Fire in the Grill

Fire at the Grill

It's a sad day.   We are remembering the Margarita Grill which recently burned to the ground.  The owner Tommy was hospitalized after collapsing on the bridge on the way.  It was reported that Tommy was worried for his 62 employees.  Sammy, Tommy's son and master magician, is dealing with his dad's health as well as the loss of the business.  Our thoughts are with him.

The Margarita Grill was our favourite place in North America to eat.  It was a great atmosphere with great people and great food not to mention the best Margaritas in the world.

You can read more about the passing of this American Icon here:  The Grill Burns

We spend our winters in Crystal River and the Grill was the place we ate at least twice a week.  We have great memories of enjoying meals and Margaritas with family and friends.  It was the go to place when we had guests.


Today we raise a glass to the Margarita Grill.  I hope that Sammy chooses to rebuild - Please!

The Quest for the "D" - We got the "D" - Quest Complete!

What a successful day!  We arrived at the DriveTest Centre at about 8:15AM - Timmys in hand.  Dale and Don were already there waiting with the truck.  They offered to take us though the pre-trip again before the actual examiner got there.  Both Bettyann and I declined - we were ready!

Bettyann goes through the checks as John watches

At 9Am sharp, the examiner, John, emerged from the building and headed to the truck.  Bettyann was first and unlike the previous drive and check I was not allowed to manage the ladder.  John was very understanding about that and handled the ladder for her.  I think the adrenaline was flowing so Bettyann cruised through all the checks.  She didn't forget the "stick and start" today.  After, almost destroying one of the chalks she was off on a drive through Oshawa and onto the 401.  Twenty minutes later she had her "D-Licence."  No pressure on me.

I cruised through the checks and the drive and was luckily enough to pass too.  So, after two months of sitting in storage the Vectra is finally going back on the road.

Dale and Don From Durham

I may have mentioned this before but I have to say it again.  Choosing to take the D-Licence course at Durham was an excellent decision.  The reason I made that decision is that we couldn't take the chance of failure.  Dale and Don directed us through every aspect from the basic requirements, medical, the written test, and the drive test.  Had either Bettyann or I failed, I think they would have felt worse than we would.  And ,we would have felt really, really bad.  But really, there was no chance of that.  Thanks again to the Durham Team - Dale and Don.

The Quest for the "D" - Pre-test Day

Well, today was only an hour each.  We were ready!

Bettyann - the ladder is the hardest part

Don ran the session as if we were getting the test at the DriveTest Centre.  He let us take him through the pre-trip check without comment and then we went for a drive.  Don just gave us directions and we drove with lots of confidence today.  If this were the real test we both would have passed.

It's funny though, even with memorizing all the checks we still forgot a couple of things.  No major stuff but we thought we had this down solid.  I, for example, forgot to tell him that the low beams were working and had to go back to the inspection sticker out of sequence.  Bettyann was much better although she did mess up on the "stick and start" thing.

Both of us have to remember tomorrow NOT to turn right on a red light during the exam - the risk is too high that opposing traffic will get a green arrow before our turn.  And, I have to get into the left lane when turning left on to a one way street.

Neither of us have trouble actually driving, turning and backing up.  We are feeling really confident now.


The real thing is tomorrow AM. The one downside is that I will not be allowed to manage the ladder that helps Bettyann get up and down from the truck.   Bettyann is on first and I'm on next and Dale and Don will get there early for some last minute coaching and to cheer us both on.

The Quest for the "D" - Waiting for the Pre-Test

With the pre-test coming up on Wednesday and the actual test coming up on Thursday morning, Bettyann and I are pretty confident.  The Durham College Team of Dale and Don have done a great job with us.

There are two parts to the test, the pre-trip and the actual drive and we are both ready.  Bettyann re-wrote the pre-test script and for the last two week we've been going over and over it in our mind.  We are ready!  The Drive should not be that much of a problem unless the traffic on Oshawa is overwhelming or the pedestrians all want to cross the street at the same time .  I really don't expect that.

This time we will still be with the Durham Team but they will not provide any input - just like the real test.  All the comments  will come after the drive.

Licencing for us motorhomers - NO MORE CONFUSION

As you all know I wrote to the MOT a few days ago looking for some clear answers to what licence is required.  When I didn't get a response I sent an Email directly to the Ministers office and I got a reply within a couple of hours.  Thank you to Kelly Baker, the Minister's Communication Advisor for clearing this up.  Here is the text of  the Email:

Hi Fred, here are the responses to your questions

The amendment of Regulation 340/94 – Driver’s Licence’s under the Highway Traffic Act is for towed RVs only.  Motor homes remain subject to the same licensing requirements as before July 1, 2011.

