***************************************************************** THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter ***************************************************************** Feb, 2004 ***************************************************************** This newsletter has grown from a few friends in 1997 to 9200+ friends in 2004. It seems that we must be doing something right, so we will continue to do so. Many of us converse on the RVerscorner Bulletin board ... and all are welcome there ... posting rules are moderate and there are many fine people who help with questions and answers. Check it out at: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus Inside this issue: - TOWING REGS (Part 2) By: Les Doll - FROM THE RVERS CORNER INBOX: - THE MOST IMPORTANT STUFF By: Dr. Donald E. Wetmore - Enhancing your RV Getaway! (Part Two) By: Peggi McDonald Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's Corner Newsletter: ***************************************************************** Special note: This newsletter is hosted by https://www.superwebhost.com/ and many thanks go to Glenn Miller - an avid RVer and managing director of Left Coast Systems Corp. Without the support of Glenn and Superwebhost this newsletter would not continue to exist. ***************************************************************** Towing Regs, Info and other stuff ... By: Les Doll GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) - The manufacturers maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the trailer and tow vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the trailer and tow vehicle plus fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. ***************************************************************** - FROM THE RVERS CORNER INBOX: Question: I bought an old fifth wheel. It is really in good shape but years ago the roof leaked in some places. I need to know what is the best way to replace the ceiling panels. Any tips or hints? Answer: A leak in the ceiling usually shows up on the inside of the coach some time after the initial leak. Often, long after the leak has occurred! In that case, there will likely be some dry rot damage to the wooden roof structural members. A fungus that attacks the wood, weakening it, and eventually turning it to powder causes dry rot. The fungus thrives in damp, warm areas and the RV roof is an ideal place for it to start. It will work outward in all directions, from the source of the leak, and may extend for several feet or more. Dry rot shows up as dark or blackened wood and the wood may be soft and spongy or starting to powder. Often, the ceiling panel is the last part to show a stain from a leak and the dry rot may be extensive by that time. Some indications of hidden dry rot are obvious - stained and sagging ceiling panels, loose or wavy panel coverings - while other indications take a little investigation. Screw heads, nails or staples that are rusty on the exposed surface are mostly completely corroded from the inside out. Remove the light covers; pull out one or two screws that hold it in place to check the length of the screw for rust. Remove the bezel that covers the inside opening of roof vents for a similar inspection and check the visible wood for signs of dry rot. If the affected area is small and easily accessible, it may be possible to repair it from the inside of the coach, although it may be impossible to find an exact match for the paneling. If the area is in the bathroom, for example, a panel with a similar texture and color could be used with a border edge to separate it from the rest of the ceiling. If the area were in the living room section, a panel replacement would be very obvious. The construction of the RV will have a bearing on the method of repair, so I will take a moment to mention the different construction types. Framed "stick and staple" construction: This construction is similar to the way houses are built in that there is a frame of wood or metal that provides the structural form. Paneling is stapled and/or glued to the inside and aluminum siding is stapled to the exterior framework. Insulation is contained within the cavities of the framing members and is normally fiberglass wool. The various window and door openings, and all the appliance access openings are framed with wood members as part of the structure. Bonded construction The bonded system is a sandwich of the interior paneling, the rigid insulation (usually Styrofoam) and the outer skin of aluminum or fiberglass sheeting. These components are bonded together with adhesive and pressure is applied to form a strong and durable structure. The entire wall is formed as a solid sheet, run through rollers (or otherwise pressed together) and then the various window and door openings are cut out where needed. Wood or metal framing is included where required, for example, where the awning will be attached or where the entry door is located. Most RV's are constructed from the bottom up. The floor is installed first and then the cabinets, appliances and interior walls are set in place. The walls and overhead cabinets are installed next and then the roof is added. It is far easier to install the plumbing and electrical systems using this method. In order to replace ceiling panels it is often necessary to remove the roof, rebuild the structure to the exact same dimensions and replace the ceiling panels at this time. As you can see this would be a very time consuming and expensive repair. ***************************************************************** THE