001-TL1001 Cover Subscript
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002-TL01 PG CV2 ROADTREK
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Fuel Efficient Motorhomes You’ll Love to Drive. Imagine what you could do with a vehicle that has the spacious comfort and convenience of a larger motorhome but with much better fuel economy and driveability. Whether driving cross-country or just cross-town, enjoy the convenience of having your own kitchen, bathroom, changeroom, family room and bedroom in a vehicle that fits in a normal parking space and can be used as a second car.
• 15 to 22 miles per gallon • Easy to drive & park, use everyday • Available in four-wheel-drive • Automotive styling (helps avoid RV parking restrictions, keep it at home)
• Seats up to 7 • Comfortable to drive in • Comfortable to live in • Bathroom with shower • Separate eating & sleeping areas • Sleeps up to 4 • Up to king-size bed • 4 year/48,000 mile motorhome warranty
To find out why Roadtrek is the #1 selling North American class B motorhome (camper van), visit us at www.roadtrek.com/TLM or call us toll free at 1-888-ROADTREK (762-3873).
Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc., go to www.trailerlife.com/info
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003-TL1001 Table of Conten
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CONTENTS > January 2010 Volume 70 Number 1
Departments
Features
4 DRIVER’S SEAT 5 LETTERS 5 SNOOK’S NOOK 6 AROUND THE BEND News, events, people, places, parks & RV trends 10 RV ACTION LINE We take action to resolve conflicts between consumers and RV dealers or manufacturers
13 THE OUTSIDER Learn how to be a “fly” fisherman at Missouri’s Bennett Spring State Park 15 THIS LAND Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a serene retreat between two busy cities 52 RV CLINIC Straight talk from the Trailer Life tech team 56 10-MINUTE TECH Readers submit their favorite tried-and-true tech tips 57 HANDS ON 66 AMERICA’S OUTBACK The Cape Fear River may have been named by scared sea captains, but the charming city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is the opposite of fearful
ON THE COVER: The Toyota Tundra Limited Crewmax and the Wind River out on a scenic drive in Southern California. Photo by Gary Bohinc TRAILER LIFE January 2010 3
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004-TL1001 Driver’s Seat L
EDITORIAL
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DRIVER’S SEAT > by Bob Livingston
EXPERIENCING THE OUTDOORS CREATIVE PRODUCTION
CIRCULATION
W
ile hiking in the Channel Islands National Park in Southern alifornia recently, I reflected on the amazing diversity of our ark system — and how the insights of a few people convinced their respective members of Congress to set aside the natural treasures that have helped popularize the RV lifestyle. Much of this reflection came to light as I beamed at the beautiful terrain surrounding the trail, at the moment feeling very proud that we ran the story on Ken Burns in last September’s issue (see “America’s Best Idea”). Burns’ 12-hour documentary that aired on PBS last fall, “The National Parks — America’s Best Idea,” was itself a great idea. The series was beautifully filmed, exquisitely edited and, above all, an informative film on the national parks. Of course, the natural beauty of our parks in the film was breathtaking, but Burns’ historical presentation tracing the efforts of people with extraordinary vision was eye-opening. Without the dedication of conservationists like John Muir, Stephen Mather, Theodore Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller Jr., what’s now the most incredible park system on Earth could have fallen to entrepreneurial greed that, no doubt, would have compromised or even eradicated this pristine geography. After the first segment aired, Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition, told me that reservations to visit our national parks doubled the next day. That’s really good news. With all of life’s distractions — especially virtual influences — competing for our time, getting ourselves and our young people to connect with nature has become very challenging. When visiting parks, I often see teenagers texting their friends feverishly rather than paying attention to a ranger’s talk around a blazing campfire. Part of this problem is our own fault. RVs are filled with indoor entertainment and communication equipment that compete with hiking trails and viewing nature. It’s easy and comfortable to hang out inside our trailers — but going outdoors is the magnet that attracted us to the RV lifestyle. And besides that, spending time outdoors is therapeutic. Many studies suggest that spending time outdoors decreases stress, provides physical activities that promote good health, opens our minds to creativity and encourages social development (which is sorely needed to improve campground etiquette, but that’s another column). To help people connect with nature, the National Park Service (NPS) has teamed up with the National Association of State Park Directors and the National Recreation and Park Association to develop programs and policies that zero in on capturing the interest of our young people. If we can get our children and grandchildren to turn off their cell phones, computers and TVs — at least for a little while — we’ll succeed in expanding the horizons of the next generation and those who follow, and hopefully neutralize the overdose of virtual stimuli. Check out www.nps.gov/ChildrenInNature/BestPractices for ideas on how you can plan trips and activities that focus on the great outdoors. Fortunately, Cabinet Secretaries Ken Salazar (Interior) and Ray LaHood (Transportation) are cognizant of the needs of RV enthusiasts. Both have expressed their support for retaining public access to RV owners who, of course, have greater “real estate” needs on the roads and in campgrounds (see page 28). As the NPS rallies toward its centennial celebration (in 2016), we hope the momentum to keep our parks accessible to everyone — and interesting to our young people — moves forward at a brisk pace. q www.trailerlife.com
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005-TL1001 Letters LO
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“ ”
LETTERS >
I live in the Phoenix area and our summers are extremely hot, and I know that this heat has an adverse effect on tires.
from our Readers
ALL ABOUT TIRES
“Trailer Tires 101” in the November issue is a very nice article; however, I don’t think it went far enough — especially on the effects of summers and winters on tires. I live in the Phoenix area and our summers are extremely hot (110+° F), and I know that this heat has an adverse effect on tires. I have had five tire failures in the six years we have had the trailer. I buy the best tire with the highest load rating available. Would taking the load off the tires while in storage help? Would additional covering help? As one tire expert told me: Face the facts, just change your tires every three years no matter what. Lawrence Fischer, Mesa, Arizona DISCOURTEOUS RVERS
I look forward to receiving Trailer Life each month, but I can’t remember seeing this problem before. Over the past two years, we have seen several discourteous RVers with diesel engines. While in upstate New York, a 40-foot diesel pusher started his engine at 6 am. He spent the next half-hour dumping and cleaning his holding tanks, disconnecting the cable TV, water and electrical while running the engine. This was about 5 feet from our bedroom window. He woke up many campers. Last month while in the Eastern Sierras of California, the same thing happened, but later in the morning. This time it was a diesel pickup
connecting to his fifth-wheeler. He went through the whole routine with the engine running. I believe it’s time to publish an article about proper RV etiquette. L. Phillip Bemis, Huntington Beach, California QUALITY CONTROL
Howard Jameson of Sisters, Oregon, wrote (November 2009) regarding the quality of units being built today: We, too, had the same problem. We settled on an Arctic Fox, built in La Grande, Oregon. These units have a large I-beam, steel frames and high-quality construction. Heavy? Yes, but it is wind resistance that has the biggest effect on fuel mileage. We have towed the
unit approximately 3,500 miles to date with zero problems … and it does not sway. Terry Ezart, Surrey, British Columbia PEACE FROM REESE
I had some issues concerning my 10-yearold weight-distribution hitch, so I called Reese Products to try to get a part number and ask some questions. After describing the problem, the company representative said he would ship me a new part at no charge. I received the replacement part the very next day, including all of the necessary bolts, etc. This all happened with just one phone call. I will be sure to buy Reese Products from now on. Wayne Hargett, Seguin, Texas q
SNOOK’S NOOK
To contribute to this column, write to 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001, or e-mail info@trailerlife.com. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 5
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006-TL1001 Around the Bend
•
11/9/09
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AROUND •
•
•
THE BEND> Marleen Canniff
DEEP SLIDEOUT
WHALE-WATCHING RV TRIP
6 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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007-TL01 PG 7 BANKS
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CONTROL FREAK
SMART FEATURES
REVOLUTIONARY & EVOLUTIONARY
www.bankspower.com/banksiq
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006-TL1001 Around the Bend
11/9/09
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AROUND >
THE BEND
NEWSWIRE
GALILEO MAGNIFICO
SUBSCRIBER NOTICE If you subsccrib be to Trailler Liffe, firrst of all, le et us personallyy say thank you. Whether you’re a new w sub bscrib ber or one of ou ur many long g-ttim me re eaderss, to us you’rre family as welll as fe ello ow RVerss. Latelyy we’vve noticced a number of e-maills and lettters fro om sub bscriibers who have been contacte ed by “rrogue” subscrip ptio on agents. These companies and in ndivid dua alss pre etend to o be us or parttners of ourss, and atttempt to sell sub bscrip ptio ons or renewalss to exxisstin ng subscriiptio ons. Ofttentim mes the ra ates they use are much more than what we would d offfer in n our re enewal noticces. We recen ntlly changed the company th hat manages our subscrip ptio ons for us and d we wante ed you to o have this new in nfo ormatiion so you can id dentiifyy any subscrip ptio on-re elate ed mail that you would receivve frrom us. This new retu urn n address is in Harlan n, Io owa. You willl se ee thiss address under ou ur lo ogo on any subscriptiion-re elate ed maill that you would get frrom us. You shou uld d alsso know tha at we willl only call sub bscriibers afte er their subscriiptio on has expirred, so th hat we can veriffy the eirr inten ntiions and ask fo or suggesttio ons for future magazin ne conten nt.. We are doing evveryythin ng in our pow wer to stop th hese compa anie es, but they are e in ncre edib bly diffficcult to tra ack down. Iff you are e ever contacte ed by anyone e other than us who atttempts to o sell you a sub bscriiptio on or subscrip ptio on renewal to Tr Tra aileer Lifee, and you are e able e to o obtain n the eirr name, locatiion or phone nu umber,, please forward it to o us at in nfo@trraile erliffe.ccom. We value you and your lo oyaltyy to o Trailler Liffe. Remem mber, read d subscrip ptio on offerss care efu ullyy — the onlyy way we contact you to o re enew w your subscriiptio on iss via a maill that comes fro om Harla an, Iowa. The only tim me, iff ever, we calll our subscrib berss is afte er they have let theirr subscriptiion expire. The en we call just once to o ask why, in n an efffort to make our magazine bettter..
Thor IIndustries Th d t i and d th the N National ti l Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds have teamed up to provide p id private pi t p parks k with ith special p i l prices for park models and travel trailers designed for rental use. While th initial the i iti l p promotion ti iinvolves l specially p i lly designed models from Airstream Airstream, Breckenridge and Keystone, additionaddition all Thor Th companies i could ld b become iinvolved in the promotion in the future future, depending on the level of privateprivate parkk interest i t t … Yogi Y gi Bear’s B ’ Jellystone J ll t Park 40th Anniversary Video Contest has come to a close with David and Deidre Carroll — a and their daughters Ash Ashton (age 7) and JJordan d ((age g 5)) — from Keller Keller, Texas Texas, as the $10 $10,000 000 grand-prize grand prize winners winners. The contest contest, which hi h ran iin 2009 9 from f Mayy to Sepp tember required the videos to be tember, filmed at any of the 71 Jellystone P k , and Parks, dp participants i ip submitted b i d 77 videos from 16 states and two provinces in Canada Canada. See all of the videos id at www.jellystonefun.com j lly f … With President Obama’s Obama s nomination nomination, the U U.S. S Senate has concon fi firmed d JJonathan th B B. Jarvis — 30-year 30 year vetvet eran of the NPS — as th 18th the 8th N National ti lP Parkk Service Director Director. Jarvis had served as regional didi rector t ffor th the P Pacific ifi W Westt Region since 2002 2002, where he was responsible for 54 national parks th throughout h t th the western t United U it d States … The 20th Annual Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show will be h ld January held J 13-16, 6 2010, att the th ColC l orado Convention Center in Denver Denver, Colorado. Dubbed as the “Biggest Biggest E RV Sh Ever Show iin th the R Rockies,” ki ” exhibits will display all new 2010 RVs for all lifestyles. For more informainforma tion call (303) 892 tion, 892-6800 6800 or visit www agievents com www.agievents.com.
8 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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006-TL1001 Around the Bend
11/9/09
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2ND ANNUAL RV BUSINESS TOP 50 DEALER AWARDS
The Top 50 Dealers
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010-TL1001 RV Action Line
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RV ACTION LINE > Chairman Stephen Adams President/CEO Michael Schneider Senior VP/CFO Tom Wolfe Senior VP/Human Resources Laurie James Senior VP/Group Publisher Bob Livingston Senior VP/Affinity Clubs/Interactive and Multimedia Joe Daquino VP/RV Trade Publications Sherman Goldenberg VP/Controller Dale Hendrix VP/Executive Director/Good Sam Club Susan Bray Chairman Emeritus Art Rouse Publisher Emeritus Bill Estes
EDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001 Tel (805) 667-4100, Fax (805) 667-4484
ADVERTISING VENTURA, CALIFORNIA VP/National Sales Terry Thompson RV Dealer Sales (West) Matt Hotchkiss RV Marketplace/Classified Manager Sue Seidlitz Sales Angela Pezzullo Business Manager Denielle Sternburg P.O. Box 8510, Ventura, CA 93002 Tel (805) 667-4100, Fax (805) 667-4379 ELKHART, INDIANA Midwest Sales Director Chuck Lasley National Advertising Sales Tacy Hendershot, Lou Cicirelli RV Dealer Sales (East) Matt Grimes 2300 Middlebury Street, Elkhart, IN 46516 Tel (574) 295-7820, Fax (574) 522-0418 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON National Advertising Sales Scott Oakes, John Marciano 1818 Westlake Avenue N, #420 Seattle, WA 98109 Tel (206) 283-9545, Fax (206) 283-9571 DETROIT, MICHIGAN Crompton Holdings Scott Crompton 2031 Fernway Drive, Montgomery, AL 36111 scottcrompton@mac.com Tel (334) 613-2040, Fax (334) 356-7740
Trailer Life does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. If you have a contrary experience with respect to any merchandise or service represented herein, please write to RV Action Line. Editorial submissions: Written queries only. Although every precaution is taken, the publisher assumes no liability for the return or safety of unsolicited manuscripts, queries, photographs or illustrations. Manuscripts submitted for publication must include complete return postage.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR A reader was getting steamed that his AC generator wouldn’t produce enough power to run his air conditioner, so he asked for our help: In September 2008, I purchased an AC generator in anticipation of a trip I’d take to Canada in the summer of 2009. I discovered the Gentron Pro2 3500 Series Generator and contacted the company to make sure it would be able to handle the 15,000BTU air conditioner on my fifth-wheel. Once I was assured it would work, I purchased the genset on October 23, 2008. After I received the generator, I tested it at home and found it to be in working order. However, because the trailer is kept in storage, I didn’t have the chance to test it while hooked up to the trailer’s A/C unit. When I tried to use the Gentron on our trip in June 2009, the generator would not power the air conditioner. I contacted the warranty department when I returned from the trip, and they gave me the runaround before finally agreeing to take the unit back at my expense, plus a 15 percent restocking fee — which would amount to about half of what I paid for the generator. I find this unacceptable. Can you help? Jimmie Johnson, Alto, New Mexico It seems odd that the company would make a claim that the product couldn’t back up, so we passed along Johnson’s complaint to Gentron’s manufacturer, Universal Product Concepts Inc. (UPC). Turns out there was a simple (and understandable) solution. Both UPC and Johnson responded soon, with Johnson offering final closure on the subject: Thank you for your help in resolving the problem I was having with my generator. I
was contacted by the Operations Manager of Gentron, who determined the genset hadn’t worked properly because I was at a high altitude, for which the carburetor wasn’t set at the factory. He explained the steps I needed to take to fix the problem, and the results have been good. The generator continues to run and supply enough power to operate the air conditioner. J.J. IN THE NICK OF TIME After his request for a warranty repair was denied due to being just days out of warranty, a reader turned to RV Action Line for help: I own a 2004 Nissan Titan that had 56,107 miles on it as of July 2009. I had to bring it to the shop for repair on the seals, which were leaking, and the bearings on the rear end. Before settling on a repair shop (Matthew’s Nissan, Clarksville, Tennessee), I called around and discovered that many other dealers had performed similar repairs on Titans. It took the techs at Matthew’s 21⁄2 hours to pull the driver’s side axle, as it had started to seize. The passenger side axle also had to be replaced due to damage from the seal and bearing. Fortunately, they were able to replace it with a used axle they had on hand. After discovering my warranty was five years/50,000 miles, a Matthew’s mechanic told me, “It’s too bad your warranty has expired by a month. The mileage could have been fudged, but not the time.” After repairs were completed, I submitted my claim to Nissan, only to be denied due to the truck being out of warranty. I know the warranty had expired by one month, but if the mileage could be fudged, why not the time frame? I have never experienced this type of failure in a truck with this low mileage with proper maintenance completed. Your assistance
10 Ja anuary 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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Sa nus vi Of ng fer s Ca rd
011-TL01 PG 11 SELECT COMF
11/9/09
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Page 11
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Mail to: Select Comfort Direct, 9800 59th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55442-9971
Select Comfort, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
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010-TL1001 RV Action Line
11/9/09
3:09 PM
Page 12
RV ACTION LINE
in getting my $826.86 in parts and labor would be greatly appreciated. John LaRose, Waterford, Connecticut First, we don’t ever condone “fudging the numbers” in any case; however, we do agree that one month out of warranty is too close to ignore without at least re-examining the case, regardless of what a service technician may say. We did forward LaRose’s complaint to Nissan Consumer Affairs, who re-evaluated the situation. We heard back from LaRose: Thank you so much for your action on the warranty-repair issue on my Nissan Titan. Nissan called me, reviewed my claim and agreed to pay the entire bill. I received the check a short time later. J.L.
New Horizons RV Corp., go to www.trailerlife.com/info
THE WHEEL OF JUSTICE My wife and I own a 2005 Arctic Fox 26 5C fifth-wheel we bought new. The fiver is out of warranty and never did present any
problems until last month. While on a trip, we lost the right rear wheel on the trailer. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, and there was no other damage to the trailer. After inspecting the axle where the wheel had been missing, I found that the wheel pan of the rim was still attached to the wheel drum, and that all six lug nuts were still securely in place. Apparently, the wheel had separated cleanly from the rim, indicating the welds on the rim to the pan had not done their job. I contacted the supplier of the wheel, Henderson Wheel and Auto Parts, and was told to send pictures of the assembly. I did so, and I have not heard anything from the company since. I know that parts eventually wear out over time, but a rim should not fail in this manner. I am always on top of maintenance issues, and the trailer has never been overloaded. I believe the rim was improperly welded at the factory. Bruce Hollenbeck, Pleasanton, California
Sometimes, the evidence is overwhelming; in this case the fact that the wheel pan was still attached to the drum led us to agree with Hollenbeck’s improper-welding theory. We forwarded the complaint to Henderson Wheel. Hollenbeck responded a short time later: Thank you for your help regarding the broken rim on my Arctic Fox fifth-wheel. Henderson Wheel contacted me a day after receiving the copy of RV Action Line’s letter and informed me they would replace the damaged wheel and tire at no cost to me. Until you stepped in, the issue had gone completely ignored. B.H. q
After exhausting all other resources without success, please forward information (typewritten only) with copies of appropriate bills and correspondence to RV Action Line, 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. No phone calls.
sinessss, NEW HORIZONS handcra d aftts each of its t towa t bles l and sells l them fac f tory t rrect to the public.
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12 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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013-TL1001 The Outsider LO
11/9/09
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THE OUTSIDER > by Bruce Leonard Jr.
AERIAL MEND
“SINCE I HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLE COMING TO TERMS WITH MY INCREASINGLY LONG LIST OF FAILURES, I DECIDED TO TAKE A STAB AT SELF-IMPROVEMENT BY LEARNING HOW TO CAST A FLY LINE FROM A MASTER CASTER.”
T
nically, I have been fly-fishing for 20 rs. I’ve caught trout in half a dozen es and the province of Alberta and mon in Alaska and British Columbia all by propelling a fly line through the rod guides towards swimming quarry. However, my casting technique has been as graceful as a camel on roller skates, yet I got the job done — kinda, sorta. Since I have enough trouble coming to terms with my increas-
ingly long list of failures, I decided to take a stab at self-improvement by learning how to cast a fly line from a master caster. I’m not sure if Jim Rogers, who owns and operates Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing in Missouri’s Bennett Spring State Park, can levitate or heal the sick, but I know that he can perform miracles, because I have now seen the man work his magic, have experienced the warmth and understanding of his avuncular presence and have ingrained a smidgeon of his fishing knowledge, and I can now say, with only a little snickering, that I am a fly fisherman.
TRAILER LIFE January 2010 13
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013-TL1001 The Outsider LO
11/9/09
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THE OUTSIDER ®
Progress Manufacturing, Inc., go to www.trailerlife.com/info
Bennett Spring State Park, one of the most well-appointed and family-friendly parks I’ve ever visited, features five campgrounds and 65 units, all of which are within easy walking distance of the 57-degree water that gushes from Bennett Spring at more than 100 million gallons a day. Since this cool water happens to be the perfect temperature to allow trout to thrive, a hatchery raises oodles of trout in the park (Bennett Spring is one of four “trout parks” in Missouri). Seven nights a week hatchery workers stock the park’s two-mile stretch of water at 21 locations, slipping approximately 400,000 rainbows and browns (about 5 percent of the total) into the slow-moving, easily waded waterway over the course of the season, from March 1 through October 31. The water in the park is divided into three sections, granting anglers who want to use natural bait, fishers using artificial lures and fly fishers their own swath of water. The daily limit on keepers is four (browns must be 15 inches or larger), and anglers who land a lunker, 3 pounds or heavier, can pick up a Bennett Spring Lunker Award patch in the camp store. And that camp store, according to Jim Rogers, sells the largest selection of flies in the country, with an estimated 150,000 flies in stock, including 522 different midge patterns. Anglers can stock up on most anything else related to fishing in the store, as well as rent gear and buy their daily $3 trout tag. About 70 percent of the park’s approximately one million annual visitors travel from St. Louis and Kansas City, with the average visitor arriving in the park eight times a year. Yet as nice as Bennett Spring is, as fantastic as my meal at T’s Redneck Steakhouse in the nearby town of Lebanon was, and as much as I believe Bennett Spring holds plenty of allure for people who have no interest in fly fishing, I was there to learn, and learn I certainly did. Jim Rogers is practically a force of nature. He works seven days a week during the season, running the concessions in the park and in another of Missouri’s trout parks, Roaring River. The energy this man in his mid-60s possesses is admirable, especially for a man his size (he calls the
prodigious expanse of his stomach a “food blister” and one of his two daughters calls it a “table tumor”). He has never met a sentence he doesn’t like, doles out fishing tales in mellifluous paragraphs and unspools disquisitions on the essence of water and piscatorial truths as gracefully as he unfurls a fly line. And within minutes of meeting Jim, I watched him zip 100 feet of line across a lawn, the reel on the rod in his hand then holding nothing more than backing. One tends to listen when in the presence of such a master. And then Jim decided to show off a little (no one with such talent should be asked to hide it out of humility), so he made a 70-foot cast with half a rod, then threw the line halfway across the yard with his arm. I resisted the instinct to genuflect, and instead decided the universe had put me in the right place at the right time with the right man. So when Jim handed me a rod and told me to take it back to 1 o’clock, I did. His look of surprise concerned me, and then he said I was one in a hundred students, since I’d actually listened to what he had said, then did nothing more, instead of completing my forward cast as nearly everyone else does. He proceeded to impart techniques and tips, revealing in each phrase the wisdom garnered over his 35 years of teaching. I saw immediate improvement in my casting, and then continued to better my technique over the next couple hours. One tenet of the Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing is that fly-fishing need not be complicated (all it takes is “an acceleration to an abrupt stop on a straight-line path, fast enough for the line to straighten out behind you”). Another tenet is that fly-fishing need not be elitist, indulged in only by filthy-rich aesthetes with trouty pretensions. Jim’s one-day, basic fly-fishing school costs $185 for men and $145 for women, and includes lunch and a rod, reel and line to take home. When I brought my refurbished casting to the water the next morning, I caught my four-fish limit, and thanked Jim as I let each fish go. q Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing, (417) 532-4307, jimrogersflyschool.com.
14 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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015-TL1001 This Land LO
11/9/09
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Page 15
THIS LAND
CUYAHOGA VALLEY
NATIONAL PARK
T
by Len Cousineau
untrammeled wildernesses featuring vistas devoid of interstates and other signs of civilization may be surprised at the amount of development present within the 33,000 acres of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Yet this park in northeastern Ohio, between the citified bustle of Cleveland and Akron, delivers plenty of natural beauty and historically significant artifacts, a combination well worth preserving. In the 1960s, a grassroots effort sprung up to curb the commercial and residential onslaught that was impinging upon the valley’s scenery. Congress designated the region a national recreation area in 1974, and Cuyahoga Valley became a national park in 2000. Cuyahoga, many travelers will find, offers a variety of activities to suit many interests. Nature lovers can hike secluded trails that bisect dramatic gorges, wander through thick forests and watch herons, wood ducks and beavers thrive in the park’s marshes. Visitors who prize other varied experiences can attend art exhibits and symphony concerts, ride a scenic railroad, play golf and ski a wintertime slope. And, of course, visitors who allow themselves enough time can sample all the park offers. Cuyahoga is an American Indian word meaning “crooked,” and the namesake river zigs and zags through 22 miles of the park. To facilitate commercial boat traffic between the Ohio River and Lake Erie, a canal was built in the 1820s parallel to the Cuyahoga River. Railroads eventually rendered the Ohio & Erie Canal uneconomical, but the obsolete towpath from which mules hauled boats now grants visitors the opportunity to hike and bike nearly 20 miles within the park and even connects Akron to Cleveland. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail allows travelers to experience the park’s wetlands, meadows and forests at their own pace. To best comprehend the park’s attractions and historic significance, visitors should stop in the 1820’s canal house that serves as the Canal Visitor Center to view artifacts and to watch a video. During summer and fall weekends, locals in period dress demonstrate how Lock 38 helped boats negotiate the 395 feet of elevation change between Akron and Lake Erie. q
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, (216) 524-1497, www.nps.gov/cuva. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 15
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AN AWESOME W
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INTER SPECTACLE
TRUST ME, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE GRAND CANYON IN WINTER
T PHOTOS BY DONNA IKENBERRY
You won’t want to miss a winter’s view of the sun setting from Bright Angel Trailhead.
by Donna Ikenberry
he Grand Canyon is an awesome place come any season of the year. The majesty of the canyon, the depth, the awesome beauty, the see-forever views, they are there no matter what time of year. But visit in winter, like my husband Mike and I did recently, and you’ll feel as though you are experiencing something brand new. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon on many occasions, but only in winter did we see a herd of elk foraging on the rim, the canyon providing a delightful backdrop. In summer, visitors may see California condors soaring in the heavens or perched on a park railing, something you probably won’t see in winter when the birds are deeper in the canyon or hanging out at the Vermillion Cliffs. Winter is a time of peace and quiet in the park. We visited over New Year’s and learned that the park draws a large amount of visitors on winter holidays but not during the rest of the season. Despite the holiday visitors, the park remained uncrowded except for one of the more popular viewpoints at Mather TRAILER LIFE January 2010 17
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Point — and even there we never saw the masses you would find in the summer months. Visit the mighty chasm in winter and you’ll stand, most likely bundled up in layers of fleece and a windproof jacket, as you gaze in awe at one of Earth’s most powerful, inspiring landscapes. You can easily see across the canyon and glimpse the North Rim, only 10 miles away as the raven flies, but 215 miles by road. (The road to the North Rim is closed in winter.) If you want a closer view, however, look down upon Plateau Point and other points of interest within the canyon, or you can hike down for an even better look. But if you hike, be prepared for icy trails. We strapped on crampons when we descended part way into the canyon. We also used hiking poles to better maintain our balance. In addition, our packs carried the extra clothes we weren’t wearing (we were wearing almost all of our layers as it was cold and windy), as well as food for energy and water to remain hydrated. The weather can change quickly in winter, so visitors must be prepared. What starts out as a bright sunny day can quickly turn into a bone-chilling snowstorm, so make sure you check the weather forecast before setting out. If you aren’t into winter hiking, you can
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always just bundle up and sit some place in the sun — but out of the wind — to watch the play of light and shadows as they dance over the canyon. Sometimes you just have to sit and stare in wonder as the canyon can simply be overwhelming. The South Rim has elevations from 6,7007,400 feet. It is 277 river-miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. It’s old and always changing. The canyon is comprised of geologic layers, the oldest of which are the Vishnu Basement Rocks, which are up to 1,840 million years old. The Vishnu Basement Rocks are found deepest in the canyon. As you gain elevation the layers are called the Grand Canyon Supergroup,
Tapeats Sandstone, Bright Angel Shale, Muav Limestone, Temple Butte Formation, Redwall Limestone, Supai Group, Hermit Shale, Coconino Sandstone, Toroweap Formation, and the top layer is the Kaibab Formation. The layers are evident from both the rim and below in the canyon and any place in between. Stand on the rim in winter and you’ll see more than just layers. You’ll no doubt see ravens soaring on high. In addition, no matter how cold or windy be sure to witness at least one sunrise and/or sunset from the rim. There are also views of the canyon from indoors, a nice place to be when the
Clockwise from top: You’ll likely see elk on a winter visit to the Grand Canyon. The highest point on the South Rim is atop the 70-foot Desert View Watchtower, which was constructed in 1932 as a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower. Mule riders mosey on by on the South Kaibab Trail.
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weather is downright cold! Kolb Studio is one such place. Restored now, it was once the home and business of the Kolb brothers, men who were pioneering photographers at the canyon. The studio, located in the Village Historic District, at the Bright Angel Trailhead, is open daily and offers a free art exhibit and bookstore. The Yavapai Observation Station is another great place from which to view the canyon. Exhibits at the station offer insight into the geology of the canyon. How old is the canyon? How did it form? Find the answers to these and other questions there. And if you have more questions, you’ll find a bookstore with a variety of materials
PLAN YOUR WINTER VISIT If you plan to visit the South Rim in the winter months, consider staying at Mather Campground. Although hookups are not available and maximum vehicle length is 30 feet, the fee is only $18 per night ($9 per night for Golden Age or Golden Access passport holders). Or, stay at Trailer Village, which is located next to Mather Campground. Sites there start at $32 per night, and each site comes with hookups. You’ll find a bank and ATM on the South Rim, as well as a post office, kennel and community library.
about the area. When I visit a place, I like to think of those who were there before me. What was it like for the first people who discovered the canyon? Were they as in awe as I?
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People have had ties with the Grand Canyon for thousands of years. Clovis hunters lived in what was a wetter region, with large mammals that are now extinct. Later on, Ancestral Puebloans grew crops in the canyon and lived off the land. In the more recent past, Hopi Indians led Spanish explorers to the South Rim in 1540. More than three centuries later, in 1869, John Wesley Powell led an expedition through the canyon. The railroad arrived at the South Rim in 1901, and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed this awesome place Grand Canyon National Monument. Congress deemed National Park status in 1919.
