Las Vegas Motor Coach Resort Clarification
Dear Editor:
FMCA has a huge following among our 407 site owners here at Las Vegas Motor Coach Resort, so I received a number of calls from our owners regarding an error that appeared in the September 2009 “RV News & Notes” column (“Signature Resorts Acquired,” page 38). Allow me to explain.
On June 2, 2009, our association, through capital from our owners, purchased the remaining assets of the Las Vegas Motor Coach Resort out of federal bankruptcy from Monaco Coach Corporation. This included 24 lots, as well as a restaurant parcel, a welcome center office parcel, and a storage parcel, the latter three including all furniture, fixtures, and equipment. As of that date, we have no relationship with Signature Resorts, Outdoor Resorts, Sunland RV Resorts, Monaco, or any of their affiliates. We hired RMI to manage our resort and are working through the board of directors and committees of owners to handle marketing, advertising, sales, rentals, and promotions internally.
Dave Williams, F383084
President, Las Vegas Motor Coach Resort Owners Association
Military Veterans Chapter Forming
Dear Editor:
I am in the process of forming a new FMCA chapter called the Military Veterans chapter. Membership will be restricted to FMCA members who have served or are now serving in the United States armed forces (including the National Guard) or the Canadian armed forces. Personnel discharged in the general categories from any of the forces are not eligible. This chapter will be formed within FMCA’s International Area.
We will have an organizational meeting at the next International Area Rally in Quartzsite, Arizona, January 20 through 24, 2010. We also will meet at FMCA’s 83rd International Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 22 through 25, 2010. FMCA governing documents require that each member sign the petition for chapter charter, so, hopefully, you can attend one or both of the scheduled meetings.
If you are interested in joining this chapter, please contact me with your name (pilot and copilot), FMCA member number, address, telephone number(s), and e-mail address.
Jerry L. Sweeney, F360476
FMCA Mail Forwarding
(703) 232-7328
jerrylsweeney@gmail.com
Caution On Scenic Roads
Dear Editor:
The June 2009 “Baker’s Dozen” column, titled “Road Trips” (page 80), was very interesting. We have traveled on many of the roads listed and found them to be breathtaking. However, the article did not state anywhere that many of those roads cannot accommodate a 45-foot-long motor coach and towed vehicle. Many of the roads were built long before RVs became what they are today.
Pete & Sandy Leydorf, F390992
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Editor’s Note: As with any trip you plan, check ahead for steep grades, cautions regarding towing, low clearances, and other vehicle restrictions.
Family Fun At Bowling Green
Dear Editor:
We wanted you to know how appreciative we were of the FMCA Youth Program at the Bowling Green, Ohio, convention this past July. We joined FMCA about two years ago, and it was our first convention. We were totally blown away by the hospitality and caring of the youth volunteers toward the children at the event. Without the care they gave to our seven children, we would not have been able to enjoy the talks and seminars at the convention.
Thank you for putting together an awesome convention that was so well-organized, and for making this a true family experience. We will spread the word about how much we got out of this to the people we camp with on a regular basis. Please let the volunteers know how thankful we are.
Ken & Diana Falls, F397720
Belford, New Jersey”
Worthwhile Repair Stop In Colorado
Dear Editor:
While on our way across the country from Pennsylvania to Arizona, our 30-foot Holiday Rambler Type A motorhome developed an engine problem. We live in our motorhome full-time, so service is very important. We needed a Ford truck service center, and luckily found Phil Long Trucks in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One phone conversation with service adviser Leon Boutte resulted in an appointment at our convenience, including the offer of an overnight parking space with an electrical hookup.
David, the chief motorhome mechanic, quickly diagnosed our problem. First thing the next morning, he had the motorhome in the shop, and by early afternoon it was fixed. Another night’s stay in the parking lot let us get back under way after a quiet night’s sleep.
We would like to commend Leon and David, and recommend Phil Long Ford for excellent mechanical service (888-548-8432). It was a pleasant experience.
Dan & Beverly Armstrong, F292334
Crestview, Florida
Happy With Oven Addition
Dear Editor:
Like many new motorhomes, my 2007 Monaco Knight did not have a propane oven. The microwave-convection oven does well, but I do a lot of boondocking and hate to fire up the generator to bake a meatloaf or pie. The Monaco factory in Oregon had scheduled me in early March to have a range installed in place of the cooktop.
As I was making my way there, I met another Monaco owner in California who told me Monaco had reduced its workforce and that I should call about my appointment. Sure enough, they had cancelled all appointments, but they recommended DeMartini RV in Grass Valley, California, about 50 miles from where I was camped, to do the work.
Not only did DeMartini RV have the parts, but their service manager said they could get me in the next day. They immediately removed any reservations I had about their service and capabilities. To start with, the facility is brand-new, but DeMartini is a longtime RV dealer with an excellent reputation. The work was finished up the next morning, and as good (maybe better) as I could have hoped for even at the factory. Getting me in with one day’s notice was remarkable in itself.
DeMartini is an outstanding RV dealership with a truly professional staff. The above-what-you-would-expect workmanship and pleasant environment made me a happy camper. I cooked a pie in my new oven that night.
Tom McDaniel, F317281
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Another Fan Of Fan-Tastic Vent
Dear Editor:
I have a Type A motorhome with a Fan-Tastic Vent fan. The fan stopped working recently, so I called the company for assistance. Technician Jeff Atwell provided me with some possible fixes, which I tried. The fan still wouldn’t work.
He sent me a couple of replacement switches and I installed those, but that did not correct the problem. Then he sent me a new internal portion of the fan “” all the switches, circuit boards, dome lift motor, and even a new exterior dome with seals, etc. He said they would get the problem fixed with whatever might be required.
It worked, and the fan, which is 15 years old, is like new.
I received all this help and the replacement materials at no charge, including shipping. Fan-Tastic Vent is a great company, where the people take great pride in their product. I recommend Fan-Tastic Vent fans for comfortable air circulation in any RV.
Jack D. Strasser, F188788
Fort Worth, Texas
Keeping The Radiator Clean
Dear Editor:
Our 2001 Allegro Bus has been running hot the last couple of years, but with management of speed, RPMs, and length of travel at one time, the situation was manageable. In going just a few miles to Waco, Texas, for our annual service visit, however, the unit got so hot it boiled over before we got there.
Randy Cervenka, the service manager at Diesel Power Supply in Waco (254-753-1587), correctly diagnosed the problem. The radiator was not permitting enough air movement. Various cleaning methods I had done with solvents, a pressure washer, and air pressure were not enough to get the oil and dirt (which had turned to mud) off of the backside of the radiator.
Randy had a mechanic pull the radiator and the air charge cooler (which also was badly plugged up, but not visible until the radiator was pulled) and steam-cleaned them. They also installed an extension tube. All seems to be well at this point. I felt lucky that no damage was done to the engine or its components.
My hat is off to Randy and his crew for the way they handled the problem, the speed in which they did it, and the final cost (although it was not quite as inexpensive as the $1.30 mentioned by Horace Searcie in the July issue of Family Motor Coaching (“Readers’ Forum,” page 18). My advice is to address the issue early, install the extension tube, and clean the radiator a couple of times per year.
Bill Holmes, F300934
Belton, Texas
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