SOME TERMS TO HELP IT MAKE SENSE

Musicians share a vernacular specific to the profession and its idiosyncratic qualities, late nights, quirky stage experiences, etc.

GIG: the job. The word has migrated into other professions associated with the arts but not just the arts. Gig also refers to the specific venue – in fact, “see you on the gig” usually means “see you on the bandstand” or “see you at the bar” or wherever the gig is going down or happening.

DOWNBEAT: the first beat of music of the first song of the night, also the name of a jazz magazine. This term is more often used in jazz than other forms. So when you’re talking to a ‘cat’ about his upcoming ‘gig’ – and you want to be there for the start of the show – you ask, “Hey daddy, what time is downbeat?”

BACKBEAT: the 2 and the 4 beat in a standard measure of popular music, where the snare drums falls in the rhythm track. When you find yourself clapping along to blues or jazz music, it’s the backbeat that you’re clapping along with – which is different from celtic or old time Irish music which is more likely to feature the 1 and the 3.

TRAINWRECK: a musical crash or mishap. Usually only egos are bruised and the more spectacular the trainwreck the more likely it is to enter the realm of lore going forward for the attending musicians to be forever memorialized in stories and jokes. For real music fans, trainwrecks are the equivalent of multi-car accidents in NASCAR minus the fire, death and car parts. For musicians, what matters most is not the scale of the trainwreck – epic or minor – but the finese of the recovery. Many small trainwrecks happen in the course of a given gig without the audience catching on. Only trained observers know how to decode the non-verbal language of a successfully overcome trainwreck.

HOTDOG: a musician who can’t hear enough of himself solo – also called “hotdogging.” Usually a term of derision as in “nice gig but an awful lot of hotdogging.” Being a hotdog is not cool, unless you’re a “monster.”

MONSTER: a player of outsized talent or skill, usually a compliment, as in “he’s a monster bassist.” Monsters can get away with a lot because they have been touched by the music gods. Every musician knows a monster that is beyond rehearsal or practice or discipline, who just has the gift.

STANDARD, or JAZZ STANDARD: a song from the big book of American jazz and pop associated with the glorious 20^th century of songs created for Broadway, Hollywood, Tin Pan Alley and the big bands of the post-war era. A song becomes a ‘standard’ when it has been recorded a sufficient number of times by a sufficient number of A-list artists – but there is no definition of how many recordings by which artists elevates a song to ‘standard’ status.

TRIO: a verse and chorus in which the rhythm section drops out of the song to make way for all the soloists soloing at once. Often used in traditional or old time Dixieland music. The effect causes the audience to begin clapping on the backbeat and smiling involuntarily.

THE BASICS

We are Class B RV people. For those of you new to the world of RV travel, a Class B RV is a camper van conversion. The big names you’ll find of Class B campers are Roadtrek, Pleasureway and Leisure Travel. The two other motorized types are Class A (bus style) and Class C (the mid-size motorhome with a boxier style built onto a commercial chassis).

We write what we know about (i.e. tips for buying a used Class B RV) – our current Class B camper van is our fourth. The first three were older models and our current one is a new-to-us 2006 Roadtrek 210 in pristine condition with low mileage.

A lot of the questions and tips below would apply to the process for buying any used RV, regardless of the class or size.

First – and most importantly – determine exactly what sort of traveller and camper you are:

• Are you comfortable driving a larger unit?
• Who’s going to be doing most of the driving?
• What are your budget limitations? Obviously, the larger the unit, the thirstier the engine. There’s also the question of gas vs diesel fuels (diesel gets better mileage).
• Are you looking to visit out-of-the-way places? Some campgrounds – some of our favourites, as it turns out – have narrow roads and tight campsites. You don’t want to be trying to do three-point turns to shoehorn a Class A into a Class B-sized site. Some older cities like Santa Fe and New Orleans have narrow streets that would be a nightmare for larger motorhomes to navigate.

