RV NOW with Jim Twamley

Lighted inspection mirrior is a handy RV tool

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Do you remember the spy tubes that allowed you to look around corners? I loved these gadgets when I was a kid. If I remember correctly, I saved tops off of cerial boxes to get one. Spy tubes had two mirrors aligned at right angles allowing you "peek" around corners.

Until now, I've borrowed Mrs. Professor's hand held beauty mirror if I needed to inspect something mechanical. I was always careful to wipe the grease off before returning it to woman land.

I don't have to borrow her mirror anymore since my good friends at Coil n' Wrap hooked me up with this solar powered inspection mirror with LED light.When it came in the mail, I couldn't resist using it like my old spy tube. Since it's on a flexible shaft you can twist or contort it to any position.It excels at inspecting tight places under the hood.
My absolute favorite use is for checking fluid levels in my RV batteries. The LED light is perfect for this job!The unit is solar powered and doesn't require batteries. It will charge itself using sunlight or indoor lighting. When you store it in a dark place (like your toolbox) it only looses 2% power per month, so even after being stowed away for a year it will perform flawlessly when you need it.

There are numerous uses around the house and RV for this inspection light. You will find more information and other bright ideas by visiting Coil n' Wrap. Jim Twamley - Professor of RVing

How gross is your RV fresh water tank?

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

RV fresh water tanks can be bacteria heaven. If you leave water in your tank for several months without cleaning it out, you may be conducting an aquaculture experiment. Green yucky stuff can overtake your on-board water system, clogging your pump and exposing you and your family to sickness. Here is an example of a contaminated water pump diaphragm. Another problem is the quality of water you put into your tank. We travel all over the country and see a wide variety of water quality at different RV parks. I usually run the water and look at it before I hook it up to the RV. I've actually seen rust, pebbles and all sorts of debris come out of standard RV park faucets. It usually clears after a minute of running, but it sure makes you wonder!

So how will you know if the water in your tank is contaminated? You need a WaterCheck Test Kit sold by Coil n' Wrap. This screening tool will detect the presence of E.coli and is easy to use.

The kit is a divided bag containing the testing agent in the bottom compartment.Turn off the shore water and flip on the switch to the water pump. I used the outside shower, letting it run for a while ensuring all the shore water washed through the system.
Fill the bag to the level indicated by a dotted line.
Remove the dividing clip after the proper amount of water is in the bag.
Mix the contents into the bag and let it stand at room temperature for two days. The principle at work is the ability of coliform bacteria to utilize specialized nutrients and reagents to form a distinctive blue-green color.
After the allotted time and with much anticipation, I checked it.The yellow color indicates no coliform bacteria detected. Had it turned blue-green I would know I had a problem.

So how should you go about cleaning your RV's fresh water tank?

In the archives is an article I wrote called, "Sanitize your RV fresh water tank before it's too late" which outlines the procedure.
Remember, you can purchase WaterCheck Test Kits from the good folks at Coil n' Wrap.

Bacteria are not the only cause for concern when it comes to water. You also need a test for detecting the presence of harmful stuff like asbestos, lead, mercury, arsenic and cyanide. For this you will need the "Digital Water Purity Tester" available at WalMart in the RV section for under $12.00.
This small digital instrument is reusable and works in hot or cold water. Carry it with you anywhere and check your water as often as you like. It runs on two watch batteries and comes with an extra set.

You simply turn it on and submerge it into a container of water for a few seconds and then push the "read" button. The digital readout is back lit and easy to see. The lower the number the better the water. The tester has a scale on the back to assist you in gauging the quality of the water sample. It turns out the sample I tested from my RV faucet was in an acceptable range. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Installing power visors

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Last winter I visited the "Arizona Marketplace" in Yuma. It's a good size swap meet/flea market and a favorite snowbird hangout, as there are many vendors specializing in RV-related items.

While I was ambling down the aisles of tables festooned with tools, tube socks and Tupperware, I happened upon a vendor who specialized in RV awnings. They were having a sale on motorized visors/shades manufactured by Carefree of Colorado.

I'd been wanting to get some of these as I was frustrated with the lousy visors that came with my motorhome. We're not usually traveling when the sun is in our eyes, but sometimes it happens and when it does, a nice set of visors comes in handy.The motorized visors are easy to install and I purchased the remote control so I could mount the switch wherever I wanted. I placed it on the steering wheel for ease of use. The remote is radio frequency controlled so it can be installed behind a cabinet. I put the control module behind the television cabinet. The control module is the small black box with wires coming out of it in the center of the photo below.The visors will fully extend from overhead to the dash. This feature comes in handy when you are parked facing the sun, like at a rest stop. I installed two visors, end to end, to allow for full coverage of my windshield and one remote operates each side independently.I removed the TV for access to the overhead cabinetry. I drilled a hole, allowing the wire from the shade/visor to be routed to an existing 12 volt power source.I needed to relocate the dash fans, so I moved them back about three inches. Some RVers like to mount these visors/shades with an overlap, giving them more complete shade and privacy. If you choose this mounting configuration make sure you have enough room on the overhead. You can find this product online at the Carefree of Colorado website. Jim Twamley - Professor of RVing

Upgrading your RV TV

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:43:00 +0000

For many having a TV in the RV is unnecessary because they take the RV out on weekends and vacation, spending most of their time outdoors. However many RVers have come to rely on their TVs for entertainment, whether it be using a video game console and playing games like Wii bowling, viewing rented DVD movies or just watching regular TV programming.

Since the switch to HDTV broadcasting we have been forced to a decision - get a converter box or a new TV that has one built in.

It was a no-brainer for me since I did not like the behemoth TV that came with our motorhome. It stuck out into the entryway and made surprise attacks on unsuspecting heads on numerous occasions.The new televisions are thinner, lighter and have a much better picture quality than a comparable sized older television. I measured where I wanted to put my new TV and went shopping. I chose a 25 inch LCD HDTV which would fit nicely in the place of my old TV. Some remodeling of the overhead console was required and if you have moderate woodworking skills you can easily do this job. If not, you can pay several thousand dollars and have an RV specialty shop do it for you. Excluding the price of the TV, my cost for materials was under $100 for this project.

For comparrison purposes here is the old frame and the finished application.I began by removing the old TV and it's housing box.Next I carefully removed the electronic cabinet next to the old TV box, leaving the overhead console platform in place.I needed to trim a few inches off the electronics cabinet, which I did with a table saw. I added a new walnut plywood side to the remodeled electronics cabinet because it was now going to be exposed to view. I also needed to trim several inches off the overhead console platform so I used a multi-tool with a vibrating head ($40 at Harbor Freight) with a piece of scrap under the cut to avoid damaging the covering.I used a pneumatic stapler to reattach the covering and reinserted the modified electronic cabinet.I crafted a frame for the new TV and tilted it down slightly to avoid glare and give it a better viewing angle. I attached it into the ceiling with screws.In the above photo I installed the frame backwards and was wondering why it wasn't fitting correctly. I stepped back and looked at it, realized my mistake and started laughing. I switched it around and it fit perfectly.

