Ron 'n Sue

The first night of our cross Canada trip, we found ourselves in Kamloops, B.C. looking for the local Walmart in which to spend the night. Kamloops is a very pretty, mountain surrounded town but is difficult to find your way around. After much back and forthing, we finally found it, but whilst negotiating the parking lot (lots of turns) we hit a huge speed bump (?). Our little radio had resided on top of the rig safely for 2 years. This bump caused the frig door to open and the radio to fly off, crash to the floor and smash totally. It turned out the said Kamloops Walmart does not allow overnight camping after all, so we said, 'too bad, we won't shop here then' and left. The Aberdeen Mall down (or up) the road does allow parking so we had a nice place to stay after all and we did shop there!

Well we got lucky. Despite all the rain we had during the days it rained (really don't know how long it was missing) we didn't have any water inside. Our brother in law Bob was able to install the cover we bought although it was incompatible and put a screw in the other one so it won't go missing. Now all we have to do it find a replacement for the little lug cover on our left back axle. Where did all this stuff leave us? We also got a star ding in our windshield which we will leave until we get home (hoping it won't get worse until then).

Ya Baby Know what you mean about the packing. We are in week 6 of our B.C. to Ontario trip. We packed away too much 'stuff', too many warm clothes (for Van Isle weather only); didn't need any of the camping gear we carry in the back-mounted box as we stayed mainly in Walmart parking lots, or in campgrounds where we stayed only one night. Didn't need the extra cooking gear either. On the Ontario portion of the trip we mostly stayed with relatives in their driveways or yards, although we always slept in our own overcab bed which is very comfortable. And, we are getting very used to being fed by our children, which is nice but sometimes feels like too much! Although we have enjoyed the visiting, we are looking forward to the return trip which is starting in about two weeks. We still have friends to visit in Wasaga Beach and my brother and his wife in Goulais River (near Sault Ste Marie, Ont.) Ron & Sue in Toy-Rig (our '92 Winnebago Warrior)

Well, we went over to Preston to an RV place, which incidentally seemed to be more expensive than Chris' place in Errington, B.C. at least for a water pump. We bought a replacement cover (had to purchase the whole thing - and we didn't need the whole thing) but the lid portion does not fit. We are not prying the base off the roof as it is well and truly sealed. Will have to figure out what else can be done. Maybe a small tin can and duct tape?

We lost the vent over on the right back somewhere, sometime, on our cross Canada trip. It's quite a substantial fitting and we can't figure out how it went. However, the cover on the left (over the shower) was partway off too, so maybe a big bump or something. Now we are on a search for a replacement. It's got a 3" diameter, 2-1/2 to 3 inches deep. We're in the Kitchener Ontario area. Will let you know how we make out, but in the meanwhile, if anyone else has any idea where these covers might be had, let us know. Sue & Ron in Toy-Rig

We don't put anything but liquids in our black water tank. We used little gel packs for the last two years for odour control. (U.S. spelling odor) This year bought Thetford Campa Chem in foil packs. Not using it because the directions say it's for 152L holding tanks and ours is only 14 gal. and as it also says it's corrosive, think it might actually destroy our tank. So, back it goes to the store. (Walmart). Since, as I said, we only put liquids in our tank, maybe we don't need anything anyway.

It seems the by-pass to the hot water tank was in the off position. Nobody noticed. Oh, well. Getting old is hard to do. Sue & Ron Toy Rig

Thanks for answering Bob. We seem to have loads of propane. Furnace works, frig works, stove works. Just the problem water heater. We're going out to clean it with a soft toothbrush (used - lol) to see if that might help. And make sure it has water in it. Hopefully the cleaning will work. Suzanne Toy-Rig

Hi all! First day out since shut down for the winter an our water heater has decided not to heat. It runs okay for a minute or so then shuts itself off. We'll do a little cleaning today and try it again. But if anyone has any ideas that might work, please let us know. Don't want to have to take Toy Rig to the repair shop to wait in line for a repair if don't need to. Thanks. Ron Toy-Rig

Hi all! We had a problem with our frig freezing up on both electric and gas, so we had a new thermostat installed in February. Too expensive of course, but then what can you do? Now, as of today, the hot water heater isn't working. Turns on okay, but shuts itself off after just a few minutes, so no hot water! What next? And, there may or may not be a problem with the shower! Sue & Ron Toy Rig

Hi Wayne, we are reserved at $190 again. Depending upon the budget we may or may not stay the Monday. See you soon! Sue & Ron

Hi Wayne, Just to confirm the dates of the Van Isle Toy-In. Are we right? June 22,23,24, & 25? Nice long visit! We are going to try to get the same spot we had last year. Sue & Ron Toy-Rig

