Pappy Yokum

"Maybe" -or- Maybe Not !! Are you willing to buy from Neiman Marcus - also known as "Needless Markup", or elsewhere? Many years ago I worked in "retail" (not RVs) and many lines were marked up 100% - just because the retailer "could" - and.... the buyer was happy to pay the (non-negotiable) price! A friend of mine who was not in the RV business in any way, had access to the Wholesaler for just about everything "RV", which at that time was via Coast Connection. Huge catalog with retail prices - with a *separate* catalog with the wholesale prices for the dealers. BTW - he was able to do that as he had a contractors license - again nothing to do with RVs. He just wanted to purchase "things" for his Class A DP - without paying an arm and a leg. The markup was very shocking! Emphasis on "very". So *if* I needed an expensive item - he was my source. Enlightenment: I needed some small inexpensive items from a *local* dealer. Find them in the same (retail) catalog at the dealer. When I happened to joke about the markup - the sales person said, "How do you know that?" The retail price was no big deal, and I just said I had accidentally seen the wholesale (dealer) cost. No clue if Coast Connection is still a wholesaler or not - if I need something now (large or small) I just visit one of the on-line parts suppliers - to find a price I am OK with. BTW - the last expensive item I purchased -via my friend- was a a Pullrite Super Glide hitch for my (then new) 2005 Dodge Ram. It was drop-shipped to the friend's (personal) residence. Xln't price! (We installed it). Which was for the (then new) Jayco 5th which I didn't buy "local", as the local dealer/s were way, way overpriced with sales pitches from know-nothing* sales personnel. *One year at the Pomona, CA RV show - the sales person "admitted" it was his first day on the job as an RV salesperson - after I showed *him* where the (his) brochures were. My "local" dealer was about a thousand miles away - and a genuine pleasure (and price) to do business with. As the saying goes, it is what it is. 😉

X-2 on Americas Mailbox. call - ask whatever you need answered. AM was there long before SKPs. Before opening their own campground, AM was in Rapid City. Now - still close by, in Box Elder. BTW - having a DL from SD is your choice. However some states (and LEOs) assume you are avoiding registration fees (and/or taxes) which are due to them - if your vehicle registration & DL don't match. Plan ahead to have your ducks in a row for the "why" questions. .

See the thread "Vehicle Insurance" on this forum. Lots of good suggestions. Also - although I am currently "domiciled" in my sticks and bricks, I have used Americas Mailbox (Box Elder, SD) in the past for everything from.... mail forwarding, physical address, insurance references, etc. Now have their own campground w/ hookups Very helpful people! Nothing against SKPs - but they did not have a SD location at the time. Besides their info on "the net", there is a good blog w/review at....https://rvblogger.com/blog/americas-mailbox-review/ ~

"When you see two identical threads started June 2 and June 7 you skip both" Neither Confucius nor Voltaire. ☹️

Stay away from those "back road", mean streets. If you can't figure out if you're in the wrong place - look around........and move on! BTW - Check out Venice, CA - and Los Angeles close to the coast. Lots and LOTS of the "problems" discussed here (trashed-out RVs that may never move!). They do have legal "advocates" that "work the system". Bottom line - the streets are NOT campgrounds no matter how many RVs are there. It's not "homeless" who are simply.... down on their luck!!

Enjoy asking retired -especially Navy guys- this question: How many USN folks (30 yrs service) do you know (of) that served in the military of two countries at the same time? Lived with my Aunt and Uncle for about 20 years. He was a USN Chief Pharmacists Mate (E-7). *During* his 30 years, he *also* served as a Lieut. in the service of a foreign country. Your guess is ?? BTW - he never missed Memorial Day at the VA Cemetery in Los Angeles. ~

California. "However, it does allow auto traffic to flow better and safer". The usual posted speed limit in most urban areas of CA is 65 mph for cars & trucks. For vehicles towing trailers it's 55 mph - and NOT in the HOV lane. "allow auto traffic".....NON rush hour speeds on So.CA freeways may "approach" 80 mph (in posted 65mph). As long as you're not the "point man" , the "flow" is pretty much ignored by the CHP. (Rush hour is between 15mph and "parking lot" speeds, LOL) BTW tractor-trailer rigs (semi w/trailer) will usually run about 58-60 mph. However, at times the CHP will "target" a section of freeway (excessive accidents, or?) and strictly enforce the posted speed limit. Usually - it's on the TV News prior to the date/s - so driver/s beware! It doesn't last more than a few days - as the CHP doesn't have the units to continue that level of enforcement, and/or the units have other chores to perform (accidents, etc.). At all times - if/when "observed" - the obvious "point man" will get the attention and a "greetings"! You don't want to be him or her. ~

