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HITCH HINTS RV TIPS THE COOKING LADIES NEW PRODUCTS AND MUCH MORE! CANADA’S #1 RV MAGAZINE - YOUR KEY TO RV ADVENTURES!CANADA’S #1 RV MAGAZINE - YOUR KEY TO RV ADVENTURES! www.rvlifemag.com $9.95 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 52 No.4 NEW COMPACT RVs FOR 2024 ROAD TESTS: Newmar Mountain Aire 3825 Plus THE THE CHILCOTIN CHILCOTIN PLATEAU PLATEAU The Magic of The Magic of ECO-FRIENDLY RVING 52-4 NEW.indd 152-4 NEW.indd 12023-11-20 3:47 PM2023-11-20 3:47 PMBUILDING DREAMS ...ONE DETAIL AT A TIME. (800) 768 - 4016 Go. Camp. Live. K Z-RV.com At KZ, we build RVs that last. Our team of dedicated technicians perform full system checks on all our units, as well as an extensive 300-point inspection on randomly selected units. Our attention to detail is how we make your dream RV a reality. Visit a dealer today and experience the KZ difference. KZ RV.indd 1KZ RV.indd 12023-11-17 3:20 PM2023-11-17 3:20 PMFollow us on Facebook! @ RVLifestyleMagazine Follow us on Instagram! @rvlifestylemagazine Departments 6 HITCH HINTS By Andy Thomson Towing with a luxury car. 10 RV TIPS by Garth Cane Trip tips for drivers. 14 THE COOKING LADIES Phyllis Hinz and Lamont Mackay Butter Glazed Beets – from Jeremy’s on the Hill, Julian, California. Road Test 18 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE 3825 by Norm Rosen Luxury on wheels in a rear diesel pusher motorcoach! CONTENTS VOL. 52 NO. 4 ON THE COVER Road testing the 2024 Newmar Mountain Aire 3825 rear diesel pusher motorcoach. Cover photo by Norm Rosen HITCH HINTS RV TIPS THE COOKING LADIES NEW PRODUCTS AND MUCH MORE! CANADA’S #1 RV MAGAZINE - YOUR KEY TO RV ADVENTURES!CANADA’S #1 RV MAGAZINE - YOUR KEY TO RV ADVENTURES! www.rvlifemag.com $9.95 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 52 No.4 NEW COMPACT RVs FOR 2024 ROAD TESTS: Newmar Mountain Aire 3825 Plus THE THE CHILCOTIN CHILCOTIN PLATEAU PLATEAU The Magic of The Magic of ECO-FRIENDLY RVING Destinations 26 ST. JACOBS TO STRATFORD A Southern Ontario gastronomic adventure, by The Cooking Ladies. 44 THE MAGIC OF THE CHILCOTIN PLATEAU James Stoness takes us on a trip to beautiful British Columbia. Special Features 32 NEW RVS FOR 2024! 16 Cool Compact Towable and Off-Road Trailers… 40 ECO-FRIENDLY RVING A special feature by Norm Rosen. New Products 46 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 Click on MAGAZINES, and use the password RVLFREE2017. Watch our road test videos at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ rvlifestylemagazine SUBSCRIBERS: e-mail editor@rvlifemag.co m for FREE access to the latest digital edition! RV52-4 CONTENTS.indd 3RV52-4 CONTENTS.indd 32023-11-20 3:47 PM2023-11-20 3:47 PM4 RV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 4 Whether you brave the winter snows to experience the exhila- ration of camping at the base of a ski or snowmobile resort or escape the cold by charting a course to the sunbelt states, the freedom of your RV lifestyle gives you the best of both worlds. In this issue of RV Lifestyle Magazine we follow The Cooking Ladies on a gastro- nomic tour of the Stratford, Ontario region, where gourmet dining reigns supreme, often at surprisingly affordable rates. We also ride along with James and Sylvia Stoness, as they explore the breathtaking scenery of the Chilcotin Plateau in beautiful British Columbia. In an era of automotive upheaval, with EV, PHEVs, gas and diesel vehicles, Andy Thomson hitches trailers to a wide variety of new and used tow vehicles. In this issue, he focusses on towing with a luxury car – a recent model Jaguar, for an upscale yet affordable RV adventure. We had the opportunity to road test a “dream coach” – the first Newmar Mountain Aire 3825 to roll off the produc- tion line – and it was a real thrill to drive a spectacular rear diesel pusher with articulat- ed tag axle. It is amazing how nimble a 38’ 10” class A motorcoach can be, especially when it is powered by a 525 h.p. Cummins diesel. Touring in a major motorcoach is a lifestyle on its own, so we asked Newmar to suggest some of the finest motorcoach resorts in North America, and they were kind enough to provide our readers with FREE access to their 2024 guide to more than 50 top-rated RV resorts – scan the QR code on page 7 or visit www.2024resorts. newmarcorp.com to explore the finest in RV touring destinations. On the more affordable side of the RV spectrum, we assembled a special feature on 16 “Cool Compact Towables and Off- Road Trailers”, highlighting some of the new 2024 models that caught our eye at the Elkhart Open House event. It’s a great way for campers to enjoy the outdoors on a real- istic budget. With the winter shows coming up soon, we have two special features on the RV parts and accessories you need to make the most of your camping adven- tures. Norm Rosen’s feature on Eco Friendly RVing includes travel tips and products that will reduce your carbon footprint, while our RV Road Test Teams suggest an array of items that will make your travels more convenient. If this is your first encounter with RV Lifestyle Magazine, we thank you for shar- ing your leisure time with us. For your convenience, this print edition is available as a digital magazine issue at our website www.rvlifemag.com , where you will find more than 900 expert articles on every aspect of the RV experience. Visit the web- site, click on the “MAGAZINES” tab at the top left of the screen, and scroll down to read the issues of your choice. The first time you visit the archives, you will be prompted for a password – please use RVLFREE2017 – on future visits, the web- site will remember your device, and you will not have to enter the password. We also deliver the thrill of the RV life- style through a FREE weekly e-newsletter – on your first visit to the website, you will be invited to sign up to receive the newslet- ter… please join our online family of RV enthusiasts, and please share the e-newslet- ter with your friends. Enjoy the issue! ANY TIME IS RV TIME… For Canadian RV enthusiasts, there is never an “off season” on the RV roads to adventure. Publisher’s MESSAGE William E. Taylor, Publisher TMTM TM TM volume 52 number 4 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. Reproduction of any material appearing in this magazine in any form is forbidden without prior consent of the publisher. Subscription rates: Canada 1 year (6 issues) $35+tax: 2 years (12 issues) $50+tax. U.S. subscriptions:1 year (6 issues) $50 US. Single copies are $9.95 for regular issues, and $14.95 for the annual RV Buyer’s Guide and the annual Campground Directory issues. Subscription inquiries 1-800-354-9145 Advertising rates available on request. Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return post- age and will be handled with reasonable care. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of safety of artwork, pho- tographs, or manuscripts. Camping Canada Magazine reserves the right to refuse any and all advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements of facts made by its advertisers or inde- pendent columnists. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #43638025 Undeliverables to: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 MONTREAL, QUEBEC © 2023 CAMPING CANADA MAGAZINE PRINTED IN CANADA RV52-4 CONTENTS.indd 4RV52-4 CONTENTS.indd 42023-11-20 3:41 PM2023-11-20 3:41 PMTake a one-on-one personalized video tour of any 2024 Pleasure-Way model today at www.pleasureway.com/golive E X P ERIENCE THE 2 0 2 4 LINEUP T OD A Y Take a one-on-one personalized video tour of any 2024 Pleasure-Way model today at www.pleasureway.com/golive E X P ERIENCE THE 2 0 2 4 LINEUP T OD A Y pleasureway.indd 1pleasureway.indd 12023-11-22 9:25 AM2023-11-22 9:25 AMRV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 4 www.rvlifemag.com HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 6 In 2007 I purchased a 2004 Jaguar XJ to use as my personal car. It had belonged to one of our customers who was getting a new one, and I had made the mistake of driving the Jag a few too many times… When I pur- chased the Jag it only had 47,000 kilo- meters on it – I enjoyed the car for eight years and it had 164,000 km on it when I sold it this spring. When I bought the car I budgeted a fair bit for repairs and I invested in an extended warranty, assuming that it might need some work. As it happened, the Jag was one of the best cars I have ever owned, needing very few repairs over the years - and the few repairs that I needed were surprisingly reasonable in price. What amazed me most was that in all those years it never needed brakes, a ball joint or a tie rod end. A few months ago I was at the Jag store for an oil change and the sales person persuaded me to test drive a 2012 model that they had in stock. I had no real inten- tion of selling the ’04 Jag, but who could resist the opportunity to go for a test drive… I did not expect much difference in the ride or handling between the ‘04 and the ‘12 since the chassis was basi- cally the same, even though the body had changed completely, but there was one major difference that I wanted to check out on the road. The ‘04 had a perfectly adequate 302 HP 4.2 Litre V8 mated to a 6-speed ZF transmission. The aluminum body Jag only weighed 3800 pounds so this was enough power to give it considerably more than adequate per- formance, along with crisp nimble han- dling that you would not expect in a large car. The ‘12 is 220 pounds heavier, but has a supercharged 5.0 Litre producing 476 horsepower. This much power is totally unnecessary but certainly deliv- ers a fun driving experience. If you are a Jag fan, the 2016 version is 550 HP. There were a few really neat bells and whistles on the 2012, like paddle shifters and programmable air suspension and massaging seats. One other change from the 04 is much larger brakes. Though I never thought there was anything wrong with the 04’s brakes and they lasted the entire time I owned it this one has mas- sive discs for its weight. Since the 2012 Jag was half the price of a new model, with only 49,000 Kilometers on it and warranty coverage until 2019, I decided to go ahead and trade in the 2004. Last summer I was lucky enough to have a friends’ Jag F-type 2-seat con- vertible to drive for a couple of weeks. I really enjoyed that car but half the time I would leave it sitting because I had more than two people or needed to tow a trailer or carry suitcases etc. The Jag sedan is a perfect car for me; even though this is a 120” wheelbase full size sedan it feels like a sports car especially if you engage Dynamic Mode which tightens the shocks and makes the shift points more aggressive. It is interesting that even though you can engage the 2012’s more aggressive dynamic mode, it is still a little firmer in standard ride mode than 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 TOWING WITH A LUXURY CAR Jaguar XJ and 26’ Airstream Hitch Hints 52-4.indd 6Hitch Hints 52-4.indd 62023-11-17 3:19 PM2023-11-17 3:19 PMSEE THE GUIDE With more than 50 top-rated RV resorts recommended by RVers like you, finding your next adventure has never been easier. Plus, our annual Resorts Guide now includes Canadian destinations for the first time ever. Get your free copy today, then let the adventures begin. *Includes, but not limited to: Breathtaking fishing trips, lush golf courses, romantic getaways, family vacations, luxurious resorts, kayaking routes, mountain biking trails, scenic hiking, life-changing local cuisine. Adventure FIND YOUR NEXT HERE. *RV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 4 www.rvlifemag.com HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 8 continued from page 6 ized that the wind was really howling, but in the car I never felt it. Acceleration feels like you don’t have a trailer on the hitch, and you can keep up with traf- fic as you pull away from stop lights or merge with highway traffic. With the very quiet ride combined with the handling and the power you really have to watch your speed. Most combina- tions of RV’s are going to start to feel slower around 70 MPH where the aero- dynamic drag starts to get close to the power output. This becomes an almost automatic speed limiter. Many rigs will go faster, but not without some effort - with the Jag towing a trailer there is none of that feeling that you have maxed out the power. On the test track, towing the ‘04 was. One other change is that the automatic skid control is much more aggressive than the 2004. In the 2004 you needed to be pushing very hard to engage the ASC system - on the 2012 in standard mode it activates more often than I would like, but engaging dynamic mode solves this idiosyncrasy and I am likely the one of the few that would notice. Though many people ask “can you tow with that?” the Jag is an amazing tow vehicle, delivering massive power with rock-solid handling. On a recent trip to Virginia, towing a 26’ Airstream, we drove from London to the border crossing at Niagara Falls. Since we were sitting in line I opened the sunroof and turned the engine off. When I opened the roof I real- an Airstream, I reached 88 MPH on the straightaway without really trying. The 2012 Jag is very aerodynamic as we see bugs below the front win- dow of the Airstream, however the extra power does come at a price, with solo fuel economy around 4 MPG less than the ‘04’s 4.2 Litre engine, so we get 9.5 L/100 or 29 Imperial MPG at 110 KPH without a trailer in tow. Fuel economy while towing is about the same for the ’12 as it was for the ’04 - at 110 KPH it turns in 18.2 L/100 or 15.5 Imperial MPG. Last week I towed a Surveyor 264 back from Indiana, the 264 is one of the few remaining low profile “Lite” trailers available. At 110 km/h the fuel economy was 12.9 MPG or 21.8 L/100, undoubtedly the mileage with the Surveyor would have been much better if I had been travelling 10 km/h slower. In theory, the supercharged engine is not as fuel efficient a way to achieve boost as turbo charging. However, the supercharged engine in the Jag is extremely responsive - it is noticeable how much quicker it responds than a tur- bocharged engine, then again, I have not driven a 476 HP turbo in a 4000 pound car for direct comparison. I my case, I don’t care, as I said this is the “I want that car” not the “logical and fuel efficient” car. Then again, compared to owning a car for fun and a car for the family and another vehicle for towing, it does become a somewhat logical purchase, or at least that’s what I told Heather. Andy Climbing a long hill on I 99 in New York State, the Jag had no trouble at all towing the 26’ Airstream. We often tow mid-size Airstreams with the Jag, so I was curious to compare the towing experience when the Jag was hitched to a lightweight low profile travel trailer like the Surveyor. It towed like a dream! Hitch Hints 52-4.indd 8Hitch Hints 52-4.indd 82023-11-17 3:19 PM2023-11-17 3:19 PMEvery Dog Has Its Day. INTRODUCING THE NEWES T MEMBER OF THE HUSK Y PRODUC T LINE ® CENTER LINE™ TS Superior Performance and Value Center Line TS is a new, advanced, lighter, and more compact design based on the award winning Center Line HD. Lift brackets, head and spring bars all work together to deliver a very smooth and highly responsive ride – a ride that is noticeably quieter than other products on the market. Trunnion style spring bars are matched to popular weight ranges, delivering integrated weight distribution and sway control, superior performance, and an unmatched value. RUGGED IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. Husky manufactures a comprehensive offering of innovative, leading technology towing products including 5th Wheel Hitches, Brute Power Jacks, and the Husky 10 Composite Glider, all designed to enhance the towing experience. LEARN MORE : huskytow.com Center Line TS replaces products that have been relatively unchanged for more than two decades. The result is the most dynamic new weight distribution system on the market today. NEW! Superior Performance and Value Center Line TS is a new, advanced, lighter, and more compact design based on the award winning Superior Performance and ValueNext >