View - RV Lifestyle

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View - RV Lifestyle

S P E C I A L R E P O RT: S H O P P I N G T H E S H OW S
p g. 3 3
10
TOP TOY
HAULERS
Tow-Testing:
Destination:
CALIFORNIA
DREAMING
Display until April 2016
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Vol. 44 No. 5
1121 Invicta Dr., Unit 2, Oakville, ON L6H 2R2 Publications Mail Agreement #40010957
FORD F150
COMPACT
COMFORT!
VENTURE RV SONIC LITE 167VMS
3/($685(:$<,1'8675,(6/7':::3/($685(:$<&20
Contents
DEPARTMENTS
10
HITCH HINTS
ROAD TESTS
FEATURES
33
32
- Andy Thomson
- Norm Rosen
Dry camping adventures in the
US National Parks
16
18
18
RV TIPS
VENTURE RV SONIC
167VMS
- RVL Road Test Team
State-of-the-art lightweight
- Garth Cane
DESTINATION
Garth Cane hitches up the
Ford F-150
26
COOKING LADIES
RV TOURING CALIFORNIA
DREAMING
- Phyllis Hinz and Lamont Mackay
- Lynn Benjamin
Deviled ham spread in a
bread bowl at Pier 21 in
Halifax
Lynn Benjamin explores the
West Coast
SHOPPING THE
SHOWS
New trends for 2016.
32
TOP TOY HAULERS
Here’s how you can take it all
with you…
42
RV GEAR
Great new products for the
RV enthusiast
LETTERS
- From Tech Editor Garth Cane’s
Mailbox
Tips, techniques, and advice
for RV enthusiasts.
ON THE COVER
Venture RV’s 2016 Sonic 167VMS Cover photo by Norm Rosen.
Follow us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/RVLifestyleMagazine
Camping on the shoreline at
Crystal Cove State Park.
See more on page 10
Volume 44 Number 5 | RV Lifestyle
3
Publishers MESSAGE
volume 44 number 5
IT’S A
GREAT TIME
TO BUY
AN RV!
Publisher: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR
[email protected]
Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS
[email protected]
Editorial Director: NORM ROSEN
[email protected]
Assistant Editors:
ERIC WICKHAM
CHARLOTTE MORRITT-JACOBS
Technical Editor: GARTH CANE
[email protected]
Art/Production Manager:
GISELLE BANSAL
Design: TAMARA TAYLOR
W
ith the RV Show season running at full throttle across
Canada, and dealers stocking
some of the most exciting new RV models at very reasonable prices, 2016 may
well be the best time in years to invest in
the RV lifestyle as an ideal family vacation alternative.
While the pessimists may point to
the disappointing fall in the value of
the Canadian dollar, the large volume
of RV sales in the United States during
the past two or three years has enabled
the manufacturers to lower retail prices
of many RV models, and the advances
in technology make the 2016 models
the best value ever – regardless of the
exchange rate. Calculate your fuel savings during an era when oil is trading at
a very low price, and your cost of RV
travel will offset some of the sting of
the low exchange rate.
Some people may think that they
should take a “wait and see” approach
to buying an RV at this point in time.
Personally, I don’t see the benefit of
delaying your purchase. We have seen
the dollar rise and fall many times since
we started publishing in 1971, and frankly, this is a market factor over which we
have no control… but we know from
years of experience that the dollar is not
going to gain value overnight – it could
take years to return to anywhere close to
parity with the U.S. dollar, so why postpone your family’s vacation dreams for
the sake of a few percentage points on the
exchange rate scale? Your children may
be grown up by the time the dollar recovers, and if you are retired and looking for
a new and exciting lifestyle, why delay
4
RV Lifestyle | Volume 44 Number 5
the investment – enjoy life while you
have your health!
One very positive element of the low
flying loonie is that it has stimulated a
substantial growth in Canadian tourism,
with scenic attractions and campgrounds
across Canada preparing for a banner
year as many families are deciding to
explore the beauty of neighbouring provinces rather than heading south. It is a
wonderful opportunity to discover the
magnificent destinations that abound in
every province.
If this is your first encounter with RV
Lifestyle Magazine, thank you very much
for sharing your leisure time with us.
Please take a few minutes to visit the
website at www.rvlifemag.com where
you will find archives filled with entertaining and informative articles on every
aspect of the RV experience. If you enjoy
this issue, please check out our special
subscription offer on page 32.
William E. Taylor,
Publisher
Be sure to keep
up-to-date with the
latest news, technical tips,
product announcements,
and travel stories while on
the road by visiting us at
our new website,
www.rvlifemag.com!
Digital Media: MICHEL JULIEN
Contributing Writers:
PHYLLIS HINZ
LAMONT MACKAY
CRAIG RITCHIE
JAMES STONESS
ANDY THOMSON
Advertising Sales:
[email protected]
1-800-354-9145
EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
TORONTO:
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Oakville, ON L6H 2R2
Tel: 905-844-8218 Fax: 905-844-5032
MONTREAL:
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St. Laurent, PQ H4T 1W7
Tel: 514-856-0788 Fax: 514-856-0790
VANCOUVER:
Bob and Carole Taylor, 1745 Rufus Drive
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3L8
ADMINISTRATION:
President/CEO: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR
Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS
VP/General Manager: ROY C. BAIRD
VP/Special Projects: NORM ROSEN
Accounting: NANCY MUELLER
Camping Canada’s RV Lifestyle Magazine is published seven
times a year by Camping Canada Magazine Ltd. Reproduction of
any material appearing in this magazine in any form is forbidden
without prior consent of the publisher.
Subscription rates: Canada (prices include G.S.T.) 1 year
(7 issues) $19.99: 2 years (14 issues) $32. U.S. subscriptions:1
year (7 issues) $30 US. Other: 1 year (7 issues) $60 CDN. Single
copies are $4.95 for regular issues, and $5.95 for the annual
RV Buyer’s Guide and the annual Campground Directory issues.
Subscription inquiries 1-800-354-9145
Advertising rates available on request.
Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. The publisher
assumes no responsibility for return of safety of artwork, photographs, or manuscripts.
Camping Canada Magazine reserves the right to refuse any
and all advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims
or statements of facts made by its advertisers or independent
columnists.
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40010957
Undeliverables to: 1121 Invicta Dr., Unit 2,
Oakville, ON L6H 2R2
MONTREAL, QUEBEC
© 2016 CAMPING CANADA MAGAZINE
PRINTED IN CANADA
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HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson
WEST COAST
ADVENTURE
We took advantage of the holiday season to explore the
RV destinations west of the Rockies
I
n early December I had a meeting
to attend in Phoenix, so we left a
couple of weeks early and spent
some time on the California coast. We
stayed a week in Malibu at a great park
right across the Pacific Coast Highway
from the beach. We then spent a few
hours driving along all the coastal roads
through Los Angeles to Crystal Cove
State Park on the south side of Los
Angeles. We had planned to visit several
museums and other attractions in Los
Angeles but most days found us just
walking on the beaches.
Crystal Cove is a great park with
simply gorgeous views over the Pacific
with miles of beach. It has no hook-ups.
When we told others we were heading
there I was surprised how many could
not believe we would spend six nights
dry camping as though it was some massive hardship. So I thought I would list a
few tips I have learned about dry camping over the last 50 years of traveling.
Most of these were handed down to me
so I can’t really take any credit for them
and I am sure there are many others.
For dry camping you need power,
water and a way to empty the waste tanks.
6
POWER:
a) When dry camping with most RVs
you will not have 110 power. The
Airstream is equipped with a small
inverter that can run the TVs or a laptop.
However the inverter uses a lot of battery
power so you want to be careful how
much you operate it.
b) Unless you bother with a generator
you won’t have air conditioning. There
is a dramatic difference in how well different RVs stay cool. Look for as much
ventilation as possible on all walls if
possible. Window awnings are great for
keeping the heat out as well.
c) If you do a lot of dry camping in
open areas you cannot beat having a
solar panel. We would have easily gone
all week with an 80 watt panel without
charging the batteries.
d) Two batteries are more than twice as
good as one when dry camping, besides
doubling your capacity you can also
recharge much faster.
e) The Airstream has LED lights, these
Touring by the ocean on the Pacific
Coast Highway
have a fraction of the power drain of the
old bulbs so you can actually be a little
reckless with your lighting. They are still
a little pricey so if you have an older unit
just change the bulbs you use frequently.
f) Recharging the batteries when you
don’t have solar panels or a generator
needs to be done with your tow vehicle.
I don’t see a problem with that as the car
is quieter than a generator and you don’t
have to carry anything extra around with
you. You can plug the car into the trailer to charge the batteries but this is a
very slow process and on many vehicles
today the charge line does not operate
without running the car engine.
continued on page 8
Andy Thomson has
been writing for RV
Lifestyle Magazine
for more than 25
years. He also
owns and operates
Can-Am RV Centre
located in London,
ON.
rvlifemag
rvlifemag.com
com
It’s rare and well done
at the same time.
KE
Y
LA
RG
O
When it comes to keeping campers happy, there aren’t many
places as perfectly prepared as Florida’s Lower Keys. In fact, with
everything from primitive waterfront campsites to fully equipped
RV lots, it’s pretty much made to order.
fla-keys.com/lowerkeys 1.800.872.3722
A
ISL
KEY W
EST
BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS
MARA
THO
N
MO
RA
DA
HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson
g) Once your trailer battery is down to
around 11 volts you need to recharge.
