- Build an approved campfire with aged natural wood. Wood should be dry and free from paint or preservatives. Do not use accelerants. (Local Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts can advise on camp fire regulations and guidelines.)
Ads by Google
Keebler Club® Crackers
Treat Yourself to a Tasty Snack w/ a Flaky Texture. You Deserve It!
www.snackpicks.com/club- You can also use the microwave to make s'mores, but you must watch the marshmallow closely, because it can get hard in a short amount of time. When using a microwave, you may want to moisten the marshmallow with water, to poof it up more.
- 2Remove one broken graham cracker from box and reseal. Notice graham crackers are broke, creating many sub-crackers. Break graham cracker in half width-wise, one for top cracker. Or buy s'more ready Graham Crackers.
- 3Unwrap some chocolate bars. Break bar into smaller pieces as indicated by manufacturer's indentations in the surface of the chocolate. Place one or two of these small chocolate pieces on the base cracker.
- 4Open the bag of marshmallows. Carefully insert the clean hot dog style roasting fork (or, if you're really "roughing it", a long, thin branch) into right side of marshmallow.
- 5
- 6
- 7
Onsite family owned and operated since 1973. RV dealer located in Streetsboro, Ohio. Huge selection of new and used travel trailers, 5th wheels, toy haulers, destination trailers and hybrid campers. Choosing the right one for you and your family will be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Bring the whole gang and browse all day! Never mind the weather! Relax and stretch-out inside over 20 new and used RVs available for your inspection in our spacious and comfortable showroom.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The most important part of a camping trip is the Smores! But, what is the best way to make them?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The most popular camping foods are:
Bush Pie
Bush Pie may not sound like the most delicious type of food you would want to be scarfing on in front of a fire, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Hands down, Bush Pie is one of the most crucial pieces of food to make any camping trip a success. With its crisp outside and the insane amount of things you can put in them, they’re like the gift that keeps on giving.
What is a bush pie? It’s basically bread, and filling of your choice, stuffed inside a cast-iron bush pie maker, and cooked over the fire until delicification has reached maximum. Allow me to elaborate:
What you’ll need
- A Cast iron bush pie maker – Found at any Canadian Tire or Outdoor and Camping Supply Store
- A loaf of bread (because 2 slices will barely cut it for one person)
- Butter or Margarine
- Bush Pie Filling – This can include Cinnamon Spread, Nutella, Pie Filling, Chocolate, Marshmallows, Nuts, Meat, Chili, Cheese, Vegetables, the choices are endless
How to make bush pie
- Spread a good amount of butter or margarine on 2 slices of bread
- Place the bread in bush pie maker, buttered side down (think grilled cheese effect)
- Place a couple tablespoons of filling on top of one side of the bread
- Close bush pie maker which should push 2 slices of bread together with the filling on the inside
- Place over fire or in the coals until finished
- Open Cast-iron bush pie maker and devour
Note: Keep a close eye on it while it cooks, doesn’t take long to burn
Marshmallows
Marshmallows have become part of a staple diet of campers for decades, so it should only make sense that this fun and fluffy food should be included in this list. Roasting Marshmallows has become an art form over the years. Some choosing to abandon all rules and burn their white fluffs of magic into a charred piece of ash, others choose the gentle but affective roasting technique which results in crispy caramelized marshmallows.
Quick fact – North Americans eat about 90,000,000 pounds of marshmallows per year.
Marshmallows basically consist of Sugar, Water, Corn Syrup, and Gelatin. Just a heads up for all you vegetable-liking vegetarians, most brands will be off-limits for you, on account of the Gelatin, which as you may or may not know is made of animal hides and bones. I’ll be the last to judge you if you do decide to cheat though. Who can blame you. Marshmallows fricken’ rock!
Wieners
One of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language is also one of the most popular foods to bring on a camping trip. The science behind a good wiener is pretty sound.
- Jam wiener onto a sharp pointy stick.
- Ensure it’s on there good, the last thing you want to do is drop your wiener in the fire.
- Keep a good distance between the flame and your wiener, the last thing you want to do is burn that sucker.