I still needed to deal with several other minor details. In this photo you can see where the manufacturer cut a hole in the ceiling to install and access the CB antenna along with a few other wires. I rerouted the wires behind the new TV frame by cutting a channel in the Styrofoam insulation using a drywall saw. The new TV is held in place on the new frame by a face frame cover. I used pocket screws to join the frame pieces.

I made a simple wood cover for the ceiling from walnut plywood, edged it with walnut trim and stained and finished it to match. The holes in the bottom of the TV frame are for the speakers. For the rear access panel I used a solid piece of walnut and drilled three ventilation holes. The ventilation holes also act as finger grips when inserting or removing the cover.The access cover has a lip that holds it in place.

I no longer bump my head, enjoy a better view out the front windshield and have better picture quality. A very nice upgrade!There are many other options and ideas for doing this type of modification. Here are some photos showing how fellow RVers have dealt with this.

Don't put up with a leaking RV bathroom faucet!

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:51:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago Mrs. Professor told me she thought the bathroom faucet was leaking. Fortunately it was dripping into a dishpan where we keep cleaning supplies. As it turns out, one of the valves was leaking.

Replacement valves are available for almost all faucets and it's an easy job to pop out the valve and insert an new one, but we opted to install a new faucet that matched the other accents in the bathroom. I shopped around for a suitable replacement at an RV liquidation store, Camping World and another RV dealership all to no avail.

Most modern RV's use standard faucet fixtures, so I decided to look at a local plumbing store and found exactly what I wanted. The only problem was the price... $150.00! I don't mind paying for quality merchandise, but my "inner shopper" was urging me to check Ebay before purchasing it at the plumbing store. A few clicks of the mouse and I was able to buy the same faucet made by Price Pfister for $45.00 including UPS ground shipment.

The remainder of this story is a pictorial "how to" for installing a bathroom sink faucet. You may want to bookmark this page for future reference.

The new faucet shipped complete with all the parts I needed for the project.
First turn off the water to the RV including the water pump and place a dishpan under the sink to catch any excess water runoff.Reach under the sink, loosen and remove the water supply nuts and the retaining nuts holding the old faucet in place.Remove and discard the old faucet (if it's metal you may recycle it).

Thoroughly clean the surface under the old faucet.
Place a scoop of Plummer's Putty (available at your local hardware store) into the palm of your hand.Roll your hands together making a rope of the putty.
Fill the plastic putty plate with the putty rope and attach it to the faucet face plate.
Insert the faucet head through the opening of the face plate.
Place the assembled faucet into the existing holes on the sink.
This is a single control lavatory faucet replacing a dual control four inch faucet. The existing holes are covered by the putty plate and face plate assembly for a nice finished look.

The single control faucet has a long bolt that extends down the back of the sink. Secure the faucet using the supplied crescent shaped washer and long nut.Connect the water lines using the supplied adapters. Be sure to put a thread compound or Teflon Tape on both ends of the adapter threads.If you are particular which side you want the hot control (usually turning the handle to your left) you will need to look at the faucet water lines and match them accordingly with your hot and cold water lines.Remove any excess Plumber's Putty from around the edge of the faucet base and you're finished with the faucet installation.

The next part of this job is the drain.

Begin by removing the "P" trap from the old drain pipe. Most of the time you can loosen the nuts by hand, but sometimes a strap wrench is required to break the grip of a stubborn nut. Set the "P" trap assembly aside until you are ready to reassemble it.Remove the spring clip to free the ball rod (this is the small diameter bar sticking out behind the drain pipe used to raise and lower the stopper). Unscrew the threaded lock nut using channel lock pliers. Loosen the drain pipe by turning it counter clockwise using the old ball rod as leverage.I used a long phillips screwdriver to hold the old drain flange while I unscrewed the drain pipe.
Clean the drain hole thoroughly and place a bead of Plumber's Putty around the hole.
Do the same for the new drain flange.
Place the drain flange into the drain hole and screw the new drain pipe into the flange (be sure to end up with the hole for the ball rod facing towards the back of the sink).Tighten the new drain pipe lock nut forcing the rubber gasket to seat into the bottom of the sink drain hole. Remove the excess Plumber's Putty from around the drain flange and insert the stopper with the ball rod catch facing towards the rear of the sink. Insert the ball rod into the threaded opening on the rear of the drain pipe and secure it with the locking nut. Do not over tighten this nut, it must have enough play to allow the plastic ball to rotate in the socket. Insert the pull rod through the small hole in the back of the faucet and attach the adjustable strap with the retaining bolt. Adjust the ball rod assembly to the appropriate height and secure it with the spring clip.
Reattach the "P" trap and test your faucet and drain for leaks.
Enjoy your new faucet. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Taking care of RV flying pest invasions

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:49:00 +0000

September is here and it's time to take care of any flying pest infestation problems that may have occurred over the summer. A large variety of wasps, hornets, and bees seem to enjoy using RVs for their building projects. A few days ago I was inspecting my slide-out awning and was stung by a wasp. They had built two nests under the slide-out awning. They paid dearly for the offense.Before you fire up you heater you need to inspect it and clean it. If you don't, your RV could end up looking like this.I recommend using high volume compressed air to blow out your heater exhaust vent. I also recommend using compressed air for blowing out the exterior refrigerator access, water heater vent and any other openings that might have been a summer home to flying insects.One day we turned on the gas on our hot water heater after having used electric exclusively for several months. I didn't know it, but mud daubers had done their home construction inside the vent tube. I went outside and noticed a black soot streak running up the side of my new 5th wheel. I didn't take a photo of it at the time, but it looked something like this.These pests and RVs don't mix. They are a fire hazard and a nuisance. You can purchase screens in various sizes to keep pests out of these areas. These contraptions (available at RV parts stores nationwide) do work, but they are not foolproof. Whether you have a pest infestation or not, you still need to blow out the dust.

Using a leaf blower will remove most paper type wasp nests and debris off roofs and under slide- out awnings. The leaf blower is also great for blowing away cob webs.

