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		<title>iRV2 Forums - Blogs</title>
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			<title>iRV2 Forums - Blogs</title>
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			<title>Saint Augustine</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/bigmoneysr/saint-augustine-3972/</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:16:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Everything is planned for our madden voyage in our new and first RV, 2012 Tiffin Allegro.  We head out February 15th to our first stop at Lazyday to repair our driver’s side door lock that won’t work from the outside.  Then off to Saint Augustine Florida for 5 days with our RV Club Valencia Lakes...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Everything is planned for our madden voyage in our new and first RV, 2012 Tiffin Allegro.  We head out February 15th to our first stop at Lazyday to repair our driver’s side door lock that won’t work from the outside.  Then off to Saint Augustine Florida for 5 days with our RV Club Valencia Lakes Voyagers  <br />
 <br />
<br />
We will post pictures during the trip</div>


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			<dc:creator>BigmoneySr</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/bigmoneysr/saint-augustine-3972/</guid>
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			<title>The Money Pit and Other Maintenance</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/the-money-pit-and-other-maintenance-3965/</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:02:57 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Been picking up a few things to prepare for the season and learning a lot about our "new to us" motorhome.  Since we have picked it up, I have found only few items that either did not work or I did not understand how they worked.  At this point, I only have one outstanding issue and it is not...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Been picking up a few things to prepare for the season and learning a lot about our &quot;new to us&quot; motorhome.  Since we have picked it up, I have found only few items that either did not work or I did not understand how they worked.  At this point, I only have one outstanding issue and it is not showstopper.<br />
<br />
I was having trouble getting the lock mechanism on the door to work properly.  The dead bolt worked well, but I really wanted to get the lock to work as well.  Found out that the button on the inside of the door used to lock it was not screwed in all the way.  If I am going to have repairs, I need more like this one.<br />
<br />
Took me a while to figure out the stereo.  It is a new Sony head unit.  I read the manual but the unit would not come on in the manner described in the manual.  I knew that it worked because it was on when we went through it.  I assumed that the stereo, because it was in the dash, would be powered by the chassis battery.  **BUZZ** Wrong answer!  Turned on the house battery and threw the stereo switch and sound filled the coach.<br />
<br />
Another discovery item involved the backup camera.  Had no idea the coach had to be in gear for it to work.  Found the manual and now that little mystery is cleared up.    In addition, with this particular model, the headlights have to be on.  Once I turned those on, I had an image on the monitor.<br />
<br />
So that leaves the driver's seat.  It will only latch in the far back position.  It seems that there is a part missing.  This is not a showstopper because I use the far back position but Sue cannot drive with the seat in that position.  I think I am going to have to take the passenger seat apart as I cannot see far enough under the right side of the seat and cannot reach under there because it is against the wall and blocked by the chair behind it.  If anyone of you readers can share how the seats in the cab of a 97 National Seabreeze are put together, I would be very grateful and might even speak of you highly in the forums.  Money is out of the question. ;)<br />
<br />
The new items we have picked up for the coach include Lodge cast iron cookware, a cast iron grill for over the fire ring, a folding bicycle, a folding wagon, and one of the Oxygenics shower heads.  Went for the folding bicycle after talking to some people who told me bikes on a rack could be messy upon arrival in inclement weather.  I also like the idea of storing the bike in the basement of the coach.  Will let you know later this year how all the purchases work out. If you want some information on the items, send me a message.<br />
<br />
Motor on!!</div>

