GPS - Navigating the roadways

Well, our GPS receiver, circa 2006 finally died on our way back from Arizona a couple months ago. I knew I had a problem when the GPS location showed me 20 to 30 miles behind where we were. Then last month on our trip to Abilene, the computer failed to find the GPS receiver. Since I have several hours and hundreds of dollars tied up in my navigation system, I figured that just purchasing another GPS receiver would be the easiest thing to do. So, a Google search for a GPS receiver that would work with Microsoft Streets and Trips (which I use the most) netted me this item at Amazon:

GPS Receiver: Microsoft Pharos GPS-500 III GPS Receiver

With shipping this unit cost less than $30. It is newer technology than what it replaced (also a Microsoft branded receiver), but probably not the newest technology in GPS receivers. (Enhanced sensitivity receiver with SiRFstarIII GSC3f chip set (Fast acquisition time)).

I had brought the computer out of the motorhome because of the GPS problem, and it needed to have some updates for both Windows XP Pro and the Antivirus program. After completing the updates, I started MS Streets and Trips, connected the GPS receiver, configured it and within less than a minute it indicated on the map exactly where we were. Pretty impressed as it was inside the house and away from the windows.

In the motorhome we have a Via EPIA Pico-ITX Computer. It has a 1GHz Processor and 1GB RAM. The official description by Via is:

"The VIA EPIA PX-Series Pico-ITX Mainboard is an ultra compact native x86 platform

optimized for today's demanding embedded and productivity applications. The mainboard is

based on the VIA VX700 advanced all-in-one system processor featuring an embedded

hardware MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and WMV9 video decoding accelerator. Its integrated VIA

UniChrome™ Pro II 2D/3D graphics provide rich digital media performance. With the

sizable memory bandwidth of DDR2 533MHz SDRAM DIMM and the high data transfer

speeds of ATA-133 and further enhanced by support of 8-Channel High Definition Audio

Codec for Smart 7.1 surround sound and SPDIF, the VIA EPIA PX-Series delivers the

increased performance levels required by today’s embedded digital media applications."

It runs full version Windows XP Pro, and it has both Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010 as well as DeLorme Street Atlas 2008 Plus. Plus we have the standard Internet Explorer 8 and Adobe loaded as well. A USB Wireless G adapter allows me to get updates when we are in a "hotspot" area, or I tether my wireless phone to it though a USB connection. A connection from the speaker output of the computer goes to the on-board stereo in the motorhome through an auxiliary input. This gives us the voice navigation for navigation software. The computer is powered by a 6-24V DC/DC power supply which is connected to the batteries in the motorhome.  The monitor is a 10 inch 12v DC unit that I found on eBay. The monitor was designed for POS (point of sale/cash register) usage and does well what we use it for.

With the computer measuring about 6"x6"x2" it is easy to locate. I used velcro to attach  it to the wall next to the drivers seat. All the cabling runs from the top of the dash and through the dashboard and to the computer. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse for the input. This is a very nice package.

I am looking at installing the Silverleaf electronic engine/transmission monitoring software and connecting that to the monitor via a USB connection to the computer. All in the planning stages for this part. The Silverleaf software is free, but the cable to connect to the motorhome diagnostic port is expensive.

Rebuilding a Roadmaster Tow Bar - Toward the end

Back to the Motor Home world for a minute. Since we have had a Motor Home, we have towed a vehicle with it. Starting out we towed a Mazda Miata and we have been towing a Jeep Liberty since April of 2008. One of the things that we decided on when we purchased the Motor Home was that taking a vehicle with us was not only for the convenience, but also, in an emergency, to have in case something happened to the Motor Home and we needed to leave it some place.
So, being a novice to towing a vehicle with a Motor Home, I did a lot of research regarding tow bars. What kind (brand)? what style (Motor Home mounted or vehicle mounted)? what capacity?
The answer to the first question, after looking at everything on the market, turned out to be a Roadmaster brand. Since my wife and I were born and raised in the "greater" Portland/Vancouver area, it just seemed like we would deal with a product made there. Of course the reviews of their equipment were excellent as well.
The second answer was obvious. The Miata was a daily driver. I did not want a 40+ pound tow bar strapped to the front all the time - it would ruin the handling abilities of the car.
The third question, weight capacity, took a little planning. We knew that we would not tow a Miata forever. So, we decided on a weight capacity that would allow us to safely tow what the Motor Home was rated for, 5,000 pounds.
Then the search for the right model. A Blackhawk, a Falcon 2 and so on. This question was answered when I found the advertisement on Craig's List in Austin, TX for a Falcon 2 tow bar. After an exchange of emails, a used Falcon 2 tow bar arrived at our home. OK, now we had the tow bar - next we have to connect it to the Miata. Then when we sold the Miata, we had to connect it to the Liberty. So went the saga of the tow bar mounts for the vehicles and the installation process. Both of these installations involved taking several parts off the front of the vehicles, taking loose bolts, installing the mounts and putting it all back together again.
One of the most important things that might be overlooked is the condition of your tow bar. I have no idea how old our tow bar is. We have had it for seven years and it was used when we got it. My hope had been that I would go to a Motor Home/RV Rally someplace and Roadmaster would be there and I would have them rebuild the tow bar. I did not want to ship 40+ pounds to Washington State to the factory for work. Some friends of ours will be going to Oregon and Washington later this year and we toyed with the idea of sending the tow bar with them and have them drop it off for repair and then pick it up. But, we would be without a tow bar for the three months they plan on being gone. Don't get us wrong, there is nothing apparently wrong with the tow bar. It functions fine. But, it does have bolts holding it together, it does have arms that slide back and forth, there are areas that can wear.
I went to the Roadmaster site and found the parts kit that I needed to rebuild the Falcon 2 tow bar and the directions, which are in pdf format. I then found the parts on etrailer for about the same cost as Roadmaster.
Once I got the parts and reviewed the directions, I had a few questions which the Roadmaster folks were more than happy to answer.
There are several spots in the directions, which are well written compared to some I have seen, that you need to pay special attention to. For example, on the Falcon 2 tow bar, depending on when it was built, might have six or seven white "plastic/nylon" washers in the main "yoke" joint. These washers are thin, so when you take that bolt out, the washers go everywhere, so you have to take it slow. Also on the "older" tow bars, (ones that do not have a groove in the end) the bushing in the end of the bar arms do not get replaced.
This picture shows how the "yoke" joint looks.

You can see where at least a couple of the white washers go.
You will need a 5/8 allen wrench (hex key) for some models of the tow bar. I found one for $0.50 at ReTool, a little place that sells used tools. I also needed a 1 1/8 socket for the "stinger" and "yoke" nuts. I used a 1/2 drive socket and an 18 inch bar to remove and replace these nuts.
The "swivels" are held on to the end of the bar with a shoulder bolt. Here a 1/4 allen wrench is used and a 9/16 wrench. When you tighten these be careful not to "over torque" as the nuts tighten against a "shoulder" on the bolt, and it might be possible to twist the bolt if excessive force is used.
The last piece of caution is the white washer or bushing that goes onto the "head" of the round interior tow bar arm. These "may" need to be trimmed to get them into the "outer" bar when assembling. I used a double cut file to shape them. Not only did I have to take off the edges on both sides, I also had to plane off the thickness of one on them. Again, look at what you have removed to give you an idea on what needs to be trimmed.
All in all not a hard job. Probably took a couple hours, could do it faster now. We now have a rebuilt tow bar that should last for several more years.
I did not notice any excessive wear on any of the parts. This preventative maintenance was more for my peace of mind than from necessity.
As the saying goes - your mileage may very.   Happy trails

Completion

Saturday (4/9) was spent putting the finishing touches on the project. The furniture was arranged, the grill cleaned and put into place, and all the tools picked up. Now it is time to enjoy.

Couple more pictures below. These from angles so you get the full effect.

Now if I can just get grass to grow.

It is almost complete

Saturday (4/2/11) was spent mixing and pouring 22 bags of concrete to extend the patio out an additional three feet. I rented a concrete mixer from Home Depot and that was the best investment I made. It is a lot easier to mix two 80lb. bags at a time rather than one bag at a time in the wheelbarrow. Of course you still have to lift them, but since the project would take less then a 1/2 yard of concrete, it is hard to get that delivered. I do have one more section, probably 6ft x 13ft that I would like to pour, but that will be later and a cement truck will be involved.

So Sunday morning, after the concrete forms were removed, this is what it looks like.

Then on Sunday, I also patched the crack in the existing patio - you can see the repair in the photo above. Then I installed the fan/light combination to the center of the gazebo. Since the center is so high, you can't see it in the photo above - here is one looking up at it.

Have to extend the switch chains on it, they are about six feet off the ground.
The next task was to assemble the patio furniture. Got this process mostly done - even with wind gust the reached more that 30 mph. Blew some cushions off, but did not tip over the furniture.
I can say that the wind blew hard all night, and is continuing today, and the gazebo is still standing. A good sign.
Now I just need to get the grass to grow in the back yard. I will post a picture later that shows the furniture.