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Where is the Spare?

Why don’t some RV manufacturers include a spare tire with a new RV?  Is it a liability issue or a cost issue? I have heard both sides of the story over the years, and it usually depends on what type of a RV you are talking about.

I have owned three towable RV’s and two motorized RV’s. Two of the towable RV’s came with spare tires when I purchased them and I ordered a spare tire as an option on our Class C motorhome, but I could not get a spare for our Class A motorhome.

It seems ridiculous that you buy an RV, designed for traveling all over the country, and the one thing not included is a spare tire. Let’s try to find out why there’s no spare!

It has been rumored that many years ago an RV owner got hurt while changing a tire on his motorhome and that he sued the RV manufacturer. This is supposedly why many motorhome manufacturers opt not to include a spare tire, especially on larger motorhomes.  

Admittedly changing a spare tire on a large motorhome is not the same as changing a tire on your automobile. From a liability standpoint the argument is because of the size on the RV and the weight of the tire and rim it can be dangerous for an individual to attempt changing a tire. Plus you would need to carry some special type of equipment to safely and properly change a tire. I would have to agree, but why not include a spare (without a jack or the other necessary equipment) and have a mandatory warning label stating the dangers of changing a tire along with a recommendation to use a professional road side tire service to change the tire for the owner.

Here is what some RV and chassis manufacturers have to say:

Why doesn’t the RV come with a spare tire?

The combined weight of the tire and wheel is approximately 110 pounds. Even if you feel comfortable lifting that amount of weight, other variables pose a problem when it comes to changing an RV tire. You may find yourself on the side of the road in a confined situation, or during the nighttime when it is raining.

Jacking up the side of the RV would be difficult. Leveling jacks are not designed to lift the entire wheel off the ground to change a tire. To change a flat RV tire, it would be necessary to store the correct jacks and jack stands for safety. The next hurdle would be the lug nuts, which are torqued to 500 pounds and difficult to remove. Once removed, and while reinstalling, a tool to properly retorque the lug nuts would be needed. All these necessary tools, combined with the actual spare tire, would take up a considerable amount of space and add additional weight to the RV. Call roadside assistance for tire repair and save yourself the aggravation.

My vehicle doesn’t include a spare tire. Where can I get one and where can I store it?

Most larger motorhomes don’t provide a spare for several reasons. Generally, the wheel assembly is too cumbersome and heavy for one person to change alone without risking injury. We’d recommend that, in the case of a flat, you enlist the help of a roadside service crew to fix your flat tire. If you do decide to obtain a spare wheel assembly, contact your dealer for details on ordering one and the proper way to store it.

Now that we know why some motorhome manufacturers don’t include spares why don’t some of the towables manufacturers include spares?

This is where the cost issue comes into play. RV manufacturers look at every penny going in to manufacturing the RV. Not including a spare in the base price of the RV can save money, so they list the spare tire as optional. What this means is when the RV dealer orders the unit they can add a spare or not add a spare. If a dealer is trying to bring a unit in based on price point they limit the options included on the unit. When I was a RV sales manager I included a spare tire on every towable unit just because it made sense and it really wasn’t that expensive.

You still need to consider the safety aspects of changing a tire on a trailer. Even though it’s smaller and lighter than a motorhome tire you still need equipment like a jack, jack stands, lug wrench and torque wrench. In addition to the equipment required, you need to have a basic understanding of how to safely and properly jack the trailer up. But again, if you have a spare you can always call a roadside service to change it for you. If you don’t have a spare you may be stranded in some out of the way place until the tire can be ordered and come in. This could take a couple of days, if not longer.

That brings me to how this article came about. We are planning a cross country RV trip this summer and I refuse to go without a spare tire. Our motorhome has 22.5 inch tires with 8 lug rims. When I tried to locate a tire and rim it was difficult to find one. I’m sure I could order one from the manufacturer, but I would be afraid to know what the cost is. We have a good roadside assistance plan so what I decided to do was to just buy the tire itself and if I have a flat the roadside tire service can mount the new tire on the rim. It is less weight and it eliminates the possibility of delays due to ordering and waiting for a tire to come in, if it isn’t in stock.

Note: Most, if not all roadside service plans won’t pay for mounting and balancing the tire, but it will still probably cost less than purchasing a 22.5 inch rim.

Regardless of whether or not your RV came with a spare I think it’s a good idea to get one, and I think for safety reasons you are better off having a roadside service plan that will change the tire for you.

What do you think?

Mark Polk

RV Education 101

RV University

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Cell Tower Overload

by Chris Guld, www.geeksontour.com
RV Rallies present major issues for Internet Access.  Rarely is Wi-Fi provided throughout the rally grounds, and, when you try to use your Cellular provider for data, you may find it doesn’t work so well. That was our experience at the FMCA SE Area rally last week in Brooksville, FL.  At times like these I wish we had our Satellite Dish back.

If you doubt that cell tower overload is a factor, check out this article on AT&Ts troubles due to all the iPhone users out there. Actually, this article has me a little worried about Verizon as well, once the Droid (Verizon’s answer to the iPhone) catches on.  You see, once you have Internet browsing capabilities on your cell phone, you use it a lot more.  When I use my phone to make a voice call, I’m on for 5 – 20 minutes.  When Jim uses his new Droid to browse the web, he’s on for hours.  Both usages connect to the Cellular Tower, but the data usage represents a quantum leap in loading the Tower’s connections.

What you need to know for desert boondocking

By Bob Difley

If you follow the rest of the snowbirds to the southwestern deserts in winter, you will find that most of them stay in he same RV resort or campground for the entire season. A small number of RVers decide to so some boondocking in the open desert to really experience the desert in its wildness and beauty.

As you roam around and talk to other boondockers you will find more desert boondocking locations than you ever imagined. Many are just places where an RVer has pulled off onto an unnamed, unpaved desert track and found a nice spot behind a hill, overlooking a wash, or hidden in a grove of desert willow or mesquite trees.

Others become popular simply because one boondocker spots another and decides to join and soon there are half a dozen RVers, though they space themselves apart from each other, but still enjoying the proximity of other boondockers. Iff you would like to try this open desert camping, here are some of the basic rules and tips you need to know.

• The BLM allows free camping for up to 14 consecutive days out of every 28 days on open land.
• After 14 days, you must move at least 25 miles away from your current location and cannot return for another 14 days.
• Camping is legal except where specifically prohibited by signs or fences.
• No camping within 300 feet of a man-made watering hole or tank to allow wildlife access.
• Use existing routes and trails.
• Camp at previously used sites.
• When there is no danger of rain or flash flooding, camp in washes where signs of camping will wash away.
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: Pack out your trash and any that was left by others.
• Leave What You Find: Protect cultural resources by leaving all artifacts as you find them.
• Leave natural objects and avoid damaging vegetation. Pick a spot that has been camped in before.

Check out my boondocking ebook, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands

RV Weekly Round-Up (Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, 2010)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news, events and video from this past week.