The best way to charge the trailer batteries is to hook the car up to the trailer with some jumper cables. This will
charge much faster than the built in
charge line and it can charge with the
engine turned off.
STEP 1: Connect the cables negative to negative – positive to positive.
Actually look for the symbols on the
batteries as some trailers use a black
wire for positive which is the negative
on the car so don’t just match wire colors.
STEP 2: You would think you would
start the car right away but these days the
cars alternator can produce more power
than the batteries can accept. Let the batteries equalize for 10-15 minutes. The
car will start as the battery voltage won’t
drop below the 11 volts you began with.
STEP 3: Start the car and let it idle for
15 minutes. This will bring the car battery up to about 80% and continue to
charge the trailer batteries.
continued from page 6
Make sure you check the elevation of
where you will be traveling in the west
in the winter. We drove a lovely road
Highway 60 from Phoenix to I-25 just
south of Albuquerque. I did not realize for most of the 300 miles Highway
60 was between 7 & 8000 feet so we
had a 100 miles of snow storm to deal
with, in the mountains, on a two lane
road. Well I guess you have to keep
life interesting but I-10 would have
been quicker.
STEP 4: Turn the car off but leave the
cables connected for 15 minutes or so.
If you are only on the site for one more
day this is likely enough power. If you
are planning to be there for a few more
days run the above cycle a couple of
more times. After three cycles the batteries should be in the high 12’s which will
take care of them for a couple of days of
normal use.
To give you an idea I kept notes on
what I did for the six nights in Crystal
Cove. We ran the inverter about one
hour each day, but the largest drain was
running the furnace as night temperatures were dropping to 50 degrees. Some
rugged souls don’t mind camping in the
cold but our trailer does not drop below
8
rvlifemag.com
70 degrees. During a Canadian summer
you don’t need a lot of lights because
the days are long but in the south in the
winter days are not much longer than
here so if you spend the evening in the
trailer you need lights from 5:00 pm to
whenever you hit the hay.
We arrived on a Sunday with fully
charged batteries.
They ran without needing a charge
until Wednesday morning when the voltage was down to 10.9. I cycled the car
three times and then let it sit connected
for a couple of hours while we went to
the beach that morning and they were at
13.3 afterwards.
Friday evening we were down to
11.3 which likely would have run us
through the night but I gave it one more
15 minute charge cycle which brought
it up to 11.9. The next morning we were
back down to 10.8 but were pulling out
anyway so not a problem.
FRESH WATER:
I am not a big fan of public showers
and there is no way Heather is going to
be caught in one so we use the shower
in the trailer. You want to be sure you
have a showerhead with a shut off so
you can be easy on water. We had a
shower every day we were there and
washed dishes. We have done a lot of
dry camping and are pretty good at saving water but we don’t get crazy about it.
It’s amazing how little you use when you
need to carry it.
For water I carry a couple of collapsible five gallon jerry cans which take up
very little space. At this park there were
a few taps spread around so I only had to
carry the water about 200 feet. I have been
in parks where the only water is at the
main office area so in those I drive up and
carry the water back in the trunk of the car.
We arrived with a full tank, and the
Airstream has a relatively large 54 gallon
tank. I added 30 Gallons on Wednesday
which easily lasted us until we left.
it inside the trailer. I have seen them
strapped to ladders, tied behind the LP
tanks and tied to bumpers etc. Not the
nicest looking accessory on your RV.
We have on occasion made a framework that carries one under the trailer
between the frame rails, if I did a lot
of dry camping that is what I would
do. For me it was just as simple to
drop the trailer on the car and take it
up to the dump station, which I did on
Wednesday morning while Heather was
getting some work done.
GREY WATER:
Over the 50 years I have been around
RV’s one of the more controversial topics has been what to do with grey water.
Before 1974 most trailers only had a
black water tank, the grey water drained
directly into the sewer hose if you were
hooked up or onto the ground if you
were not. Most people carried a small
shovel so they could dig a little opening
in the ground, then they drained using
a cut off garden hose. This eliminates
surface water.
Then in the early 70’s it was decided that this was wrong and grey water
should not be drained onto the ground,
but of course many people continued
to do so. As time went by grey tanks
became larger and few people drained
grey water. However now in the
Southwestern states they are having a
drought and it turns out that a couple
of million California homes and many
large facilities recycle their grey water
for irrigation. There is now some actual
research being done on how to safely use
grey water. For example it should not be
drained where it will not soak into the
soil (hence the small shovel), it should
not be drained out of growing season and
never where it can run into fresh water. It
turns out maybe our parents or grandparents weren’t wrong after all.
One of the neighbours in the park
asked me what I was doing with my
grey water and said I would drain it at
the dump-station when I emptied the
black tank. He mentioned that the
shrubs around our campsite could likely
use it more, considering how dry the
plants looked it likely was not a bad
idea. I asked him what the park rangers would say and he said that officially they say not to but unofficially they
hope you will help. So I borrowed his
hose and shovel and drained the water
into the ground adjacent to a few of the
shrubs. Perhaps they were looking a
little healthier by the time I left. I only
drained about 40 gallons over the six
days so not a great deal. That soil was so
dry it was instantly absorbed and likely
did do some good. I don’t think I would
do the same thing if I was next to a lake
in an already damp area and I think you
would want to know what the local rules
are. However maybe in time we will
have some actual guidelines on how to
make positive use of grey water.
So dry camping is not that tough or
uncomfortable and it only takes a little
time. Parks that don’t have hookups are
often in some incredible settings. It also
gives you more flexibility when you travel not having to worry whether you will
have hookups. BLACK WATER:
There are two ways to empty tanks,
one is to tow the trailer up to the dump
station and the other is to use a portable tank that you can transfer into.
The downside to the portable tanks is
their size. You sure don’t want to store
rvlifemag.com
9
RV TIPS
by Garth Cane
2016 FORD
F150
THE PICKUP TRUCK
Entirely re-imagined
T
he all-new 2016 Ford F-150
introduced a new aluminum body
to the Ford lineup. The militarygrade aluminum reduces the trucks’
weight by up to 700 pounds allowing it
to be more agile and fuel efficient while
making it more durable and powerful
than previous models.
The F-150 can now tow more than
any other light-duty pickup truck – up to
5,534 kg (12,200 pounds). Regardless
of model configuration or engine choice,
every truck customer benefits from up to
700 pounds of weight savings the new
truck delivers. This is projected to have
fuel economy ratings in the range of
at least fivr percent and as much as 20
percent better gas mileage than today’s
truck, depending on the model.
“Our objective was to find materials
that allowed us to design the truck to be
as tough – or tougher – than the current
model, yet could help it be hundreds
of pounds lighter for better capability
and fuel economy,” said Pete Friedman,
manager, Ford manufacturing research.
10
“Out of all the materials we tested, we
carefully selected only certain grades
of aluminum that met our high performance standards in all of our tests, while
allowing us to trim hundreds of pounds
from the truck.”
New for 2016 is a 360-degree camera view that uses exterior cameras to
create a bird’s-eye view of the truck
to help drivers park, maneuver in tight
spots, and navigate narrow roads and
trails. Integrated loading ramps enable
easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles
and mowers. BoxLink combines metal
brackets and custom cleats to secure a
variety of accessories in the cargo box
– from ramps to storage bins to bed
dividers.
Ford introduced the first trailer sway
control for the 2009 Ford F-150, the
Ford system senses differences in movement between truck and trailer, using the
wheel brakes in both vehicles to counteract sway. In 2015 they added Smart
Trailer Control to the truck’s productivity screen to show the driver which
lights on a trailer connected to the truck
aren’t working – meaning the driver or a
passenger doesn’t have to get out of the
truck and walk around the trailer.
Backing up a trailer can be tricky.
This is the most unwelcome part of towing your trailer. The truck’s front wheels
have to be turned the opposite direction
the driver wants the trailer to go. Turn
too hard and the trailer can hit the vehicle, or jackknife. Whether working alone
continued on page 12
For the last 24 years, Garth Cane has been
the Technical Director for RV Lifestyle
Magazine. He is a member of the Automotive
Journalists Association of Canada, was
professor of the Apprenticeship program
for RV Service
Technicians in
Ontario. He volunteers as Chairman
of the CSAZ240
and the Recreation
Vehicle Safety
and Education
Foundation.
rvlifemag
rvlifemag.com
com
Reach the peak and
take in the view of the
Rocky Mountains.
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Begin your adventure today
Contact us at 1-888-ROADTREK (762-3873)
WRÀQGRXWPRUHwww.roadtrek.com
RV TIPS
by Garth Cane
or with a spotter, backing up a trailer can
be a tension-filled ordeal. Pro Trailer
Backup Assist helps take the frustration
out of backing up. This makes it easier
for drivers of all skill levels to back a
trailer up to park an RV or in a campsite.
The technology allows drivers to
steer a trailer instinctively by turning
a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering
and limits vehicle speed. Ford engineers developed the system leveraging advanced camera technology and
tested it for almost a decade. The technology automatically steers the truck
to turn the trailer the desired amount.
