Brakes Assured
I am planning an extensive trip across the US from Virginia to Washington State and than back to Virginia via Canada. I will be towing a Saturn wagon with my Winnebago. I have been told that Canada requires brakes on the Saturn but can not find any information on requirements. Perhaps your publication could publish some things along the line of what is required to qualify a U.S.RV for Canadian touring.

Bill Whiteside, Virginia, USA

You will need to obtain a Canadian Non-Resident Interprovincial Motor Vehicle Liability Card from your own insurance company before entering Canada. Vehicles not registered to the driver need a letter of authorization from the owner.

Many readers have asked us to clarify the braking situation for towed vehicles in British Columbia. BC wants not only brakes, but a breakaway device to stop the car if it comes disconnected from the motorhome. This is a result of an accident that killed six people on a mountain road. If your vehicle looks overloaded, they will weigh it on the spot. If it is overweight, they may ask you to disconnect the car and have your wife drive it through the province. They are stopping all vehicles- not just RVs. The particular accident occurred with an overloaded oil drilling crew truck ,whose brakes faded on the way down a long hill, crashed into another vehicle at a T-intersection when it could not stop. The following information was supplied by ICBC Compliance Operations, PO Box 3750, Victoria, BC V8W 3Y5 or phone (250)414-7900.

All trailers with brakes must have a breakaway device hooked to the trailer brake system. Surge brakes may be used up to a towed vehicle gross weight (GVWR) of 2800 kilograms (6,173 pounds). From 2800 kg and up the towed vehicle brakes must be able to be applied by the driver of the tow vehicle. Only one trailer may be towed at a time (a car dolly with a car are regarded as 1 trailer).

Motorhomes (only) may tow motor vehicles via a tow bar without brakes hooked up on the towed motor vehicle, when the towed motor vehicle’s laden weight (weight of the towed vehicle and its load) is less than 2000 kilograms (4,409 pounds) and is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the motorhome towing it. Motor vehicles with a laden weight of 2000 kilograms and over towed by a motorhome must have brakes and a breakaway device hooked up. All vehicles being towed via a ball hitch must have safety chains or cables. A recreational vehicle towed via a 5th wheel hitch does not require safety chains or cables. (Top)

Looking Back on the Web
Just a note to say that I really love your magazine. The new Website looks great too! Since this is your 30th Anniversary year, I would suggest that you put some older back issues of Andy Thompson’s and Garth Cane’s articles on the web page.

Mike Turner, by e-mail

Gone with the Wind
With increased fuel cost, I would like to know the real "scope" on the effectiveness of wind deflectors when used for towing travel trailers and in particular fifth wheels. Advertisers claiming a savings of 2-3 miles per gallon is common. Has RV Lifestyle ever tested these claims?

R. Vallee, Straffordville, ON, Canada

I did an evaluation on wind deflectors quite a few years ago. My findings are that only the large ones do any good- Small deflectors (about a foot high are useless), On one trip to Florida towing a large trailer, I had trouble getting the vehicle up to highway speeds- after stopping and buying one of the larger deflectors, I had no problem keeping up with the traffic.

One of the best we have seen mounts on the rail of the truck just behind the cab. It is large- six feet wide and about four foot high. Yes the big ones help save fuel as they throw the air up over the trailer. (Top)

Take Charge
I have two deep cycle batteries, one two year old Sears unit and other new (2000) unit. When travelling, I have one in my 27' Aerolite trailer and one kept in the trunk of my Crown Victoria, connected to the charging system. I also have a 75 watt Siemens Solar system on the trailer.

The problem is I can not recharge the batteries easily. When I drain the batteries to deep discharge (of around 50/60 per cent and more specific gravity = 1150) two situations occur. In one stance, the voltage of the solar cell would go to 15 volts and no current. This would also happen when I used the battery charger, a new Shumacher Ship/Shore 10a 12 v automatic charger. When I returned home I used the charger. And again the voltage across the battery when charging went to 15/16 volts, no current. After letting the batteries sit for a couple days, I tried to charge up the units again. This time they appeared to take the charge, but it took three days of continuous charging to bring the specific gravity up to 1250. The batteries were charged separately so as to not confuse the tests.

