May 2004

The forts presented in this month’s column were chosen after studying a huge body of information. The United States is a large nation, and it’s amazing how many forts were built since settlers first landed in North America more than five centuries ago.

Darwin would be pleased. The evolution in the design of motorhome chassis, as evidenced by the all-new Winnebago Industries Evolution chassis, takes the diesel pusher type A motorhome to new levels.

Home & Park Motorhomes, C3790, a manufacturer of type B motorhomes based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, introduced the 210-Popular model at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, this past December.
Similar in physical appearance to Roadtrek’s 190-Popular models, the new 210-Popular is based on the Chevrolet Express 3500 Series extended van and has a 155-inch wheelbase for better ride and handling. The frame extends 18 inches behind the rear wheels, resulting in an overall length of 21 feet 11 inches.

Many of us leave our motorhomes plugged in at home to keep the house batteries charged. The chassis battery, however, loses its charge over time unless the engine is started occasionally.

Black button eyes, a red triangle nose, red yarn hair, and a happy smile describe the beloved Raggedy Ann doll. Each year in mid-May, Raggedy Ann and her brother, Raggedy Andy, seem to come alive in the tiny town of Arcola, Illinois, birthplace of their creator and the site of a museum that fondly remembers all three.
Arcola may very well have been where Raggedy Ann originated.

Recently, while shopping at a camping supply store, I noticed a woman carrying a clipboard. In the kitchen utensil department, she stopped and jotted down some notes.

Okay, what’s the connection between Song of the South and Zip Dee Inc., the 39-year-old company that designs, builds, and sells high-end RV awnings and accessories? This was but one of several questions Bob Miller, the CEO of Zip Dee, would answer during my visit to the Zip Dee plant in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, this past summer.
Henry Duda, a travel trailer owner, founded Zip Dee in 1965. In the process, he took advantage of the kidding he often heard about his last name and its close association with the lyrics in the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” from the Disney musical Song of the South.

When I decided to run for the office of FMCA national president, I knew it had a lot of responsibility attached and would require a great deal of hard work and dedication if I were to accomplish my goals and make a difference.
I was correct. It seems I hit the ground running and didn’t have a chance to look back.

Recruiting new members to FMCA is an ongoing goal. Every year a number of families fail to renew their membership, for a variety of reasons.

Dear Editor:
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the first installment of Bill Bryant’s articles about the classic GMC motorhome (“Story Of A Classic: The GMC Motorhome, Part 1,” February 2004, page 58).

Q: Our motorhome is equipped with a 1998 Ford V-10 engine that is rated at 266 horsepower. The newer V-10 is rated at 305 horsepower.

Florida truly lived up to its nickname as the “Sunshine State” for the Southeast Area’s “SEAFARI 2004” rally, which took place February 4, 5, 6, and 7 at the Hernando County Airport in Brooksville. The many Northerners who attended were very appreciative of the warm temperatures the first few days of the event, and the occasional rain at the end didn’t dampen their spirits.
Our many volunteer parkers, under the direction of Wiley Chandler, F142032, did a fantastic job getting the coaches parked in the right areas.

Although you might not know it, you probably have seen lichens somewhere in nature. Right now some are growing atop a granite rock in our front yard.

The best thing about motorhome travel is that we have so many dining options. If it’s rainy, cook and eat in the coach.

Nobody knows exactly how many full-time RVers roam the roads of North America. Still, those who read this column can help one another by sharing information about their full-timing views and experiences.
Please return this survey by July 15, 2004, to Janet Groene, c/o Full-Timer’s Primer, Family Motor Coaching, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244.

Produced by General Motors from 1973 through 1978, the innovative GMC Motorhome gained a following that is still as strong — if not stronger — today. This three-part series explores the fascinating history of a motorhome still considered by many to have been far ahead of its time.

The Aqua Saver from PJB Co. is a port that provides a 5.5-inch opening in an RV’s fresh-water tank, making it possible to reach the inside of the tank with a brush and to scrub it using a household bleach solution.

A motorcycle rider had taken refuge from the sun in the shade of our test coach while we were shopping. As we approached, she jokingly pleaded for us not to take away her shade — it was abundant and refreshing on this hot day.