Contacts For Working RVers
Is Full-Timing In Your Future?” by Betty Hanegraaf (February 2002, page 94) mentioned finding employment while living in one’s RV. Two resources related to that topic are Workamper News and Workers On Wheels.
Workamper News offers a newsletter with employment listings as well as a Web site, a hotline, a referral system, and situation-wanted ads. Workamper News may be contacted at 201 Hiram Road, Heber Springs, AR 72543-8747; (800) 446-5627, (501) 362-2637; www.workamper.com.
Another resource is Workers On Wheels, www.workersonwheels.com, a Web site and e-mail newsletter that furnish job information and other resources to RVers who want to earn a living on the road.
Calling All International Harvester Chassis Owners
Dear Editor:
I would like to contact owners of Grumman motorhomes and other coaches built on the International Harvester (IH) chassis to explore the possibility of starting a new FMCA chapter. I own two motorhomes on IH chassis — a 1973 25-foot Grumman and a 1971 30-foot Krager Koach. I have extensive experience with IH trucks and would like to set up a sort of support group for owners of motorhomes with these chassis.
Please contact me at the address below. Thanks.
Kirk Hoffman, F276235
3530 S. Willow Road
Stockton, IL 61085
Another Braking Test
Dear Editor:
The “Air Brakes” article in the October 2001 issue of the magazine (page 70) was excellent. But it missed a critical daily safety check that should be performed at startup by the driver.
1. After bringing the air pressure to max, shut down the engine and apply and hold the foot brake. In one minute, there should be no significant air loss (should not exceed 3 pounds).
2. On a level surface with the ignition “on” but the motor not running, release the parking brake and start pumping down the foot brake. At approximately 60 pounds, low air alarms should go off, and at approximately 30 pounds, the parking (spring) brake should pop out, engaging the brakes.
Add this to the author’s in-gear test, and you’ve performed part of the commercial drivers license (CDL) checklist. Air, unlike hydraulic fluid, doesn’t leave a puddle to tell you that you have a leak!
Ed Kozak, F289930
Port Charlotte, Florida
Editor’s note: Harvey Lawrence, who wrote the article, responded with the following: “I believe that Mr. Kozak has correctly pointed out two valid tests recommended by CDL manuals that we seemed to have overlooked. It is somewhat like dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s, and I am not sure how many people will realistically do them daily, but they are valid tests.”
Grocery Chain Supports Adaptive Riding Institute
Dear Editor:
Although you won’t see horses pushing grocery carts through an Albertson’s store, the Adaptive Riding Institute can benefit from Albertson’s Community Partners Card program. It’s one of the easiest ways to contribute to the Adaptive Riding Institute. Present the card when you make your purchase and Albertson’s donates a percentage of the total to our horseback riding program.
Many FMCA members may already know about this program, because they stopped by our booth at the Redmond, Oregon, convention this past August. Unfortunately, we had more requests for Albertson’s Community Partners Cards than we could fill. The good news is that we have received a new shipment of the cards. So, if you shop at Albertson’s and would like to participate, send a self-addressed envelope to us at the address below and let us know how many cards you need.
Thanks to the FMCA members who are already participating in this program, our quarterly donations from Albertson’s have more than doubled. By using the card every time you shop there, you will help ensure that horseback riding continues to be available to adults and children who have special needs.
Happy travels!
M.J. Knaus
Adaptive Riding Institute
P.O. Box 280
Scotts Mills, OR 97375
Editor’s note: The Adaptive Riding Institute was FMCA’s official charity at the “Redmond Rendezvous” convention in August 2001. Albertson’s grocery stores are located in 37 states; to find the one nearest you, visit www1.albertsons.com.
Good-Bye, Mount Rushmore
Dear Editor:
My husband and I visited Mount Rushmore four times between 1979 and 1999. We agree with Roy Ranum’s letter stating that the wall has ruined Mount Rushmore (“Does Wall Ruin Mount Rushmore?,” January 2002, page 227). A national treasure is no more. It looks like a great cement parking lot and a wall.
In our travels we have spoken to many RVers and people from all over the country who agree that the site is no longer as beautiful as it was. It was not just the four carvings on the mountain but also the surrounding area approaching it that made it so great. My family does not plan to visit again.
