RE: An interesting story from Mazatlan
Thanks Rocmoc for the link. I can not substantiate the notes as I was not there. I do know one of the authors and after 6 years being there, I will take him at his word,no one else need be obliged.(I would not have posted otherwise) I too would be interested in more information about the police incident but I do not have any details. As for more installments, don't hold your breath waiting, it's not that big a deal, with exception to those directly involved in what ever they have witnessed,no matter how they have interpreted the incident. Mexico is my preferred destination and I have encouraged many to go and enjoy. We personally have only been razed for a bribe once on the East Coast (which we did not pay)and I have only witnessed one major shoot out in a Mazatlan intersection. (3 years ago) If you have not experienced a shoot out, try to imagine idling at a major intersection around 8pm with hundreds of people coming and going, when everything stops to the sounds of sirens, and rapid machine gun fire ensues with uncountable law enforcement arriving on the scene from all directions with rifles drawn out the windows of their pick-ups. Its all over in 20 minutes, wounded on the ground with a boot on their head backed up with an automatic, the buses are on their way after being searched,people go about their business, the trucks spew unburnt fuel into the air and not another word is heard about the incident. Come to think about it, and its just like Port Alberni or Brentwood Bay.
An interesting story from Mazatlan
This letter was passed along from our friends that frequent the Mazatlan area. In turn, the letter sparked a reply from one who had just returned from Mazatlan. The post is not meant to start a debate, just a heads up.
Okay... from this morning's Noroeste:
At 10:15 yesterday morning a group of guys - the oldest 30 and the youngest 16 - all from Nayarit decided to rob the payroll from one of the big resort projects out on Cerritos. They came in two SUV's, apparently well armed. Spotted by local police, they flee north, leaving two wounded cops in their wake.
Bear in mind that while this was going down the big annual tourism conference was being held very close by in another resort complex. Dignitaries from all over Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, including the Sinaloa Governor and our Mayor, were in attendance. There was a very large security element in place.
So... the gang, not from here and maybe disoriented in the excitement?, doesn't head back to the road to El Habal, the escape route to Hwy 15. Instead they head north, finding themselves at the dead end at Playa Bruja, with the cops in hot pursuit.
Local, State, and Federal Police, with the Army and Marines soon to follow, chase these idiots to the end of the road where they split up. One group peels into the RV park and the other to the end of the road by the restaurant. Both groups disappear onto the hill above Playa Bruja, hiding in the vegetation.
Meanwhile the law has stopped all traffic at the intersection to the El Habal Road and cleared the beach. Then come the Armored Personnel Carriers, Marine gunboats, four Federal helicopter gunships and a whole lot of very pumped up troops of all stripes.
By 1:15 the helicopter gunships are launching gas and smoke grenades at the malhombres, the cops are shooting up the hillside, and the gunboats are blasting away with their heavy weapons from offshore.
At about 2:45 another SUV appears at the corner of the El Habal cutoff and shoots at the cops manning that post, wounding a young marine. The attacking vehicle takes off at high speed, disappearing. A called in diversion or unrelated chicanery? No one knows at this point.
By 4:00 eight of the gang has surrendered. At 6:00 100 marines storm the hill, searching for more bad guys, money and the body of one of the gang they believe was killed.
At 7:30 the drama was over, with no more gangsters, money or body recovered.
Last night there were beautiful fireworks over the Plazuela Machado, celebrating the charms of our lovely Port. I'm sure the Tourism delegates had plenty to talk about.
Friends point out that the stores are putting out the Christmas stuff already. It's best to shop early...
Just got your e-mail on Mazatlan, for what it worth.
We just got back from Mazatlan after being there 10 day to pick up some items, etc. We were robbed by the city police of Navojoa, while we were there 8 people were killed just north of the bull rink, within 24 hour after we left 2 people were shot at the 51 kilometer maker just north of Mazatlan one killed. When we got to the American side of the border we were told to shut off the motor home and get out and move at least 100 feet away, after that about 5-6 teams enter the motor home and God only know what the did, after about 1/2 hour we were told everything was ok and we could leave. They said this is the normal now. Needless to say that the last time we will ever drive down again and probably the last time we ever set foot in Mexico again.
