Northeast Rv Show Report.. Whats going on!

I just returned from 4 days of the northeast RV show in Suffern NY, Just outside NYC. While working the booth for Granite Hill Camping Resort  I had a chance to watch lots of things, here is what I saw! Best Booth Display was mine of Course! I am slightly biased I know. Here is my best of the best report for the rest of the  vendors and dealers at the show!

Two Best Vendors

Barry & Sandy Larkin (Directors of the Delaware Good Sam Club) in the Good Sam booth were great. They took the time to educate each and every person who asked the benefits of being a Good Sam member. They offered information and products such as Trip planning DVD's and books on service and camping. Not only were these products great but were available at the lowest prices I have ever seen. Cheaper than the online members site to be exact. So next time your at an RV show stop at the
Good Sam booth in your area and ask them what they can do for you!
Email Barry for any questions or details, he is great!                                                                                                           Join Today!

The other vendor I thought had a great product and professional sales team was the Porta-Bote booth. Bob & Claudia worked well with customers to show them this folding boat product. Take your boat with you anytime you want without any hassle. Bob's experience with his own Porta-Bote landing huge stripers in NY on large live bait helped him connect to this product. This team was upbeat and optimistic the entire weekend and never let any question go unanswered! Excellent Product and Support. I would buy my Porta-Bote from Bob in a heartbeat. Contact Camping with Chris for Bob's contact information!

Two Best Dealers

Best Coach Dealer,
Kevin Nelson and his team of Pros from Campers Barn in Kingston NY. This team not only brought the stars of the show they worked the customers to provide information and education without pressure to buy. The sales staff knew the products, treated each customer like gold and were very polite to everyone. With the help of factory sales representatives like Gary McLain from Monaco Coach, they were prepared for the show and had by far the best display. Want the best?  Email Kevin and tell him Camping with Chris sent you!

Best Towable Dealer,
 Janine and her crew from Escape RV had the towable's display on lock down. They had a variety of units to look at and only brought the best of the best. The sales force worked customers well from Pop-Ups to Large Fivers and Motorhomes. Escape RV had very attentive staff and provided excellent service to the attendees. This dealership is family owned and operated and takes pride in doing things the right way. Good People here folks. Check them out for sure before you purchase your new RV. Doesn't matter what state your from give them a call.

 

So there you have it, the basics on the show and the vendors and dealers. Not a whole lot new in the RV industry right now. Same old parts but together in different ways! I have never been an Airstream fan but the new ones are pretty sweet. Looking forward to later in the year when Monaco Coaches start coming with the Max Force Engines! Woot!    

Once again thanks for Reading!

"Travel Fast and Camp Slow" 

Chris 

I will be attending the Timonium RV show in the Baltimore Suburbs this coming weekend Fri-Sun Feb  25-28

Stop on by the Granite Hill Camping Resort Booth and Say Hello! 

Honorable Mention Vendor

Honorable Mention to KOA of NYC / Deer Park (845-754-8388)

This crew was at the show promoting a new KOA they haven't even opened yet! I love it! They open this spring and you can call/Email Lisa to book a Reservation. Facilities look great and should be a spectacular campground just an hour from Manhattan. Good Luck Guys!

www.DeerParkKOA.com

Come Visit Chris at the Northeast RV Show

Stop by and visit Camping with Chris phenom at the Granite Hill Camping Resort Booth at the Northeast RV show in Suffern NY, Rockland County.

Hope to see you there.

Chris

The best GPS on the Market for RVing & Truckers!

Ok Folks, Here is the absolute best GPS you can have for RVing or just traveling. This is the top of the line Garmin Dezl 560 LMT!  This is the Trucker version of the most advanced and accurate GPS on earth next to SATNAV.

Hit the open road with the dēzl 560LMT – the advanced navigator for the trucking industry. Designed with truckers in mind, the 560LMT has a large 5” display, an extra loud speaker, and external video input for backup cameras. We’ve also expanded the feature list to include trucking speed limits, truck-specific route highlighting, and trucking points of interest (POIs). And truck drivers aren’t the only type of drivers that will like the 560LMT – RV drivers will appreciate the ability to setup an RV profile and calculate routes based on height, weight and length restrictions. The dēzl 560LMT was made for life over the road.
Track and Report Your Trips


With your dēzl 560LMT, logging and retaining trip information has never been easier. You record fuel usage, and the 560LMT automatically records state mileage for IFTA fuel logging. Easily log your hours of service and driving status, and the 560LMT tracks your hours and automatically warns you of HOS violations. Conveniently export all logs for improved reporting and tracking of each trip.
See More

