Again, unlike an automobile dealer that generally stocks most parts, the RV dealer does not.  This is due to the vast number of parts, assemblies and components that go into making these vehicles.  So, you may well be further delayed while the needed pieces are located, shipped and received. Okay, on day three the parts have arrived.  Hopefully the technician is free to get them installed.  Most of this day is lost in receiving the items, rescheduling the tech and preparing the install.  Sometimes the parts received are not correct or are not complete and require... Read more

RV Doctor – How Do I Install a Replacement Powered Vent?

Hello Gary, This is my first question for the RV Doctor. I just purchased a replacement powered vent for the bathroom of my rubber roofed Class A motorhome. I’m handy with tools and want to replace it myself. I know there is extra sealant applied around the existing exterior flange. The existing vent is a fan type also, so I won’t have to run power. I concerned about the sealant and I sure don’t want to damage the rubber roof while trying to get the old vent off. I know I need butyl putty tape and screws. Could you walk me through the procedure? – Richard Craig, (Middleburg, PA) Answer: Richard, when working with anything attached to the rubber roof, it’s paramount that the sealant you use be applicable and compatible with EPDM roofing. Any well-stocked RV supply store will have the correct sealant. I do recommend using Eternabond under the flanges of the new vent. But first, to remove the old vent, you’ll need to dig around each mounting screw to expose the head. Read more  Read More →

2008 Damon Tuscany 4072

2008 Damon Tuscany 4072 Previously $236,393 – Now $164,953 New diesel class A with 4 slideouts, king side bed, solid one piece windshield, ceramic tile, Corian countertops, leather furniture, dual fuel fill and more! Offered from Dodd RV in Portsmouth & Yorktown, VA . Learn More! As featured on  Read More →

Lakes and Vineyards Abound on One Tank through British Columbia

British Columbia is known as Canada’s outdoor playground. The southernmost part of the province tends to be a bit more temperate year round, making it ideal for golfing or strapping on those hiking boots to explore the many trails that wind through BC’s incredible wilderness areas. In winter, there’s no better place to enjoy the snow than British Columbia. In fact, Vancouver is the site for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games! This one tank excursion from Woodall’s will give you a nice introduction to the diversity of British Columbia’s attractions.digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Lakes_and_Vineyards_on_One_Tank_through_British_Columbia'; Revelstoke For a different view of BC, start a ways off from the well-traveled areas of Vancouver and the province’s capital of Victoria. The scenic town of Revelstoke, which is situated quite close to Mount Revelstoke National Park, will set the tone for the rest of this relaxing trip. There’s an abundance of fishing to be had in any of the several freshwater lakes in the area, and the hypnotic natural beauty of Revelstoke can be enjoyed via a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. After a day out in the woods, you may want to take a rejuvenating soak in the local mineral hot springs. Locals swear by their restorative powers. While in Revelstoke, a place of interest to history buffs is the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which features exhibits about Canada’s first transcontinental railway. The nearby Revelstoke... Read more

Tuzigoot National Monument

Pueblo ruins dot the Verde Valley in central Arizona; remnants of the Sinagua people from the time period between 1100 and 1450 AD. Recently, a visit to one of the largest and best preserved of these – Tuzigoot National Monument – was made by Larry and Lee Ann and their experience is documented in their online Trip Journal, Larry & Lee Ann’s Journey. The name “Tuzigoot” is a term originating from the Apache language meaning crooked water. The term applies to the nearby Peck’s Lake, which is a runoff from the Verde River. The site has provided a great deal of information and insight to the Sinagua people through excavation; over 400 burial sites have been located in the hillside. The structures themselves also give a glimpse into their lifestyle of the time; the large pueblo has two stories that in all contain 110 rooms. It is likely that hundreds of Sinagua people were living in this and other pueblo homes. The land was purchased by Yavapai County in Arizona for the paltry sum of $1.00; a sale which enabled the land to pass from United Verde and Phelps Dodge to the County allowing excavation to continue. In the hands of Yavapai County, federal relief grants were able to be secured to finance the research project once the land was turned over to the Federal Government. Excavation of the pueblo and surrounding area was completed through the University of Arizona, headed up by Louis Caywood and Edward Spicer. From 1933 to 1935, the ruins were carefully... Read more

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