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THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter
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May, 2001
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Inside this issue:
- From the RVer's Open Forum:
- From the RVer's Corner Inbox:
- KIDS LOVE THE RV LIFESTYLE TOO by Peggi McDonald
- Newbie Club Tip
- Downloading Mystery Solved By Joe Robson
- New E-book by Peggi McDonald
Joke of the Day:
Classified Ad Section:
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From the RVers Open Forum:
Question:
I am using a Tekonsha Voyager controller pulling a 27' travel trailer with
4 wheels braking plus the truck as well. I have noticed on many occasions
that travelling at a decent rate the brakes work just fine. Now when in
towns where alot of stop & go happens the trailer brakes seem unpredictable.
At times they tug at the truck, even to the point of lurching the passengers.
I have gone over the controller's setup a number of times to make sure I did
things right and the adjustments are to factory methods. I also had the hitch
setup checked by a dealer and it's operating as its supposed to. Sometimes,
even turning a corner while slowing down will lock up that one side and skid
tires! Any ideas, as it's embarrassing entering campgrounds where the brakes
start acting up making me look like an incompetent fool! By the way they never
get hot. It just happens when travelling at maybe 20mph and the need to stop or
slow down occurrs then when I least expect it --- S-K-I-D!!!! eeeks! I'm getting
gun shy over it--thanks for your advice.
Answer:
The Voyager is my favorite controller and I have experienced few problems with it
- most are caused by improper adjustment.
Here's how to adjust the Voyager:
1. With the trailer connected, place your foot on the brake pedal.
2. Turn the adjuster knob on the right hand side to full gain - all the way clockwise.
3. Adjust the left hand knob so that the light just changes form red to green -
leave this setting as a permanent setting.
4. Turn the right hand knob back to mid point - then adjust as needed while driving -
clockwise for more braking force, counterclockwise for less. (small adjustments at a time)
If you adjust this way the lurching should be gone, try it and let us know.
Happy trails,
Les Doll
rverscorner.com
This is what our forum is all about ... rv'ers helping other rv'ers!
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From the RVer's Corner Inbox:
QUESTION:
Where would you suggest I pull 12v from for the battery pin (for the 7 pole RV plug)?
Should it be hot at all times, or just when the key's on?
ANSWER:
The battery charge line (12 volt hot) should be taken directly
off the positive battery pole of the tow vehicle.
The wire should be at least 10 gauge and go to the 30 amp
circuit breaker as close to the battery as possible. Then it
is routed through a continuous duty solenoid. The solenoid
allows the tow vehicle charge system to charge the trailer
battery when the engine is running, but will prevent the
trailer from discharging the engine starting battery while
camping. If you don't wish to install the solenoid, you can
simply unplug the trailer cord from the tow vehicle, when
camping.
For a circuit diagram of this setup see:
http://www.rverscorner.com/wiring/power.html
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KIDS LOVE THE RV LIFESTYLE TOO by Peggi McDonald
As we move from the RV shows to dealer open houses, RVers with young
families continually ask for suggestions to keep everyone happy. However if
left to their own devices, campground kids will explore, invent games and
generally have a good time by themselves or with a newfound friend or two.
Since Kids generally understand the spirit of co-operation and fair play,
especially if participants are of different ages, rules and structure for
impromptu group activities are not added until absolutely necessary.
Wet or less than perfect weather doesn't usually damper the enthusiasm of
young campers. As a rule when kids are allowed to follow their instincts,
they simply don a jacket or a poncho and investigate outside riches. A
selection of family style board games, a deck of cards and a few good
movies also help to fill cold or rainy days. Children raised with respect
for elders, try hard not to infringe on their space. However when ideas
fade, the following suggestions may help.
WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHEN RVING WITH TODDLERS?
Take a tour through your unit on your hands and knees. See what the kids
see and eliminate hazards such as burners on a stove or sharp corners.
Modify dangerous spaces with removable gates and kid control covers.