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			<dc:creator>TheRVManiac</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/the-money-pit-and-other-maintenance-3965/</guid>
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			<title>Wndow replacement. Its been a nightmare</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/boneidle/wndow-replacement-its-been-a-nightmare-3964/</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:23:03 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Thanks to a guy in Hinckley Leicestershire. Andy Green.  He let me have a secondhand window at a very good price. To cut a long story short its in now and finally watertight.  Fell off the workmate and cut and bruised my shin. It hurt for 3 weeks. Its been a bit of a struggle dealing with this...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Thanks to a guy in Hinckley Leicestershire. Andy Green.  He let me have a secondhand window at a very good price. To cut a long story short its in now and finally watertight.  Fell off the workmate and cut and bruised my shin. It hurt for 3 weeks. Its been a bit of a struggle dealing with this problem but its all ok now.  Redecorated inside.   Had to use that vinyl on a roll ( fablon) it used to be called. Then put a border between the old and new.  Looks good.  Re upholstered the window surrounds (decorative vallences) and the bed headboard.  All back to a quality finish.  <br />
Moral of the story. Before you buy a used RV check under the windows for dampness. Doh pretty basic really but I missed it.</div>

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			<dc:creator>Boneidle</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/boneidle/wndow-replacement-its-been-a-nightmare-3964/</guid>
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			<title>Schedule</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/schedule-3961/</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:48:40 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>We have made a few reservations for the coming season and are very excited about the three destinations we have chosen. 
 
In April, we will be heading to Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Surfside Beach, SC.  We have camped there many times as well as rented houses there, but this will be our first...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>We have made a few reservations for the coming season and are very excited about the three destinations we have chosen.<br />
<br />
In April, we will be heading to Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Surfside Beach, SC.  We have camped there many times as well as rented houses there, but this will be our first big trip with the Seabreeze.  We do plan on getting it out for a weekend prior to leaving but have not finalized those plans yet.  We will be in SC for a week.<br />
<br />
In May, we will be heading to Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, IN to spend a few days with family from Indianapolis and Cleveland.  We have never been to an Indiana state park, and this one came highly recommended.  It sits just above the banks of the Ohio. Should be a great time exploring a new area.<br />
<br />
In July, we will head up to Colonial Villa on Lake Erie to stay along side another family member who is a seasonal there.  We have been there before, but again, not in our own rig.  I have been vacationing in the Huron/Vermilion area since I was a kid and love going back.<br />
<br />
Will be solidifying plans for some other destinations primarily in Ohio and Kentucky over the next few weeks.  The excitement is setting in!</div>

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			<dc:creator>TheRVManiac</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/schedule-3961/</guid>
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			<title>No fence climbing this week!</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/no-fence-climbing-this-week-3959/</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:08:17 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>No business conducting this week.  I am taking the whole week off.  The newsletter is out, the bills are paid  and someone else is handling the phones!  I am going to Disney!  Well, only if I can convince the hubby.  Maybe universal?   As much as we enjoyed spending time with family, we are over...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>No business conducting this week.  I am taking the whole week off.  The newsletter is out, the bills are paid  and someone else is handling the phones!  I am going to Disney!  Well, only if I can convince the hubby.  Maybe universal?   As much as we enjoyed spending time with family, we are over due for some fun.  Next week we have a wedding, so this week is ours and ours alone.  I just hope we don't waste too much time saying, I don't know, what do YOU want to do?  Been married nearly 40 years, you'd think one of us would have learned how to make a decision!One thing we always do when we are traveling is to see what each park we visit does, that we might be able to do at our park, so I am sure we will spend sometime checking out the work they are doing here at Jetty Park.  They are doing an electrical upgrade and putting in cement slabs.  That is one thing I would like to do, but people tend to set up differently on our sites, some want to face each other, some want to face the water and if they are with a group, there's no telling how they I'll end up!  So how do we decide where to put the slab or if we should put them in at all? I am sure there would be campers on both sides of THAT fence.....</div>

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			<dc:creator>riverbender</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/no-fence-climbing-this-week-3959/</guid>
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			<title>Cape Breton</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/bigmoneysr/cape-breton-3958/</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:52:37 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Leaving Florida May 2013 to Cape Breton if anyone wants to join us let me know.  We are planning our stops now to meet in Port Huron for the float down August 18th through Toronto :thumb:</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Leaving Florida May 2013 to Cape Breton if anyone wants to join us let me know.  We are planning our stops now to meet in Port Huron for the float down August 18th through Toronto :thumb:</div>