So, before the weather turns cold and you turn on your heater get out there and check it out. It might save your RV and your life. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Give your RV cabinets a face lift

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:04:00 +0000

If your RV has real wood cabinets you will eventually get water damage to the lacquer around the door handles and the tops of drawers. This is especially true in the bathroom and around the kitchen sink. My motorhome has walnut cabinets and with walnut, cabinet makers don't normally stain the wood but apply several coats of lacquer instead. The walnut then ages, highlighting the natural wood grain. Here is an example of one of the cabinet doors where wet hands have caused damage to the lacquer finish. You may have oak, maple, cherry or another hard wood species in your RV and all these woods will experience wear and deterioration of their finishes. No matter what type of cabinetry wood you have in your RV, the principles in this article will apply. Since I currently have access to a wood shop, I decided to refurbish the water damaged drawers and cabinet doors of my coach. You can easily take a drawer that looks like this:

And make it look like this:This is how I did it: After removing the bathroom cabinet doors I masked the mirrors. I then used steel wool to sand off the white patches of water damaged lacquer. I used a wood stain that closely matches the color of my cabinetry and applied a light coat to the damaged sections, working it into the wood with a rag. Next I prepared my clear coat varnish. I used a polyurethane mixed with about 10% mineral spirits. I like to use a compressed air sprayer. These are inexpensive (you can pick one up at Harbor Freight for $20.00) and they are environmentally friendly because they use compressed air instead of aerosol propellants. Fill your paint cup with whatever lacquer you prefer and lock down the lid. Connect the paint sprayer to an air compressor hose and set the pressure at 60 psi. (Note, different paint sprayers use different recommended pressures so be sure to read the instructions).

Wear rubber gloves and a respirator mask rated for this type of project. Work in a well ventilated area away from any spark or flame. Adjust the sprayer to the desired pattern and begin spraying.

Spray the doors and drawers using moderate to slow sweeping motions, being careful not to overspray. This back and forth spray motion should move beyond the edges then sweep back again. If you stop at the edge of the material you may cause runs and drips. The first coat should not be a heavy coat, but just enough to hold the stain in place. Allow the lacquer to dry for the allotted time according to the directions on the product you are using.

Repeat this process until you have applied three coats allowing adequate drying time between.

Bathroom cabinetry has a lot of exposure to water and water vapor. This causes deterioration of the lacquer on the cabinet face frames above the bathroom cabinet doors. After removing the doors, I masked off the area around the face frames and used steel wool to prepare the area for stain. After applying the stain, I used a foam brush to apply a coat of polyurethane.Once the face frames were dry I reinstalled the doors and removed the masking. The finished product looks as good as new.

With a little effort you can make your cabinets look good once again. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

No hurry, no worry!

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:06:00 +0000

Full time RVers are some of the most interesting folk you’ll meet. Their lives are full of fun and adventure while at the same time they have learned to relax in a lifestyle of leisure. I remember being anxious for the day to finally arrive when we were fully retired and ready to hit the road.

You may be in the group wondering when you will be able to retire and embark on the full time RVing adventure. The uncertain economy and the huge losses in the stock market last year forced many to rethink their retirement options.

You’re probably wondering if you’ll be able to make the full time lifestyle a reality based on your current financial condition. I have good news! It’s less expensive than you think!The range of options available for full time RVers is expansive. If your RV is properly equipped, you can live practically free of rent and utilities. Every winter hundreds of thousands of RVers camp in the deserts of the great Southwest for free or for a minimal BLM land use fee. They use wind powered generators, solar panels and fuel powered generators to make electricity. They have to haul in their own water and visit the dump station every few weeks. Their refrigerators and stoves run on propane and they have a great view with near-perfect winter weather.Thousands of others winter in Texas and Florida, basking in the sun, tending the BBQ in shorts and flip-flops while others shovel snow back home. Sometime in April they begin to migrate north, following the sun and enjoying good weather all year.

At the other end of the spectrum are the RVers who stay in high class RV resorts with pools, golf courses, and activity directors. The rest of us live somewhere in between.

Many of us overnight at a WalMart parking lot from time to time, use reduced-fee clubs like Passport America and Happy Camper, and some are members of the Elks and use their convenient nationwide RV facilities.Most full time RVers do not travel all the time. They usually travel to an area they want to explore and stay there from a few weeks to a few months. They use this time to get to know the local area and experience the culture in a way you can’t achieve on a tour bus. They save money by renting space for a month at a time. Most RV parks have a tiered price structure making it cheaper the longer you stay. You can sometimes save money by paying the monthly rate even though you only plan to be there three weeks.

Even with the expenses of fuel and space rental this is a relatively inexpensive way to live. It is by far cheaper than living in a stick house. And, if you already own your RV free and clear, it’s the cheapest way to live comfortably and travel.

When we first started out full-timing we overestimated our expenses. It took a while to adjust our budget categories so we had a good handle on our monthly expenses. We found out that, for us, it is less expensive living as full time RVers than it was living in a stick house. We ended up having more money to enjoy more of the things we liked.
If you want to keep your toe in the waters of the workforce, you can become a work camper part of the year and travel the remainder of the year. These workers are given free RV space with utility hook-ups and sometimes wages as part of their compensation for being work campers. There is a great variety of work camper jobs available and information can be found at the workamper website.

If you’re in the group of unfortunate people who received a pink slip and are wondering how you’re going to make ends meet, you may want to consider the full-time RV lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but it’s an option you should think about. You don’t have to be a senior citizen to become a full-time RVer. I’ve met many young people who travel and work out of their RVs, including traveling nurses, road construction crews, writers, horse traders, artists, musicians, vendors, sales people, insurance adjusters, and more.

The full-time RV lifestyle also allows you to attend family events and visit relatives and friends you didn’t get to see very often before. What do you do if you are in Washington state and you need to be in Florida on urgent family matters? We keep a set of nested suitcases in the storage compartment for such events and have used them several times. We complement our RV lifestyle by purchasing fuel using a credit card that rewards us with air miles, allowing us to save money on flights.
The full time RV lifestyle has a great deal to offer those who are willing to take the risk and try it. It does represent a radical change, going from a spacious home to a compartmentalized RV, but once you make the adjustment you may find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. So the question remains - is it right for you? If you think it is, what’s stopping you?

Perhaps some of you full timers can leave a comment and share the ways you stretch your budget to enable you to enjoy this lifestyle.

See you on the road - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV trip planning

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:52:00 +0000

For RVers, getting where you want to go is relatively easy in North America given we enjoy a complex system of roads and highways. There are many resources available to assist us in this endeavor. RVers have many different approaches to navigating around the country from the carefree serendipity to the carefully calculated mission plan. My intention in this article is to give you some ideas about how to go about planning your RV adventure and the tools to help you get the most enjoyment from your travels.

The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to go. This is the easy part. For instance, suppose you decide you want to see the State of Maine. It's a wonderful state and makes for a great RV adventure but what rout will you take to get there, where will you camp and what will you see and do while you're there?