Add diapers, favourite toys and formula to a backpack for touring or hiking.
NOTE If baby is on formula it's safer to buy bottled water and carry powdered
formula---Bassinets and strollers are more space efficient than cribs and
carriages. Sleeping bags are more fun to use and easier to cope with than
individual sheets and bedding.
ARE WE THERE YET?
'Game Boys' (be sure to invest in a battery pack that provides 12
hours of continuous play---it is more economical than batteries) and other
easy to play hand held travel games amuse for quite a while. Click the
'search button' and type in 'Travel Games' (I found many page of games
to choose from) to find a wide selection of additional games designed for
vehicle travel such as yahtzee, chess etc. Many of these games take two
players. A favourite toy, colourful interesting publications, and/or
colouring books for the younger set also help the miles slip by. Search
the bookstores and libraries for additional special travel pastimes.
Movies playing on a portable 12 volt TV/VCR make long days fly by.
A cassette player with headphones and a selection of personal music
also helps to occupy young travellers en route.
Assure the kids have a special place to store their games such as a back -pack.
What doesn't fit doesn't travel with them. My friend's mom used the good
portion of old shower curtains to make special plastic pouches to pack games into.
Try to fill a few hours by making up family travel trivia games such 'I spy', or
'naming a moment in history of each province or state license plate you see', or
'who can spot the highest number of visiting vehicles'. Plan long lunch breaks
punctuated with physical activity. Young and old benefit from active games,
stretching or a short jog to relieve stress, aches and fatigue from restricted
activity of a seat belt (even in a motorhome). Frequent stops for treats and
souvenirs make for happier travellers.
On long trips, early departures encourage sleep for the first few hours. A good
supply of non-messy snacks such as crackers and peanut butter, or cheese and
celery sticks, or raisins along with spill resistant juice boxes go a long
way to appease restlessness.
OUR FAMILY IS IN GRADE SCHOOL, ANY 'ON-GOING' HOBBY SUGGESTIONS?
Inexpensive point and shoot cameras add interest to an uneventful trip,
allowing one film per child per trip (or month) restricts developing costs.
To help limit the number and type of pictures taken suggest they record the
climate, place, subject and date of each photo in a journal for show and tell
or future reference.
MY TEENAGERS NO LONGER LIKE CAMPING, HOW CAN WE RESTORE THEIR INTEREST?
As kids get older the wonders of a campfire or a hike in the forest may be less
appealing. However when choosing a destination as a family affair, great getaways
are still possible. Visits to theme parks such as Disney World or Wonderland, to
diversified water parks, to National Parks are always interesting. Without prodding
these will usually echo positive "I want to go too!" Although canoeing, motorboating
and fishing are popular family events, tubing creates a special challenge and white
water rafting trips are the ultimate adventure to most teens. On-site events at
campgrounds mean taxi service may not be necessary.
Selective hobbies can turn ordinary getaways into pleasant memories. For instance,
most kids spend some time in Cyberspace; have them log your proposed trip on programs
such as www.randmcnally.com or www.freetrip.com. Because laptops are very mobile,
investing in a specific 'Trip-planning' software program is another option. Allow
each young traveller to plan and research 1-2 stops of their choice en route. Whether
travelling near or far, try to assign details of reaching the chosen destination to
your teen---offer assistance only if asked. Don't despair; a few wrong turns can convert
unplanned stopping spots into wonderful adventures.
If there's no access to such software, suggest they trip-plan the old fashioned way ---
by writing or phoning tourist bureaus of the province or state you plan to visit to ask
for their guidebooks plus maps and campground reference guides. These travel guides are
handy even if you use the Internet to plan. (NOTE: To find phone numbers of these
provinces or states, look in the front of International Campground directories such as
Trailer Life or Woodalls---available from bookstores or RV dealers. You can also call
1-800-555-1212 and ask for the toll free number). Using these publications and maps
along with your families travel time-schedule, a Rand McNally Disto-map plus campground
directories, the kids can plot a route including stopping spots and sightseeing diversions.