1. RV Rentals Up As Saints Fans Eye Miami: New Orleans news station WDSU.com reports from Kenner, LA, that several RV rental companies have almost sold out all their units in preparation for Super Bowl XLIV this Sunday. However, RVs and tailgating are not allowed at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium, leading some people in Miami to offer parking spaces up for grabs on Craigslist….

2. Celebrate Century of RVing with the Good Sam Club: Sue Bray, executive director of the Good Sam Club, discusses the RV centennial, which will be celebrated this year. Motorized travel has changed dramatically since 1910, but the lure of the outdoors remains constant for RV enthusiasts. Centennial celebrations will be held at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum in Elkhard, Ind., RV shows around the country, and at the Louisville Rally this summer, which runs July 22 through 25.

3. Wi-Fi – A Better Antenna will Get You a Better Connection: If you’re using a Wi-Fi hotspot and it’s not working so great, get an external Wi-Fi adapter. Chris Guld of Geeks on Tour explains the how’s and why’s of boosting your computer’s Wi-Fi connection with an external adapter antenna.

4. Cost Effective Weekend RV Fun: Sometimes spending your weekend at home is just plain boring. There really isn’t much to do, but on the other hand you don’t have much of time before the weekend is over and it’s back to work again. How about a weekend RV getaway close to home? Mark Polk shares how a quick RV trip can not only help alleviate the boredom, but it is cost effective too. A 200 mile, or less, round trip from home won’t cost much in fuel, food or campground fees and it might be just what the doctor ordered for some well deserved relaxation and time to recharge.

The RV Trivia Challenge 9. Are You Up To It?

Welcome to the first Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge of 2010.

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 9 series will test your skills on a variety of RV related topics.  As usual whenever a broad base of topics are presented, it becomes difficult to know the answers for all the questions.  Please remember, this is trivia, requiring some guess work on occasion.   Get a pen and paper so that you can record your answers.  Upon completion, you can check your answers with those shown at the bottom.  Good luck.

So, Let’s go!

1) What is the largest RV producer in the world?

A)   Winnebago Company

B)    Airstream Trailer

C)    Monaco Coach

D)   Thor Industries

E)    Fleetwood Manufacturing

2) Travelling with your RV throughout the United States can offer many attractions.  States with the full name beginning with the letter “N” are common.  How many states do start with the letter “N”?

A)   4

B)    5

C)    6

D)   7

E)    8

3) If you wanted to camp overlooking the body of water that boasts the highest tides in the world, what body of water would you be viewing?

A)   Bay of Fundy

B)    San Francisco Bay

C)    Tampa Bay

D)   The Gulf of St. Lawrence

E)    Biscayne Bay

4) One of the pleasures of travelling by RV is having everything with you.  At a rest stop you can make up a snack and a “Cup of Joe”.  Of course a cup of Jo, or Joe, is coffee, but where did it get this name?

A)   U.S. Trade Secretary Josephine Parker

B)    U.S. Navy Secretary Admiral Josephus Daniels.

C)    Columbian Trade Minister Joseph Uban

D)   Coffee shop giant Joe Gardner

E)     Boxer Joe Louis

 

5) The recommended drawbar weight on a tow behind trailer is about 10% of the total tow weight.  What is the recommended weight for a fifth wheel hitch?

A)   0 to 10% of total trailer weight.

B)    5 to 15% of total trailer weight.

C)    10 to 15% of total trailer weight.

D)   15 to 25% of total trailer weight.

E)    20 to 35% of total trailer weight.

 

 

6) A great RV destination is the Lake Coeur d’Alene area.  Along with it’s mountains and clear water, Lake Coeur d’Alene boasts of one of the only true floating golf greens.  What state would you find this in?

A)   Idaho

B)    Nevada

C)    Arizona

D)   New Mexico

E)    Kentucky

7) Allison Transmissions can be found throughout the world in applications ranging from trucks to military tanks.  Many RV’s and tow vehicles also rely on Allison.  Who owns Allison Transmissions?

A)   International Navistar

B)    Freightliner

C)    Carlyle and Onex

D)   Caterpillar Inc.

E)    General Motors

Though not as scenic, interstate highways provide the ability to travel from one place to another faster.  Approximately, how many miles of interstate highways are in the continental United States?

A)   25,000 miles.

B)    31,000 miles.

C)    42,000 miles.

D)   61,000 miles

E)    21,800 miles.

 

9) The picture to the left is of the U.S.S. Constitution.  In what city would you be visiting to see this?

A)   New York

B)    Boston

C)    Halifax

D)   Los Angeles

E)    Charleston

10) Completed in 1886, the Carson Mansion represents the most photographed Victorian building in the United States.  This fascinating structure is visited by many RV’ers travelling a famous scenic route.  What area would you be touring to see this?

A)   Route 1 the Pacific Highway California.

B)    Route 66 in Colorado

C)    Going To The Sun Road in Wyoming

D)   The Blue Ridge Parkway in Tennessee

E)    The Sunshine Parkway in Florida

Well, you have done it.  Now check your answers with those below.  Don’t forget to post your score and comments in the section at the very bottom.

Dealing The Trivia    -     Lug_Nut    -     Peter Mercer

Answers

1) – (D) Thor Industries has manufactured and sold more RV units than any other company in the world.  Their brands include Airstream, all of the Keystone trailer line, Komfort RV, Damon, Breckinridge, Dutchmen trailers, Four Winds, and more.

2) – (E) There are eight states that begin with the letter “N”.  They are New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, New Jersey and Nebraska.

3) – (A) The Bay of Fundy between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada have recorded the highest tides in the world.  The maximum tide in the bay was recorded at over 52’ while Minas Basin, a small inlet in the bay has exceeded 54 feet.

4) – (B)  The origin of the phrase “Cup of Joe” dates back to the 1900’s and Admiral Josephus Daniels who was a secretary of the navy under the Wilson administration. The U.S. was involved with World War I at the time. He outlawed alcohol on ships which lead to coffee becaming the favorite beverage of naval crews. Hence the name “cup of joe.”

5) – (D) The recommended hitch weight distribution on a fifth wheel is 15 to 25% of the loaded trailer weight.

6) – (A) Lake Coeur d’Alene is located in the northern section of Idaho.

7) – (C) Two equity companies, Carlyle of Washington DC and Onex of Toronto Canada equally share Allison after the purchase from General Motors in August of 2007.

– (C) 42,000 miles with about 16,000 interchanges.

9) – (B) The U.S.S. Constitution can seen in the harbor of Boston.

10) –(A) The Carson Mansion is just off route 1, the Pacific Highway in Eureka California.

2009 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Mini 4232

2009 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Mini 4232

Previously $79,900 – Now $69,880

25 ft. Class C gets 18MPG!!! Features large slide out, FLAT SCREEN TV, Rear Full Bath (Wardrobe, Toilet, Sink & Shower), Booth Dinette & 60″ Hide-A-Bed Slideout, 49″ 1/2 x 83″ Over Cab Bunk, Euro Vent, Opt. LCD TV, Pantry, Ent. Center, Refrigerator, 3 Burner Range w/Microwave, Round Kitchen Sink and more! Offered from Collier RV Super Center in Rockford, IL. Learn more about this 2009 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Mini 4232!