The vistas along the Rim Trail are like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Today, visitors from around the globe come to sightsee, hike and enjoy this magnificent place. Visitors also experience the different habitats and animals that live in Grand Canyon National Park. At a mile deep, the difference in elevation means a number of communities of life exist in the park. Water is the lifeblood of the Grand Canyon. The riparian areas are home to beaver and humpback chub, although they are rare. In the low elevations of the park, three of the four North American deserts come together. Look and you will see mesquite trees from the Sonoran Desert, blackbrush from the Great Basin Desert, and Joshua Trees from the Mojave Desert. Higher up a forest of pinyon pine and juniper covers much of the mid-elevation and provides homes for pinyon jays and
mountain lions. Ponderosa pine forests harbor two closely related tassel-eared squirrels that depend on the ponderosa for food and shelter. Visitors can see the Abert squirrel on the South Rim, and the Kaibab squirrel on the North Rim. The North Rim is at least 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim so it harbors one more ecosystem, the Montane Forest. More precipitation means a diverse forest of fir, spruce and Douglas fir, along with aspen trees. Once nice thing about the Grand Canyon is that it is easy to get around. Park your rig at the campground or Trailer Village, and you can put your keys in your pocket or purse and leave the driving to the National Park Service’s contractor, Paul Revere Transportation. For more than 30 years the South Rim has been served by a free shuttle bus system. The shuttles will make your visit more enjoyable, as well as reducing pollution and decreasing traffic congestion. Shuttles run every 15 to 30 minutes. You don’t need a ticket, just get on and off at any stop. The routes are set up so you can ride to a stop, enjoy the view, hike, shop at a gift store, grab some information, or walk along the rim. When you’re ready to go, just hop on another shuttle. From December through February, the shuttle service is limited and you won’t find a shuttle along Hermit Road, which is 7 miles one way, but at other times of the year you must ride the free shuttle to access the road. The views along the drive are incredible, as you can view the Colorado River from various points, including Hopi, Mohave and Pima. If you don’t want to drive you can take a commercial bus. The concessionaire Fred Harvey offers all sorts of tours. Even in summer you won’t find a shuttle along Desert View Drive, which is 25 miles one way. Desert View Drive follows the rim from Grand Canyon Village to the East Entrance. Along the way you’ll see the river from different points, including Moran, Lipan and Desert View. Explore the Grand Canyon in winter and you’ll find a magical world of snow and ice and extreme beauty. You will have to add extra layers during your exploration, but I think you’ll find it’s worth it. q Grand Canyon National Park, (928) 638-7888, www.nps.gov/grca. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 19
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BRANSON: A PLACE FOR ALL THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF SHOWS, SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, RESTAURANTS, SHOPPING OR CAMPSITES IN THIS GREAT MISSOURI CITY by James and Dorothy Richardson
B
ack in the day, when RVers more often stored their trailers for the winter, places like Branson, Missouri, were mostly “other than winter” attractions. Times certainly have changed. Today, we RVers have more options for winter travel destinations than ever before. And because of Branson’s moderate winter temperatures, many of its attractions and surrounding campgrounds are open year-round, catering to the RV crowd. With 5,000 camping spaces located in the area, finding a prime place to park the trailer is no problem. Located in the Ozark Mountains near the northern border of Arkansas, Branson is surrounded with scenic mountains and three beautiful lakes. It’s not a large city, but it has all the conveniences of one. The main route through the city is Missouri Highway 76, TRAILER LIFE January 2010 21
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and most of the attractions, theaters and restaurants are located on this route. The twolane road is very crowded most of the day, so it is advisable to learn the routes the locals take. Maps are available at many locations with clearly marked colored routes (blue, red and yellow), which call out attractions as well as great scenery. The Ozark Mountain Highway (MO 465) — which connects MO 248 and U.S. 65 on the eastern part of town to the attractions on the western side — is especially scenic and saves much time. And time is much needed to see everything Branson has to offer. We suggest checking out its unique “Hot Winter Fun” activities, and then coming back for more later on in the year. But for a year-round treat, there’s no excuse to not check out the natural beauty of the area from the
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230-foot Inspiration Tower at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, where visitors can view all the sights of Branson from one panoramic vantage point. The Homestead also has craftsmen on site, historical tours and great music — and great music is really what makes Branson so popular. If you didn’t already know it, Branson is known as the “live music show capital of the world.” It has 50 theaters with 60,000 theater seats to accommodate more than 100 live theater shows — most of which are open through the winter season. And it seems there is a show for almost every taste. Many noted performers of yesteryear have come to Branson and found favor with visitors. Among them are Andy Williams and Glen Campbell, Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere and the
Raiders, Fabian and Bobby Vee. Country and gospel music are also popular here, as are comedy and variety shows, like Yakov Smirnoff, the Russian comedian. Nostalgic shows with a variety of casts perform
RECOMMENDED CAMPGROUNDS Some of our favorite Branson-area campgrounds: q America’s Best Campground (ABC), (800) 671-4399, www.abc-branson.com. (Reservations recommended) q Branson Shenanigans RV Park and Campground, (800) 338-7275, www.bransonrvparks.com. q Branson Stagecoach RV Park, (800) 446-7110, www.bransonstagecoachrv.com. q Branson View Campground, (800) 992-9055, www.thebransonviewcampground.com. q The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City (800) 477-5164, www.thewildernesslogcabins.com. Costs of sites in the Branson area generally range from $20 at the state parks to nearly $40 at some of the full-service campgrounds. Call ahead/log on to the Web site to verify.
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songs of the 1950s and ’60s at the ’50s At the Hop Show & Theater. Along with the shows, you’ll also find great after-holiday shopping, golf, eateries, an ice-sculpting competition,
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Left to right: RVing is no problem in Branson, with its many campgrounds and campsites: America’s Best Campground is on top of the list. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater is the winner of seven awards, including best live music venue. The Branson Scenic Railway is sure to deliver a scenic ride. The halls of the Veterans Memorial Museum list more than 400,000 names of World War II soldiers who died in service. The 230-foot Inspiration Tower is what gives Branson its landmark skyline. At the Talking Rocks Cavern, you can see thousands of natural living crystal cave formations.
world-class trout-fishing championships, the decorated caves of Talking Rocks Cavern, Wings of the World bird park with more than 100 exotic birds, and an unforgettable show of a thousand white butterflies at the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, where we walked among the free-flying butterflies in a covered outdoor setting. There are also several unique museums open yearround in Branson, including the Titanic Museum and the Veterans Memorial. The Titanic Museum houses 400 artifacts discovered in the wreckage of that fateful maiden voyage of the 1912 luxury ship. These items are assembled in a permanent two-story museum attraction shaped like the huge ship itself. The building was built half-scale to the original and towers 100 feet above
the main street of Branson, Highway 76. Of the many artifacts at the museum, don’t miss the model of the ship, which is on display in one of the first rooms of the museum. It took its builder, Peter Davies-Garner, two years to construct the model. Another don’t-miss display is the photography. Father Browne, a 31year-old teacher and future Jesuit priest, was onboard its maiden voyage, and he happened to get off after the second leg of the trip from Southampton, England to Cherbourg, France, then to Queensland, Ireland. His photographs are on display at the Titanic Museum and give an incredible insight into the lives of those onboard. The Veterans Memorial is a must-see tribute to the brave men and women who served this country during the World
Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. Several rooms of weaponry, arms, uniforms, artwork and personal memorabilia attest to the heroism of the many who gave the ultimate sacrifice. There is one room that contains an impressive sculpture of 50 soldiers. Each represents actual World War II combat infantrymen — one from each of the 50 states. On the walls surrounding this sculpture are 400,000 names of servicemen who gave their lives to serve this country. This is the only place in the world these names are displayed. The sculpture is by Fred Hoppe Jr., who also designed, funded, and built the Veterans Memorial Museum, to honor his father, Fred Hoppe Sr., who served in WWII, and all the other veterans. Just east of the Veterans
Memorial Museum is the Branson Scenic Railway, a classic attraction that unfortunately closes in the winter months. But come back in early spring for a narrated trip through the Ozark countryside aboard restored 1940s dome cars. The train ride leaves downtown Branson near the revitalized Branson Landing, a severalblock complex with restaurants and shops set on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, which was originally a section of the White River. On the other end of town is Silver Dollar City, home of American craftsmanship. This 50-acre 1880’s theme park features more than 100 craftsmen, 60 unique shops, 40 shows, restaurants and 30 rides and attractions. The campground at Silver Dollar City is on our recommended list (see sidebar on opposite page); however, the TRAILER LIFE January 2010 23
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Santee Cooper Country, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
Born Free Motorcoach, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
021-TL1001 Branson LO
Showboat Branson Belle cruises start up again in March and are worth a return trip.
On your way there, stay here... and relax for a day or two! This is just one of the hundreds of sites located in the 29 campgrounds along the shores of lakes Marion and Moultrie in South Carolina. We also have 15 championship golf courses & world class fishing
Santee Cooper Country In SC ((803)) 854-2131 Outside SC 1-800-227-8510 www.santeecoopercountry.org ~~~tourscc@oburg.net Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg & Sumter counties
park is also one of the few attractions shut down during a chunk of winter (it closes just before New Year’s Eve through midMarch). So plan on coming back for this treat, because Silver Dollar City is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2010, and from the sounds of it, the park is hosting some amazing festivities for the occasion. You should also consider coming back for the Showboat Branson Belle for a cruise on Table Rock Lake, located just south of Silver Dollar City. The paddlewheel riverboat can take as many as 700 passengers on a dinner cruise, which features various entertainment venues. Table Rock Lake also has boating and fishing opportunities. For a winter — or for an “other than winter” — destination, Branson has opportunities for all kinds of fun. It’s a perfect place for families, the showgoer, the nostalgic and the patriotic — all packaged up with great scenery, fun activities, amazing shows, great restaurants and fine campgrounds so you can call it home while you visit. q
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RVT.com, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
Branson Lakes Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, (417) 334-4084, www.explorebranson.com. Veterans Memorial Museum, (417) 3362300, www.veteransmemorialbranson.com. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater, (417) 332-1957, www.dickclarksabbranson.com. The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, (417) 332-2231, www.thebutterflypalace.com.
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WINTER BEACH GETAWAY
VIRGINIA BEACH JUST GETS COOLER IN THE WINTER MONTHS, FROM DINING EXTRAVAGANZAS TO WHALE-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES
A
by Len Cousineau
PHOTOS BY LEN COUSINEAU
dozen James River oysters began my repast; followed by a Caesar salad; which was then impeccably enhanced by an entrée called the Beachcomber, comprised of tilapia, shrimp, diver scallops and a jumbo lump crab cake; and dessert consisted of the most delicious New York-style cheesecake I’ve ever eaten. In fact, the entire meal at Catch 31 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, rates among my top-five meals anywhere. Later I dipped a paddle into the brackish water of the canal, pushed the boat forward as I pulled the blade toward my left hip, then dripped water across the bow of the kayak as I shifted my stroke to the right side. Minutes before, after cinching the personal floatation device tight to my torso, I had settled into the small, comfortable craft in the easiest and driest possible manner — from a floating dock, with a steadying hand offered by my guide — and the two of us were soon propelling our respective crafts through the waterway, which, due to the recent North Winds, was so narrow and shallow that cynical folks might have called it a ditch. Of the many outfitters I’ve paddled with, Surf & Adventure Co. of Virginia Beach, Virginia, introduces kayaking to first-timers the most effectively of all these operators,
may be the best way to explore the wonders of Virginia Beach. The Old Coast Guard Station delivers plenty of maritime history. Holiday Trav-L-Park delivers spacious sites in a playful setting. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 25
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elers who are hesitant — or downright afraid — to experience the waterborne thrills of this sport by pushing their comfort zones in the safety of shallow water and under the tutelage of knowledgeable, attentive guides. As we slowly bisected the pristine wilderness of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, we saw an osprey haul progressively larger sticks to its perch high in a distant tree, then watched as a nutria cut a wake in front of our boats, then scrambled into the cover provided by the tall reeds that envelop the banks. We did not see the raccoons, opossums, muskrats and foxes that inhabit this marshland, but we did spy herons, kingfishers and a bald eagle. Raindrops soon began to tickle us, and by the time we had completed our 4mile-out-and-back excursion — a distance that can be modified depending on the abilities and enthusiasm of the paddlers — we were grateful that we had remembered to wear our raingear. At One Fish-Two Fish, I followed my fried calamari and onion rings starter with a chopped Greek salad, then completed the near-perfect meal with the grilled north Atlantic salmon, accompanied by roasted garlic polenta and Mediterranean vegetables. Every traveler knows that weather can dramatically curtail vacation plans, or even force the cancellation thereof. Unfortunately, I arrived at Virginia Beach — an aptly named location whose biggest attraction is, of course, the sand and sea — just as a weeklong storm did. As a consequence, instead of lounging in the sun, splashing in the surf and strolling the seemingly endless swath of sand, I had to
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exchange my outdoor plans for indoor ones, with dining chief among them. If a traveler has to hunker down, however, Virginia Beach is not a bad place to take cover, since the restaurants are varied and excellent, the shopping opportunities are legion and plentiful indoor attractions can entertain all kinds of travelers, regardless of their outdoor leanings. Of course, when the weather is good — and it usually is — Virginia Beach thrives, with countless stores catering to the needs of beachgoers who want little more than to spread a beach towel on the sand, eat fried food and ice cream and revel at family-friendly attractions such as miniature golf courses, arcades and amusement parks. In any weather, RVers have numerous campgrounds to choose among, including Holiday Trav-L-Park, Outdoor Resorts and the Virginia Beach KOA. RVers who prefer a more rustic experience may want to settle into one of the 222 sites in First Landing State Park, a tree-laden maritime forest environment with Bald Cypress swamps. The park has a 6-mile bike route and more than 19 miles of hiking trails, as well as marshes and bays. The mud was too treacherous during my stay for me to explore the trails in this pretty park, but as the rain fell on my windshield, I vowed to do so if I ever returned. I found Holiday Trav-L-Park to be well situated, since its welcoming, homey grounds sit just down the street from the area’s premier family attractions, including the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Ocean Breeze Waterpark. Holiday Trav-LPark is enormous, featuring almost 900 sites, and a let’s-all-have-fun atmosphere
Water makes its presence felt throughout Virginia Beach and boats are practically ubiquitous. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center features hands-on demonstrations.
permeates the park’s areas, which sport names such as Sherwood Forest, Eden, Green Acres and Sunny Meadows. RVers who prefer their sites to be lapped at by water and tickled by ocean breezes may prefer to stay at the Virginia Beach Outdoor Resorts of America. Basically consisting of a horseshoe-shaped section of land that is so surrounded by water that it appears to float in North Bay, this beautiful, well-maintained park delivers the amenities that travelers have come to expect from ORA facilities. A health club, basketball court, tennis courts, playground and on-site boat ramp, for example, complement the 250 full-hookup sites. The tuna tartare starter at Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro, located near downtown at Town Center, paired well with the organic field greens with mandarin oranges,
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stores along with whatever else you may need to stay for a while. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center brings smiles to many faces.