When we ticked the boxes, we found that a Class B vehicle is our best fit. It’s our comfort zone: smaller environmental impact, more flexibility, easier to manoeuvre. We lean toward the minimalist approach (don’t need or want TV or toasters). But it’s important to find your own level of comfort and to determine what bells and whistles you want.

It makes sense to invest a little to save a lot. Rent (or borrow) the size motorhome you are thinking of buying. Take it for a weekend and see if it is a good match for your needs and lifestyle. Last fall, we rented a larger Class C in Florida and it was just too much vehicle for our lifestyle – sure, there was more space inside but we couldn’t find parking spaces or back out of anywhere without it becoming a big production. You’ll either be smitten (as we were with our Class B) or totally turned off (as we were by the larger Class C). Only you can decide.

NEW OR USED?

Ahhh . . . that is the question. It’s a matter of how deep your pockets are, and again, finding your comfort level with the mileage on the odometer. Campers and motorhomes are no different from passenger vehicles: the more miles on the ticker, the more wear and tear, the chance that something will eventually wear out or need to be replaced.

Just know that the motorhomes on the road these days can be very expensive new: $150,000 for a decked-out Class B would not be unusual. Class C motorhomes start at around $60,000 and rise rapidly and a bus-size Class A can easily top $250,000.

If you’re on a budget, it’s easy to make a case for buying used. May we suggest:

1. Start searching now. The more units you see, the better idea you’ll have of the different models, interior layouts, price points and conditions. Look online at the manufacturer’s spec sheets (they are available for years gone by). We needed standing room (Craig is 6’2″) and once I looked at the spec sheets we were narrowed down to just a handful of makes and models. There’s a lot of variety on the market. That way, when you find the right unit for your needs and wallet, you’ll know right away. Check Kijiji, autoTRADER, RVT.com, local newspaper ads, online discussion boards for RVers and local RV dealers. Keep your eyes open when you’re driving around town – some units are parked in the driveway with “For Sale” signs in the window.
2. Keeping an eye on ads at autoTRADER, RVT.com or Kijiji gives you an idea of what sale prices are for units by year and mileage. It’s all part of the education. You can also search online at the NADAguides – although the prices given are tracking U.S. sales.
3. Talk to other RV owners to ask what they’d wish they’d known when they purchased their first unit.
4. If buying an RV is a new venture for you, try to bring along a friend who has been down that road before. They’ll have ideas for what to look for and a familiarity with the basics of a camper van.
5. When you find something you’re interested in begin with a phone call and a list of questions (see below). If things look good arrange a time to see and test drive the unit. When you call, ask that the camper features be up and running so they can be tested: the propane for the fridge and cooktop, the fridge should be turned on and running, etc. Bring along your full checklist of things to ask and features to test. Take a lot of notes.
6. Seeing makes all the difference. Layouts vary from one model to the next and you’ll need to find the one that works for you. Craig is over six feet, so testing the comfort of the driving compartment, the length of the bed and headroom standing in the living quarters of the van were make-or-break.
7. Make sure to connect with your insurance agent to get a quote. It’s an important budgeting step.
8. Be patient. Look around and sooner or later the right one will come onto your radar. It took us 14 months of searching to find our current Roadtrek but we looked around a lot, so as soon as we found it, we knew it was the right one.