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			<dc:creator>BigmoneySr</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/bigmoneysr/cape-breton-3958/</guid>
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			<title>Still on the fun side of the fence.</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/still-on-the-fun-side-of-the-fence-3956/</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:53:42 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Today, we left the Tampa show for Hudson, Fl. To visit with my Aunt and Uncle. They are snow birds living in a retirement community that has mobile homes and sites for rv's.  It is always good to see them and as they get on in years and their health ain't what it used to be, it feels important to...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Today, we left the Tampa show for Hudson, Fl. To visit with my Aunt and Uncle. They are snow birds living in a retirement community that has mobile homes and sites for rv's.  It is always good to see them and as they get on in years and their health ain't what it used to be, it feels important to spend time with them.  I think they enjoy showing us around, introducing us to all their friends, taking us to the &quot;Internet cafe&quot;. We will stay 6 nights here then head to Jetty park.  In the realm of it is a small world after all....<br />
While handing out camping guides at the show, we struck up a conversation with a couple.  Turns out, they are campground owners, fancy that.  And the husband was from Connecticut, as are we, wow, what a co winky dink! but it didn't end there !  They were heading to Hudson after the show, too.  Wait for it........to the very same park we were heading out to.  Sometimes, it is just scary how things like that happen!</div>

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			<dc:creator>riverbender</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/still-on-the-fun-side-of-the-fence-3956/</guid>
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			<title>useful modifications.</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/nomad100/useful-modifications-3955/</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:20:30 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>One of the things that I feel all the motorhomes that I have seen are lacking in is the abscence of an adequate heating system in the rear of the rv which is supplied with heat from the engine same as up front for the passengers and the windscreen. A blown air system heated by the engine would be a...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>One of the things that I feel all the motorhomes that I have seen are lacking in is the abscence of an adequate heating system in the rear of the rv which is supplied with heat from the engine same as up front for the passengers and the windscreen. A blown air system heated by the engine would be a big plus in the back of any rv and should cost nothing extra to run.Why is this not fitted as standard .Maybe rv's are only meant to be used in summer. To this end I decided to get rid of that cold spot down the back.Some years ago a friend gave me a heater matrix from a church minibus.He had just purchased the engine as a replacement for his boat engine and he received the heater into the deal. I had it in my lifetime collection of junk since then knowing that one day I would find a use for it.The Gulfstream Sunvoyager is rear engined (pusher) and the heating system up front is supplied with hot water(coolant) from the engine which is piped the lenght of the chassis. I found an ideal spot under the bed to fit the heater matrix.There are two vents fitted ,one to draw in the air from the room and corridor and one to channel the hot blown air back into the same area.It has several speeds and is plumbed into the hot water supply to the front heater. Works a treat and cost nothing . The other mod that I found useful concerns the entry steps (Kwikee) I think is the type.These steps are fitted to a lot of rv's and can be troublesome.The wiring is complicated and the one we have was prone to sticking and not retracting, when it would not retract the engine would not function.This led to some bouts of severe frustration for the previous owner who had the rv for 5 years and stopped using it after 6 months . The first thing I did was to remove the pin connecting the step operating mechinism from the electric motor.I swung out the steps and supported them at correct height. I then drilled a hole through the frame and inserted a short pin .I drilled a similar hole on the other side and fitted another pin. When removing the support the steps remain out and take weight as normal. No effort is required as they swing out under their own weight.When folding them away pull out the two pins and they swing in again, a little push and they swing up into the fold away position, drill another hole in the frame and insert one of the pins and the steps are secure for travelling.Make sure the pins have locking R clips on the end in case they come out with vibration. Again this is a simple thing to do and will give no further trouble. You must however remember to retract it before travelling.<br />
    One other modification I have done has paid dividends and that was the installation of a kerb mirror .It is curved and fitted to the outside top of the door.It gives the driver a view of the front righthand corner all the way back to the front wheel.This is essential when passing through a narrow space or through a gateway.The blind spot is gone!</div>

