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New CA cellphone law takes effect

July 1 a law requiring drivers to use a hands-free device when making calls took effect. This applies to out-of-state drivers too. If your travels will be taking your through California, the only kind of call you can make (or receive) on your cell phone while holding it in your hand while driving is an emergency call.

Drivers younger than 18 cannot use any kind of mobile device while driving, hands-free or not except in emergencies. A funny aside: the law does not specifically mention texting! However an officer can pull over and cite driver of any age if, in the officer's opinion, the driver was distracted, and not operating the vehicle safely.

Drivers can be stopped for using a cellphone while driving even if they are not violating any other law. The base fine for conviction is $20 with $50 for subsequent violations. In addition, penalty assessments could triple the base fine.

Be fair warned! Get that Bluetooth device working or pull over to even answer your phone. One note - you could buy a toad that has a built-in hands-free system; it's the BMW M3 Coupe with a base price of $56,500!  Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Be safe this weekend - don't start a fire

Most RVers are already hunkered down somewhere. A holiday weekend is not the time to be out and about looking for a campsite or fighting traffic.

Please be careful of your campfires if you are camped on public lands, especially in the Southwest. In many forests campfires are already prohibited due to dry conditions. Too many campers disregard this. They want a campfire because that is part of the camping experience and by golly, they are going to have one. The Forest Service and other agencies do not have the personnel to be patrolling the whole forest so they have to depend on people voluntarily complying.

Crown King, south of Prescott in the National Forest which we visited in April, has a 9000+ fire still burning. Officials suspect that the Lane 2 fire was started by hikers who were lost. See the news report. A related article, below right, discusses the hikers. Read my first post on Crown King here, and the second one here. I'm glad we got to see the area before the fire. Four houses have been lost along with several outbuildings. Let's hope a good thunderstorm comes through and douses the fire.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing this weekend, use caution and common sense and be safe! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

What sort of ID do you carry?

Tonight I took a walk. Though I had my cell phone, I had no identification with me. Not a good idea. If you are out walking, hiking or exploring, be sure to carry I.D. Your cell phone would help to identify you, but that could be taken from you, or, in case of an auto accident, thrown out of the vehicle or crushed. Even if you carry your identification, have information about where you are camped locally.

On your emergency card include your name, where your RV is parked and your spouse or travel partner's cell phone number. If you are a solo traveler, have an emergency number for a friend or relative with whom you regularly keep in touch.

There are two easy ways to carry your name and location. You can make a business card on your computer and then write the emergency number and your location on the back. Or, if you are staying in an RV park, take one of their business cards and write your name on it and your site number. Slip these in a pocket or wallet or purse when you go out.

If you are a pet owner who has left your pets should also make a note on your card that you have pets in your RV so someone makes sure if they are taken care of if you don't return. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Right decision about switching from Hughes to an Aircard

I came across a blog entry by Stephen Fletcher about Hughes satellite Internet service. They are now offering WiFi to their customers - at an additional charge. That must be to make up for their slow speeds. What I didn't know was that Hughes was the lowest-scoring method of Internet connection in the annual PC Magazine Readers Survey on service and reliability. Dial-up scored better.

I experienced that very thing. I have an Earthlink account and it was faster than satellite Internet by Hughes! That plus my shoddy treatment by their customer service gave us the impetus to switch.

We did have a couple of locations on our Four Corners trip where we could not get access through our Aircard. However, I could pick up a WiFi signal by driving somewhere close or do without it for a day or two.

We definitely have faster service and are so far pleased with our Aircard. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Whenever you mess up, there's always someone watching

It must be one of those laws of the universe for RVing: Whenever you mess up, there is always someone watching.

If you can't back into a spot, need several tries to get it level, the hitch won't release, you can't find the satellite signal- someone in the campground is watching. Maybe they don't openly snicker but we know they'll go into their rig and have a good chuckle- all the while being glad it isn't them.

Today we pulled into Black Bart's in Flagstaff. Our new neighbor was sitting out in his chair in spite of gusts of a chill wind at 25-35 mph, ready for a show. Now Black Bart's TL description says "poor" inner paved roads. That is an understatement. The outer ones are pretty poor too. The RV sites could stand a grading. The good thing about Black Bart's is the price plus they have Black Bart's Steak House with a musical revue right on the premises. We're checking that out in a bit.

Anyway, George drove into our spot and the bubble showed level. He went forward more and could not find level. He backed up, he went forward, backed up, went forward. Level was nowhere to be found. We got out a board. Then the hitch would not release. Inside the 5th wheel, I was moving back and forth, which doesn't normally happen. George finally figured out it was because of the domed road and finally found the exact position to put the landing legs in after several ups and downs and it released.

