PLUS: HITCH HINTS RV TIPS THE COOKING LADIES NEW PRODUCTS AND MUCH MORE! LOOKING FOR A GREAT VACATION? - YOUR RV ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! LOOKING FOR A GREAT VACATION? - YOUR RV ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! www.rvlifemag.com $9.95 ROAD TESTS: KZ-RV Connect 221 RESE ✓ 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 51 No.5 TOURING THE PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKIES RV ADVENTURES f o r ‘23 SPOTLIGHT ON NEW RVS 51-5.indd 151-5.indd 12023-01-19 2:23 PM2023-01-19 2:23 PMBEST FIFTH WHEELSBEST TOY HAULERSDEALER AWARD 5X At Grand Design our goal is simple... We strive for nothing less than customers for life and we would be honored to welcome you to the Grand Design RV Family. GrandDesignRV.com/RVLifestyle We love our customers and they love us back. Dealers rate all Grand Design products at the top of the entire industry in reliability, quality, service, and warranty. grand desing.indd 12018-11-15 3:38 PMFollow us on Facebook! @ RVLifestyleMagazine Follow us on Instagram! @rvlifestylemagazine Departments 6 HITCH HINTS By Andy Thomson Understanding Ball Mount Angle. 12 RV TIPS by Garth Cane Some of Garth’s favourite campgrounds. 18 THE COOKING LADIES Phyllis Hinz and Lamont Mackay Wedge Salad PLUS: gas and diesel do not mix! Road Test 20 KZ-RV CONNECT C221 RESE by Norm Rosen Lightweight comfort for a couple, or the whole family! CONTENTS VOL. 51 NO. 5 ON THE COVER Road testing the 2023 KZ-RV Connect 221 RESE travel trailer. Cover photo by Norm Rosen PLUS: HITCH HINTS RV TIPS THE COOKING LADIES NEW PRODUCTS AND MUCH MORE! LOOKING FOR A GREAT VACATION? - YOUR RV ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! LOOKING FOR A GREAT VACATION? - YOUR RV ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! www.rvlifemag.com $9.95 ROAD TESTS: KZ-RV Connect 221 RESE ✓ 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 51 No.5 TOURING THE PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKIES RV ADVENTURES f o r ‘23 SPOTLIGHT ON NEW RVS 51-5.indd 151-5.indd 12023-01-11 4:33 PM2023-01-11 4:33 PM Destinations 30 THE PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKIES… Travel Editor James Stoness takes us on an RV adventure in Tennessee. Special Features 26 IS SMARTPHONE NAVIGATION LETTING YOU DOWN? Time to revisit the world of RV GPS navigation. 36 NEW RVS FOR ’23! Here’s a montage of cool RV models, on sale now at RV dealerships across Canada! 42 NEW PRODUCTS FOR YOUR CAMPING ADVENTURES! Available now at RV dealerships and campground stores RV Lifestyle Magazine archives are open for your viewing pleasure – check them out at www.rvlifemag.com Watch our road test videos at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/rvlifestylemagazine SUBSCRIBERS: e-mail editor@rvlifemag.com for FREE access to the latest digital edition! RV51-5 CONTENTS.indd 3RV51-5 CONTENTS.indd 32023-01-12 5:20 PM2023-01-12 5:20 PM4 RV Lifestyle | Volume 51 Number 5 As the 2023 models roll into RV dealerships across Canada, enthusiasm for the great outdoors has never been higher. Families from sea to sea are emerging from the restrictive bounds of the pandemic era to dis- cover the freedom and family values of the RV vacation lifestyle. Over the past three years, we have adapted to an entirely new set of chal- lenges. We have learned to cherish our family time, pre-plan our outings, and make sure that we are always ready to cope with sparse supplies at home and on the road. This shift from a carefree lifestyle immersed in the abundance of a thriving North American economy to a much more calculated approach to daily life has had several positive impacts for the average family. We are more likely to con- serve supplies and energy; we are more appreciative of our friends and family; and we are glad to have our RV lifestyle as a happy, healthy, and economical vacation alternative. As the RV market stabilizes following the hectic supply and demand situa- tion during the pandemic, RV dealers across the nation are stocking new mod- els that will meet or exceed every family’s desires, at prices that have returned to a relatively normal level. RV manufacturers are once again focusing on quality control, and suppliers are getting back to normal, so parts and service should return to pre-pandemic conditions. We have faced the challenges of the pandemic, and they have made us stron- ger, more resourceful, and more resilient than any post WWII generation. As you plan your family RV adventures for the coming year, please