The system may limit vehicle speed to
enhance occupant comfort over various road surfaces. The result is less
time required to back up a trailer with
improved confidence – it even helps
towing experts by reducing time lost to
maneuvering mistakes.
Have you entered a curve and found
that you are going too fast? Curve
Control helps drivers maintain control of
their vehicle by automatically reducing
torque and applying four-wheel braking.
This can reduce vehicle speed by up to
16 km/h (10 mph) in approximately one
second – assisting drivers in staying on
their intended path.
The available lane-keeping system is
With all the latest in electronics, the fully-equipped F-150 models offer luxury that
rivals the top of the line touring sedans and SUVs.
designed to help prevent a driver from
drifting outside of the intended driving
lane. The system is designed to detect
the left- or right-hand road lane markings
using a camera mounted between the
windshield and rearview mirror. A vibration in the steering wheel is used to alert
the driver. The system can also provide
steering torque to help guide the vehicle
back into the lane if needed.
Adaptive Cruise Control is a gift on
long trips when you follow other vehicles that don’t maintain a constant speed.
Segment-exclusive adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake
support uses radar in the front of the
Below: The Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob controls the truck steering to make
reverse steering with a trailer more instinctive.
Left: Now you can tailgate with the convenience of cupholders!
continued on page 14
12
rvlifemag.com
HAMILTON
TORONTO
KITCHENER
January 22-24, 2016
February 11-15, 2016
April 15-17, 2016
Players Paradise Sports Complex
www.rvshowhamilton.ca
Toronto Congress Centre
www.rvshowtoronto.ca
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
www.rvshowkitchener.ca
For more information:
FULLY
equipped
parts &
accessories
store at all shows!
w w w . o n t a r i o r v d a . c a
RV TIPS
by Garth Cane
SPECIFICATIONS
F-150 LARIAT
Power:
3.5L ecoboost V6 355 hp,
420 lb torque
Exterior Length:
232” / 5.8 m
Seating Capacity:
5-6
Transmission:
Select shift 6 speed
Front Suspension:
coil on shock,
double wishbone, independent
Rear Suspension:
hotchkiss non-dependant
live, leaf springs, outboard
shock absorbers
Steering:
rack and pinion,
electric power assist
Brakes:
four wheel vented disc, ABS
Fuel Capacity:
87.4 L
Turning Diameter:
47.1’ / 14 m
Price:
$41,181 (starting at)
$54,199 (MSRP as tested)
The new 2016 F-150 is the toughest, smartest and most
capable F-150 ever.
With a full range of trim levels you can
order your F-150 in basic or all-dressed
configurations.
truck to measure the distance and speed
of vehicles detected ahead. Using this
information, the F-150 can automatically maintain a consistent following
distance set by the driver. The speed will
be maintained if adaptive cruise control
is activated and the vehicle is traveling
at least 24 km/h (15 mph). Collision
warning triggers visual and audio alerts
if the system detects the following distance is diminishing too quickly and a
collision may occur. It also pre-charges
14
the brakes if the driver needs to stop
suddenly.
New LED headlamps and LED taillamps provide excellent nighttime visibility, and the Trailer hitch assist adds
a new rearview camera feature that
incorporates a dynamic line based on
steering wheel angle in the display to
help customers line up their truck and
trailer with no spotter or need to exit
the vehicle.
The 2016 F-150 is available with
four choices of powertrain. The 2.7-litre
EcoBoost® V6 with standard Auto StartStop that produces 325 horsepower and
375 lb.-ft. of torque and a maximum payload rating of 2,250 pounds with maximum tow rating of 8,500 pounds
The 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo
engine delivers V8-like 420 lb.-ft. of
torque and 365 horsepower to enable
towing of up to 12,200 pounds – more
than enough to handle a fully loaded,
three-horse trailer or large RV trailer. It
has earned an industry-leading maximum
payload rating of 3,180 pounds.
The 5.0-litre V8 with twin independent variable camshaft timing has
improved power and efficiency, deliver-
ing 385 horsepower and 387 lb.-ft. of
torque. Smart engineering enhancements
such as a new long-runner intake manifold, revised intake cam duration and
new pulse-separated exhaust manifolds
help raise towing capability by 1,100
pounds to a maximum 11,100 pounds,
and payload to 3,300 pounds.
The 3.5-litre V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing produces
283 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque.
It has a maximum payload of 1,910
pounds and maximum tow rating of
7,600 pounds – unsurpassed for standard
V6 light-duty pickup trucks.
The F-150 supercab is available with
either a short or a long box in 4x2 or
4x4 configurations. The short box has an
overall length of 232 inches, and a height
of 76 inches and carries 23 US gallons
(86 litres) of fuel.
The new 2016 F-150 is more than
the toughest, smartest and most capable F-150 ever. The F-150 King Ranch,
Platinum and Limited editions offer passenger convenience features rivaling
high-end luxury vehicles, making F-150
versatile and exceptionally comfortable
to drive. rvlifemag.com
WE MAKE
GETTING THERE
PA R T O F T H E
VACATION
...where the journey
is the destination
The hitch may be small, but
don’t underestimate its
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and a nail biter. That’s why B&W
developed a line of hitches based
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worry-free ride.
Ask us about the Recreational
Vehicle Management Program
and how you can purchase
a motorhome:
• tax free
• get free storage
• share in rental revenue
• have your motorhome
professionally maintained
LUXURIOUS MOTORHOMES FOR RENT
MIRADA SELECT
14124 Highway 50, Bolton, Ontario L7E 3E2
www.motorhometravel.com
rvlifemag.com
LEPRECHAUN CLASS C
Sales of New and
Pre-owned
Class A and C.
Also a Full
Service
and Parts
Department
416-743-4155 or 1-877-228-2218
15
THE COOKING LADIES by Lamont Mackay and Phyllis Hinz
DEVILED HAM
SPREAD IN A
BREAD BOWL
(Makes 15 servings)
INGREDIENTS
PIER 21
The Gateway to a New Life
O
ne in every five Canadians
has a connection to Pier 21 in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. For 43
years between 1928 and 1971, one million immigrants, refugees, war brides,
evacuee children, and displaced persons
passed through this immigration gateway. Now a national historic site, Pier
21 also served as the departure point for
500,000 Canadian military personnel
during the Second World War.
While walking through the building,
we caught a glimpse of the immigration
experience. Ships’ rosters displayed the
names of passengers who bundled up
everything they could to start a new life
in Canada. A cut out of the tight quarters of a transatlantic crossing created
an appreciation for the space and luxury
16
we have in our RV. Photos and films
depicted the questioning and customs
procedures every immigrant had to face.
A railroad car represented the long journey many took across the country from
Halifax to unknown cities or distant, isolated farm communities. Personal stories
of the newcomers described the many
challenges. It was an emotional time, the
joy and excitement of a new beginning
and the sadness at leaving loved ones
and a homeland behind.
Displays of suitcases and battered
trunks include personal treasures that
people carried with them to begin again.
In preparation for the unexpected, many
hid food in their luggage. Sausages,
hams, bread, olive oil, and wine were
confiscated by Canadian customs officials. North American food was often
confusing for new arrivals. They considered cornflakes to be something for
animal, not human, consumption. Fluffy,
sweet white bread was mistaken for
cake. Even mustard was different, yellow not brown.
Many of the ingredients in this happy
hour and holiday entertaining recipe
would have been familiar to people
entering Canada at Pier 21 – smoked
meat, cheese, dark mustard, and multigrain bread. 7 oz (200g) smoked ham, cubed
9 oz (250g) light cream cheese,
softened
1 cup (250 mL) shredded medium
cheddar cheese
3 tbsps (45 mL) sweet green relish
1 small onion, quartered
1 garlic clove, quartered
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
1 round loaf multigrain bread,
unsliced
DIRECTIONS
Place the cubed ham in a food
processor. Process until finely
chopped.
Add the cream cheese, cheddar
cheese, relish, onion, garlic, and
mustard. Process until smooth.
Cut the top off the loaf of bread and
hollow out the centre of the loaf.
Break the bread lid and the removed
centre of the loaf into bite-size pieces.
Fill the bread cavity with the deviled
ham. Serve with a small cocktail knife
to spread the deviled ham on the pieces
of bread. When the bowl is empty, cut
it into bite-size pieces as well.
Please visit
The Cooking Ladies’
website at
www.thecooking
ladies.com
or email them at
info@
thecookingladies.com
rvlif
rvlifemag.com
lifemag com
T h e To w i n g S p e c i a l i s t s
New & Pre-Owned RV Sales & Service since 1970
1.866.587.2950 CanAmRv.CA [email protected]
6068 Colonel Talbot Road, London ON
Let the Adventure Beg in...
