I had just finished setting up camp at this fantastic RV resort about 10 miles from town with views that were amazing. I was looking forward to a night of kicking back next to a roaring campfire and realized that I had forgotten to pack enough firewood. It normally wouldn't have been a big deal, except this time I didn't have a way of getting back to town because the motorhome was already hooked up. Given that the sun was about to set, I decided to forgo the fire, cranked up the on-board heater, popped in a DVD, and called it a night.
If I had really planned it better, I would have towed a small compact behind the Class C, otherwise known as dinghy towing, or least a motorbike. When I got back into the office, I did some research on cars that can be flat-towed, trailered or dollied by an RV. There is no shortage of vehicles that make perfect towables-sub-compacts to mid-sized off-road SUVs and more are due out in 2011 that run primarily on electric power. I verified that information with a visit to the Los Angeles Auto Show, and indeed, small cars are making a huge comeback this year. One in particular that I liked was the Fiat 500 from the upcoming Chrysler-Fiat alliance, which is due out this spring for about $16,000. It's small enough to be towed by any-size motorhome, but by press time I couldn't verify whether it could handle a four-down tow, trailer or dolly. Either way, finding the right model for your situation probably won't be a problem in the coming years.
In this issue, contributing writer Mark Quasius touches on the benefits of flat towing (four down), and offers some solid advice about safety, auxiliary lighting, and much more. Mark tows regularly with his Class A, and illustrates in detail some things you should know for reliable and safer towing situations.
Trailer Tribe
A while ago a friend gave me a copy of Trailer Travel: A Visual History of Mobile America, which I really enjoyed. It offers a light-hearted, but detailed look at the craftsmanship and functionality of these old trailers and motorhomes. A few days after reviewing the book, I gave one of the authors a call. Phil Noyes is well respected in vintage circles, and so I set up a meeting with him to discuss writing a column for RV. A week or two later, the first draft of Trailer Tribe arrived at my office, a rich column that explores the ins and outs of this fascinating hobby. Noyes suggested another story on the Shady Dell in Arizona, a kind of travel piece for nostalgic junkies. You'll find his take on it beginning on Page 48.
I enjoyed it so much that I asked restoration expert Uwe Salwender of Area 63 Productions to keep a detailed journal of his 1,600-mile trip to the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta towing a 1963 Overlander International. Let's just say, the trip was met with a few delays along the way.
Technical How-To
Uncapping gobs of performance from a diesel engine is easy; these powerplants are primed for lots of aftermarket bolt-on products. Contributing technical writer Adam Blattenberg explains how cleaner oil can extend the life of an engine thanks to a well-known kit from Filtration Solutions. His story dovetailed into a step-by-step explanation about filtering diesel fuel for maximum power. Both products are geared to those of us who tow occasionally or regularly. For motorhome owners concerned about battery power, Mark Quasius provided some much needed insight into one of the least understood aspects of Class C and Class A maintenance. It's all here in this issue of RV.
Until the next issue, happy motoring. You can always find us on Twitter, Facebook, or by logging onto www.rvmagonline.com.