Before we go somewhere we've never been, I like to ask other RVers about their experiences while visiting these places. Your fellow RVers (especially the well traveled full-time RVers) are a wealth of information. They can tell you which roads are good, where to camp, what to see and where to dine. Take along your road atlas and a note pad to record these ideas.

A good road atlas is a must for for planning your trip. We don't like to travel more than 250 miles a day, so I use a pair of dividers to measure out the approximate distance for our route. I learned this technique as an Air Force Navigator. You simply measure off the distance on your pair of dividers against the milage scale located on the map page you are using and walk it along the path you will take.

Once you have your route roughly planned out you can begin to research the campgrounds, RV parks, WalMarts, and sites along the way. It's a good idea to have a “bare bones” plan outlining the general idea of what you want to accomplish on your trip. Keep in mind that flexibility is essential to any plan and the fact that your hotel and restaurant travel with you gives you much more flexibility than ordinary travelers.

We have never actually stuck to any of our travel schedules because we see sites and attractions along the way that distract us from our original plan. We like it that way and it works for us. Because of this, we rarely make advance reservations at campgrounds and RV parks.

Frequently after pulling into an RV park and while getting set up we meet other RVers who tell us about places they've just visited in the area and we end up staying a day or two longer to take in these attractions. If you're on a 'tight” schedule you'll miss out on a lot of fun and interesting opportunities along the way to your destination.

If you do need to keep to a “tight” schedule, then precise trip planning is essential to keep you on track.

In this situation advance reservations come in handy. I also recommend using computer programs like MapQuest or Google Maps to assist you in your planning.

Once you have your trip plan and itinerary finalized, I recommend using a good GPS system as an onboard navigation system. You can use a laptop with a GPS receiver connected through one of your USB ports and a program like Microsoft Streets and Trips to guide you as you travel down the road. You can also use Microsoft Streets and Trips as a pre-trip planning tool. I currently use a MIO GPS system and find it extraordinarily accurate and very useful for navigation.

Keep in mind a GPS system is only as good as it's programming, so it can and will mislead you from time to time. Therefore, you need to have a good idea of where you're going before you leave. I call it “map study” meaning you look over your paper map taking note of major roads, cities and sites along the way. With this accomplished, you'll be better prepared to override your GPS system when it gives you false information. I also rely heavily on Mrs. Professor to help navigate using the paper map.

She also has several resource books at her fingertips to help us along the way. She uses things like the Passport America campground book, the Wal Mart Atlas, an RV park directory, the Next Exit and the Elks RV park directories. The exit directories are particularly useful for finding fuel stops, shopping, restaurants, rest stops and more. You can purchase some of these books and other very useful travel resources at RVbookstore.com.

For us, the actual process of trip planning is enjoyable in and of itself. We have fun talking about it, researching and dreaming. Your next journey doesn't actually begin at your doorstep, rather, it begins in your mind, moves to the map and occupies your thoughts until your departure. Plan well, be flexible and enjoy your RV adventure! Jim Twamley – Professor of RVing

Where is the geographical center of North America?

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:14:00 +0000

Many RVers don't enjoy traveling on our nation's interstate system because of traffic volume. They complain that everything looks the same and they miss the wonderful country road scenery, quaint towns and sheer fun of seeing something new. U.S. Highway 2 is different because it resembles a country road more than other roads of our interstate system.

Moving East to West near the U.S. northern boarder this road connects towns and villages rolling by the countless farms and homesteads of the Northern Plains. There are many town parks along this road that offer free RV overnight parking and some have water and electric.

Following U.S. Highway 2 through North Dakota you will eventually arrive at Rugby, the geographical center of North America. The actual center is in the middle of a small lake, but the town erected this monument near the actual site.The monument isn't much to behold, but there is a jewel, a national treasure actually, located next door. It's called the Prairie Village & Museum. Not only is this a great museum, they offer free overnight RV parking with the price of admission. The admission fee is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for ages 12 to 15 and kids under six are free.

There are 27 authentically restored buildings including a two story school house, church, telegraph office, saloon, prarie homes, professional offices and much more.They also have many antique automobiles and tractors on display in large warehouses.
You will get a taste of what life was like in the great Northern Plains and find many interesting displays like this feminine torture device.The tallest man in North America was eight feet seven inches tall. His name was Clifford Thompson and he was born in this area. Since I'm 5'10" This photo will give you an idea of how tall he was.Be sure to give yourself a couple hours to see this jewel of a museum. The International Peace Gardens are about forty miles north of Rugby in Canada. If you happen to be traveling on U.S. Highway 2 be sure to take in the geographical center of North America. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Are you ready for an RV blowout?

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:30:00 +0000

We were traveling through Washington this past weekend visiting kids and grand kids. On our way home we witnessed a blowout on the right rear tire of a travel trailer being towed about 70 miles per hour. The blowout turned into a complete tread separation spewing rubber shrapnel all over the road. I always have the camera handy, so I was able to snap a couple photos.
The RVer was oblivious to what was happening and kept sailing along at 70 miles per hour. I sped up, honked the horn and Mrs. Professor signaled he had tire problems. He immediately pulled off and took care of the problem.When towing it's almost impossible to hear or feel when a blowout occurs to the RV or Toad. Thankfully, other motorists usually honk and tell you when it occurs. So, what can you do to prevent this from happening to you?

The most important thing you can do is to make sure your tires are in good shape, properly inflated and your RV is not overloaded. I experienced a blowout on our first 5th wheel right after I bought it. The trailer was not overloaded and I had the proper inflation, but the tires were old and weather worn. If you purchase a used RV and can't surmise the age of the tires, you should seriously consider replacing them.

There are several good tire pressure monitoring systems currently available and these systems can pay for themselves over time. Many tread separations actually penetrate the shell of the RV causing severe damage to the interior, wiring and plumbing. This kind of damage frequently results in several thousand dollars of repairs. A tire pressure monitoring system is cheap by comparison.

If you can't afford a tire pressure monitoring system, then make it a practice of checking all your tires every time you stop for breaks, lunch or a tourist attraction. Visually inspect all your tires and feel them to see if they are overheated. Some RVers use a thermal laser digital thermometer for this purpose. Always check for proper air pressure before you start off the next day. I keep a log of my tire pressure readings and record them once a month so I have a point of reference. This procedure helps you spot a trend of declining tire pressure before it becomes a road hazard. I've been able to identify tires with embedded nails, screws and bad valve stems by using this method.

