Camping Tid-Bits

The Following E-mail From  Jim Bathurst

March 12, 2009

My newest RV came with an A&E “Weather Pro” patio awning; sounds impressive, right?

Well, let’s look a little closer at this so called “Weather Pro.” To begin with, it’s electric,

 which means a simple push of a toggle switch or for the more relaxed camper there is a

button on a remote that runs it in and out. But I can only assume that its name refers to

 two features built into it. One is the rear arm has a slot in it that causes it to slide towards

the rig when rain water collects on the awning allowing it to dump. Secondly, an anemometer

 on the roof measures the wind speed and when it reaches approximately 18 MPH, the

 awning retracts itself. Additionally, it carries a three year limited warranty. Impressive!

What astute modern day “camper” wouldn’t pay the extra dollars for such convenience and

those two features that have always worried us awning owners, I.e. Rain and wind? Well,

let me enlighten anyone who is contemplating purchase of this very expensive awning.

To begin with, when the awning is out it is almost parallel, which means that unless

the sun is directly overhead, it provides little to no shade. You cannot attach a shade to it,

 since there is no slot, unless you remove the frill that hangs down; and the manufacturer

 does not recommend attaching a shade!

It cannot be tilted down to block that hot afternoon sun, nor can one end be tilted to allow

rain water to run off. But then, there’s no need to do that since it has an automatic

dumper built into it. It cannot be tied down to protect it. I assume you could do that if you

 disabled the anemometer so it won’t try to automatically retract. Even then, you’d better

 have a very tall ladder to reach the end of the arms. I have never experienced the

 anemometer feature as I always retract it when I leave the rig, but I have stood under it while

 raining and watched it dump rain water several times and I must admit I was impressed.
However, while parked at home I opened all the awnings to dry them. Several hours later,

 while inside the house it began to rain, but I didn’t worry about since it wasn’t raining

 hard and the dumper would take care of it; it didn’t! The forward arm gave way and the

awning crashed to the ground pulling the cloth out of the awning rail. I surveyed the aftermath

 and determined that the only damage was to the forward arm. I called A&E and was

completely taken back by their response. The customer service rep informed me that it

was not covered because I had the awning open in the rain. What? Confused and dismayed

 by the response I asked to speak to her supervisor; she was busy. I left my name and

number. The next day a supervisor called and while trying to explain what had happened

 she repeatedly tried talk over me saying over and over again:

 “it’s not supposed to be open in the rain!” Really?

If it doesn’t block the sun, it can’t be tilted or tied down and it can’t be open in the rain,

why is it called it an awning, let alone the “Weather Pro” awning?

I took my rig to the nearest RV dealer that handled A&E products; the arm was ordered.

Six weeks later and numerous phone calls from me to the dealer and to A&E produced

 the arm. I dropped off my rig in the morning and was called an hour later and told they

 had sent the wrong arm. I went back, confirmed that the dealer had ordered the

correct arm, canceled the order and picked up my rig. I had already made plans to take

 the rig to the factory (Newmar) to have some minor work done; therefore, I would

have them replace the arm.

Once at the Newmar factory, I was informed that A&E will not allow them to order one arm;

 they come as a pair. So, I finally have my “Weather Pro” awning repaired and I even

have a spare rear arm in case I need one in the future. Based on my 40+ years of RV-ing,

I strongly recommend anyone contemplating the purchase of the Weather Pro; do not make

any assumptions about its ability to withstand certain “weather” conditions. And, I would

 even go so far as to recommend to Newmar Corporation that they seriously look at other

awning manufacturers for use on their very fine RV’s. We are on our third Newmar and

should there be another in our future, it will not come with A&E awnings. Unless there

is another manufacturer that doesn’t misrepresent their awning by calling it something

 it’s not, I will opt for the old standard manual awning. I may be old, but I’m not that old.

 I simply want an AWNING that does what an awning is supposed to do…..and is

 allowed to be open in the rain!
 

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During our return as Winter  Texans, we developted trouble with our

Dometic refrigerator/freezer.  We stayed over in Chattanooga a couple of

days and had it replaced with a new unit while we were their. After arriving

in Knoxville I had some work to do which involved unbolting the fridge. When

I pulled the outside cover off I was astounded to see that the unit had caught

on fire and had somehow extinguished it's self. About 6 inches of the plastic

hose that drains the condensation to the outside of the coach had caught on fire.

Apparently the installers did not remove a paper tag with a tab on it. I can only assume

that when in the gas mode that the tab got to close to the flame and caught fire.

We are extremely lucky that the RV did not go up in flames. I f you have a recent

installation of a Dometic fridge, make sure they remove the paper tags from the Hose.

Jim said he would give a followup report on the tires sensors

he ordered and installed.  True to his word he has done just that. 
 

Jim also reported at the State Rally In Chattanooga on a simple

device to protect your expensive Rock & Mud flap on your Motor home

when backing up.

Check it Out!

Double click to Enlarge

Wire Hanger	Wirehanger Holding Mud Flap	Wirehanger Over Hitch

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In an E-Mail from Jim Bathurst, He states that he wrote a letter to Newmar regarding

tires pressures, and included  a copy of that letter in the E-Mail. That letter is shown

here so that other members might join in the  recommendation to Newmar.

The basic text of the letter is as follows:

We are active in the Newmar Kountry Klub and especially in our local Tennessee Chapter

(Vulunteer Kruisers Chapter 72) and this subject invariably comes up everytime the guys

get together at a rally.  One of the most important items requiring continuous attention

on our rigs are tires, specifically their inflation pressures. I check mine constantly while

traveling and I'm always amazed at how they tend to loose pressure over time. Every RV

magazine I get (5) always has articles about how important it is to weigh your rig at each

corner to ensure you have the weight pressure at each axel.  The problem is that I don't

think any of these writers including the author of Michelin's manual, realize just how

difficult it is to find a place where you can independently weigh all four corners of our

rigs.  I think it would be a great benefit to your customers if when we come to the factory

for a tour,warranty work, or repairs, we were able to weigh our rigs in the manner

Michelin recommends.  I personally would expect to pay to have this done, and I am sure

that many other customers would do so as well.  It would not have to be anything elaborate.

I have seen various States Department Transportation use portable scales to weigh

trucks along the highway.  I have also heard of some FMCA rallies that have someone there

that will do it as well, but I hear that there is always a long waiting list.  I believe

that it would be a great benefit to all your Customers if you could establish some

form of a weigh station at the factory.  You would surely awaken many fellow

RV-ers to the importance of proper tire inflation. I hear and read of way to many

horror stories of blow outs, and I'm sure most are caused by under inflation at one

side of the rig.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and keep up the great work!!

Semper Fi

Jim Bathurst.

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The following was received in two separate E-mail

One was from  Big "O" and Ann Ragland

The other was from Ed & Shirley Smith

This Tip came from a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

Put your car keys beside your bed at night

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone is trying to get in your house

Just press the Panic button for your car.

The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn

it off, or the car battery dies.

Next time you come for the night and you start to put your keys away

Think of this!!

In addition: When walking to your car thru a parking lot or garage

Keep your keys in your hand so that you can use the Panic button to

ward off any attackers.  It would be difficult to imagine an attacker

continueing his assault with the car horn blaring away.

It would certainly be worth the time to check all the appropriate locations in

your home that this could apply to for operation of the alarm system in your car.

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