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Wi-Fi – A Better Antenna will Get You a Better Connection

We’ve said this time and time again, but it’s been a while and we have a lot of new readers. If you’re using a Wi-Fi hotspot and it’s not working so great, get an external Wi-Fi adapter. We have quite a collection of them over the years, but we recently bought a new one to go with our Windows 7 64 bit computer.  Here’s the one we purchased, a Hawking HWDN2:

There are lots of choices, just look for ‘Wireless Network Adapter.’  It will also say 802.11 somewhere in the description.  802.11b is the oldest technology, then comes g, and the latest and greatest is n.

Turn off your Internal Wi-Fi

It’s important to understand that these do not ‘boost’ the Wi-Fi adapter built in to your computer. They ‘replace’ it. You should turn off the internal adapter in your computer in order to properly use an external adapter.  See the Geeks on Tour ‘Show-Me-How’ video ‘Turn Off your Internal Wi-Fi.’

Improving our Wi-Fi Experience

When we parked at our current RV park, and tried to connect to the Wi-Fi, it took a while to make the connection and browsing was very slow. So we took our new Hawking Wi-Fi adapter out of the box, used the included CD to install the drivers, plugged the adapter into a USB port and turned off the wireless switch on the computer.

This time the connection happened a little faster, but, more importantly, the browsing was faster. Still not as good as our DSL at our home park, but better nonetheless. Wi-Fi is 2-way radio. Low-powered, 2-way radio.  The radio and antenna built in to your laptop computer is often not good enough for the distances and obstructions in an RV park. Plugging in an external adapter (radio and antenna are both inside) with a wire to your USB port allows you to move the adapter over to a window, or even outside a window so as to get an unobstructed line-of-sight to the source of the Wi-Fi – the Access Point. Unobstructed line-of-sight is the most important factor in a good Wi-Fi connection.  Notice, in the photo of our adapter above, that I have it pointed out a window.  Notice also that I have the metal mini-blinds raised above the adapter.  Those metal mini-blinds can make a big difference in your connection!

For other, past articles/videos on this topic:

The #1 Best way to Improve your Wi-Fi Connection
WiFire Long Range Adapter
Get the right Wi-Fi Adapter
54Mbps is Not better than 11Mbps
Wi-Fi for Beginners

Other Geeks on Tour Show-Me-How videos on this topic.

by Chris Guld, www.GeeksOnTour.com

2009 Itasca Latitude

2009 Itasca Latitude

Previously $212,945 – Now $166,645

2009 Model: 39W, 340 Cummins Freightliner, 2 full-wall slideouts, beige interior, black exterior, one-piece windshield, leather sofa & cab seats, dining table w/ 4 chairs, and more! Offered from Reliable RV in Springfield, MO. Learn more about this 2009 Itasca Latitude!

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A Proposal part 2. A Monkey Wrench in the works…

Ok last week I wrote of my plans for traveling down to Okefenokee Swamp to propose to my “Co-planner” of trips, Pamela.  Several of you have responded with some wonderful ideas for my proposal.

So far my favorite bit of advice has been “Good luck, and remember: going down on 1 knee is proposing, going down on 2 knees is begging.” Thank you GK for that bit of advice. Right now I am leaning towards the sunset proposal at the observation tower / nature trail. But either way I want to thank all the wonderful blog readers for reading and giving me some wonderful advice and encouragement.

The final reservations were made on Saturday, and plans were being made for the final packing and menus. In short the usual for a big trip.

However today a Monkey Wrench has been thrown in the works. Last week at a routine check up with my Doctor (Thank you Dr. “Lisa”) I told her I thought I some kind of bug bite on my leg with swelling and some minor pain. She was concerned because of the location and my history of DVT’s (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or blood clots and requested that if in a few days if it wasn’t better I have a Ultrasound done on my leg. She also put me on a antibotic and anti-inflamatories for the weekend. The weekend was uneventful but little change was noted to my leg. Well this morning I still wasn’t happy with my leg and came to the Hospital to be checked out.

So as I am writing this blog for my readers I am laying in the bed of room 2764! I do have 2 small DVT’s in my left leg. I have a IV in my left hand and Heprin and Saline are running. I have been started on Coumadin or Warfarin. (which Happens to be the main active ingredient of Rat Poison!) I will find more about what the near future holds tomorrow. I have threatened to sign out AMA (against Medical Advice) if I have to to go on vacation! I am a terrible patient as are most of us in the Health Care fields! But I am trying to be good and to get better as soon as possible.

So right now all my planning (it has been a Year in the planning) seems to be for naught, but I am not giving up on my plans for our vacation but am worried to say the least.

I do want to thank Clarion Hospital for having a public acces WiFi to the internet so I don’t go totally crazy and can write this article for you.

Keep me in your prayers and I will try to keep everyone up to date with what is happening.

Your Obedient Servant,

Gary Smith, Jr.

2007 Airstream CLASSIC FB

2007 Airstream CLASSIC FB

Previously $81,125 – Now $57,987

New 25 ft. CLASSIC FB LIMITED features Audio/video upgrade w/ 23″ TV, front panoramic window, spacemaker microwave, vent w/ built-in thermo in bedroom, 15,000 A/C w/ heat pump, full factory warranty, and more! Offered from Ewald’s Airstream of Wisconsin in Franklin, WI. Learn more about this 2007 Airstream CLASSIC FB!

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RV Weekly Round-Up (Jan. 16-29, 2010)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news and events from the past two weeks.

1. Winnebago’s Bob Olson Joins RV Dealer Tom Stinnett as Go RVing Co-Chair: The National RV Dealers Association announced that Go RVing has named Winnebago Industries Chairman, CEO, and President Bob Olson to serve as co-chairman of the Go RVing Coalition, the RV industry’s national advertising and market expansion initiative. Olson joins RV dealer Tom Stinnett of Tom Stinnett’s RV Freedom Center (Louisville, KY-area) as co-chair of the industry-wide coalition, replacing Dicky Riegel, who was recently named Thor Industries senior group president with responsibility for Thor’s bus group, investor relations, and strategic acquisitions.

2. Who is that driving the motorhome?: On long RV trips, who does the driving? Do you share the duties with your wife or husband, or sit behind the wheel for the duration?

Cost Effective Weekend RV Fun

Sometimes spending your weekend at home is just plain boring. There really isn’t much to do, but on the other hand you don’t have much of time before the weekend is over and it’s back to work again. How about a weekend RV getaway close to home? Not only can a quick RV trip alleviate the boredom, but it is cost effective too. A 200 mile, or less, round trip from home won’t cost much in fuel, food or campground fees and it might be just what the doctor ordered for some well deserved relaxation and time to recharge.