Q1: Many of us have diesel motor homes with air brakes that themselves exceed the 11,000kg weight limit and in addition there is a car in tow.  What licence is required to operate this vehicle?

A1: A diesel motor home with air brakes that exceeds 11,000 kg weight limit requires a Class “D” with “Z” air endorsement licence if the towed weight does not exceed 4,600 kg.  If the car being towed were to exceed 4,600 kg, a Class “A” driver’s licence with “Z” air endorsement would be required.

Q2: Some have gasoline motor homes without air brakes weighing less than 11,000kg but when towing a car the weight exceeds the 11,000kg.  What licence is required to operate this vehicle?

A2: Without air brakes a “Z” air endorsement is not required, however, when the towed weight is less than 4,600 kg and the combined weight of motor home and car exceeds 11,000 kg, a Class “D” drivers licence is required.

Q3: In order to apply for a D-Licence I believe you must have a Z-endorsement(Air Brakes) and a medical - has this changed for the RV community?

A3: A “Z” endorsement is not required to apply for a Class “D” driver’s licence, nor to hold a Class “D” driver’s licence.  A medical examination report is required when applying for a Class “D” driver’s licence.  This has not changed for the RV community. 

One good thing - when Bettyann and I went to write our the "D" test they asked us to show our Z.  I don't think they knew about point 3.

Pre-trip Checks in a Motorhome

We are still waiting on an Email from the MOT clarifying the licencing requirements for motorhomes.  In the mean time,  I thought I would review the pre-trip in a motorhome.  Although, the checks may be important to a commercial vehicle being driven by multiple drivers they are not really relevant to a privately owned motorhome.  So, lets have some fun...

First the Cold Engine Check:

The hood should be open, the engine off.  You now have to check the frame, the suspension, liquid leaking from anywhere and the front tires ( inside wall, tread and outside wall ).  Check for excess play in the steering and all the fluids.  It's up on the rack so I can see the tires.  Now, where is the engine again - I have the hood open.  No that's not it - that's the generator.  What's a brake chamber and where do I find it?  Oil, Transmission?  Dipsticks???  There's nothing in here!  I can't get down and crawl under the motorhome to look at the frame - first, it's dangerous and second, I'll get lightheaded when I get back up.  Not good to drive when you're lightheaded.

Next the Brake Check:

Get into the motorhome.  Wait!!!  It's too high to crawl up with out a ladder and it not safe to be in it while it's up on the rack. You can do it though with the help of one of the nice Freightliner technicians.  If you do get in now you have to check the Air Pressure (must be 90 to 100 psi)  then release the parking brake and put THE STICK on the brake peddle.  What Stick?
Now out of the motorhome - don't forget the ladder it's a long way down from the motorhome when it's up on the rack.  But luckily, when you do get down you can get to the walker to support the new knees, or hips while you continue your checks.
Back underneath - watch your head - the MOT is OK with you getting a concussion though.  Check the brakes are in adjustment and there are no leaks.  What's adjustment???  Now drain the wet tank - it was rainy when we drove in so I think all the tanks are wet including the propane.  I'm sorry Mr McGuinty, I am not going to drain the propane tank.  I just paid $1.30 a litre for that propane.  I'm getting back in the drivers seat to finalize the brake check.  Checking the air pressure - I haven;t lost more that 3 psi per minute while I was out so now I can remove the stick and start the engine to fan the brakes.   As I am pumping the brakes as fast as I can while watching the air pressure to make sure the the warning light comes (by 55 psi) on and the parking brake button releases (before 20 psi),  the Freightliner service manager is screaming.  Apparently,   the service technicians are collapsing from the exhaust of the diesel engine.   

Now for the Circle Check:

The engine is still running the right signal is on and the lights are on high beam.  We get out of the motorhome again - where is that nice technician?  Oh, I guess I'll just have to use the ladder!   Check that you have a licence with a valid sticker - don't forget the sticker is on the back plate.  I know you had them when you left the campground but the MOT wants you to make sure it didn't fall off.  Check the high beams and the right signal - It's always good to check the high beams even if yo don't drive at night.  It is important to make sure that the right signal is also working even though you always leave the left signal on when driving in Florida so you don't look out of place.  Again you have to crawl under to check the frame - I know, Freightliner checks it every year and actually knows what to look for - the MOT whats you to get the exercise of getting under the vehicle and back out - hey, it's as good as Yoga!  
If by now you haven't collapsed from the diesel fumes you can go to the back of the motorhome - here it's a little tricky so pay attention.  You can't check to see if the car is attached securely - the MOT doesn't care.  You don't have to make sure the car is in neutral and that the engine is not running (right Barry?).  Apparently, they don't care if you have a brake buddy either.
I don't know about you but Freightliner checks my tires once every year.  They adjust the air pressure to the weight of the motorhome.  I don't need to do that every day I drive.

