RE: Unusual Things People Camp With
The grill clamped to the picnic table is not the usual variety seen in a campground. It is an attention getter. I've only seen 2 other RVers use these. Both times the RVers were also boaters like us.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Veebyes/Trailer%20Travels/IMG_2760.jpg....
I saw one of those at an RVpark, (Campland on the Bay). It was attached to the rail of one of these, a Macgregor 26x:
http://www.macgregor26.com/index/grand_tetons_trailer_large.jpg
It was a few campsites away from us, a couple slept in it at night in the campground. They had guests in three dome tents setup on their site. During the day the boat was in San Diego's Mission bay.
RE: RV Industry No Longer Running On Empty
....This is an industry that is in dire shape and there is just no money for RD going on ....
That's funny right there! Even when the economy was booming there was no money allocated for R&D in the RV industry! Besides the veranda concept from Country Coach, the floating RV/Boat, and the proliferation of powered slide outs, there has been very little design innovation in the past 35 years in the RV industry.
I agree with the other posts. The news from MSNBC is bright, but just an anomaly.
The entire economy is still spiraling down. Jobless rates continue to dramatically climb. Public companies post misleading profitability and efficiency improvement numbers for investors and the media, (in direct proportion to the staff layoffs and furlough programs that they have just undergone). Companies are postponing inevitable layoffs until after the holidays, if they can. Foreclosures are still rising, even though property values in the exact same high demand areas are slightly rising simultaneously. Available cash is drying up among those that had it, especially approaching the holiday buying season. Small businesses are not able to borrow operating cash from their normal lenders and are continuing to close their doors.
We still have a way to go for "economic recovery" to be a real thing. And, any real recovery to the general economy is going to effect the RV industry last.
RE: Womp' em Stick
Wood + Fire = Ash
A short thick hard-wood dowel piece, with another long skinny hard-wood dowel attached, a bent piece of wire, and a plastic storage tube for $19.95?
I have seen those on the Campfire in a Can website, and similar hard-wood devices for sale at various small town gas stations in the High Sierras of CA. But they just don't make sense.
In the Boy Scouts, (idea actually stolen from the Girl Scouts), we would take any long stick from a nearby tree and bake pop-biscuit dough, we would place preserves and whipped cream inside. Yum! However, the sticks always burned.
Even if you soak the stick in water overnight, by the time the dough bakes the wood will be charred.
I agree that making, (a consumable supply), them from dowel is the better option.
RE: Why Would I Want a Bread Machine?
I'm not sure if the OP was specifically talking about carrying a breadmaker in an RV. If that's the case, then it would need to be for a very specific purpose such as a Gluten-Free diet, or if allergic to preservatives. It's a big and bulky device to be carrying around.
That being said, for home use, I recently dug out the breadmaker from the garage that we were given as a wedding gift 12 years ago.
My DW has recently lost over 140 pounds and is determined to eat healthy, so whole wheat breads are the reason for my new interest in the bread maker. In the past few months I have made various very good whole wheat breads and dough for pizza and oven-baked loafs. It's very easy and inexpensive to experiment with new recipes as I find them on the interwebs.
RE: What size Dutch oven?
I use a 12 inch with spacers under the pan so things do not burn on the bottom. I do not like the legs as I like the bottom of my pan setting right on the coals.Just curious, who sells a DO without legs, but with a rimmed lid as shown in the picture? Is that the lid from a different DO?
Regarding the OP, I have a family of four too. I have found that a 12" "outdoor" Lodge DO is a very versatile and good unit to start with. Many recipes that you run across are made for a 12", and it's big enough for general baking and contributing to PotLuck dinners when camping.
RE: Police Shootout
.... With the economy the way it is the bank hold ups are on the rise. The evening news is full of hold ups every night.
The media generally only mentions the hold-ups where the perpetrators are actually caught or killed!
There are far more robberies where the bad guys get away. Clean getaways. But that does not make "good" news.