Lots of times, when planning RV trips, we tend to think you have to get away from home for it to be any fun. Truth be told there are probably lots of private and public camping locations and other fun destinations right under our noses that we’re not even aware of.

The other day I was searching the internet and came across a website that I visited before, but had forgotten about. It’s called Reserve America and it’s the largest provider of campsite reservations in North America, facilitating over 4 million transactions per year. You can visit Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com

Using its “Find Camping Spot” feature I searched for RV sites close to our zip code. Sixteen choices within 100 miles of our zip code popped up immediately. You can scroll down the listing and click on the campgrounds that interest you to get detailed information on the description, services and amenities each have to offer. The “Find Camping Spot” search feature allows you to get more specific too, like searching by park name, dates, length of stay, amenities, size of RV and much more.

Quite honestly I was surprised to find so many camping destinations so close to home. With sixteen choices within 100 miles of where we live I think there will be many more cost effective weekend RV trips in the near future. It really doesn’t matter if it’s a 200 mile, or 5,000 mile trip, what’s important is you use and enjoy your RV.

For more information on private and public campgrounds check out our RV Campground Basics e-book or DVD

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk

RV Education 101

RV University

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Shrinking Trailers, Shrinking Cars, Shrinking Hitches

It seems, my friends, that the sun blotting trailers of yesteryear are quickly giving way to the sub-compact micro-trailers. While I’m all in favor of increased fuel economy and parking in one zip code, I wonder how far this trend will go. While perusing the new units at the Hershey RV show last year, I asked a dealer why there were holes in the wall at the end of the bed.

“Feet,” he replied.

And so it goes. As I pondered the idea of waking up in the wee hours with an unknown creature of the wild licking my toes, I had to admit that some of these manufacturers were getting downright crafty in their designs. I saw outside kitchens, TVs that dropped from the ceiling, and a dinette that expanded into a dance floor, complete with the cheesy DJ.

Okay I made that last one up. But you get my drift. I assume, the laws of physics being what they are, that we’ll eventually hit a minimum size trailer. Unless you work for Ringling Bros. and wear a red nose, you might demand enough room to inhale (insert Bill Clinton joke here).

But why fight it? If you can get a 20′ trailer with all the modern luxuries and tow it with your Moped, rock on! We’re certainly not fighting it. For sixteen years Hensley Mfg. has built trailer hitches geared toward the mobile estate. And we’ve built them well. So well, they’ll work on any sized trailer.

“But it looks so big on my trailer!” you cried.

Fair enough. Aesthetics are everything. So we designed smaller hitches for smaller trailers. It seemed risky, because we thought that folks with smaller trailers don’t have much issue with trailer sway or, in the case of 5th wheelers, bouncing.

We were wrong. What we failed to consider was this: you’re not just buying smaller trailers, you’re buying smaller tow vehicles as well (i.e. the aforementioned Moped). While you may not feel the sway or bounce of a small trailer with your ¾ ton truck, you’ll definitely notice it when you go to the more fuel efficient models. By the way large truck fans, the sway is there, just ask the guy behind you. Yes, that’s him, the one slowing down to put a state or two between you and he.

And you were right. Since we’ve launched the Hensley Cub for small trailers and the TrailerSaver BD3 air-ride hitch for smaller 5th wheels, they’ve taken off. So much so that we’re back to the drafting table (yeah, I know…so twenty years ago, but it’s a nice image) to see how much more we can scale it back.

These are exciting times in the RV industry. New ideas often spring from a tough economy. And nowhere else is it more clearly displayed than in the auto and RV industries. If you haven’t been to an RV show in years, go! You’ll be amazed at what they’re doing with those little boxes on wheels. Then give Hensley a call to see what we’ve got to fit your new compact, efficient, yet stylish camper.

For more information on the Hensley line of anti-sway hitches or the TrailerSaver line of 5th wheel hitches, call 1-800-410-6580. Check out their websites at www.hensleymfg.com and www.trailersaver.com.

The Mystery Camper Challenge Is Back. Can You Solve It?

Where is the Mystery Camper today?  We haven’t heard from him for some time and this one will not be easy.  In the past the Mystery Camper has sent us photos of his surrounding.  These have been solved quite quickly by our smart members and readers.  Well, he has not forwarded any photo clues this time, only some words and images.  Your challenge is to name the location and campground.

 

So here’s all we have right now.  Clues will be added if needed every few days.  Who will have the bragging rights to solving this one?

 

 

 

“Something about the park’s name reminds me of Hawaii.  What would that be?

The Mystery Camper

 

 

                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that’s it.  That’s all we have currently to work with.  Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.  If you think you have solved it, let’s hear the location, campground name and how you figured it out.

 

With The Challenging Question    -     Lug_Nut    -     Peter Mercer

Lost River Cave

There is a hidden treasure in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A serene underground oasis located right in the center of town. A historical relic of Indians, outlaws, and Confederate raiders. A romantic meeting spot for couples for over a century. Nestled on the floor of a scenic valley, unseen from above, Lost River Cave will touch the heart of every adventurer or romantic.

The cave provided shelter to Native Americans inside its massive natural opening for thousands of years. In the 1790s Europeans settled the area and built a mill inside the cave entrance that operated for over a century. It was the only known cave mill operation in the world.

During the Civil War, John Hunt Morgan led his Confederate raiders behind enemy lines to wager war, burning the railroad depot at South Union, Kentucky in the fall of 1861, then hiding out in Lost River Cave as Yankee troops searched for them. A year later 44,000 Union soldiers camped at Lost River before heading south to Nashville and the Battle of Stones River.

Following the war, outlaw Jesse James and his gang were believed to have sought refuge in the cave after robbing the Southern Deposit Bank in Russellville, Kentucky on March 18, 1868. A Bowling Green doctor told his wife he had been kidnapped and taken to the cave to treat an injured gang member by Jesse James himself.

In 1933 an underground nightclub operated in the cave, and people came to dance to the big bands of the time. For decades dances were held in the cave, and the old dance floor is still there, with a crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Over the years many couple shave chosen the romantic spot as the site for their weddings.

The cave takes its name from the Lost River, which only comes to the surface in four spots in its 85 square mile basin. A “blue hole” in the river just outside the cave entrance has been said to be bottomless. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not calls the Lost River the shortest and deepest river in the world.

Nature trails show off the areas native wildflowers and trees, and the butterfly garden is a hit with visitors young and old alike. The cave’s owners have built a nice attraction that is popular with school groups, tourists, and locals alike. Lost River Cave features an underground boat tour that carries visitors underground to experience all of the cave’s wonders. Though not as awe-inspiring as nearby Mammoth Cave, Lost River Cave is an interesting and beautiful attraction, and well worth a visit the next time you are in Bowling Green.

Lost River Cave is located at 2818 Nashville Road in Bowling Green and is open daily, rain or shine. Parking is limited to cars and trucks, getting an RV into and out of the parking lot could be challenging. For more information on Lost River Cave, call 866-274-2283 or visit their web site at www.lostrivercave.com.