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			<dc:creator>Nomad100</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/nomad100/useful-modifications-3955/</guid>
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			<title>Notes from the Ohio RV Supershow at the I-X Center</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/notes-from-the-ohio-rv-supershow-at-the-i-x-center-3954/</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:24:39 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Spent last Saturday at the RV  Show at the I-X Center in Cleveland.  Having never been to a show, Sue and I were looking forward to a couple hours of perusing.  Little did we know that a couple of hours at an RV show is just enough to keep you there for 4 more. :D 
 
The I-X Center was thoroughly...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Spent last Saturday at the RV  Show at the I-X Center in Cleveland.  Having never been to a show, Sue and I were looking forward to a couple hours of perusing.  Little did we know that a couple of hours at an RV show is just enough to keep you there for 4 more. :D<br />
<br />
The I-X Center was thoroughly packed with vehicles.  I read in a post on the forums here that it was not as big as last year.  Yikes!<br />
<br />
The majority of the hall was filled with travel trailers.  Sue and I enjoyed looking through the offerings, even though it is not what fits our travel style.  We are definitely motorhome people.  I don't think we could ever give up the ability to use the facilities while on the road.  The motorhome is just so darned convenient.<br />
<br />
One of the trailers we really liked, especially from the outside was a very retro looking RV.  <img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382918_2800299919626_1022384474_2941470_1895964575_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
We are, by no means, looking to buy.  We just purchased our 1997 National Seabreeze in October and haven't even had it out yet.  We spent 10 yeas with a Thor Skamper popup and loved it.  But we have always wanted to comfort of a motorhome and, when this one popped up right in front of us (story for another blog), we jumped and know that we will not regret it.<br />
<br />
So, back to the show.<br />
<br />
After going through most of the Class A coaches on display, Sue and I agreed that the Forest River Georgetown offerings seem to give the best bang for the buck.  The construction materials seemed very solid and of high quality.  I have read about some issues with these coaches at time of delivery but have also read that Forest River is pretty responsive.  I doubt we will ever buy a new MH, so these issues should not effect us should we decided to move up to a larger coach in 5-7 years.  Sue particularly liked the 351, which has bunk beds.  She is thinking about what we would do with more grandchildren.  We currently have only one, but, if we have more, and we probably will, the bunks are an appealing option.<br />
<br />
We were most disappointed in the offerings from Thor.  The materials and construction just seemed sub-standard.  Cabinet doors were so flimsy that they would vibrate violently for 2-3 on opening.  Doors seemed very light and fragile.  All in all, they just didn't work for us.<br />
<br />
Of course, the Tiffins were gorgeous and solid, as one would expect, with very appealing floor plans.  The Monacos were consistently solid as well.<br />
<br />
As for Sue and I, we completely enjoyed our day.  Picked up a new outdoor rug for under the awning and got plenty of information on campgrounds, particularly in western PA and upstate NY.  We are already looking forward to the next show!</div>

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			<dc:creator>TheRVManiac</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/thervmaniac/notes-from-the-ohio-rv-supershow-at-the-i-x-center-3954/</guid>
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			<title>Rv supershow, Tampa</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/rv-supershow-tampa-3953/</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:01:29 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Finally back out on the road, happy to be here.  This trip has us balancing on the top rail of the fence, working at the show, enjoying our rig and getting some park business taken care of when we have some down time. I probably should be working on my newsletter, but there's always tomorrow!I am...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Finally back out on the road, happy to be here.  This trip has us balancing on the top rail of the fence, working at the show, enjoying our rig and getting some park business taken care of when we have some down time. I probably should be working on my newsletter, but there's always tomorrow!I am happy to say after our first attempt at winterizing everything still works and there is no water gushing out of  anything, I feel like we accomplished a major victory.  Of course, we have five rental trailers at our park that we handle just fine, none with ice makers or washing Machines, tho. And none with the emotional ties of &quot;home&quot;. <br />
We are still learning the rig, how everything works, like the fantastic fans, haven't got that yet, we can only get them to run about half the time we try, then once we get one running, we aren't<br />
sure exactly what we did.  Ice maker took us two days to produce cubes and getting the air to work in both zones took more than one attempt.<br />
But we are learning and I am confident we will have it all down pat in about five years!<br />
<br />
<br />
We will be at the NCA booth at the show on Thursday morning and again on Friday, when we aren't  at the booth, we plan to find the kountry klub to say hi and see what that's about.  I am looking forward to meeting some of the people that have been so very helpful! <br />
If you're at the show stop by the booth and say hey!  We are Tony and Deloris we hope to see you there!</div>