AirstreamAltoAvengerCrusaderDRVGenesisLaCrosse
Pleasure-WayrPodStreamliteSurveyorSynergyTracerVista Cruiser
by Garth Cane
LETTERS
Hi
Garth,
We have recently subscribed
to your magazine at the fall RV show
in Toronto. We got our first issue and
are pretty excited about buying our
first RV. We haven’t yet purchased it as
we are still in the searching stage and
thought we could get a little advice from
the experts. A four-season trailer is our
number one priority. We are looking for
a couple’s trailer and are open to either
a travel trailer or a fifth wheel, a foursleeper or less with a maximum outside
length of 31 ft. Money wise we would like
to keep it under $50,000. We are concerned with the height of a fifth wheel and
fitting into the parks campsites. Should
this be a concern? Any suggestions on
four season travel trailers or fifth wheels
so that we can start looking in the right
direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help you can give us,
Toni-Lynn and Allen
Hi Toni-Lynn and Allen,
One of the questions is, what do you
consider a four-season RV? Do you
intend to camp in the snow and below
zero weather or are you interested in driving to the sunny south travelling for a
few days through Ohio and other cold
states before you arrive in nice weather? Trailers have adequate insulation for
living for short times in cold weather,
but they are not intended for living for
extended times in the cold. If you are
buying a fifth wheel, look for double pane
windows, these are not often found in
travel trailers. The longer the length of the
trailer, the more comfortable the layout
for extended living, but there is more area
that the furnace has to heat. Many large
fifth wheels have two furnaces. Shorter
trailers are easier to manoeuver in campgrounds, but you have less room for storage and to move around inside. There is
not much trouble with the height of most
31 ft. fifth wheels as the trees have been
18
trimmed in most campgrounds.
With a 31 ft. travel trailer it is wise
to tow with a larger SUV or a 4x4 truck,
although Andy Thomson has had great
success with several cars towing larger
trailers. Today’s trucks are more luxurious than some cars. A fifth wheel trailer
towed behind a truck is actually shorter
on the road than towing the same length
of travel trailer since part of the trailer
overhangs the bed of the truck. There are
several RV shows this spring, so you can
compare different brands and layouts to
find out the best choice for your family.
Garth
...................................................................
Dear Garth:
I have been to a few parks in Ontario
and if you do not buy a trailer from them
or an affiliate, they charge a pad fee that
can range from 500 to 2800 dollars plus
the seasonal rent. Are these pad fees
common to the USA? This could be very
expensive if you want to go to different
places each year. They claim this fee
is for park improvements. Are they still
going to charge me pad fees each time,
and is this legal like a condo fee?
Thanks, Derek
Newbie to Full-Time
Hi Derek,
Most of the sites in today’s campgrounds are used by seasonal campers
who want to be able to use all the facilities, water, electric, sewer, access to the
pool, the games room, the fishing dock,
etc. Since modern RVs are hungry for
electricity, many operators have been
forced to upgrade their electrical system
at substantial cost. Canada’s new environmental regulations have also forced
many campgrounds to upgrade their
water and sewage system. The dealer
who sells RVs has a chance to gain back
some of that cost. Many RVers actually
decide where they want to park their RV
before the purchase it from a dealer or
campground.
Pad fees have been around the
Canadian campground industry for
many years, often by different names.
Campground owners who sell new RVs
want to save their camping spaces for
people who buy from them. If the trailer
came from an outside dealer, the dealer
was asked for a fee to be able to put the
trailer on a site. This is similar to people
who join a golf club. They are asked to
buy a share in the club plus their annual
membership fee.
Many new owners of RVs discover
campgrounds that they like by visiting
the many RV shows in their area, or
look through our Annual Campground
Directory to find out what facilities they
have and the directions to get there.
They often take time to travel around
the area with their car to check out any
campgrounds that they might want to
take a closer look at. Does the campground have the facilities that you need,
it is close enough for travel from your
home each weekend, or do the present campers have noisy parties at night.
Some campgrounds allow dogs, some
are senior oriented (no small children).
Changing campgrounds each year can
be expensive.
If you are towing your RV around
the country with your car or truck
instead of being a permanent camper,
you will pay more for each night stayed
than that the total that you would pay
For the last 24 years, Garth Cane has been
the Technical Director for RV Lifestyle
Magazine. He is a member of the Automotive
Journalists Association of Canada, was
professor of the Apprenticeship program
for RV Service
Technicians in
Ontario. He volunteers as Chairman
of the CSAZ240
and the Recreation
Vehicle Safety
and Education
Foundation.
rvlif
rvlifemag.com
ifemag com
for several months at a seasonal campground. I hope some of
this helps your with your decisions.
When you decide to go fulltime, you need to develop a
permanent address for your income tax, driver’s licence, RV
insurance, OHIP, and others. You cannot use a postal box
address to get a driver’s licence. Some RVers use their son
or daughter’s address- I have been told that a campground
address is not approved. One of our readers told me recently,
that after they sold their house, the insurance company cancelled their RV insurance.
.....................................................................................................
Dear Garth:
We have owned 3 travel trailers now that have developed
“soft” floors. One dealer told us this is caused by compression
of the Styrofoam core used in lightweight trailers. Another
has said it is due to moisture and everything would have to be
removed, dried and reinforced. These trailers have been used
in the south during the winter months and moisture should not
be an issue.
Have you ever encountered this issue and what would
be your recommendation? If left untreated what is likely
to happen?
Ron Stewart, Clinton, ON
Hi Ron,
Soft floors are often caused by dampness seeping into the
wood substrate. This is most common near doorways and under
windows. When the door is open, rain often falls on the floor of
doorway and is absorbed by the plywood. Marine grade plywood
is not used in travel trailers so the flooring can absorb quantities of water vapour. Often a soft floor occurs near the hot water
heater when the tank develops pinholes due to electrolytic action
of the water and the metal of the tank. Even though the weather in
Florida is much nicer sometimes than Canada, there is a great deal
of moisture in the air. I’m sure that the whole floor isn’t soft, but
just small sections. I have seen RV floors at dealers’ lots that have
become soft from prospective buyers trying to see if the floor is
good by bouncing up and down on the floor to check its condition, resulting in fatigue of the plywood. Let me know where the
floor is soft, and we might be able to help.
.....................................................................................................
off-road trailer-ites. Take a look at the installation video on
the (www.andersenhitches.com) website. This is a new form
of sway control different from the EAZ-Lift or Reese. So far I
have not been able to do a road test with it. The video looks
good and it appears easy to install. There as many opinions as
to the best sway control system as there are manufacturers. My
own experience has been with Reese, EAZ-lift and Hensley.
Garth
.....................................................................................................
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION TIPS
When a trailer is nose heavy it forces down the rear of the
tow vehicle, taking weight off the front wheels that are used
for steering , braking, and traction. Excess weight on either
the front or the rear of a trailer will make it unstable. When the
fresh water tank is located under the bed at the front of an RV
it is designed to be full when travelling. If it is empty the trailer nose would be too light for stability. Federal requirements
require brakes on trailers that weigh over 1300 kg ( some
provinces allow small variances). The manufacturer’s engineers that I work with at the Canadian Standards Association
tell me that their drivers delivering empty toy haulers to dealers often have difficulty with cross-winds because a heavy
tongue weight and light rear upsets the trailer balance. Hi Garth,
I have just bought a 31 ft. Pioneer trailer and towing it with a 2014 dodge ram 1500. I have been looking at sway control weight distribution system and
the one I have been looking at is the Anderson weight distributing system. I would like to know if you have any
thoughts about this system. Is it the best one out there?
Allan MacDonald
Hello Allan,
The Anderson sway control hitch is relatively new to the
RV market. They have built aluminum hitches for years for the
rvlifemag.com
19
ROAD TEST
The Sonic 167 features a rear galley with ample
counter space.
20
The U-shaped dinette slides out to accommodate up to six people.
rvlifemag.com
Venture RV
Sonic Lite
167 VMS
Compact
p comfort!
Text and photos by Norm Rosen
W
The front bedroom is compact but comfortable.
e had the pleasure of visiting the team at Ingersoll
RV, Ingersoll, Ontario, to check out the 2016 Sonic
Lite 167 VMS by Venture RV, one of the leading
names in lightweight and ultra lightweight travel
trailers. Venture RV is a division of K-Z RV of Shipshewana,
Indiana, a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc. one of the world’s
largest RV manufacturing groups.
Founded in 1972, K-Z RV specializes in building travel trailers
and fifth wheels for active RV families. The Venture RV line of
lightweight towable trailers was created several years ago to build
travel trailers specifically designed to match the towing capabilities of today’s family vehicles. From the outset, Venture RV earned
an excellent reputation for building quality products, winning
the RVDA Dealer Satisfaction Award for travel trailers for the
past 15 years – an accomplishment unrivalled in the RV industry.
Designed by engineers who enjoy camping, the trailers embody
many innovative features that enhance your camping experience.
21
VENTURE RV Road Test
HIGH-TECH LIGHTWEIGHT
The Sonic Lite 167 embodies some
of the leading edge technology in the
RV industry, with a one-piece fibreglass
roof spanning the trailer from the front
profile to the rear bumper. This construction concept virtually eliminates the
possibility of leaks around the sidewall
seams, windows, doors, compartments
and corner seams. The Sonic Lite trailers
have aluminum framed floor, sidewalls
and roof structure for lightweight durability. The aluminum roof rafters reduce
weight and help to lower the centre of
gravity of the unit, which enhances handling characteristics. The aerodynamic
shape adds to the excellent towing performance, and the fiberglass exterior is
infused with colour to keep the Sonic
Lite looking great for years to come.
