Vol 3 Num 3 New Horizons Owners Newsletter May/June 2001
We left Texas in March bound for SC to be near our daughter for a while. Enroute, we went to Perry, GA for the Great North American RV Rally. The weather was nasty: windy, cold, and lots of rain, so much that low places turned into streams of water. We slogged through the mud to get to the exhibits. We dry camped, counting on our solar system to keep charged up. Faint hope. Thirty minutes of sunshine in four days won't do it. We had to replace the batteries while we were there. Did get to visit with some NH people: the Voelckers, Griffiths, Thompsons.
Arrived in SC for our visit. On April 9, we were out walking. Helen fell, breaking her right upper arm. Excruciating pain. I'm in a surgical sling and making remarkable progress, according to my doctor. Not having fun yet. All recliners have the lever on the right side, so Don has to work the mechanism for me. Until recently, I couldn't squeeze toothpaste on my toothbrush. Frustrating! But we're surviving, learning to cope. A slight down, but we've had a lot more ups. That's what we focus on. I am doing extremely well, considering it's only three weeks after the fall.
We're looking forward to summer in Buena Vista, CO at Valley Mobile Park. Drop in if you're in the area.
In this issue, be sure to read Jon Floyd's story about changing lifestyles and beginning RV'ing; we can relate. Also, read Harold Johnson's account of his bout with colon cancer.
We didn't receive many items for YOUR TURN. A line or two would do it, so please write. Also, keep the articles, hints, tips, recipes, favorite parks/places, etc. coming. Write today!
Comments, ideas, questions, suggestions about most anything.
Our house had been on the market for 20 months, despite being well located and reasonably priced. It should have sold. It's a good thing it didn't; we wanted to go fulltiming, although at that time we didn't know what that meant.. We were too dumb and uneducated. A higher power refused to let us make idiots of ourselves.
While waiting, we studied the RV market, went to RV shows, surfed the Internet, and shopped the local dealers. Some RV salesmen are somewhat less than expert on RV's. But they will sell you the largest RV you can afford whether or not you can pull it.
While surfing the net, we discovered the RV Consumer Group. We searched their ratings for the best trailers, those with five stars. In the green book the RVCG sent us, we searched for all five star, full-time rated fivers. We decided to get a list of makers and select the most affordable from that group. Wrong. The number was exactly one (1) five star, full-time rated, 5W maker. Even the four star ones were rated for fulltiming. So we called.
They sent us a brochure and a video, showing how the trailers were constructed. As an engineer, I was impressed. We wanted one, but the house hadn't sold. They made some "lot models", and in January, 2000, five trailers were for sale. I watched, with sinking heart, as four of the trailers disappeared. The last one, still available, had the right floor plan, the right weight, the right equipment, and it was a five star. Finally, we sold the house.
Alma called and asked about the trailer. It was there and he asked if we still wanted it. She said yes but we couldn't make the down payment until the house closed because of unexpected dental expenses. He said not to worry. He said he would save it for us, and had put our name on it the first time I called. She nearly cried. He also sent a new video. In great detail, it showed the 5W we so desperately wanted to buy.
The design features were impressive. My wife loved the galley, the storage, and the oak cabinets. The basement was huge and well-designed. Then the president and CEO got up on the top of the trailer I wanted to buy and commenced to jump up and down. Then he got on top of one of the extended slides and did it again! I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or go crazy. Here was this dude abusing the trailer I wanted to buy. Later we found out that he didn't harm the trailer at all. It was built to withstand that, and more, much more.
Finally, the house closed, we packed a U-haul trailer and left for the plant in Junction City, KS. While there, we met other customers who were getting work done on their trailers, and just visiting because this was the week-end of the Rally.
"Brand loyalty" is a common attribute among New Horizon owners. Most of them are RV'ing experts because they're fulltimers. To newbies like us, we couldn't have asked for a better time to absorb knowledge about the lifestyle and the product.
Most fulltimers are gregarious. Give them a smile and an extended hand and they will tell you about themselves, their truck, and their trailer. They don't talk much about destinations, because it's not about places. It's about getting there, wherever there is. Some are looking for the perfect place to settle down. Others flock to the big jamborees. Some seek the lonely, out of the way places. They will share tales of adventure. Like the couple that gave shelter to other travelers when they were trapped in a blizzard in the Rockies. Like the trailer that survived a tornado and became a first-aid station. Or surviving an ice storm in southern Texas. Such stories are the stuff of RV legend. Some day the legends will live only in little read history books of the era of freedom when fuel was cheap, universally available, and the roads long and in good repair.
There is another requirement for RVing
that we had not fully anticipated. You have to be in fair to good physical
and mental shape to set up an RV. We were suburban non-athletes. We sold
the estate in a huge garage sale, and loaded and unloaded the Uhaul, all
in oppressive heat. Then came the compressed education course about the
little space ship called a modern RV that took place over one and one-half
days at the plant. Next, we experienced the tenseness and fear associated
with the first drive, back-up, park, and finally the trauma of the first
damage to the trailer from a tall tree with a low branch. All these events
were not spread over time; they came like a Jackie Chan fight scene, each
rapidly adding another layer of exhaustion and stress. After all of this,
it was hard to remember that the intent of all this activity was to have
fun. When even your eyelids hurt, you are not having much fun. (Jon Floyd)
Ed Note: We appreciate Jon and Alma sharing with us; more next issue)
NOTICE: The Rally Committee has reserved 60 sites at Tuttle Creek State Park for rally participants. These sites will be available on Sept. 27 to the first 60 owners who send in their registrations. Registrants after the first 60 will have to take whatever sites are left in the park. Some of the unreserved sites may not have electricity.