take some time to visit our website at www.rvlifemag.com where you will find a full range of expert content drawn from our 52 years of expertise in the RV lifestyle. Check out our digital edition archives – free for subscribers and news- stand readers – if you need access to the digital editions, please email Norm Rosen – nrosen@rvlifemag.com Keep well, see you on the RV roads to adventure! IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR FOR RV ADVENTURES! Publisher’s MESSAGE William E. Taylor, Publisher TMTM TM TM volume 51 number 5 Publisher: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR bill@rvlifemag.com Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS melanie@rvlifemag.com Editorial Director: NORM ROSEN nrosen@rvlifemag.com Technical Editors: GARTH CANE gcane@taylorpublishinggroup.com Art/Production Manager: GISELLE BANSAL Design: TAMARA TAYLOR Contributing Writers: PHYLLIS HINZ JAMES STONESS ANDY THOMSON Advertising Sales: info@rvlifemag.com 1-800-354-9145 EXECUTIVE OFFICES: TORONTO: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 Tel: 905-844-8218 Fax: 905-844-5032 MONTREAL: Tel: 514-856-0788 Fax: 514-856-0790 VANCOUVER: Bob and Carole Taylor, 1745 Rufus Drive North Vancouver, BC V7J 3L8 ADMINISTRATION: President/CEO: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS VP/Special Projects: NORM ROSEN Advertising Sales: TODD TAYLOR, Accounting: NANCY MUELLER Camping Canada’s RV Lifestyle Magazine is published seven times a year by Camping Canada Magazine Ltd. 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PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #43638025 Undeliverables to: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 MONTREAL, QUEBEC © 2022 CAMPING CANADA MAGAZINE PRINTED IN CANADA RV51-5 CONTENTS.indd 4RV51-5 CONTENTS.indd 42023-01-19 2:25 PM2023-01-19 2:25 PM• MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 4X4 • 400-WATT SOLAR PANEL PACKAGE • 4 X 100AH ECO-ION LITHIUM (LIFEPO4) BATTERIES • DUAL 10-INCH TOUCHSCREEN CONTROL PANELS • XANTREX™ 2000-WATT PURE-SINE WAVE INVERTER • TRUMA VARIOHEAT 11,500 BTU FURNACE • TRUMA AQUAGO® COMFORT PLUS WATER HEATER • 2.1 CU. FT. TRUMA PORTABLE FRIDGE/FREEZER • 124 CU. FT. GARAGE STORAGE AREA • MURPHY BED SYSTEM 70” X 72” • 40 GAL. HEATED FRESH WATER TANK • FOUR SEASON COACH • PRIVATE WET BATH / GEAR LOCKER KEY FEATURES Tour the REKON 4x4 today at www.pleasureway.com/goliveRV Lifestyle | Volume 51 Number 5 www.rvlifemag.com HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 6 After my column on Electronic Sway Controls last issue (RVL Volume 44, Number 1) we received several emails from readers asking about the angle of the ball mount. While I reference the ball mount angle quite often, it has been a while since we examined the importance of the angle of the ball mount. Most of the trailers on the road have their ball mount angle set improperly, which is unfortunate since it’s a very easy fix on most hitches. In the picture above, the ball mount is bolted together on the correct angle. Depending on hitch weight and ball height, this much angle may not always be achievable but desirable if possible. To many people this looks wrong, they justifiably think everything should be square and 90 degrees. That may be true in carpentry, but not the case with sus- pension geometry and weigh distribution hitches. If you study this picture think about what would happen if the ball mount was rolled forward at the top to a per- fectly vertical position. As the ball mount was rolled forward, the back of the torsion bars would raise several inch- es. If we left the torsion bars connected on the end link, the chains as they are in the picture the chains would be loose and since the torsion bars would no lon- ger be working we would wind up with a tow vehicle sitting very low at the back end, rather than being level. To get the torsion bars working again and the tow vehicle level we would have to hook up on the 4th link and the torsion bars would almost touch the frame of the trailer. So, a great deal of the pressure on the torsion bars in this picture is due to the rearward angle. There are a couple of minor advantages to having rearward angle, the chains wear less and there is more flexibility in the position of the snap ups. However, the main reason for hav- ing rearward angle on the ball mount is because the angle of the direction of weight transfer doesn’t change when you turn corners or change lanes. This gives you additional traction in sharp turns and much more stability at high