Exchange 
New Horizons Owners Newsletter
Volume 2005 Number
2 --- March 2005
Editor: Lloyd
Treichel lloyd@wandrin.us
Exchange Contents:
New Horizons Owners Group
Rally 2005
Customized Items and Owner Enhancements
Notes from New Horizons Owners
New Horizon Owners at Spring Escapade
Ford Truck Battery Maintenance
Campground Suggestions
Customized Items and Owner Enhancements
Notes from New Horizons Owners
New Horizon Owners at Spring Escapade
Ford Truck Battery Maintenance
Campground Suggestions
Editor's Foreword
Thank you for your inputs and material. Keep it coming. Ideas include:
- Customizations
- Enhancements
- Great gadgets
- Great campgrounds
- Met other NH owners on the road?
- Advice to your fellow RVers
- An email saying "Hello from ..."
All New Horizons owner names are in bold face.
New Horizons Owners Group Rally 2005
The next New Horizons Rally will be held at Sundermeier RV Park, St. Charles, MO from Sept 30 – Oct 4, 2005. Rally sessions and rig tours, will be on the schedule. Time will also be available for local touring. For those planning on attending the Fall Escapade in DuQuoin, IL, after the "hitch up breakfast", drive the 100 miles to St. Charles, MO for lunch.
Additional details can be found at:
http://www.nhog.us/rallies/rally2005/index.htm
Customized Cat House
From: Becky Reiger
I am extremely happy with the Kitty Litter
area I had New Horizons
build! In the bathroom, at the base of the linen cabinet a pet door was
installed to allow the cats to
access a small sectioned area in the underbelly storage. There is the
litter box with
all the stuff that goes with it. The section is accessible from an
outside compartment door for maintenance. I even have
one of the electric litter boxes plugged in when in an RV
park. It definitely keeps the odor down and the cats have a
private bathroom.
Roof Space For Kayaks
From: Larry and Joyce Space
1) All solar panels, AC, etc. were put forward on the roof leaving the whole back roof free for kayaks, canoe or whatever. (That means the AC inside is in the bathroom hallway which makes the bedroom cooler than the living room.)
2) The kitchen and bathroom cupboards were raised 3 inches and indented 3 inches to have room for the front of our feet so we can comfortably stand closer to the counters. Most homes do that as a standard procedure, but RV's don't seem to.
3) Larry put sliding shelves in the kitchen pantry and cupboards below the counter. Everything is accessible even with the shelves close together allowing for more storage.
4) I have a folding ironing board that uses a standard four inch by about 20 inch drawer size space. We ordered it from a woodworking place and can give people info -- if interested. Most people laugh and say, "Who irons in an RV?" but some people have actually gotten one after seeing ours. [Editor: quilters should like this add-on]
Non-original Customization
From: Tom Marik
All my customizations were plagiarized:
Hard Side Tent
From: Lloyd Treichel
Horizons will build a unit exactly to your (my) specifications. Someone commented that I appeared that I was living in a hard sided tent when I told them that my 24 foot had no slide, no awning, no furnace and no microwave.
Notes from New Horizons
Owners Roof Space For Kayaks
From: Larry and Joyce Space
1) All solar panels, AC, etc. were put forward on the roof leaving the whole back roof free for kayaks, canoe or whatever. (That means the AC inside is in the bathroom hallway which makes the bedroom cooler than the living room.)
2) The kitchen and bathroom cupboards were raised 3 inches and indented 3 inches to have room for the front of our feet so we can comfortably stand closer to the counters. Most homes do that as a standard procedure, but RV's don't seem to.
3) Larry put sliding shelves in the kitchen pantry and cupboards below the counter. Everything is accessible even with the shelves close together allowing for more storage.
4) I have a folding ironing board that uses a standard four inch by about 20 inch drawer size space. We ordered it from a woodworking place and can give people info -- if interested. Most people laugh and say, "Who irons in an RV?" but some people have actually gotten one after seeing ours. [Editor: quilters should like this add-on]
Non-original Customization
From: Tom Marik
All my customizations were plagiarized:
- From Lloyd, I decided on all vinyl flooring.
- From Fred, the access door for the entertainment center.
- From Bob (Doc), specifying a diesel generator.
- From a helpful member whose name I forgot (Sorry! It's been three years.); the table that is booth on one side and chairs on the other.
- From many of you with Fantastic fans with Max Air covers -- I have five!