Read Nick Rusell’s daily RV blog at http://gypsyjournal.net/blog/

A Proposal ….

It has been a long time since I have had enough time to write on this blog.  I hope I am remembered for my articles on Health and First Aid.  But today I want to write on a totally different subject.  In a couple of weeks I am going on my first camping trip of the year to the Okefenokee Swamp down in Georgia.  What makes this trip a little different is that it is anniversary trip for my trip “Co-Planner” Pam and me.  About 4 years ago when I had a small pop up camper and a canoe and a desire to go camping down in the south for the spring. I also decided to ask my girl friend of  a year if she wanted to go along.  I figured this would be a excellent way of finding out if we would be compatible after a week of camping in a pop up.

The week spent down in the black water Swamp of Georgia known as the “Okefenokee” was magic for both of us.  We spent it hiking, bird watching, canoeing and fishing.  We photographed snakes and deer and alligators and of course each other.  We cooked meals over the fire and ate S’mores by star light. I found she liked camping just as much as I did!

So when we got home we decided we needed a bigger camper!   Then  we found a Jayco 17-A hybrid camper the next spring we fell in love with it.  We have gone to Yellowstone with my kids and family and we have gone elk watching and another trip to Okefenokee and many more trips.   And of course some where along the line we fell in love with each other.  So this year when we go down south, I am going to ask her  that we make it permanent.  Yes I am going to propose to her this time!  I figure it is more than time.

We still camp in a hybrid but now it is a Jayco 232 bigger and better I guess.  We can fit the whole family much easier any way.  But this trip is going to be just for us.  So if you are interested in how things turn out and if I am successful in my proposal.  Please let me know and I will try to keep all of you informed if there is any interest.

But now a question for everyone, How do you think I should do it?

Right now I am thinking of making a steak dinner and with dessert having champagne and put the ring in the glass.  When she finds it getting down on one knee and proposing.

Or maybe I should take it on a hike with us and when we are at the top of one of the swamp observation towers do it there?

Or might there be some better way?

Let me know your opinion!

Your Obedient Servant,

Gary Smith, Jr.

Hydronic Heat For Gas Coaches And Trailers

Now gasoline powered RV’s and trailers will be able enjoy the comfort and efficiency of hydronic heat. RV furnaces and hot water heaters may soon be things of the past on many rigs now that an affordable propane fired hydronic heating system is available.  Aqua-Hot recently introduced its new 375-LP that can provide interior heating and a continuous supply of hot water.  While plugged into shore power it is heated with a 1500 watt 120 VAC element for general light service which helps reduce propane consumption.  During times requiring additional heat, or while no AC is available, it is equipped with a propane burner.

The unit and system is substantially lighter and requires less space than a water heater and furnace unit. It also delivered increased creature comforts with better heat distribution qualities.  Propane consumption is stated as 0.35 gallons per hour.

The Aqua-Hot 375-LP will be offered by many RV makers and possibly as an option on some.  Aftermarket installs should also be available starting at around $6,000 plus labor.

Here’s a link to there website: Aqua-Hot 375-LP

Keeping You Informed     -     Lug_Nut     -      Peter Mercer

Bottle House

In the tiny northern Michigan hamlet of Kaleva, we came across the Bottle House, a uniquely wonderful old home built out of soft-drink bottles. Over 60,000 of them, in fact!The house was built by John J. Makinen, Sr., a native of Finland and owner of the Northwestern Bottling Works. Makinen had a surplus of bottles that were chipped, cracked or otherwise unable to be used. Throwing anything away did not set well with Makinen, so instead of hauling the bottles to a trash heap, he built a house with them!

The bottles were laid on their sides, with the bottoms forming the outside walls. Makinen came up with a special concrete to fill in the spaces between the bottles and hold them in place. The result was a handsome two story house that is well insulated from the air spaces in the walls that the bottles provide.

Unfortunately, Mr. Makinen never got to live in his home, which he completed in 1941. He died before his family moved in.

In 1980 the home was purchased by the Kaleva Historical Society, and today it houses a museum dedicated to the history of the community. Among the 1,500 exhibits inside are old logging tools, household goods, clothing, and photographs from the early days in Kaleva. The museum’s volunteer staff are all friendly and very dedicated to sharing with visitors the story of the Bottle House and their charming little town.

The Bottle House exhibits range from the everyday to the eccentric. After all, how many people build their homes out of pop bottles? You won’t think you’re touring the Smithsonian here, but you will have a good time wandering through rooms full of old Victrolas and radios where you want to curl up and listen to one of FDR’s Fireside Chats, a bench filled with adding machines, walls covered in old saws, and other artifacts of small town life.

The Kaleva Historical Museum and Bottle House is listed on the Michigan Register of Historical Sites and has been nominated to the National Register of Historical Places.

The Bottle House is located at 14551 Wouksi Avenue in Kaleva. It is open during the summer from noon to 4 p.m., and other times by appointment. The telephone number is (231) 362-2080. Parking is on the rather narrow residential streets in front or beside the museum, and getting an RV in or out would be a challenge. Kaleva has a nice city park with RV hookups, and visitors would be advised to park their larger rigs there and drive their tow vehicles to the Bottle House.

RV Doctor – Slideout Catching on Linoleum – Can I Replace It and How?

Dear RV Doc,
The kitchen area in my motorhome is linoleum and the rest carpet. The factory replaced the linoleum once under warranty due to buckling and fracture. This was caused from the kitchen slideout roller coming across the linoleum when the slideout was moved in for transporting. Now, six years later the linoleum is doing the same thing and curling at the edges under the kitchen slideout causing the slideout to catch the edges when moving in and out especially in cold weather. I must replace the linoleum again as it is damaged from the above explanation. If I replace with linoleum again is it a good idea to glue it down? The factory did not do so either originally or with the replacement. I am also thinking of maybe going to a floating laminate flooring which might be better to resolve my problem. What is your opinion? How difficult is it to remove that kitchen slideout to properly get the new flooring under the slideout? I contacted the factory for information but received no answer whatsoever. Your opinion and help would be greatly appreciated. - Larry Reeves, (Metamora, IL)

Answer:

Larry, I’m not fully convinced every single factory actually glues the complete floor area due to the time and effort involved. If the edge of the linoleum is exposed to the slideout floor it is bound to start catching and peeling eventually regardless of how it is fastened.

A properly designed slideout should have a wedge of Teflon or other low friction material running along its entire length. The edge of the carpet or floor should be secured under this strip. That way, the slideout contacts and is guided by the Teflon and never actually contacts the edge of the linoleum or carpet.

When replacing linoleum the pros glue it down completely. It makes for a better, longer lasting repair. Laminate flooring is nice, but often not practical with some slideout designs.

If the slide is currently catching on the linoleum, it is likely that laminate flooring will be too thick to allow enough clearance for the slideout. When the slideout is extended, it typically rolls across the floor and then “slides” down a slight ramp to sit flush with the rest of the coach floor. When it is retracted, it moves up the ramp then rolls back along the floor again. The laminate floor likely would be too thick and therefore sit higher than the top of the wedge, creating a significant lip at the top of the ramp, resulting in a possible jamming situation. There is certainly no sense trying to replace the linoleum unless you can get it underneath the slideout, as you indicated.