RE: Which (used) PUPs have indoor shower/toilet?
Thanks, everyone. I bought a used 2004 Rockwood last weekend w/indoor and outdoor shower (and toilet). Can't wait to use it!
Congratulations!! Now go use it, Camp Driveway awaits!! And I do mean the shower AND toilet!!;)
RE: Just bought pup and have a few questions
..
1) tents have to be cleaned - kind of dirty (just like the entire camper - looks like they left it open b/c it looks like outside dirt vs. people dirt). Anyway, I don't think it is mildew and have read to use dish soap and water to clean. Is this correct, and any particular scrubbing brush that I should use/not use? If it is mildew, what should I use?
Check your owners manual to see what it recommends. Dish soap should be fine. Then, don't forget to re-treat the fabric with waterproofing spray and the vinyl for UV resistance.
2) any suggestions re: how to clean mattresses? Call me squeamish, but I'm the 3rd owner and don't usually sleep on used mattresses. Are there covers and/or cheap source to buy new ones? They look to be the original, somewhat thin mattresses, although they are in good shape except for a stain or two.
My favorite tool for cleaning mattresses is a carpet cleaner with a good hand attachment. It sprays down the cleaning/disinfecting agent and then is simultaneously vacuumed up. If you don't have one you can usually find inexpensive reconditioned models at Big Lots.
3) I bought from an individual, but a camp store near me suggested putting in a transmission cooler, especially since I'm pulling w/a 2005 Honda minivan. Trailer is 2600 pounds, minivan is rated to 3500. We live in the south and will use it more in the summer. This seems like a no brainer.
More necessary, than just a suggestion. Unless.... you carefully plan all of you camping trips so that the trip, both going and coming back, is all downhill driving.;)
4) any suggestions re: ongoing maintenance, things to watch out for and/or winterizing? It does freeze here (NC based), and I hope to use it 1-2 times in Dec. before it gets too cold. I'm guessing bleed the lines for water like a house - anything else?
Mainly to check their condition because you are now the third owner, repack the wheel bearings, and adjust the brakes. If you're going to camp in freezing weather, just empty the water tank and blow out the water lines with air. Take all drinking/washing water separately in suitable containers. If going into truly freezing weather -20F degrees only open or close your PopUp after heating the clear vinyl as it may crack.
RE: Montana LLC sales tax excemtion
.......
So, if I go to any other state, I WILL get stopped for a license check, so they can verify that I am not the owner of a Montana LLC?
No LEO gives a rat's a$# if you are the owner of a Montana LLC. However, due to the proliferation and abuse of using a Montana LLC as an excuse to avoid paying sales tax over the past decade when purchasing pricy motorhomes, they are a target, (kinda like a red convertible). Easy revenue for any municipality!
What if, for purposes of my own, I have my RV registered in the name "Mowermech Family Trust, a Montana LLC"?
You have nothing at all to worry about if you have a CDL. The motorhome is considered a commercial vehicle because it is registered to a business, (even a trust), in a whole bunch of States.
Does that mean some cop will give me a ticket for not having a CDL?
Only if your RV is considered to be a commercial vehicle in that particular State, with it's registration to an LLC.
How many times will I get stopped between Donner Pass and Visalia? How about between Spokane and Seattle?
Your mileage may vary. But that one time is enough.
Sorry, but unless you can provide some proof of your statement, I just don't believe it!
If it SHOULD happen to prove true, you can bet us Montana folks will just stay home to avoid the harassment!
This is the internet. I need not provide any proof! My words are just an opinion worth as much as you have paid for it! Take it or leave it! Do your own research.
The last time I got a Montana Business License from the Secretary of State (NO, that is NOT an LLC!), the fee was $20. I don't know what it is now.
That's a more reasonable cost in line with what it should cost.
RE: Montana LLC sales tax excemtion
That is too much for forming an LLC for a legitimate business reason.