Back in the cab (that's the drivers seat).

Now you have to go left to right on your instrument panel and call out each instrument - you want to make sure that none of them mysteriously disappeared while you were camped over the winter.  Don't forget the defrosters if for some reason these don't work you may have to use the fans until you can get if fixed.  Finally,  Mr McGuinty wants to make sure you have all the documents you are required to have.  Let me see,  the annual inspection sticker, the CVOR - where did I put them???..  I'm retired now and my memory is not as good as it used to be.








 

Licencing for us motorhomers - I AM CONFUSED

I'm still confused!

The MOT web page that seemed to clear up the confusion and that seemed to require us to get a D-Licence has been removed.  Check out the link in my previous posts - they now give a 404 error, meaning no page found.

There are some new rules posted for 5th wheelers but still nothing for us.  So, I wrote to the Ministry and asked a few questions here is the text:

"I have a question in light of the new RV Drivers licencing rules announced July 1, 2011.  I manage the web site for the Ontario Trillium Travellers, a group of RVers who own Winnebago Class A Motorhomes. I also write an RV Blog. I would like a clear answer that I can publish on the following questions:

 1.  Many of us have diesel motorhomes with air brakes that themselves exceed the 11,000kg weight limit and in addition there is a car in tow.  What licence is required to operate this vehicle?

 2.  Some have gasoline motorhomes without air brakes weighing less than 11,000kg but when towing a car the weight exceeds the 11,000kg.  What licence is required to operate this vehicle? 

3.  In order to apply for a D-Licence I believe you must have a Z-endorsement(Air Brakes) - has this changed?"

I hope to get an answer soon.  I'll let you all know.

The Quest for the "D" - Day 3 in the Truck

It was an good day and a good drive.  Especially, when we thought we didn't have to do it.  The encouraging news dominated our emotions throughout the morning and early afternoon.  It was terrific to know that we didn't need to get the D- Licence and that we were there because we wanted to finish what we started.

We went through the Pre-trip check with lots more confidence and less anxiety.  So, that was a good thing.  We wouldn't want to end up with a half million dollar paper weight.

Bettyann went first, her checks went well but her knees are still hurting through the brake procedure. Then Dale took her on a drive through Oshawa - do you know that if you're driving a truck that there is a part of Oshawa that is a free roller coaster ride?   I mean, it's a good thing you have a seat belt because you will be bouncing for quite a distance.  She handled it well.

Do you know that no matter how well you've memorized the check list you always forget something - I forgot 2 things both of which were important - luckily Dale was there to point them out.  Getting much better though.

I also did the roller coaster route - thanks for the warning Bettyann.  Glad you went first.  And, we are both glad we didn't quit.

Feel free to use the comment button below to let us know how you feel about what you read.

The Quest for the "D" - Happy then Sad

We got every excited today when Dale from Durham College, before our 2 hour session in the truck, told us that as of July 1st the Ministry of Transportation changed the licencing requirements for RVers and the we would no longer require a "D" licence.   I have to say that we were jumping for joy thinking to Ministry finally got something right.  In spite of that though, we are going to continue to get our "D"

I couldn't wait to get home and check it out.  First thing I did was check out the reference In my first Blog post.  The Mimistry has pulled the link (we get the 404 error).  This was encouraging!!!!

I called the Minister's office at Queens Park and asked for the official press release.  I wanted to make sure that I got the correct information before I wrote this Blog post.  They responded very quickly with their Press Release.  I talked to Bob Nichols in the Communications Branch who the Emailed the official release entitled "Making It Easier For RV Drivers to Enjoy Summer."

I was highly DISAPPOINTED!!!!!

If you're a 5th wheeler this has got to be great news but if you drive a Class A motorhome and you tow a car, the limitation of 11,000kgs is still there.  But now, with the original web page removed and this new link:

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2011/06/making-it-easier-for-rv-operators-to-enjoy-summer.html

it has gone back to confusion about what licence is really needed.  Here is what the link has to say to Class A motorhome owners.



"Until now, Ontario drivers have needed a class A licence to tow RVs that weigh more than 4,600 kg. With this change, Ontarians can tow and operate RVs with a full class G licence as long as:

• The combined weight of the motor vehicle and RV is not more than the current 11,000 kg limit
• The RV is attached to the motor vehicle by a fifth wheel hook-up
• Only one vehicle is being towed
• The RV meets Transport Canada manufacturing standards
• The RV is being towed for personal use only."

Just to clarify - you still need a "D."  I THINK!?!?

The Ministry got it almost right.