I want to encourage you to develop good tire safety habits. When it comes to tires, I follow the rule, "when in doubt, check it out!" Jim Twamley - Professor of RVing

Split second driving inattention kills dad, injures kids

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:27:00 +0000

I've been absent from writing since early March due to a careless driver. My brother-in-law was killed instantly when the driver of the vehicle he was passing reached down to change a CD and veered into the passing lane knocking his car off the road and into a tree.
My two nieces were riding with him and were also injured. Since mom is undergoing chemo therapy and one of the kids required frequent trips to the hospital and doctor's office I've been preoccupied.

Fortunately, my wife and I were able to step in and render assistance because we are full-time RVers. Our motorhome has been parked in their driveway since the accident. We have two computers hooked to a satellite dish for internet and two cell phones keeping us connected. My wife manages the family budget and pays the bills and I've been dealing with attorneys, banks and insurance companies. I've written more letters than I can count and have made hundreds of phone calls.

The community has been great helping with prepared meals, cleaning the house and many other kind gestures. The Albany, Oregon Fire Department organized a work party and put on a badly needed roof in one day. Amazing!I've been remodeling the kitchen, rewiring the house and a host of other related jobs to help this family be more comfortable. Despite all the hardship, the family is doing quite well emotionally.
Being Christ followers with a strong faith helps them deal with the adversity in a positive and constructive way.

Those of you who frequent the well traveled roads across North America know firsthand how dangerous it really is. In the comfort of our pull vehicles or motorhomes we can easily be lured into a false sense of security. Our recreational vehicles weigh thousands of pounds and can be lethal. Most RVers I've known over the years are accomplished and careful drivers. However, it only takes a split second of inattention to ruin your life.

Be safe, be alert and drive your RV defensively. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVs help with family emergencies

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:31:00 +0000

I regret not being able to contribute to my blog this week. My brother-in-law died in a tragic automobile accident and we had to travel from Arizona to Oregon to be with the family. Fortunately they live in the country and we are able to park our motorhome in the driveway without restriction. During family emergencies an RV comes in handy.

The funeral is over and all the other members of the family have returned home. We are blessed to be able to stay and help. Having our motorhome in the driveway allows us to lend direct support while allowing the family all the space and privacy they need in their own home. One of the kids suffered several fractures in the accident and we are able to assist with her care.

Having the RV nearby helps Mrs. Professor and I attend to our own needs keeping us fresh for service.

I appreciate having a mobile office in the RV as I don my legal hat and shuffle through the mounds of paperwork, taxes, probate, and estate affairs.

My brother-in-law, Todd Elkins, was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He was an engineer at Hewlett Packard who helped design the machines that manufactured the print cartridge heads millions of people use every day. He loved machines and especially RVs. Todd left four children and a wife who is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. For this reason I will be very involved with the family for the next few months and may need to curtail my writing from time to time. Thank you for your understanding. Since we are on the subject of RVs and family emergencies you need to know that many hospitals now have RV parking available for families with patients in treatment. Most have electric and water hook-ups and many have sewer hook-ups as well. File this information away as it may come in handy at a future date. Making great use of the RV lifestyle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV outfitted with marine grade map light

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:36:00 +0000

I do not like driving my motorhome at night and go to great lengths to avoid it. However, sometimes it happens and during those times I'm grateful for good exterior lighting. Unfortunately our interior map reading lights leave something to be desired.

One time we were traveling at night and I asked Mrs. Professor to check the map. She had to get out of her seat and turn on the overhead light which wasn't aimed properly, so she had to get up again and aim it. When she was finished she had to stand up again to turn it off. I hesitated to ask her to look at the map again further down the road.

Lon and Christine Cross from Yorba Linda, California solved this problem by adding a map reading light next to the passenger seat. This light is from Hella Marine and you can find it here: Map Light.

I like this light because it's flexible and easily stores out of the way when not in use. I also like it because it can be used as a reading light as well. It doesn't cause glare off the front windshield like some overhead reading lights. The best quality is that it's handy and doesn't require contortionist moves to turn it on and off.It requires a 12 volt source for power and can be neatly attached for a visually appealing application.
Helping light you way down the RV road - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV industry in the Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:16:00 +0000

As pink slips continue to pile up throughout the RV industry, workers are left out in the cold. I feel sorry for them. As you know, I'm an RV enthusiast and thoroughly enjoy RVing and encourage others to do the same. However, I'm NOT a cheerleader for the RV industry. I'm free to report the facts and offer my opinion about the RV industrial complex without fear of retribution or loosing my job. That's a good thing because my readership depends on my candid reporting without all the sugar coating offered by other RV writers.

I predicted this year would see the demise of several RV manufacturers including Country Coach, Fleetwood and Monaco along with other smaller companies in "RVIA blindsided by bad ecomomy."

Last week we witnessed Country Coach file for bankruptcy as well as Rexall Industries. Fleetwood is flailing in the wind and today announced it would no longer honor it's limited warranty on it's products that were not purchased directly from an authorized dealer.

Today we learn that Monaco Coach Corporation, makers of the brands Holiday Rambler, Monaco, Beaver, Safari, McKenzie and R-Vision is on the brink of collapse (no surprise to RV Now readers). A company press release says they handed out pink slips to most of their workers who have been on furlough since the middle of December. Can bankruptcy be far behind? I think not!Meanwhile the RV Industry Association continues to play the violin as Rome burns. All the hoopla about increased RV show attendance and high paid executives saying things like, "I've seen downturns before, we survived it then and we'll survive it now..." turns out to be nothing but hot air or wishful thinking at best.

I warned all my readers this was going to happen more than a year ago. I told you to get your RV warranty work done before you RV manufacturer or dealer went out of business. I told the workers of RV plants to start looking for different jobs. Even with all this prescient analysis I was ridiculed for my opinions and predictions. I didn't loose any sleep over it, in fact, I slept better because I did my part to help RVers and RV workers know what was over the horizon.

My thesis is that only a handful of RV manufacturers will survive this economic depression. I'm now beginning to doubt whether ANY RV manufacturers will survive given the cascade of negative economic analysis I see every day in my research. For my detractors who doubt my analytical skills, it may surprise you to know I have more academic credentials than most of the economists who failed us so miserably by not being able to see this coming. In fact, in my opinion, this financial crisis is a huge black eye to the science of economics. I can count on one hand the number of economists who knew this was coming and warned us in advance.

The good news is that Americans love RVing and even if every RV manufacturer fails, new companies will arise to take their place at a future date. In the meantime, we have plenty of used RVs to enjoy and plenty of great places to explore.

With my hand on the fading pulse of the RV industry - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV generator exhaust solution in a box

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:00 +0000

You're at an RV rally, a racing event, a rodeo or any other place where you're packed in like sardines. You want to turn on your generator but if you do, you're next door neighbor will want to strangle you because you'll be blowing exhaust into his front door.