then I completed the meal by devouring the jumbo Gulf shrimp and sea scallops entrée. I also found the atmosphere in this establishment to be delightful. No matter which park RVers settle into, they will most likely find their way to the boardwalk via numerous access points along Virginia Beach’s main drag, Atlantic Avenue. Among the countless souvenir stores and fast-food joints and dining establishments on Atlantic Avenue sits the Old Coast Guard Station. This small-butinformation-packed museum is housed in a 1903 former U.S. Life Saving Station, and today it will fascinate anyone interested in the sea and its dangers. Historic life-saving equipment used from 1878 to the present day helps explain the process rescuers have used and continue to use when ships are wrecked off the Virginia Beach coast. Not too far from this museum, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum also adorns Atlantic Avenue. Situated in the last remaining and historically registered Virginia Beach Boardwalk cottage, called de Witt Cottage, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage
Museum is not likely to bowl anyone over with its size. Lovers of feathered creatures will appreciate the array of wildfowl artifacts and contemporary wildfowl art forms. If their timing is right, visitors can watch an artist coax a duck from a block of wood, one whittle at a time. Other than the beach and its recreational opportunities, perhaps the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center presents the biggest allure to families — especially those looking to learn while having fun. Visitors can gawk at myriad creatures, including otters, sea horses, sea turtles, sharks and venomous snakes. Children of all ages can pet various rays as they swim in a shallow tank, and IMAX movies deliver educational, cinematic thrills on a grand scale. The average visitor spends between two and three hours in the aquarium, and the 10- to 15-minute stroll through the onsite marsh and wetlands area can prove a nice way to round out an afternoon. During my visit, in the few hours the weather cleared, I managed to squeeze in a round of golf at Hell’s Point Golf Club, a Rees Jones Signature Course. Despite the terrain being waterlogged because of the storm, I truly enjoyed the course. Scenic and challenging without being brutally punitive, this course serves up numerous water hazards, plenty of trees and large, true greens. Of course, my high opinion of the course could be influenced by the fact that I played well,
and because I’d been cooped up. Downpours rarely even slow shoppers down, so rain or shine travelers who are looking to stimulate the economy should head to Town Center, a shopping, dining and entertainment region that stretches for 17 city blocks. Visitors can easily spend half a day, and a whole paycheck, in this area. Should the outdoors beckon, however, RVers should seek the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, an 9,200-acre escape whose barrier islands feature sand dunes, maritime forests and freshwater marshes. Whether visitors make it to this non-commercialized area, though, or simply stroll through the sand along Virginia Beach’s namesake shoreline, they will almost certainly find their trip to Virginia Beach worthwhile. If their trip is like mine was, they may have a lot of walking to do to work off all of those delicious calories. Wild mushrooms and porcini short stack started my meal at Terrapin Restaurant, followed by potato-and-basilwrapped wild salmon; I decadently finished this indulgent meal by savoring a chocolate molten tower with coffee ice cream. q Virginia Beach CVB, (800) VA-BEACH, www.vbfun.com. Catch 31, (757) 213-3474, www.31ocean.com. Surf & Adventure Co., (800) 695-4212, www.surfandadventure.com. Holiday Trav-L-Park, (800) 548-0223, www.campingvb.com. Outdoor Resorts Virginia Beach, (800) 333-7515, www.outdoor-resorts.com/vb. Virginia Beach KOA, (757) 428-1444, www.koa.com. First Landing State Park, 757) 412-2300, www.virginiastateparks.gov. One Fish-Two Fish, (757) 496-4350, www.onefish-twofish.com. Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro, (757) 490WINE, Old Coast Guard Station, (757) 4221587, www.oldcoastguardstation.com. Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, (757) 437-8432, www.awhm.org. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, (757) 385-FISH, www.virginia aquarium.com. Hell’s Point Golf Club, (757) 721-3400, www.hellspoint.com. Terrapin Restaurant, (757) 321-6688, www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 27
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L Q & A WITH U.S. INTERIOR
Trailer Life: Many Americans are concerned that today’s youth spend little time in the outdoors. Does that concern you, and are you taking steps to connect young Americans with the outdoors? Salazar: More and more, Americans — and in particular, young people — are losing touch with the landscapes that give us a sense of place in the world that have long-shaped the American experience. An average young person today spends six hours a day in front of a computer or TV and less than four minutes playing outdoors. From 1997 to 2003, there was a decline of 50 percent in the proportion of children 9-10 who spent time in outdoor activities. Helping kids get outdoors has been a priority of mine for a long time, and I am proud of the progress we have made in the Obama Administration on this agenda. I recently signed a Secretarial Order creating the Office of Youth in Natural Resources in the Department of the Interior, and President Obama has asked Congress
to increase the budget of Interior’s youth programs by $70 million in fiscal 2010, an increase of $50 million over fiscal 2009. The Office of Youth in Natural Resources headed by Bob Stanton, former Director of the National Park Service, will coordinate present and future youth initiatives, the signature program of which will be a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps. TL: You helped line up funds for parks from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act shortly after taking office. Will those investments make a difference to park visitors next summer? Salazar: We are already seeing the benefits of the President’s economic recovery plan in national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands across the country. The $3 billion that the Department of the Interior is investing through the Recovery Act is creating jobs while delivering lasting value for the American people. You can see the investments in parks across the country, from Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, where we are rehabilitating 20
miles of trails, to Great Smokey Mountains National Park, where we are investing $30 million to fix roads and improve the visitors’ experience. The President’s economic recovery plan represents the most significant investment in our national treasures in generations. TL: How can Americans get involved in aiding our parks and other public lands? Salazar: Volunteers have long been essential to keeping our parks and public lands in good condition, and to helping educate others about their value. Every year, more than 170,000 park volunteers help with everything from clearing trails and staffing information desks to counting species in a BioBlitz. You can find information about volunteering at www.nps.gov/getinvolved. In addition, this summer President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama launched the “United We Serve” initiative in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service. United We Serve is a clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities.
28 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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028-TL1001 Q&A Salazar LO
11/9/09
3:01 PM
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R SECRETARY KEN SALAZAR
Americans who are interested in volunteering can use this tool to locate opportunities to serve across the country. I would encourage your readers to go to www.serve.gov to look for opportunities to volunteer in their local communities. TL: You took an unusual step shortly after taking office — announcing a number of fee-free weekends in national parks. We know a part of your message was to reassure American families feeling
economic pain that there were great and inexpensive places to go this summer. But do you feel that there can and should be an ongoing effort to promote visits to parks and public lands and waters, especially during non-peak periods and to those areas that are lesser known and lesser visited? Salazar: This year, with the fee-free weekends and with President Obama and his family visiting the Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, we were pleased to see a significant increase in visitation to our national parks. Particularly with the economic troubles we are experiencing, Americans seem to be choosing national parks as affordable vacation destinations. That is great to see. We have to continue to remind people of the outdoor opportunities that are near their homes, and work to expand access to all Americans. TL: The National Park Service will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016. Any special plans? Salazar: The 100th anniversary of the
national park system is a terrific opportunity to look ahead to the next century for America’s parks, wildlife refuges and public lands … we have restored the nation’s commitment to wise investments in our parks and public lands after years of cuts and declining operational budgets, we have received counsel from the Congress, from the public and from blue-ribbon commissions on how we can use the centennial of the National Park Service to protect all of America’s great places, including our parks, and we are looking at new ideas for how we can better protect our treasured landscapes. When I was the director of the Department of Natural Resources in Colorado, I helped create a program called Great Outdoors Colorado that has proven to be one of the most successful landconservation initiatives in the country. This is the type of long-term thinking that we should apply at the national level so that we can create a strong legacy of stewardship that we can pass along to future generations. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 29
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028-TL1001 Q&A Salazar LO
11/9/09
3:02 PM
Page 30
OUTSIDE GAME
Fund,” said Salazar, noting that upwards of $22 billion could have been spent on outdoor projects had successive Congresses actually allocated what they authorized. Whether Salazar will ultimately succeed is an open question at this point. However, based on his record in Colorado — where he led successful efforts in the early 1990s to guarantee use of state lottery proceeds for outdoor projects — he seems to be up to the challenge. The renewed emphasis on the great outdoors and the potential of more funds for recreation is music to the ears of Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition. “We are fortunate to have outdoor champions and experienced Washington insiders like Secretary Salazar and Secretary La Hood going to bat for outdoor recreation in the highest councils of government,” said Crandall. What will this mean for RVers and the RV industry will take some time to know for sure. But with more than 63 percent of those responding to a recent Recreation
RVIA President Richard Coon, left, shows off some of the amenities of a Winnebago Via to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in Washington, D.C., during a recent conference promoting outdoor recreation.
Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) survey saying that RVing in a national park was a “favorite activity,” it seems that the Administration’s efforts will find favor not only among the 8 million current RVers but also potential new RVers, as well. In fact, RVIA president Richard Coon was delighted to show Salazar and LaHood around a new “green” Winnebago Via motorhome
parked at the front steps of the U.S. Department of Interior, three blocks from the White House — and to celebrate with them the first significant increase in park visits in years. Nudged, perhaps, by the first of the “fee-free” weekends, the NPS noted a 3 percent upswing in attendance through the end of July compared to a year earlier. q
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031-TL01 PG 31 ESSEX CREDI
11/9/09
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032-TL1001 WindRiver_Tundr
11/9/09
3:29 PM
Page 32
W
PHOTOS BY GARY BOHINC
OF LIFE IS A BREEZE WITH OUTDOORS RV MANUFACTURING’S WIND RIVER AND TOYOTA TUNDRA LTD by Kristopher Bunker
A
nytime a new trailer manufacturer emerges, we take notice — especially given today’s economic climate. These days, it’s a bold move for the new guy to attempt to carve a niche in an already crowded market. But Outdoors RV Manufacturing isn’t worried about first-day jitters or trying to fit in, and with good reason. Outdoors is run by Ron and Sherry Nash, owners of Northwood Manufacturing, which has been a fixture in the towable market for more than a decade. Add to that the fact that many of the employees of Outdoors Manufacturing are former Fleetwood RV staffers and were hired after Fleetwood exited the towable market, and you have a solid workforce with literally decades of experience. The results combine the all-season know-how of Northwoods with user-friendly floorplans. At its core, the primary focus of Outdoors RV is to build allweather trailers for the Northwest and Western Canadian RVer, but the benefits of such construction methods can certainly be realized nationwide. The Wind River line is pegged as Outdoors’luxury lightweight towable, which made it a great fit — both weight-wise and probable customer-wise — for the 2010 Toyota Tundra 4 × 4 Limited Crewmax. Hitched up and on the road, the combo looks great. Toyota’s billet-style grille, fender flares and pronounced arches over the
18-inch alloy wheels make the truck easy on the eyes, and the Silver Sky metallic paint is a nice departure from the blacks or whites we so often see. The optional bedliner ($365) and mini tie-downs ($45) help the truck retain its value as a commuter and rather capable work truck (in fact, the 2010 Tundra is also offered with a Work Truck trim). Inside, the Tundra offers the latest in entertainment/safety technology, with Bluetooth cell-phone capability in the optional DVD Navigation system ($1,690), which includes AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-disc changer, 12 speakers, a back-up monitor, satellite radio and an aux/USB input for even more versatility. The Tundra features a cavernous center console designed to hold a laptop computer or a hanging file folder for tourist attraction brochures and other paperwork needing organization. The Tundra’s cockpit features two 12-volt DC power outlets, with a
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WINDS CHANGE
The gauges and controls are uncluttered and easy to reach in the Tundra’s cockpit. The back-up camera comes in handy when hitching up. Twin recliners and real-wood cabinetry up the luxury ante inside the Wind River.
TRAILER LIFE January 2010 33
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TUNDRA 4 X 4 CREWMAX LTD
MPG: SOLO: 16.70; TOWING: 11.27 0-60 MPH, TOWING: 16.41 sec 40-60 MPH, TOWING: 8.94 sec ENGINE: 5.7L V-8 HP: 381@ 5,600 rpm TORQUE: 401 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic AXLE RATIO: 4.30:1 FUEL CAP: 26.4 gal TIRES: P275/65R18 SUSPENSION: Independent wishbone, front/multi-leaf springs, rear BRAKES: 4-wheel disc ABS TOW RATING: 10,100 lb GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING: 7,200 lb GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING: 16,000 lb WEIGHT AS TESTED: 5,800 lb LENGTH: 19' WHEELBASE: 145.7" MSRP, BASE: $42,155 MSRP, AS TESTED: $45,236 BASIC WARRANTY: 3 yr/36,000 mi DINETTE 40"×72" TV CAB
SSOFA BEDD 4 ×68"" 40"
FLIP-UP SHELF
FRIDGE
SKYLIGHT
TABBBLE
WARD
The wide-open floorplan allows for clutter-free camping, with plenty of space for meal prep in the SHIIRTWARD/ galley. The NIGGHTSTAND Tundra’s V-8 had no QUEEN BED 60"×74" problem towing the WARD Wind River.
WIND RIVER 250RLS
EXT LENGTH: 29' 8" EXT WIDTH: 8' EXT HEIGHT: 10' 3" INT WIDTH: 7' 10" INT HEIGHT: 6' 6" CONSTRUCTION: Aluminum side-wall framing, fiberglass lamination, block-foam insulation, one-piece rubber roof FRESHWATER CAP: 46 gal BLACK-/GRAY-WATER CAP: 30 gal/40 gal LP-GAS CAP: 15 gal WATER-HEATER CAP: 6 gal REFRIGERATOR: 8 cu ft FURNACE: 30,000 BTU AIR CONDITIONER: 13,500 BTU CONVERTER: 55 amps BATTERIES (2): Group 24 TIRES: ST205/75R15 SUSPENSION: Leaf spring WEIGHT: 7,000 lb (freshwater, water heater, LP-gas full; no cargo) HITCH WEIGHT: 820 lb AXLE WEIGHT: 6,180 lb GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING: 7,600 lb GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (2): 3,500 lb ea CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY: 600 lb MSRP, BASE: $30,155 MSRP, AS TESTED: $31,246 BASIC WARRANTY: 12 mo
third for good measure located at the rear of the console. Various compartments and niches ensure there’s plenty of room for instruction manuals and the like. But the Tundra is more than just a fancy looking truck with electronic adornments. On the road, the 5.7-liter V-8 had no problem towing the Wind River. We made our way up the usual 7-percent grade with relative ease, and had plenty of power on tap had we been in a hurry and needed to utilize the passing lane (we weren’t, so we didn’t). Braking on the Tundra was smooth and trouble-free, thanks to the ABS system and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake pressure at each wheel for greater control. Especially impressive are the Automatic Limited-Slip Differential and Vehicle Stability Control systems as standard equipment, a first-in-class feature. Towing hardware on the Tundra includes a hitch receiver, a supplemental transmission cooler, a rear differential with
10.5-inch ring gear, a 150-amp alternator, transmission temperature gauge, a sevenpin connector and trailer-brake-controller pre-wiring. DÉJÀ VU? If you think you’ve seen the Wind River somewhere before, well, you have. The Wind River 250 RLS is a derivative of Fleetwood’s former Prowler floorplan; only this time around it’s been refined to better suit the year-round RVer. Outdoors RV knows its customers well, so in addition to four-season capabilities, the manufacturer has built the Wind River with back-roads capabilities in mind. The fiberglass front cap ($555) features bold graphics that match well with the trailer’s overall attitude — while offering added protection from rocks and tree branches. The Wind River is built on what Outdoors calls a shock-absorbing rubberized suspension system featuring increased ground clearance and copper plumbing lines. The 15-inch aluminum wheels ($338)
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The lavy features enough space for bathroom duties without feeling too cramped.
ensure most any road can be conquered by the trailer — well, most any road you’d want to take a $30,000 trailer on, anyway. Pass-through storage compartments sized just right for a cooler (or anything else big and bulky) mean you don’t have to leave behind too many supplies. As aggressive as it is on the outside, I certainly didn’t expect the luxury appointments that await on the inside after a long day of travel. At the rear of the trailer, two lounge recliners ($578) offer a comfy, if slightly cramped, spot to put your feet up. Yet doing so makes use of the rear door nearly impossible, so users may opt to sit on the sofa bed ($495) or even at the convertible dinette located in the streetside slide while resting their bones. With that slide deployed, there is an impressive amount of room to stretch out in the living area. The slide also reveals a 26-inch LCD HDTV, in addition to an AM/FM/CD/DVD player. The cabinetry throughout the trailer is impressive, as the doors and panels are made of real wood that is screwed together — rather than stapled particleboard. This durable construction technique is doubly important, considering Outdoors’ intentions for the Wind River to be taken off the beaten path.