For dodging sales tax, most Highway Patrol Departments and LEOs in every State now target RV's with Montana plates and ask to see your commercial operators license when, (not if) stopped. Proceed at your own peril.
RE: WWII in HD
All the "new" footage has been around the block a few times. It just has never before been seen "in HD resolution", that current television technology can take advantage of, and will allow for the sales of BluRay discs.
RE: Texan drives $1 million sports car into marshes !
Bugatti Veyron
8L
16 cylinders
4wd
1001 HP
922 ft. lbs Torque
253 mph.
Base price $1.3 million.
That thing needs a hitch on it! With that much power would make a heck of a tow vehicle...
My favorite feature is the Top Speed Key, as seen on Top Gear. You lift a "secret" access panel, turn a key, and it enables the vehicle's suspension to drop to 3.5", and a spoiler to engage to help with the aerodynamics when traveling above 140mph. Just like a good TV should!!:C
RE: Texan drives $1 million sports car into marshes !
This "funny" incident is most likely going to end up being prosecuted, just like the balloon-boy incident. The fact that there was someone conveniently filming it for YouTube is statistically remarkably suspect. The YouTube video also disproves the driver's original claims about a pelican.
The driver of the Bugatti Veyron has been identified being Andy House, the owner of Performance Auto Sales in Lufkin, a company that restores wrecked exotic vehicles.
Hmmm? A guy that fixes exotic automobiles for a living, wrecks one, and then get's to fix it??? If fraudulent insurance claims are made, regarding this incident, it is going to be dragged on for some time in the courts, and on the news.
RE: Would you miss Saturday home mail delivery?
Absolutely YES! I also still get "good" mail, letters, packages, and stuff from friends and family. I also order many items online that invariably arrive on Saturday. And, as a hobby, I will occasionally sell something on Ebay or Craigslist and like knowing that I can do it on Saturday.
Those darn mis-managed slackers!! My parents always told me that they missed the time when the U.S. Postal service delivered mail TWICE a day, (up until 1950's)! Now they want to eliminate a whole day!
RE: Joshua Tree in December
Thanks for all of the info. We have 4 families going (and lots of kids) and sounds like we are going to have a lot of fun!
It can be a beautiful place, (I prefer going during Spring). You mentioned lots of kids..... Just make sure to teach the kids about snake safety, before you get there.
Although normally dormant this time of year, rattlesnakes are very common in the area. They may be seen basking in the sun occasionally during the fall/winter and appear to be dead, until it's too late.
RE: 3 Ways to Fix a Turkey
Yeah, roasting times have changed!
It used to be common for folks to roast their turkeys all morning and afternoon. Many hours of roasting at a low heat. That tended to dry out the bird, unless you took special steps using foils, constant basting, bags, or special cookware.
Nowadays, even the supermarkets that sell the frozen birds promote the "two hour" method. That's two hours of high heat. You can use any old covered enameled roasting pan to get fantastic results. You don't even need foil.
One hour cook times with devices such as the Camp Chef Keg Roaster, CharBroil's Big Easy, or just about any good BBQ grill that is large enough can produce chef-quality turkey that is crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
RE: Dry Camping in a PUP in Cold Weather - Lesson Learned
When I had a pup and camped in the cold climates I used some cheap sleeping bags on the inside. I put a bungee on both ends and drapped the sleeping bag over the shephards pole then hung the ends of the sleeping bag over the bungees. That insulated the ceiling keeping it from "raining" on me in the morning.
I like the idea of the sleeping bags on the inside ceiling of the bunk ends, and bungee cords. I'll have to try that - thanks.
Condensation. That's the other reason I leave the furnace on throughout the night when I camp in freezing weather in the PopUp.
With the furnace on throughout the night, if it's freezing outside, you can afford to leave some of the window flaps open a little, and have fans circulating the fresh air. Condensation will not form, and you will not have rain. But you will use propane, and battery energy.