RV generator exhaust chimneys work great but not everyone has one or needs one all the time, so what can you do as a temporary fix?

Instead of asphyxiating your neighbor, just find a sturdy box, put a heavy rock in it and use it to deflect the direction of your exhaust. Put it far enough away so it doesn't come inside your coach but close enough to effectively prevent the exhaust from disturbing your neighbor.

Assisting you with RV neighborhood diplomacy - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV GPS mounting solution

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Until recently I used a laptop computer with a GPS unit and Microsoft Streets and Trips software. I found the system very helpful but cumbersom to use because it required such a large space.

Last year I purchased a GPS unit that fastens on the windshield with a suction cup. It's easy to transfer from the motorhome to our Honda CRV. However, I have not been completely satisfied with where I have mounted it in the mothrhome.

The windshield is too far away for me to be able to conviently reach. Sometimes I want to turn off the sound but I have to pull over to do it bceause I can't safely reach it. I still haven't figured out the best place for it and I've tried several configurations.

Ken Johnson from Tucson, Arizona found a suitable place for his GPS unit. He built a box and covered it in the same material as his dash. He also included a multiple 12 volt DC cigarette lighter type outlet in the side of the box. This comes in handy if you want to charge your cell phone or power another 12 volt DC appliance.Another nice touch he added to his motorhome is a lighted hand rail at the coach entrance. It is long enough (and strong enough) to offer extra support when transitioning in or out of the coach.Helping you know where you are all the time - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

It's not too late to convert your RV TV

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:49:00 +0000

The conversion to digital TV is taking longer than anticipated so if you haven't purchased a new digital TV or the converter boxes for your old TVs, you still have time. Congress postponed the required conversion until June 12, 2009.

To prevent consumers from having to run out and purchase new televisions, the government decided to give you two free coupons worth $40 each to offset the cost. To receive your coupons visit the government's “TV Converter Box Coupon Program” and fill out the form. Here is the link: Free Coupons

They use the USPS data base, so if you live in an isolated place and have to go to town for mail, you'll have to fill out an appeal form. I suppose the government can't know everything or even where everyone lives otherwise we wouldn't be in the big financial mess we're in now. You might as well get your $40 coupons because you're great grandchildren are paying for them along with the bank bailouts.

Ray Hoyal from San Clemente, California picked up a DTV converter box from Winegard. He likes the RCDT09A model because it is small and fits nicely in his existing overhead electronics cabinet. He says he was able to connect it between the video switch box and the antenna so it works with both televisions in his coach.The installation is straight forward and easy to accomplish. You'll spend more time figuring out where to place the box than connecting it. If you purchase two converters you'll be able to watch two different channels on two different TVs in your RV (usually one in the living room and one in the bedroom).

You'll find the Winegard converter at this link: Winegard DTV converter

Helping you with your conversion - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Shopping for an RV? Don't overlook the “fitting test”

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:02:00 +0000

You're thinking about buying an RV, should you go with new or used, big, small or somewhere in between? An RV show is a good place to start looking to get an idea of what you like before you buy.

Whatever type of RV you're thinking about, there are a few “rules of thumb” that will help you avoid making mistakes when shopping. The primary rule I want to address in this article is what I call the “fitting test.”

The main reason you get “fitted” for a tailored garment is to make sure it fits your body. The same holds true when shopping for an RV. Be sure to test everything with your body before you buy.

Let's start at the RV entrance since you'll be frequently using this main, yet ofter overlooked, feature. Be sure the entrance is wide enough for you to easily enter and exit and make sure you don't hit your head on low overhanging cabinets. Make sure the steps are deep and wide enough to accommodate your feet. Can you easily open and close the door once inside, or do you have to stoop down in an uncomfortable position?Once inside sit on the furniture (all the furniture) and stay there for a few minutes. Do you like to nap on the couch? If so, stretch out and see if it “fits” your body. Notice where the television is located and make sure you will not need to go to the chiropractor from watching it sideways.Whether it is a dinette or a table and chairs be sure to sit at the table with your legs under the table. Do your knees hit a pole or the person across from you? Is the table at the correct height for comfortable eating? Are there electric outlets nearby in case you want to plug in your computer? Will the chairs be comfortable enough to play a few games of dominos with your friends? Can you easily reach the cabinets over the table?The galley configuration is driven by personal taste, but make sure you stand at the counter and pretend you are doing the dishes. Is there enough room for the dish rack? Is there enough counter space for food preparation? Are there enough electric outlets? Are the drawers full extension and is there enough room in them for your preferences? If a conventional oven is important to you, does it have one or does it use a combination microwave/convection oven. Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are large enough for your family. It can be difficult to replace a small refrigerator with a larger one after the RV is built, so be sure to get the right sized refrigerator when you purchase the unit.Moving to the bathroom it is important for you to actually take your shoes off and stand in the shower. Do you have enough room to turn around and is the spray nozzle located at a comfortable level? Actually lift the toilet cover lid and sit down. Is it too low or too high and is there clearance for your knees? Is the flush mechanism easy to reach and is the toilet paper dispenser in a good location?When it comes to the bathroom sink make sure it has enough counter space to accommodate you needs. Are the electric outlets conveniently located? Is the mirror at the correct level for doing hair and makeup or shaving? Can more than one person be in the bathroom at once?

Move the fancy pillows out of the way and lie down on the bed. Is it comfortable enough or will you need to replace the mattress. Close your eyes and pretend you are getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Did you hit your head on the overhanging cabinets or stub your toe on the corner of the bed frame? Are the light switches easy to reach? If you're looking at a camper or a class B with an cab-over bed how easy is it for you to get in and out? Get in and out of bet a couple of times on each side to see how it feels. Next check out the closet space. Is it deep enough and wide enough to accommodate your clothing? If there are drawers are they full extension and are they deep enough for your needs?
Close all the curtains and day/night shades and turn on all the lights. Is there enough light for your comfort?

If you're looking at a motorhome try swinging the passenger and driver seats around converting them into living room furniture. This will open up the unit making it more comfortable. Sit in both the driver and passenger seats and operate the seat controls. Since you will be spending some time in these seats make sure you are comfortable! Motorhome seats can usually be moved several inches but will require drilling new holes in the floor. So, if your knees are too close to the dashboard check to see if you can move the driver seat back without conflicting with a slide-out or other obstacle.

There are other things you will want to check but the “fitting test” is critical to your comfort and enjoyment of the RV.

Finally go outside and go through the routine of connecting the hook-ups. Put on the sewer hose, pull out the electric cord and attach the water hose. Do you have to be a contortionist to get it all hooked-up? Lower the leveling jacks and in the case of a travel trailer operate the hitch jack. Are the storage compartments easy to use? Make sure everything passes the “fitting test' before you buy.

