Family RVing Magazine
  • FMCA.COM
  • CONTACT US
familyRVing
  • in this issue
  • tech
    • Tech talk e-newsletter archives
    • more tech talk
  • Digital editions
  • towable guides
  • Classifieds
  • contact
    • contact us
    • advertise with us
    • media room
  • FMCA

Family RVing Magazine

Monthly Archives

December 2004

  • Lake Powell’s Wide, Open Spaces

    Of the many destinations in the Western United States, one location boasts approximately 1,960 miles of shoreline, 161,000 surface acres of water, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s also a national preserve.

    Read more
  • Forest River Tsunami

    The wave graphic emblazoned on the side of this elegant motorhome reveals its identity: Tsunami. The Japanese word for “tidal wave” also refers to a stunning diesel pusher produced by Forest River Inc.
    The Tsunami is Forest River’s first high-end type A diesel motorhome, which was introduced to the RV market for the 2002 model year.

    Read more
  • RV News & Notes: November 2004

    Four Winds International, C7457, a division of Thor Industries, has introduced the 38-foot quad-slideout Infinity type A motorhome. The quad-slide design dramatically expands space in the main living area, bedroom, and bathroom, and enhances the bath area with two entry doors — one from the hallway and one from the bedroom.
    The new Infinity is built on the Workhorse gas chassis with a 24,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating.

    Read more
  • RV Products: November 2004

    M.M. Newman Corporation offers a full line of spirally cut, expandable cable wrap.

    Read more
  • Tech & Travel Tips: November 2004

    To keep dirt and grime out of the pin holes where my Blue Ox tow bar attaches to the towed vehicle, I came up with this idea. Cut a piece of 1-inch-diameter PVC pipe to the length of the pin hole, and then bevel it down to fit into the hole.

    Read more
  • Enter The Freedom Machine

    Motorhomes have changed the way millions of people travel, but to those who have a physical disability, the motorhome is nothing short of a freedom machine.
    Travel in specially equipped motorhomes has opened a new world to the physically challenged. These vehicles have made it possible for them to travel in comfort and with dignity.

    Read more
  • A Salute To Military Museums

    The United States has a fantastic array of museums that chronicle the history, grim sacrifice, and heroic exploits of its military in armed conflicts. Some focus on a particular military branch; others on a major war, a memorable battle, a particular general, or the hard-fought victories of a specific service unit.
    Here’s a sampling of military museums in the eastern part of the United States.

    Read more
  • Portable Palaces From Parliament Coach

    Owned and operated by the Mitchell family, Parliament Coach Corporation offers its clients the benefits of more than 30 years of experience in designing, building, and marketing custom coach conversions.
    In the early 1970s Harvey and Pat Mitchell began marketing high-line motorhomes under the Mitchell Motor Coach Sales company name. In 1990 they branched out into manufacturing high-line motor coaches after purchasing Vogue.

    Read more
  • Meet The National Area Vice Presidents

    FMCA’s Executive Board is made up of the national president, senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer, along with the 10 area vice presidents. FMCA members were able to learn more about the four nationally elected officers when their resumes were published in the June 2004 issue prior to the election at FMCA’s 72nd International Convention in Redmond, Oregon.

    Read more
  • Welcome To The Treasure Coast

    I grip the thick bar of gold, and it’s greasy. It feels somewhat smooth but is irregular and slightly misshapen — no doubt from old casting methods, if not from its three-century soak in salt water.

    Read more
  • The Compassionate Campground

    For the past 19 years, George and Lynn Hudson and Jack and Lois Abernathy, F131334, have co-owned the St. Louis RV Park, C3163.

    Read more
  • Sharing The Road With Your Pets

    When planning a trip and deciding what to do with the family pet, many people follow the advice given in the famous credit card ad: “Don’t leave home without it!” In fact, according to a Purina Pet Institute survey, more than 45 percent of dog owners and 16 percent of cat owners travel with their pets. RVers are no exception, as a visit to almost any campground will confirm.
    But how safe is the travel environment we provide for them? Until they get used to the RV lifestyle, pets can act differently than at home — more rambunctious, curious, or just plain anxious — and, as a result, they may find trouble in unexpected places.
    To uncover potential hazards that could harm your pet, let’s tour a typical RV.