Where are the 1000's of Americans ...from the USA? (Mexico *is* in America!) and "Candians" residing? Stats please! Do those "Candians" return to "Candia" when their medical coverage ends - and needs to be renewed? - Or are they wealthy enough to skip "Candia" coverage and pay their own way? ~

Guns & shootings aside. Just keep this thought in your head in "safe" Mexico: The justice system is the opposite of the USA. Everyone & everything is guilty until proven innocent......which may take a LONG time and a LOT of mordida. A friend hit a mexican on a bicycle on a dark street. Killed him. Nobody would help, he and his two friends were jailed (they were not in the car). His friends were released two days later. No help from the US Embassy (they paid some money with no results). No help from a friend (movie producer) who owns a hotel in Mazatlan, and tried also. Jim -the driver- was jailed for murder! Mexican Ins washed their hands = no help. He spent a week in a Mexican jail - (just walls, no roof). A Battalion Chief went down with $1500 - split between the judge and the deceased victim's widow. (the judge's portion was "bail"). Jim returned with dysentery, his car was never returned. And, of course, *he* never returned to Mexico. And - to the original question. A retired F/F I know (left that position to become a minister) found he couldn't make ends meet as a minister. He would buy Motor Homes and/or Corvettes and take them to MX for new upholstery and/or paint - then re-sell them. On one of those trips (with a MH) for some reason (money?) he was attacked and severely beaten. Spent a couple of weeks in a (US) hospital due to internal injuries. Several of the retired guys I worked with in So.CA had vacation homes in MX. One guy had 3 in different locations. All have sold their MX homes (and/or mobile homes). BTW - they all were fluent in Spanish, one guy had an uncle who (at one time) was the mayor of Ensenada. Know the risks - and do your best to stay safe! Lastly, good luck! .

Tough to determine! Suggest - Look for comparable/s on Craigslist and price yours accordingly!

The "Dark Side" has been showing up on TV lately - for various nefarious uses as noted in the link. Recently on one of the news "Tech" segments......attached to some unspecting female's luggage, also (somehow) on one gals purse - to follow her home from a pub...☹️ Hope Apple has put the spotlight on the dark side. However, (IMO) users should check out how well legit users are protected.

More food. Chow down! From personal experience....I have a Honda, Yamaha, and a couple of Champions. The 2400i Yam is converted to tri-fuel, although I normally *only* use it on Natural gas - and never on gasoline. As noted - if you use *any* gen on propane, it will eat a lot of fuel. Plan ahead. (IMO) The Champion *IS*.... the Champion! Service at Honda and Yamaha dealers takes second (3rd or 4th) place after M/Cs, ATVs and various other red and blue products. You will/may.....wait and wait - and wait some more before "they" get to it. I do know a few folks who work in the service depts and will admit it's an unfortunate fact. Disclaimer - a lot depends on where you live! Climate for vehicles as well as gen usage. I'm in a year-round area with lots of (dry) off-roading, sand dunes & desert, etc. Many M/Cs, ATVs, etc., that "break" and need service ASAP. They won't admit it, but profit from repair bills on high-ticket items may be the reason? Champion service is outstanding - and if you search out one of the longest running threads on RV Net (is it OK to say that here?) you will find lots, and lots of info - for everything on the "early" Champions, as well as the later models. Usually *if* you need service - the shop recommended by Champion is *not* doing "vehicles" - only small engines.....like gens. Bottom line - any of the three is a good choice....as well as some of the newer "players" - which may be mfg by Champion also.

Yep (that's "yep", not Zep, LOL!) - the positives should be weighed against the negatives - both old & new. Ya gotta decide what you are willing to believe - before your roll the dice....and put in whatever effort req'd for your wax (or Zep) job. About 100 posts (for a poll?) would be a good start !!

FYI: "JimK" posted the (almost) identical info on RV.Net (Open Roads Forums) - as "JimK-NY". The thread title is "Zep Floor Wax Update", and found in the General RVing Issues forum. His thread has received additional replies & comments there - if anyone is interested...😉 .

"The Man Who Killed Colorado's Last Grizzly Bear" - - with a hand held arrow !! Did he lie as to how he killed the bear? A 6 month investigation by the Feds & a (clean) lie detector exam, pretty well establish it to be true! Whether you believe it or not - he was lucky to survive the injuries inflicted by the bear ! http://www.the-journal.com/articles/the-man-who-killed-colorados-last-grizzly-bear/

New or old.....the owner's manual should provide the *official* word. As the mfgrs updated the automatic transmissions (w/many vehicles) - older was a yes, new was a no. You need to know the magic date (year) for the changeover. Without Remco info anymore - potential buyers must do their own (thorough) research. Also, at one time one (or more) of the MH mags published an annual list. Bottom line - check the owner's manual, be sure it's the correct manual for the year of the vehicle you're looking at......and of course, never take a salesperson's word for same. 😉

RV - "FireAide" liquid: Mac called it AFFF Plus. I don't know what the "Plus" is - however (IMO) regular AFFF should be fine. Suggest asking someone you come in contact with (a Fire Dept, or a foam supplier) if they could/would sell a pint for "a good cause". Hopefully, since AFFF (& other foams) are sold in 5 gal containers, I would hope "they" would "donate" such a small amount. Would have been a no brainer for me - we would empty several 5gal cans during training - always a bit left when you switched from one can to another. At one time I knew the rep for National Foam - but that was a looong time ago. Len Slade would put on classes (which were also a pitch for the products he supplied) anytime. I chuckle to think of one of his examples of types of Fire Fighting Foams. He would pour a bit of Protein Foam in a cup....and take a drink!! Briefly, I was one of the Training Officers for the FD - and "took over" his presentations (minus the "drink"), as it was a subject I enjoyed - as well as putting on a demo with AFFF on a derelict tanker we had on the drill ground. (At one time the "powers that be" were irritated due to the amt of AFFF concentrate I used via a 500gpm foam deck mount nozzle. That triple combo pumper (AKA "The Water Buffalo") had a 2500 gal water tank and a 50 gal AFFF tank - lots of suds when you're having fun! Which reminds me.....that was prior to the tanker doubles - when the overflow on the one being filled, failed. The FD engine with that deck monitor responded from about a 1/4 mile away. They put it in service just *before* one of the tanks failed (BLEVE) with huge fireball. The F/F "up top" on the deck said he left "claw marks" in the diamond plate when it let go! But - it extinguished the fire, (so much for the "powers that be"!!) - sadly, had the driver shut his diesel engine off while filling, he would have lived to see another day! (another ex of "Murphy's Law") ~ *** FYI EDIT: Although a small amount of AFFF in a water extinguisher may *not* meet this criteria.... A bit of research indicates AFFF or AR-AFFF, which contains PFAS (Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) may be hazardous to your health! Numerous cancer lawsuits regarding same. Use for various large scale firefighting use being banned. Google: Firefighting Foam and PFAS, Class B firefighting foam, (etc.). There are alternates (to AFFF) which do not contain "fluoro" chemicals (fluorinated surfactants). Ex: see "GFFF" as an alternate to AFFF - GFFF - see Class B Foam Unfortunately it may be impossible to find a supplier to sell a small quantity of a suitable product for a "DIY" water extinguisher like those previously sold by Mac. ~

Uno Mas !! Stop by your local Fire Dept Station - whether Vol or Paid. Often they do periodic fire training for hospital nursing staff (required in the state where I live). Or demos during fire service day, etc. Sooo - when the extinguisher servicing was due (at the hospital) we would provide classroom training prior to the visit by the extinguisher guy. Live fire - small flammable liquid ("supervised") fire, steel pan in pk lot - with extinguishers that were to be serviced after use. Three major hospitals = lots of training! BTW - well attended by nurses & (reqd) & some physicians (not req by the docs - but they did like the classroom info - extinguishers for their boats, LOL). Many of those nurses never realized.... "pull the pin - first!".....in order to operate! Does your DW? 😉

"RV" my reply was to/for Agesilaus, not you. However" - although real *FOAM* extinguishers are outstanding - they are "pricey"! If you can afford same, - go for it. Downside - expensive to replace or pay to recharge! Still better than replacing your vehicle. The alternative -refill & recharge by YOU- from Mac is/was equally outstanding! He supplied a small bottle of AFFF for refills (I had plenty aleady). Wish I knew who supplied Mac with the 1 1/2 gal water "can" w/eductor he sold (supplied empty). BTW - variations of hand-held HALON are still avail for Acft & some "remote" applications (like fusible link activated in RV fridge enclosures) but equally "pricey"! Bottom line - whether from an extinguisher service outfit - or the local big box store.....read & understand the UL certification. Also, stand your ABC dry chem (large or small) on it's head from time to time to loosen up the dry powder- AND check the gauge! Most jurisdictions require any/all *commercial* occupancies to have their dry chem re-charged & all types on site annually re-certified & tagged by a licensed agency. You can too - but cheaper to buy a new one. Many businesses did just that ....replace req'd (no telling how long on store shelf) ...-or- recert....annually. Owner's business - his choice.

