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Family RVing Magazine

Readers’ Forum: May 2010

May 1, 2010

Vent Fan Tip

Dear Editor:
There is an error in the wiring diagram of the “Cleaner Air” tip in the February 2010 “Tech & Travel Tips” (page 24).  As wired, the fan can run only for a max of 80 minutes, which is the highest limit on the timer. Also, both switches would have to be on for the fan to operate.

Here’s the fix: Piggyback two wires from the timer contact screws onto the two wires on the on-off switch. This way the two switches work independently. If you want to set a time, turn on the timer.  If you want a manual on, turn on the switch.

Mitch Moser, F382140
FMCA Mail Forwarding


Kids And Beautiful Memories

Dear Editor:
I have attached a copy of a picture of our daughters, Hannah and Olivia, taken while we were at the Southeast Area Rally this past February in Brooksville, Florida. Behind them is a beautiful rainbow. Even with the horrible storm and tornado watches, we all had a great time.

My husband, Chris, and I enjoy bringing our girls to this rally, since we live here in Brooksville. It allows us to keep them in school during the day, camp at the event, and still attend the rally functions. How many kids today can say they get to camp at an airport and get served hot cocoa and doughnuts with glorious smiles each day before going to school? After school they get to attend a parade, get lots of goodies, ride in golf carts, and see a show each night before going to bed.

It is so wonderful for us to be able to provide moments such as these in their childhood in a world that has changed so much, making it harder and harder for parents to let their children truly be children.

Chris and I get such a relief and joy at attending FMCA-sponsored events. It allows us to give our children memories that we hope will continue, and get passed on to their children.

Everyone at the rally was so generous with their kind words and time with our children. We want to thank all of the FMCA members who greeted us, gave the girls their food coupons, waited on us, popped popcorn, gave us golf cart rides, drove the tram buses, and even passed by with friendly smiles!

Thank you again for all the hard work and generosity to all those involved!

Tina Tauriello, F362104
Brooksville, Florida


A Fire And Lessons Learned

Dear Editor:
While on our way to Mississippi, driving down Interstate 40 just past Nashville, we noticed that the front air conditioner in our 1993 Rexhall Vision motorhome had stopped working. The generator was still running, but as I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw the bedroom filling up with smoke. I turned off the generator; managed to pull onto the shoulder of the interstate; and my wife and I jumped into action. We loaded our two cats into carriers and got them out to the side of the road. I then climbed the rear ladder to the roof with a fire extinguisher in hand to check for a refrigerator fire. But there was none.

I opened the power cable door just in time to see the wiring burst into flames. A quick shot with the fire extinguisher put out the flames. After making sure the fire was out and waiting for the smoke to clear, we reloaded our pets and started nervously back down the road.
I was going to replace the 30-amp power cord myself, but a quick inspection of the back of the breaker panel revealed that all three 120-volt service leads were melted together, and the insulation was burned completely off in several areas. This was not something I was going to be able to repair in a parking lot at night.

The next morning we called Smallwood’s Camper & Trailer Sales and told them about our predicament. We were told that the wiring could be repaired but that it might take most of the day. We were very relieved that they were so accommodating.

In about 3 1/2 hours the wiring was repaired, a new 30-amp female plug was installed, and we were ready to continue our journey

The lesson learned was that if you feel your electrical service plug or wire get hot, it’s time to have the system checked by a professional. I had noticed that our 30-amp plug was hot on another occasion, but I thought it was normal when running our roof air conditioners as we traveled down the road. It was the 30-amp plug that shorted out and got hot enough to start the fire. I’ll never neglect to have our electrical system checked when anything is abnormal, no matter how trivial it might seem.

Another lesson is to keep a fire extinguisher ready at all times. I did go buy another one after that, by the way. The trauma of this event was made bearable by the exceptional service provided by the employees at Smallwood’s Camper & Trailer Sales (4305 Highway 45 North, Jackson, TN 38305; 888-298-6296, 731-688-3288).

Kelcie & Melba Edwards, F324116
Shawsville, Virginia


Blue Ox Employee Provides
On-The-Road Help

Dear Editor:
Recently we stopped at a Pennsylvania welcome center just to check the motorhome and the car we were towing. When we looked at the car, smoke was coming up from the front wheels — they were on fire. We doused the flames with the fire extinguisher, disconnected the car, and moved the motorhome a few feet away. We had gone back into the motorhome to figure out our strategy when I heard a knocking.

A man named Jeff asked what had happened, and we had no answer. We explained that we had just left Binghamton, New York, a few minutes before. We were using a Brake Buddy in the car, and Jeff thought that it may not have been set properly and could have caused the fire. It was a great comfort to have someone with us who knew about hitches and towing.

Jeff was driving a black pickup truck and towing a black utility trailer that said “Blue Ox” on it. He said he was coming from New Hampshire and heading for Bristol, Tennessee, following the NASCAR circuit.

We started to make our phone calls, and Jeff set to work taking our hitch apart, as he said it was loose. He cleaned every inch of that thing and put it back together nice and snug. We needed a tow truck to tow the car to a place that would sell and install new tires, so we headed for a Sam’s Club up in Vestal. Jeff left us just before the tow truck arrived, and the hitch looked like new.

Blue Ox has a great employee in Jeff, and we were very impressed and comforted by his presence and help.

We should add that our insurance covered all the car repairs. The Brake Buddy was sent back to the manufacturer, several parts were replaced, and the unit was returned to us, fully paid for by Brake Buddy.

Harold & Nan Teigland, F163317
North Fort Myers, Florida
 

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