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By Katrina Kane, on April 13th, 2007 Spring is here and just like in a house, it is time for spring cleaning. Time to get rid of unneeded things you pick up on the road, time to reorganize space, and time to clean. Trailers can get pretty dirty on the outside during winter and on the west coast, they also tend to get mold growing on windows and side panels. It is up to us to make our homes attractive again and clean up around the park to show the surrounding community we are not “trailer trash”.
Today I washed my trailer and truck. That is not an easy thing to do with a high standing trailer and issues that keep me from bending over or putting real “elbow grease” into it but I managed to do a fairly decent job with the help of the right tools.
A telescoping mop is essential for me. Mine goes from an easy to store 3 feet to a lovely 6 footer. It reaches all the way up to the roof with my feet flat on the ground and swivels every which way. No bending required and no standing on ladders. One sculpted handle and a another padded handle certainly help. RV stores sell them but I found mine at Walmart.
I also got to test a new hose that appears to be ideal for RV folk. I love a good “As Seen On TV” gadget, especially when they really do work. Found at Home Depot, a 50 ft. flat hose made of vinyl in 3 separate channels. It is very light weight, takes up little space, comes on a reel, and includes a 6 way spray. The 3 channel design keeps it from kinking and allows using it on the reel without unreeling it, unlike other single channel flat hoses. Carrying it while using it was easy and reeling it back in even easier. The flat spray and jet position worked the best on the nozzle. This is definitely a must have for washing vehicles and using with a Tornado black water tank cleanout or the clear cleanout hose attachment. Cost was only $19.95. If you go looking for one, it will be in the garden section with the hoses but it comes in a 2″x16″ box. Make sure the carry handle and sprayer are also in the box.
By Katrina Kane, on April 5th, 2007 Yep. Time for a new tow vehicle. I started out with a GMC Sierra Z71 K1500 truck which I truly love riding in and it towed my trailer very nicely on flat land. However, mountains were a bit too challenging for it with my trailer attached. After checking around the RV park and getting lots of helpful advice from other RVers, I decided my truck was fine for smaller, lighter weekend camping trailers but was not for my 26 foot full-timing trailer. I need at least a 250/2500 vehicle that can tow up to 9200 pounds which would be around 20% above the max GVRW of my trailer for safety.
A regular truck is the norm and can tow both trailers and 5th wheels. I might want a 5th wheel someday but discovered I am really very happy with my current trailer and not in any hurry to change. I also have a cat with me who has to ride in a small cage in my truck which is not very comfortable for her on long hauls.
So, I opted to purchase a GMC Yukon XL K2500 instead with an 8.1L engine and 4.10 gear ratio. It can tow up to 12,000+ lbs. Overkill I know. A 6.0L with 4.10 gears would also have worked or and 8.1L with 3.73 gears. I have been looking for several months and this is the one that finally came along at the right price with everything else I wanted. Who knows, maybe I will want to get a bigger trailer eventually and this new truck can certainly handle it. Gas was not an issue because I work over the Internet rather than commuting.
The new truck has heated seats, heated mirrors with remote adjust, rear window defroster, ac all through it, cruise control, CD, sunroof, 4×4, tow haul mode, Onstar, leather seats, compass/temp in the rear view mirror, adjustable lumbar support, bucket seats, remote door locks, passenger radio controls and headphone links, etc. Kitty will be happy with the space once I put up a divider for her.
  
  
By Katrina Kane, on March 26th, 2007 The new week started off with a bang tonight and I mean that literally. Details are not in yet but a trailer here in the park caught fire tonight and is a complete loss. I first heard what sounded like rain and then fireworks. When I opened my window blinds to check on the noise, there was a travel trailer several rows away and a truck next to it completely engulfed in flames. The bangs we heard for over an hour were ammunition stored in the trailer going off. The truck had also just caught the slideout of a second trailer on fire.
   
Police responded quickly followed by the fire department. Inhabitants of both trailers were awakened and got out unhurt. Propane tanks were removed safely from the first trailer. Both trailers are too damaged for repair. The truck is also a loss but a motorcycle was saved and possibly another vehicle.
Many of the park residents were awakened and gathered in the cold to watch and make sure other nearby rigs were safe. We now know what everyone sleeps in. I’m a pajama person myself. I expect to see a lot of people with colds this week, particularly the guy in nothing but shorts.
On a positive note, we were supposed to have high winds tonight but they did not come. That saved the trees, fence, and freeway behind the trailer. It likely saved other nearby trailers and motohomes.
Cause of the fire is not yet known but bets are on smoking or an electric space heater. Other trailer fires in the park over the years were caused by smokers and a defective refrigerator which had been recalled but not repaired. There is currently another recall out for Dometic refrigerators from 1997-1999.
By Katrina Kane, on March 26th, 2007 What a week in my RV life! Both equipment and personal breakdowns.
It started with my refrigerator dying. Darn thing would not stay on and when it was, it was not that cold. Lost a little food but not much. That necessitated putting my entire home in the RV repair place which is thankfully right next to the RV park. Yes, I was homeless for a day.
The upside was that I needed the annual repacking of the hub bearings done anyway and I wanted to add a Tornado black water tank cleaning system, so I got those all done at the same time. See, you can make lemonade from lemons. 😉 All seems to be working fine now. They did a great job.
The refrigerator repair is being paid by the Good Sam CSP warranty I bought right after I bought the trailer “just in case”. The shop called them with their diagnosis and got a quick authorization from them for the $1400 repairs. I just have to pay my deductible so that helps the sting. I guess I should state the shop was Broadmoor RV on St. Thomas Drive in Pasco, WA to throw them some free advertising here. I should also mention that I went back over to Broadmoor the next day and they had a free barbecue going on with barbecued spare ribs and beans. Yummy!
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