Mary Kirwan, F113290
Melbourne Beach, Florida
British Columbia Parks Eliminate Towed Vehicle Fee
Dear Editor:
A previous letter about the British Columbia parks system reported that they charged an additional fee for cars towed behind a motorhome (“Separate Fees Apply In British Columbia, Too,” October 2001, page 176). Apparently they got so much flack that they changed the policy, for 2002 at least.
Kudos to all the concerned members who cared enough about our lifestyle to write about this problem.
FMCA members may want to write to John Furney and thank him for listening.
Ron and Jan Brown, F116308
Pine Grove, California
Editor’s note: The Browns forwarded FMC a note that they had received from John Furney, recreation services officer with B.C. Parks, that stated, “For the 2002 season, our policy will treat fifth-wheelers and motorhomes with towed vehicles as identical: both will pay one camping fee. In other words, the towed vehicle will be viewed as a trailer rather than an additional motor vehicle.”
Previously, motorhomers had been charged half the nightly camping fee for any additional (towed) vehicle they brought with them to the campsite. For more information about B.C. Parks camping, visit their Web site at www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/fees.
Railroad Museum Thoughts
Dear Editor:
As a docent at the California State Railroad Museum, I was pleased to read the article about our great facility (“All Aboard For Railroad History,” December 2001, page 114).
The article was very good, but I was disappointed that it did not mention the museum’s Great Northern Railway Post Office Car. For more than 100 years post office cars crisscrossed the country. Not only did they move the mail, but workers sorted mail inside them. Mail was picked up (grabbed from a stanchion with a mechanical catch arm) and delivered (pitched out of the open door) while the train was moving down the track at a high rate of speed and in all kinds of weather.
John Hatch, F252554
Yuba City, California
FMCA’s Antitheft Program Pays Off
Dear Editor:
My 1999 Winnebago Chieftain was burglarized by two young men in the early morning hours while it was waiting repairs at a nearby dealership. The owner of the dealership, Michael Perro, happened to be working at the time, and heard some noise outside. He looked through a window and saw two men breaking into my motorhome. He immediately called the New York state troopers, who were able to apprehend the two men.
The burglars had ripped out the television, VCR, and CB radio; smashed the Corian countertop; and taken numerous other items that the troopers now have for the investigation. Both men are in jail awaiting a court date.
In accordance with the antitheft decal program co-sponsored by FMCA and RV Alliance America, I wrote to FMCA about the incident and provided proper documentation. They awarded the owner of the dealership a check in the amount of $2,500.
It is with pleasure that I congratulate FMCA and RV Alliance America for granting rewards to people who help apprehend motorhome burglars. In a world where security is becoming a thing of the past, it is comforting to know that FMCA’s reward program may be a deterrent to motorhome burglary. The program can help convict people who cost RV owners thousands of dollars each year.
Louis Le Brun, F115976
Waterloo, New York
Editor’s note: Soon after we received this letter, we got a note from Mr. Le Brun stating that Mr. Perro had turned the $2,500 reward check over to him to help pay for all the damage to his motorhome. “I thought this gesture was very thoughtful of him,” wrote Mr. Le Brun.
The antitheft decals state that a reward will be given to any individual who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of a thief burglarizing a member’s motorhome. FMCA members are automatically issued decals when they join the association. If you need more, contact the Membership Services Department at the FMCA national office at (800) 543-3622.
Is “Goose Egg” An Obstruction?
Dear Editor:
The “Displaying Your ‘Goose Egg'” article (December 2001, page 70) by Ken Wilson may cause some readers to create an overheating problem on their diesel-pusher coaches. Diesel pushers have major problems in providing sufficient cooling airflow, and any obstruction such as the large FMCA membership plate will arguably cause a problem. The chassis builders typically advise no obstructions of any kind within 12 inches of the grille.
The best course of action is to avoid an obstruction in this area, period.
Leo Everitt, F117094
Park City, Utah
Editor’s note: Ken Wilson replied: “Most diesels don’t have overheating problems; however, some gasoline engines might. My motorhome has a side radiator, so it hasn’t been an issue in my case.”
Alaska Highway Travel Tips Wanted
Dear Editor:
My wife and I are planning a trip to western Canada and hopefully north to the Alaska area in July/August 2002. We would take the Alaska Highway from British Columbia northward.
We have been talking to a couple of RVers who made the trip during the past two years. They reported terrible roads that caused damage to their RVs, with stone chips and broken windows.
Any information about the condition of the coastal highway from any FMCA members would be appreciated.
Gerald and Sharon Bull, F190218
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
E-mail: gerald.bull@sympatico.ca