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			<dc:creator>riverbender</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/riverbender/rv-supershow-tampa-3953/</guid>
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			<title>Bingo!</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/nomad100/bingo-3952/</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:23:28 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>By the way ,I just want to say that when I write a long winded account of something I rarely read it over so forgive my spelling mistakes. I know I should read it over but I cant abide it ,never could even when I was at school.   Anyhow some good news to report.  One of the reasons for buying a Sun...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>By the way ,I just want to say that when I write a long winded account of something I rarely read it over so forgive my spelling mistakes. I know I should read it over but I cant abide it ,never could even when I was at school.   Anyhow some good news to report.  One of the reasons for buying a Sun Voyager was the fact that it had a Cummins 6 cylinder engine. I have loved these engines for years,had them fitted in barges and generators, even got a 4 cylinder version with 4 hours on it in my shed .Part of my lifetime junk collection. Back to the RV. I always had a plan to get this engine running on a fifty per cent mix of recycled veg oil.Being pre 95 it has no emission controls or engine management system,in fact nothing complicated. So two months ago I brewed my first batch and added it to the fuel tank.1000 miles later she continues to run happily on it .I have not changed the fuel filters but carry a spare. I dont expect to have any problems and the filter will be changed prior to the new season as normal.The performance is unchanged and the smell is not unpleasant. Starts right up from cold immediately.To me this is fantastic as I was sure it would work and I am happy that it is now doing so. As the veg oil is free it means I am now getting the equivalent of 30mpg costwise. whoopee!:dance:                              next  experiment will be to add water to the equation????????</div>

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			<dc:creator>Nomad100</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/nomad100/bingo-3952/</guid>
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			<title>Crunch Time!</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/jonbrazel/crunch-time-3950/</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:18:07 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Well, we are T-Minus one week until we hit the road for the big Quartzsite RV Show! 
  
 
We are absolutely workin’ our tails off, pulling long hours trying to  get together everything that needs to get done to make this show  happen, and I think our wives are going to start boycotting Quartzsite ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Well, we are T-Minus one week until we hit the road for the big Quartzsite RV Show!<br />
 <br />
<br />
We are absolutely workin’ our tails off, pulling long hours trying to  get together everything that needs to get done to make this show  happen, and I think our wives are going to start boycotting Quartzsite  because of this <img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
 <br />
 <div align="center"><a href="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0387.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0387-300x180.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Loading up one of the trailers<br />
</div> <br />
 <br />
<br />
One thing that we have noticed at our shop since the new year began,  is that we are much busier!  For whatever reason, coming into the new  year it was pretty slow here in the shop for jobs coming in.  As soon as  we got back from our Christmas break though, we were swamped!!! We feel  so fortunate that God has provided us with work that can keep my guys  busy and help take some of the financial stress off of doing all the new  things we will be introducing at Quartzsite.  It is incredibly  expensive to not only essentially relocate our shop to Arizona for a  couple weeks, but we are also rolling out a whole new marketing campaign  that we sure hope is going to pay off! The new concepts we have come up  with are beyond what are expectations were and we can’t wait to bring  this stuff to market after we get back from Q!<br />
<br />
<br />
 Well I don’t have a whole lot of time to keep blabbering, there is  much work to be done yet!  I’ll leave you with a few photos of jobs  going on in the shop today!<br />
<br />
<br />
 <div align="center"><a href="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0390.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0390-300x180.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Griff  installing our new UltraSave Valve for the Auto Park Brake System<br />
</div> <br />
 <div align="center"><a href="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0389.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0389-300x180.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Jeremy installing a rear trac bar on an older F53<br />
</div> <br />
 <div align="center"><a href="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0388.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0388-300x180.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Couple coaches in for service!</div></div>