We stayed at the new Cerritos RV park for 5 days as it was too muddy on the Castle road, that is all to scary.
Take care,
PS We weren't going to say anything but after the e-mail from you we decided we better.
RE: Keep our 1994 pace arrow or buy new Super Nova??
Get the brakes fixed period. Have you thought of a tent under the awning? That is how we solved the problem when the children brought their friends. Even our own preferred to be in the tent. We have traveled for years with 4 children/teen ages.
RE: Winterize Class A Motorhome
aside from the drain cocks in various places, if you have a line to an ice maker, either dedicated or in the frig, water may remain in the valve that shuts the measured amount of water off for the ice maker. I simply disconnect the feed line from it and blow it dry. While your waiting, try typing in your title to search the forum for posts on the subject. I am not familiar with your unit.
RE: Caster Wheels for low clearance
I had V's (or wheel barrow rests) installed just after the fuel tank,and only an inch below the tank. Not so much as to take weight, but to protect the undercarriage. Yes, on occasion they did act as skids. I fully appreciate the comments concerning the frame. I was very surprised with rear air bags, never had a clearance problem again even though the lift was minimal. The V's are used now to house an extra sewer line in a pipe. It would seem the "bags" limit the side drop or sway, and also limit rear end drop allowing far greater clearance curb hopping. 36 P-30 dexter tag coil springs. (probably should have had better springs in the first place) Tom
RE: Who has the oldest Class A still on the road ?
Not me, 86 Sportscoach Cross Country 36md 130,000 miles...combined ages of toad and MH...39 years. Is this a "witch hunt" or is there a prize?
RE: Gas Panic!
Here in Victoria on Vancouver Island, McCanada, gas has climbed from 138.9 cents a liter to 149.9....about a 40 cent increase for a US gal. Word is blame the rise on IKE.
RE: New to me 1987 Coachmen Classic 360
Thanks for the pics. I see now why the Sportscoach guru's say my 36md cross country Sportscoach (86) was really a coachmen and any parts etc could be had thru them. The units are identical in layout except the twin beds. Mine has an ice maker and bar under the forward TV.,behind the table seat. I have a cracked windshield from last year, and this info will help steer me where to find it.
RE: farting water pump?
might check the drain lines for air/ or drip. Open them one at a time with the pump on, then close, listening for the pump to stop.
RE: 100,000 miles?
130,510 miles. 454 turbo 300 P30 Sportscoach Cross Country 1986 tag axle 17,500 lbs, towing S-10 or Nissan Sentra.
Great topic. Purchased in 1994 with 26,00o miles.
no engine work other than regular maintenance, fan clutch, special wires for the plugs and new boots. 2 sets of trojan's and 2 chasis batteries. Replaced mufflers once, coach water pump, converter upgraded to solid state and 3 phase battery charger, blender still works, replaced toilet with a sealand, put new gate valves on each holding tank, replaced fuel selector unit (100 gal. in 2 tanks) just replaced the oven thermostat for original oven...lucky to get the part! Fewer rattles than 94, replaced all slides and guides for windows, teak blinds still my favorite...replaced city water valve, lots of silly electrical work, hwh fuse block and relays (drove thru flooded roadway, no choice) pulled the transmission for service at 110,ooo miles..nothing wrong, replaced all seals. Replaced hot water tank, and furnace boards.
2 dometic refrigerators (in 6 years) with poor welds...waiting now to see if warranty will hold up. oh well enough said, its a hobby too and gets 4 to 6 months use every year. Drives great with added rear air bags. never a blowout except once when a sharp rock got between the duals. Oh yes, some delamination too, but its back together.
Covered all the states save 4, and it's been Mexico for the last 6 years. The unit has held up well for a family of 6 with dogs cats and birds and friends. Onan 6.5 working great. Oh and yes, the Black and Decker overhead coffee maker is still there ready to brew. Tom
RE: Port Angeles
If going up the Malahat (hi way to up Island) pull into the third view point, rest area, for a wonderful view of the Gulf Islands including American Islands, and Mount Baker 85 miles away, if its clear. View point is easy in, easy out, and can only be accessed from the "going up Island" direction.
RE: Having fun again, Help!