Page 35
The open floorplan in the living area leads to a relatively open cooking experience, as we had no issues of stepping over each other while preparing meals (with the exception of a crawling infant, that is). The standard layout of the galley facilitated quick and efficient prepping duties, and the three-burner stove with oven, microwave and 8 cubic-foot refrigerator were all put to good use. A flip-up counter extender was a welcome addition, and a drawer beneath the oven was ideal for pots and pans. Vinyltype flooring makes clean-up a breeze. Pantry space was adequate but not ideal, yet we were able to utilize the overhead storage located throughout the unit for non-perishables we couldn’t fit behind the frosted-glass pantry doors. The bathroom was functional enough, with a shower/small tub enclosure we found ideal for bathing a baby. Other bathroom duties were handled with no complaints about arm/headroom. Once exiting the bathroom, users will have to watch out for the TV if it’s been extended away from the wall; the lavy door came mighty close to an expensive collision a few times during our trip, as did a certain tester’s forehead. The master bedroom features a pillowtop queen-size mattress, and the custom headboard was a nice touch of elegance. The residential-size wardrobe located curbside is sure to swallow your RVing garb, and a shirt-hanging closet/night stand are available streetside. A second entry door offers a quick way in and out of the master area if you don’t want to disturb the kids in the living area. The cargo carrying capacity of the Wind River we tested limits loading; however, traveling with the freshwater tank empty nudges that number to just beneath 1,000 pounds. Either way, be careful not to overload the Wind River. The Wind River packs quite a bit of luxury in a relatively small frame, while the Tundra Limited shares that same strategy in a mid-size pickup offering plenty of power. The Tundra’s 4WD capabilities are also well suited to the rugged exterior design of the Wind River. Together they make a solid all-season, on- or off-pavement combination. q
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032-TL1001 WindRiver_Tundr
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036-TL1001 Winter Prep LO
11/9/09
3:02 PM
Page 36
ON THE SNOW ROAD
RVS CAN BE GREAT WINTER CHALETS, ALTHOUGH A FEW READINESS IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE NEEDED by Brad Clayton
PHOTOS BY BRAD CLAYTON
36 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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036-TL1001 Winter Prep LO
11/9/09
3:03 PM
Page 37
A
s the snow falls to the ground, the end of the travel season has arrived for many RV owners — at least those who live where winter brings snow and ice. But for a growing number of others who enjoy winter sports or simply the beauty of a winter landscape, hibernation isn’t in the plan. In winter, your RV can become a mobile chalet for skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or wildlife viewing — or simply for touring. The winter scene can be spectacular, and there is a special beauty in a new snowfall when you’re in an RV — comfortable in spite of a snowstorm happening right outside your window. That’s the challenge — to be comfortable in spite of harsh conditions. While some RVs are fully winter-ready, with double-pane windows and a design that places all water lines, tanks and valves within the heated areas of the RV, including a heated “basement,” other RVs require special preparations because they are not specifically designed for below-freezing weather. But for the RV owner who enjoys adding new features and capabilities, improvement of winter capability can be part of the anticipation that results in an interesting adventure. Destinations may include RV parks that cater to winter visitors, parking lots at a snowmobiling or cross-country skiing trailhead, or even the parking lot of an RVfriendly ski resort. Access to an electrical hookup makes winter RVing dramatically easier, but it’s not essential if your RV is winter-ready.
BATTERIES AND GENERATORS Without an electrical hookup, the immediate challenge is battery reserve power, or having enough to keep appliances, especially the furnace, going overnight. The furnace, lights, ventilator fans and other appliances create a higher demand on the batteries in winter due to the cold and shorter days. Power requirements can be handled by relying on an AC generator, a good set of “house” batteries — a total of at least 210 amp hours (350 minutes of reserve capacity at the 25-amp rate) — and a better electrical converter than is found in most RVs. A capable converter is a critical item; most standard converters merely perform a power-supply role, while in winter, aggressive multi-stage battery charging is needed. If your converter has a multi-stage converter that will produce at least 14.2 volts during a bulk charge phase, you’re all set (check literature supplied with your RV). If not, consider adding a high output unit, such as the Xantrex TRUECHARGE2, Iota DLS 55 or DLS 75 with the Smart Charger Controller (check the Internet for retail sources). Other high-output multi-stage chargers also are suitable. The goal is rapid battery recharging and less generator running time. Without a built-in AC generator, compact generators such as the Honda EU2000iA or Yamaha EF2000iS are quiet and will operate a unit such as the Iota (which powers all your 12-volt DC appliances while also charging batteries), as well as other 12-volt DC items such as a television/DVD player.
WATER SYSTEMS, TANKS With power demands addressed, the next priority is to ensure that water lines, holding tanks and valves don’t freeze even when the RV interior is heated. It’s possible to live in an RV with the water system winterized (shut down, with anti-freeze in the lines), but that takes much of the fun and convenience out of a winter excursion. Freeze prevention is important because repair of burst pipes can be inconvenient and expensive. To evaluate your RV’s winter capability, inspect water line routing from inside as well as outside, or in the basement. All pipes should be exposed to the heated interior of the RV. It’s not necessary to keep the lines hot — just warmer than 32˚ F. Warm-air circulation to the inner recesses of the RV can be improved, sometimes merely by opening cabinet doors at night. In other cases, air vents can be added. Beyond that, additional insulation may be needed to reduce the rate of heat
There are many simple ways to prepare your RV for winter travel. Polyurethane foam can be used to spot-insulate drafty areas. Wrapping hoses with heat tape and insulation is a good way to keep water supplies open. Reflective insulation can be attached to compartments with spray adhesive. Holding-tank valves can be freezeprotected with a 60- or 100-watt light bulb.
TRAILER LIFE January 2010 37
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036-TL1001 Winter Prep LO
11/9/09
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ON THE SNOW ROAD
loss, especially in outside compartments where tank valves and water lines (outside shower) are located. Water in drainpipes usually will not freeze because water does not stand inside them. Several types of insulation are effective in various applications are available at building supply and hardware stores: q Old-fashioned loose fiberglass batts are good for packing into basement areas and compartments that are not well insulated, but fiberglass should not be exposed to water. q Foil-covered styrene foam board can be attached inside or outside compartments with spray adhesive. Spray with automotive undercoating to protect from road elements and water when used outside. q Polyurethane foam, available in spray cans such as Big Gap Sealer by Dow, expands after being sprayed on a surface and insulates as well as seals. Cover with an automotive undercoating if used outside.
q Bubble insulation (Reflectix or Prodex brands) utilizes thousands of air pockets trapped in plastic mesh and covered by foil. It can be attached with contact cement to just about any surface. Cover with automotive undercoating if exposed to outside elements. q Storm window kits consisting of plastic film and double-sided tape are also very useful. An effective insulator, polyurethane foam spray from cans expands when released from the nozzle and is most useful in corners and gaps and can be shaped and formed like putty. If they’re too isolated from heat, holding-tank valves can be freeze-protected with a 60- or 100-watt light bulb if shore power is available. If dump-valve protection is not possible, you can protect the tanks and valves by pouring a gallon or two of RV nontoxic antifreeze or low-temperature windshield-washer fluid (not for use in potable water tank) into each tank
prior to the trip. The proportion can vary with ambient temperature and amount of fluid in the tank. Even when tank valves are protected with antifreeze, the compartment will need to be insulated and heated if water lines extend into it. Antifreeze also should be used in P-traps that are not within the heated area of the RV. If you have an icemaker, it should be disconnected and winterized. Beyond additional insulation, electrical heating pads for holding tanks, pipes and water lines can be very effective. The heaters, available from UltraHeat Inc. in a variety of sizes, are thermostatically controlled (not activated until temperature approaches 44° F) and are offered for 12-volt DC and/or 120-volt AC power sources. With an outside electrical hookup, using the UltraHeat units or other heat sources such as light bulbs can provide good freeze protection; in a dry-camping situation, you need good battery capacity and recharge capability to operate the RV appliances as well as 12-volt DC tank and pipe heaters.
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036-TL1001 Winter Prep LO
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A source of water and a dump station will be needed at the end of the trip — or possibly during the trip if it extends beyond a weekend. Use the Trailer Life RV Parks, Campgrounds and Services Directory to check campgrounds and dump stations along your intended route. The Internet is also a good source of information on dump stations: Go to Google Maps, list a town name in the search box, then click “search nearby” for the service you’re seeking.
WINDOWS, DOORS AND SLIDEOUTS
ment of bubble-type insulation. Most RVs have slideouts, and it’s necessary to prevent buildup of snow and ice on top of slideouts or on the slideout awning. This may mean retracting slideouts while snow is falling, especially blowing snow, or having a way to clean snow off the top before it turns to ice. A hair dryer is a handy emergency tool for winter travel.
CATALYTIC HEATERS A portable catalytic heater can greatly improve comfort on a cold day. Sitting near these heaters feels like sitting in front of a stove, leveling out the temperature inside and reducing furnace cycling. Heaters are offered in sizes ranging up to 18,000 BTU under Olympic, Coleman SportCat and Heat Buddy brands. Olympic and some Heat Buddy units can be connected to the RV’s LP-gas system, while other Heat Buddy and all Coleman units can be operated on disposable LP-gas cylinders. Catalytic heaters don’t require connection to a 12-volt DC electrical source (al-
though somemodels do), which reduces battery drain in dry-camp situations. They’re highly efficient and flameless, producing radiant heat by combining oxygen with propane inside a catalyst pad. The heaters are not approved by RVIA code for installation in new RVs because the organization’s building code requires outside venting of heaters and furnaces — but not gas stoves. Unvented catalytic heaters consume small amounts of oxygen (for combustion) from the inside of the RV, and they produce very small amounts of carbon monoxide, resulting in a recommendation by all heater manufacturers that a window or vent should be left partially open. Ventilation is necessary anyway — to combat condensation, levels of which are increased by a catalytic heater. All newer RVs have CO detectors, which should be tested regularly. It’s critical to avoid using unvented flame-producing heat sources inside an RV, other than occasional use of a stove or oven for cooking.
Hi-Lo Trailer Company, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
Many late-model RVs have double-pane windows, but those with single-pane windows are subject to more heat loss. In those situations, use storm-window kits — clear plastic that is stretched over windows with edges taped to window frames; the plastic is made taut by heating with a hair dryer. Check hardware stores for these kits. RV doors often have less insulation than walls and usually have single-pane windows — good candidates for attach-
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TRAILER LIFE January 2010 39
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036-TL1001 Winter Prep LO
11/9/09
3:04 PM
Page 40
ON THE SNOW ROAD
DRIVING The essentials of winter driving are known to anyone who has lived in snow country, but it’s helpful to review the transition that must occur when we move from a car or light truck to an RV on winter roads. Undoubtedly the most important problem is speed; slow down and anticipate the need for braking well in advance. With antilock brakes (ABS), use steady pressure on the pedal (no pumping) and the system will prevent wheel lockup. However, remember that ABS does not assure that you’ll be able to stop in time on an icy road. Accelerate carefully to avoid losing traction; take turns and curves more slowly, and watch the other guy, who may not be as careful. Focus on reading road-surface conditions, and err on the side of caution, especially with speed. For travelers towing trailers, braking on slippery roads requires special attention. High-quality trailer brake actuators such as those installed at the factory per-
form well when adjusted properly. Improper adjustment of any brake-control system can lead to premature trailer-brake lockup on slippery surfaces, resulting in dangerous situations. You should follow the manufacturer’s adjustment procedures, and it can be helpful to test for premature trailer-brake lockup on a gravel or dirt surface. Tires with good tread are important on the tow vehicle and the trailer, as are tire chains to be held in reserve for slick roads. If a whiteout occurs, find a safe place to wait until conditions improve — and feel pleased that you’re comfortable in your RV, not waiting in a car. Make sure the windshield-washer system contains freeze-protected fluid. If a diesel engine is involved, make sure your latest fuel purchase is winterized fuel, or use an anti-gel fuel additive. And, of course, a good snow shovel is essential, along with the aforementioned hair dryer and gloves for installing tire chains. Winter RVing can present challenges,
but for those of us who enjoy improving the winter capability of our RVs (if necessary), stretching the travel season can lead to unique and exciting RV adventures. q The Coleman Company Inc., (800) 8353278, www.coleman.com. The Dow Chemical Company, (800) 8003626, www.dowgreatstuff.com. Ford Motor Company, www.fordvehicles.com. General Motors, www.gm.com. American Honda Motor Company, www.honda.com. Iota Engineering, (520) 294-3292, www.iotaengineering.com. Prodex, (720) 733-1661, www.insulation4less.com. Reflectix Inc., (800) 879-3645, www.reflectixinc.com. UltraHeat Inc., (574) 522-6594, www.ultraheat.com. Xantrex Technology Inc. (408) 9876030, www.xantrex.com.
FIFTH WHEELS
Hottest ticket out of town! Tailgate in style with friends and family. Whether you choose a luxurious Limited, an upscale Classic, a rugged RT, or a versatile Wild Cargo model, Excel offers the perfect ingredient to heat up your recipe for fun and adventure.
Manufactured by Peterson Industries, Inc.
800-368-3759ÊÊUÊÊexcelrvs.com
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041-TL01 PG 41 GOOD SAM CL
11/9/09
3:18 PM
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All Signs Point to the Good Sam Club
BONUS!
The Most Trusted Face in RVing
ive a FREE night off camping at any Good Sam RV park when you join.
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Enclosed is my check or money order payable to: Good Sam Club | PO Box 421095 | Palm Coast, FL 32142-6473
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042-TL1001 Winter RVing LO
11/9/09
3:04 PM
Page 42
WINTER WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? by Gary Wescott
A
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042-TL1001 Winter RVing LO
11/9/09
3:05 PM
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RVING
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042-TL1001 Winter RVing LO
11/9/09
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You don’t have to be an expert skier or a snowmobiler to enjoy your time RVing in the winter. A simple gathering with your campground friends at the lodge or some good old-fashioned sledding is always a big hit. Just be sure to heed some advice so your RV will be warm and welcoming when the day is done.
EXCUSE NO. 2: IT’S DANGEROUS So, you see the road signs that say “Caution: Slippery When Wet or Frosty.” We don’t need to tell you that cautious driving, like keeping your speed down, is very important. Certainly, snow and ice are slippery, but that shouldn’t keep you in your driveway. The use of snow tires greatly improves traction, and chains take it a step further. If you are pulling a trailer, carry chains for the rear of the tow vehicle and the rear axle of the trailer. Practice installing the chains on warm, dry pavement. Make sure they fit and make sure you really know how to put them on quickly. The side of the road, in the dark, in a blowing snowstorm, is not the place to learn, or find out you have the wrong size.
EXCUSE NO. 3: CAMPGROUNDS ARE CLOSED IN THE WINTER Wrong! Many are open year-round, including those in national parks. Some have full winter hookups and heated water lines.
Many travel trailers and motorhomes have some sort of heat going to the water and holding tanks, at least enough to keep them from freezing. So long as they are in use, they are safe. An alternative is a system like UltraHeat’s tank and pipe heaters, a peel-n-stick application that’s thermostatically controlled to activate when the tank reaches about 44° F and deactivates at 64° F. Check ahead to see what’s open, and what winter facilities are available. If there are no hookups where you’re staying, the first thing you will run out of is power. Running the 12-volt DC furnace, water pump and lights or 120-volt AC accessories like a TV from an inverter will bring your batteries to their knees quickly, especially in cold weather. For more than a couple of days, you can start the engine or carry a small quiet generator. Solar panels on the roof of your RV keep your batteries up and can extend your stay until you run out of water. Using the showers and bathrooms at the campground can make a 40-gallon tank last a week or more. Start your winter adventure with full tanks of water and LP-gas.