MOST IMPORTANT STUFF By: Dr. Donald E. Wetmore Many of us have a daily goal to "get it all done" in our work and personal lives. The problem is, we can never "get it all done". (And even if we could, there are 10,000 other things we could take on!) So what we produce is stress and frustration over the things that do not get done. We need a better goal: "Get the most important things done". Since we cannot get it all done, if we get the most important things done, our daily productivity will be increased. Don Wetmore-Professional Speaker Productivity Institute Time Management Seminars 127 Jefferson St. Stratford, CT 06615 (203) 386-8062 (800) 969-3773 Fax: (203) 386-8064 email:ctsem@msn.com Visit our Supersite: http://www.balancetime.com ***************************************************************** Part Two of Enhancing your RV Getaway y: Peggi McDonald (When you're only in an area for a few days your search can becomes even more trying. These tips should enhance your getaway). Life in the RV Lane can be a real whirlwind where you run from here to there or as laid back as you want it to be. However finding a place to visit when you arrive in an unfamiliar area can become a real challenge trying to discover what's 'happening'. During a recent stay near 'Mickey Mouse Land' in Disneyland in Orlando, Florida we had to look real hard to find fun things to do other than the expensive attractions and theme parks. When you're only in an area for a few days your search can becomes even more trying. · Both male and female RVers participate in knitting, crocheting, quilting, and woodcarving projects. These interesting hobbies help fill many quiet hours. They are great diversions for inside or outside of the unit. Of course relaxing in a campsite provides a perfect opportunity to catch up on overdue reading. · Working at a project on the picnic table is a super way to meet other RVers. Those strolling the park will frequently stop to say Hi or simply to see what you are doing. When a male RVer wants to meet his neighbours all he has to do is to open the hood of the tow vehicle or the motorhome and within minutes several male neighbours will be over see if they can help---sorry guys but it's just a 'man' thing. Polishing your unit works the same way. When women are travelling alone, raising the hood is even more of a magnet to get to meet your neighbours. · Lawn games such as ring toss or board games like monopoly or puzzles (complete with an edged board that can travel on the bed) are lightweight and don't take up much storage space. Playing games or cards under the awning or socializing around the bonfire adds a finale to the adventure. · At larger resort style parks, on-site amenities may include a video game room for the kids and billiard table(s) or dart board(s) for the adult children. A heated swimming pool/hot tub, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, mini golf etc only add to the fun. · Electronic toys like game boys, DVD players and similar amusements help to break up a long drive for kids of all ages. Self designed diversions such as spotting the most 'visiting licence plates en route' or a game of 'I spy' or even a 'sing-a-long' add an appreciated dimension to the trip as well. Other extras that can enhance a trip include a small vehicle for touring. If your RV is a towable you already have a touring vehicle but if your unit is a motorhome having access to a tow car promotes an extra plus. John and I did not tow a vehicle for the first eight months of our travels. We had set aside a substantial rental car/towing budget and didn't feel we needed a car---in reality we were actually afraid to tow. Not until we arrived at a beautiful state park in Oregon where the closest store was simply too many miles away to bike did we realize what we were missing. We also had just assembled a new add-a-room attached to our motorhome awning so to become mobile it meant a lot of packing up. However when our 'newest best friend' neighbors offered to take us spelunking (cave exploring) in the Oregon Mountains we jumped at the chance. That was near two decades ago and it is still one of our most memorable side trips we've ever experienced. Even if our motorhome had been moveable it never would have traversed the hilly road to these fantastic caverns. This incident was the determining situation that made us realize we NEEDED a tow vehicle. We also discovered it was no big deal to tow. Our car is now our perfect getaway machine --- when we stop, we simply unhook and explore the surrounding area by car. The number of neat events we accidentally have ran across over the years while exploring in our 'toed' (tow car) is overwhelming. Having touring wheels other than your unit definitely adds to an RV getaway. The final way to enhance an RV adventure is for each of you to claim your own space within the RV, no matter how small or large your unit is. In our first RV I used the living room foldaway table (we had no dinette) and in follow-up RV's we modified the dining table to become my computer/work station. John claimed the bedroom as his Rec room in our Kruisin' Kastle #1 and in our Kastle #2 and #3 it was his turn to use the foldaway tables in the living room and/or the bedroom. Following the extensive modifications we made to our Luxor (removal of the large 'J' couch plus the immense captains chair and replaced it with two round bottom loungers - see our website for details) John now has his own workstation and a special place to watch TV in the