With a 5” (12.7 cm) high-resolution touchscreen display, dēzl 560LMT provides a wealth of information in great detail. Clearly follow your highlighted, truck-specific route on the trucking map (U.S. only) and view trucking violations and warnings. dēzl 560LMT also comes standard with Lane Assist with Junction View, which provides photo-realistic views of upcoming junctions to guide you to the right lane at the right time – especially helpful when navigating complex highway interchanges.
Navigate With Confidence the dēzl 560LMT combines National Truck and Trailer Services (NTTS) Breakdown Directory POIs with Navteq trucking POIs to provide you the most comprehensive, trucking-specific POI list. Our exit services let you search roadway exits for truck stops, food, lodging, rest areas and weigh stations so you’re never left guessing what’s around the bend. Once you find a truck stop, see a list of services offered at that location, such as WiFi, showers and truck scales.
Includes Free Lifetime Map and Traffic Updates

With free Lifetime Map¹ and Traffic² updates, you always have the most up-to-date maps, points of interest and navigation information available at your fingertips. Traffic information is updated constantly, and map updates are available for download up to 4 times a year. Both features are ready to go, right out of the box, with no subscription or update fees and no expiration dates.
Experience nüRoute™ Technology with trafficTrends and myTrends

dēzl 560LMT includes nüRoute technology with trafficTrends historical traffic and myTrends predictive routing. With trafficTrends, your dēzl 560LMT automatically learns daytime trends for traffic flow to improve your routes and better predict your estimated time of arrival based on time of day and day of week. With myTrends, when you save your regular destinations in your “Favorites,” your dēzl 560LMT will, over time, begin to figure out where you’re going even without your telling it! It provides time of arrival and relevant traffic information. So whether you’re driving to and from work or a regularly scheduled weekly event, your dēzl 560LMT will help you get there on time. No subscription or additional cost required.
Know The Way

With detailed maps providing turn-by-turn directions that speak street names, dēzl 560LMT provides specialized routing to support truck-related restrictions in both the U.S. and Canada (customizable by height, weight, length, width and hazardous materials). Simply enter dimensions and load restrictions, and dēzl 560LMT guides you according to your requirements. The onboard Trip Planner lets you create multiple-stop routes and plan and save future trips.
Drive Safe

The road is no place for surprises, and dēzl 560LMT keeps you informed of upcoming road conditions, such as sharp curves and high winds, and restrictions, including no trailer or hazardous materials. A grade data field that appears on the map enables drivers to anticipate descents and ascents and shift accordingly. Trucking speed limits appear if they are lower than the posted automotive speed limit, and you have the ability to correct the speed limit on your 560LMT so you have the most accurate data at all times.
Make Hands-free Calls

For hands-free calling, dēzl 560LMT integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 560LMT while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with dēzl's touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.

 I have posted a link on my Blog to the Right where you can view and Purchase the 560! 

FULL SPECIFICATIONS 

FOOTNOTES:
¹ Free Lifetime Map Updates entitle you to receive up to 4 map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on the Garmin website, for this specific Garmin product only until this product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter. The updates you receive will be updates to the same geographic map data originally included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. Garmin may terminate your Lifetime Map Updates at any time if you violate any of the terms of the End User License Agreement accompanying your nüvi product.

² Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your GarminGarmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. Traffic content not available for all areas. See www.navteq.com/rdstraffic for traffic coverage areas and www.garmin.com/traffic/fm/navteq.html for program License Agreement containing complete terms and conditions.

Thanks for Reading and Following the Blog!

Travel Fast and Camp Slow! .....Chris

Daytona 500 Camping Information 2.20.11

I have had three requests for this information and here is the link!   Daytona 500 Camping


Heres the official schedule as well!

Schedule 

Day Night Shades and how to repair them easily!

Ok, I understand the the Day Night shades aren't always the best working item in your unit. here is a step by step process on repairing the blind back to working order.

Here are the step by step directions on getting your Day/Night RV shade repaired/restrung

Things You'll Need:

Small Phillips-head screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Tape measure
Sewing needle
Scissors


1.Remove the shade from the window and place it on a flat surface. Using a knife or a flat-head screwdriver, gently pry all the end caps off the shade's rails, noting where each cap should be returned (they may not all be of equal thickness).

2.Slide the rails off of the shade in a horizontal motion. If a rail does not slide off easily, you may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to hold one end of the inner rail while firmly sliding the rail.

3.Remove the cords that you are restringing. From the top rail, the cord is attached to a spring on each side of the shade. Check the way the cord is routed to make sure you duplicate the pattern with the new cord.

4.Separate the top from the bottom half of the shade at the center rail and slide them in opposite directions. Set the rails aside and lay your shade flat, with the bottom facing you and the inside facing up.

5.Check the areas in which the cords pass through the inner rails. All grommets should be smooth and intact. If a grommet is missing or loose, replace it to avoid your new cord wearing through too quickly.

6.Compress the shade's halves and secure them with rubber bands. Starting at the bottom and working your way up to the spring at the top rail, use a sewing needle to feed the cord through the appropriate holes. Once you reach the top, secure the cord with a knot. Repeat as necessary.