44 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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042-TL1001 Winter RVing LO
11/9/09
3:05 PM
EXCUSE NO. 4: WHAT ABOUT MY ENGINE? This is not a problem, just an adjustment. Make sure you have the correct multigrade oil for the temperatures you anticipate. Modern diesels need to spin for several seconds in cold weather to pressurize the oil to open the common-rail injectors. If there is 120-volt AC power available, plug in a block heater, or stick a light bulb in the engine compartment overnight. If your tow vehicle or motorhome has a diesel engine, make sure you have a tank full of winterized fuel, otherwise known as diesel No. 1. When temperatures drop to around 20° F, the paraffin in diesel No. 2 tends to solidify and can clog lines and fuel filters. Fuel additives like Red Line’s Anti-Gel and Amsoil’s Diesel
Page 45
Concentrate Plus Cold Flow Improver are developed for diesel operation in extremely cold climates by using pour-point reducers to keep wax in suspension and reduce wax crystals, allowing them to pass through injectors and filters. Gas engines do not have this kind of problem, but the power of your starting batteries is significantly reduced in cold weather. According to Cummins Filtration, batteries have only 75 percent of their cranking power available at 10° F. By -5° F, only about 60 percent is available, and by -40° F, cranking power is virtually nonexistent. Simple solutions are wraparound battery warmers such as those made by Cummins Filtration and Zerostart. A second option is to use a low-amp maintenance charger like the BatteryMINDer made by VDC Electronics. The proper mixture of water to antifreeze is obviously important. A 50/50 mix is recommended as a round starting point. This not only protects the engine from freezing, it also raises the boiling point. An easy way to check your engine’s coolant is with a test kit such as the Fleetguard CC2607 Quik-Chek or the Polaris four-part test strips. By simply dipping one of these test strips into your coolant and reading the chart, it will tell you the freeze point and the concentration of Molybdate and Nitrite.
stay home. Many winter resorts have extensive walking trails that need no more than a warm pair of shoes. For a little more excitement, try snowmobiling, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snow-cat rides, winter train excursions, ice skating, dog sledding or one of our favorites, snowshoeing. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Modern snowshoes like the MSR Lightning weigh much less than their bulky forerunners. Fishing too, in the winter, can be very rewarding, whether on a frozen lake, or casting a fly into the riffles of a mountain stream. Rentals, lessons and guide trips for all of these activities are the backbone of winter recreation. I guess we shouldn’t forget simply sitting around the campfire with a glass of hot mulled wine, even if it’s inside an RV resort lodge. Also, there is never a lack of window shopping and great restaurants at any ski resort. Feel like just relaxing? Take a gondola to the top for lunch and just sit in the warm sun. The biggest problem is that you won’t have time to do it all. That pretty much shoots holes in all of your excuses, doesn’t it? So dig out your sleds, skis, snowshoes or just your spirit of adventure, and head out into the exciting world of winter RVing. The only thing you’ll miss are the crowds. q
EXCUSE NO. 5: YOU CAN’T “WILD CAMP” OR BOONDOCK IN THE WINTER
Amsoil, (800) 956-5695, www.amsoil.com. Cummins Filtration, Fleetguard, (800) 223-4583, www.cumminsfiltration.com. Dermatone Laboratories Inc., (800) 2257546, www.dermatone.com. Heat Factory Inc., (800) 993-4328, www.heatfactory.com. MSR (Cascade Design), (800) 531-9531, www.msrgear.com. Polaris Labs LLC, (877) 808-3750, www.polarislabs.com. PolarWrap LLC, (800) 967-9727, www.polarwrap.com. Red Line Synthetic Oil, (800) 624-7958, www.redlineoil.com. UltraHeat Inc., (574) 522-6594, www.ultraheat.com. VDC Electronics Inc. (BatteryMINDER), (800) 379-5579, www.vdcelectronics.com. Zerostart/Phillips & Temro Group, (800) 328-6108, www.phillipsandtemro.com.
Not true. There are plenty of great places in just about every state where you can pull off into the forest or the desert and stop for the day or even the night. You don’t need four-wheel drive or any special equipment. Snow parks often permit overnight stays. Towns that cater to the winter enthusiasts sometimes have rest areas where you can park overnight. Those of us who enjoy wild camping know where to find spots. Visiting www.trailerlifedirectory.com, www.worldofwildcamping.com and other similar sites can help with suggesting campsites.
EXCUSE NO. 6: THERE’S NOTHING TO DO Just because you’re not a downhill racer or an ice climber doesn’t mean you need to
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046-TL1001 Furnace Trouble
11/9/09
3:23 PM
Page 46
FURNACE TROU A BIT OF DETECTIVE WORK MAY REVEAL WHY YOUR FURNACE IS ON THE FRITZ
Y
by Jeff Johnston
r furnace is probably the single most imrtant part of your RV when the weather rns cold. Sure it’s nice to have water for a ower and electricity to enjoy electronic entertainment, but shivering in the cold certainly takes the edge off the fun. Like other RV appliances, the furnace can require some periodic maintenance, but unless you’re comfortable with the idea of dismantling such a device, there’s a limit to what the average owner can do. A professional RV mechanic is often your best choice for getting into the guts of a furnace. However, even an average mechanic can save some cash by going through a few diagnostic steps to narrow down the options on a furnace problem. The example used here is a Suburban furnace in a 2003 TrailManor model 2720 trailer. Although the owners take great care of the trailer, the furnace operations became intermittent, as can happen with any appliance. Specifically, they’d switch it on at the thermostat, and it would go through a heat and shutdown cycle per the thermostat temperature setting. Then it would not start again; rather, it wouldn’t do anything — no warm air, no ignition, not even a fan running. After several hours and turning off the thermostat on/off switch, they could turn it on and the furnace would go through another single heat/shutoff cycle, then nothing. We decided to do a few troubleshooting diagnostics to see if we could eliminate sources of the trouble. Analyzing the furnace electronics is beyond the scope of our equipment, but we could inspect other details to at least eliminate them as sources. First, we tested the furnace. It behaved the same way on shorepower as it did on battery power. It started, lit off, blew heat and then shut down as it should. After that, nothing. Not even a peep or click from the furnace. We started with the simplest troubleshooting diagnostics. Both LP-gas cylinders were full and after inspection, none of the lines to the furnace appeared to be crimped or pinched. The furnace worked fine once, so that pointed at something besides the LP-gas supply. If it were inadequate, the furnace would start running, but ignition would fail and it would shut down. While outside, we checked the air intake and exhaust vents for blockages. These are areas where insects and spiders like nesting. Sure enough, we found a small paper wasp nest in the intake. It wasn’t large enough to be a bother or to deter furnace PHOTOS BY JEFF JOHNSTON
46 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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046-TL1001 Furnace Trouble
11/9/09
3:24 PM
Page 47
U BLESHOOTING
The thermostat checked out OK electrically and mechanically, so we cleaned the contact points with extra-fine-grit sandpaper and ruled it out as a problem source.
A voltage check at the battery revealed 12.43 volts DC, well above the 10.5-volt minimum power requirement.
We pulled the air plenum attachment end plate from the furnace and used a Shop-Vac to clean the dust and particles.
Both of the heat ducts were in good shape, so a lack of airflow was ruled out as a cause for furnace shutdown.
operation, but we removed it anyway. Next we moved to the battery. With the positive charge line disconnected, the battery read 12.4 volts. Even without the converter, that’s well above the 10.5-volt lower-voltage limit of furnace operation. The thermostat is a pretty simple affair with just one moving part. We used a small strip of extra-fine 1,000-grit wet/dry sandpaper to clean the contact points. A check with a circuit continuity tester revealed that the thermostat was indeed making contact and the wiring was fine, so that ruled out one potential trouble source. After moving the cushions, we unscrewed the dinette seat cover to access the furnace. A pass through the area with a shop vac cleaned up the dust, and we inspected the flexible hot-air ducts for damage. These ducts are pretty flimsy and can be damaged by cargo in the area. If these are pinched off the air won’t flow well and the furnace may sense the lack of proper airflow and shut down, or never ignite in the first place. A check with the multimeter also revealed 12.4 volts DC at the main power line to the furnace, which was more than enough to operate the furnace. We temporarily jumpered across the thermostat wire connections at the furnace to rule out bad wiring, and the unit didn’t perform any differently. We couldn’t measure the voltage at the furnace when it was running because it wouldn’t run.
The 12-volt DC power to the furnace read 12.46 volts, so there was plenty of juice available for furnace operation.
At this point we’re we re reasonably sure it’s it s not electrical power, the LP-gas supply or the thermostat that’s a problem. The fact that the furnace works part time means it’s probably not the main electronics board that’s bad, although that shouldn’t be ruled out completely. Our most likely culprits are the sail switch or the thermal cutoff switch. The sail switch is a flap that hangs in the blower’s air stream and, when the furnace has adequate airflow for safe use, the switch closes and engages the burner circuitry. If that sail switch is out of adjustment or hangs up, it won’t allow the furnace to restart after it’s gone through its thermostat-controlled cycle. As the burner chamber warms up, the expanding metal could be just enough to snag the switch, and after it cools for a few hours — longer than the brief cooling between normal heating cycles — the switch may be released. The thermal cutoff switch tells the furnace to shut down once it reaches a certain temperature. Its chief purpose is avoiding an overheated situation. If that switch is bad, it might warm up, then prematurely tell the furnace to shut down, and perhaps not allow a restart until it’s completely cool and resets itself. Armed with the above diagnostic test information, we can now approach our local service center and give them the data that can help them cut to the chase during the repair, likely saving ourselves considerable billable-hour shop time in the process. q TRAILER LIFE January 2010 47
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048-TL01 PG 48 HOLE IN WAL
11/9/09
3:19 PM
Page 48
Never underestimate the healing power of laughter.
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is the world’s largest family of camps for children with serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses. Through empowering child-centered programming, delivered in a fun, yet medically sound setting, children restore hope and reach beyond the limits of their medical conditions. Since its founding g byy Paul Newman in 1988,, more than 164,500 children have attended camp – always free of charge.
For more information and to find out how you can help visit
www.holeinthewallcamps.org /UR #AMPS 4HE (OLE IN THE 7ALL 'ANG #AMP #ONNECTICUT s $OUBLE ( 2ANCH .EW 9ORK s "ARRETSTOWN )RELAND #AMP "OGGY #REEK &LORIDA s , %NVOL &RANCE s 4HE 0AINTED 4URTLE #ALIFORNIA s 6ICTORY *UNCTION .ORTH #AROLINA /VER 4HE 7ALL 5+ s $YNAMO #AMP )TALY s "ÈTOR 4ÈBOR (UNGARY s *ORDAN 2IVER 6ILLAGE )SRAEL s 'LOBAL 0ARTNERSHIP )NITIATIVE /UR 0ROVISIONAL -EMBERS &LYING (ORSE &ARMS /HIO s 2OUNDUP 2IVER 2ANCH #OLORADO
Hole in the Wall Camps, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
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11/9/09
3:22 PM
Page 49
PHOTO BY KEVIN LIVINGSTON
049-TL1001 Edge Juice LO
THE JUICE IS LOOSE EDGE’S ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ADDS EXTRA DIESEL-ENGINE HORSEPOWER WITH ATTITUDE
A
by Kevin Livingston
mong the RVing crowd, the desire to have more power is almost universal. For those who own a diesel truck (Dodge, Chevy or Ford), adding an engine control module (ECM) is a good way to get the ponies needed to get you to the top of the hill, towing a heavy load, in a time that keeps your ego intact. The Edge Products Juice with Attitude is designed to bring happiness to those who can’t stand being last up the hill. Edge’s ECM is a plug-and-play, piggyback-style system that provides multi-level power increases by way of fuel and ignition adjustments based on specific engine temperatures and sensor feedback — all adjustable from the driver’s seat. And the results are substantial, with a price tag of $899. To verify Edge’s performance claims, we installed the Juice with Attitude on a 2007 Dodge 2500 HD with the Cummins diesel and automatic transmission. We focused our attention on this model ECM because of its impressive range of available power and adjustability. The Juice with Attitude is a six-selectable level, on-the-fly-ECM with an in-cab digital display screen. These power levels consist of five settings that begin delivering extra fuel and/or timing starting with a 25-percent increase at 140° F working its way up to 100 percent and up to 100 more horsepower once the engine reaches 170° F. That’s a big horsepower gain that becomes even more impressive when you take into consideration the gain of around 250 lb-ft of torque.
The Juice with Attitude installation is fairly easy for the average do-it-yourselfer using proficiently written directions with clear illustrative photos. If you want a trouble-free install, take the time to read the instructions and become familiar with the stock injector connectors and locations using the reference photo and by matching the plug end shapes. With less than 10 wiring connections, most of which are vehicle specific and completely pre-wired with factory correct type plugs, the installation can be accomplished in a relatively straightforward and simple manner. To get the installation going, it’s a good idea to place the new computer in either the recommended spot or a location that is clear of obstructions and will still allow all of the wires to reach every component properly without stressing them. The plugs will only work with one type of corresponding end, which eliminates mass confusion when running the wires. After completing the steps for the various sensor plugs, there should only be turbo timer and power wiring remaining other than routing the control/display cable through to the cab. The Juice with Attitude is capable of monitoring 22 different engine and transmission performance parameters, and the system heavily relies on an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) reading for many of the displays. This is accomplished through the use of the included EGT Thermocouple Sensor Probe. Installation of the EGT probe requires drilling and tapping a 1⁄8-inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) hole into the side of the exhaust manifold. It’s TRAILER LIFE January 2010 49
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049-TL1001 Edge Juice LO
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important to know that the manifold wall is incredibly thick due to the high exhaust temperatures. Having this tidbit of info, I would highly recommend spending a few extra bucks on a new drill bit and use it in combination with a cutting fluid — the residue of which will easily burn off. But if this step isn’t your forte, I strongly suggest enlisting your favorite diesel shop to do the job (in other words, you only get one chance to drill the hole right). The display/command center can be installed in or on the dash in any location that’s in plain view and will allow easy accessibility from the captain’s seat. Luckily, there is a special aluminum L-shaped bracket, which includes high-quality hookand-loop material for clinging the monitor on, if so desired. Edge covers all the bases for every step of the install process by providing all the hardware and wiring connectors, so there are no side trips to the autoparts store halfway through the project. As mentioned earlier on, the Juice with Attitude is a vastly adjustable ECM, and it’s very user friendly. Once assembly is complete, a variety of ranges, limits and alarms should be set. Edge programmed the Juice with Attitude to monitor 22 different areas, with up to four visible at once, such as EGT and boost levels. When you’re perusing through the seemingly endless menu of functions and options, you’ll find four buttons that are used for programming the setup display, the starting point of your journey to increased horsepower. There are some values, like maximum boost and EGT that will require input. If
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you are unaware of these numbers, Edge supplies some suggested boundaries, or a call to your local diesel shop or dealer should also help. These parameters are important, since they will tell the ECM at which point to engage the built-in security system and start defueling to prevent serious damage. After the settings are in place, the six extra power levels will be adjustable at any given point during transit via two on-the-fly arrow buttons. Technically the Juice with Attitude is packaged with five of the six levels. However, this can easily be moved up to six by agreeing to a disclaimer and paying an additional
fee. Number six truly unleashes the beast by delivering another 80 horsepower, making a grand total of a whopping 180 spare horses at your fingertips. Edge Products doesn’t recommend the use of level six without first upgrading your transmission or at least being aware of your weakest link, especially if towing — and we concur. I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit waiting for some actual results. Without hesitation, the first reaction is “Wow!” Edge’s Juice with Attitude throws every bit of its claims straight into the seat of your pants with smooth and seamless
PERFORMANCE CHART
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049-TL1001 Edge Juice LO
11/9/09
3:22 PM
transitions. Every level of power is quite noticeable and reveals marked performance improvements, one step at a time. Turbo lag still exists; however, it is dramatically reduced. Besides providing monster gains that produce silly ear-toear smiles, the Juice with Attitude can also increase fuel economy. We recorded our baselines towing a 32-foot travel trailer weighing 7,900
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scales tipped at a healthy 16,320 pounds. With everything hooked up in a stock configuration, we took a 93-mile test loop with a variety of grades while averaging an EGT of 900˚ F. At the end of the stock test, 13.36 gallons of fuel were needed to fill the Dodge, for a fuel economy of 6.96 mpg. Test number two using the same loop, but now with the Juice with Attitude installed and on
PILLAR MOUNT Knowing the actual oil temperature could potentially save your transmission from premature failure or overheating, especially when adding performance-enhancement equipment. To help combat tranny destruction and to monitor high temperatures, Auto Meter Products has produced the Edge Plus One pod, specifically designed for the Juice with Attitude. The Edge Plus One is a complete driverside windshield pillar replacement, which includes the missing transmission temperature gauge as well a convenient — and out of the way — location for your Juice with Attitude display. Auto Meter provides all necessary hardware for mounting the pillar, gauge and Edge unit. Using the Edge Plus One pillar eliminates the need for dash mounting the Edge monitor while providing a clearly visible view of the gauge and display. The Edge Plus One pillar-mount has an msrp of $95.25, and the Phantom Transmission Temperature Gauge’s msrp is $74, but you can find both online at lesser prices. The Edge Plus One is available for most popular late-model diesel trucks, is colormatched and is ready to install. If the Edge Plus One isn’t quite your taste, keep looking on Auto Meter’s Web site. There are several gauge pods and Edge display designated options. For more information visit your favorite speed shop with Auto Meter products or go to www.autometer.com.