    Read more
  • Surfside Wildlife And Goose Island State Park

    Motorhomers who have been looking for a chance to explore the Texas coast may want to set their sights on Goose Island State Park. This 321-acre facility provides convenient access to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the towns of Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi.
    The park’s location makes it popular among anglers, wildlife watchers, and those who enjoy discovering interesting sights and attractions.

    Read more
  • Downsizing

    Two events prompted my wife, Nancy, and me to consider a smaller motorhome. We both turned 70, and Nancy had a serious hip problem (after six replacements) that was aggravated by climbing up the stairs in our previous type A motorhomes.
    During a 26-year period, we have owned nine motorhomes; have driven more than 250,000 miles; have crossed the United State nine times; and probably lived in the various coaches the equivalent of four years.

    Read more
  • Learning About The “Legal Triangle”

    Several fellow FMCA members have asked me to lend them some wisdom from the legal perspective. While I am not sure I have much wisdom, I certainly have about 30 years of experience — enough to have learned to do what lawyers do best: to think of what can go wrong and try to do things to avoid those nasties.

    Read more
  • Chic Shortcuts

    Try these delicious recipes, each with a secret shortcut or two, as you travel in your motorhome. They’ll save time and mess without letting your culinary standards slip.
    Dockside Blueberry Crisp
    This recipe, a freebie from the folks at Dockside Jewelers in Juneau, Alaska, celebrates blueberry season in the northernmost state, where this bursting blue fruit can be found growing in the wilderness.

    Read more
  • A Good Investment

    Joining Family Motor Coach Association is probably one of the best investments you will ever make. Our independent outside auditor calculates that we furnish our family members benefits that cost the association more than $90 per family each year.

    Read more
  • FMCA Charitable “Round Up” Donations Pass $1 Million Mark

    An important milestone was reached in August 2004 when the total amount of money donated through FMCA’s “Round Up” program passed the $1 million mark. This month I would like to share with you the background and history behind the “Round Up” program and give you information about each of the organizations that benefit from this charitable campaign.
    Approximately 17 years ago, the FMCA Executive Committee decided that FMCA should search for a worthwhile cause to sponsor.

    Read more
  • Readers’ Forum: November 2004

    “Beat Road Boredom With ‘The World’s Largest’…” (September 2004, page 108) noted that the world’s largest teepee was located in Malad, Idaho, and was 46 feet tall. After the article was published, Gene Hunzeker, F38199, told us that the teepee is no longer on the grounds of Red Hawk Trading (the company that made it).

    Read more
  • Technical Inquiries: November 2004

    Q: I am inquiring in regard to the “Winter Storage” letter that appeared on page 22 in the June 2004 “Technical Inquiries” column.
    We are new to motorhoming and have a 33-foot 2002 Beaver Monterey. We have had numerous problems differentiating the advice from several sources in the industry in regard to winter storage.

    Read more
  • The Place To Be (Was) Albert Lea

    Anyone who has ever been involved in planning and executing an area rally knows that there are several required ingredients. A successful rally depends on large quantities and a careful blending of dedication, patience, flexibility, cooperation, labor, a sense of humor, and prayer.

    Read more
  • Gold Dust Travelers

    Last year a group of FMCA members met to discuss the establishment of a new chapter for northern California. The majority of those attending were from the San Francisco Bay area — Silicon Valley and the Central Valley.

    Read more
  • Thirty-Three Motorhomes And Counting

    Occasionally a story pops up that has remained quiet for years, but by its very nature demands to be told. Such is the case with Cliff Custer, L4949, of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
    To begin with, he’s 93 years old and can provide a living history for much of the 20th century.

    Read more
  • Cattails “” By Any Other Name

    Flagtail, marsh beetle, blackcap, water torch. Visit the shoreline of most lakes, rivers, marshes, and ponds, and you’ll see areas of these grasslike plants stretching as much as 10 feet high above the water.

    Read more
  • Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

    The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail only travels through Arizona and California, but it greatly influenced the early history of these two states. The trail runs from Nogales, Arizona, to San Francisco, California, following the route established by Spanish commander Juan Bautista de Anza back in 1774.

    Read more
  • Survey Results, Part Two

    In April 2004 this column contained a survey that brought in 300 replies from full-timers. Of these, approximately 15 percent of the responses came from people traveling alone; the rest were sent in by couples, plus a few trios or quartets.

    Read more
  • Circumvent “Stinky Slinky” Chores

    Emptying motorhome holding tanks can be worse than annoying. This fact became even more apparent to my husband, Art, and I last fall during our maiden trip in our first type B motorhome, a 2002 Roadtrek 190 Personal, after downsizing from a 32-foot type A coach.

    Read more
  • Mobile Theater

    My wife, Becky, and I have done a lot to our motorhome over the years, but high-definition television is the most fantastic add-on. We love it!

    We travel full-time (12 years now) in a 34-foot 1987 Holiday Rambler Monitor.

    Read more
  • The Ins And Outs Of Inverters

    High-efficiency inverters are here to stay in the RV world. They enable us to watch television, brew coffee, enjoy computing, and perform many other activities aboard our motorhomes without giving them much thought.

    Read more

Have you heard about FMCA’s
monthly magazine, Family RVing?

We will send you a link in your email to download the
latest issue; just fill out the form below.


Please completed the reCAPTCHA

FMCA Member?
Login to see all the content! (Go to Login)


About Family RVing Magazine

About Family RVing Magazine

Family RVing Magazine

Family RVing magazine is the official publication of FMCA, an international association of RV owners. Benefits of FMCA membership include:

  • Subscription to the monthly magazine (print and digital)
  • FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program (valued at $200 per family)
  • Tire purchasing program
  • Discounts on a roadside assistance plan, RV and auto insurance, and RV tours
  • Exclusive offer for Wi-Fi plan
  • And more…

All for only $50 per year (plus $10 initiation fee)

JOIN NOW

Still dreaming of owning an RV but eager to learn everything you can about RVing in the meantime? Subscribe to Family RVing magazine, the go-to resource for RVers. (Note: do not order a subscription if joining FMCA; a subscription is included with membership.)

  • ONE YEAR - 12 issues for $30 (plus $9 for Canadian postage; $18 for other international postage)
  • TWO YEARS - 24 issues for $52 (plus $18 for Canadian postage; $36 for other international postage)
  • THREE YEARS - 36 issues for $70 (plus $27 for Canadian postage; $54 for other international postage)

SUBSCRIBE NOW or call us at 800-543-3622

Sample Digital Edition

Categories

Archives

  • 2023
  • January
  • 2022
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2021
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2020
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2019
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2018
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2017
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2016
  • December
  • November
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2015
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2014
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2013
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2012
  • December
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2011
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2010
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2009
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2008
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2007
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2006
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2005
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2004
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2003
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
  • 2002
  • December
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • June
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February




Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Tumblr Snapchat

Like Us On Facebook

FMCA

Follow Us On Pinterest

@fmcarvclub

Subscribe To The Newsletter

COMING SOON:

  • 2023 Towing Lineup: The 2023-model cars, trucks, and sport-utility vehicles their manufacturers have said are towable four wheels down behind a motorhome.
  • Carson National Forest: Northern New Mexico boasts 1.5 million acres of valleys, creeks, meadows, and forested mountains.
  • Phoenix TRX 1781: A Type B+ motorhome built on the Ford Transit chassis with a rear corner galley and dry bath.
  • Feeling Lucky?: Learn what’s in store at FMCA’s “LUCKY 13” convention, March 15-18 in Perry, Georgia.
  • Vanleigh Beacon 42RDB: This  luxury fifth-wheel, part of the Tiffin Motorhomes family, is packed with upscale amenities.

Tags

Allegro Breeze apollo sceptre motorhome Blue Bell Creameries circus museum class b diesel rv class c buyers guide Coach House copper mine Destination America diesel coach dinghy towing distracted driving Dometic CoolFreeze fmca convention history Fort Pulaski National Monument franklin county florida gadgets glass factories Houston las cruces maid of mist history Marengo Cave marty stuart medical evacuation medical evacuation program Missouri Moab motor coach update motorhome driving tips motorhome gadgets motorhome products New Mexico;Beckham Creek Cave Lodge New York;East Brother Light Station power switch Pure Power Blue Water Digester & Odor Eliminator from Valterra Products Inc. puzzles for kids rivoli review RV foam mattress rv road test severe weather social networking strasburg Thanksgiving in a motorhome Therapedic International waterproof mattress pad Thor Industries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

©2023 - Family Rving Magazine All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top

FMCA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FMCA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.

If you already have a membership with us, sign in now to get full access!

Join Now Sign In