Hard Side Tent
From: Lloyd Treichel
Horizons will build a unit exactly to your (my) specifications. Someone commented that I appeared that I was living in a hard sided tent when I told them that my 24 foot had no slide, no awning, no furnace and no microwave.
From: Lloyd Treichel
While I was parked at Saguaro SKP park, I met several New Horizons owners including Marty and Kim Martindale, Pat and Rosemary McLaughlin, Fred and Linda Landue, Stephanie and Paul Bernhagen and the Ogilvies.
In spite of what it seems, I don't see all the New Horizon rig owners. Some escape before I have a chance to introduce myself.
Rather than retelling my other travels, see my web site: www.wandrin.us
New Horizon Owners at Spring Escapade
In between the seminars and visiting the markets at the Escapade, many of the New Horizons owners got together for a session of sharing.
Those in attendance were:
Roy
and Linda Dixon
Jim and Linda Dollinger
Allen Downs
David and Mary Anne Dykstra
Bob and Jenne Hawk
Mary Lou Knack
Gigi and Bob Knibb
Bill and Marianne Laird
Rick and Nancy Seiler
John and Barbara Ragland
Becky Reiger
Jim and Chris Rett
Linda and Stanley Rubin
Ken and Debbie Toth
Lloyd Treichel
Lewis Turner
Ron and Anita Wilson
Jim and Linda Dollinger
Allen Downs
David and Mary Anne Dykstra
Bob and Jenne Hawk
Mary Lou Knack
Gigi and Bob Knibb
Bill and Marianne Laird
Rick and Nancy Seiler
John and Barbara Ragland
Becky Reiger
Jim and Chris Rett
Linda and Stanley Rubin
Ken and Debbie Toth
Lloyd Treichel
Lewis Turner
Ron and Anita Wilson
Each of those present introduced themselves and their rig. The model years represented 1994 to 2005. Each owner described the good and the bad about their experience with their unit. The issues ranged from brake issues to black water problems.
The most frequently mentioned issues were:
- Recent models all have experienced problems with the
laminate gapping.
- Several have experienced problems with sag on the roof of a slide out.
- Most everyone has experienced tire alignment problems. The general recommendation is to have your Mor-Ryde system aligned after taking delivery.
Ford
Truck
Battery Maintenance
Campground Suggestions
From: Ralph Throckmorton
New Ford Diesel trucks come with maintenance free batteries. When those batteries are replaced with ones requiring occasional electrolyte checking, a cover over the driver’s side battery blocks access unless the battery cables are disconnected and the cover is removed. Most service outlets will not take the time to remove the cover so the electrolyte level is not checked nor is water added if needed. If the electrolyte level is permitted to get too low, battery life is shortened or the battery prematurely fails. Even if one performs his own truck maintenance as I do, having to remove the cables and the cover offers a disincentive to checking the electrolyte level as frequently as it should be checked.
I developed a solution for my 2002 F-450
that involved
cutting away a part of the cover that blocks access to the battery’s
cells. The only tools needed were those
used to disconnect the battery cables and a hacksaw.
I also used duct tape to replace the cut-away portion
while
permitting quick access to the cells.
Editor note: For more information and pictures of his modification, his email address is: Rxt7@aol.com
Campground Suggestions
From: Patrick
McCarthy
We are currently staying at a relatively new campground,
Heron Lake RV Park in Fort Collins, CO. It has a 9-acre catch and
release lake with some nice bass, canoes and paddle boats, big kids
playground, heated swimming pool with two hot tubs and kiddie pool,
huge meeting facilities, big sites, lots of pull throughs, great
owner/operators, well staffed during busy summer season. AND it
is out in the farm and country area, away from the city and traffic
noise.
Rocky Mt. National Park and lots of other scenic wonders are just a
short drive away. Downtown Fort Collins is a charming shopping
and eating area, and the town is extremely friendly.
We would also recommend Lake Pleasant, Bothell,
Washington. The best we have encountered anywhere. The
community is outstanding with farmer's markets, etc. The whole
park is
paved and in a little valley surrounded by hills and
trees. Almost all of the sites back up to two ponds.
Convenient to Seattle and all of the Northwest. Very well
maintained and quiet.
Another great stop is Anderson's at Long Beach,
Washington.
One of the very few private campgrounds with direct walking access to
beach. The amenities are limited, but who needs 'em when you are
at the beach? Quiet, in the midst of beach sand and grass.
You can actually hear the ocean, and see it from some sites.