This is not typically a do-it-yourself project. Most RV dealerships are properly trained and have the necessary equipment to partially and fully remove slideouts. Although it is fairly straightforward to install linoleum, it is not truly feasible to remove the slide without this training and equipment. I would recommend that you have a qualified RV repair facility investigate this in the hopes that they can remedy the problem rather simply.

(Please feel free to comment, however, please also note that due to the volume of communications I receive from multiple channels I cannot guarantee a personal response in every instance. However, questions of an overall general interest may be considered and published in an upcoming RV Doctor column.)

Who is that driving the motorhome?

Over the weekend we started planning for an RV trip we are taking later this summer. It’s about 6,000 miles roundtrip. We are on somewhat of a timeline and I wanted an idea on average of how many miles we would travel each day, based on our schedule.

It seems like more often than not we are on a tight schedule, forcing us to put in more miles per day than I would like. I want this trip to be more leisurely when it comes to how many hours you are behind the wheel each day.

Admittedly I am one of those people who likes to do all of the driving myself. I just feel better if I know I am behind the wheel. I know my wife, Dawn, is a competent driver (she even has her CDL) but I still prefer to do the driving. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is extremely important that both individuals are capable of driving or towing the RV. You never know when your wife or husband will need to drive the RV and they should feel comfortable and confident in doing so.

As we were planning the trip it brought back a memory of a past trip we took in the RV. We were stopped in traffic because of an accident, and had sat in the same spot without moving for at least 30 minutes. I told Dawn that I was going to run back and use the bathroom and if traffic started moving to just get behind the wheel and drive. The boys were in the back bedroom playing X Box.

The motorhome started moving about the same time that I came out of the bathroom. Both boys looked up at me with their eyes wide open and my older son said, “If you’re back here with us who’s driving the motorhome?” My youngest son (Dawn’s stepson), who was about 8 at the time leaped up and ran to the front of the motorhome and said, “Dawn just pull over as soon as you can and let dad drive.”

The boys never saw Dawn drive the motorhome and just assumed she couldn’t or shouldn’t be driving it. At that point I made a mental note to myself to one day produce a driving DVD to help teach people who don’t drive the RV how to do it. It took a while but eventually we produced our Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro DVD

Mark Polk

RV Education 101

RV University

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Make a Wi-Fi Hotspot with your Cell Phone

by Chris Guld, www.GeeksOnTour.com

If you’ve been reading my posts here – you probably know that you can tether your cellphone (if it’s the right model with the right service) to your computer.  Tethering your cellphone to your computer will give you Internet Access on that computer.  What you may not know is that you can tether it to a router as well.

The Cradlepoint cellular router is very popular among RVers.  Most people use it for their Data Cards.  Plug the data card into the router and configure the router for your hotspot.  Now several computers can use that same Internet connection.  The router that we have will accept a Data Card, an Ethernet cable from DSL or Cable Internet, or a cell phone USB connection.

While we are parked for the season at Paradise Island RV Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – we decided to spoil ourselves and get a month-to-month DSL Internet connection.  The telephone cable comes in from the post outside (the yellow cable) and plugs into the modem and then to our Cradlepoint router.  The Cradlepoint creates a wireless network called ‘GeeksOnTour.’  We can both connect to that network and we have Internet supplied by the DSL cable.

We’re on the road right now, headed toward Holiday Travel Resort in Leesburg, Florida where we are presenting some computer classes.  Then, on to the FMCA Southeast Area Rally in Brooksville, Florida.  As we pulled into our overnight site at Thousand Trails, Orlando – I felt a bit of panic.  I don’t have my DSL Internet here!  I called Verizon before we left Fort Lauderdale and asked that they turn on the Mobile Broadband Connect feature for the two weeks we’ll be gone ($49/mo) but I was wondering if I would remember how to get it set up.  I knew I had to plug the special cable into the phone, and then into the USB port on the Cradlepoint – but there must be something more?

Amazing!  As soon as I plugged the phone into the router – the phone started sending and receiving data.  I turned on my computer – it automatically connected to the GeeksOnTour network – and I was browsing away.  Every once in a while, technology just works, and it is good!  Of course, I’m sure I owe this simplicity to the real geek of the house, my husband Jim, who decided which router to buy and set it up in the first place.

Jim recently got the Droid phone from Verizon and he has successfully tethered it to his computer via something called PDANet.  But, it doesn’t work to tether it to the Cradlepoint.  He’s still working on it.  I’m holding out for the Palm Pre Plus or Pixi Plus which will have the ability to be a Wi-Fi Hotspot without plugging into anything!

RV Cooking Show – Grilled Cuban Sandwiches, Cuban Cowboy Caviar & Cortez, FL

If you ask me, there’s nothing better than a warm weather getaway by the beach. Bonus points if it’s a stay in a thriving town with a terrific RV resort, lively dining and entertainment in walking distance, and fresh fish right off the boat. Well, that’s just what I stumbled upon when I pulled into Cortez, Florida. This little town is tucked away on the land side of Anna Maria Island and is often eclipsed by its big neighbor to the south – Sarasota. But don’t be fooled, you could easily while away many memorable days and nights in this West Coast of Florida paradise.

In our latest RV Cooking Show –Grilled Cuban Pressed Sandwiches, Cuban Cowboy Caviar & Quirky Cortez Florida – we’ll show you around town and, with a special guest, make a mighty tasty meal. I’m especially excited to bring you Paulette’s Cuban version of an old RV-standby – Cowboy Caviar. Take a look – you’re gonna love it. Don’t miss the “From my RV kitchen” section on my website’s show page – I share many of my favorite Cortez “locals’ haunts” with you.

I hope you enjoy watching this episode of the RV Cooking Show as much as I enjoyed making it!

Evanne
RVCookingShow.com 

Electric vehicle technology experiencing growth spurt

Ideas are sprouting like weeds in the cabbage patch in the Electric Vehicle world’s  designs, batteries, and the rush to replace fossil fuels for powering the cars, trucks, and RVs of the future. Here are a few and how they might affect the RVs of the future.

A company called Trexa is offering a new electric drive system which can be customized by “specialty vehicle developers” (does that mean RV manufacturers also?) for their own varied needs. Trexa says its platform has a scalable wheelbase which could work for “compact, microcar and ATV-size” applications. No RV sizes yet, but this could represent a step toward a new model for RV makers, similar to the chassis provided by Workhorse and Spartan to the RV industry.

Trexa says this platform “offers an unprecedented level of versatility because it contains an
entire vehicle’s drivetrain within one low-profile enclosed structure.” A number of standards
are built into this platform, including four-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension which is “adjustable for ride height and terrain type.”

The lithium-ion battery system is scalable, depending upon the application, making itavailable for ranges from 25 to 125 driving miles.

