Intro/Letter From the Editor - Ryan Main - Sales
Well, the sun finally showed up, May long happened, and we're officially into camping season!! I'd like to extend a big congratulations to the winners of the Zero Gravity chairs at our two open houses; Sharron Gwyer of Minnedosa won at the Autumn Ridge open house in March and Shannan Hudd of Dauphin won at the Passport open house in May.
Included in this month's newsletter, you'll be sure to find some tips for yourselves on towing and towing products, as well I'm sure you'll be anxious to try this month's campfire recipe!
I am always open to reader suggestions and contributions for upcoming newsletter issues. I can be reached at rmain@pikadilly.com with any of your questions, comments, or suggestions.
Dealership News - Don Main - General Manager
You’ve been asking – and we are answering your inquiries! Many of you have expressed an interest in a permanently parked RV or 'park model' as the industry refers to them.
Keystone Manufacturing, one of our most significant suppliers, recently introduced the Residence line of park models, and Pik-A-Dilly RV Centre is pleased to announce that we have been selected to represent the product in the Western Manitoba marketplace.
There are two Residence models, both 40 feet in length, each with it's own floor plan.
These are beautiful units, very well priced, and come with a load of equipment. Standard features include king-size bed, residential style appliances and furniture, CD/DVD players, cable TV hook-up, ceiling fan, detachable hitch, water purifier, fireplace and much, much more. Depending on the model, there are as many as 3 slide-out rooms.
We are excited about the opportunities that Residence provides for our customers and us. I encourage you to visit our website for more information and floor plans, or better still, drop in and see both models at our dealership. These units can be moved, but are designed to be parked in a destination site. We can arrange to have your unit both delivered and set up. There is no requirement for a large tow vehicle. You simply commute in the family car. Picture yourself with a park model at your favorite destination.
Sales Department News - Dave Shepherd - Sales Manager
As people prepare to purchase an RV, one of the most frequently asked questions is “how much can my vehicle tow?”.
Each vehicle is rated by the manufacturer with a tow rating. This rating is the maximum weight that can be safely pulled by the vehicle. It is determined based on the engine, transmission, suspension, differential gearing and braking system that the manufacturer has equipped the vehicle with. Exceeding the recommended tow rating for any vehicle will compromise the safety of towing with that vehicle.
Each vehicle is also given a legal limit rating, combining the weight of the vehicle and anything that it carries. This legal limit rating is called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). When towing a travel trailer or 5th wheel, the hitch weight of the trailer or 5th wheel adds to the weight of the tow vehicle. It is possible to be within the tow rating of the tow vehicle but the weight added by the hitch causes the GVWR to be exceeded. This makes the combination of vehicle and trailer illegal and unsafe to be on the road. This is common in the case of ½ ton trucks towing 5th wheel trailers, and with that in mind, extra care must be exercised in matching ½ ton trucks with 5th wheel trailers.
For those that are looking to purchase an RV or looking to purchase a new tow vehicle to pull their existing RV, we are happy to advise on what tow vehicles can handle and what equipment is required on the tow vehicle to tow safely.
It is each individuals responsibility to ensure that they are safe. For those that are unsure about their hitch, the proper hook-up, or the wiring on the tow vehicle, we would be happy to do a free inspection of your hitch, how it is set, and check the wiring plug on the tow vehicle to make sure all is operating properly.
Don’t ruin your holiday or someone else’s because you are unsafe and lose control!!
Service Department News - Heather Arthurson - Service Manager
In this month's newsletter I would like to talk towing safety. As people are travelling down the road, we all hope that everyone is travelling safely. Not only does this entail brakes and wiring on the vehicle but also the hook-up to the tow vehicle. What people may not realize is that you may have brakes when you are hooked to the vehicle, but if, by chance the trailer was to become unhooked and there is no battery installed on the trailer, there would still be no brakes on the trailer. If the proper connections are made on the trailer, the brakes will be applied as soon as the trailer comes loose from the vehicle. In order for this to happen one needs proper brakes, break-away switch, and a properly charged battery. In regards to the vehicle, there needs to be a properly wired brake control in order to apply brakes on the trailer through the braking system of the tow vehicle. The mechanics of the hook-up need also to be in proper working order. One needs the properly installed receiver or hitch on the vehicle, and should it be a travel trailer, one needs the proper weight distributing hitch for safe travel. When it comes to hooking up a trailer, there are various types of hitches, but should they not be installed correctly any safety benefit is gone. Towing safely not only involves you and your family but everyone else and their family.
This month I would like to offer a special on wheel bearing repacking.
A wheel bearing repack entails:
Cleaning, and repacking, inner and outer bearings
Cleaning drums, brake shoes, and magnets
Checking the suspension for loose or broken parts
Testing brake magnets for proper operation
Check tires for pressure and tire wear
Reassembling and torquing lug nuts
Single axle trailer - $99.00 (plus parts & taxes)
Double axle trailer - $198.00 (plus parts & taxes)
Triple axle trailer - $297.00 (plus parts & taxes)
We want everyone to have a great, and safe, camping season.
Parts Department News - Jim Bridger - Parts Manager
Is your hitch ready to go for the upcoming season?
The most important part of towing is having the tow vehicle and trailer properly hooked together. Vehicle and trailer must be as level as possible. If you have had sway problems while towing, you may choose to upgrade your old style weight distribution hitch to the newer anti-sway style. The Equal-i-zer brand offers 4 point sway control, stopping swaying before it has a chance to occur. Take the hassle out of towing, and enjoy your trip. Come in and see us about the Equal-i-zer hitch, we have models on display to show you.
Employee Profile - Caitlin Hayden
Our employee profile this month is Caitlin Hayden.
Caitlin has been a member of the Pik-A-Dilly family since 2006. She was initially hired to work as our lot person, and has progressed up into our service department, now doing customer walk throughs and demonstrations. Caitlin was born and raised in Brandon with her two older siblings (one brother & one sister). She has spent many years with the Girl Guides (including last years' trip to Churchill with them) and has no intention of quitting any time soon. Caitlin has a very soft side when it comes to animals, which is evident in her three dogs (Sasha, Maggie & Buddy). Should you happen upon her walking down the street with a cat in her hands, it is probably another stray that she has picked up. If you have yet to meet Caitlin, you may get your new trailer demo from her!
Campfire Recipe
Banana Boats
Ingredients:
One banana
Mini marshmallows
Chocolate chips
Tin foil
Hot dog stick or grill
Directions:
Take your banana and cut a slit down the long way.
Don't remove the skin.
Cut it all the way down.
Then fill the banana with the marshmallows and chocolate chips.
You can put in as much as you want.
Wrap the banana with tin foil.
You can cook it on the grill or you can use a hot dog stick and cook it until the chocolate chips are melted.
You have to check it every so often, but be careful because it is hot.
When it is done, put it on a plate and use a spoon to eat it out of the skin.
It is a great dessert!
June Calendar of Events
June 1 - Lawnbowling Open House - Wheat City Lawnbowling Club - 7-9pm
June 11 - Alzheimer Memory Walk - Riverbank Discovery Centre - 5pm to register call 729-8320
June 25-28 - AAA Hockey Challenge - Week 1 - Games at the Keystone and Sportsplex arenas featuring 1995-1999 age groups
Please submit your events to me for the following month and I'll feature it in the next month's newsletter @ rmain@pikadilly.com.