speeds. In reference to the chart on the next page, connecting to the end link with this combination transfers the correct amount of weight forward. So having a rearward angle on the ball mount makes it easier to transfer weight. The use of all of the chain reduces wear on the chain links and provides some flexibility in the position of the snap ups. However, the main rea- son for the rearward angle is the change in the direction of the weight transfer so there’s additional traction in sharp turns and additional stability at high speeds. Andy Thomson has been writing for RV Lifestyle Magazine for more than 25 years. He also owns and operates Can-Am RV Centre located in London, ON. continued on page 8 UNDERSTANDING BALL MOUNT ANGLE Tow effortlessly and smooth this season! Hitch Hints 51-5.indd 6Hitch Hints 51-5.indd 62023-01-13 3:34 PM2023-01-13 3:34 PMProtect Your Home Away From Home At Wayfarer Insurance Group, we understand that your RV is your passion and it’s worth protecting. We offer customized coverage at a competitive price. Get a quote today! 1 (844) 929-4768 wayfarerinsurancegroup.com/rvlifemag @wayfarerinsurancegroup SCAN ME RVLifeMag_Wayfarer_FullPg_Ad_Bleed.indd 1RVLifeMag_Wayfarer_FullPg_Ad_Bleed.indd 12022-06-10 1:49:29 PM2022-06-10 1:49:29 PM Untitled-2 1Untitled-2 12022-06-15 1:30 PM2022-06-15 1:30 PMHITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 8 continued from page 6 RV Lifestyle | Volume 51 Number 5 www.rvlifemag.com When the ball mount is vertical, the axis that the torsion bars rotate on is also vertical. This means that no matter where the torsion bars are positioned in their rotation, the ends stay the same distance from the ground (the yellow line in the picture, to the right) and therefore they exert the same pressure. This means the torsion bars will transfer the same amount of weight in any direction they are pointing. The inside torsion bar is no lon- ger aimed at the opposite front tire it is pointing at from the opposite rear wheel, so it’s trying to roll the vehicle over sideways and therefore, not transferring weight forward. The bar on the outside of the turn is pointing towards the center of the car at the front, but less weight is transferred forward because one bar is pointed at the front of the car not two. With the angled ball mount the tow vehicle stays balanced. The bar on the inside of the turn is still pointed at the outside rear tire but it has no pressure on it any more. The reason is becuase when the bar is sideways getting close to parallel to the back bumper, it no longer has an angled pivot point, we have a rearward angle and not a sideways angle. This causes the bar on the inside of the the car, but now has more angle since the maximum rearward angle is when the torsion bar is straight behind the tow vehicle. If you refer to the picture on page 8, you can see the arch that the tor- sion bar ends make as they rotate and the bars are positioned for a 22 degree turn. The bar behind the tow vehicle is only four inches off the ground and the bar we don’t want to transfer weight in this turn is seven inches. The bottom line is that when we turn with the angled ball mount, we are still transferring weight to the front wheels and not trying to roll the tow vehicle over. If we measure the difference in how a vehicle sits when turned with a vertical When the ball mount is vertical, the axis that the torsion bars rotate on is also vertical. This means that no matter where the torsion bars are positioned in their rotation, the ends stay the same distance from the ground (the yellow line in the picture) and therefore they exert the same pressure. Top View of Tow Vehicle, Turning Left Top View of Tow Vehicle, Traveling Straight turn to unload and stop working. The bar on the outside of the turn is now pointing straight up the centre of When you connect your torsion bars they transfer weight to the opposing front wheel and remove weight from the rear wheel on the same side the bar is on, kind of an elongated “X” pattern. When the vehicle is turned the lines of force stay in the same direction as the tor- sion bars are pointed so bar on the inside of the turn will now transfer weight to the oppos- ing rear wheel. The bar on the outside of the turn will point up the middle of the car. By angling the ball mount we can make the bar on the inside of the turn stop transferring weight to the outside rear tire and the bar pointing forward transfer more. Hitch Hints 51-5.indd 8Hitch Hints 51-5.indd 82023-01-13 3:34 PM2023-01-13 3:34 PMNext >