FEATURES TO THINK ABOUT

• Type of fuel and rate of consumption.
• How comfortable are you backing up? A back-up camera may be for you. Some new models combine GPS and backup camera.
• In our experience, as the bed goes, the trip goes. If we sleep well, we travel well. In our Roadtrek, the back dinette becomes a king-size bed (we keep it in bed mode the whole time rather than switching back and forth). We top it with several inches of memory foam, then a mattress cover, sheets and duvet. The memory foam smooths out the dips and crevices between the couch bed sections. Make sure you can comfortably make up the bed – in some cases it requires a certain amount of gymnastic prowess.
• Is a shower in the unit important? Or will you be relying on showers in campground comfort stations? Check the one inside and (if equipped) the outdoor shower.
• Do you need a microwave? We had one in our old Leisure Travel and never used it once.
• Planning on camping in either hot weather (need an air conditioner?) or cold weather (need a heater?).
• Make sure to run the Fantastic Fan (or similar ceiling exhaust fan). This is one piece on equipment you want to have in tip-top shape. It keeps things cool and the air fresh.
• How about a generator? Some people claim they need it for boondocking, but we’ve spent many days in non-electrical sites and never run down our shore battery. I guess it depends on how many and what kinds of electrical do-dads and gadgets you use. We keep to lights, pumps and recharging our laptops and cameras . . . and that’s pretty much it.
• Space requirements: length of the bed, height inside for standing, size of the driving compartment, inside table space (for working or eating), storage space for clothing, instruments, fishing gear, etc.
• If you plan to do a lot of cooking, you’ll want adequate pantry space and storage for pots and pans. A large enough drawer for utensils and cutlery is really, really nice.

BUYING CHECKLIST

• Why is the current owner selling? How long have they owned it?
• Year and odometer reading?
• Is the body dinged up? Has it ever been in an accident? Ask about any body work (accident related and not).
• Gas consumption – gas or diesel, miles per gallon? City or highway driving?
• How has the camper been used – how often, what times of the year, long trips or short trips, everyday driving or vacation travel? According to our mechanic, infrequent use is not necessarily a good thing.
• How has it been stored – especially over the winter months?
• Who does the regular maintenance – owner or mechanic? Are there records showing regular oil changes, tune-ups, etc.?
• Wear and tear on the tires? Check the condition of the spare.
• Test the batteries – both the engine battery and the leisure/shore battery (the one that runs the interior lights, water pump to the sink and toilet, etc.).
• Have major mechanical parts been repaired or replaced. This would include transmission, brakes, shocks and struts, timing belt, alternator, etc. Are there any written records of this work that show the date/mileage point and the work done?
• Run the water systems: turn the taps on at the sink, flush the toilet, run the showers (inside and outside if there is one).
• Test the propane burners on the stove.
• Inspect the propane tank and, if required, check the certification date. In Ontario, propane tanks need a clean bill of health every few years or the filling stations will not refill your tank. Propane regulations vary and are different in each province or state. Replacing the propane tank is . . . expensive.
• Run the generator. Our manual suggests we run the generator for 20 minutes every month. Ask if it has been used regularly.
• Test the microwave if there is one – you’ll need to be connected to a land power source.
• Turn on the heater and play with the thermostat to make sure that it blows hot air.
• Turn on the air conditioner (you’ll need to be hooked into land power for this).
• Test the ceiling vent fan. The brand Fantastic Fan is the most common and it moves a lot of air very efficiently.
• Test all the inside lights.
• Test the fridge on all settings. We have three-way fridge that runs on 12V, electrical hookup and propane. Chances are you’ll be using the propane hookup and the electrical connection at a campground.
• Inspect the condition of the carbon-monoxide alarm, smoke detector, fire extinguisher.
• Check the condition of walls, ceiling (have there been any leaks?) and flooring.
• Check the condition of the cushions – especially on the bed area – and the curtains.
• Check the outlet valves for the grey water and black water (sewage) tanks.
• Unroll the awning (if equipped) and check for rips, tears and condition of the mechanism. Did you know the number 1 RV insurance claim is awning related?

The chances are that the unit you’re looking at will need some modifications and/or repairs. Best to know what they are right from the start.

For a printable version of this checklist, click here: Camper van – inspection checklist

This is bound to be highly subjective since it depends on the road, region, and mood you’re trying to evoke. Take these as suggestions and please offer other worthies.

So, in no particular order . . .

