Backroads RV: Recently, while on an out-of-town trip,


I purchased a 25-ſt travel trailer from a private party in Kamloops, BC. As with anything used there were a couple of glitches in the unit. (T e slide didn’t operate, and there was a problem with the water fi ller.) Backroads R.V. in Kamloops was


recommended to me. I showed up at the shop unannounced and met Terry the proprietor and asked him if he could look at the unit. He immediately got to the job at hand and found that the circuit board that operated the slide was broken. It impressed me that rather than simply


replacing the board with a new one (which would have translated into mega dollars) he decided to repair it. He then fi xed my water overfl ow problem and in short order I was able to get on the road and head home. He was quick, courteous, and extremely


reasonable in his rates. I highly recommend Backroads RV at 461 Dene Drive in Kamloops. T eir phone is 250-851-2580. Terry Davies Sechelt, BC


Obtaining a Code 51 (house trailer) Driver’s License Endorsement: I am writing in to add a correction to


one part of Mr. Lanthier’s comments in his article on page 26 called ‘Obtaining a Code 51 (house trailer) Driver’s License Endorsement’ in RV Times issue #141 May/June 2011. His comments in “How to obtain one’s


Actual On-Road Trailer Weight” are incorrect in that you do not use the whole trailer weight, as the hitch weight of the trailer actually becomes part of the tow vehicle weight. T is is stated quite clearly in the third and fourth last question/ answer in the following BC Government’s website article at www.th.gov.bc.ca- cvse-references_publ icat ions-pdf- MV3231(082003)GVWR.pdf. So simply weigh your trailer with only


the trailer tires on the scale and the tow vehicle tires off the scale.


P. Cloutier Duncan, BC


California State Parks: Despite deep budget cuts – most


California state parks ARE open. Amongst those that are scheduled to


be closed in July 2012, is the oſt en missed, much overlooked, SSSRA – the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, which sits off Hwy 111S, south of Indio and Palm Desert, on the EAST side of the historic, scenic Salton Sea.


T is state park has SO much to off er –


with several campsites open, all on the East side of the Sea – there are full RV hook- up sites at both Headquarters and Mecca Beach, and camping areas at New Camp, Mecca Beach, Corvina and Salt Creek. With an Interpretive Ranger on hand,


there’s lots to do, lots to learn, and lots to see – on a (free) weekly basis there’s escorted bird walks, scenic kayaking, junior rangers groups, and Saturday night campfi re programmes. At 227 feet below sea level, the Salton Sea


is unique – it’s saltier than the ocean, and a sanctuary for over 400 species of birds, with a fabulous visitor centre, an excellent educational video about the Salton Sea, lots of interesting books on local lore and history, displays, information, and souvenirs. T ere is a pretty harbour, and a boat launch – some neat walking trails, picnic tables, and spectacular sunsets, with stars so bright and so close you can almost touch them. It’s also a great base from which to


explore so many nearby areas – by car, by SUV, or on foot. All in all this is a great spot to stay, to visit, to enjoy, to appreciate, – come try it, you’ll like it. T e Visitor Center is open weekends now, and 7 days a week aſt er Dec 1st


Fuel Filter Servicing: We were witness to a sad state of aff airs


recently at a BC Government Park. One of the tourists was driving a Dodge 3/4 ton truck with a Cummins diesel engine. T e vehicle would crank but would not


start. Aſt er almost burning the starter out from continuous cranking, the fellow used his cell phone to call a tow truck in the fi nal analysis. T e Tow Truck was a cost of $250. T ere were two nights at the park site at $30 per night to equal $60. T ere were three hours of mechanic’s time at $125 per hour to equal $375. T e small fuel liſt pump was changed at a cost of $450. And the fi nal cost was for a new fuel fi lter at a cost $36. T e clogged fuel fi lter caused all the


added cost of fuel pump wear-out. Had the fi lter been changed at the proper frequency the fuel pump would have been avoided and all the inconvenience prevented. During the installation of the new fuel


,


from 10am to 4pm. For further info on programmes, group visits, or times, call the VC at 760-393-3810, or the Sector Offi ce at 760-393-3059. T e address is 100-225 State Park Rd, North Shore, CA 92254. T e Salton Sea Visitor Center, at


Headquarters is operated by the Sea and Desert Interpretive Association, a non-profi t organization, run by a caring volunteer group, whose mission is to build, grow and educate anyone and everyone, about the State Park, and the area it encompasses. New supporters are most welcome, - all donations and funds raised at this park, stay within this park, to support the many programmes and initiatives therein. You can fi nd even more information on


this very beautiful place, and all it off ers, at www.seaanddesert.org. Start your California State Park ‘get to


know you’ travel, at the Salton Sea State Recreational Area – you will be pleasantly surprised at all you see, and all you’ll learn. Support the sea, support the park, be a visitor and/or a ‘supporter’ of the SSSRA. Contact William Meister, President


Sea and Desert Interpretive Association 100-225 State Park Rd


North Shore, CA 92254 760-393-3810


pump the mechanic dropped a small plunger into the oil pan on the Cummins engine and installed a new plunger and told the owner it was OK to drive the unit with the loose part rolling around inside the engine! Aſt er a discussion with the shop owner,


he went back and demanded that the part be removed at the expense of the repair shop. For all the folks that operate vehicles,


please spend some time reading your owner’s manual and ask your mechanic what a good rule of thumb is for changing the fuel fi lter on your vehicle using the manual and your driven mileage as a guide. As a retired mechanic and mechanical


superintendent I use the following as a guideline: For the car: change the fuel fi lter once yearly i.e. 12 months, 10,000 KM (cost averages approx. $40.) Have a shop change it. For the RV: change the fuel fi lter annually i.e. 12 months 5-9,000 KM (cost averages approx. $15.) Do can it yourself. T e savings in down time, tow charges


and motel or campsites far outweigh the cost of the fi lter.


Bob (& Barb) Johnson oryerbrj@gmail.com


Interesting History from 1500s:


Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top or the upper crust.


RVT 144 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 13


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