Cover Coaches Identified
Dear Editor:
The photo on the cover of the May 2010 issue shows four coaches lined up at FMCA’s Albuquerque international convention last March. We can give you details about three of these motorhomes.
The Sunstar, third from left, belongs to Bill and Beth Fuller, from Austin, Texas. They purchased their first motorhome last year. We met them on their maiden trip in Arco, Idaho, and introduced them to FMCA. The Albuquerque convention was their first FMCA event. They attended as many seminars as possible and enjoyed the exhibits.
The Airstream, second from left, belongs to Jerry and Bonnie Prout of Paradise, California. We signed them up a couple years ago, and they have attended the Western Area Rally in Indio, California. This was their first FMCA international convention.
The Winnebago Voyage at far left is our coach. We got into motorhome travel back in 2004 with a used 25-foot Winnebago. Our first trip was to the Albuquerque convention in March 2004. During that convention, we purchased a new 35-foot Winnebago Sightseer. We attended two international conventions in Perry, Georgia, and after accumulating more than 35,000 miles on that coach, we purchased the 2008 Winnebago Voyage pictured.
Parked next to us (but not seen in the photo) were Bob and Lil Rodenroth of Warner Robins, Georgia, who introduced us to FMCA back in 2004 and have attended all the international conventions mentioned above.
We’re a geographically diverse group of FMCA friends who look forward to rendezvousing in the future. If you see us all lined up at the next FMCA convention in Redmond, Oregon, this August, stop by and say hello.
Don & Arlene Rosenbaum, F339199
Cupertino, California
Scissors Jack Best On Manual Step
Dear Editor:
The May 2010 “Tech & Travel Tips” column had a suggestion regarding adding a scissors jack under the lowest motorhome entry step (page 18). I did this some years ago with a similar product I got at Camping World. It worked very well as far as making the step rigid. However, this should not be used on a motorized step. Though the RV jacks are down, the step needs to be free, because when you are in the RV, all the weight moves and the step doesn’t. I had to replace my step because of a broken linkage.
Another problem with using this on a motorized step is that if you accidentally retract the step while the jack is under it, it might attempt to pull the jack to the RV, and the step mechanism could break. (My step retracts when the ignition key is turned on.) You would have a surprise the next time you exit.
This suggestion should work great on manual steps, but for the above reasons, I believe it’s best to avoid it on automatic ones.
Jim Kern, F113486
Lancaster, California
A Note To President Charlie Schrenkel
Dear FMCA President:
Just wanted to let you know the Albuquerque convention was the very best FMCA convention I have ever attended. For me, that says a lot. I have been RVing since 1984 and have been very involved with another RV group. I can say FMCA is unmatched in every RV rally category.
You and the FMCA staff are to be commended for taking something so labor-intensive (an international convention) and making it happen so transparently to the participant.
I met you a few times throughout the rally. I suggested that FMCA hold a first-timers seminar one day prior to the first day of the convention. I was dumbfounded that I got a response within 15 minutes. After checking with a few people, you told the folks at the seminar that at the next convention, an earlier first-timers seminar would be held.
Wow! Your title truly represents decision-making authority and the ability to listen to the membership. Also, the fact that your direct e-mail address is available for membership communication is a welcome change from other RV groups.
I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your presidency, and I truly look forward to greater FMCA participation. FMCA is the best.
Lou De Carolis, F400033
Goodyear, Arizona
Great On-Site Service At Convention
Dear Editor:
We felt we must write about some outstanding service we received at the latest FMCA international convention this past March. After weather delays, we arrived in Albuquerque with more problems than we have ever had with our coach. All of them were solved by on-site service companies and vendors.
Thanks to Thetford and Cummins Onan, we were able to remain in our home on wheels. The crowning event was when we returned on the last day of the convention to find a note from Roadmaster Inc. They had, at no expense or request from us, inspected and serviced our 12-year-old tow bar. How very thoughtful. It made what started as a less than happy convention much better.
James Mccollum, F237081
Alba, Texas
Remembering Cape May
Dear Editor:
I loved the article “Getaway To Cape May” in the April issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 68). The article brought back many memories, as I lived and worked in Cape May, New Jersey, for 30 years.
As I recall, the city of Cape May has very narrow streets, except for Pittsburg Avenue and Beach Drive. The many tree-lined streets make driving a Type A or even a Type B motorhome a little dicey. There is no RV parking on city streets; visitors might be able to park their RV at one of the many hotel parking lots, with permission, of course.
You can park your motorhome outside the city at shopping center parking lots in North Cape May, in Rio Grande (a couple miles north of the city), or the campgrounds and travel to town by towed vehicle.
The city of Cape May is a National Historic Landmark. At Cape May Point you can hunt for “Cape May diamonds” “” a type of quartz found only on Diamond Beach. When polished, they actually look like diamonds. Cape May has a free fire museum that houses old firefighting equipment dating back to the early 1900s “” a favorite of the young and young at heart. As the writer pointed out, one can take a week and still not see or do everything.
If you care to stay a mile from the beach, check out The Depot Travel Park (800 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204, 609-884-2533). The Depot is the closet campground to Cape May beaches.
Thanks for bringing back many memories.
William Szemcsak, F394810
Groveland, Florida
New Mexico Service Recommendation
Dear Editor:
We were RVing from Lake Wales, Florida, to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Balloon Fiesta when our motorhome began losing speed every time we started up an incline. The “check engine soon” light came on. We were out in the middle of nowhere between Amarillo, Texas, and Tucumcari, New Mexico. My husband suspected a clogged fuel filter, but we did not have spare filters. As we traveled down Interstate 40, we were hoping we would make it to a town of sufficient size where there might be an RV repair shop. Suddenly, a billboard appeared advertising John’s Truck Service Inc. in Tucumcari, approximately 25 more miles down the road, so we drove straight there. What a great experience it was.
It is such a clean diesel repair facility. You could just about “eat off the floor,” as the saying goes. The staff was so accommodating. The technician who diagnosed the trouble (yes, it was a clogged fuel filter) was wonderful, too. We had a completely positive experience at John’s Truck Service (575-461-2085) and would recommend it to anyone needing RV service when out that way.
Rick & Lynne Clawson, F391905
Lake Wales, Florida
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