This trailer is designed to travel, with
self adjusting brakes, and radial tires
on high polished aluminum rims. The
Norco BAL E-Coated and epoxy painted
Huck bolted frame is ideally suited for
a trailer of this size. A Darco moisture
barrier keeps the underbelly sealed from
moisture and insects. The front panel
has a Diamond Plate rock guard to repel
road dirt and debris
The Sonic Lite is built for a variety
of weather conditions. The 16,000 BTU
furnace allows you to enjoy three-season
camping comfort – the R-14 fiberglass
insulated roof and floor keep the trailer
warm in the cool weather, and cool in
the hot summer sun.
Exterior features include large passthrough storage with motorhome style
We towed the Sonic with a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LT – manufactured across town at
the GM of Canada CAMI Automotive Plant. This crossover utility vehicle is one of GM
North America’s best selling models.
slam latch cargo doors, tinted safety
glass windows, and a lighted safety step.
IN THE GALLEY
For a compact travel trailer, the Sonic
Lite 167 provides a very well equipped
rear galley, complete with sink, twoburner cook top, convection microwave,
vented range hood and 4.2 cu. Ft. refrigerator. The L-shaped countertop is spacious for an RV of this size, with overhead and under counter cabinets that are
TOWING THE SONIC 167
We paired the Sonic 167 with a 2016
Chevrolet Equinox LT, provided for
our road test project by Searles Motor
Products of Ingersoll, Ontario. This popular family vehicle is manufactured at the
GM of Canada CAMI Automotive Plant in
Ingersoll, which employs approximately
3,000 people. The Equinox is the second
most popular vehicle in the GM line.
The Equinox LT is a crossover utility
vehicle that can tow up to 3,500 pounds
when powered by the optional 3.6-liter
22
V6 engine with 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This combination
produces 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel efficiency for the LT FWD model
with the V6 engine is rated at 13.8 L/100
KM city, 9.8 highway, 11.75 combined.
The AWD version sips just a bit more
fuel, but offers the advantages of allwheel drive. Fuel efficiency while towing will vary depending on load, road
conditions, topography, and your driving style.
very well finished and designed by engineers who have obviously had camping
experience – every component is ideally
placed and very well finished.
We were very impressed with the overall fit and finish of the interior components
of this trailer. From the use of roller ball
bearing drawer glides to the high efficiency LED lighting, the Sonic Lite is outfitted
with quality materials that are an excellent
value at this price point. We liked the Lux
Maple mortise and tenon hardwood cabinet doors and the attention to detail in the
galley area – the mocha latte mosaic backsplash is a styling touch that adds function
and flair to the unit.
Every square inch of usable space is
planned out for your convenience – there
is even a “shoe cubby” under the cabinet
beside the door so you don’t track dirt
into the trailer.
DINING COMFORT
While the Sonic Lite is compact on
the outside, the slide-out dinette section
provides a very comfortable expansion
rvlifemag.com
If it needs to be repaired, we can do the job!
7KUHHIXOO\FHUWL¿HG59DQG3URSDQHWHFKQLFLDQVRQVWDII
with a full service shop and a mobile service unit.
&DOOXVWR¿[\RXUÀRRUVURRIVWRLOHWVHOHFWULFDODSSOLDQFHVSURSDQHEUDNHVEHDULQJVDLUFRQGLWLRQHUV
ZDWHUKHDWHUVVOLGHRXWVDQGPRUH
Authorized Service CentreIRUDOO59PDNHVDQGPRGHOVSOXVDSSOLDQFHVDQG59SURGXFWVIURP
*/33URGXFWV$WZRRG'H[WHU&DPFR9DOWHUUD:LQHJDUG'RPHWLF1RUFROGDQGPRUH
Conveniently located at Rideau Acres Campground
1014 Cunningham Road, Kingston, Ontario.
(just off Hwy 15, one mile north of Hwy 401).
Contact us at 613-354-3743 or email UY¿[HU#V\PSDWLFRFD
www.jrsmobilervservice.com
0HPEHURI259'$59'$
2016 Venture RV
Sonic Lite
Ingersoll
RV and Trailers
Offering Affordable
Family Vacationing
Ingersoll RV & Trailers carries the
full line-up of Venture RV
Sport Trek and Sonic models.
We also carry the LOOK cargo
and specialty trailers.
Call today to have us build one for your needs.
Ingersoll RV & Trailers • 307 Harris St., Ingersoll, ON • 519-425-2237
Just ½ km off of the 401 at exit 218 Plank line
www.ingersollrvandtrailers.ca
rvlifemag.com
23
‘Sales of New and Used Travel Trailers
‘Sa
and 5th Wheels’
‘Motorhome Service & Rentals’
‘Since 1986’
‘YOUR LOCAL RV EXPERTS FOR SALES, SERVICE AND PARTS’
1841 Hwy 7, Concord, Ontario
Phone: 905-738-1421
Email: [email protected]
www.torontocampingcentre.com
CHECK OUR
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rvlifemag.com
VENTURE RV Road Test
On warm summer days, the standard
residential type 8,000 BTU A/C works
well. If you camp in very hot weather,
the optional 13,500 BTU roof A/C would
be a good idea.
flush system. Your sewer hose stores in
the rear bumper, and there is a water
heater bypass valve to drain the system
for winterizing.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
IN THE BATHROOM
The bathroom has a nice vanity configuration with a section that can be used as
a make-up table.
to the interior living area. The U-shaped
dinette area has Flip Side reversible
cushions and a table that can be lowered to form a very comfortable bed.
Overhead and under seat storage areas
provide easy access to your gear. The
“Black Diamond” décor package is lively and attractive, and all upholstery is
high quality.
BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL
INTERIOR
The interior layout and décor of a
compact travel trailer can transform
the unit into a home away from home,
and the Sonic Lite gets top marks for
comfort and design. From the designer
carefree Congolese® linoleum flooring
(with three-year warranty) to the skylight
overhead, this little trailer has all the features your family needs for a comfortable camping experience. Tall campers
will love the 82” interior headroom in
this unit. We liked the use of pleated
nightshades on the windows.
Entertaining the family in the Sonic
Lite 167 is a matter of taste – the trailer
has a very good Bluetooth DVD/CD/
MP3/AM/FM stereo system with remote
control and two interior speakers, and
you can order the optional LED TV.
rvlifemag.com
While the Sonic Lite 167 is a compact
travel trailer, the bathroom is quite spacious, with a 36” bathtub in the shower/
tub surround and a foot flush toilet. The
6 gallon DSI gas/electric water heater
supplies the shower and galley with
enough hot water for a family of four.
A tank monitor system lets you keep an
eye on your fresh water, grey water, and
black water levels.
The Lux Maple mirrored medicine
cabinet provides storage. A large skylight with power vent and high efficiency
LED lighting brighten the bathroom.
While the Sonic Lite is very well
equipped with a full range of standard
equipment, there are a few options that
you may want to include when you order
your trailer. The low-profile 13,500 BTU
roof air conditioner is a good idea if you
enjoy warm weather camping, and the
lighted power tongue jack is a big help if
you hitch and unhitch on a regular basis.
The LED TV with swing arm bracket is
a must-have option for many families.
The trailer is pre-wired for an optional Zamp® Solar panel and an optional
backup camera.
THE BOTTOM LINE
IN THE BEDROOM
The front bedroom area features a
60” x 74” bed, a shirt closet wardrobe,
and overhead storage above the designer
padded headboard. The memory foam
mattress is very comfortable, and the
reversible quilted comforter is a nice
décor touch. The bedroom window has a
designer valance and pleated nightshades.
IN THE CAMPGROUND
The Sonic Lite is outfitted with a
mandatory Exterior Luxury Package that
includes many of the features you need
to enjoy the RV experience. Park the
trailer at a campsite and it only takes a
few minutes to stabilize the unit with the
four Secure Stance BAL scissor jacks,
then connect your 30-amp marine type
electrical hookup and extend the slideout and the awning. If you arrive after
dark, you will find the exterior lighting
to be very convenient, with exterior compartment lights, multi directional LEDs
on the awning, a porch light, and a convenient motorhome-style lighted grab
handle at the front door.
On a warm summer day you can relax
under the awning and enjoy stereo sound
from the twin marine grade speakers.
The Sonic Lite has an exterior shower
with hot and cold water, and a black tank
The Venture RV Sonic Lite 167VMS
is a compact and lightweight travel
trailer that meets the needs of today’s
RV travelers. Easy to tow, and easy on
the budget, this trailer embodies the
latest in RV design and technology to
match many of the popular family tow
vehicles. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
VENTURE RV SONIC LITE 167VMS
Length
Width
Height
Interior height
Weight (UVW)
Hitch weight (dry)
GVWR
NCC (net cargo capacity
Water heater
Fresh water
Black water
Grey water
Furnace (opt)
LP Gas
Tires
Awning
MSRP as tested:
F.O.B. Ingersoll, Ontario
20’4”
90”
9’ 5”
82”
2,898 lbs
350 lbs
4,000 lbs
1,102 lbs
6 gal DSI
39 gal
30 gal
30 gal
16,000 BTU
20 lbs
15”
11’
$24,952
Many thanks to the team at Ingersoll RV for their
assistance with this road test project.
25
TheofLure
the
Ocean
Southern California people, places and beaches
Story and Photos by
Lynn Benjamin
O
ur visits to the ocean in Southern
California have been terrific. Even
though we previously avoided spending time there, we have overcome our
reluctance!