I'll take the risk of repeating the above answers. The fuse you are looking for may be with the main fuse block which would also include; headlights, tail lights horn radio etc. The lighter wire may be with the horn for example. If the lighters were installed after, they both may have in line fuses which as said before require tracing from the hot side of the lighter back to source. Does everything else work? Usually lighters are on a separate power source as they use a lot of amperage.
check for 12 volts at the lighter. Lighters are known to short out. If so replace the "plug"
trace the hot wire (center connection wire on the plug)back to source or in line fuse. Pull fuses and check and replace.
RE: Weber Q BBQ and propane
Same thing happened to me. Throw away green cans were fine, went to a 5 lb. tank and hose. Didn't work...well sometimes with a little witchcraft. Bought a different make hose and all is well. Seems to me, the push valve in the hose was not being opened when screwed into the BBQ inlet. We tested this and found it to be true. The hose I have now works fine and I may open the bottle valve at will without a thought, in any order. Measure the distance into the green propane orifice and correspondingly the hose end used to couple the hose to the bbq. One may find a difference that is critical to the passage of propane from the hose to the bbq.
RE: Fabric Awning leaking
I tried spray cans to no avail. Cleaned the fabric awning and brushed the underside with canvas water proofing. One gallon was almost enough to seal a 20 foot Colorado Care Free. No drips. Product is clear and paints on like water. Looks and performs as if nothing was done...except no leaks. Product was found in the camping section of the store.
RE: Question about Mazatlan airport
pay parking before going outside building. The gate will not let you out unless you do. Small stall on right just before leaving. Many helpful people around to locate pay area. Watch carefully when making left onto hi way returning to city. Not all drivers slow down for rumble strips.
RE: Front coil spring air boosters
If you do a "search" on air bags P 30 etc. you will find the correct measurements for ride height. Once you find the air pressure you are comfortable with, have the wheels aligned as changing the air pressure in the bags will effect wheel alignment. Many have replaced the bag and spring for a heavier spring which does not require the air bag.
RE: Did Everybody Go Home For The Summer?
Home; to enjoy the rain after 4 months of drought and sweeping. Instead of margarita's watching the sun go down, we will be watching the sun rise with the rumble of equipment under our feet as the West Coast prawn fleet hits the salt May 1st.
RE: Trip to Canada
The price of gas in Victoria today is 1.21 per liter. Up Island is usually 3 cents cheaper (the Duncan area)
A word of caution; many private RV parks are well rented year round. I would strongly advise calling ahead. I would also mention that some of these parks are a long way from the Gardens, up the Malahat or a long twisty drive out Sooke way. There are 2 Walmarts of which I have seen MH's parked at. Goldstream Provincial Park may be a good bet as the stay is regulated, but again call ahead.
I don't think one can park a motor home at the Gardens, however I have seen B's in there and there is a ton of bus parking. Once again, worth a call.
July 1st weekend (Sat. night) the fire works display starts and ends labor day (all summer every Sat. night) It is considered one of the best anywhere. seating is on the grass, bring blanket and arrive early for spot of your choice.
The Black Ball ferry from Port Angles is price competitive with the B.C. Ferries, however it unloads downtown. Traffic is not that bad and the city is small by comparison to major U.S. cities. The B.C. Ferry unloads at Swartz Bay from "Twassen located at the end of a highway, shortly on route one may find the tourist info spot and a place to pull over and park. The Anacortes Ferry takes a long time as it stops at many of the American Islands before arriving in Sidney. The Black Ball is the least scenic (all of them are though) When travelling South and back the Black Ball is ferry of choice as Customs is quick and easy and the milage is less for us. Reservations are strongly recomended as only 2 sailings a day and it is busy.
Look at all the ferry routes from the island to plan a circle route if you wish. Hope this was of some help. Didn't mean to go on and on.
RE: Help with oven pilot light
I completely agree with MI Director. That is how my Magic Chef pilot works. After cleaning every part, it still did not work. The pilot would light, but would not light the burner when thermostat advanced. The situation worsened over time until it worked no more. Pressing the pilot position on the control knob would allow the pilot flame to the second stage , but only for a second. Then the pilot would not light at all. Replaced the thermostat and the oven works like new.