When young campers help to plan the trip they feel very much a part of the getaway ---
remember to keep days short with lots of breaks and leisure activity.
Snorkeling and diving destinations or even a winter ski excursion are RV outings
featuring a different slant. The RV can become a cozy chalet for a lunch or dinner
break, a hot shower, or a spot for mom and dad to relax if the activities are not a
family affair. Some ski resorts even accommodate RVers with electric hook-ups, a dump
station and a place to take on water. Researching a destination before leaving home
may bring some unexpected rewards.
WHAT EXTRA CONSIDERATIONS MAY HELP?
When teens travel with a friend it can make a trip more special. Pitching a tent or
another mouth to feed is no big deal if the kids are happy. A stopping spot should
have one activity that appeals to each family member such as a waterslide, a pool,
a fishing stream, a boat ride, video machines, ping pong tables etc.
One relaxing and interesting hobby for young and old is Astronomy. A stellar
constellation guidebook, a glow in the dark map of the stars along with a telescope
and several lenses is enough to get started. Studying stars on clear campground
nights can fascinate curious campers for hours. Another appealing pastime for
pre-teens as well as more mature campers is the use of a metal detector. Interesting
treasures lay waiting on beaches, around campsites, near war sights, riverbanks,
in and around ghost towns and during lunch breaks at rest areas etc. By the way
detectors weigh between 3-4 pounds and take the space of a golf bag.
HOW CAN WE MAXIMIZE THE LEARNING ADVENTURE?
Audio Cassette Travel Tapes are another wonderful way to amuse, entertain and
educate all RVers on the areas they travel through. With talking tapes, an
ordinary trip can develop a memorable personality simply because of the many
facts and information presented. Check tourist bureaus, large US Truck Stops,
libraries, flea markets and bookstores for a vast selection of tapes available
for rent or for purchase. We have rented cassette tapes in Banff, Alberta for
a trip to Jasper, it explained wildlife, glaciers and, history; in Brown County
State Park in Indiana we learned about local wildlife; In Lafayette, Louisiana
the tapes discussed the historical beginning of the Acadian people; and at
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania we enjoyed a better understanding of the history
surrounding the battles.
A selection of paperback guidebooks such as birding, wild flowers, insects,
rocks and shells adds interest to natural collections or still life photography.
Unusual discoveries teach kids the value of reference material, in a fun way.
Developing good research activities early in life is an immense help in
secondary and university studies as well as in the work force. A dictionary,
thesaurus, Farmers Almanac, Guinness Book of World Records, Hoyle's Rule Book
for Games, a medical dictionary and Red Cross First Aid Book round out 'on road'
libraries.
RVing provides a perfect opportunity to establish future effective writers.
A personalized 'writing box' for each RVer adds intrigue. Encourage daily
entries to journals or logs (diaries are more personal than logs); include
good and bad, exciting and mundane happenings. Sending post cards to friends
is an easy way to practice. Be supportive, help only when asked and never be
critical---praise at every opportunity. Kids will soon realize it's convenient
to have prepared compositions on hand for school projects plus they'll discover
writing can be a most enjoyable outlet.
In general, half the fun of a vacation is getting there. Destinations
near or far are always more exciting simply because they are new experiences.
Keep schedules flexible. Junior RVers travel with an open mind; adults are
always looking to the future.
John and I have lived the RV Lifestyle fulltime for the past 16 years. In my
writing I try to share our learning experiences so your getaways will be more
exciting and trouble free. Refer to this site, RVers Corner, for complex info
about my essential guidebook "Spirit of the Open Road". To download my two
e-books RV Living---Facts, Tips Hints and More: Volume One and Volume Two,
please go to our Informative website at http://www.rvliving.net.
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Downloading Mystery Solved - Techies? Who Needs 'em!
By Joe Robson.