California had never been our favourite place to
visit in the winter, it’s too busy and definitely too
expensive. We were so pleasantly surprised.
We had a couple options to get there.
Interstate 10 goes from Quartzsite, Arizona through
the resort areas of Indio, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm
Springs to meet up with Interstate 15 and then over to
Oceanside. Indio to Palm Springs looks like one very
large community. The road is lined with gated commu-
nities and an abundance of shopping malls.
Most of the parks along this route are packed with
annual snowbirds who have been coming down for
years and generally stay all winter.
Interstate 8 from Yuma travels along the sand dunes
and the Mexican border through cultivated farmland
and the fields of the Imperial Valley. It goes all the way
to San Diego.
Speed and shopping are not our forte so we took
the Interstate 8 option. Instead of travelling all the
way on the interstate, we veered off to the Ocean
View Road (Highway 101) as soon as we could. It
was stop and start all the way to San Diego but there
was a lot to see.
Main photo:
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
26
Some people enjoy living on their boats… some enjoy the RV lifestyle. Either way, the beautiful scenery and balmy weather of
Southern California attracts visitors from across North America.
27
TheofLure
the
Ocean
Swami’s State Beach
SAN DIEGO
While Palm Springs developed as an
old-time health spa in the early 1900’s,
San Diego is steeped in history. It represents over a century of wars and settlements. The footprint of the indigenous
peoples remains even though the area
was overtaken by the Spanish, then
became part of Mexico, and finally was
established as California in the USA.
28
At the southwestern tip of California
lies the coastal city of San Diego and a
pocket of colourful history. It is a mere
200 miles from the infamous desert
oasis of Palm Springs and just minutes
from Tijuana, Mexico.
San Diego is a gold mine for history buffs. Within the city limits of San
Diego, the ‘Old Town’ (now a California
State Park) has captured and restored
many of the colourful characteristics of
the past.
Covering about 230 acres and modelled after the original pueblo of San
Diego, the Park contains reconstructions
of many public buildings such as Mason
Street School, the first public school
house in San Diego. The Old Town is
also home to the first Courthouse in San
Diego, the San Diego Union Newspaper
and Print Shop, and the Colorado House.
Some other sights in the Old Town
include Steeley Stables, a stable and
barn that exhibits horse-drawn buggies,
wagons, carriages and western memorabilia, and Black Hawk Smithy & Stable,
a reconstructed blacksmith shop with
daily demonstrations of blacksmithing.
Taking a stroll along the streets of
the Old Town was like visiting the past.
The adobe houses, the shops, the market
places and the restaurants were all alive
and bustling. As in the old days, the
shops line the streets and offer homemade products.
In Old Town it’s not too hard to
imagine yourself strolling down a street
in the 1850’s, and free tours are offered
regularly. Take advantage of the trolley
rides, try to visit the shops and muse-
ums, and make sure to amble through
the artists areas.
While you’re there, experience
authentic Mexican foods, or just people
watch – one of our favourite past-times.
THE LURE OF THE OCEAN
The most prized surfing beaches lie in
and around Encinitas, about 30 miles
north of San Diego.
CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA
Cardiff-by-the-Sea was our favourite
beach to just sit and watch. Ships pass
back and forth on the horizon as they
come and go to San Diego. The waves
splash up against the rocks only to
rush back out to the ocean, leaving the
stones wet and waiting. Back again,
stronger and higher waves envelope
the spot they just left – always changing. All descriptions of people stroll
along the shore.
on the cliff above the reef.
Although we are not surfers ourselves, we’ve spent hours just watching
them. The strength it must take to paddle
out to their chosen spot, wait for just
the right wave, battle to gain their footing and ride the wave until they either
reached the shore or fell off the board.
Almost compulsively, they would do it
all again.
Many surfers will choose to end their
rides before the wave reaches the beach
because the distance from the beach to
the main peak is several hundred yards
from shore.
SWAMI’S STATE BEACH
Swami’s State Beach is an internationally renowned surfing destination for
all levels of boarders, especially longboard and shortboard surfers. The beach
is named after Swami Paramahansa
Yogananda, a swami from the SelfRealization Fellowship Ashram sitting
Swami’s
State Beach
TheofLure
the
Ocean
Leucadia
Beach
South
Carlsbad
State Beach
LEUCADIA BEACH
ENCINITAS
SOUTH CARLSBAD
STATE BEACH
Leucadia is built on the cliffs above the
ocean. Four levels of the staircase lead
down to our first view of the surf, the
birds, the people and the beach.
We carefully picked our way down
the steep staircase admiring the incredible native flowers as the “keep-fitters”
raced up and down at two steps at a time
to keep up their heart rates. Just beyond
the bottom of the stairs, a local artist was
creating a massive sand sculpture. Over
on the other side, a bunch was involved
in a photo shoot that could only be done
against that backdrop.
This beach did not seem to have as
many surfers as others but it is right in
town and used extensively by visitors
and residents alike.
Many of the beaches charge for parking so every road is lined with vehicles
no matter what the time of the day. The
Carlsbad Beach extends along Highway
101 just north of Leucadia.
There didn’t seem to be much surfing but the whole area was crowded
with people: playing beach volleyball,
fishing, or just captivated by the everchanging tides and waves.
In Oceanside, we stopped to talk with
a woman polishing her husband’s motorcycle, “He promised to take me out
for a long ride if I polished it for him,”
she said. She was standing in front of a
parked small Class C motor home that
30
shhe call
she
called
lled
d hher
er ““clothes
cloth
l hes closet
closet.”
l
”T
Their
heiir
boat sat in the marina across the road
and was smaller than the motor home.
Southern California has a culture of
its own. Whether it is the fellow running up and down the staircase leading
to the beach, or playing volleyball, fishing or just sitting mesmerized by the
water and the waves, it is an experience
like no other. OWASCO RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
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SPECIAL REPORT
RV TRENDS FOR 2016
RV
fifth wheel trailers designed to be towed
enthusiasts and families NINE TYPES OF RV
new to the RV lifestyle
The RV market is segmented into by pickup trucks. The motorized segare in for a treat as the 2016 models five basic categories – towable trailers, ment includes three sub-categories: class
appear at RV shows across the country. motorhomes, truck campers, toy haulers A models built as a single unit on specially designed bus-type chasThe RV industry has
sis; class B models engineered
enjoyed two years of strong
to transform full size van chassis
sales in the United States,
into fully equipped recreationwhich has enabled manufacal vehicles; and class C models
turers to incorporate a wide
that combine the automotive
range of new technology into
cab and chassis of a van with
the new units.
the RV components of a travel
The quest for lighter, strontrailer. The toy hauler segment
ger and more affordable RV
includes towable and motorized
models has prompted engineers
models, and it is expanding at
to rethink the materials and cona very rapid pace – but we still
struction methods used in many
group the units as a single cateof the units, making the class of
gory, although this will no doubt
2016 the most advanced models Large fifth wheel trailers like this Starcaft FW377RDEN
expand in coming years.
ever produced – at very reason- include residential appliances and state-of-the-art lighting
able prices.
and electronics.
We gathered our RV Lifestyle
OVERALL TRENDS
FOR 2016
Road Test Teams to compile a
and park models. Within the towable
special report on the new models and category there are two sub-categories:
All of the RV segments have benthe trends to look for as you shop the travel trailers, designed to be towed by efitted from advances in the consumCanadian RV Shows.
cars, light trucks, vans and SUVs, and er electronics field, with a full range
rvlifemag.com
33
Shopping s
the Show
of enhancements to the entertainment
options in the units. LCD TVs are
appearing as standard or optional equipment, stereos are more sophisticated than
ever before, and many RV models have
special apps that enable you to control
and monitor systems from your smart
phone.
On the RV engineering and construction side, advances in manufacturing and
materials have made the vehicles more
colourful, more durable, and lighter – all
promising to increase long term viability
of the vehicle and enhance resale values.
The most notable advances have come in
the redesign of key chassis components
like slide-out systems, entry stairs, and
The elegant way to travel is in a top of the line class A motorhome, like this Entegra
45A Cornerstone model. Interior appointments rival luxury penthouses…
pull-out cargo access systems.
TRENDS IN
MOTORIZED RVS
The 2016 class A motorhomes are
sporting larger slide-out sections, thanks
to advances in construction materials and
slide mechanisms. Engines are slightly
more fuel efficient and emissions are
cleaner as all of the chassis manufacturers aim for their clean air goals.
Many of the class A motorhome chassis now feature electronic dash components which enhance daylight visibility.
In the class B sector, dominated by
three Canadian manufacturers (Leisure
Travel Vans, Pleasure-Way, and
RoadTrek) the big news is the use of
two of the industry’s best platforms
- the Ram ProMaster chassis and the
Mercedes Benz 3500 Sprinter chassis,
both running cleaner and more efficiently this year.
Class C motorhomes have been
making a bit of a comeback in recent
years, especially in the toy hauler role,
where advances in rear loading ramp
design and technology have substantially
enhanced the popularity of the vehicles,
especially when the ramp can also be
used as a rear patio.
TRENDS IN
TOWABLE RVS
The most exciting sectors of the towable RV category for 2016 are the lightweight and ultra lightweight models, and
Hybrid travel trailers like the Jay Feather
16XRB have beds that extend from the
front and back walls to expand your interior living space.