- Slowly rotate your wiener to ensure an evenly cooked piece of meat.
- Place wiener in a bun or in your mouth.
- If you’re feeling extra crazy, use ketchup, mustard, and relish to make your boring wiener into a gourmet wiener.
- Enjoy.
Beans
Cheap, flavourful, and extremely easy to cook over the fire, a can of beans can go a long way when your camping. Tasty any time of day, and with several flavours to choose from, you shouldn’t get bored of them all that quick. I personally suggest having at least two different types of beans. A morning can of beans, and an evening can of beans. The most logical type of morning beans you can eat, would be the famous Quebecois Beans, which are essentially a normal can of beans, however instead of the regular tomato sauce, you’re treated with delicious maple syrup! Then come evening time, when you’re gut is telling you “It’s bean time!“, you open up that other can of beans, which will be the classic, yet tasty, Beans in Tomatoe Sauce. Remember to bring a utensil though. Do NOT drink the can of beans if the can just came out of the fire. You will burn your lips. Trust me.
S’Mores
S’mores take some serious work, so be prepared. However the hard work, sticky fingers and sticky clothes will all be worth it for the 2 minutes of enjoying one of the best campfire foods out there. These take a few more ingredients, so be sure to hit up the grocery store on your way out of town.
What you’ll need:
- 1 box of Graham Crackers
- A bag of marshmallows
- Some chocolate (The flat, hershey type of chocolate works best)
Directions:
- Roast marshmallow to perfection
- Place piece of chocolate on top of one Graham Crack
- Place gooey marshmallow on top of chocolate-cracker-combo
- Sandwich the other Graham cracker on top
- Enjoy
Shish kebabs
Shish Kebabs aren’t on everybodies list of camping foods, but if you’ve got the time, money, and patience, you can whip up an unforgettable meal that your friends or family will talk about for weeks to come.
What you’ll need:
- Skewers
- Cuts of meat – Steak, Chicken, Pork, Lamb
- Semi-crisp vegetables – Peppers (ie Capsicum), Onions, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Cucumbers
- Some salad dressing
Directions
- Soak skewers overnight in water with a dash of salt
- Soak vegetables in a bowl of salad dressing
- Stab meat and vegetables onto skewers
- Separate some hot coals from the fire into a corner of the fire pit
- Place two large sturdy stones close together
- Place shish kebabs over the gap created by the stones
- Spin occasional to ensure even cooking
courtesy of ibackpackcanada.com
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Minding Your Manners: 10 Tips for Campground Etiquette!
- Follow the rules: Individual parks usually hand you a copy of their rules when you register. Adhering to these rules is one of the basics of campground etiquette. It makes things easier for everyone involved – you, your neighbors and the park operators. Typical guidelines include reduced speed limits on campground roads for the safety of all involved. You are typically expected to unhook a dinghy before driving to your site. There are usually defined quiet hours when you should keep the noise down, turn off outdoor lights, generators - basically, the party is over.
- Eliminate pet peeves: Literally. Pick up after your pets. Stop excessive or extended barking. Don’t leave a howling dog unattended to bother the neighbors. Use a leash. Even if Spot is friendly, not everyone is an animal lover. Good pet-etiquette on your part helps ensure that the many RVers with pets are welcome at campgrounds.
- Parking the rig: Sometimes it is very clear how to orient the rig on a site – you may even have a cement pad. But in many cases, the only guidepost will be the hookup for electric and sewer. General campground etiquette is to stay on your side of that hook-up, and not have awnings or slide-outs encroaching on the site next door. Look at the campground map for a clue about preferred orientation. Or, look around you to see how other rigs are angled, if they are centered on sites or close to the utility hook up. You will get the most out of the space you have (and so will your neighbors) if you are all situated the same way. There are bound to be exceptions – we have been in many campgrounds with no uniformity in the size, shape or orientation of sites. The main objective in these cases is to just “guess the site” and fit the RV into it. But even then, the idea is to park in a way that gets everyone their fair share of privacy and room under their respective awnings. Common sense and campground etiquette go hand in hand.
