RE: Backup camera question
I wired mine to the clearance lights on the Lance and now I hit a switch(headlights) on the dash (during the day) and I can take a look if I want. There's a power switch on the unit too, but the dash switch is easier.
That's how I work mine as well.
RE: Backup camera question
That works, then you don't need a monitor that does it. Question are they wireless and what frequency do they work on. Unless its 1.2 or 2.4 gig, they are a waste of money. Your link seems to be wired cameras. Wireless require the receiver with it, hence the $65 price.
RE: Backup camera question
The Costco one did not work for me. The signal was broken up & snowy due to its low frequency signal. I built my own combo for $250 in parts that has a 7 inch LCD screen & works great. It is in 1.2 Gig frequency range and not subject to interference.
I have copied & pasted my posts from another forum below:
I finally found a suitable LCD monitor for my wireless backup camera. This one allows me to select a reverse image so the driver & passenger side are the right way around. I bought it through this LINK. They were great, it arrived in less than 10 days.
The wireless camera info is:
1 - 802CWA+RC400A camera & receiver. Contact James@spycamera4U.com. The website is Spy Camera, but contact James & let him know its for an RV, He will ensure you get the right model. Price is $70 - $100. He is located in Salt Lake City.
I have a 2004 Silverado. In the case of this truck mounting was a snap. The camera comes with a dash mount. I used just the thin metal mount, put duct tape on the back to stop scratches, & found that it would slide behind the molding in front of the airbag disable switch very nicely. (That molding simply pulls out & you can slip it behind. No permanent attachment necessary)
http://www.natcoa.org/images/camera2.JPG
http://www.natcoa.org/images/camera3.JPG
http://www.natcoa.org/images/camera4.JPG
http://www.truckcamperforums.com/galleryimages/1215801999/gallery_1_15_11169.jpg
http://www.truckcamperforums.com/galleryimages/1215584511/gallery_1_15_16742.jpg
http://www.truckcamperforums.com/galleryimages/1215584511/gallery_1_15_10466.jpg
http://www.truckcamperforums.com/galleryimages/1215584511/gallery_1_15_7418.jpg
So the entire setup cost $250. I wasted $100 on a monitor that is of no use since it won't reverse the image, but I can use it inside direct off the camera at the back door.
RE: Snowriver gone :-(
From what I know of Gordon White, he likes to make sure he has all his facts confirmed before saying anything. On 2 occasions I have told him about info I have via sources re closures, but he has not published anything until he has heard from the actual company itself. That is good journalism. Its TC magazine, not the National Enquirer.
Bella Coola Hill
Next week I will heading to Bella Coola. This highway has an 18% 6 mile long gravel hill with switchbacks. Is it advisable to use 4WD drive going down? I intend on being in 2nd. I have a dually Duramax, no air brake, new tires, & a 3700 lb camper. The road is hard packed gravel apparently, no loose stuff.
RE: Snowriver gone :-(
I would not hold my breath on Okanagan either. You may also see one or 2 more Canadian manufacturers close their doors if the Canadian dollar does not drop or oil prices remain high. Most are on 2-3 day work weeks now. Most Canadian manufacturers of RV's rely on the US market. US buyers rely heavy on credit when making large purchases. As long as credit remains tight in the US, dealers stop ordering stock. RV producers can't carry large amounts of unpaid inventory on their lots & survive. Unwillingness of dealers to buy stock is the main reason SR has closed its doors. There was also no one in the family line to take it over, although I think Bob wanted a slow controlled wind down when it came time to retire, not a forced one like happened. Possibly a turn over to employees, which was also not possible in the current market.
One of the best placed companies to survive is Adventurer who are heavily involved with the money making RV rental market. There are family connections to Okanagan, but I am not sure of the dynamics between them.
I am sure the RV market will recover. The big question is will it recover in time before a large number of players have to drop out. The strongest ones will likely survive, but that does not necessarily mean the best ones will.
Something also tells me we haven't heard the last of Bob Mehrer. He may never build TC's again, but I suspect his ideas will show up in future. He is responsible for a lot of features & innovations you see on most RV's. I predict his new roof will start appearing in the next year or 2 on other brands.
RE: How other forums see us.
Forums are not the best place when it comes to discussions. It is very easy to get misinterpreted, especially when it comes to things like politics or anything where opinion is involved. Forums are are graphic example of how important body language and inflection are in human communication. Forums lack both of those due to their nature..
RE: Who will survive?
I am on the road, but was at Bob's house last week & he told me. I don't think he will be the only one. Canadian companies are facing a double whammy with the stronger Canadian dollar & most of them are down to small work weeks & minimal staff. I don't even know if Okanagan will re-start. A lot of American ones are in the same boat. Dealers are simply not ordering units they are afraid they will be stuck with. Until the public adjusts to the high fuel prices and i believe they will, the RV industry in North America is in big trouble. I bought a new SR in November & had I known this would happen, I still would have bought it. My biggest fear is writing it off & being unable to replace it. I still don't believe there is a better made brand of camper on the road.