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the power level five setting, the average EGT dropped down to 750-800˚ F, and refueling took only 9.88 gallons, providing a notable 2.45 mpg increase in fuel economy. Also during the second test, the truck went from frequently downshifting to nearly never. Keep in mind that these tests were performed in areas with numerous grades. Flat-land mileage will likely be much better. Our 0-60 mph acceleration testing showed extremely impressive reductions in time. Stock, the combo reached 60 mph from a dead stop in 20.13 seconds. With the ECM engaged, again in the power level five position, we shaved 4.91 seconds off our time, running the test in 15.22 seconds. In our uphill comparisons tests, we climbed a 6-percent grade where the 1:44.94 timeframe to get to the top was reduced by 28.55 seconds with the ECM turned on in the same reference position. Edge’s Juice with Attitude will certainly not disappoint drivers looking for more pulling power for heavy loads and for getting up mountain passes. The serious fun starts when the trailer is unhitched. Our only complaint with the Juice with Attitude was that it only monitored transmission lock-up and slip, and not temperature. Our testing followed local emissions laws and regulations; if you are considering this upgrade, you must check with your local city, county and state rules. q Edge Products, (888) 360-EDGE, www.edgeproducts.com.
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052-TL1001 RV Clinic LO
11/9/09
3:06 PM
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RV CLINIC > Advice from our Tech Team
CRACKED SIDEWALLS I have a 2005 Outback fifth-wheel trailer with less than 1,000 miles on the tires, and I have already noticed cracks in the sidewalls. I realize sun plays a factor by drying out the rubber and UV rays break down the materials in the rubber, so I’ve purchased covers for the tires to eliminate or reduce some of the harmful effects of the sun and weather. Since my tires have quite a bit of tread wear left, can I put tubes in the tires to prolong their life so I won’t have to buy tires in the near future? Thanks for your help. Tom Hyatt, Kathleen, Georgia It seems like the horse got out of the barn before you locked the gate, at least for those tires. Tubes probably won’t help because it’s not just about air leaks. When tires fail because of cracked sidewalls they often split and fly apart. Most tire manufacturers recommend replacement after seven years, and yours are probably getting close to 5 years or more. They should have a date code on the sidewall, the last four digits after the DOT marking. The last two digits are the year, such as 2004 or 2005 in your case. The two digits before that indicate the week of manufacture, from 01 to 52. You should have your tires inspected for safety by a tire expert before going on any trips, concentrating on the size and condition of the cracks in the sidewalls. Even if a tire failure doesn’t cause an accident, they often cause extensive and expensive damage to the wheelhouse area of the trailer. — Ken Freund GFCI GLITCHES We have a 2000 McKenzie 36RLT fifthwheel trailer. We just got back from a camping trip where we couldn’t use the electric shorepower provided at our
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Tubes probably won’t help because it’s not just about air leaks. When tires fail because of cracked sidewalls they often split and fly apart.
kept popping, even with nothing turned on in the trailer. When we arrived back home, everything worked just fine. We have no GFCI circuit breakers on the line that feeds our home RV parking space. This is strange because we saw other RVs plugged into the same GFCI outlets that we were hooked to, and they had no problems. Are there adapters available that will allow my commercially/factory
Ken Freund
Jeff Johnston
To send your questions to RV Clinic, write to 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001; or e-mail jjohnston@affinitygroup.com or kfreund@affinitygroup.com. No phone calls.
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wired coach to plug into a GFCI protected circuit with my trailer? If not, what do you suggest? Gaetan Villeneuve, Verdun, Québec, Canada Those campsite GFCI breakers can be glitchy, due to being exposed to the outdoor environment, the general wear-andtear of multiple users and so on. Many RVers use the process whereby they shut off the campsite breaker at the power pole, plug in the RV, then turn the power back on. This is because many RVs, while properly built and wired, tend to trigger a GFCI breaker when they’re plugged in, even with nothing running. All it takes is a slight grounding problem, for example, to get a GFCI unit riled up and popping. I once used a new RV with a defective GFCI outlet in the bathroom. It wasn’t bad enough to trip a non-GFCI circuit, like the one at your home, but it kept the campground GFCI breakers employed. The next time you’re at a campsite with a GFCI supply, try turning off one shore-
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power circuit breaker at a time in your trailer’s junction box before plugging in the shorepower cord. I’d say you’ll find one of those circuits is responsible for tripping the campground breaker. Then it’s a matter of tracing that circuit’s wiring to ensure all the ground connections are good — in a 2000 model-year trailer, corrosion could be a factor — and all other aspects of the circuit are correct. — Jeff Johnston Hensley Manufacturing Inc., go to www.trailerlife.com/info
FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH SELECTION We’re trying to decide which type of hitch to use with our 2006 Chevy Silverado 2500 diesel and 2008 Montana fifth-wheel trailer. The truck has a B&W gooseneck ball. We’ve talked to several people, read the forum discussions on the Good Sam Web site, and spoken to Keystone, but we wanted to get your opinion. Which would you recommend, and why: a gooseneck ball adaptor or the Companion hitch or another fifth-wheel hitch? Your insights will be much appreciated. Jerry Brown, Parker, Colorado Because you already have a gooseneck ball hitch in your truck, and we presume that means you use the truck to haul other gooseneck-equipped trailers, it would make sense to go with one of the adapters available for your new fifth-wheel. We covered the adapters in the May 2009 issue, and they’re a viable alternative to an expensive new fifth-wheel hitch in your truck bed. — Jeff Johnston
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TIRE-LOCKING CHOCK My 2007 KZ Spree 29BHS has tandem axles, and I employ a BAL Tire Locking Chock that scissors between the tires. I’m happy with the product because it reduces trailer movement as advertised. On the other hand, I’m always leery about exerting too much torque. What is the risk of changing axle alignment: damaging the axle or damaging the tires? There is nothing in the chock instructions regarding torque, and I have heard suspension creaks and cracks as I tighten it up. The axle has a sticker that clearly states, don’t jack on the axle surface, so in my mind this isn’t any different. Am I being too worrisome or are my concerns valid? Dennis Ganter, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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RV CLINIC
pressed by the chock than they get on the bottom from the trailer’s weight, as the axles can withstand the trailer’s weight without damage. — Ken Freund CONFUSION BY THE NUMBERS I enjoyed the Forest River r•pod singleaxle trailer test (Downsizing Without Downgrading) in the August issue, but one thing remains confusing to me.
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The axle weight rating of the trailer is listed as being 2,725 pounds. Yet the gross axle weight rating is listed as being 3,500 pounds, or 775 pounds more than the axle weight rating. How can a trailer with an axle weight rating of 2,725 pounds support an additional 800 pounds? I also noted that only 175 pounds of the trailer weight of 2,900 pounds is on the hitch but not the entire 775 pounds. I guess what I don’t understand is the definition of the axle weight rating of 2,725 pounds. Ron Thompson, Via e-mail The 3,500 pound figure is the gross axle weight rating (gawr), or the maximum weight the axle can carry including the weight of the axle. The 2,725-pound axle weight is not its rating, it’s how much the trailer weighs on that axle as measured on a certified scale. By deducting the 2,725pound weight from the axle’s 3,500-pound gawr you have 775 pounds of extra carrying capacity available before reaching the 3,500-pound gawr. Now, that 775 pounds is just the axle’s extra carrying capacity. Some of the cargo weight is also carried by the hitch, which explains why the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) is 3,735 pounds, or 235 pounds more than the axle’s gawr alone. By deducting the trailer’s 2,900pound wet weight (both the measured axle and the hitch weights combined) from its 3,735-pound gvwr, we arrive at its 835pound cargo carrying capacity (ccc). That 175 pounds of hitch weight is not a rating; it’s just the weight of the hitch. That figure is important to know when making a tow rig and trailer matchup that includes figuring in a tow rig’s hitch weight capacity. — Jeff Johnston
Trailair, go to www.trailerlife.com/info
I checked with Norco Industries Inc., the manufacturer of BAL products, and was told by customer service that the company has never had a report of damage done by such a chock and that “you should tighten it until it is snug.” Basically you need to use good judgment. Just make the chock tight enough to eliminate trailer movement. Avoid tightening it to the point that the tires are more com-
UNEVEN TIRE-TREAD WEAR The inside tread on the left rear wheel of my fifth-wheel is wearing down. The right side is OK. I monitor tire pressure constantly. Could it be possible that one tire is out of alignment and not its mate? If so, what is the remedy? Could it be the rim? Brad Vickery, Yucca Valley, California If the wheel was bent it would wobble as it turns and likely wear unevenly in a wavy pattern. You can easily verify this by
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jacking the wheel up off the ground and spinning it fast by hand. If it is worn evenly around, the trailer may have a bent axle spindle. This is the most likely scenario and could be caused by a pothole or bumping a curb during a tight turn. You might ask the alignment shops and see if any of them can check your axle alignment. They may have some basic equipment they can use outdoors. Also check the spring mounts and shackles for wear and damage. — Ken Freund
1,000 pounds. I know very little about exhaust brakes and other add-ons and have none. Do I need them, and what happens when they’re not needed? Do they affect other performance and warranties? What are your recommendations for a safe trip, particularly for downhill braking? Is transmission downshifting adequate, or do I need other equipment? I have stock tires. What should tire pressures be at high altitudes? Bob Bell, Dallas, Texas
TOWING EQUIPMENT NEEDS Being in the travel-trailer shopping mode for the first time, I’m a little confused by what may or may not be required to tow a travel trailer. We are looking at the Evergreen Everlite and will be towing with a 2003 GMC Envoy SLE 4 WD with a factoryinstalled hitch. A few sales people talk of installing sway-bar packages and load-leveling kits, brake controllers, etc., the cost of which all are reluctant to quote until the particular trailer is selected. What is required to safely tow a trailer? Don Fry, Clairton Pennsylvania
Diesels provide little engine braking, so I recommend some type of auxiliary braking device whenever heavy trailers or loads are hauled, especially in mountaindriving areas. If you have found that besides downshifting, you had to use a lot of braking to control speed, you’re a candidate for an auxiliary device (exhaust brake). Overheated brakes can lead to fade, excessive brake wear and warped rotors, and the pedal may go to the floor due to wet brake fluid vaporizing.
According to federal law, every trailer in excess of 1,500 pounds needs to have brakes, and unless the model you’re considering has hydraulic surge brakes, you’ll need an electric brake controller. A swaycontrol device is optional, added only if you can’t get your trailer to behave on the road, but a weight-distributing hitch should be considered a necessity. Quoting a price on the equalizing hitch is tough because there are different models suited for varying trailer weights. Once the trailer size is determined, the salesperson can help you match the right equalizing hitch to your tow rig. — Jeff Johnston MOUNTAIN DRIVING We have a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD shortbed with a Duramax engine and Allison transmission. It’s all stock except for the addition of Airlift 5000 leaf-spring leveling air bags kept at 25 psi each. I alternately tow a 24-foot Keystone Cougar and haul an M8801 Palomino truck camper. I’m taking the truck camper totally loaded weighing 3,000 pounds and a boat/trailer weighing
As long as the device is designed well and does not restrict exhaust flow when it is not being used for braking, it should not significantly affect performance. If it works properly and does not damage the vehicle, it shouldn’t affect the warranty, but I’d ask the manufacturer to be sure. Tire pressures should always be set when the tires are cold, before driving or after an extended cooldown such as a long lunch break. As you gain elevation the air pressure decreases, which causes the air pressure in the tires to register higher on a tire gauge. Therefore, you should readjust tire pressure if you will be staying at higher altitudes. More importantly, you should readjust pressures when you descend. Weigh each axle (or better yet each wheel) when loaded. Then, use the tire manufacturer’s load/inflation table to determine the correct pressure for the individual wheel load. Pressure changes roughly 3 percent per 1,000 feet elevation change, so plan accordingly. — Ken Freund q
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056-TL1001 Ten-Minute Tech
11/9/09
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>10 -MINUTETECH A compilation of tried-and-true tips From RVers SHOCK VALUE >
>
While on a road trip, I noticed that the access hatch on the rigid LP-gas cylinder cover had come loose and was flapping in the wind. Not wanting to lose the hatch, I devised a solution once I returned to camp. To keep the hatch from flying off, I added an inexpensive carabiner hook to the original door latch. I secured the carabiner hook to the cover with a small tether to avoid misplacing it. You could also use a “pet hook,” which is on the end of most dog leashes. >
TWO FOR SWIFF JUSTICE
After finding our TV off its pedestal and dangling by its wires due to rough roads, we needed to keep the expensive flat-screen in place — and a solution that wouldn’t break the bank. My wife came up with the idea of putting a piece of foam between the TV and the ceiling to act as a shock mount. We use a 5-inch-thick piece that runs the length of the screen. There are no straps to worry about, and I store the piece of foam behind the TV when we’re not on the road. Dave Bahney, Hesperia, California
I have a hardside pop-up trailer that folds down for towing. As a result, the curtains inside tend to wipe down the outside surfaces (as they raise up to the interior). Since most campgrounds forbid trailer washing, I came up with a simple solution. I use a Swiffer floor mop to wipe down the outside of my trailer just prior to closing it. This helps keep the curtains clean, and the mop can also be used on the trailer’s floor. The disposable wipe pads are available in bulk at most membership warehouse stores. The mop breaks down into 16-inch sections, making it easy to store. This cleaning method should also work well with standard hardside trailers, though you should select a small, inconspicuous spot to test it on before cleaning the whole trailer. Jeff Adams, Santee, California
PVC PROP
>
ONE FOR THE ROAD
While storing and transporting my trailer without food in the fridge, I needed a simple way to keep the fridge open to the air to eliminate moisture and odor buildup, while still ensuring the doors wouldn’t flap around during travel. I designed a simple one-piece prop from a leftover scrap of PVC lumber. I routed a shallow slot near the outer edge to allow it to be snugly slipped between the two doors. I cut the other edge at the proper angle and installed a hook-and-loop strip on the angled face and the face of the compartment separator inside. The hook-and-loop fastener on the refrigerator body is narrow enough to not interfere with the door gaskets when the doors are shut and the fridge is in operation. C.D. Tavares, Morristown, Arizona q Illustrations By Bill Tipton
To send a submission to 10-Minute Tech, write to 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001. Please include an illustration if applicable.