Running On Empty, JACKSON BROWNE
Route 66, NAT KING COLE
Reach Out (I’ll Be There), THE FOUR TOPS
Take It Easy, EAGLES (*check out the actual corner at the town of Winslow, AZ)
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Born To Run, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
I Walk The Line, JOHNNY CASH
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, THE TEMPTATIONS
Cinnamon Girl, NEIL YOUNG
Graceland, PAUL SIMON
Sailin’ Cross The Devil’s Sea, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Roll On Down The Highway, BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE
Blue Suede Shoes, CARL PERKINS
Good Golly Miss Molly, LITTLE RICHARD
(Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay, OTIS REDDING
Green Onions, BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s
Heatwave (Your Love Is Like A), MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS
Dancing In The Streets, MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS
Soul Man, SAM & DAVE
Highway 61 Revisited, BOB DYLAN
Callin’ Baton Rouge, GARTH BROOKS
The Bug, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
Let It Roll, LITTLE FEAT
The Way, FASTBALL
Born To Be Wild, STEPPENWOLF
On The Road Again, WILLIE NELSON
Going Up The Country, CANNED HEAT

MUST HAVE

• leash & collar with ID tags
• veterinarian certificate/immunization records – rabies, Lyme disease
• medications – tick/flea meds, Heartgard, any prescription medications
• dog food (in original packaging) and treats
• food and water bowls
• poop bags (what goes in, must come out . . .)
• “poo finding flashlight” (for those nighttime runs)
• paw towels
• ball and thrower
• brush
• dog bed
• favourite chew toy
• photo of your pet, in case you (gasp!) get separated
• finally . . . don’t forget the dog!

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• microchip number
• collapsible water bowl for hikes
• dog backpack
• dog PFD/lifejacket
• crate
• harness/restraint for inside the RV
• pet shampoo
• with a vet’s approval – antihistamine for allergies, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrheal

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Pet Poison Hotline 24/7 (Canada and U.S.)  1-800-213-6680
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (Canada and U.S.)  1-888-426-4435

PRINT HERE: Dog packing checklist

Up-to-date vaccinations are mandatory. In fact, you could easily be turned back if you don’t have the proper, up-to-date paperwork. In our travels, sometimes we get asked to produce vaccination certificates, sometimes we don’t. But we always have them on hand. In addition to border crossings, many campsites require a current certificate of rabies vaccination. It’s a good idea to scan and keep a copy on your laptop, just in case it gets misplaced, lost or, you know, the dog eats it.

HEADING FROM CANADA INTO THE U.S.

U.S. border crossing requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate for dogs and that both dogs and cats be free of disease communicable to humans. Note that pet foods containing lamb, sheep and goat products are not allowed into the U.S. (you may be asked to show labels). All the details are here.

HEADING FROM THE U.S. INTO CANADA

Generally, most dogs entering Canada “on holiday” with their owners must have a valid rabies certificate of immunization. The exact requirements vary depending on the age of the dog – see the government website for exact details.

Our first camper van was a 1996 Class B van. It was older but served us well – the engines are built to be durable. Now we’ve updated to a beautiful 2006 Roadtrek 210 that we love! No matter what vehicle, prepping for a long time on the road is especially important. 

We start early. A month or so before we’re rolling down the driveway we make an appointment for a front-to-back once-over at our local mechanic. Minor issues can turn into major headaches when you are in the middle of nowhere. How long has that Check Engine light been on? When’s the last time you had the oil changed? Do you remember that rattle from last year? You don’t want to be dragging these unanswered questions along.

Getting the RV in to the mechanic early means that should any parts need to be special ordered, we aren’t scrambling at the last minute (yes, it happens). We make sure all the fluids are topped up, the batteries are working, the electrical system is causing no problems and that there are no drips from the plumbing or holding tanks. Here’s what happens:

• Check and fill all the fluids.
• Test the battery levels (both the engine and leisure battery).
• Check all tire pressures (including the spare).
• Check the electrical system – lights, inverter, etc.
• Check the pump – to the sink, the toilet, outside shower, etc.
• Test the furnace, air conditioner, microwave, etc.
• Test the fridge on all settings (we have a three-way fridge that runs on electricity, 12V and propane and we test it on all settings).

