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THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter
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Dec, 2001
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Happy Holidays!
Subscriber count: Last issue: 3528 This issue: 3809!
Welcome new Subscribers!
The newsletter is early this month because I am in the process of moving and
my 'puter will be down for several days. Plus I think I'll be busy - the pile of
boxes continues to grow all by itself! So I'd like to take this opportunity to
wish all a very merry Christmas and the best of the new year!
Inside this issue:
- A few RV Storage tips... By Les Doll
- Travel in Mexico By Peter Bassel
- Misc. tips Thanks to Peggi McDonald!
- From the RVers Corner Inbox Deep Cycle Batteries
- GPS navigation system By John Stead
Put together your own by following this guide.
- Napping Navigator - a tip submitted by a fellow RV'er!
Joke of the Day:
Classified Ad Section:
About the RVer's Corner Newsletter:
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RV Storage Tips ... by Les Doll
Controlling Humidity
The air in a closed up RV will contain varying amounts of moisture, depending
upon the local climate and the storage methods utilized. If you are able to
connect to shore power, during the storage period, an electric dehumidifier
is a very good safeguard against a high humidity condition. Otherwise, one or
better yet, two, DriziAire dehumidifiers is advised. Open a roof vent or two,
if you can, to allow moist air to escape.
To Tarp or Not to Tarp
As a concerned RV Technician, I am totally against the tarping of an RV. If your
roof is maintained and in good condition, it will withstand the forces of Mother
Nature. If you simply must "tarp" your unit, build an "A" frame type of structure
to repel rain or snow while allowing air to circulate beneath the tarp and above
the roof of the RV. A tarp laid on the roof and draped down the walls, is an
invitation to dry rot - you want the moisture to escape - not to be held in, as
a tarp will do. Also, a tarp will move with the wind, regardless of how well it
is secured. This results in chaffing of the sidewall paint, and we don't want to
discuss that in this article!
Batteries
Clean and remove your battery(s) and store in a cool place. Top up the water level
and check/recharge them monthly. Deep cycle batteries will self-discharge in a month
and a discharged battery is not a happy battery. Use only distilled water to top off
the water level in the cells. An uncharged battery will freeze in sub-zero weather
if left outdoors.
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A brief introduction to what you need to know about ...
Travel in Mexico By Peter Bassel
Tourists entering Mexico in certain frontier areas along the U.S. border do
not require tourist cards for stays of 72 hours or less. But taking a American
automobile into Mexico can involve a few complications.
American driver's licenses are valid in Mexico. A temporary vehicle
importation permit -- Solicitud de importación temporal de vehículos --
is required for a foreign-registered vehicle to enter Mexico. You can obtain
one at the border by providing the following documents:
· proof of ownership;
· proof of American or Canadian registration;
· an affidavit from any lien holders authorizing temporary importation;
· a valid American or Canadian driver's license; and
· proof of citizenship.
Temporary permits are not required in certain designated border areas, such as
those immediately south of California, where there is a lot of local tourist
traffic. But be sure you know exactly where you are going before relying on
this alternative. The vehicle permit is valid for six months and is good for
multiple entries.
The temporary vehicle importation permit costs US$15 and must be paid for with
a credit card. The card must be issued by a major American financial institution
in the name of the vehicle owner. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are all
accepted but cash is not. If the visitor does not have a credit card, a bond must
be purchased and a US$15 processing fee must be paid. You must display proof of
payment on the vehicle windshield, and close out the permit on the way out of Mexico.
This document constitutes a promise to take the car out of the country within a
specified period, and the car will be confiscated if you overstay. Recreational
vehicles and large trucks require additional permits.
It is illegal to import used vehicles permanently into Mexico except in designated
northern border areas. Your vehicle can be confiscated if it is not properly imported.
It is illegal to sell a car brought in on a temporary permit, even to another non-resident.
A temporary vehicle importation permit will be issued to a tourist only for one 180-day
period in one year. Visitors intending longer stays are expected to obtain a non-immigrant
visa, in which case their vehicle permits will follow the same timing as their visa.
If the car will remain in Mexico for more than 180 days, a tax of approximately 30
percent of the value of the vehicle is levied.
Automobile insurance issued outside the country is not valid in Mexico, and you must
obtain insurance from a Mexican company. You must do this at the border before entering
Mexico. As in other parts of Latin America, if there is an accident, both drivers can be
held responsible pending an investigation. They can be jailed and their vehicles seized
if there is no proof of ability to pay. In case of serious personal injury, both drivers
may be jailed in any event.
Vehicle traffic in Mexico City is restricted to control air pollution. The regulations
are based on the last digit of the licence plate number. On every weekday, vehicles with
plate numbers ending in designated digits may not be driven in the city. For example, if
the plate number ends in 1 or 2, the vehicle may not be used on Thursdays. This amounts
to a restriction on 20 percent of vehicles on each weekday. There are no restrictions on
Saturdays or Sundays except when an environmental emergency is declared.
http://www.DriveMex.com - Mexican Insurance Online
Buy and print Mexican auto insurance policies immediately on your
own printer. Can also insure boats, motorcycles, trailers, RVs and properties
(home, condo, apartment etc).
Contact: Sales@DriveMex.com or 1-866-367-5053
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Tip Sheet #3 Thanks Peggi McDonald!
1) To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag
and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all
the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like
new! Works like a charm!
2) To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add
a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of
pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.
3) Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray before
pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
4) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a
bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white
mess on the outside of the cake.
5) Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting it in the
refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
6) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help
bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
7) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it
on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
8) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice
cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
9) To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap
on the area and you will experience instant relief.
10) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never
cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the
floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
More tips in the next issue!