living room. On this unit our bedroom TV is only used early in the morning or late at night. Your individual space may be as small as the folding-table and a separate storage area or it could be the upper bunk in a small unit or a desk/table set within the slide in the bedroom of a fifth wheel or, or, or. It doesn't matter where it is so long as you have a spot to call your own --- with a place to work at your leisure and to keep your stuff in a separate area. Have fun and enjoy your journey. Peggi and John are RV Lifestyle Consultants, Webhosts of the Information Site For ALL RVers -www.rvliving.net. Peggi is author of Spirit of the Open Road and free e-books RV Living: Facts, Tips, Hints and More. Vol I and II. Early in 2004 Peggi's new book RVLiving in the 21st Century will be released. Pricing and release date will be featured on her website. 21st Century includes the best of Spirit plus seven years of updates. Spirit will remain on sale (call 1800 999 0819 to order) until RV Living in the 21st Century is ready for purchase. ***************************************************************** The NEW Rvers Corner Bulletin Board Come join in the discussions on the web's newest RV discussion group! No password or account set-up is needed. Just post your message or browse the categories! Pictures can be posted - just follow the instructions under the Help section. Have fun! http://www.rverscorner.com/discus ***************************************************************** Todays Joke: Real advertisements 01 Supposedly, these are actual advertisements that have appeared in papers across the country. Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family. A superb and inexpensive restaurant. Fine food expertly served by waitresses in appetizing forms. Dinner Special -- Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00. For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers. Four-poster bed, 101 years old. Perfect for antique lover. Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too. Wanted: 50 girls for stripping machine operators in factory. Wanted: Unmarried girls to pick fresh fruit and produce at night. We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand. ***************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADS ***************************************************************** NEW RV HOME VIDEOS, DVDs and E-Books RV Education 101 presents home videos (and now DVDs) on how to operate everything on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing. Read more, or order at: http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html RV Education 101 is offering FOUR new e-books "RV Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing", "Checklists for RVers", "101 Tips for RVrs" and "Pop-Up Basics" http://hop.clickbank.net/?pac113/rv101 ***************************************************************** Good Governor Save electrical equipment from damage by testing voltage, frequency and polarity with the Good Governor. Camping World Internet Only Special Club SALE $89.99 Reg. $124.00 See more at: http://www.rverscorner.com/goodgovernor.html ***************************************************************** The RV'ers Corner is pleased to announce our affiliation with Camping World! Help support the RV'ers Corner and get a free Camping World Catalog mailed to your door! The RVers Corner gets a quarter for every catalog request! Get your free Camping World catalog here! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html ***************************************************************** Aluria's Spyware Eliminator Your privacy is being invaded. What you are doing on your computer is being watched right now. There are companies that know you are looking at this page. They know what you typed to your family, friends and coworkers. They know what you are emailing to people. They watch your IMs. Hackers are watching to capture your credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. The online world is no longer safe. UNTIL NOW. http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html ***************************************************************** Check out the newest campground reviews at: http://www.rvparkinfo.net/ ***************************************************************** !!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!! Les Doll - RV Technician 12120 Willowvale Road, Prince George, B.C. Canada V2K 5G2 My advice is free and worth only what you gain from it! E-mail address mailto:webmaster@rverscorner.com The RVers Corner - http://www.rverscorner.com/ Visit the RV'ers Corner bulletin board: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus The RVers Corner Newsletter is a monthly newsletter dedicated to enhancing the RV experience - you are being sent this newsletter as a result of subscribing to the RV Corner mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. We value each one of our subscribers, and you may be assured that we will protect your privacy. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Meet the webmaster at: http://www.rverscorner.com/bio.html ***************************************************************** We hope that this newsletter will prove valuable to you and we strive to bring fresh, new content with every issue. If you wish to contribute an article or relate a tip that you have learned, please e-mail me. ***************************************************************** To UNSUBSCRIBE please go to: http://www.rverscorner.com/newsltr.html We'll miss you!