Once the mechanics have been attended to, we do a top-to-bottom of the inside of the van:

• Wiping down all the shelves and cupboards.
• WD40 on any squeaky hinges.
• Make sure the mattress and linens are clean (we use a 4-inch thick memory foam on top of the van bed and love it so much you’d have to tear it from our hands!).
• Wipe down the dashboard, cup holder area, wash the linoleum floors and vacuum the carpeting.
• Clean out the glove box and then make sure everything we need is repacked there.
• Make sure the maps we need are packed and that the GPS is working.

Looking for a printable version of our checklist? RV prep checklist

We’re big fans of CAA (a partner of AAA in the U.S.) but this year have discovered Explorer RV Club roadside assistance. For a relatively modest amount we have annual coverage that gives us unlimited towing services to the nearest repair facility and unlimited 24/7 roadside assistance (empty gas tank, flat tire, locked doors, dead battery). Our plan covers our home car and our 2006 Roadreak 210. Just one “help us!” call pays for the annual membership.

Still, things do go wrong on the road (hopefully nothing major). If it’s too big a job for our expertise, like replacing the sewer line, we sourced a local repair shop and gladly handed over the keys to get the – ahem – “fragrant” job done. Craig has tackled minor jobs – like replacing the water pump – with no problems at all. The wait to squeeze us into the service schedule at a rural Texas RV dealer was two days (not happening) so Craig completed the installation of a new pump in about an hour. It turned out the dealer even lent us the tools to get the job done!

Nothing ruins a trip like a health crisis. We pay attention to the condition of our van before we leave (getting a top-to-bottom check of all the safety and wear and tear aspects) and we most definitely do the same when it comes to our health. So, being properly covered as we head down the highway? Absolutely.

Plan ahead. To leave finding adequate health insurance until the last minute is courting disaster. Best to do a little legwork first – find out what coverage you may have (as an employment benefit, credit card coverage, annual add-on to your home policy, etc.) and then top up if necessary. And make sure to do a little research into the rules governing the length of times Canadians can visit the United States annually and how it effects their provincial health coverage.

Pack prescription medications you will need for the time away (bringing extra doesn’t hurt) and bring the original containers from the pharmacy, a list of your regular prescription meds and the contact info for your doctor back home. You just never know when you’ll need the information (and if you don’t bring it along, that’s usually when you need it!).

Here’s what we’ve done: We’re both self-employed and as a result we are without out-of-province health care coverage. For the first few years, we signed up for multi-trip plan coverage travel health coverage through our credit card, the AMEX Gold Card. There is an annual fee for the card (although there are frequent sign-up specials that waive the fee for the first year) and it comes with a host of benefits, including out-of-province health coverage for eligible emergency medical expenses for the first 15 consecutive days of a trip (under age 65). This year, we tried something different . . .

This year we joined the Explorer RV Club and got information on Sanderson Travel Insurance who shopped around and got us an excellent multi-trip annual policy with Lloyd’s of London. The new policy covers us for an unlimited number of 35 day trips out of Ontario with zero deductible and $10 million coverage. If we go for longer than 35 days, we top up the plan at a very reasonable cost.

According to CBC News:
“OHIP pays up to $400 CAN per day in U.S. hospital costs, depending on level of care. The plan also reimburses outpatient visits at $50 CAN per day. And it reimburses physicians costs at the rate they would be paid in Ontario. If a U.S. physician charges more than a Ontario doctor for the same procedure, the Ontario patient pays the difference.”

And costs in a province like Ontario are generally significantly lower than in the United States.

Now, a few sobering numbers about costs to a U.S. hospital visit:

• broken arm: $5,000
• stitches: approximately $500/stitch
• kidney stone treatment: $4,300
• urinary tract infection: $2,600
• sprained ankle: $1,500
• headache: $1,700

You get the idea. The smart thing to do is to determine your exact circumstances and your needs. Call around, investigate and gather information on the alternatives. Try CAA or AAA, your credit card company, travel agents and your insurance provider (the latter often has separate coverage available). It’s a matter of finding the right fit for your needs. But whatever you do, don’t do without.