- Late arrivals: If you are arriving at a park after normal quiet hours, attempt some degree of stealth behavior. Not that it is easy to be unobtrusive pulling in an RV. But keep the set-up to the minimum required for the night. Your neighbors will understand that you need to pull in and hook up. They have probably been in the same situation. But they will lose patience if they spend an hour listening to loud conversation, slamming doors and arguments over how to level the rig. Do what is essential and remember that tomorrow is another day. The same sort of courtesy should be used if you are making an early morning departure. Don’t keep the engine idling for an hour before you leave. Tidy up your campsite the night before.
- Sewer connections: Do them right. Make them secure. No torn hoses. In most places, your sewer connection faces the side where you neighbor has their “patio” area. Another time where being discreet and careful is part of good campground etiquette.
- Washing the RV: Most campgrounds will not allow washing to avoid wasting water, high water bills, muddy sites, etc. Read the rules. You usually have to get by with a small bucket and rag and/or waterless cleaner to just do minimal spot cleaning. If you are lucky enough to find a place where you can really wash the RV, use common sense. Don’t have the water flowing when you aren’t actually using it. Watch the spray – your neighbor may not be interested in having their rig washed. In fact, it makes for friendly campground etiquette if you let you neighbor know ahead of time that you plan to wash your rig. That way, they can close any windows or put away articles that might inadvertently get wet.
- No trespassing: When we first started out, a fellow RVer came over and asked if he could look around on “our property” for something he had lost, a paper that had blown out of his car the night before. We appreciated his asking first, and were somewhat amused by the term “our property”. But in fact, one of the unspoken rules of campground etiquette is that you stay off occupied sites. For the time a camper is on a site, it is their space and their privacy should be respected. If you are taking a stroll around the campground, the operative word is “around”. Stay on roads and pathways – don’t cut through your neighbors’ turf.
- Around the campfire: Before you light it, make sure it is permitted, and follow any rules the campground may have. Do not use your firepot as a garbage can. There is sure to be a trash can available in your rig or on the park premises. No one likes to pull into a site with a firepot full of beer cans or the remains from someone else’s dinner the night before.
- Keeping up the neighborhood: In general, be tidy. RVing is an outdoor pastime and RVers are generally an easy going lot. But there is a point where too much stuff laying around outside the RV starts to look sloppy. Trash or anything loose that can blow around is a definite no-no.
- Do unto others: When in doubt, follow the golden rule. If you aren’t sure of the proper campground etiquette for something, think about how you would like to be treated. If you are concerned that something might bother your neighbor, your best bet is just to ask them. If you find yourself in a situation where your neighbors or park operators are doing something that you find intolerable, politely address the subject with them. If that doesn’t work, consider moving to another site or another campground. You are in an RV after all.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Hey fans! Do you have these important common RV essentials for your next trip?
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
- Aluminum foil
- Aspirin and Medications
- BBQ grill and accessories
- Bar soap and dishwashing detergent
- Bath towels/wash cloths
- Beach towels
- Bed spreads
- Black Water Chemicals
- Blankets
- Broom and dust pan
- Bug spray
- Can opener
- Channel Locks
- Cleaning supplies
- Coffee
- Coffee Cups
- Coffee Pot
- Dish drainer
- Dish pan
- Electrical Adapters
- Electrical Extension Cord
- Extra Fuses
- Fill propane bottles
- Fire Extinguisher
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight and batteries
- Folding chairs and table
- Fresh Water Hose
- Fuse Puller
- Hammer
- In-Line Water Filter
- Jackets/Hats
- Kitchen towels
- Kleenex
- Knives
- Level
- Leveling Blocks
- Light Bulbs
- Matches or lighter
- Measuring cups
- Mixing/serving bowls
- Napkins
- Needle-Nose Pliers
- Non-Slip Cabinet Linings
- Paper plates
- Paper towels
- Pens/pencils
- Pillows, sheets, pillow cases
- Plastic wrap
- Plates
- Playing cards / Games
- Pliers
- Pot holders
- Pots and pans
- RV Toilet Paper
- Radio
- Rags
- Rubber Gloves
- Salt and Pepper
- Sewer Hose(s) and Fittings
- Silverware
- Spatula
- Sponges
- Sugar
- Suntan lotion
- Table cloth
- Tire Gauge
- Toaster
- Toiletry kit
- Trash can and bags
- Travel clock
- Umbrella
- Vacuum cleaner
- Water Pressure Regulator
- Water glasses / Disposable cups
- Wheel Chocks
- Wrenches
- Ziplock bags
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Hey RV fans! Now is the perfect time to purchase your new vacation home!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Driving an RV may seem extremely hard! Read these helpful tips as you prepare to take-off for your summer road trip!