A company called Balqon has developed a new lithium-ion battery powered heavy duty electric vehicle that could be possibly be astep toward an electric RV. The Nautilus XE20 electric yard tractor can tow loads of up to 40 tons at a top speed of 25 miles per hour, according to a press release.

One of the stumbling blocks in the way of mass acceptance of electric vehicles is the charge time to recharge the batteries. Two companies, Aker Wade, that has fast charging technology, and Coulomb, that has the ChargePoint Network, have made an agreement to launch the first charging stations for EV’s that will bring charge you up in less than a half hour.

The first stations are set to launch in the 3rd quarter of 2010 (no word yet as to where) and will be qualified for use with a number of electric vehicle brands.

Aker Wade CEO Bret Aker noted that with coming improvements in Li-ion technology, charge times will be reduced to as little as fifteen minutes. This is the point where consumers will likely abandon gasoline for electricity–the tipping point for electric vehicles.

The big guys too are jumping in on the action in a big way. Ford is ramping up its push to get electric vehicles to market, saying that it will plow another $450 million into the alt-fuel vehicles and build a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in Michigan starting in 2012.

Ford’s old-school Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne is being transformed into the production site of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full battery-electric vehicles built off the company’s new global C-car platform. Ford also said it will design advanced lithium-ion battery systems for the next-generation hybrid in Michigan and will move production of battery packs from Mexico to Michigan.

It may be years before hybrids followed by EV are accepted by new RV buyers, with the possibility of electric toads coming along first. It would be a neat deal to charge your toad overnight in a campground or on the road from the motorhome. Trucks with enough umph to pull big fivers could see effective hybrids sooner than hybrid motorhomes, though. Interesting times for sure, as we try to move away from fossil fuels. And with the development of better, longer lasting and faster charging batteries, it could prove to be a big advantage to boondockers’ house power as well.

Check out my new ebook,  BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands.

RV Doctor – Leaking Aqua Magic Toilet

Dear RV Doctor,
The carpet near the back of my Aqua Magic toilet is damp. I cannot see or feel any dripping from the water supply line. Are there internal seals that may be worn or damaged due to use?- Sonny Standridge, (Gretna, LA)

Answer:

Sonny, indeed, there are many internal seals and gaskets in the Aqua Magic toilet. If the water inlet line is secured properly and not leaking, chances are the water leaks only while flushing the toilet. This is an indication of a leak within the vacuum breaker component located internal to the toilet. It’s easily replaced and Thetford does have replacement parts readily available, typically at any RV parts accessory store. Occasionally the vacuum breaker may be subjected to highly calcified water that may cause a seal or gasket component to leak if a particle becomes lodged inside. There is an outside chance the toilet to flange gasket may be faulty and the toilet leaks as it drains into the holding tank, but your observation that the carpet is damp only at the back of the toilet (directly below the location of the vacuum breaker), is indicative of a faulty vacuum breaker.

(Please feel free to comment, however, please also note that due to the volume of communications I receive from multiple channels I cannot guarantee a personal response in every instance. However, questions of an overall general interest may be considered and published in an upcoming RV Doctor column.)

Extended Warranties: How To Protect Your Investment

Last week we looked at the cost effectiveness of extended warranties.  This week we will discuss what the vehicle owner is responsible for during such a warranty.

If you elect to purchase an extended warranty on your RV, you need to protect that investment.  This requires regular maintenance at the frequency rate recommended by the manufacturer.  It also requires you to have the documents confirming the service was carried out.  So, keep all these receipts in a safe place so you can produce them if ever needed.  This maintenance file is also good to have when selling your RV down the road.

Additionally, you are expected to operate the vehicle within its specifications and take the necessary steps that may be required once a failure has occurred.  For example, if on a motorized RV the oil pressure alarm sounds, you must stop the vehicle and engine immediately.  Damage caused by the engine operating any duration after the failure may not be covered by the warranty.  Say you saw a service station a mile down the highway and you decided to try to nurse it the extra mile.  If the oil pressure is low, not just a sensor failure, the crank bearings and the cylinder walls and more may be damaged.

There are two ways the warranty shop can tell that the engine was run after the oil pressure ceased.  First, by inspecting the internal parts in the motor.  Secondly the ECM (Engine Control Module) records all engine events and would probably show that the oil pressure was low and the engine temperature climbed.

Another scenario would be blowing a radiator hose.  If you continue for a short period the engine will overheat.  This overheating may well result in the cracking a cylinder head.  The cylinder head failure would be a result of the unit not being stopped and therefore, in all likelihood would not be covered by warranty.  Again, the ECM would show that the engine was operated to an extremely high temperature.

In addition to keeping a good maintenance file, record all or any failures.  A photograph can be worth a thousand words.  If possible take a photo of any item that fails or breaks providing the damage is visible, like a broken awning mount. Retaining these types of records can help insure a successful warranty claim.

Just For The Record      -      Lug_Nut      -       Peter Mercer

Go RVing Introducing New TV Spots for 2010

Innovative, animated television commercials with the same timely “Go Affordably, Go RVing” theme as the print ads and a bold new look and theme song are expected to capture a new audience for Go RVing in 2010, the Go RVing Coalition reports.

“Launching in mid-February, the campaign will introduce Go RVing’s “Ambassadors of Affordability” animals from the popular “What Will You Discover” print ads animated with voices and cutting-edge special effects, to communicate RV value messages,” the coalition states in a news release.

Four new 30-second television spots were produced, combining existing photography from the Go RVing print ads with shots of current model RVs. Lighter, fuel-efficient, attractively priced RVs are featured to support the affordability theme of the ads.

The cornerstone of the campaign is a spot featuring the animal ambassadors in a lush forest setting singing the classic Western ballad ”Back in the Saddle Again.” Starring a bison, bear and fox with a full supporting cast of animals, big and small, the spot concludes with the tagline, ”It’s amazing how affordable an RV vacation can be. Visit GoRVing.com for a free video. Go Affordably. Go RVing,” while on-screen signage includes a call-to-action to ”visit an RV dealer” and GoRVing.com. This commercial will be the first to air beginning January 2010.

Three additional commercials in the series feature the same music track, but each plot highlights different reasons families enjoy RVing. In one spot, a jackrabbit is moved when he sees families enjoying themselves outdoors with their RVs and decides he wants to pack up his own large family and head out on an RV vacation. Another spot stars the bison and fox enjoying a romantic escape in their RV under the twinkling stars and planets, and ends with them toasting marshmallows over their campfire.

In the final spot, turtles in the campground pond enviously compare how much more ‘’stuff” RVs can carry in their shell, than the turtles themselves. The spots conclude with the tagline, ”It’s surprising just how affordable an RV vacation can be. See for yourself at GoRVing.com and get a free video. Or visit an RV dealer. Go affordably. Go RVing” as well as on-screen signage that promotes the website.