FINDING IT

Gas Buddy gathers information from stations all across North America and then sorts it by region. The interactive gas price maps are great as prices vary as you cross state or provincial lines (and even from one county to the next). There’s a link on the site for free mobile apps.

AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report collects price info on a daily basis by U.S. state. The website has a very cool fuel cost calculator that allows you to plug in your trip start and finish points (drawback: it only uses major cities), the vehicle you are driving and – voila! – it calculates trip distance (in miles), gas (in U.S. gallons) and the estimated fuel costs based on the day’s prices at the pump.

In Quebec, it’s possible to track the prices of gas by region at the CAA-Quebec’s Gasoline Watch  website.

DOING THE MATH

The fast way is to take the price per gallon at the pumps in the U.S. and multiply by .26 = $/litre.

For example: $3.60/ U.S. gallon  X .26 = 94¢/litre
(in U.S. dollars, so this is the point where you’ll need to make the currency conversion).

Or, you can head to a conversion website, plug in the dollar amount on the pump and let the experts do the math.

Remember the number you come up with is in U.S. dollars, so to convert to Canadian dollars multiply the number you calculated by the current exchange rate.

PAYING AT THE PUMP

Across the U.S. it is standard to pay at the pump or pre-pay inside the station before pumping fuel. Many pumps ask for a U.S. zip code before they will authorize the use of a credit card.

For Canadians, try this trick. When asked for your “zip code” enter the three numbers that are a part of your postal code + 00 and you’ll be away to the races. For example, we use “71100.”

How to get started.

How to get moving.

How to keep “the wheels on the cart” while you’re travelling.

We’ve got advice on health insurance, filling the gas tank and staying connected while you’re away.

Also check out GoRVing.ca for lots of RV 101 information including a trip planning section, how to choose the right RV for your lifestyle and the basics of camping.

We travel. We write. We publish.

Travels With Rigby is for web surfers who are looking for practical information on frugal RV travel, travelling with your dog (our pooch is Rigby), finding irresistible eats and sussing out music destinations. We’ve clocked the miles and visited the sights and these are the best from our travels: the who/what/when/where/why highlights for those that love music, food and the camping life.

You’ll find tips and info on:

• Best ways to travel with your dog.
• Foods we found irresistible.
• Practical ways to travel by small RV.
• Campsites and parks we’ve loved.
• Planning realistically for gas costs, cell phone coverage, etc.

About us . . .

Travel writers. Foodies. Music lovers. Can’t go anywhere without our dog. Josephine Matyas works full-time as a freelance writer, specializing in travel and food. Craig Jones has got street cred: lots of miles on the road crisscrossing Canada as a professional musician, followed by just as many years tapping away at a computer keyboard.

We’re book authors – our award-winning book on the roots of the blues is Chasing the Blues: A Traveler’s Guide to America’s Music. Find it online or order from your favourite bookstore. For a modest shipping amount, we can also send you a signed copy – just reach out through our contact form.

We write for websites, newspapers and magazines. We also blog on this site when we are on the road. Yes, we are “old school” if that means research, writing and paying attention to grammar, quality and fact checking. But as for the platform – print and digital both. 

It’s been an experiment: Taking her expertise (travel writing) and his experience (on the bandstand, teacher and writer), stirring it together and seeing what happens. Add a camper van (a 2007 Roadtrek 210 for those who need the specs), an easy going dog, a file full of maps and a GPS/wireless backup camera nicknamed “Hal” that sometimes toys with us (we prefer the maps).

Several times a year we pack up High Cotton (the Class B RV), take the dog for her trim, top up the gas tank and hit the road for a month or two at a time. We post links to articles we’ve published (see Words) and blog short bits and pieces while we are away from Home Base (Ontario, Canada).

LISTEN TO JO’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW ON TRAVEL IN CANADA!