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From the RVers Corner Inbox Deep Cycle Batteries
QUESTION:
After some further reading elsewhere, I came across something which said
that if you connect 2 Group 27 batteries in parallel, they will deliver a
total capacity of 210 amp-hours (2 x 105 AH). This assumes that the average
Group 27 battery delivers 105 AH. Two 6V Golf Cart batteries connected in
series delivers 225 amp-hours (Trojan T105 rated at 225AH).
Now I have some questions:
1) The staying power of the golf cart batteries is not much better than
2-group 27's (225 vs 210). Am I missing something here? Is there more to
this than I understand?
2) If I use a pair of golf cart batteries, can I use my standard 6V/12V
battery charger to charge them or must I use a charger specifically designed
for Deep Cycle batteries? I also have a charger for Deep Cycle batteries
but it only works for 12V batteries.
3) Would it be correct to assume that if the Charger/Inverter installed in
my trailer is adequate for charging my single 12V deep cycle battery
(Interstate SRM 24), then will it be OK to use with a pair of Trojan T105
golf cart batteries, or for that matter, two 12V Group 27's wired in
parallel?
4) Would it also be correct to assume that my truck's alternator will be
able to deal with charging either configuration mentioned in question 3?
Thanks in advance.
Clark
ANSWER:
1) Although the 2 12VDC deep cycle batteries in parallel and the 2 6VDC batteries
in series are similar in amp hour capacity, it is the longer life of the 6 volt
batteries that is attractive. In a nut shell, the two 6's use 6 cells overall in
the same space that the 12's use 12 cells. This allows room for thicker plates
within the battery and that means longer useful life.
2) When two batteries are connected together, they become a battery bank and
the 2 6VDC's connected in series can be treated the same as a 12VDC battery
or 2 12's in parallel. As long as you leave the 6's connected together you can
use your 12 volt battery charger on them at 12 volts.
3) Yes, your on-board converter will charge the 6's or the 12's. Most converters
have a fairly "dumb" charger, some are adjustable to better suit the purpose they
are used for, and the newer ones will charge at a higher rate. (up to 40 amps or so)
4) The wiring size and length of run from your alternator to the batteries will
determine the amount of amps that are available to charge the battery(s) while
underway. The trailer plug connection will only accept a 10 gauge wire and the
distance from alternator to battery can be 30 to 40 feet - in other words, the
charge rate will be slow.
PS your present group 24 Interstate has about a 55 amp/hour capacity - pretty feeble!
Hope this helps,
Regards,
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CarterGPS - Mobile GPS navigation system By John Stead
Put together your own by following this guide.
We have used computer trip planning for many years now. In the past, my wife
Nancy would prepare all the routes and driving schedules on the computer. Upon
completion, she would print a trip book with maps and directions and put it
in a binder.
Our new system provides for flexibility with route changes due to preferences,
construction zones or road conditions. We know well in advance of upcoming
exits or turns. I can be in the correct lane at the correct time without any
guess work.
The easiest way for me to describe the advantages of such a system is to walk
you through its usage. In May of this year we planned a short 4 day RV trip
from Mississauga, ON Canada to Irish Hills, Michigan USA for my niece's graduation.
While I made preparations with the van and our 29ft travel trailer, Nancy booked
a campsite in Irish Hills and prepared a travel route using Microsoft Street &
Trips. She plugged in our starting location near Fergus Ontario and the Irish
Hills Campground in Michigan. She specified the types of roads we prefer, updated
the construction data and "poof", we had a route with a detailed map and driving
instructions.
Thanks to John for another interesting article!
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Napping Navigator by gMw
Driving a motorhome or anything else for that matter, I pay attention to the
road and traffic, which leaves no time for map reading, so I rely on my
"navigator" to read maps and provide directions.
Sometimes/often my navigator takes catnaps, which seems to coincide with
times I have questions about exits, route numbers, and so on.
Now before each day's travel, I review maps and directions, jotting down
route numbers, exit numbers, towns (or land marks to help me locate things), fuel stops,
etc. in large print on a 6" x 4" ruled Post-it Note, and stick it to my dash board for
quick reference.
That way I always have the highlights of my day's travel in front of me,
available, and easy to read, should my navigator take a catnap.
Editors note: what a great idea! Thanks for sharing this with us.
These Post-it notes could also be used in other ways - as reminders
to lower the antenna, stow the water hose ...
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Joke of the Day:
Signs you may Have bought a bad RV:
1. As you leave the RV lot, you see the owner rush out with a
gigantic smile and high-five the salesman.
2. You notice that the car phone they threw in "for free" has a direct line
to Moes's Towing Company.
3. The booster cables are not in the trunk but are permanently soldered to
the battery.
4. The hood has been equipped with a push-button device for quick and easy
opening.
5. The "Purchased From" sticker at the bottom of the rear license plate has
been removed.
6. You get a "Good Luck" card from the previous owner.
7. As you drive up to a service station for gas, the mechanic opens the big
door and waves you in.
8. When you leave for work the next morning, you notice a tow truck parked
about a block from your driveway. As you go by, it silently falls in behind
you.
9. The little "Service Engine" warning signal in the dashboard comes on and
reads "Me Again."
****
A frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and was informed, "You are going to
meet a beautiful young woman who will want to know everything about you."
The frog said, "That's great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"
... "No," replied the psychic, "Next term--in her biology class."
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CLASSIFIED ADS
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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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Mexican Insurance Online
Buy and print Mexican auto insurance policies immediately on your
own printer. Can also insure boats, motorcycles, trailers, RVs and properties
(home, condo, apartment etc).
http://www.DriveMex.com - Mexican Insurance Online
Contact: Sales@DriveMex.com or 1-866-367-5053
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!!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!!
Les Doll - RV Technician
My advice is free and worth only what you gain from it!
The RVers Corner - http://www.rverscorner.com/