From: Fred Folkers
Janice and I heard about Normandy Farms from one of the Travel Channel's programs about RV parks. It was listed as one of the best and plushest. It's in Foxboro, MA just below Boston. Jan had a weeklong assignment in Quincy, MA so we booked a space. It was extremely nice and very, very rural considering how close they are to a major metro area. As for features, look at their website at http://www.normandyfarms.com/index.php. It's huge and the staff is very large, but all of them were friendly and helpful.
occasional potlucks. The office has computer hookups with DSL, as well as a computer you could use. The sites are large with full hookups, including CATV and some pull-thrus/firepits, swimming pool. Book early
for winter as this year we couldn't get in--they were booked thru March.
We are currently in a newly renovated/owned RV resort in Picayune, MS: SUN ROAMERS RV RESORT, 601-798-5818 (formerly a membership CG: Timberlake RV Park). A very large, well-managed park with large sites, full hookups, clubhouse, restaurant (Fri-steak nite and Sun breakfast), rally facilities, big-screen TV, free WiFi as well as modem in office, olympic pool, fishing, chapel, 20 min to East New Orleans/Slidell LA. We prefer this park to those in Slidell when in the New Orleans area, since it is in a quiet rural area, yet has a Super WalMart around the corner.
Our favorite casino RV park is at the CASINO MAGIC in Bay Saint Louis MS (800-WIN-BIG-2), large sites, full hookup, cement pads, CATV, modem in office, grills. Woodall says they have pools but we haven't seen them.
From: Galen & Karen Ballentine
One of our favorite campgrounds is the KOA in San Antonio, TX
(800-562-7783). It is an oasis in the city, less than 5 miles from the
downtown area where the Alamo and Riverwalk are located. The city bus
line provides reliable service downtown every 30 minutes. Since the
city has 2 million in population there are lots of other attractions
also. The staff is friendly and helpful (I may be a bit biased since I
workkamp there during the winter). There are many large trees, much
appreciated in the summer, and a creek along the back of the property.
Reservations are recommended and are essential during February when the SA Livestock Show and Rodeo take place. Any questions can be directed to: info@sanantoniokoa.com.
From: Fred Folkers
Janice and I heard about Normandy Farms from one of the Travel Channel's programs about RV parks. It was listed as one of the best and plushest. It's in Foxboro, MA just below Boston. Jan had a weeklong assignment in Quincy, MA so we booked a space. It was extremely nice and very, very rural considering how close they are to a major metro area. As for features, look at their website at http://www.normandyfarms.com/index.php. It's huge and the staff is very large, but all of them were friendly and helpful.
As for
Casinos, we like the KOA at the Reno Hilton. Very nice and clean and
close to the hotel. One of the main reasons I like it is that the
Hilton has one of the best steak houses in the country called,
appropriately enough, The Steak House.
From: Marty and Toni Sanders
occasional potlucks. The office has computer hookups with DSL, as well as a computer you could use. The sites are large with full hookups, including CATV and some pull-thrus/firepits, swimming pool. Book early
for winter as this year we couldn't get in--they were booked thru March.
We are currently in a newly renovated/owned RV resort in Picayune, MS: SUN ROAMERS RV RESORT, 601-798-5818 (formerly a membership CG: Timberlake RV Park). A very large, well-managed park with large sites, full hookups, clubhouse, restaurant (Fri-steak nite and Sun breakfast), rally facilities, big-screen TV, free WiFi as well as modem in office, olympic pool, fishing, chapel, 20 min to East New Orleans/Slidell LA. We prefer this park to those in Slidell when in the New Orleans area, since it is in a quiet rural area, yet has a Super WalMart around the corner.
Our favorite casino RV park is at the CASINO MAGIC in Bay Saint Louis MS (800-WIN-BIG-2), large sites, full hookup, cement pads, CATV, modem in office, grills. Woodall says they have pools but we haven't seen them.
From: Galen & Karen Ballentine
One of our favorite campgrounds is the KOA in San Antonio, TX
(800-562-7783). It is an oasis in the city, less than 5 miles from the
downtown area where the Alamo and Riverwalk are located. The city bus
line provides reliable service downtown every 30 minutes. Since the
city has 2 million in population there are lots of other attractions
also. The staff is friendly and helpful (I may be a bit biased since I
workkamp there during the winter). There are many large trees, much
appreciated in the summer, and a creek along the back of the property.
Reservations are recommended and are essential during February when the SA Livestock Show and Rodeo take place. Any questions can be directed to: info@sanantoniokoa.com.