The chassis mentioned “” W20, W22, and W24 “” were all included in the investigation. However, only the W20 and W22 chassis were equipped with the braking system in question. The W24 uses a different braking system and was included in the investigation only as a peer to the vehicles being investigated. The W24 chassis does not have any known brake caliper issues.
FMC regrets this error.
Blue Ox Steering Control
In the response to the letter titled “Blowout” in the October 2009 “Tech Talk” column, it should have been noted that Blue Ox also offers a steering control system. Additional information about the Blue Ox TruCenter is available by visiting www.blueox.us or calling (888) 425-5382 or (402) 385-3051; e-mail info@blueox.us.
Jerome Road Warning
Dear Editor:
I read with great interest the article about Jerome, Arizona, by Richard Bauman (“Jerome, Arizona: Stories From The Hill,” October 2009, page 70).
We made that trip a few years ago. Driving from the north through Jerome was very difficult, and there was no place to pull over for a stop. After we made the commitment to go up, there was a sign stating no vehicles over 35 feet were recommended. By that time, there was no place to turn around. Continuing on, we made it to a pull-out, where several locals approached us to tell us RVs have no business on that road. The road is very narrow and crooked. We continued on very cautiously and slowly, using both lanes when making the curves.
I am a professional tour coach operator. I drive The Top of the World Highway, so I am not faint of heart. I would not recommend that route for other RVers.
Don Hazelwood, F312140
Magnolia, Texas
Editor’s note: Thank you for your warning. We talked with a spokesperson from the Jerome Chamber of Commerce who told us that you probably took a trail called Perkinsville Road. The chamber discourages people from taking that road, but published maps and guidebooks do not warn people about it. The road is not maintained and is not safe even for four-wheel-drive vehicles, because it frequently washes away.
The only safe way to get to Jerome is via State Route 89A, an east-west road between Cottonwood and Prescott.
Jerome Photo Correction
Dear Editor:
I enjoyed the October 2009 articles on the Burr Trail in Utah (page 66) and on Jerome, Arizona (page 70). Great places to visit, for sure.
I would point out, in the Jerome article, that the caption for the photo on the upper right corner of page 73 is incorrect. The caption says the bottles in that image are patent medicine bottles. Actually, the picture displays a collection of assay lab equipment and has nothing to do with an old pharmacy’s medicine bottles.
For example, the cones on two shelves are fire clay crucibles used in the fire assay process for gold and silver. The rest are beakers, reagent bottles, and a nest of sieves for sizing ore samples.
Dusty Boyd, F162746
Grand Junction, Colorado
Radiator Cleaning From The Inside Out
Dear Editor:
This is regarding the many letters you have received about the rear radiator of a diesel engine getting plugged with oil and dirt, including the last one from Bill Holmes in the November 2009 issue (“Radiator Cleaning, Texas-Style,” page 16), where the radiator was removed and steam cleaned. That was expensive, I would assume. While most of the RV owners are cleaning the radiator from the outside (rear outside access), I clean mine (a Caterpillar) from inside the coach, or the back side of the radiator.
First, I am assuming the owner has had the blow-by tube extended down past the radiator to keep oil from exiting directly into the radiator.
Using a 1-gallon weed-killer pump sprayer and wand, I use full-strength degreaser (Walmart or Smart & Final brand) and spray past the fan and shroud onto the radiator fins. Adjust for about a 1-inch spray pattern. It’s time-consuming, and you have to move past each fan blade to adequately soak the whole radiator.
I do this once every six to eight months or 12,000 miles. It’s necessary to let the degreaser soak for about a half hour and then spray it off with water. Protect any concrete, as it will become stained by the black residue. I must emphasize that you have to get past the fan blades and around the whole radiator even during the rinse cycle. Protect your motorhome carpeting (and in our case the clothes closet), because you will have to snake the water hose through a window to use it in the closet. As mentioned in “Reader’s Forum” in the past, do not use a pressure washer, because its force could bend the fins.
After eight years, I’ve never had a problem even when driving in the desert during the summer. Also remember, on the Caterpillar engine, to change out the dual thermostats and radiator fluid per your schedule of maintenance.
Robert Faulks, F211803
Apple Valley, California
“Disconnect” Thanks
Dear Editor:
We want to thank you for the nice article about the Disconnect Club you put in Family Motor Coaching magazine (October 2009, page 62). We are quite excited, as we have had so many phone calls concerning the towing procedure. We have talked to people who have invited us to stop and see them if we are ever in their area.
How exciting to be able to make friends through a magazine. This sure shows the power of Family Motor Coach Association.
We can’t think of one thing to change in the article and hope your staff there realizes how great an article Peggy Jordan wrote.
Carl and Shirley Hansen, F69984
Salinas, California
Seeing Clearly
Dear Editor:
We are new FMCA members, thanks to member Larry Ellert. We met Larry at Endless Caverns RV Park in New Market, Virginia, where he was the campground host. While we were talking, I mentioned that a couple of our motorhome’s windows were clouding up. Larry gave me a copy of a letter in “Readers’ Forum” about Suncoast Designers in Hudson, Florida (“Everything’s Crystal Clear,” June 2009, page 20).
We called and made an appointment to see Jeff at Suncoast Designers (727-868-2773). In my 45 years in the business world, I have never seen a more professional company than this one. They not only did all the work in a courteous and professional manner, they did the work at the price quoted and with a smile on their faces. To top it off, they even thanked us for our business. All of our windows are now clear.
Their RV sites (they have approximately 10) have new 50-amp service and water hookups, with nice picnic areas, so if you arrive the night before, staying over is never a problem.
This company provides a much-needed service to many RVers.
Gordon and Nori Douglas, F409897
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Controlling Coach Audio Through The TV
Dear Editor:
My wife and I own a 2005 Itasca Horizon motorhome. Needless to say, it came with analog TVs (three, to be exact). So, we wanted to be assured of a picture when and if we could not use our satellite receiver.
I went to Walmart and purchased a 32-inch Sony LCD Bravada TV. With a little cutting, I was able to remove our analog Sony TV and replace it with the LCD TV. I hooked the new TV up to the surround-sound system in our motorhome. It was extremely loud, and I discovered that I could not control the volume of the surround system. I e-mailed Sony and was told that the audio output was not designed to control the volume of my surround system.
My wife and I attended the 2009 Winnebago-Itasca Club meeting in Forest City, Iowa, this year. While there, I learned that the TV I needed was one with a variable analog audio output. I searched and searched for 32-inch LCD TVs with a variable analog audio output. I found one online and installed it. Now I can control our surround system with the volume control on the LCD TV.
I write this letter not because of my knowledge of LCD TVs or electronics, but because I do not want to see folks run into the same problem that I had.
Anthony McConnell, F344575
Nixa, Missouri
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