The next day we weren't able to use the gas side of the hot water because water had gotten into it and froze. The temperature never rose above 25 that day, so back to electric. This cured me of ever wanting the instant hot water option. To make our day more interesting after the storm we were iced into the trailer, no one was moving in the CG. My husband kept trying to open the door and the ice finally gave way. Of course, we weren't in cell phone range to call for assistance. This is what makes trips memorable.
Wheel Bearings, Trailers
Dexter recommends wheel bearings be packed every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
We recently had an RV mechanic come out and pack ours; more expensive than
dragging it in, but worth it as far as this non do-it-yourself type is concerned.
It's a big job, even if you do it yourself. Be sure you check the lug nuts
afterwards. I didn't, and after a 1300 mile trip, one of the lug nuts had
disappeared. Check them frequently as you travel; it's dangerous not to.
(Don McAnally)
Galley and Gray Water Tanks
To keep these clean and eliminate odors, close the valves and pour two gallons
of white vinegar( from WalMart or supermarket) down each tank. Let the tanks
fill up, then drain. Best results will be obtained if you do this just before
traveling. (Don McAnally)
Anyone else have a good solution that works? Let us know.
USEFUL PRODUCTS (We've used these and recommend them.; share your finds with us, (Don and Helen McAnally)
Microfiber®
Towels
We like these because they absorb about 7 times their weight in liquids.
We keep one in the bathroom, using it to wipe down the shower walls and
curtain, and around the sink area. We're indebted to Joanne Christensen
for introducing us to this product. 800-856-8834; www.microfiber.org
Air Lift®
Ride Control
We recently installed Air Lifts on our F-250, hoping to improve the ride
while towing the trailer over rough and herky-jerky roads. We went over
the same sorry Interstate highways we had traveled before without the air
lifts. The ride was considerably better, and the lifts damped down the jars,
bangs, and pops. www.airliftcompany.com Also, check Camping World.
I started chemotherapy which I'm not enjoying. I go for 5 days in a row each month for 6 months. I have two more sessions (as of May 1). The week of chemo and the week following aren't that much fun. The good news is that overall I'm doing fine. A colonoscopy 2 weeks ago was clear. I have gained most of my weight back, my hair is thinning but I still have plenty, the girls here in the office seem to be treating me slightly better, and I haven't lost any work!!!!!
I'd never been in a hospital before, not even when I was born. I've always been healthy. So I'd sure recommend that anyone who has never had a colonoscopy to get one. (Harold Johnson) (Ed note: Thanks to Harold for sharing, and we continue to pray for a full and lasting recovery.)
(* Oscillating preamps generate rash
of interference complaints:
The FCC reports it's gotten word of a rash of interference problems created
by oscillating preamplifiers built into Winegard TV antennas used primarily
on RVs, campers and motor homes.
The oscillations generally appear in the 400-500 MHz range--and sometimes elsewhere--and have caused interference problems to public safety and Amateur Radio operation at distances of several miles away. The FCC's Gary Hendrickson says Winegard has acknowledged the problem and estimates that there may be as many as 40,000 defective units in the field, which it has agreed to replace at no charge. Owners, RV dealers or repair shops that might have new, but defective, units in stock should contact the factory at Burlington, Iowa: 319-754-0600.
Winegard also has proposed a proactive program in which service technicians will visit the larger campgrounds, rallies and dealers around the country, actively look for defective/radiating units in operation or on the dealer's shelves, and replace them at no charge to the customer, regardless of the age of the unit.--Gary Hendrickson/FCC. (Ed note: This appeared in the American Radio Relay League newslettersubmitted to HH by Joe Thomson)
Beef Stew
(pre-heat 250 degrees)
Two pounds stew beef
4 carrots (cut-up)
3 potatoes (cut-up)
1 onion (sliced)
1 cup celery
3 T Minute Tapioca
1 C tomato juice
1 T sugar, 1 t salt, ½ t pepper
Stir all ingredients together in oven proof pan, cover tightly.
Cook in a 250 degree oven for 4 hr.
DO NOT TAKE LID OFF DURING COOKING
You can change or adjust vegs. Try it once. You may want to double sauce,
extra gravy (Pat Sadd)
Before and
after Rally 2000, we tried to accommodate everyone for any type of work.
We had over 30 trailers in and out of here, about three per day. Some customers
were disappointed because we couldn't take care of problems even though
their units were still under warranty.
This also caused a disruption in our production which resulted in some unhappy
customers who had to reschedule their pick up dates.
We understand that this is an excellent opportunity for owners to visit our facility and have work done and we want to be as accommodating as possible. Last year we had some owners who wanted major changes and additions. I believe if we had limited the time immediately before and after the rally to warranty repairs, we could have served everyone better.
Our intent this year is give warranty
work a priority and try to schedule a few days before and after the rally
for owners that have warranty issues or repairs that need immediate attention.
We would like for everyone intending to have any work done (warranty or
add-ons) to call and make an appointment . We will schedule accordingly.
We hope everyone will understand our situation and work with us.
We have added a building to our facility with two main work areas. The welding shop is on one side, and the other side has two service bays that will make it easier to do service work. (Ken Ullmer)
Although most don't know about it and many ignore it, Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT ) regulations require that trailers licensed in Texas, above certain length and weight minimums, be inspected periodically. Nearly all RVs exceed the minimums.
TxDOT regulations also specify the number and location of clearance (side marker) lights and require a reflector at each location. The clearance light lenses currently installed on New Horizons trailersBargman series 58do not meet the reflector requirement.
Two possible solutions: 1) replace all lenses with Bargman series 59 Reflex (reflector) lenses, about $3 each at Camping World; or 2) install stick-on reflectors, about $1.75 a pair at WalMart. Because of their slightly convex shape, the oblong reflectors reflect over a wider range of angles than the small round ones, which are usually flat. (Karl Shaner)