Couple Launches RV Related Magazines

You've got to hand it to a couple who've decided to publish their own magazine: It takes a lot of guts and hard work. And then, after a couple of months of hiring out the printing, they decide to do the work in-house: They lease a huge digital press and (lacking a sufficient elevator to bring it to the second floor press room) move it into their building through a window.

That's the life of would-be publishers Frank and Kaeth Gauthier. A few months ago the Gautheirs noticed there was no official publication for folks who lived in (or dreamed of living) in a park model home. Frank had past experience with the lifestyle, so along with his relatively new wife, set out to publish a magazine to fill the slot. This September they'll try it again, this time publishing a magazine, Fifth Wheel Living.

While the Gautheirs' first "baby," does have an active website, the new upstart has yet to garner any .com entry of its own. We'd hoped to be able to get a feel for the style and content of the Gautheirs' first venture by visiting their website. Unfortunately, there's a shortage of content on the site. We'll update you about the new magazine when it becomes available. Meanwhile, visit the Arkon, Ohio, Beacon Journal for the full story on the couple's venture.

Are 5th Wheel Rear Awnings and Shades Worth It?

Our previous 5th wheel had what they call an “Arizona Shade” over the rear windows. It's the roll-up shade behind the bird feeder. We rarely used it and it was always dirty and very difficult to keep clean. Why? Because the backs of cars and RVs collect dust and dirt due to the vortex effects of the wind as you drive your rig. This Grand Teton 5th wheel has an awning that is deployable over the rear windows. The ladder is detachable in order to deploy the awning. However, the owner never uses it. Why? Because it is too much of a hassle to deploy it. Instead of awnings or shades, I recommend tinted windows for your RV because it will help resist the sun, give you more privacy and it's hassle free. If your RV doesn’t have window tinting, it can be put on at most RV detail shops. I’m covering you backside – Jim Twamley

Score One for 5ers! Bridge Toll Reduced!

Who says you can't fight city hall? In this case, the yelping noises of fifth wheel owners about toll rate inequities on the International Bridge at Sault Ste-Marie,Ontario. After hiking the fee for fivers to $9.05 last April, bridge officials received 50 complaints from RV owners who took exception to the high fees: Other RV trailer owners were paying only $4.50 to cross the bridge.

According to a story in the Sault Star newspaper of Ontario, the whole problem was cracked up to "an oversight." Just how much extra cash was generated by the 'double taxation' issue is unknown--or at least, nobody's saying. But one thing that is clear, the money won't be refunded. In 1999, over 2.6 million passenger vehicles crossed the 3-arch, 2.8 mile long bridge that connects towns of the same name in both Ontario and Michigan.

Photo: Transport Canada

5th Wheel RVers Spin Test Your Wheels!

RVers who have 5th wheel trailers may want to consider spin testing their wheels while on the axle. Richard & Joan Walter from DeBary, Florida have a 5th wheel and performed the spin test today. They backed the 5th wheel onto a heavy duty plastic ramp in order to suspend one tire at a time for the spin test. It's recommended that you suspend one wheel at a time and manually spin it to check for rotational deviation. One way to do this is to tape a straight edge to the wheel skirt in close proximity to the tire and spin the tire. The stationary straight edge will give you an eyeball evaluation of how straight your wheels are tracking. Richard says that if the wobble is more than one half inch off then you will need to have a shop realign your wheel. Most of the time, you can just spin the tire by hand and eyeball it to see if it’s true. When your wheels are tracking straight, you’ll get better tread life and your wheel bearings will last longer. Jim Twamley

Western RV Merges with Pilgrim

Western Recreational Vehicles, the Washington state RV manufacturer that recently took to the papers with news of its financial woes, may be looking at a turnaround. The Yakima, Washington based company is probably best known for its high-level line of Alpenlite fifth wheels. Early this month the news rolled out that Western RV will merge with Pilgrim International, an Indiana based RV maker.

While Western RV has been building rigs for years, Pilgrim is a relatively new creature--just five years in the RV business. Puff pieces from the parent company, Monomoy Capital Partners, make it sound as if Pilgrim is a widely acclaimed rig on the east coast, while the Alpenlite line is arguably one of the biggest players is luxury fivers out west. Just how this will play out in future manufacturing and marketing remains to be seen. For more information on the merger, visit the Yakima Herald Republic.

Photos courtesy Western Recreational Vehicles and Pilgrim International

Attention 5th Wheel RVers! Protect Your Landing Gear and 5th Wheel Chassis

I had to repair and replace landing gear equipment on my 5th wheel trailer several times. One of the problems with the landing gear is that the legs “move” when you're raising them causing a rocking motion. I always used boards to allow the landing gear feet to be able to “slide” when I was raising them. This would help, but not prevent, chassis twisting. Chassis twisting is what causes caulking to crack under the overhang and will also cause the holes where the landing gear protrude to expand leaving visible “gaps” in the structure. By using “Snaps” Manufacturing, Leveling Wedge Blocks, you’ll eliminate these problems. Use a pair of wedges to chock the rear wheels and then back-up the rig onto the wedges. This (combined with use of the wedges on the landing gear) takes the pressure off the king-pin allowing for easy un-hitching without having to put the truck into gear and rocking back and forth until it releases.
Next, lower the landing gear to about an inch or so from the ground and slide a wedge under each landing gear foot until they make contact and are relatively centered. Continue to lower the landing gear like normal. This procedure ensures that the landing gear legs are equalized and raise and lower the 5er without twisting the frame. This is especially important on rigs that only have one motor operating the landing gear. Snaps Leveling Wedge Blocks are made from recycled dense plastic and are guaranteed for life. You can purchase these from Camping World or your local RV store. Learn more about this product here:
”Snaps”