Solving The RV Foggy Window Syndrome

Almost all motor homes have thermopane-type dual glazed windows that act as insulation and prevent interior condensation. Between these pieces of glass is a dry air that will not form moisture when subjected to temperature changes. However, all that changes when the seal between these two glass pieces become compromised and develops a leak. I use the term “When” in lieu of “If” because over time most, if not all, will suffer this failure. Over time it is subjected to movement, vibration, altitude pressure variances and of course, the harsh temperature changes and environment conditions. There are 4 or 5 glass manufacturers that all the RV builders use, so no matter which brand of RV you have, all will eventually fail. So, what do you do when foggy windows strike? You could replace them at the RV maker’s factory or authorized dealer. But that can be very costly. The preferred method, however, is to have them repaired or actually refurbished. There are several companies that offer this type of service and may well do a good job. One such company, located in Hudson, Florida, SunCoast Designers, specializes in this field. They offer a number of 50 amp, water equipped RV sites as well as an on-site dump station. The process is far more involved than I had imagined. They remove the window(s) from the coaches while they are sitting in the serviced lots and then plastic seal the hole(s) temporarily while the window refurbishing takes place. Inside the plant,... Read more

RV Driving On Extreme Mountain Grades

A Lug_Nut point of view.  Extreme mountain grade driving is something most RVers prefer to do in their towed vehicle rather than with their motor home or truck trailer combination.  Steep climbs and drop- off downhill grades can turn a pleasant days run into a white knuckle survival experience.  So what exactly is considered extreme mountain grades?       Interstate highways and the majority of state routes are generally limited to 6% to 7% grades.  This means for every 100 feet travelled you would climb or descend six or seven feet.  A long downhill grade of this descent requires a constant resistance of lower gear operation, Pac Brake, Jake Brake and or service brakes.  The heavier the vehicle the harder it is to maintain a reasonable speed.  While you can generally use your brakes to check and maintain your speed in your automobile or light truck, the same cannot be said for most RV rigs.  Brake friction to slow a heavy rig quickly produces excessive heat that may lead to poor braking efficiency or even full brake failure.  While drum type brakes are perhaps more affected by this, disc systems can also overheat and fail. Extreme mountain grades can be upwards of 18%, well over double what you would normally encounter in the U.S or Canada.   These can bring the climb speed of a heavy motor home or trailer combination into single digits on the speedometer at full throttle.  Likewise on the descent an extreme resistance will be required to hold back the vehicle. ... Read more

Highline RV Luxury Equal To Top Coach Converter

A Lug_Nut view.   5th wheel trailers are going to new heights and rival highline motorized coaches like the Prevost conversions.  Like the Canadian built Prevost Coach, this 5th wheel is also being designed and built by a Canadian company.   This two story fiver is 53 feet in length and 13 feet 6 inches in height.  It will weigh in at about 40,000 lbs. when completely outfitted.       Specifications: Trailer Length: 53’ Over All Length: (Trailer/Tractor) 70’ Trailer Weight: Appox. 40,000 lbs. Over All Height: 13’ 6” Number of Slides: 4 The rear conversion type cap powers open to reveal a garage that will accommodate a medium/small automobile.  Ahead of this area, and still on the bottom level, a bedroom, bathroom and micro kitchen suitable to accommodate a driver or for a guest suite is present.                             A curving stairway from the bottom level leads to the kitchen and dining area of the upper level.  Heading toward the rear brings you into a spacious living room that expands on both sides with large slide outs.  The master bedroom and bath are located in the rear of the coach.  This area also has two large slides.    This unit employed a 535 horse power Volvo diesel powered tractor with a 10 speed auto shifting transmission.  The extended cab tractor was luxuriously appointed with leather sofa and lazy boy like chairs.  So, how much will this set you back when they become available?  Better count on spending upward... Read more

Foretravel’s New Flagship

A Lug_Nut sighting.   Foretravel Inc. of Nacogdoches Texas is launching a new flagship, the IH-45.  The IH will be available in smaller models namely 42’ and 44’.   Power will be the Cummins ISX diesel with 600/650 horse power mounted on Foretravel’s custom TravelRide chassis.  That should push this 48,000 GVWR vehicle down the road with plenty of power to spare.  Increased basement and interior height is gained as the new IH is 10” higher than their current models such as the Nimbus.  This totally new design is truly a highline coach that will compete with such products as Newell. In this economy it is great to see a company like Foretravel forging ahead with this new offering.  I’m looking forward to seeing one of these new rigs in the flesh at one of the upcoming RV shows. The cost, if you must ask, is rumored at around 1.2 million.  Kudos to the Foretravel design and manufacturing team. Adding To Your Dream Book     -     Lug_Nut     -       Peter Mercer  Read More →

