November 2010

Charlie has asked me to share some thoughts about motorhoming in this month’s column. When I met Charlie, I owned a huge canvas tent, the kind that smelled like oil of some kind and took a man and a boy to set it up. After a couple of camping trips, Charlie came right out and told me, “There has to be a better way to enjoy camping, like hot water, a built-in furnace, and maybe a color TV.”

Family Radio Communications

Dear Editor:
While the “Family Radio Communications” article in the June 2010 issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 50) covers the Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service radios quite well, I think there is another level of radio communication that is available to motorhomers that is far superior and almost as easily available.

No Dash Fan Info

This information may help Dennis Auclair with the issue he described in his “No Dash Fan” letter that appeared in the March 2010 issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 14). I had the same problem on my 2000 Monaco Knight and this Web site was very helpful: www.evanstempcon.com/guides_ccl.php.

Damon Motor Coach has announced NHTSA recall 10V407000, which affects some 2005 through 2007 Damon Intruder and 2007 through 2011 Damon Challenger motorhomes manufactured between April 16, 2004, and September 1, 2010. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 286.

North met south at Blackwell Island RV Park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, July 13 through 18, 2010, and the outcome was a terrific rally. Five member families from the Southwest Country Coachers (SWCC) chapter joined 10 member families from the Northwest Country Coachers (NWCC) chapter for five days of fun in the sun.

Winnebago Industries Celebrates 40 Years On New York Stock Exchange

On September 9, 2010, Winnebago Industries Inc. commemorated 40 years of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), as several company representatives took part in the Closing Bell ceremony to end trading on the floor that day.

Bread is the staff of life, yet when you’re on the go it can be difficult to find the specialty loaves you use at home. …A new book is filled with surprises for experienced bakers as well as for non-bakers who long to learn the art of creating warm, fragrant, nutritious, homemade breads.

I (Lowell) recently loaned one of my older bird books to a non-bird-watching friend, Marilyn, who is developing an interest in the feathered visitors to her backyard. Her immediate response was, “But so many of these birds look alike. How can I figure out which one is in my yard?”

Have you celebrated a special Thanksgiving in your motorhome?

Thor Industries has repositioned its motorized products by combining Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International into a new division called Thor Motor Coach. Recently, I interviewed Bill Fenech, president of Thor Motor Coach, to get his view on the exciting new developments at this well-respected company.

My wife, Laura, and I have owned a motorhome since 1998. We became FMCA members in 2005 and joined a local FMCA chapter two years later. I wish we would have joined both much sooner. The benefits of FMCA membership are too numerous to mention here.

If your chapter is losing members; was formed around a now-orphaned motorhome (one that is no longer being manufactured); or has restrictive requirements, don’t despair — consider promoting it!