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			<dc:creator>JonBrazel</dc:creator>
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			<title>More exploration.</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/nomad100/more-exploration-3949/</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:28:02 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Yesterday the weather was pretty good so I thought I would have another look underneath the rv and do some greasing.I wanted to check the brake discs to see if she was marking them correctly and evenly on each side.Couldn't take the wheels off as I still dont have any tools to fit so a look...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Yesterday the weather was pretty good so I thought I would have another look underneath the rv and do some greasing.I wanted to check the brake discs to see if she was marking them correctly and evenly on each side.Couldn't take the wheels off as I still dont have any tools to fit so a look underneath was called for. Our yard is concreted so I didn't fancy lying on wet concrete so first thing i did was make a little trolley from a piece of plywood cut off and a set of sofa wheels which were lying around and under I went in comfort.Greased the steering lingakes again and had a look at the air bag /bump stops that I was puzzling over(see chassis forum,spartan) today they looked different and it was immediately obvious that they were airbags(airlifter 5000) and not bumps stops.All were airless so I got the 12v air pump and inflated them to 30psi as reccommended by the forum and hey presto they held pressure.Not bad for 17 year old products. Found some evidence of rust in the lower outer framework(steel box section) supporting the lower body panels (fibreglass).Not much you can do about that but I smeared the exposed bits with grease,cant hurt. on with the inspection and next came to the fuel tank.Judging by the size it would hold about 45 gallons ,too small in my opinion and I was looking to see if there was room for another behind it.There sure was so I now must look out for a suitable tank and figure out a plan for connecting them together,not so easy if you think about it. All pipework,wiring and connections were in order so on to the brake discs.Discs were good as new ,too good really and the pattern wear on the sides told me the calipers were not applying full pressure and need overhauling/freeing up.also the pads will need deglazing. I had suspected the brakes were not as sharp as they should be, they are adequate but not as the should be.That will be my next big job but first i must find out all i can about those calipers so back to the computer again,isn't this fun?.................Nomad.</div>

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			<dc:creator>Nomad100</dc:creator>
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			<title>Fort Worth Show Notes</title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/rvneophytes2/fort-worth-show-notes-3947/</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:04:25 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The Fort Worth RV Show yielded a few surprises, this year. 
 
Foremost, Newmar has stepped up to the plate with some design changes that might reflect some of the discussions we're had on iRV2. 
 