Hey I solved a major technology mystery this week. And I did it on my own
after only 37 cups of coffee!
Who needs the Techies!
The last two Downloads I made were directed to my Desktop.
And guess what? Yeah, they never appeared. I searched through everyone of the
little logo shortcuts on my Desktop one by one ...
Zilch. Not there. Kaput!
I checked in Microsoft Explorer and my desktop folder, and there they were trying
to hide from me. Went back to Tom Glander's Downloading tutorial and checked
I'd done everything right.
So I created another desktop shortcut for each. Still nuthin! So like any other
normal Technology-hater, I cursed Bill Gates and gave up!
Because my desktop was full of stuff I no longer wanted I decided to spring clean.
Heck, I came across stuff I'd never even looked at. Must have seemed a good idea at
the time I downloaded them.
Click. Click. Click, and out they went. And guess what?
My Desktop screen had been so full of unwanted 'stuff' there'd been no room for
the recent ones.... So up they popped onto my screen with happy smiles on their faces.
Two shortcuts for each!
Voila! - That's French for 'How did that happen?'
Hey, maybe I'm not so dumb after all!
The trouble is that when I clicked on those happy faces I couldn't remember why I'd
downloaded them in the first place.
Like I said... It must have seemed like a good idea at the time!
So if your next download refuses to appear on your Desktop, check to see if there's
enough room. And if it's still hiding from you, go through The Newbie Club's Downloading
Tutorial at http://newbieclub.com/tutorials?help_me_now
Of course, if you owned 'Windows For Newbies' you wouldn't have that problem. How do you
think I solved it? (OK I lied!)
Like I said ... Maybe I'm not so dumb after all!
"Hey I'm a Newbie - not a Dummy. Just show me how!"
Read the Stunning Independent Reviews of this Revolutionary Learning System here:
http//www.newbieclub.com/wfncopy?help_me_now
Excuse me, I have some Downloading to do. Techies - who needs 'em?
Keep smilin', and whatever you do ....
Don't let the Techies get you down!
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Joe Robson is author of Make Your Words SELL! co-authored by Ken Evoy. Joe and
Tom Glander are Co-Founders of The Newbie Club at http://www.newbieclub.com
It's recognized as the best Internet and PC Newbie tutorials site on the Web,
and their very professional Affiliate Program is BIG! Joe's Copywriting Tutorial
site is at http://www.adcopywriting.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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New E-book by Peggi McDonald - FREE! Check it out!
RV Living --- Facts, Tips, Hints and More:
Volume Two
http://www.rvliving.net/ebook2.htm
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Joke of the Day:
I bought my wife a mood ring the other day. When she's in a good mood, it
turns green. When she's in a bad mood, it leaves a red mark on my forehead.
Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a
State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to
himself, "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on
his lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies-two in
the front seat and three in the back-wide eyed and white as ghosts. The
driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I
was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?"
"Ma'am," the officer replies, "you weren't speeding, but you should know
that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other
drivers."
"Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit
exactly twenty-two miles an hour!" the old woman says a bit proudly.
The officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "22" was
the route number, not the speed limit.
A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for
pointing out her error. "But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask
... Is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they
haven't muttered a single peep this whole time," the officer asks.
"Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route
119!"
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CLASSIFIED ADS
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The Dummy's Guide to Buying a Pre-Loved RV - by Les Doll
In the market for a pre-owned recreational vehicle?
Not sure what to inspect or how to inspect it?
The Dummy's Guide is written for you, by an RV Tech
and RV damage estimator. Free Download!
http://www.rverscorner.com/dummyltr.html
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SPIRIT OF THE OPEN ROAD by Peggi McDonald is a 'must have'
for all RVers, both novice and experienced travelers.
Although written from a Canadian point of view it is 95%
generic and a valuable guide to RVers from all countries.
For complete details -
http://www.rverscorner.com/spirit.html
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!!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!!
Les Doll - RV Technician
My advice is free and worth only what you gain from it!