RV Navigation and Much, Much More

Lug_Nut’s view of a growing technology.  Earlier I wrote about the adaption of using an Apple iPad in an RV for its application of a glass dash. If you missed it here’s a link   In addition to using this for instrumentation and of course navigation, there are other great features that RVer’s might find of interest. There are times when we are exposed to harsh or adverse weather conditions from heavy rain, snow threats or even tornado activity.  In many cases our only window to the weather is what we can see while speeding along the highway.  Well, there is a way that we can really know what’s ahead, 5 miles, 50 or hundreds.  We are talking about weather radar.  A clear and easy way to view precipitation throughout the country, all in real time less, 10 minutes. This is a great iPad app (Application) that lends itself well to the RV traveller, and it is just one of what may be many.  The one-time cost of this application is $1.99.  This application requires WiFi to retrieve. Travelling with large class A coaches or RV tow combinations can present some challenges for stopping along the way.   Travelling on the interstate highways can provide the manoeuvring required a each rest stop.  These rest stops however, can be found at random distances making it difficult to determine how far you must travel to the next.  The iPad offers the answer with an app containing every rest stop in the U.S.  Using its built in GPS system, this program can instantly tell you... Read more

The Next Generation In GPS Navigation Plus

A look at the cutting edge, from Lug_Nut.   Many RV owners consider the addition of adding a GPS navigation system to their existing coach.  Most choose the portable type mounted on a holder attached to the top of the dash or windshield.  These offer the advantage of portability which allows them to be used also in the towed vehicle.  However, one of the biggest drawbacks is the somewhat small screen. Then there are people that like the look and feel of the in-dash type.  Screen sizes on these are normally about 7” diagonally and many offer touch screen control.  The in-dash units contain a combination of features.  They are the AM/FM radio, Sat radio, CD player, back up camera capability and of course satellite GPS navigator all in one.  The cost of these before installation can be $600 to $1500 or more. Okay, that has been the choices that we have had in the past.  But, things are changing.  No longer are we going to be confined to using the same looking and functioning GPS navigation equipment that has been unchanged for years.    Well, for those that want to bring their motor home or tow vehicle into the next generation of the electronic future, consider this.  An Apple iPad can deliver more information on one big screen as well as offering the ability to be interactive.  The huge 9.7” touch controlled screen can deliver a high definition GPS navigation including voice guidance.  It can replace the need for your radio and provide iTunes and more.  It’s... Read more

A One-Of-A-Kind RV

Lug_Nut caught up with this gem at the annual Railroad Country & Bluegrass Festival at the Toronto North/Cookstown K.O.A.  This two day event featured several hot bluegrass and country western bands.  Among others, this attracts scores of model railroad buffs to view the vendor displays.                   This one-of-a-kind RV is on the track to being a real attention getter.  Both the locomotive look alike and the accompanying passenger car were built on school bus chassis.  They belong to the Shriners in the Newmarket, Ontario area.  The designer, Michael O’Rourke, paid attention to every detail.  Even the hitch and the many umbilical cords are styled just like the real thing. The engine is powered by an International diesel and both are equipped with full air suspension and brakes.  While it is primarily used for parades, it does run about the country to attend various events.  It has even been as far as Florida once for a special function. The passenger car offers all the amenities found in a class A coach and even has an exterior swing out super sized bar-b-q.  The engine unit is equipped with bench seating, two seats in the operator cab and a washroom down the hall. Up to twenty people travel onboard to each event.  It certainly catches your eye when this near eighty foot RV barrels by with whistles blowing.  What a family camper that would make.   The Shriners Flyer will be departing platform #3 at the K.O.A.,  All aboard! Choo-Choo To You  ... Read more

The Headlight Flash. What Does It Really Mean

The flashing of one’s headlights is something we have seen for years throughout Europe.  It was, and is, used to generally signal the intention to overtake another vehicle.  Kind of a heads-up and to ensure the vehicle being passed was aware of this action.  For this use, nearly all the vehicles sold in Europe for the last forty plus years were equipped with a momentary headlight switch built into the directional signal. Read more  Read More →

The RV Trivia Challenge No. 13 – On-The-Road Knowledge

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No 13 will test your on-the-road knowledge . Keep in mind, this is not an I.Q. test, it is a trivia requiring some guess work.  So, get a pencil and paper to record your answers.  When you have completed the 10 questions and scored your answers, please post your results in the comment section found at the very bottom. Read more  Read More →

Driving An RV. How Old Is Too Old?

A Lug_Nut pondering thought.   A while ago, while staying in an RV resort, I got to thinking about the aging population.  Of those that enjoy RVing today many are in the upper middle age group.  This is particularly true when looking at the people that own larger RV’s like motor homes and 5th wheel trailers combinations.  Despite the average age of people that own RV’s in the U.S. being in the mid forties, one must realize that RV;s include everything from a tent trailer and up. In the larger class of both motor homes and trailers there are many owners that are 65 years old and older.  This may be partially due to the cost of some of these rigs.  For the investment required, the average working person could not possibly reap enough benefits from it given the available free time their job may offer.  Then of course there is the affordability.  Life is backwards, by the time you can afford what you want, you are too old to enjoy it.  Well, that may fit most cases, but with an RV that may not hold true. So, how old is too old to operate a motor home or trailer combination?  There is no correct answer.  There is a time when one must quit.  This time is when one may become either physically or mentally unable to operate their vehicle in a safe manner for all concerned.  This does not only affect aging drivers, but applies to all.  But, we will look at those that are caused by age. What actually causes this to happen to an otherwise healthy senior citizen?  His eye... Read more

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