34
rvlifemag.com
Many RV shows feature an on-site parts
and accessory store.
For a calendar of RV shows across
Canada please see page 46. For
updates please visit the website at
www.rvlifemag.com
the larger travel trailers and fifth wheels,
with both ends of the spectrum benefitting from lighter materials and components. The bottom line for RV enthusiasts is that you can enjoy larger models
at the same or lighter weight than earlier
designs, or take advantage of the lighter
load to save money at the fuel pump.
TRENDS IN
PARK MODEL TRAILERS
RV enthusiasts who prefer to stay in
one RV resort location for an extended period will be delighted with the
new wave of park models for 2016.
Manufacturers have incorporated the latest in residential appliances and appointments to create RV residences that truly
rival cottages in every respect except
cost. From single-wide units to doublewides, the décor, interior and exterior
designs are spectacular, ranging from
rustic to ultra modern units spanning a
wide price range.
TIPS FOR SHOPPING
THE SHOWS
Many RV buyers visit the RV Shows
with only a vague idea of what may be
For compact mobility, class C motorhomes
like this Quantum WS31 model from Thor
Motor Coach provide all the comforts of
home at a realistic price point.
available to suit their family’s needs and
budget. In some cases, they choose units
that are either too large or too small for
their needs.
Over the years, our Road Test
Teams have found that the best
approach to selecting an RV is to start
by looking at a variety of models –
towable or motorized, that seem to be
appropriate, and plan to spend at least
ten minutes inside each of the units.
Sit down in the dinette and look at
the floor plan – imagine spending a
full day in the vehicle during a rainstorm – is there enough space to give
every member of the family a “comfort
zone”? Are the RV appliances in the
galley conveniently placed – can you
reach the various cupboards and storage compartments? Does the RV have
the flair that matches your lifestyle?
Once you have narrowed the selection to a specific type and size of RV, it
is time to let your local dealer help you
fine-tune the process. Your RV dealer
has years of experience to share with
you, and their goal is to have as many
happy customers as possible… buying
an RV is not like buying a car – this is
a purchase that has to please the entire
family, and if you choose wisely, your
RV could be your campground castle
for a generation.
GO ONLINE FOR MORE
INFORMATION
There are several websites where you
can locate an RV dealer in your area.
Start with the Go RVing Canada site
at www.gorving.ca and take a look at a
compendium of information on choosing
an RV, then click on the “RV Dealers”
link at the top of the page to locate an
RV dealer in your area.
Check out our RV Lifestyle
Magazine website for links to a wealth
of information, and our archive
of back issues – follow the link to
www.rvlifemag.com . rvlifemag.com
35
10
s
r
e
l
u
a
H
y
o
T
TOP
RV Lifestyle presents
ten Toy Haulers offering
style, convenience and comfort while
transporting your toys on the road.
36
LANCE CAMPER
Lance TH 2612
The TH 2612 from Lance Camper just might be the toy hauler you have been waiting for.
Whether you’re transporting a custom cruiser, race bikes, surfboards, hunting gear, or any
other toy the Lance TH 2612 will get them to your destination safely and securely. The 2612
boasts over 12’ of unencumbered cargo space, more than enough room for a Polaris RZR XP
4 1000! Standard features include a 100-gallon water tank, 40 gallon fuel tank, electric side &
rear awnings w/LED lighting, designer interior decors, blue LED accent lighting, A/C, microwave and more! Options include keyless entry, 4K Onan generator, central vacuum,
automatic tracking satellite dish, solar panel, roof rack and ramp door patio railing system.
www.lancecamper.com
37
FOREST RIVER
Fury 2912X –
Prime Time RV
Primetime RV’s Fury 2912X is a toy hauler with the size to take your toys anywhere you want to go. Nearly 34 feet long and
11 feet high, this trailer has space for you and all your toys. With 2,500 lbs. of carrying capacity, this lightweight toy hauler is
no pushover. Its hitch weight clocks in at around 790 lbs. The Fury’s lightweight design and durable laminated construction
make it easy to tow, and its available features and equipment will make it feel uniquely your own. The Fury 2912X has an
aerodynamic profile and a 12 and a half foot garage.
www.forestriverinc.com
Evergreen RV
Tesla T3950
Evergreen RV’s Tesla T3950 toy
hauler is everything an RV enthusiast is looking for. At
43-and-a-half feet long and 102 inches wide, the Tesla T3950
is tough enough to cart around your toys, but allows enough
comfort to tour the countryside. The Tesla’s Titan 2.0 wide
body chassis allows owners of the Tesla T3950 to travel
around in style. The luxurious interior of this RV includes a
fireplace, crown molding ceilings, reclining leather sofas and
a 50-inch LED TV in the living room. The Tesla T3950’s GVWR
is 21,000 lbs. and has a cargo carry of 4,700 lbs.
www.goevergreenrv.com
Winnebago
Scorpion 4014
Winnebago Industries’ newest addition to their Fifth Wheel toy hauler
offering is the 4014 Scorpion, and
it just might be their best one yet.
The 4014’s Drop Frame Chassis and
Power Rear stabilizer jacks make it
stand out from the crowd in a big way.
Winnebago’s Sport overall length is an
impressive 44’10”, a GVWR of 20,800 lbs. and has more than enough space for the RV enthusiast who wants to travel in comfort while having ample space for all their toys. The 4014 Scorpion sleeps ten, has three slideout sections, a 16-foot awning
and has an outside hookup for TV and speakers.
www.winnebagoind.com
38
KZ-RV
Venom 3911
Holding Tanks
A/C Shrouds
Skylights
Available Nationwide
www.icondirect.com
1-888-362-4266
40
The Venom 3911 from KZ-RV is the perfect blend
of traditional RV sensibilities and modern featurerich toy haulers. KZ-RV designed the Venom to
be a traditional take on a modern day toy hauler.
Its wide body and comfortable design allow the
RVer to travel in style, and its ETRAK tie-down system, enhanced sound system and silent, efficient
air conditioning make it a twenty-first century
machine. New to the Venom 3911 was the myRV
system tablet. A standard feature in the Venom,
the myRV system is a new way of controlling setting and monitoring the status of the RV from one
tablet. The tablet (included with the RV) connects
to the Venom through wi-fi and can control the
slidebox, awnings, most of the exterior lights, and
the six point hydraulic leveling gear among other
things.
www.kz-rv.com
Jayco
Seismic 4250
When it comes to reliable light-weight toy haulers Jayco’s Seismic 4250 fifth
wheel is definitely on the top of their game! The 7,000 lbs. axles will glide
you to your destination in comfort with plenty of room for storage. Inside
you can enjoy an all stainless steel appliances, air conditioned living room
and bedroom, residential corian countertops with genuine stone polished
glass backsplash, frameless solar reflective windows, fiberglass sunken
tub shower and a 39” LED TV with push button pop up lift system in the
bedroom. The 4250 comes with insulated exterior slam baggage doors and
beaver tail garage storage. There is standard undercarriage LED light package with app control and an optional exterior tailgater camp kitchen.
www.jayco.com
Thor Motorcoach
Outlaw 37RB
The Outlaw 37RB is a new take on an old
favourite. Thor Motor Coach developed the
Outlaw 37RB to combine the features of their
renowned Class A Motorhomes with the addition of being equipped with a garage in the
back. This motorized toy hauler has a second
slideout section and a permanent queen sized
bed. Like all of Thor’s toy haulers, the 37RB
comes equipped with the Rapid Camp system.
Rapid Camp is a wireless control system allowing users to set up camp at a distance of 50 feet away. Levelling jacks, slideouts,
generator, patio awnings and patio lights can all be controlled through Rapid Camp.
www.thormotorcoach.com
Crossroads RV
Altitude SL
ATL 225
The ATL 225 is one of four toy haulers offered by Crossroads
RV, and is a variant of Crossroads TT model. The ATL 225 takes
advantage of the TT’s more traditional conventions but is modified with a toy deck on the front of the trailer. The Altitude SL is
a versatile, hearty, comfortable and cost-effective way to experience the outdoors. A member of Crossroads’ Action Camping
segment, the ATL 225 offers a 17.8 GPH quick-recovery water
heater, slideout dinette, and queen bed. The ATL 225 is measured at 35’11” exterior length and 11’2” exterior height. With a
GVWR of 9442 and a hitch weight of only 642 pounds, the ATL is
a big trailer that manages to stay light on its feet.
www.crossroadsrv.com rvlifemag.com
41
RV PRODUCTS
New Gear!
Accessorize at your campsite!
We present some of the latest gadgetry and tools to
enhance your travels this season!
2 ON-DEMAND
TANKLESS WATER
HEATER
New from Girard Products LLC, the GSWH-2
ON-Demand Tankless Water Heater does the job of a regular water heater without the bulky tank. Its 12 V motor
42,000 BTU’s provides the optimum performance for an
RV plumbing system. The GSWH-2 is winter ready and
its compact design fits in any tank water heater cut out
opening. All you have to do is turn on the heater then add
cold water to reach the desired temperature.