OKAY, Wayne, we'll do that! Looking forward to seeing you all! Sue & Ron Toy-Rig

Addendum to above: We bit the bullet and had the thermostat replaced. Would be nice if we could do these things ourselves, but.... It cost us a total of $325. but that's including our stupid HST of 12%. Luckily the thermostat for the Dometic frg was still available. Toy-Rig

Hi Wayne and Irene My vote goes to Living Forest. I'm not that impressed with Park Sands. It's always crowded and may not have enough sites for our group, in addition to being too expensive. Let us know what dates you decide. Sue (& Ron) Toy-Rig

GET YOUR PASSPORT! They're easy to get in the U.S.A. and way cheaper than in Canada. Also they don't need to be renewed as often. It's a bargain you won't regret! Sue & Ron

I worry about that roof on our '92 Winnebago Warrior. We've had it for 1-1/2 years. Unfortunately, it has to sit outdoors in our driveway all winter. The roof has never leaked, but how do we check for leaks without paying some dealer mega bucks? And, WHAT is the best stuff to buy to do it ourselves? Right now it's got some grey gunk built up on the seams and it's hard. Any advice, anyone? Suzanne & Ron Toy-Rig

We are certainly 'up for it' ! Now to get one organized. We went to Living Forest last summer. Very nice group sites there. June is usually good and 3 days is a good length of time. What we need is some way to contact other toy owners on the island. We have seen many of them toddling around but haven't met many. Ron and Sue - "Toy-Rig"

We have a '91 Winnebago Warrior with a Dometic 2410 frig. We inadvertently left it (on electric) set at '3' for several days with very little left inside. When getting ready for our next trip, we discovered the few things left inside were frozen solid. We turned it off then decided to let it defrost which only took a little while. We then set it to '2', and found after a few hours that things were still freezing. '1' seems a little low, but it didn't seem to freeze everything, but some things were still frozen, (celery, onions, little carrots). We have not tested it under gas operation yet. The troubleshooting list suggests the thermostat could be the problem. One of the problems is that access to the back of the frig is behind the gas leak testing apparatus. Possibly a gas service person will need to remove that so that access to the frig parts is possible? Anybody have any suggestions on how we might correct this problem with the thermostat? Help would certainly be appreciated. Ron & Sue in Toy-Rig

Hi all, This may seem like a strange question, but here in Canada 'daytime running lights' became the law in about 1990 or so. We'd like to know if anyone has had a similar problem and maybe has an answer. We bought our 1991 Winnebago Warrior last summer and because we never drove after dark, we never used the headlights, so never noticed if we had DRL's lit during the day. Who looks at the headlamps in daylight hours? Anyway, last week we had to travel home in the dark and when we turned off the headlights, they didn't go completely off, but stayed lit for maybe a minute then turned themselves off, then back on several times, getting dimmer each cycle. We disconnected the battery overnight so as to make sure it didn't go dead due to a short. The next morning, we found that despite the odometer reading in km, the fuse panel shows our vehicle has U.S. setup. So we are sort of a 'U.S. - Canada hybrid'! LOL So, we don't know if we have a DRL module connected and maybe it shorted out; it could be somewhere under the dash apparently. Any help would be appreciated. We're taking it to a mechanic on Tuesday, but it would be nice if we had some 'inside' info. Ron & Sue Toy-Rig

Hi John, Not wanting to fiddle around installing a small a/c, we purchased a small portable called "Commercial Cool" from Home Depot. It fits neatly at the back and under the table with a hose outlet out the window only when we need it operating. It is of course slightly heavier than a window unit, so placing it there almost over the back wheels seems a good plan. Nice part it we can use it in the house should we need to do so. We've tested it out and it cools the rig quite well, so we shouldn't be too hot over at Osoyoos when we go there in two weeks time. Ron & Sue In Toy-Rig

Has anyone any experience using a portable 'home' air conditioner in their small motor home? We live in an area (Vancouver Island) that rarely heats up to the level of discomfort for sleeping, but are planning a trip in August to the Okanagan Lake area where it heats up - really heats up! We're not acclimitized for that kind of heat. We do not have a roof air conditioner and don't really want to install one, so thought perhaps a small home one (not a window model) might work. Could work at home if it happens to heat up one or two nights, so wouldn't be a waste. We found one a Home Depot but don't want to buy it if it's not a good idea for some reason. Thanks for any help, anyone. Ron & Sue in Toy-Rig

Hi Everyone. I have posted pics to our very own album on here now. http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=user&user=4394&do=view_album&album=278