The 2012 Dutch Star offers a TV that is diagonally mounted in the left slideout, positioned so that...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>The Fort Worth RV Show yielded a few surprises, this year.<br />
<br />
Foremost, Newmar has stepped up to the plate with some design changes that might reflect some of the discussions we're had on iRV2.<br />
<br />
The 2012 Dutch Star offers a TV that is diagonally mounted in the left slideout, positioned so that (a) viewers don't suffer 90 degree neck strain, and (b) the retracted slideout doesn't preclude TV watching in motion.<br />
<br />
Both Newmar and Tiffin have broadened their entryways, but Fleetwood still pinches to as little as 10&quot;, at the top of the stairs.<br />
<br />
The 2012 Fleetwood Discovery, in some floorplans, eliminates a gripe about walkway preservation.  Earlier models with opposing sofas left passengers grappling for leg position, a scant foot or so separating the sofas with the slides in.  Some of the new plans have one sofa facing the dining table, the other facing the kitchen counter.  That way, riders don't share the space in front of their sofa with others.<br />
<br />
Monaco, aka Navistar, was conspicuously absent from the show, thanks to the local volume dealer's refusal to participate.  Too bad, since many rigs on display were sold by Sunday.<br />
<br />
In all, a great event.  Special kudos to <a href="http://www.bennettsrv.com/" target="_blank">Bennetts Camping Center</a>, our local favorite family-owned and operated RV center, for celebrating their 40th year of service.<br />
<br />
Saturday, Bob Tiffin himself breezed through; I hope he got a chance to glimpse the Allegro that'd been fitted with a view-underway TV behind the driver.  It was mildly amusing, but appreciated: The living area alone amassed three large flat screen TVs in this model: the one overhead between the front two seats, the traditional blocked-by-slide Tiffin standard issue, and a huge LCD atop the shelf immediately behind the driver's seat.  That brought the total to FOUR in the rig.<br />
<br />
Coming up: Dallas, in February!<br />
<br />
Feel free to look at my various notes and photos in our Picasaweb album <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/ndshane/2012FortWorthRVShow" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<dc:creator>RVNeophytes2</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/rvneophytes2/fort-worth-show-notes-3947/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Business Profile: Brazel's RV Performance]]></title>
			<link>http://www.irv2.com/forums/blogs/jonbrazel/business-profile-brazels-rv-performance-3944/</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:56:44 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>*By Stephen Mercer For The Chronicle | Posted: Thursday, January 5, 2012 7:00 am * With the continued sophistication of vehicles requiring fewer  hands-on mechanics and more technical expertise, a Centralia company  offers services that draw customers from all over the United States and  beyond. 
...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><b>By Stephen Mercer For The Chronicle | Posted: Thursday, January 5, 2012 7:00 am </b> With the continued sophistication of vehicles requiring fewer  hands-on mechanics and more technical expertise, a Centralia company  offers services that draw customers from all over the United States and  beyond.<br />
<br />
 “We are known across the country as the place to go for upgrading RV  suspensions and engines,” said Brazel’s RV Performance operations  manager and marketer Jon Brazel.<br />
<br />
Brazel’s RV Performance first moved to Centralia in 2004 after more  than a decade in Olympia. Jon Brazel’s father Steven first incorporated  the company in 1982.<br />
 <br />
Jon Brazel said they made the move because the Centralia facility  provided a better location for service and repairs on motor-homes and  full-size pickups. Besides servicing vehicles, they also research,  develop and sell their own performance-enhancing products.<br />
<br />
  In addition, they have built relationships with dealers all over the country to sell their products, he said.<br />
 <br />
That mixture of services has paid dividends for them.<br />
<br />
  General Manager Alan Sanders said they have made a profit every year  since moving. In fact, while RV sales have dropped in the last three  years due to the recession, Brazel said their growth has been  “exponential.”<br />
 <br />
  And that growth has not gone unnoticed by their property owners.<br />
<br />
  “It’s a pretty good small business success story,” said Kyle Heaton,  director of the Port of Centralia. “They have been great tenants and  created some good jobs.”<br />
<br />
  Brazel’s employs four full-time technicians and four support staffers.<br />
 <br />
  Brazel credits much of their success to the chassis dynamometer – a  device Brazel said no other South Sound facility owns. The dynamometer, a  platform the vehicle rests on, measures horsepower and torque of  vehicles by simulating a range of conditions, Sanders said. Those  measurements provide the data so the technicians can provide the  upgrades to improve fuel economy and performance of motor homes and  pickups, Brazel said.<br />
<a href="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dyno-jon.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://brazelsrv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dyno-jon-300x199.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><i><br />
Jon  Brazel uses an iPad to examine data taken from a truck Tuesday  afternoon at Brazel's RV Performance in the Port of Centralia. Company  officials say the business has thrived since moving to Centralia from  Olympia in 2004.</i><br />
<br />
The chassis dynamometer allows them to produce, engineer and test  their own products, he said. The testing provides a custom program that  boosts performance and horsepower in the engine. Brazel said The  Ultratrac is a suspension product that upgrades suspensions to improve  driving.<br />
 <br />
  “We are trying to stay on top of being the latest and greatest,” he said. “We’re always tinkering.”<br />
<br />
Brazel said they mainly rely on word of mouth, Facebook and blogging  to draw customers. It’s an approach he said draws customers from all  over the United States and British Columbia who prefer Brazel’s custom  services.<br />
<br />
  One customer from Florida even makes sure that he stops at their store during his annual trip, Sanders said.</div>

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			<dc:creator>JonBrazel</dc:creator>
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