June 2004

Although Monaco Coach Corporation might best be known for the bevy of diesel-powered motorhomes built by its various subsidiaries, the company’s presence in the gas-powered market is undeniable, and ever-increasing. The Monaco LaPalma has contributed to that growth.

In late 2002 Airstream Inc. introduced the SkyDeck motorhome.

Blue Bird Corporation recently announced that it has consolidated its coach, luxury motorhome, and commercial bus divisions to form Blue Bird Coachworks.
The new division will be led by vice president and general manager Wayne Joseph, who joined Blue Bird in 2003 after working for 25 years in the transit bus industry. Richard Maddox was named vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bird Coachworks, with Bryan Hays (RV) and Buddy Cox (coach and commercial bus) as directors of sales and marketing.
In one of its first major acts as a consolidated division, Blue Bird Coachworks introduced the all-new 2005 Wanderlodge 450 LXi luxury motorhome.

The new Demco KarKaddy SS tow dolly features folding ramps and a folding tongue that allow it to be stored on many RV park lots or even in front of the car when it is garaged at home. The KarKaddy SS measures 133 inches long but folds to nearly half its size — 67 inches — for more compact storage.
Other features include a hydraulic surge brake system; a galvanized finish; custom chrome wheels with radial tires; and dual safety chains.

Idea for better bathroom lightingThe only light in our coach’s bathroom was on the ceiling in line with the mirror. Although it worked fine when we were combing our hair, I found it very inadequate for shaving, and my wife found it too dim for applying makeup.
I solved this lighting deficiency by installing a pair of two-bulb 12-volt fixtures on each side of the mirror at face level.

Asheville, North Carolina, is a town where bohemians and businessmen walk side by side on city streets. The rich and famous flock here, as they have done for more than a century, and are joined by the rugged hikers who arrive via the Appalachian Trail.

Mention Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the image that comes to mind for many motorhome owners is a turquoise-blue sky dotted by the whimsical colors and patterns of hundreds of hot-air balloons. Each October this Southwest city is home to the world’s largest and most-photographed balloon event, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, which happens to be a popular destination for RV owners.

There are only a few things that should be done to maintain the efficiency of today’s RV air conditioner, but those few things are very important. However, before delving into maintenance, it might help to understand the mechanics of the air conditioner’s operation.
In order to produce a dramatic temperature change, the air conditioner takes advantage of a principle of physics: when a liquid evaporates, a significant temperature drop occurs.

Prostate cancer is a common problem. It is the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer.

If you have been looking into kitchen remodeling or watching home-improvement shows such as “This Old House,” you know that the top-of-the-line kitchen countertop material is real granite. Not a composite made up of plastic and stone dust, but the real thing sliced off a block taken out of the ground.

If you long to experience the “real” Old West, go back in time to explore dinosaurs and petroglyphs, soak in steaming thermal waters, or just enjoy beautiful scenery and old-fashioned hospitality, Thermopolis, Wyoming, is the perfect destination. We discovered this small Western town while on our way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and immediately fell in love with it.
The winding highway into Thermopolis from the town of Shoshoni — U.S.

FMCA’s “Albuquerque Adventure” convention, which took place March 16, 17, and 18 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was all that we had hoped for and more.
It was a beautiful sight to see the Balloon Fiesta Park full of FMCA family motorhomes. Members of our Executive Board, advance crew, handicapped members, and approximately 1,000 new exhibitor coaches filled the EXPO New Mexico Fairgrounds.
God blessed us with chamber of commerce weather the entire time we were there, which permitted members to participate in and enjoy all the activities.

Oval, goose-egg-shaped membership emblems have long been a part of FMCA’s history. New members of FMCA have been issued various types of coach plates over the years.
The first 10,000 members of FMCA were given cast-aluminum plates that had their membership number stamped on them in raised letters.

Dear Editor:
Members of the FMCA Palm Beach Gold Coasters chapter are privileged to manage and maintain the entertainment tent for the Southeast Area Rally. Our duties require us to arrive at the rally site in Brooksville, Florida, at least three days in advance, and many of us arrive as much as two to four weeks early to assist with anything that is needed.
One of the major rally responsibilities includes unpacking and setting up the seats in the entertainment tent, maintaining seat areas for volunteers and special groups, and folding and recrating the seats, all according to fire and safety specifications.

Q: We updated our towable to a 2004 Chevy Tahoe LT with four-wheel drive. The owners manual states that the transfer case must be in “Neutral,” but says nothing about pulling a fuse.

The Converted Coaches of the Eastern Area chapter kicked off the 2004 new year with its annual “Bussin’” Rally in Arcadia, Florida. This event has seen continual growth, and this year’s rally was no exception, with 198 coaches in attendance.

The sunny state of Florida can lay claim to one of FMCA’s first chapters — the Roll’n Rebels, which was chartered in July 1968. Thirty-six years later, it’s still a strong group that stays active by rallying at least once a month, from September to May.
Roll’n Rebels rallies have a fairly regular structure.

The Youth Activities Committee is responsible for planning and overseeing the youth programs that take place at FMCA’s international conventions; planning the advertisements for these programs that appear in Family Motor Coaching prior to each event; and recruiting volunteers to help with the activities. During the summer convention the committee also oversees the election of TATS (Teen-Age Travelers) officers.
The committee receives its guidance from FMCA’s Policy and Procedure 2032, Youth Program.

Did you know that Wisconsin produces more than a third of the cheese made in the United States? Or that a good share of the state’s cheese comes from small, family-owned-and-operated factories? We’ve cruised through information about many such factories to find 13 that keep the welcome mat out for visitors. Of the ones covered in this column, some offer tours; all have observation windows so visitors can see those hardworking souls slave over a hot vat of cheese in the making.

The World Series of Birding isn’t just a boast; it’s the name of an event. The New Jersey Audubon Society sponsors the competition, calling it “The country’s premier conservation event!” Now that’s a boast, but it’s hard to dispute.

One of the first surprises motorhomers experience during their initial day aboard a new coach usually doesn’t occur until the sun sets. Lighting, which is hardly noticed when you buy a motorhome at an outdoor lot or brightly lit showroom, may be all wrong for the routines of everyday living.
Think about all the different situations you may be in during a single day that rely on artificial light.

Although some folks still do so, the days of lugging around two-by-fours to level a coach at a campsite are becoming a thing of the past. Over the last decade the technical advances in RV leveling systems have made the effort and process of leveling a home on wheels almost transparent.

Let’s combine light eating with light duty in the galley. These food ideas are attractive and tasty, as well as easy on the cook and the waistline.