Towing More Than One Vehicle
Cars, passenger vans and SUVs are not permitted to tow more than one trailer or one vehicle. Motor homes, trucks, pickup trucks and truck campers are legally permitted to tow two trailers or a trailer and a motor vehicle behind a trailer. However, a three vehicle combination that is swaying excessively, is unstable or has reduced handling capabilities is subject to action by the police as an unsafe combination of vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act.
The maximum length of any combination of vehicles is 23 m (75' 6").
Seat Belts
The Highway Traffic Act states that no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in which a seat belt assembly required under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) at the time that the vehicle was manufactured or imported into Canada has been removed, rendered partly or wholly inoperative, modified so as to reduce its effectiveness or is not operating properly through lack of maintenance.
The Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) has, since July 1, 1972, required that motor home manufacturers install driver seat and right front passenger seat belts. Since April 1, 1999 motor home manufacturers have been required to install as many seat belts in the motor home as the motor home has sleeping positions. For example, a motor home that sleeps six persons requires four additional belts, in addition to the driver and front passenger belts.
Buses that have been converted to motor homes must retain the seat belts for those seats that remain after the modification of the vehicle.
Flares, Lamps, Lanterns or Reflectors
Motor homes and truck campers are required to carry flares, lamps, lanterns or reflectors if the vehicle is driven on a highway, when lighted lamps are required, and the speed limit is in excess of 60 km/h. Such flares, lamps or lanterns must be capable of continuous operation for at least 8 hours. Flares, lamps, lanterns or reflectors are to be placed 30 m (100 feet) ahead of and behind the vehicle when the vehicle is disabled on the travelled portion of the highway.
Portable triangle reflectors that are marked with SAE W4-81-dot, FMVSS 125 or DOT are acceptable.
Exemptions from Entering Highway Weigh Scales
The following vehicles are not required to enter Ministry of Transportation roadside highway scales when the "Trucks Enter Inspection Station" amber lamps are flashing:
- a motor home and a truck camper carrying a slide-in camper when being used for personal or recreational purposes.
- a personal-use pickup truck operated singularly or in combination with a personal-use trailer, including a house or camper trailer. This applies regardless of the pickup's registered gross weight, actual weight or trailer weight.
The driver of a vehicle of any size, weight or type can be required to enter a scale if requested by an officer in person or in a cruiser.
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Monday, May 14, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Hey fans! Do not miss out on this exclusive offer!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
It's fun traveling with your RV as you explore the different regions of the country. However, it can be dangerous if you are not familiar with the differences that your RV's weight, size, and visibility demands of your driving!
The transition from driving the family car to driving an RV is different, but not necessarily difficult. The points discussed below will help you to be a safe RV driver.
RV Heights
Most RVs are taller than passenger vehicles so you will need to learn quickly about the height clearance of roads, service station canopies, bridges, and to watch for low-hanging obstacles such as tree branches. Your owner's manual, RV dealer, and RV manufacturer are the best sources for helping you determine the maximum road height for your RV. Once you know the maximum road height, post it somewhere on the RV or tow vehicle so it will always be handy as a reference.
RV Lengths
Many highways either restrict or recommend non-use for vehicles over a certain length. California Vehicle Code §35400 restricts the operation of housecars over 40 feet to only specified highways and within one mile on either side of those highways for access to fuel, food, or lodging. These highways include, but are not always limited to, the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and all state routes. For exceptions to this list, visit the Caltrans website at: www.dot.ca.gov.
