June 2003

In mid-March, 3,982 motorhomes —  consisting of 2,778 family coaches and 1,204 exhibitor coaches — gathered at Fairplex in Pomona, California, for FMCA’s 69th International Convention, which was dubbed California Dreamin’. Beautiful weather; a fantastic facility; and, of course, the wonderful FMCA family and commercial members who attended provided the ingredients for another successful FMCA event.

Some RV enthusiasts are attracted to the idea of driving a smaller type A coach, but they don’t want to sacrifice the comfort that comes with larger units. Recently I had the opportunity to test a Safari Trek 2810 model.

Since the “Type A Roundup” appeared in the March 2003 issue, additional models that are available for under $100,000 have come to light. So, we are adding “Chapter Two” this month.
In addition, we have a change to report to the initial roundup.

Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, and Playing Mantis, a leading die-cast manufacturer, have teamed up to give anyone with an extra $10 the chance to purchase their very own highline motorhome — albeit quite a bit smaller.
Beginning last September, miniature replicas of Holiday Rambler Navigator, Monaco Executive, Beaver Marquis, and Safari Zanzibar motorhomes have been available under the Johnny Lightning logo, a popular brand of collectibles.
The idea to make miniatures of these motorhome models came from Holiday Rambler engineers Ed Mahin and Ron Nunemaker, both avid die-cast collectors. From there, Monaco Coach Corporation engineers worked with designers at Johnny Lightning, providing technical specifications, photographs, and other information, to make sure the die-casts were as accurate as possible.

Tongue Twister trailers are engineered to eliminate the injuries and damage that can occur when backing equipment on and off a trailer. These double-ended trailers do not need to be unhooked from the motorhome or other towing vehicle when loading or unloading.

The ends of the gasket seals around my exterior storage compartments did not join together tightly, leaving a gap for dirt and water to enter the compartment. To fix the problem, I used pieces of 1/4-inch tubing (3/8-inch outside diameter), one piece for each compartment seal that needed to be fixed.

You’re ready to buy a new car and are excited about the many possibilities. After researching on the Internet and visiting dealerships, you come up with a list of vehicles that you like.

Thousands of motorhomers gathered in the heart of Southern California on March 21, 22, and 23 to take part in FMCA’s 69th International Convention. The venue for this grand event was Fairplex, located in the city of Pomona, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

When you think of Buffalo, New York, the words “snow,” or “bison,” or “Buffalo wings” may also come to mind.
Yes, Buffalo receives its share of snow in the winter, but frozen precipitation won’t be a factor when FMCA members’ motorhomes roll into the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, 11 miles south of town, for the association’s “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” convention. By July 18, 19, and 20, when the convention takes place, temperatures are likely to top out near 80 degrees, moderated by pleasant breezes from nearby Lake Erie.

The 2003 election of FMCA National Officers will be held July 16 and 17, 2003, at FMCA’s 70th International Convention in Buffalo, New York.
This year’s Nominating Committee was elected by the Governing Board in accordance with FMCA Bylaws. Its members are Chairman Nelson K.

The metropolitan area New York interstates were bumper-to-bumper. Hoping to avoid the crowds, I opted for the byways instead of the highways.

Only 5-1/2 hours north of Maine lies a vacation place that no one should miss — Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, only 139 miles long and between 4 and 40 miles wide. Its population of 140,000 claims mostly Scottish, Irish, and Acadian ancestry.

These galley-tested recipes are easy, yet family-pleasing.
Tuscan Chicken
Bring the sunny flavors of Tuscany into a one-pot dish that does not call for potatoes, pasta, or rice.
6 meaty, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 can chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2-teaspoon dried thyme
Medium yellow squash, cubed
Medium zucchini, cubed
16-ounce can white kidney beans (cannellini), drained and rinsed
3 plum tomatoes, diced
Salt, pepper to taste
Freshly snipped parsley (optional)
Brown the chicken thighs in the olive oil, gradually stirring in the garlic. Add the broth, the oregano, and the thyme.

My husband, Russ, and I have spent the past eight years serving as full-time volunteers for FMCA. One would imagine this to be quite an undertaking, but in our case it has been an enjoyable one.

During the past three years, I have presented a seminar about FMCA member benefits at the international conventions and area rallies I’ve attended. I believe it is important for all of the membership to become familiar with the benefits of this great association.

Dear Editor:
Shortly after we took delivery of a Fleetwood Revolution motorhome from Earnhardt’s RV in Mesa, Arizona, my wife, Karen, and I headed to the California Dreamin’ convention in Pomona, California — our first FMCA convention. This is our fourth Fleetwood motorhome and our first diesel pusher.

Q: A flat tire on a motorhome while driving on the highway can be devastating. I have seen reports that tire-temperature and air-pressure monitoring devices can provide advance warning of the impending danger.

Take acres of the gravelly Arizona desert, add 650-plus motorhomes, and what do you have? The 2003 International Area Rally, that’s what.
The Fourth Annual International Area Rally was held in Quartzsite, Arizona, January 18, 19 and 20. Attendees included many FMCA members who had been at the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, earlier that month and traversed the 110 miles to Quartzsite to join in the fun.
Arizona greeted rally-goers with outstanding weather — cool evenings, warm days, and blue, blue skies.

Getting in touch with an RVer can be pretty tough sometimes. In fact, along with bingo, potlucks, and horseshoes, phone tag may be considered a new recreational pastime.

Regardless of any current thoughts you may hold about bylaws, try reading Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. I think you will find it hard to put down, just as you would an interesting novel.
The original author of the book was Henry Martyn Robert.

We’ve always enjoyed visiting ethnic museums. Each time we see a new one, we’re reminded of the rich heritage our ancestors have brought to these shores.

We may never see a loggerhead sea turtle in the wild. Even so, it’s nice to know they’re still out there cruising the coastal waters after 150 million years.
The name “loggerhead” comes from the turtle’s large head (10 inches wide in an adult) and the powerful jaws it uses to crush crabs, mollusks, and other bottom-dwelling crustaceans attached to reefs and rocks.

Some full-timers coast for years before the roof caves in. Others recognize that their rolling home and the things in it will wear out, rust, fade, and break, and they save for inevitable expenditures.

Water, water everywhere … and so was the water’s odor. But what was causing the bad smell coming from our faucets?

As we travel through many regions, we rely on cities, campgrounds, and water districts to filter the water coming into our motorhomes.