Helping you get the right “fit” for your RV – Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Flush the black tank slush with this RV innovation

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:18:00 +0000

Keeping your RV black tank in good shape is important. Thoroughly rinsing your tank after emptying will help keep it functioning properly.

If you don't keep your black holding tank cleaned out a buildup of sludge will slowly accumulate and eventually block the valve.

Rinsing is especially important if you plan on storing your RV for a while. If you don't rinse, the sludge will dry and become hard as a brick and you won't be a happy camper.

There are several options to assist you in this chore. You can permanently install a rinsing device that hooks to a garden hose and sprays the inside of the tank. The garden hose access is located on the outside of your RV so it makes rinsing very convenient. Another option is to use a hand held wand. The problem is you need to haul the hose into the RV in order to shove the wand down the toilet. It's inconvenient and frequently messy.Fritz Gillespie from Thousand Oaks, California came up with an alternate solution. He uses a length of 1/2 inch PVC with a quick connect hose connector on one end and a cleaning head attached to the opposite end. He made an easy access opening in his utility bay to insert this pole and thoroughly clean out his tank.

Fritz used a hole saw and drilled an opening into the top side of his black tank. He installed a stand pipe floor flange over the opening using sealant and four screws with washers (sealing each screw).Next he installed an inch and a half threaded nipple to the flange with a threaded end cap.

He made a cover plate from some plastic flat stock (you could use a plastic cutting board) and secured it with four screws.For the pole nozzle he used a glue on cap with holes drilled at an angle around the cap so the water squirts back toward the handle. When he extends the pole to the end of the tank the water jets flush the slush back toward the valve.He stores the long pole on a rack in one of his holding bays. Thanks Fritz for another great RVing idea!Helping you keep your RV squeaky clean - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Navigating parking lots with a big RV

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:30:00 +0000

My very first time out with our new 5th wheel we decided to stop at a Subway sandwich shop. Believing the parking lot was accessible behind the store I pulled in. It turned out to be a boxed in parking arrangement and I was stuck.

Mrs. Professor had to get out and guide me as I painfully and slowly backed out of the lot. I had to retrace my route backing onto a busy road in order to extract myself. We went down the road and found another sandwich shop with more suitable parking.

Another time we pulled the 5th wheel up to an overpass on our way to an RV park and discovered we were too tall to pull through without removing the airconditioner. It was a two lane road with a ditch on either side of the road. I had to back the rig into a 45 degree angle, disconnect the truck, drive around so the truck was pointing in the opposite direction away from the overpass, reconnect and pull away. While I was doing this I managed to back up traffic in both directions, but the other drivers were gracious and simply waited while I entertained them.

Even experienced RVers can sometimes find themselves in this kind of predicament. The best thing you can do is remain calm, take you time and extract your rig safely. Ask for help if necessary and always keep safety in mind. If you're driving a motorhome with a toad you may need to unhook. Be careful and don't allow anxious drivers to prod you into doing something unsafe.

The best strategy is to slow down and look before you pull into a parking lot. The first thing I look for is entryway road clearance. If there are gouges in the crown of the road and a low drainage combined with a steep driveway, I pass it by. The next thing I look for is if there is plenty of space to allow my rig safe passage. This Burger King parking lot passes with flying colors because not only is there ample space, there are also other RVs present telling me it's RV friendly.If you see commercial trucks at the establishment or other RVs it's a safe bet you can find a place to park and safely exit.Some new WalMarts have engineered the parking spaces so it's difficult to manuver a big rig between the planters, light poles and raised dividers. A quick scan of the parking lot for other large vehicles is your confirmation whether you can safely navigate this type of parking maze. Sometimes I've parked on the street in order to visit a store provided there was enough space on the shoulder to safely do so.

Parking in a WalMart I usually try to stay as far away from the main building as possible. I also find a nearby shopping cart and place it directly in front of my motorhome so someone won't park their Mini Cooper there.

I'm sure my readers have other useful hints to share with us about navigating parking lots with RVs. Please share your thoughts with us. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVing with the chickens

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I've traveled all over North America and have seen thousands of wacky signs, statues and what some people call art.

As a frequent RV traveler, I've learned to appreciate seeing this stuff because it breaks up the monotony of the road and enlivens the conversation between myself and Mrs. Professor. We've seen monster pheasants, furniture, appliances and dragons on the side of the road. We've beheld "Billy loves Sue" written on the Bonneville salt flats and "Kilroy was here" on numerous rock outcroppings. We've seen giant lobsters, crabs and mermaids, modern art and decorated outhouses. They all make us smile and wonder about who made them and why.

Should mankind survive another two thousand years, what will anthropologists think when they dig up a giant rooster that once adorned a chicken shack? Will they think we worshiped chickens?

And how about those giant ice cream cones? Will they think they were yard ornaments or will they think we were preoccupied with food? One thing is for sure, we've got enough wacky stuff out there to keep them guessing for a long time.

We have fun talking about the funny signs and sculpture we see along the way. Enjoying these moments are the delight of the people of the road. There's no doubt about it, RVs are multidimensional fun machines.

Crowing about the fun of RVing - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV heavy tread requires heavy tools

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:35:00 +0000

I've been using a tire pressure monitoring system by Mobile Awareness for over a year now and I'm grateful for it.

A few days ago I turned on the tire pressure monitoring system and noticed my driver side outside dually was at 74 pounds of pressure. I filled it up to 105 and the next day it was back down to 80 lbs.

I anticipated the usual suspects, a screw or nail in the tread, so I put some soak in a bottle and sprayed the tire looking for bubbles. I also sprayed around the stem and didn't see any bubbles emerging.I called out the local tire repairman and he also sprayed soap on the stem and discovered a very tiny slow leak. I decided to have him remove the tire and inspect the tread to make sure there were no embedded screws or nails.If you've never removed your dually tires there are a few things you should know. First, you should not attempt to remove a tire unless the coach is well supported and you have the right tools. These are big tires and require big tools like this truck size air powered impact lug wrench.Second, you need to know the threads on the driver side of the coach are left handed threads and are removed by rotating in a clockwise direction. They are the opposite of the threads on the passenger or curb side.Third, you need to remove the axle hub cap after removing a few retaining bolts.Finally, you need to respect the weight of these tires. Using a steel bar on the ground under the tire will assist in levering it off the axle.After removing the outside dually the inside tire is exposed. Notice I used a wooden ramp on the inside tire to raise the coach enough to remove the outside tire. This works great on a dually but what happens when a front tire goes flat? No problem, tire repairmen also carry a heavy duty pneumatic truck jack they can use for this purpose.