Maneuvering the RV
The additional weight, height, width, and length of an RV makes it less maneuverable than a passenger vehicle. A safe maneuver in your family car may be dangerous in an RV. Since it is heavier, an RV may not stop as quickly so you will need more following distance. Defensive driving in an RV requires making changes slowly, braking gradually, and being familiar with its handling characteristics.
Braking
Most RVs are heavier than passenger vehicles and require greater braking distances. You must allow more time for the vehicle to slow or stop. If you are towing an RV, you must also worry about brake fade. Brake fade can happen when the brakes are overheated from prolonged use or the brakes are out of alignment. To help avoid brake fade on downgrades, use the lower gears to allow the engine to help slow the vehicle.
Speed
RVs are naturally slower than passenger vehicles. It takes longer to climb a hill in an RV because it's heavier than a passenger vehicle. Keep this in mind, practice good manners, and observe the law by using turnouts when there are five or more vehicles behind you that wish to pass. The drivers behind you will be able to see ahead more easily if you try not to drive next to the center of the lane. If you are traveling with other RVs in a caravan, be sure to leave enough space between your RV and the RV in front of you for other drivers to enter when they want to pass.
Safety Belts
Always wear your safety belt when driving. Even though many RVs accommodate passengers in places where safety belts are not required by federal law (i.e., dining table), if the area has a safety belt—wear it. Riding in a place which is not equipped with a safety belt increases the danger of injury in case of a collision.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather conditions such as wind, fog, snow, and ice are hazards to all drivers. An RV driver has an advantage over drivers of other passenger vehicles because of the added weight over the drive wheels. This gives the vehicle better traction in bad weather. However, its added weight can also make it more difficult to move if it gets stuck. Plan your trips to avoid bad weather conditions as much as possible.
Remember, if hazardous weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers you must also turn on your headlights.
RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles
Towing small cars behind an RV has become a popular way of providing transportation after the RV is parked at a campsite. Towing a car differs from towing travel trailers or fifth-wheel trailers. Very little hitch weight is involved when the car is towed on all four wheels and only minimal hitch weight is involved when the car is towed on a dolly.
If you wish to tow a vehicle behind your RV, you need to consider whether or not your motor home can handle the extra weight under all conditions (i.e., climbing steep hills or mountains). Your vehicle must have sufficient power to climb grades without holding up traffic and its braking power must be sufficient to stop the combined weight of the RV plus the car and/or tow dolly effectively. RV chassis manufacturers provide limits on the gross combined weight of the RV plus car.
If you are towing a car, be sure the hitch attachment on the RV is secure. Hitch weight ratings are usually stamped on the hitch assemblies. The tow bar attachment is also a concern because of the integrated frame construction used in most small cars. If you use a tow bar, safety chains are required, but a breakaway switch is not. Fully operational tail, brake, and turn signal lights are required on the towed car.
It's easy to forget you are towing a car when driving a large RV because you can't see it. So remember to allow extra space when entering a freeway or passing another vehicle so you won't cut off the other driver. Your vehicle combination cannot exceed 65 feet. However, cities and counties may prohibit vehicle combination lengths over 60 feet.
courtesy of dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt11.htm
Friday, May 4, 2012
Happy Friday RV fans and welcome to the weekend!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Get ready for summer RV tips!
• Begin by cleaning and inspecting it from top to bottom, noting any damage.
• Check the maintenance book and records to determine what items were done prior to storage and what is due now.
• Set tire pressures, check the fluid levels in the engine and genset, differential and transmission.
• Charge the batteries, clean the terminals and check electrolyte levels.
• Flush out the freshwater and holding tanks.
• Check the air filter and replace if needed.
• Remove any cobwebs or debris, and test the refrigerator and water heater (more on that later).
Water Heater
Have you changed the sacrificial anode in your coach’s water heater lately? Winter storage, when the tank is drained, is the best time to check it. Some RV water heaters, including Suburban-brand models, have an anode that is used up in an electrolytic process, which prevents damage to the tank. It should be inspected annually for deterioration.