Duh! - You said CO2 - not me ! (& a pot of water, ROTFL) "They are rated BC anyway, not ABC" - B = Flammable liquids, C = Electrical. C02 will work OK, even though it does not have an "A" rating (ordinary combustibles, like wood, paper, etc.). Have done that (on vehicle fires) when it was the only option. So, yes C02 - is *not* rated for class A fires....but most 10# dry chem (dry powder) - or larger - *ARE* 2A 10BC rated! Even those little 1 lb (one hand held) extinguishers are rated 1A, 10BC by UL.....which does equate to - - better than nothing!! Been to all kinds of fire fighting schools, live fire flam liquid, etc. - and taught same (Del Val, L.A. County) as well as many, many car/truck fires - large and small and those requiring a Class D extinguisher (Some VWs -beetles & vans- & Porsches have magnesium trans-axle center sections...the mag reacts with H2O) - but you knew that already! Been on newly commissioned Navy ship/s which still had NAP nozzles & "overshots" - cause the specs from years previous called for them (along with black & white TVs in crew areas). Worked with several Navy fire folks, both officers (he flew helos) and enlisted - who readily admitted the Navy was ahhhh.....".behind".... with equipment ("protein" - fish base foam) & training. For gasoline tankers inc'l "doubles" at a bulk plant (auto "overflow" shut off for tanker failed - driver left diesel engine running while he BS'd with watchman) - foam (AFFF & "variants") is very "spectacular". Extinguished fire - unfortunately, driver was DOA as he ran back to his tanker - just before engine "inhaled" gas fumes. Even Mac the Fire Guy sold water extinguishers with AFFF additive. Knock the heck out of your plastic & "leaking gasoline" (been there done that) - refill, & re-charge for "next time" by you - a bargain compared to "real" foam type! (Still have one - 1 1/2 gal with nice in-line eductor! Lighter at 15# charged, than the lightest C02. Tested that on/at flam liquid demo along w/ lots of ABC types - did outstanding! RIP Mac - and thanks!) Oh yeah - the std for car/pickup fires on one of the busiest fwys in the US - is/was *one* large (Ansul) ABC rated dry chem. (Ansul = legally refilled by FD). Extinguish fire, use water to wash away -and dilute- any leaked gas. (large amts of gas = absorbent time). Never failed, never needed -or used- the C02.....even for those beyond "saving" owned by dummies who didn't need *any* on-board extinguishers. Yes dry chem is messy - but Insurance would take care of vehicle "rejuvenation" if possible. Ignition source investigation provided by the Officer (for 'CFIRS' reqs) - or an Arson Investigator if deemed suspicious in/at whatever location. Even *paid* Class 1 FDs (like where your son is employed) may be about 5 min -or more- away from your pickup fire! 😁....😁...☹️

Pot of water? When you find (or "have found") your replacement truck - suggest you add an "on board" dry chem extinguisher with a minimum of a 2A - 10BC rating. Ditto one (or more) in "the camper". 😉

Not even "a few" in CA now, but - I recall pay *after* pumping when gas was 19 cents a gallon, but that was 61 years ago when I was 19 also. 😁

RV fire, eggs ($$) in one trash bag, etc. Trav Checks in one place, receipts in another. The trav checks are a good option - even if you need/want large denominations. Fee should be OK. Although, here's another alternative to lots of cash "in one basket"........ A friend makes custom knives. Many years ago, he was displaying his wares (for sale) at a knife show. Along came Silvester Stalone looking things over. He selected a knife he liked, called up a guy who was behind him (body guard?, Brinks employee?). The guy produced an attache case - chock full of cash! SS picked up a "wad", counted out the asking price, paid for the knife - and continued on.

Cash in your RV: RandyA (HDT forum), his wife & dog barely escaped with their lives from a 2AM fire in their 5th wheel - which was completely destroyed in the fire. A friend & his wife were staying in their 5th wheel while looking for a sticks & bricks - at a campground in Paradise, CA. When the fire roared into Paradise and destroyed most of the town, they (also) barely escaped with their lives. They had just minutes to escape! Fifth wheel was completely destroyed (along with their daughter's, grand-daughter's homes...and the 3 homes he had previously looked at to buy). They left some valuable items behind in the rush to "get out". "Greenbacks" hidden/stashed somewhere in the RVs may have ended up as - "Crispy-Cash" Haven't used them in years, but makes me wonder if Traveler's Checks are still an option to cash - with the receipts kept separately somewhere (else) from the checks? .

As above: Frequently a poster on RV forums will complain about waiting __?__hours for roadside assistance from his Motor Club. The usual explanation is/are: The Tow Service Operators may have multiple Motor Club contracts. Some of those pay the Tow Operator promptly - some don't. Some even "contest" the invoices they receive from the Tow Operator! Then there's the "regular' customers who get "top billing" (no pun) if/when the Tow Operator is busy (eg: Hwy Patrol, state & local PDs, etc.). The above is an EXCELLENT reason to carry cash! Want or need prompt service? Advise the Tow Operator you will be paying *CASH* or with a CC for the service ......*NOT* via your Motor Club ERS. Note: Know (check) if your vehicle insurance will reimburse you for the charges - and accept/reject (try other Ops for the fee) as conditions and/or your patience warrant. (maybe ERS + an "incentive" ?) Most of the above is/was available on the various Tow Operator forums.....when Joe Public could join. Now, most charge a membership fee - and the member's affiliation (business name, location etc.). .