But George got the last laugh. It turns out our neighbor is new to RVing, purchasing their Class A in March of this year. When George used a dogbone adapter to connect our 30 amp to the 50 amp service (Black Bart's only offers 15 and 50 amp service), our neighbor pointed to the dogbone and said, "What's that?" He had used his only adapter to plug his 30 amp into the 15 amp receptacle. We hope he knows not to plug in the hair dryer the same time as the coffee pot or microwave!

We've all been in the spot where setting up just doesn't go smoothly. Perhaps the laughter is more relief that it wasn't us this day. I think there was a little laughter coming from both rigs about 11:30 this morning. Me? I was just glad the motion stopped. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Remember the generator

For those of you who may have motorhomes and stay in parks with hookups, please remember to exercise your generator once a month under load. I usually make a pot of coffee or use the microwave (not both). If you forget, you can always turn on the generator for an hour or so while you're driving.

The generator needs to circulate the gas and oil through its system or there is a danger of the gas turning to varnish from lack of use. Generators are expensive so keep yours happy.

Adrienne Kristine is the author of Frugal RVing or Pinching Pennies without Getting Bruised and Other Advice from the Road.

Tires

For those of you keeping a maintenance log (and those who should be), look at your tires. Be sure to note the brand and type, size, load range, maximum inflation amount and date of birth. RV tires are exposed to the elements, carry a large amount of weight and sometimes sit in one spot for months. You will probably replace your tires long before the tread wears, usually every five years.

Be sure to examine your tires for any sidewall cracks or unusual tread wear patterns. Also check your tire pressure regularly to be sure it meets the maximum inflation weight. Driving or pulling your RV on underinflated tires affects your mileage and your handling.  Braking can be sluggish and that is extremely dangerous.

So tomorrow, check your tires, write the information in your maintenance log and repeat frequently. Adrienne Kristine is the author of Frugal RVing or Pinching Pennies without Getting Bruised and Other Advice from the Road.

A-weigh with your RV

Have you weighed your RV lately? Do you know if the weight of your gear is within the CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) of your brand of RV? Did you know that the weight posted in your RV is the empty weight of the first RV off the assembly line? That means no water, no propane, no gas or diesel, no food, no clothing, no toys, and no humans? The manufacturers assume there will be one 154-pound person in the RV.

I strongly suggest you prepare your RV as if you were taking a trip with fluids, fuels, humans, and gear, and have each axle (even better--each tire) weighed. You can see if what you're carrying is evenly distributed. If you are overweight, remove all non-essential items until you are under the posted weight. Overweight vehicles stress your tires, shocks, mileage and engine, and that will ultimately stress you. RVing is supposed to be fun. Take some time, assess your weight, and make your trip enjoyable and worry-free.

Adrienne is the author of Frugal RVing- or Pinching Pennies without Getting Bruised.

Now where did I put...?

Checklists. If you've ever forgotten something vitally important to your RV trip, you know how important checklists are. You can check online for several different kinds or create your own. The last two pages of my eBook contain an indoor and outdoor checklist. The pages are meant to be printed, placed back-to-back and laminated. Add an eraseable marker and you have a checklist that can be used over and over.

Another reminder is a brightly-colored plastic clip. I have the clip attached to my visor. When I turn on the headlights, I place the clip on the gear shift arm. When I stop, shift to Park and turn off the engine, the clip is in front of the keys in the ignition. I remove the clip, turn off the lights and place the clip on the visor.

Adrienne Kristine is the author of Frugal RVing or Pinching Pennies without Getting Bruised and Other Advice from the Road.

Stuck with a cell phone contract?

Will you be in a place where your current cell phone doesn't work? You'd like a phone that works there but don't want a 2-year contract. Or do want to get rid of your plan but you are stuck in a contract?

I came across a Web site called CellSwapper. You can list your phone and plan so someone looking for just that can have it. You don't have to pay a termination fee for getting out of your contract prematurely; some carriers charge up to $250/line.They get a short contract with no activation fee. After you find someone who wants yours, you could find a plan for a phone that works in the area where you'll be for the length of time you'll be there.

There are a variety of arrangements and plans. On the site you can search by plans or type of phone. The site charges $18.95 for posting your phone. You can get 25 percent of your fees back if you take over someone else's plan.

You can keep your old number in many cases but have to contact your carrier for details.

This is a Web site you should bookmark - especially if you'll be working somewhere (or staying in an area) for an extended time where your current plan does not work. Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak