April 2008

Weather-wise, it helps to know what is happening as far in advance as possible. This allows you to put your survival plan into action. Minutes count in any emergency, and surviving bad weather is definitely no exception. A weather monitor can give you the extra minutes you need to make a decision that could save your life.

A longtime FMCA member and enthusiastic supporter of the association died in Federal Way, Washington, on January 8, 2008, of pneumonia at the age of 88.

Package-Opening Tool

The Open It! tool from Zibra is said to put an end to the injury and unnecessary aggravation caused by difficult-to-open product containers such as clamshells and toy packages, as well as CDs, DVDs, battery compartments, and more.

Winnebago Industries Rolls Out 400,000th Motorhome

Winnebago Industries, located in Forest City, Iowa, reached a major milestone in December 2007 with the production of its 400,000th motorhome.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a group of people came together. Their idea was to enjoy their new friendship and to have fellowship for each family within the group. They all owned buses that were converted to “motor coaches,” and they decided to name their group the Family Motor Coach Association.

Visitors to Charleston can tour 18th-century homes and plantations; parks, museums, and historic churches; and a large and very impressive city market.

The life of an average honeybee is short, but sweetly productive. Hot biscuits wouldn’t be nearly as tasty without a liberal layer of honey, and this is the time of year when the local bees get back to work creating more of that magical syrup.

If your motorhome has been quiet through the winter, here’s a list of recipes to get you back out on the road when you see the first robin.

Diversity And RV Ownership

Dear Editor:
Don Eversmann was right on with his “inaccurate perceptions” commentary in the November 2007 issue (“Diversity And Perceptions,” page 14). I’ve been there! 

Visor Extensions

The power visors in our coach did not cover the entire width of the windshield.

Four For Two-Fer

Dear RV Doctor:
If both of my air conditioners can run with the generator, doesn’t that mean the wiring can handle them both? Why can’t I just replace the 30-amp cord with a 50-amp and run both A/Cs from the shore power also?

Blue Bird Body Company has announced NHTSA recall 07V586000, which affects all 2005 through 2007 Wanderlodge M450 LXi motorhomes built between March 10, 2004, and September 27, 2006. The potential number of coaches involved is 58.

We’re not sure what caught our attention first: the statement that the Grand Gulf Military Park museum was, according to Reader’s Digest, one of the best small museums in the country, or the fact that we could stay in an RV park right there on the site. That it was also a Civil War battlefield sure didn’t hurt. 

Chattanooga is already established as one of Tennessee’s most visited destinations, known for attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway. But now with the face-lift of the waterfront, the city has a new look along the Tennessee River.

What’s A Blog? A blog is an abbreviation for the words “Web log.” In a nutshell, a blog is a diary or journal that is posted on the Internet, just like a Web site.

In an era when every industry and business seems to have something called “super,” you must look hard to see whether a product truly deserves that moniker. Conquest Motorhomes, a division of Gulf Stream Coach, has combined the word with “nova,” the astrological term that stands for a rare celestial phenomenon …

Most people think motor oil exists simply to lubricate internal engine parts and keep them from failing prematurely due to excessive wear brought on by friction and internal combustion. Lubrication, of course, is the primary job of motor oil.

One of my responsibilities as president of FMCA is to receive comments, complaints, suggestions, and compliments from members, either by phone, postal mail, or e-mail. As you might imagine, the president receives quite a few each week. I will admit I am most grateful that there are more “atta boys” than complaints.

The FMCA North American Road Atlas & Travel Guide has been updated and is now in its 5th edition. The fresh information it contains is ready for your 2008 travels. 

No Cold Norcold

My Norcold (model number N843IM) refrigerator generally works very well on propane and electric. However, when I am on the road, operating on propane, and the outside temperature is very hot, the indicator light on the front of the refrigerator goes out. 

Suggestions for keeping more money in your pocket.