We checked the tread, sidewalls and bead with no indication of a puncture or other abnormality. The tire guy poured soapy water all over the tire inspecting it for emerging bubbles to make sure there were no small holes we failed to catch with the naked eye.

He tightened the metal air stem and remounted the tire with no problem since. It cost me $75 for the procedure, but it's well worth the peace of mind knowing the tire is in good shape.

Sometimes a road hazard will take out a tire and there really isn't anything you can do about it. If you have a tire pressure monitoring system it will alert you immediately of impending trouble. I prefer the monitoring system by Mobile Awareness because it monitors both air pressure and temperature. I love it because it gives me peace of mind about the condition of my tires as I'm traveling and even when I'm camped.

Large motorhomes do not normally come with a spare tire because they are large, heavy and cumbersome. Therefore, we depend on a quality roadside assistance provider for such a contingency.

While I'm on the subject of tires here is some advice about traveling south of the border. If you plan on traveling extensively in Mexico or further south you may want to consider carrying a spare tire (not the rim - just the tire). Many folks tie one on the roof rack of their tow vehicle. You will more than likely be able to get roadside assistance in Mexico and beyond, but finding a quality replacement tire may be more difficult. Having one at the ready will save you time and money.

Depending on the manufacturer you will need to replace your tires every six years (whether you have high miles or not). At the campground where I'm currently staying there are two rigs that were severely damaged by blowouts costing several thousand dollars in structural repairs. A tire pressure monitoring system would have paid for itself in both instances because they would have known to stop. Instead, because one was a 5th wheel and the other a travel trailer they continued towing their rigs after the blowout until they noticed smoke trailing behind and people honking and pointing. It can't be good when people are honking and pointing unless you just got married!

Treading carefully where tire safety is concerned - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers disappear from Quartzsite in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:09:00 +0000

For many years Quartzsite, Arizona has been a Mecca for winter RVers. One long time vendor at the Big Tent told me, “Ten years ago people were so thick you could smell the BO a block away. Not anymore, now you could shoot a cannonball through the middle and not hit anybody.”

I've visited Quartzsite for the last five years and can attest to the fact that things here have changed. Most old timers I talked with told me Quartzsite has lost its appeal and wasn't any fun anymore.

Speaking with the campground host at Hi Jolly BLM campground I learned RVers are still coming but not staying as long. He told me campers now stay only two or three days where in the past they would stay a full two weeks. He says the cost of sewer disposal and fresh water has gone up. He also reports the city is boosting revenue by handing out more $125 speeding tickets. I did notice two speed traps while traveling about town.

Quartzsite vendors complain rent prices have skyrocketed. They used to pay $150 a month for a patch of dirt and now it averages around $1000 or more a month (depending on the size of the dirt). One long time vendor estimates only half the vendor spaces were rented out this year.Don Lasley is a full time RVer and vendor whose store is called, “Lasley's Country Store.” They travel all over the country doing shows, flea markets and swap-meets. He says Quartzsite, “Has been going downhill for the last four years.” He reports that most vendors didn't do well at all this year and the business is, “Nothing like it used to be.”

Dave Skinner a vendor who owns his own building has been doing business in Quartzsite for 26 years. When he first started property taxes were $700 a year now they are $8,000. When I asked him if business was off, he replied that three years ago he was doing $3,000 per month in sales and now he's lucky if he does two to four hundred. The only way he is able to stay open is because he has a thriving mail order embroidery business. He knows many vendors who will not return next year.

What used to be a crowded marketplace is now largely deserted and the people who do meander by are not spending much money. I did discover a vendor selling a snake. Well..., it was a “Gummy” snake, but hey, it was a sale!Things started changing when the big RV dealerships bought up the property on main street. What used to be a sea of vendor stalls is now a slew of RV dealerships (many of which have gone out of business or are on the brink of bankruptcy). Because of the economy RV sales have dried up. It used to be that the Maytag repairman had the loneliest job in town, but now it's the RV salesman!

City Hall also started squeezing more money out of local businessmen by raising taxes and fees (ten times in the case of permits) and so helped to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs. So if only half the available spaces were rented this year, where did all the vendors go?

Many are still in Arizona but they have congregated at other places setting up shop like in Vicksburg, Arizona. I was here early in the morning before any vendors were open, but this is how the old time Quartzsite started.

It appears to me Quartzsite has lost it's luster and will continue to fade as time marches on. This former gold mine has played out and like many ghost towns of the old west will dry up and blow away with the tumbleweeds.

Prospecting for new RV gold – Jim Twamley, Professor of Rving

RVing at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Twamley) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Today we toured Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona bordering Mexico. Winter is the best time to visit this national treasure because the daytime temperatures are moderate.

However, don't let the desert fool you, the nighttime temperatures drop rapidly and will catch you off guard if you aren't prepared.

In the U.S. you'll only find this wild cactus within an 80 mile radius of the park. The many branches rise from a base at the ground resembling the pipes of an organ.The Ajo Mountain Drive is a 21 mile one-way dirt road. Though somewhat bumpy and dusty, it's well worth the effort. This scenic drive will introduce you to the varied terrain of the Sonoran Desert as it takes you from the desert floor into the hills and back again. There are splendid stands of saguaro cactus, organ pipe cactus, chain-fruit cholla, prickly pear cactus, ocotillo and many other varieties of vegetation.Be sure to stop at the visitors center and pick up the printed tour guide (cost $1.00) before you take the drive. There are two good hiking paths on the route and the average time for the drive is two hours.

The scenery is fabulous including this natural bridge. There are four picnic areas along the drive so bring a lunch and enjoy this desert paradise. Birdwatchers will appreciate the many varieties of birds including the Gila woodpecker, phainopepla, black-throated sparrow, canyon wren, cactus wren, flicker, Say's phoebe and many more including a colorful variety of hummingbirds.

The scenic park campground overlooks Mexico and is surrounded by cactus of all varieties. There are no hook-ups but there is a dump station. The campsites are paved and include a table and BBQ. Water is available near each campsite and modern restrooms with flush toilets are provided.The spaces are designed to accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. There are some spaces which will handle 40 foot motorhomes and are available on a first come first served basis. Generator hours are 8:00 am to 10:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Camping costs $12.00 per day plus $8.00 for a one week pass. If you have the Golden Access Passport the camping fee is $6:00 per day.

During the winter season they have evening campfire programs for your family enjoyment. This park is a gem and I highly recommend it. If you are planning on taking an RV trip down to the beach at Rocky Point, Mexico, you will pass through this park. Why not plan on spending a day or two at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as part of your travel plans? You won't regret it!Out exploring this great country by RV - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing