Category: General Discussion

Lessons learned, upcoming plans, and new stuff I’ve found to make my camping better.

Happy Anniversary – 10 Years Since Walking Dead films in Opelika (Not Really)

Holly Molly – Ten years ago (April 1, 2015), really. I had posted my usual April Fools joke on my blog at the time of the day, opelikadailynews.com. And Bam! It went viral. The Alabama Film Commission called local officials to find out more, and blog traffic over three days reached over 85,000 views. And after several hours of searching, a local news reporter (with great hair) found me. She asked for an interview, and I had to fess up and ask if she had noticed the date on the calendar. She asked, “Have you pranked me?” I said yes, then the phone hung up. Later, a call back to complain about my poor journalism. It’s a blog, folks!

The story was a blog post that went viral, but that was never addressed. I ran into someone this week who heard that when they were in High School, they are now working with OPS. I even got some flashing blue lights at me one afternoon on 1st Avenue. The officer said, “Katz, that wasn’t funny”. But he was laughing. I think this is about the time America lost its sense of humor. It’s kept me from writing more. Here’s the original post:

The Walking Dead Plans Opelika Shoot in Spring – April 01, 2015

AMC Televisions “The Walking Dead” plans Alabama Film locations. Reportedly, Steven Yuen who plays the character Glenn Rhee in the show was spotted in Tiger Town last weekend, on his way from the Florida panhandle to the shows Georgia film studio in Senoia. Apparently, several walkers (aka Zombies) cast for the show have been from this side of the Chattahoochee River and the Opelika area which has captured the attention of Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd and Creator Robert Kirkman. Work will stop of the demolition of the Old Mill on 1st Avenue as scouts have determined its empty open areas, not used for Hollywood since Norma Rae will work well for one of the early spring shootings. Production of the new season is to begin within weeks. Talking Dead host and Stand Up comedian Chris Hardwick will do several cast interviews during the Opelika Filming. AMC’s Walking Dead ended season five on Sunday with its highest-rated finale in history, with 15.8 million viewers and 10.4 million among A18-49, ending its season with all 16 episodes ranking among the top 20 telecasts in the demo this season. After-show Talking Dead had its highest-rated episode ever, with 7.5 million viewers and 4.9 million in the demo. More details as they become available!

I hope this brings back some memories from ten years ago. Keep smiling! – Jerry

About Those Race Camping Trips!

It’s been a while since I posted, and I’ll apologize for that right now. My next big camping trip was to the two races in late summer or fall, in Atlanta and Talladega. I totally mis-scheduled Atlanta due to some work conflicts, so I was unable to make that trip, but there was still Talladega. If you remember from last year, I was unable to complete the trip due to a transmission issue with my 2016 GMC Canyon. After fixing that, I figured I’d trade and get a new truck to avoid any future issues. I love the 2024 Nissan Frontier I bought. But then, while driving around town one day, I got a check engine light, as the transmission jumped out of gear. The Lynch Service Department ran a computer check and it called for the transmission to be replaced. Lynch was great, it took several weeks for the transmission to arrive, Nissan was pretty quick to say yes, and all was good. Unfortunately, it all arrived after the Dega race. I may not schedule that again, because I am wondering if I’m snake bit on that one. By the way, the truck is running great. I believe it’s an updated version, because I don’t notice the nine speed transmission shifting, as I did in the original. The transmission was changed out after 12 months and just under 5,000 miles for the record.

I have a new interest now; one I’ve had for just over 60 years. When I was a kid, I had a cousin that was into Ham Radio. From pictures I saw he had a really cool setup. But, for me, it never happened. Now, I am studying for the Amateur Radio Technician license and dabble in GMRS (General Radio Mobile Service). That deserves its own post and will expand what I discuss here.  

Creative Radio On-Air Name Ideas Inspired by Tools (aka Ania Hammar)

This post is off-topic for the site and not political, so everything should be okay, right?

I was off at Harbor Freight today to pick up a tool bag for the camper. Wait, is that a tie-in for the camper site? Maybe!  So, I was driving my Boulder Gray *Nissan 2024 Frontier Pro-X, windows down, country music on SXM’s The Highway, and the host (we were called jocks back in the day) was Ania Hammar. I thought, being a former jock who played both rock and country, what a tremendous on-air name.  Okay, it’s spelled Hammar not Hammer, but it sounds right.

After Leaving Harbor Freight Tools, I wondered what other great on-air names might be hidden on those shelves. So, I opened the website to see how it went. I figured I would start with hand tools since the other Hammar is a powerhouse on-the-air. And the hammer is a hand tool.

So, I started with the hammers. Let’s use my first name.

  • Jerry Sledgehammer
  • Jerry Rubber Mallet
  • Jerry Ball-Peen Hammer
  • Jerry Pry-Bar

I don’t think this experiment works; let’s move to power tools.

  • Jerry Drill/Driver
  • Jerry Hammer drill

This experience isn’t working. Let’s check the other tool sections. I think I’m on something here. Maybe I should try some of the brand names of tools.

  • Jerry Vulcan
  • Jerry Titanium
  • Jerry Earthquake XT
  • Jerry Spectrum
  • Jerry Predator (I like this)
  • Jerry Thunderbolt
  • Jerry Diamondback

I feel like we’re done here. This has proven that only Ania Hammar has the best version of tool names. I know on the radio those traffic guys are taken with Major Delay, probably the best.  Thank goodness. I’m not on the air anymore and don’t have to worry about this. My on-air name was Jerry Katz! Pretty sexy, huh? (See something you like, please comment!)

*I’m sorry. I love this truck and want to promote it! No, I’m not getting paid to say that!

Who’s Camping with You? Uh, Nobody, That’s Okay, right?

I used to get those questions when I went camping. I always went alone, and there’s some solitude in that. Get up when you want, do what you want. That thought was validated this evening when talking to a friend who recently spent a week in Banif, Canada.  He traveled there for some hiking and spent nights in a hostel.  He met new friends and got that solitude.  I found that the same. When you travel alone, there is always someone new to meet.

2024 Nissan Pro Series Pickup Truck: Top 5 Positive Features for Consumers

The 2024 Nissan Pro Series pickup truck has garnered positive attention for several key attributes. Here are the top five positive comments: I’ve had this truck for seven months now and really love my move to Nissan from my GMC Canyon. I had thought about Toyota and really liked the styling of this truck while I compared all models. So, I asked AI to write the top five features and I couldn’t have picked them better myself. This is a real truck folks.

1. Powerful and Efficient Engine Options
Many reviewers appreciate the robust engine choices that provide a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. The 2024 Pro Series offers strong towing capabilities and smooth performance, making it a reliable choice for both work and recreation.

2. Advanced Safety Features
The 2024 model is praised for its comprehensive suite of safety features, including advanced driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features enhance driver confidence and safety on the road.

3. Modern and Comfortable Interior
The interior of the 2024 Pro Series has received positive feedback for its high-quality materials, comfortable seating, and user-friendly infotainment system. The spacious cabin and thoughtful design elements cater to both driver and passenger comfort on long drives.

4. Technological Advancements
The truck’s integration of the latest technology, such as a large touchscreen display, smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and optional premium audio systems, is highly regarded. These features add convenience and enhance the driving experience.

5. Durability and Reliability
Owners and reviewers often highlight the truck’s build quality and reliability. The 2024 Pro Series is seen as a durable and dependable vehicle, capable of handling tough conditions and heavy workloads without compromising performance.

These positive comments reflect the 2024 Nissan Pro Series pickup truck’s strong appeal to consumers looking for a well-rounded, capable, and modern vehicle.

10 Common Mistakes When Buying a Small Camper

So, I thought I needed to write something and just didn’t have time, so I ask Chat GPT what the ten most common mistakes were when purchasing a small camper. The answers are pretty spot on!

1. Not Considering Tow Vehicle Capacity: New buyers often overlook the towing capacity of their current vehicle, leading to issues with safely towing the camper. It’s crucial to ensure the tow vehicle can handle the camper’s weight, including any additional cargo.

2. Underestimating Space Needs: Small campers can feel cramped, and new buyers may not fully understand how much space they need for comfort. It’s important to consider sleeping arrangements, storage, and daily activities.

3. Skipping a Thorough Inspection: Buyers sometimes neglect a comprehensive inspection of the camper, leading to missed issues like leaks, mold, or mechanical problems. Always inspect the camper thoroughly, or better yet, get a professional inspection.

4. Ignoring Weight Distribution and Trailer Sway: New buyers may not consider the importance of proper weight distribution and how it affects towing stability. Without this, trailers can sway dangerously on the road.

5. Neglecting the Importance of a Good Layout: A camper’s layout significantly impacts functionality. Buyers might focus too much on aesthetics and overlook whether the layout suits their needs and activities.

6. Overlooking Camper Maintenance Requirements: Campers require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. New buyers might not be aware of these requirements, leading to neglect and costly repairs down the line.

7. Choosing the Wrong Type of Camper for Their Needs: There’s a variety of small campers, from teardrop trailers to pop-up campers to compact travel trailers. Buyers might choose a camper that doesn’t suit their camping style or needs.

8. Forgetting About Campground Restrictions and Accessibility: Certain campgrounds have restrictions on camper sizes, types, or features like hookups. New buyers might not consider this, leading to limited camping options.

9. Underestimating the Costs Beyond the Camper Purchase: The purchase price is just the beginning. New buyers may forget about additional costs like insurance, registration, maintenance, accessories, and campground fees.

10. Not Planning for Weather Conditions and Climate: Small campers can be sensitive to extreme weather conditions. New buyers might not consider insulation, heating, cooling, or other features to ensure comfort in various climates.

So, when I bought mine a few months back, did I cover all of the above? Actually no and I’ll write about that in anothe4r post later this week.

You Charged the Battery, Right?

When I added the website’s tagline, “Old Man with A New Camper, what could possibly go wrong?” I had no idea how true it would be.

On my recent trip to the Atlanta Motor Speedway infield camping, I thought I had seized the engine of my Wen Dual fuel generator. I had worked perfectly until the last day and just stopped.  Now, let me qualify that and say it wouldn’t start with the electric start button.  Logic would say to try the pull rope, but Logic didn’t make the trip with me. So, after letting a friend, a bartender’s husband fix it, I found this out. On the first pull, it worked.  He did put some gas in it. I had just been using the Propane.  I’m not sure that had any effect on the problem. So, what was wrong? The battery died. So, this was a new battery I bought when the one that came with it didn’t work.  And sure enough, if you checked the Wen website, those who had purchased the battery said it didn’t last long. However, my new friend dug a bit deeper to discover that if you didn’t charge the battery before installing it, you would have a problem.  I charged the new lithium batteries I put on the camper, and you probably charged your phone battery when you got it.  I never even thought about it with the arrival of the generator. 

Now, the generator, the Wen 4500, is a powerhouse. I got over 16 hours from a 20-pound propane bottle, and Jay, my new generator expert, said it was a great generator. Maybe I’ll do better when I get back to Atlanta’s Infield in September.

Update from the Camp

Field test getting ready for a real road trip!

I’m feeling a bit snake-bit as far as camping goes again. I canceled the trip to Talladega. Two generators arrived, and I am still having issues with the battery, and all I want to do is go camping.

This past week, a friend of mine who has some land out in the county. Let me take the Puma out to do some field testing. I’ve been working out the kinks before a real trip. It’s been boondocking for the past few days.

I’ve learned a lot! The generator, now that we figured the problem with the battery was due to an unplugged connection, has run over 11 hours in the propane test and is still on the same 20-pound propane tank! I think I can get another hour or so from it.

I plan to work from there next week! The T-Mobile home internet box has worked fine.  It only showed two bars on the reception meter, but I could get on the internet and stream YouTube TV without any significant hiccups. It’s just an occasional buffering circle every half hour or so.

I plan to run the generator in the bed of the truck.  When running at full power and with little wind in the area, I have found that the carbon dioxide warning will kick the generator off.  I can fix that with an extension on the exhaust, which I plan to do in the coming weeks and definitely before the February Atlanta NASCAR race.  

Talladega Infield Campers Beware of Protecht (My Problem Was Resolved)

POST UPDATE – After this post and a complaint to the Better Business Bureau I received a call that they wanted to escalate my request up for approval. I provided documentation requested on when i called to schedule the truck repair and it was approved. From the time they called me, it was resolved in less than 20 hours. The company admitted they were working on fixing some of the shortcomings of their systems.

ORIGINAL POST – Buying insurance for the race and camping at Talladega this October seemed like a good idea; however, after my truck broke down while towing my camper to the race on the Wednesday before the race, I realized it was a waste of money. In turning down my claim twice, Protecht said it had to happen within 48 hours of the event, the Sunday race I assume.  My ticket was for infield camping, and I tried to go when the campgrounds opened.  I could not have my truck serviced for the transmission problem for almost two weeks.  I even provided a receipt showing the nearly $500 I paid to fix the truck.  The company should be more forthcoming with clearer language that arriving a few days before the race to take advantage of the $500 camping fee isn’t covered.  Their agreement is more about what isn’t said than what is said.  If Protecht isn’t going to be more upfront, then maybe Talladega Superspeedway should consider a better partner. I’m unhappy about the financial loss and sad I missed going back to my first race in 10 years.