Bob always operated on a cash in cash out basis, so is not suffering a debt or bankrupcy situation or anything like that. He feels really bad about his employees, in fact I get the impression talking to him that that is his main concern. That is just the sort of guy he is. I have never encountered a company before which made so many personal friends out of customers. In that way it was unique. I am not so sure he is the type who can handle retirement, so you never know what may happen when the RV industry comes out of this downturn.
On the campsite issue, Paoli is wrong. I have been traveling in southern BC all summer. I have been able to get into any campground 1st come, no problem. I was at Okanagan south campground week before last. This one is one of the 2 most popular in BC. It is always full all summer. There were 15 1st come spots open and most stayed open all week. Unheard of. Same thing at Shuswap Lake in July, I had no problem showing up & getting a site. Any other time I was out of luck. I have really noticed the reduction in the number of RV's on the highway. I would say down by about 75%.
The only thing I have not noticed a decline in, is Europeans in rental units.
RE: Happi Jacks?? Tell me all about them, please
Big problem with replacing brackets is how they are anchored to the camper. If you have to drill new holes near existing ones, it may be an issue. If you do replace them use sikaflex underneath them. Sell the 5th wheel, Julie?
RE: Happi Jacks?? Tell me all about them, please
It's probably more likely the existing brackets would be compatible with Reico electrics since they are the same manufacturer. The cost is about the same as happijac. Both are comparable. I have reicos, so I could measure the holes for you, I am sure someone else here could do likewise for Happijacs.
RE: Effective Hook Up for Sirius Satellite Radio in the TC
I have an auto docking station inside my TC. In my case, I had the antenna installed when the camper was built, but you could run it down the fridge vent. The auto docking station has an FM out socket (the home one does not). It comes with a 2 inch antenna that is useless. I built my own FM transmitter to increase its range. To do this, get a mini earhone plug from radio shack & connect 2 lenghts of wire 31 inches long (approx optimum for 89.1 mghz) to each contact & spread them like rabbit ears in some place that is not visible. With this arrangement I can transmit up to about 3 or 4 campsites away. So a ghetto blaster on the picnic table is no problem. Your only issue with sirius is you may lose signal at certain times of the day if you are parked with lots of trees, as Sirius uses 3 satellites in figure 8 orbits. XM uses geosynchronous satellites so you just have to park where you can get reception & it won't change. Only issue with XM is their satellites are in lower orbits so the further north you go, the more dicey it is. With Sirius try to get a spot where the SE quadrant of the sky is fairly clear, especially in northern latitudes.
I am, of course assuming you have the portable Sirius radio, not a built in one. If you have one built into you truck radio, you would have to puchase another licence at 50% the normal monthly fee & then spend $80 to $100 for another radio. Or simply forget about the one built in & put a docking station in the truck for a portable. I prefer this arrangement. I have 3 docking stations, my truck, my camper & my house. I can't listen to all 3 at once anyway & I only have to pay for one license. One built into the factory truck radio will not be transmitting FM.
RE: Portable Boats
Had a portabote for 4 years. No problems at all, but as someone said they do take soem putting together especially when its cold out and they are not so flexible as when its warm.
RE: Pacifc NW Labor Day TC Rally at Fintry again + caravan
Just bumped this up. There is still room available, simply show up, no need to register at this point. Aug 27 to Labor day. Room on the caravan as well. Long range forcast is for sunny & high 80's low 90's. PM me if you need detailed directions.
Due to most RV factories being shut down or production suspended, we will be doing no tours this year. We can do wine tours, however. Current diesel prices in BC are about $5.10 a gallon.
beddows,
How long does it typically take to cross the border? What are they looking for and what should somebody bring or not bring?
Easier going into Canada than returning to US. Basically you need picture id & proof of citizenship (passport, birth cert or voting card). Don't try to bring guns accross. If you have a dog make sure it has a current rabies cert, chances are they will not ask you either direction.
Fill up before crossing. Booze is restricted, but chances are they will be fairly tolerant of a reasonable amount esp. beer or wine. Take partial bottles of hard liquor across, they are far less likely to try to ding you with duty on opened bottles. Liquor in canada is heavily taxed. Four smirnoff coolers for eg, cost me $10 today in a govt liquor store.
You should have medical insurance, but if your coverage will cover you in Canada, the amount you need will be less than in the US. Minor problems will cost you less than $50 to see a doctor in a drop in clinic, you just need to ensure you are covered for hospitalization which is about 6 or 7 times cheaper than the equivalent in the US. Worst case scenario, you are only an hour from the border.
RE: Finally had enough with the convection oven!!
My wife insisted on a convection in our new camper. Personally I think its a pain. Have to drag out the generator & if I'm already using it for A/C, I have to shut it off. Only advantage is it doubles as a micro & saves space. give me an old fashioned gas oven any day.
