February 2011

Have you ever thought about all the adventures (or should I say misadventures?) you had when you first started motorhoming? Well, I’ve been thinking about that, and I have to admit that many of the errors we made can be traced back to me.

Tires are perhaps the most overlooked and the most vulnerable component on an RV. They also are the most important. They are the vehicle’s contact point with the road, serving as the foundation for your house on wheels. As such, they should be given the same attention and care as the vehicle’s engine, suspension, transmission, and other systems.

When you overload a motorhome, the extreme weight can cause axle bearings to fail prematurely; shorten tire life; allow unsafe swaying in crosswinds or on curves; increase driver fatigue; and cause the suspension to sag by putting undue wear on its components.

Winterizing The Water System

Dear Editor:
In the November 2010 issue of Family Motor Coaching, the “House Calls” column (page 18) mentioned using blowout plugs to winterize your coach’s water system. These are excellent devices and will remove water from most, but not all, places in your coach.  

Electrical Nightmare

I have a 2003 Monaco Dynasty motorhome with an electrical problem that has puzzled just about everyone I’ve spoken with about it. It all began more than two years ago when I started the generator and the engine to return to Canada. The inverter began to sound an alarm…

Have you ever had an unusual “stowaway” in your motohome?

With late January and early February being the coldest time of the year in North America, many people are beginning to ask how much longer winter will last. If you’re tired of the tentative predictions given by media weather forecasters who change their opinion weekly, go to the one reliable source for a definitive answer. Just ask a groundhog.

For years, thousands of RV travelers have made a living on the go by temping, writing, crafting, etc. Then the Internet opened new professions while reaching a whole world of potential customers.

Carefree RV Resorts Offers Military Discount Program

Carefree RV Resorts, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, announced that it will offer permanent 50 percent nightly discounts to active and veteran military service members and their families at its 35 parks in Florida, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, and California.

Members of the Heartland Execs. chapter found themselves at the beautiful Dakotah Meadows RV Park in Prior Lake, Minnesota, September 12 through 17, 2010, for a terrific fall gathering.

Seeping Shower Stall

Dear RV Doctor:
We have a 2007 Damon Daybreak with a “hex” shower stall that is leaking. The leak is coming from somewhere in the glass section framing or where the shower sides, glass, and plastic connect to the bottom section.

Companies with recalls detailed in this month’s Recall Corner are Fleetwood RV Inc. and Forest River Inc.