Greenrvproducts.com
HATCHLIFT
KIT
From the company of the same name,
the Hatchlift Kit offered by Hatchlift
Products LLC is a suitable replacement for most damaged or worn RV
Baggage Doors. The kits include a
3M adhesive back mounting plate, gas
spring and hardware for lightweight
foam-core RV Doors.
www.hatchlift.com
42
rvlifemag.com
ELITE 26.5K
FIFTH WHEEL
HITCH PIN
Cequent Performance Products’ 26.5K Elite series hitch is a
versatile and heavy-duty solution to your fifth wheel towing
needs. The 26.5K hitch series has an increased king pin/jaw
contact design, king pin indicator and a self-latching jaw. It is
rated for 26,500 lbs capacity and 6,525 pin weight capacity.
www.reeseprod.com
STEP
STOOL
This stool is a step above the competition.
Less than a foot wide and constructed from
aluminum, this foot stool is sturdy, lightweight and easy to stow. When folded, it
is only seven inches deep, 12 inches wide
and 17 ½ inches tall. The Step Stool from
Stromberg Carlson can carry a maximum
load of 330 lbs.
www.strombergcarlson.com
TANK
WATCHDOG RV
The Tank Watchdog RV from Electronic
Applications, Inc. lets its users reliably monitor their
tank and battery levels from an app installed on their
phone. The Tank Watchdog RV reads up to 40-inch
deep tanks and will notify you when your battery or
tanks need attention. Four expansion boards can be
added to monitor the RV from multiple locations.
www.http://electronicapplications.com
rvlifemag.com
43
RV PRODUCTS
JUST IN-CASE
ZERO CONTACT
INTERFACE
Snap don’t snip with Tekonsha’s Zero Contact
Interface this spring! The ZCI isolates the trailer
light operation from the tow vehicle’s electrical
system, eliminating all contact with the vehicle’s
lighting system. The interface uses sensors that snap
around the wires to detect if there is any current. The
ZCI is rated for up to 4.2 amps for turn/stop and 7.5
amps for taillight trailer circuits.
DROP-IN
HITCH
The 20k Fifth Wheel Drop-In Hitch is a fifth-wheel
solution from Reese that fits RAM 2500 and 3500
HD trucks with factory-installed OE rail systems.
Rated 20,000 lb. capacity with 5,000 lb. pin weight
capacity, the Drop-In by Reese is SAE J2638 compliant and has a limited lifetime warranty.
www.reeseprod.com
www.tekonsha.com
EXTENDA-LINE
CLOTHES
DRYER
Stromberg Carlson Products’ new Extend-a-Line
clothes dryer is a convenient and eco-friendly
way to dry clothes on the go. The six chromeplated anti-rest arms can support up to 60 lbs.
With its wall mounted brackets the dryer can be
used in your home or in RV’s without ladders.
www.strombergcarlson.com
44
rvlifemag.com
BEDLIFT
KIT
Bedlift Kits by Hatchlift are the perfect
retrofit lift kit designed for RV bed
compartments. Each kit includes full
mounting hardware and two gas springs
for installation on both sides of the bed.
Sizes run from extra small to large and
heavy and take about an hour to install.
1650 lbs
SHOWN HERE 17' SIDEDOOR
www.hatchlift.com
Side door models NOW available!
STARTING PRICE
8' Lil EL: Weighs 700 lbs., sleeps 4, c/w bath & kitchenette ................................................$7,300
10' DYL: Weighs 850 lbs., sleeps 4, 54" bed, c/w bath & kitchenette...................................$8,900
12' BOBBIE: Weighs 1,000 lbs., sleeps 4, & queen bed, c/w bath & kitchenette.................$9,800
14' CODESTER: Weighs 1,175 lbs., sleeps 5, 54" bed, c/w bath & kitchenette ..................$11,500
17' NIK & NAT: Weighs 1,450 lbs., sleeps 8, 54" bed, c/w bath & kitchenette...................$13,300
Taylor Coach & Tracy’s R.V.
915 Hwy. #6, Millgrove • (905) 689-6167
#1 in
Lightweights
McPhail’s
of Harriston
IN THE HEART OF ONTARIO
3 km South of Harriston, on Cty. Rd. 109, old Hwy #9
Take a little drive to the country for big savings !!!
COACHMEN
CLASS C
Coachman
Catalina TT
ALLEGRO BUS
CEDAR CREEK
SURVEYOR
CHAPARRAL
R POD
VIKING
HARDTOPS
s 20,000' INDOOR SHOWROOM
s FULL SERVICE – FROM LARGE MOTORHOMES
TO FOLDING TRAILERS
s SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS SINCE 1958
s LARGE PARTS & ACCESSORIES STORE
Where Service is our Motto
Phone (519) 338-3422 or Toll Free 1 (888) 665-2025
Fax (519) 338-2770 E-mail: [email protected] www.mcphails.on.ca
rvlifemag.com
45
SHOW
TIME
|| January 22 – 24
Hamilton RV Show & Sale
Players Paradise, Stoney Creek, ON
Natalie Conway, RVDA of Ontario
(888) 331-8885
www.rvshowhamilton.ca
|| January 28 – 31
47th Annual Calgary RV Show & Sale
BMO Centre,
Stampede Park, Calgary, AB
Dan Merkowsky, RVDA of Alberta
(888) 858-8787 • (780) 455-8562
www.rvda-alberta.org/shows.html
|| January 28 – 31
Halifax RV Show
Exhibition Park, Halifax, NS
Scott Sprague
(888)454-7469
[email protected]
See “Events” link at www.arvda.ca.
|| February 4 – 7
Montreal RV Show
Palais de congrès, Montreal, QC
Agar Grinberg, RVDA of Quebec
(514) 338-1471
www.salonvr.com
|| February 11 – 14
36th Annual Edmonton RV
Exposition & Sale
Edmonton EXPO Centre
Edmonton, AB
Dan Merkowsky, RVDA of Alberta
(888) 858-8787 • (780) 455-8562
Toronto RV Show &Sale
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
Natalie Conway, RVDA of Ontario
(888) 331-8885
www.rvshowtoronto.ca
AD INDEX
Big Pine Key ..................................11
B+W Hitch .....................................15
Can Am RV Centre .........................17
Heartland ....................................... 5
Icon Direct .....................................40
Ingersoll RV and Trailers ...............23
JR’s Mobile RV Service .................23
46
Red Deer RV Show
Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB
Peter Schmucker, Paradise RV
(877) 506-1132 • (403) 340-1132
[email protected]
www.rvshowreddeer.com;
|| March 10 – 13
Manitoba RV Show & Sale
Winnipeg Convention Centre,
Winnipeg, MB
Dave Amey
(204) 256-1916
[email protected]
www.manitobarvshow.com
Earlybird RV Show
The Tradex, Abbotsford
Amanda Henschell
Phone: 604-851-3256
www.rvshowsbc.com
|| March 11 – 13
Moncton RV Show
Moncton Coliseum Complex,
Moncton, NB
Scott Sprague(888) 454-7469
[email protected]
See “Events” link at www.arvda.ca
Central Alberta RV Show & Sale
Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB
(Parkland, Prairie & Stockman Pavilions)
Al Ryz
(888) 933-7326 • (403) 262-2121
[email protected]
www.caRVshow.ca;
Toronto Spring Camping
RV Show and Sale
Toronto International Centre, Toronto, ON
Shane Devenish
(905) 315-3156 • [email protected]
http://torontospring
campingrvshow.com/
|| February 27 – March 1
22nd Annual Ottawa Spring RV Show
EY Centre, Ottawa, ON
Michael Rodgers
(877) 817-9500
www.ottawarvshow.com
Koolatron .......................................31
K-Z RV ........................................OBC
Little Guy Worldwide .....................39
McPhails of Harriston ....................45
Motor Home Travel........................15
Navigloo.........................................24
Ontario RV Shows .........................13
|| March 17 – 20
Quebec City RV Show
ExpoCité, Centre de foires,
Quebec City, QC
Agar Grinberg, RVDA of Quebec
(514) 338-1471
www.salonvr.com
|| April 8 – 10
Vancouver Island RV Show & Sale
Arbutus Meadows
Equestrian Centre
Nanoose Bay (Parksville), BC
www.rvda.bc.ca
|| April 15 – 17
Kitchener RV Show & Sale
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium,
Kitchener, ON
Natalie Conway,
RVDA of Ontario
(888) 331-8885
www.rvshowkitchener.ca
Owasco ..........................................31
Pleasure-Way .............................. IFC
Pro-Lite........................................IBC
Roadtrek ..........................................7
Safari Condo ..................................19
Taylor Coach..................................45
Toronto Camping Centre ...............24
rvlifemag.com
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Listowell, ON
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KELOWNA RV’S.COM
Kelowna, BC
EASTVIEW RV
Kapuskasing, ON
MONT VR ESTRIE
Sherbrooke, QC
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Airdrie, AB
EASTVIEW RV
South Cochrane, ON
CARAVANE 201 (2005 INC.)
St-Clet, QC
TRX RV,
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EASTVIEW RV
Timmins, ON
ISLANDER RV
St. John’s, NL
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ROULOTTES PROLITE
St-Jérôme, QC
ISLANDER RV
Grand Falls - Windsor, NL
DJ CRUZ’S TRAILERS
Winnipeg, MA
CENTRE DE CAMPING D’AMOS
Amos, QC
P.E.I. HOME & RV CENTRE
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QUALITY . RELIABILITY . INNOVATION
kz-rv.com

View - RV Lifestyle

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