7.Center the spring. The length of the cord coming out of the end cap on the bottom should be the same as the height of the shade plus 6 inches.

8.Remove the rubber bands from the top and bottom halves. Place the halves back to the shade's center rail and replace the end caps. Remove the cord's slack and put the bottom rail back onto the shade, ensuring that the cords are coming out of the right ends. Thread the cord through the end caps and place the end caps back on the rail.

9.Center the top rail's spring and remove any of the cord's slack. Place the top rail back onto the shade and put the end caps on. Put new cord retainers on the cords that come out of the bottom. Test the shade and reinstall it.

I really hope this helps you get your shades back in order. It takes patience and the ability to remember how your strings are strung so that you can replace them the same way. If your strings are completely gone you can order a repair kit. I have added a link to the blind kit I find the easiest to use. It is located on the right of my blog!
 Thanks for Reading the Blog and signing on as  a follower!

Chris





Information in part by ehow.com 

Stink Bugs Getting to Know Stink Bugs

  

I guess we have all had our run ins with the NOT so elusive Sting Bug. I have done some research which I am sharing below. At the end there will be a link on what REALLY works on getting the bugs dead and not returning to thier marked areas next season. Enjoy!

 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug 

Halyomorpha halys

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an insect not previously seen on our continent, was apparently accidentally introduced into eastern Pennsylvania. It was first collected in September of 1998 in Allentown, but probably arrived several years earlier. As of September 2010, Halyomorpha halys has been recorded from the following 37 counties, although it is probable that they are in all counties:

Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Snyder, Washington, Westmoreland and York

It is also recorded from many other states such as:

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia

 Description

Adults are approximately 17 mm long (25 mm = one inch) and are shades of brown on both the upper and lower body surfaces (Fig. 1). They are the typical “shield” shape of other stink bugs, almost as wide as they are long. To distinguish them from other stink bugs, look for lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the membranous, overlapping part at the rear of the front pair of wings. They have patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored puntures (small rounded depressions) on the head and pronotum. The name “stink bug” refers to the scent glands located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and the underside of the thorax.

The eggs are elliptical (1.6 x 1.3 mm), light yellow to yellow-red with minute spines forming fine lines. They are attached, side-by-side, to the underside of leaves in masses of 20 to 30 eggs.

There are five nymphal instars (immature stages). They range in size from the first instar at 2.4 mm to the fifth instar that is 12 mm in length. The eyes are a deep red. The abdomen is a yellowish red in the first instar and progresses to off-white with reddish spots in the fifth instar. Protuberances are found before each of the abdominal scent glands on the dorsal surface. The legs, head and thorax are black. Spines are located on the femur, before each eye, and several on the lateral margins of the thorax


 Life History

This species probably has a single generation per year in Pennsylvania depending on the temperatures. Warm spring and summer conditions could permit the development of two or three generations. However, in parts of sub-tropical China, records indicate from four to possibly six generations per year. Adults will emerge sometime in the spring of the year (late April to mid-May), and mate and deposit eggs from May through August. The eggs hatch into small black and red nymphs that go through five molts. Adults begin to search for overwintering sites starting in September through the first half of October.


Management For BMSB In Homes
Before Bugs Enter a Building

Mechanical exclusion is the best method to keep stink bugs from entering homes and buildings. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced.

Exterior applications of insecticides may offer some minor relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the exterior is difficult or impossible. Applications should consist of a synthetic pyrethroid (i.e. deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin or tralomethrin) and should be applied by a licensed pest control operator in the fall just prior to bug congregation. Unfortunately, because insecticides are broken down by sunlight, the residual effect of the material will be greatly decreased and may not kill the insects much beyond several days or a week.
After Stink Bugs Have Entered the Structure

If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of the home, attempt to locate the openings where the insects gain access. Typically, stink bugs will emerge from cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other suitable materials to prevent the insects from crawling out. Both live and dead stink bugs can be removed from interior areas with the aid of a vacuum cleaner - however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.

It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas. Although insecticidal dust treatments to these voids may kill hundreds of bugs, there is the possibility that carpet beetles will feed on the dead stink bugs and subsequently attack woolens, stored dry goods or other natural products in the home. Although aerosol-type pyrethrum foggers will kill stink bugs that have amassed on ceilings and walls in living areas, it will not prevent more of the insects from emerging shortly after the room is aerated. For this reason use of these materials is not considered a good solution to long-term management of the problem. Spray insecticides, directed into cracks and crevices, will not prevent the bugs from emerging and is not a viable or recommended treatment.

Ok after all that mumbo jumbo here is what works in our camping cabins and around the campground!
Its Called Demon XP and we spray a complete coating on the outside of our cabins and then fog the insides with a regular fogger. Once you have the interior guys dead no more seem to climb in from the outside.