Motorhome owners often forget to drain and flush their water heaters.
• Remove the drain plug at the bottom of the tank and allow any sediment to escape with the water. Some models also have an anode rod that is part of the drain plug.
• Inspect the rod and replace it if it is more than 75 percent depleted. Refer to the water heater’s instruction manual for replacement details.
• Reinstall the drain plug and refill the tank before lighting the burner.
Sanitize Your Freshwater Tanks
Freshwater tanks should be sanitized regularly, especially in hot weather. To freshen the water system, follow these steps:
• Fill the water tank half full.
• Add a solution of 1/4-cup household bleach and 1 gallon of water for every 15 gallons of tank capacity.
• Open all the faucets until all air has been bled from the system and the water coming out has the odor of the bleach solution before shutting off the taps.
• After three to five hours, drain the water system and refill it with fresh water
• Run water through all faucets and then drain the system again.
Refrigerator: Are you having on-the-road refrigerator problems?
Don’t let your food spoil in warm temperatures. Check your refer to see that it is keeping perishable foods adequately cold. If you’re traveling and having problems with the refrigerator in your motorhome, here’s an online source of diagnostic information for do-it-yourselfers. Try rvmobile.com. This site has a large section devoted to identifying refrigerator problems, including troubleshooting, technical info and help for finding parts for repairs.
Batteries
Summertime temperatures result in faster water use in batteries. Water-use depends on temperature and charging/discharging activity. The hotter it is, the more water is needed. Also, if batteries are heavily discharged, they will use more water during driving and charging cycles. Therefore, you need to check the electrolyte level regularly and top off with distilled water for longest service life.
Onboard Generator
Make sure you don’t overlook maintenance of your onboard generator when you take your motorhome out of storage and ready it for the upcoming season. Gensets should have their oil and filter changed, fuel filter replaced, and air filter checked and serviced. Check the owner’s manual for any other procedures as well.
Keep It Cool
Radiator hoses and other coolant hoses should be replaced about every five years. Although they may look fine from the outside, many times they deteriorate inside first. They can then burst without warning and if the driver fails to notice the temperature gauge, severe engine damage may result. While you’re at it, replace the thermostat and all hose clamps, and flush the cooling system.
Avoid Overheating When Towing
Driving motorhomes in extreme temperatures while climbing hills and towing a dinghy vehicle can cause overheating. Here’s a tip that may make you uncomfortable, but could just keep your engine’s coolant from boiling. If the engine temperature gets near the danger zone, shut off the dash air-conditioner, open the windows and turn on the heater (not defrost, which runs the air-conditioner compressor, too) as hot as it can go with high fan speed. This often reduces coolant temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees. Never drive with an overheated engine.
Fuel System
Here’s a tip to control bacterial growth in a diesel fuel tank: Bacteria require water and a warm temperature to thrive in a fuel tank. It is important to identify the source of water and eliminate the source, or remove it through dehydration by using additives. Owners should consider adding BioBor or similar diesel-fuel additives, which are available at truck stops and auto-parts stores.
courtesy of motorhomemagazine.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Hey RV fans! Here are some tips that will help you stay "bug-free" during your summer camping trips!
- Gear Up. Cover your skin as completely as possible. This may be challenging by the beach, but when possible wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
- Be Colour Conscious. Mosquitoes are attracted to blue, so avoid this colour and stick to neutral colours.
- Use Repellent. Repellents containing DEET are most effective for areas with heavy mosquito or tick infestation.
- Alternative Repellents. When applied frequently, citronella-based repellents can provide the same bug protection as products containing low concentrations of DEET. I recommend Natrapel®, which contains 10 percent citronella to ward off bugs for up to two hours.
- Meal Time. Be alert to the time of day when certain insects are most active such as dawn and twilight.
- Check Point. Upon returning indoors, check your children and yourself for bites.
Treatment. Sunburn and bite treatment products should be included in every outdoor adventurer's travel kit.
courtesy of happyvagabonds.com