Rules and Regs

Your October issue of Trailer Life featured "Southern Migration," but failed to mention the myriad rules imposed by many of these RV establishments (which cater to wintering seniors or Snowbirders, as they call themselves). As an absolute novice planning my first-ever Southern sojourn, I used the Trailer Life Directory as my Bible in writing to many of these establishments. I was truly offended by the many socalled rules the majority of such RV parks insist upon. They sound more like church elders laying down behavioral laws to first-tripper Boy Scouts, or just-tumed-teenage young ladies on their first outing away from home.

I am a widower, in my early 70s, and a former corporate officer of a large organization, and I know a little about customer relations. I am not senile, nor am I irresponsible or destructive. I, therefore, very much resent this officious attitude of some stranger soliciting my business then telling me what I must do and what I can't do. The method of presentation in several of these brochures is without question not only in very bad taste, but indeed insulting.

The worst offenders appear to be those located in Florida and Arizona, followed closely by California. Their clients must be institutionalized, wholly dependent or very badly in need of disciplining and direction. If that is the case, then these so-called RV centers are hardly what they claim. They should be classed as sanitariums for the elderly, geriatric centers or nurseries. Their rules hardly qualify them to be called RV parks or resorts.

The least offensive RV establishments appear to be found in Texas. There seems to be a healthy, clean and honest approach to such rules as need be. And that's where I'm going. So, please, don't dare call me a Snowbirder, I'm a Winter Texan, or soon shall be.

WILLIAM YANKEWICZ

BEAUSEJOUR, MANITOBA

CANADA

Size Disparity

Recent articles in many publications contain statements about the increase in sales of light trucks and SWs (sport-utility vehides), light trucks outweighing cars and light trucks having more rigid structure, higher front ends and packing more of a wallop in crashes.

Why do you think people who want them and can afford them buy them? Safety for myself and my passengers is one of the main reasons I bought my full-size pickup and SW instead of the downsized cars the government has tried to force on me.

While people are worrying about the disparity of size and weight, no one has addressed the problem of the semitractor trailers on the roads. Most states have deregulated the semi to the point of ridiculousness. States now permit heavier, longer trucks on the roads, including longer single trailers, and the pulling of doubles and triples. Then you add the problem of most (not all) drivers being in various states of sleep, under the influence of booze, under the influence of drugs or a combination of all three.

Get off my back with the NHTSA, CAFE and the political correctness bit. Pass reasonable safety and regulatory laws, enforce them against the violator and get on with it.

EDWARD E. MCHENRY

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

little Guys

I am a newcomer to both Trailer Life magazine and to trailer life itself The letter requesting more articles on smaller trailers that can be pulled by normal cars hit home, and as a longtime fan of Suzuki 4WD vehicles, I was especially interested in the article on the Suzuki Sidekick. It's true that small can be beautiful as well as comfortable, convenient and, of course, cute!

I, too, drive a four-door Suzuki Sidekick, and when I began looking into the wide variety of RVs available, I was disappointed to find most were above the 1,500-pound maximum my Suzuki can tow. Then I saw the Chalet. To be honest, I first thought it was a garden shed to be pulled behind some of the amazing larger RVs I had seen. Then I noticed the crowds around it, and the people sitting inside. The Chalet's triangular silhouette attracted a lot of attention. The basic model sleeps three, has water (a 15-gallon tank), a twoburner stove, an ice box and weighs in at 1,000 pounds. Add an optional Porta Potti, and it had everything I needed to hit the road with my 5-year-old daughter, Grace, and my 2-year-old retriever mix, Rosie, all within my price range (under $10,000 Canadian).

Please keep us "little guys" in mind and include articles on smaller trailers in future issues.

NANCY BENNETT

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

Speed Laws

In my state of Rhode Island a motorhome is considered a recreational vehicle. This is also true in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, to name a few states. However, in Ohio, it is called a "non-commercial bus" and is only permitted to go 55 mph on the interstate. The official speed limit on the Ohio Turnpike, Route 80, is 65 mph. I received a ticket for speeding doing 65 mph because of the tricky wording on the speed signs. I believe the Ohio Department of Transportation should make its speed signs understandable as does Illinois, which clearly states campers and motorhomes are limited to 55 mph only.

KENNETH A. TIMMINS

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RHODE ISLAND

Bison Dilemma

In reply to `Riled About Animals' in October "Mail Box," I must say the ranchers in Montana did the right thing in killing bison to protect their herds. After spending the summer in Custer State Park in South Dakota as a camp host, I learned quite a lot about the American bison.

Custer State Park has a herd of approximately 1,400 bison. They are controlled via a fence that keeps them in the park. In September of each year, the bison are rounded up, blood tests are run on each animal, and they are vaccinated. An auction is held to sell all but 800, which are returned to the park to graze. Hay is cut throughout the year to supplement their grazing during the winter months.

Yellowstone is a federal park without fences and the government does not vaccinate, nor control their bison, thus when the winters become hard and food scarce, it's only natural that the bison will roam where there is food.

I agree it is a shame to destroy such a wonderful animal, but under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. Laws should be passed to place controls (fences or whatever) on the areas where the Yellowstone bison can roam.

ED SULLIVAN

LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA

Survival of the Fittest

This is in response to the `Riled About Animals' letter The environmental wackos are always trying to preserve every bug, snake, animal and fish in the world. Left up to them, the dinosaurs would rule the earth.

The buffalo, like the wolves, bears and mountain lions, are very destructive when allowed to reproduce unchecked. This is not only detrimental to farmers and ranchers, but city dwellers as well. The do-gooders that try to bring these things back to the numbers of the 1800s are not using good judgment. The buffalos eat the grass and generally are much more destructive than cattle and are basically uncontrollable. Bears, mountain lions and wolves kill livestock (and people), small animals, deer and pets. With no controls and introducing them into areas with people always cause problems. Every species (including man) has their allotted time, and if they can't survive-so be it.

ROBERT BRIGHT

MAXWELL, CALIFORNIA

Water Jug

My wife, daughter and I are relatively new, but avid, RVers. We like nothing better than hitting the road with our 28-foot Aluma-Lite fifthwheel. We prefer to stay in more out-ofthe-way places or campgrounds where we aren't "stacked in like cord wood." This usually means no hookups, but we don't mind. With our large solar system, battery bank and inverter, we have no need for an electrical hookup, and we have one of those towable plastic dump tanks to haul our waste water to a dump station. What we haven't figured out, however, is how to easily refill the freshwater tank.

We carry a long freshwater hose in addition to the normal 10-foot job we use when there is a freshwater hookup, but in many cases the water supply is too far away for any hose. Then we resort to using a 5-gallon water jug. What a hassle, since it takes eight trips to fill the tank. There are 50-gallon containers available that could be used in conjunction with a small pump to do thejob, but every one I have seen is rigid and takes up too much space. Does anyone make a collapsible water carrier that holds at least 20 gallons (40 would be better)? I have never seen one advertised, but surely they exist.

J. C. SMITH

1249 DEWING LANE

WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA 94595

J.C., marine parts-supply catalogs feature collapsible water bladders designed for boats, particularly sailboats. You should also read "10-Minute Tech" each month for tried-and-true ideas.

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