 I hope this helps you folks understand and control the old stink bug a little easier this season  They WILL be back. I promise you.

You can purchase Demon on the blog on the right!

                   

Chris

Information compiled in part by Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate Penn State University

New Campfire Cooking show this Summer!

Camping with Chris will be hosting an entire series of "over the fire" cooking shows.
This series will cover everything from marshmallows to low and slow brisket roasting in dutch ovens.
Stay tuned for details on release dates for the first show!

Chris

De-Winterizing your RV

Here is an in depth DE-Winterizing Manual. Hope this helps you do a great job getting your unit ready for the spring camping season.
Here goes:
If you removed your batteries, top off the water and give them a good charge and re install them, paying careful attention to positives and negatives! Check all tires for correct inflation pressure.
Remove any covers that you put on for storage. Make sure to get them all, especially if you covered up the refrigerator or furnace vents. Replace the plug in your low point drains and water heater. Check the water heater and refrigerator compartment area and clean out any spiders or critters.


Now is a good time to grab a spray bottle of soapy water and make sure that there are no open flames or ignition sources nearby. Turn on the main propane supply valve and carefully spray a bit of soapy water on each and every fitting. Watch for soap bubbles forming at connections that would indicate a leak. Wipe excess soapy water off with a paper towel or two as you go. Don't forget to use your nose, if you find a leak or smell gas, turn that main valve off right away and check your system to find the leak.

Water Damage when its left unnoticed!  So check your unit!

Interior inspection is a key observation. Look for leaks or discolorations of ceiling or walls and floors.

Take a careful look at the outside of the rig. Make sure that everything is in place and in good repair. Open any storage compartments and have a look inside. Clean out any old gear that you no longer need or use to make room for new toys and evict any squirrels or other pesky residents that may have found a new home last winter.
If your rig is a motor home, do a careful check of all fluid levels and look under the hood and under the rig for critter nests and cobwebs. Grab your owner's manual and follow any manufacturer recommended procedures for removing the rig from storage. Once you're sure that you've covered all those bases, fire up that engine. While the engine warms up, test your headlights, brake lights, turn signals and running lights. A drive around the block will help shake off that winter stiffness and give you a chance to listen for any new worrisome noises. Hopefully, everything sounds good.


If your rig is a Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel, take a close look at all hitch components. Look for any damage and replace any items that look questionable. Clean off old grease and re-lubricate the hitch components following the manufacturer's recommendations. Go ahead and hitch up, plug in your lights and test them. Remember to test those trailer brakes manually before heading out for your first road trip.

My favorite Brake Controller from Tekonsha!

Now, let's deal with the plumbing! If you don't have fresh water available where your rig is stored, then you need to move it. We need to flush out the plumbing system, especially if RV antifreeze was used. One possibility is to take the rig to Granite Hill Camping Resort or any other local RV Park and use their water and sewer hookups. Hook up your water hose and fill your fresh water tank. Run your water pump and open each faucet in the rig one at a time and allow water to flow for a minute or so. If you used antifreeze, let the water flow until all color and odor is gone. Also run water in the toilet and the shower until all the color is gone and the water is clear. Remember to open your gray water dump valve. Turn off the water pump and hook up your hose to the city water inlet. Run some more water through the system to get that last bit of antifreeze out, then unhook the hose again. Be sure not to un-bypass the water heater until you've flushed all the lines.

To put your bypassed water heater back in service, reset the valves for normal operation and make sure that the drain plug is in or that the drain valve is closed.

If you see water running down the side of the RV, you may have left the drain plug out of the heater. Now run the water pump and open a hot water faucet. Once the water heater tank is full, shut all faucets and wait until the pump turns off. Listen for a few minutes to make sure that the pump does not cycle again. If the pump cycles on and off repeatedly, it may indicate a leak somewhere in your fresh water plumbing.
If a leak is suspected, take a flashlight and visually inspect all the plumbing under your sinks and see if you can spot any leaks. Look carefully in compartments and inside of cupboards and storage areas until you find the drip. Fix any leaks before continuing.


Now, let's sterilize your fresh water tank and plumbing. Mix about a cup of plain household bleach in a gallon of water. Pour this mixture into your fresh water tank and top it off with the hose. Turn on the water pump and run each faucet until you can plainly smell the chlorine. Top off the fresh water tank again and let the system set for at least a few hours, longer is better. Then, drain the fresh water tank and refill with clean water. Flush the system out by running the clean water through each faucet again. Use lots of water, until the chlorine smell is gone.
This procedure will usually result in clean, odor free water in your RV. If you have problems with lingering antifreeze taste or chlorine odor, you can re-flush the system using I cup of baking soda dissolved into 1 gallon of water and follow the same procedure as above.

Now you should be ready for a Serious season of Relaxation and memory making.
Chris