I took the batteries to the supplier, he could not tell me why I could not easily recharge my batteries.

Bob Price, by e-mail

Your charging problems have all the symptoms of sulfated batteries. Often installers use very small wire (#16) to hook up the solar cell because they feel that there is not very much current coming from it. Your 75 watt cell should be able to put out a maximum of 6.25 amperes under full sunlight. To recharge a single group 27 battery from this source, you would need at least 16 hours of sunlight. From your description, the batteries appear to be taking on only a surface charge. I would also check the size of wire from your alternator to the battery in the trunk of the Crown Victoria. The charge line should be at least a Number 8 wire to have a low enough internal resistance so that all the charging capabilities get where they are needed. I might suggest a pulse type of charger to burn off the sulfation, such as the unit from VDC Electronics.

Absorbed Glass Mat batteries charge more easily, but are more expensive. Some people use Gel cells that are used in boats, but they don't hold as much charge as normal batteries. The preferred battery for solar cell use is the 6-volt golf cart battery. (You need two of them connected in series) They are a little taller than the group 27 battery but will fit in the same mounting brackets in the RV. I have always used Thermoil batteries on our own RV and have not yet run into a problem after six years. (These oil filled batteries were originally designed for use on the Distant Early Warning Line in the Arctic) They are manufactured in Montreal and sold by many RV dealers. (They usually have to be ordered from Coast Distribution as most RV dealers do not normally stock batteries) (Top)

Extra Coverage
We need a valued view on extended warranty. The dealers finance officer has offered us an extended warranty for an additional 7 years at a cost of $3081.00 supplied by DSF Advantage (Deutshe Financial Services). The Platinum service covers all original parts in the unit, coach & chassis, power train, appliances, etc, right down to seals and gaskets.

What is your opinion on extended warranties? Have you heard of DFS, if so, what has been the experiences?

Lenard & Betty Young, by e-mail

DFS is a very reputable company in Canada. (not just because they advertise in some of our publications) DFS operates in both Canada and the USA. Make sure you read all the fine print of what is actually covered by the contract. Some people in the USA have had difficulty with their coverage by certain companies when the parts that failed were not specifically covered by the wording in the contract.

Most people get in trouble with service contracts because they do not get authorization for the repair from the company before they go ahead with the repairs. Be very sure to call DFS before any work is done that you want covered by the policy.

Many extended warranty companies have preferred dealers that they would like to have do the work on your RV. (Top)

Work on the Road
My wife and I are looking at becoming full-time RVer's. We would like to also do the odd job here and there. On a US web site I noted RVer's could apply for jobs at different camp grounds etc. Does the Canadian RV industry have anything like this?

Steven Ruthven, by e-mail

We do not have a listing of parks that need help in Canada. But you could try contacting some parks through our Campground Directory. We include mailing addresses, phone numbers and in some cases e-mail addresses.

US immigration officials feel that you must have a permanent residence in Canada to ensure that you will leave the US after your vacation. They are very worried about Canadians going on the welfare rolls of the individual states. Canadians are not allowed towork in the USA to supplement their income unless they have a VISA (green card). You might need something to prove that you have a residence to come home to, such as a property tax bill, telephone or cable bills, etc. In some provinces like Ontario, you have to be able to prove that you have resided here for at least six months out of each year to maintain your health insurance. In Ontario, they will let you have one two year term of living outside the province on special written request indicating the reasons you need to be outside the province. Such as being transferred by your company for a two year loan to your US division, attending a college education program, or a once in a lifetime trip after you have retired. If you stay in the USA longer than six months, you would have to arrange US coverage for health insurance. (Top)