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057-TL1001 Hands-On LO
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SPECK-TACULAR GPS ACCESSORIES The GPS has become a must-have tow-vehicle accessory for many RVers. Gone are the days of paper maps, compasses and stopping to ask for directions. All one has to do is remember to bring the GPS and set it up correctly before embarking on a road trip. Speck features a new line of fun but practical accessories that help make this task much easier and tidier. GPS devices aren’t cheap, and you’ll want to protect your investment with a good carrying case. The ToughSkin Form-Fit GPS Case is a solid first line of defense against damage. It features a belt clip, shock-absorbing silicone border and screen protector film, and it comes in different sizes to custom-fit your GPS. Speck offers two durable cases that provide additional protection. The smaller one (TechStyle) has a hard shell with a strap inside to secure the device, and is perfect for throwing in a backpack or storage compartment. But if you’re taking the GPS on a long trip and plan to use it outside the tow vehicle (while hiking or at the campsite, perhaps), the GPS Flyer is your best bet. It has several zippered compartments for storing more than just the GPS unit, one of which has a see-through window that holds the device and props it up so that you can use it while it’s still in the case. Making sure your GPS is fully charged before setting out on an adventure is a vital first step. Most GPS units come with a car charger that uses a 12-volt DC cigarette lighter, but few come with outlet chargers for when you want to look directions up in the trailer or at home before you leave, or if you need to use the 12-volt DC receptacle for something else and want to make sure your GPS can last the entire trip on battery power. The RoadHome features a
HANDSON
>
PHOTOS BY GARY BOHINC
by Meaghan Alfier
built-in fold-down AC power plug as well as an accessory power plug, so that you can charge your device when you’re on the go or at home. Should you need to charge two devices at once while you’re on the road, the RoadDuo has got you covered. It has a mini-USB cable that charges most GPS and smartphone devices, and an additional standard USB port built into the charger, so you won’t have to make a choice between charging your GPS or your iPod. As an added bonus, the bright green neon stripe on both this product and the RoadHome makes it easy to spot among other objects in the vehicle. Once you get your GPS set up, it’s nice to have a clear screen to look at. The cleaning spray in the CrispView Display Cleaning Kit gets rid of the occasional sticky fingerprint or dust without any dripping or streaking, and best of all, the spray bottle rolls up into the cloth it comes with and fits perfectly in the glove compartment. It also worked great at cleaning the sunscreen off of my cell phone that I’d held against my face for too long. Loose cables can get in the way — sometimes to the point of being a safety hazard — and always look messy, whether in the RV, house or tow vehicle. Speck offers two products to keep cables neat and tidy. The CableClips are little adhesive-backed clips that you can use to securely mount your GPS cable. Used together with the CableKeeper, a pill-shaped plastic container that opens up to reveal a mechanism around which you can wind the cord and then close it back up when you’re finished, cables are no longer a source of clutter, leaving more time to think about cleaning up those fast-food containers and old issues of Trailer Life lying around. In all, I found the Speck accessories to work quite well without breaking the bank, as prices start at $9.95. q Speck, (650) 462-2040, www.speckproducts.com.
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058-TL1001 Classified Ads
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058-TL1001 Classified Ads
11/9/09
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CLASSIFIEDS > TRAVEL TRAILERS & FIFTH WHEELS FOR SALE
2007 M-2 FREIGHTLINER MOTORCYCLE HAULER MB engine/trans, 40 cu ft compartments, all air ride, 17 mpg hwy, leather, wood, electronics. 29K miles. $79,900. 623-202-9299.
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CLASSIFIEDS > CLASSIFIED AD RATES COMMERCIAL: Open to firms or individuals advertising the sale or resale of a commercial item or service. $66 per line, four-line minimum, 40 characters and spaces per line. For photo ad, limited to real estate and RVs for sale, add $65 (black-and-white or color print). Limit one photo per ad. We offer a 5% discount for six issues and a 10% discount for 12 issues to our commercial advertisers. 2009 TITANIUM FIFTH WHEELS Titanium’s Patented Cab Over Leading Edge Design.“The World’s Most Aerodynamic Fifth Wheel”. Tow Vehicle Fuel Savings, Lightweight, Easier Towability www.GlendaleRV.com
RV CLUBS: For national or local RV owners and enthusiast clubs or chapters soliciting members. $40 per line, four-line minimum, 40 characters & spaces per line. EVENTS: For national or regional RV rallies, trade shows, expositions and other events. $40 per line, four-line minimum, 40 characters and spaces per line. PRIVATE PARTY: For individuals selling personally owned items, such as an RV, truck, auto, campground membership resale. $27 per line, four-line minimum, 40 characters and spaces per line. No charge for one phone number. For ad with picture, add $45 (black-and-white or color print acceptable. No Polaroids, negatives or slides.) Limit one photo per ad. BOLDFACE & RED TYPE: The first line is boldface at no charge, add $5 per line for additional boldface type. For entire ad to appear in red type, add $50 for Commercial ads, $25 for Private Party ads. HOW TO PLACE AN AD: Use our coupon or your own stationery to write your ad. Please include your name, address and phone number so we can reach you if we have a question.
2007 37' KEYSTONE MONTANA 5th whl 3475RL. Towed 2800 mi, 3 SO, awns side wdws, FP, sat, W/D, 2 A/C, king bed, 5KW gen, Arctic pkg, C-5 rear hitch, 176K spr glide hitch, kitch items incl. $46,900. (602) 569-1635.
Deadlines for our next two issues are shown on the order form in this section. • EMAIL orders to: Classifieds@TL.com • FAX orders to: (805) 667-4379 • MAIL orders to: Classified Ad Dept., Trailer Life P.O. Box 8510 Ventura, CA 93002-9912 We accept checks and money orders, plus Visa, MasterCard, and Discover . Please include the expiration date, along with your signature and address with your credit card orders. Ad Questions? Call (805) 667-4391 or 667-4385. NO TELEPHONE ORDERS, PLEASE.
Reach Thousands of Potential Buyers! If you’re selling your own personal RV or home, you can take advantage of Trailer Life’s low Private Party photo classified rate! For only $153 per issue (no charge for one phone number or one email address), you can create an eyecatching classified ad with a blackand-white photo (one photo please) and four lines of copy (40 characters/spaces per line). Fill out ad coupon, enclose a black & white or color print (not a negative or slide) and indicate method of payment. Please mail to: TRAILER LIFE Classified, P.O. Box 8510, Ventura, California 93002-9912. Commercial advertisers: Please refer to Rates box for photo ad requirements.
2008 STARCRAFT HOMESTEAD LITE 28'. Standard bedroom and living room slideouts, microwave, fridge, roof air, Arctic package. Excellent condition. No smoke/pets. (805) 555-1234.
Run this ad for only
$153!
ACTUAL SIZE
Reach Thousands of Potential Buyers! If you’re selling your own personal RV or home, you can take advantage of Trailer Life’s low Private Party photo classified rate! For only $153 per issue (no charge for one phone number or one email address), you can create an eye-catching classified ad with a black-and-white photo (one photo please) and four lines of copy (40 characters/spaces per line) ... just like the ad shown here. Fill out ad coupon, enclose a black & white or color print (not a negative or slide) and indicate method of payment. Please mail to: TRAILER LIFE Classified, P.O. Box 8510, Ventura, California 93002-9912. Commercial advertisers: Please refer to Rates box for photo ad requirements.
TRAILER LIFE January 2010 61
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062-TL1001 RV Marketplace
11/9/09
3:06 PM
Page 62
RV MARKETPLACE >
FOR INFORMATION ON MAIL-ORDER ADVERTISING RATES: THE RV MARKETPLACE, P.O. BOX 8510, VENTURA, CA 93002 OR CALL (805) 667-4100 EXT 385 OR 391
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Super Sale LEVEL YOUR LOAD
In Stock and Ready to Ship Honda Generator Model #EU-2000i $
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Remote starter available with thiss generator $239 Honda Generator Model #EU-3000iss $
1,699
Free Shipping Full line of Honnda Generators in Stock • Now Availabble: NEW #EU-6500is, Pair of EU-2000’s andd Parallel P ll l Cables C bl $1979
Increase Vehicle Stability Reduce Suspension Fatigue Eliminate Sag, Sway and Body Roll Keep Your Vehicle Level
Visit Us ONLINE NOW at www.speedwaysales.com/Honda
16600 W. Cleveland Ave., New Berlin, WI 53151
1-888-617-7333 62 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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062-TL1001 RV Marketplace
11/9/09
3:53 PM
Page 63
> RV MARKETPLACE Make Access to Your RV Easy and Safe!
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• Easy set-up - NO TOOLS REQUIRED • Many styles to choose from • Stores in RV Storage Compartment
ALL NEW Built-in Parallel Kit In Stock Now! EU2000i & EU2000i Companion
EU3000 is
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or call 1-866-225-8873
Get your back-up power now!
POWER EQUIPMENT Full Line Honda Dealer Lightweight • Super quiet • Eco throttle • D.C. charging
Couple 2 units together to Double output
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For optimum performance and safety, we recommend you read the owner's manual before opening your Honda Power Equipment. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. ©2005 American Honda Co., Inc.
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Call for a free Demo DVD
800-700-9481 www.levelease.com
VM Mfg. Fuel Systems
Single System Dual System
$109.95 $139.95
FREE S/H
Adds Up to 50 Hours Run Time
www.vmsales.com
866-551-1590 See Trailer Life f April 2009 H Hands On TRAILER LIFE January 2010 63
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062-TL1001 RV Marketplace
11/9/09
3:53 PM
Page 64
RV MARKETPLACE >
G-6-:)<7:;
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SUNBRELLA RV COVERS Compare Our Pricing Full ll 6-Y YR Warranty, nty, Zipper Doors, High UV rated fabrics Water Resistant & Breathable
CalMark Cover Co. Covers for all types of RVs.
1-800-838-7236
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Your ad here in RV Marketplace as little as $645. Our 2" size is just $645/issue for black & white based on a 12-issue schedule. If you like the 3" size, the B/W price is $960. Our 41⁄2" size in B/W is just $1335/issue on an annual schedule. All sizes are available in B/W, 2 color or 4 color. Call the Adv. Dept. at 1-800-765-1912, ext. 391 or 385 for more info!
TL2009-10
GENERATORS RV & PORTABLE STYLES “C C
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3 MILLION SHOPPERS LIST YOUR RV SHOP FOR FREE
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www.RVSearch.com 1-800-SHOP-4-RV (1 800 746 7478) (1-800-746-7478)
64 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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065-TL1001 Dealer Destinat
11/9/09
3:07 PM
Page 65
DEALERS&DESTINATIONS > ADVERTISERS’ INDEX ARIZONA INDIANA NOW AVAILABLE — TRAILER LIFE READER SERVICE ONLINE!
INTERNATIONAL
RV WORLD us Call ou pay y re h! befooo muc t
Located in Elkhart, Indiana.
Featuring:
ADVERTISERS
them Buy they’re re whe built!
• Mobile Suites, Elite Suites, Select Suites • Grand Junction • Cedar Creek • Cardinal • Work and Play (Toy Haulers) • Phoenix Cruiser B+ • Berkshire Class A • Georgetown Class A
800-697-7649 www.internationalrvworld.com
NEW MEXICO
For FREE additional information on products and services in this issue, visit www.trailerlife.com/info PAGE#
B&W Trailer Hitches . . . . . .38 Banks Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Born Free Motorcoach . . . . .24 Casita Enterprises Inc. . . . .53 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .58-61 Cypress Trails . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Dealers & Destinations . . . .65 Deltran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Direct Sat TV . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Essex Credit Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Fisherman’s Cove Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Geico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CV3 Good Sam Club . . . . . . . . . . .41 Hensley Manufacturing Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Hi-Lo Trailer Company . . . . .39 Hole in the Wall Camps . . . .48 K-Z Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CV4E Keystone RV . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 New Horizons RV Corp. . . . .12 Outdoors RV Mfg. by Northwood . . . . . . . . . . . .CV4W Peterson Industries . . . . . . .40 Progress Manufacturing, Inc. . . . . . . .14 RV Marketplace . . . . . . . .62-64 RVT.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CV2 Santee Cooper Country . . . .24 Sea Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Select Comfort . . . . . . . . . . .11 SpaceCraft Mfg. . . . . . . . . . .54 Trailair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
While every effort is made to maintain accuracy and completeness, last-minute changes may occasionally result in omissions or errors. TRAILER LIFE January 2010 65
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066-TL1001 America’s Outba
11/9/09
3:12 PM
Page 66
AMERICA’S OUTBACK > by Bill Graves
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
Bob Jenkins has plenty to chat about with the many tourists in Wilmington, where the Cape Fear River runs and Southern charm and hospitality overflow.
“ALL THE TIMBERS USED TO BUILD THE PANAMA CANAL CAME FROM HERE.”
W
mington has been tied to the Cape Fear River since birth, which was in 1739, many years before the Revolutionary War. With its protected entry to the Atlantic, Wilmington was once a busy seaport. Ships unloaded niceties from Europe and slaves from Africa, and took on raw materials — especially timber. The Brits had a special interest in a 10-million-acre forest near here with a 2,000-year-old stand of yellow pine. The wood was perfect for building the ships of the burgeoning British Navy in the mid-1700s. “We pull timbers out of the river even today, still perfectly good that bear the king’s seal — King George II. The long-leaf pine is iron-hard — none better for building ships of war. All the timbers used to build the Panama Canal came from here. You don’t hear of them rotting away.” Bob Jenkins was giving the prologue to one of his daily “Adventure Walking Tours” to a group of tourists seated in a kiosk on the riverfront. Bob has lived and worked in Wilmington most of his 73 years. A retired interior decorator, Bob probably knows more about the homes in the oak-lined streets of Wilmington’s 230-block Historic District than any person alive. Indeed, he probably rearranged the interiors of many of them. Bob, a bachelor, lived in the second-floor quarters above his shop here in the Historic District. He has studied the riverfront’s history and he has lived it during much of the last century. And he talks of it with passion and a stylish wit. The Cape Fear is the only river in North Carolina that flows to the ocean. Slaves poled barges on the river loaded with produce, rice and tobacco from upriver plantations to be sold on the riverfront. Those same enslaved boatmen used their relative freedom of movement to smuggle their escaping brethren to ships offshore that would take them to freedom in the North. Dredging the river, to make the port, changed its ecology. Moving with the tide, shifting sand reconfigures the bottom every six hours. The tide now reaches 35 miles up stream. So when
having lunch in one of the many riverside restaurants, the river may be flowing in one direction when you sit down, and be flowing in the other direction when you get up to leave. Few rivers get their names from where they cease to be; fewer if any, from the peninsulas they create. Bob explained: “The cape, where the river empties into the ocean, was named centuries ago by fearful sea captains who were expressing their sentiments about the waters around it — sentiments that found their way on to navigational charts. “The wide river made an inviting harbor, but shoals and sand bars made entering it treacherous. The wrecks of sailing ships — and steam ships too — now crowd the ocean bottom around the cape like beached driftwood.” During World War II, German submarines would lie in wait off the Cape. They torpedoed several ships that joined their wooden-hulled ancestors on the bottom. With Bob leading, we left the kiosk and walked to Market Street. Using his walking stick as a pointer, Bob said, “I used to live there. The reason these streets stay so inviting and safe is because the business people live above their shops. It’s a neighborhood with an unknown number of eyes watching what goes on. If someone comes out of a bar and causes a noise ruckus in the night, chances are he’ll be by the next day to apologize. This is the South, you know.” Welcome to America’s Outback. q Bill’s e-mail address: roadscribe@aol.com.
66 January 2010 TRAILER LIFE
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003-TL01 PG CV3 GEICO
11/9/09
3:19 PM
Page CV3
Got your eye on a new RV? Contact GEICO today to see how much you can save on RV insurance.
Call 1-877-434-2678 for a free rate quote.
® RV coverage is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or companies. Government Employees Insurance Co. ¥ GEICO General Insurance Company ¥ GEICO Indemnity Company ¥ GEICO Casualty Company. These companies are subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO Washington, DC 20076 © 2008 GEICO
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11/9/09
3:12 PM
Page CVE4
K-Z Inc., go to www.trailerlife.com/info
004-TL01 PG CV4E KZ
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