”Utilizing an animated ad series featuring memorable animal characters that personify all the reasons why families want to go RVing, the new campaign will re-energize both consumers and the industry just as the economy is expected to turn around,” maintains Gary LaBella, RVIA vice president and chief marketing officer. “Consumers will be ready to start spending again on items perceived to be a good value, and the ads will keep Go RVing’s message in the forefront as they begin to make those purchase decisions.”

According to Go RVing co-chairman Tom Stinnett of Tom Stinnett RV Freedom Center, Clarksville, Ind., the ”Ambassadors of Affordability” campaign was chosen by an all-industry Creative Work Group as the best new creative direction developed by Go RVing’s ad agency, The Richards Group. The Creative Work Group met in October 2009 where several campaign concepts were presented and reviewed.

The Go RVing Coalition, formed in 1994, consists of RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers and campgrounds. Go RVing works to provide the public and media with pertinent information about the benefits of RV travel. For more information, visit GoRVing.com.

Article courtesy of  RVBusiness.com

2007 Damon Challenger 348

2007 Damon Challenger 348

Previously $72,500 – Now $69,900

36 ft. gasoline coach, Double slide, looks and runs like new. This unit is fully equipped with twin airs, electric awning, microwave, generator, 2 TVs, jacks, central vacuum, gorgeous wood cabinets and more! Offered from Dave Arbogast RV & Boat Depot in Troy, OH. Learn more about this 2007 Damon Challenger 348!

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Some Interesting RV Poll Results

The outcome of any poll depends on several factors like; what type of poll it is, how the questions are worded, who is asking the questions and of course who does and does not participate in the poll.

Each week we conduct an RV poll in our e-newsletter. The RV poll is not a scientific poll, a political poll or a marketing poll. It is basically used to give me some idea of what our newsletter readers are interested in, how they use their RVs  and just for the fun of it. I  thought it would be interesting to look back at some of our past RV polls and see how the participants responded.

Here’s what I found out.

• 85% travel with the refrigerator on and 15% travel with it off
• 53% prefer diesel and 47% prefer gas
• 79% eat more meals in the RV and 21% eat more meals out
• 89% conduct a spring check-up on their RV before using it and 11% don’t
• 67% said the recession won’t change plans to use the RV and 33% said it will
• 72% said their average RV trips are one week or less and 28% said their average RV trips are two weeks or longer
• 54% own motorized RV’s and 46% own towable RV’s
• 91% plan two or more summer RV trips and 9% plan only one
• 63% store the RV on their own property and 37% make other storage arrangements
• 82% check the tire pressure before each trip and 18% don’t
• 24% said a hybrid RV chassis would affect their buying decision and 76% said it wouldn’t have any affect
• 90% said they use environmentally friendly holding tank chemicals and 10% don’t
• 63% use their RV in the winter and 37% don’t
• 51% RV green and 49% don’t
• 100% have taken advantage of free overnight parking at one time or another
• 70% have stayed in a friends or relatives driveway before and 30% have not
• 77% were against the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations and 23% were not
• 86% are not fulltime RVers and 14% are
• 83% use a GPS in their RV and 17% don’t. Of those, 62% were led down the wrong path one time or another, but 93% would still recommend a GPS to other RV owners
• 81% were prepared for the digital TV switchover in their RV and 19% were not
• 19% frequently stay at state or federal campgrounds, 34% stay at private campgrounds, 5% stay at public campgrounds and 42% stay at a combination of all three
• 49% have experienced at least one tire blowout with their RV and 51% have not
• 81% have stayed in their RV during severe weather and 19% have not
• 70% have experienced rude behavior from other campers and 30% have not
• 67% use a pre-departure checklist when they RV and 33% don’t
• 98% have one or more slide outs on their RV and 2% don’t have any slide outs
• 60% shower in the RV more than the campground bath house and 40% shower in the bath house more than the RV
• 88% winterize their own RV and 12% have it winterized by an RV dealer
• 34% take bottled water with them, 14% use filtered water and  52% use both bottled & filtered water in their RV
• 92% take pets with them on RV trips and 8% don’t
• 59% wash their RV as needed, 30% wash it after each trip, 7% wash it before storing and 4% never wash it
• 71% pack as much food as possible before leaving and 29% buy groceries when they arrive at their destination
• 30% pre-cook meals before leaving and 70% don’t
• 30% traveled by RV last Thanksgiving, 36% traveled by car, 1% by plane and 33% stayed home
• 36% have weighed their RV and 64% have not
• 33% have used their RV as a guesthouse and 67% have not
• 84% have cleaned their RV roof at some point and 16% have never cleaned their RV roof
• 78% perform routine maintenance on their RV and 22% take it to a dealer for maintenance
• 72% have dry camped with their RV and 28% have not
• 81% have camped in a national or state park and 19% have not
• 31% have had problems with rodents in their RV and 69% have not

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk

RV Education 101

RV University

RV Education 101
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Turn your Computer into a TV

by Chris Guld, www.geeksontour.com

When we first bought our motorhome, it had 2 TVs.  One in the front, living/dining area, and one in the back – the bedroom.

 We got rid of both of them and set up a TV tuner with a projector and a window-shade screen.  It’s great!  We have a big screen with surround sound – a pretty good home theatre for any house, let alone a 30 foot class C motorhome!

 When I recently purchased a new Windows 7 laptop, we wondered what to do with my old laptop.  It was still working fine, ( see rule #1 for buying a new computer) so I wasn’t going to send it off to recycling.  How about a TV for the bedroom!  Jim found a stud in the wall and installed a TV shelf bracket that fits my old laptop just perfect. 

The antenna connection was already there, all we needed was the TV tuner.  The one Jim got is the ATI  TV Wonder (he got a great deal – $25 – by buying it on the daily special at Woot.com), but he’s also used the Hauppage.  Just google for USB TV Tuner to see lots of other choices.  Basically this tiny box is the guts of a television!  Just plug one end into the USB port of your computer, and the other end into an antenna. 

Of course, there is software as well, and you need to be sure whatever you get works with your computer’s operating system.  Once you have it all set up, you have TV!  Ours even came with a remote control.  And, since it is still a computer – it is even better than a TV – you can get the Guide from the Internet, you can record and playback shows using your computer as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR.)   And, if you can’t find anything on TV you can use the computer to play a DVD or watch Internet video on Hulu. 

Be aware that this system is a bit of a resource hog.  Don’t expect it to work on a computer that’s too old – read the system requirements on the tuner.  And, be ready to get a bit geeky in setting it up. 

I actually have no clue what’s involved in setting it up   That’s Jim’s job!  But, I do like having TV in the bedroom – when Jim’s watching football on the big screen, I now have other choices!

2009 EnduraMax 38 MAX

2009 EnduraMax 38 MAX

Previously $66,295 – Now $59,995

Toy Hauler w/ slideout, features 2 flatscreen TVs, oven, microwave, ceiling fan, booth dinette, glass-enclosed shower, and more! Offered from Mark’s RV & Boat Superstore in Churchville, NY. Learn more about this 2009 EnduraMax 38 MAX!

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