“Purses” Auction Nets Many Thanks
During the Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, this past August, FMCA held a “Purses for a Purpose” silent auction. All funds collected through the auction were donated to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County.
FMCA national president Charlie Schrenkel received a thank-you letter that read, in part:
“Thank you so much for supporting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County. We recently received your $1,993 donation from the FMCA silent auction during your convention. I am grateful for your generosity as we strive to ensure that all our Littles reach their full potential and break the cycle of poverty through the guidance of our one-to-one mentoring programs. Your charitable contributions will change the way children grow up in Dane County.
Thank you!”
Dora E. Zuniga, Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Dane County
Madison, Wisconsin
Tire Monitor Recommendation
Dear Editor:
The November article “Tire Monitoring Systems” (page 42) left out, in my opinion, one of the best systems available: the TST system by Truck System Technologies Inc. of Cumming, Georgia. Their products include the 510 system with sealed batteries and the new 507 system with user-replaceable batteries. They have superb customer service. Dan Covington, the owner, is usually there in person, and his staff also is well-acquainted with the full line of products. I heartily recommend the TST team, and I have been using their products for almost four years. They can be reached at www.tsttruck.com or at (770) 889-9102.
Great company and great people.
Jerry Ray, F59220
Palmdale, California
Another Fire Safety Note
Dear Editor:
I have a comment to add regarding the “Fire Safety” article (August 2011, page 49) and my own experiences. Shortly after buying a 1996 Aerbus in 2005, I noticed the hardwood floor in the kitchen had become slightly warped and very dry. A friend recommended linseed oil to expand the wood and seal it. I sanded the wood smooth and put down a heavy coat of linseed oil to absorb into the wood, with the intention of applying a finish coat the next weekend. I left approximately 1/2-quart of linseed oil in a can on the coach counter. I folded an old terrycloth towel three times and left it atop the can, then closed up the rig and left. The next weekend, the floor looked good, so I decided to leave it with only the one coat. But when I went for the rag, it was stuck to the can! As I unfolded it, the top layer looked normal, but each successive layer was more charred, enough that it had melted the plastic cap on the tin can into the cloth. The amount of heat involved could have been within a degree of combustion, or maybe enough venting had occurred to cool the cloth; or, who knows. That was with only one rag, not the pile of rags in the corner that fire departments preach about.
I called our local fire department training person, and he was so amazed, he did a video documentary about this to use everywhere.
Dan Fregin, F389328
Chico, California
Freightliner Service
Dear Editor:
I live in my RV full-time. My motorhome’s “check engine” and “stop engine” warnings kept coming on, but only when it was pouring down rain. A truck center in Nevada and a service center in Nebraska each had worked on the problem previously. I thought it was fixed, but it poured again, and the warnings came on while I was in North Carolina.
I had friends to stay with for a few days while visiting in North Carolina. So I called Charlotte Truck Center, a Freightliner service center. I explained everything again to Larry Sutherland. Larry kept me posted every step of the way. Based on our conversations, he even sent a detailed letter to Freightliner’s customer service group in Gaffney (Larry said my chassis was built there). Another sending unit was changed (for the engine control module), and a belt was changed.
From my experience, most mechanics talk down to women. I asked a lot of questions, and never once did Larry make me feel stupid. He explained everything to me in such a way that I actually understood what was going on. Larry provided me a copy of the letter he wrote to Freightliner and said I could call if I encountered any further problems. That in itself was a great sense of relief.
I also had a satellite issue, and Larry allowed a mobile repair to come fix that while I was parked at their location. I would drive back to this facility again. Charlotte Truck Center Inc. is at 4633 Equipment Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina; (704) 597-1110.
Natalie Payne, F300457
Livingston, Texas
Assistance In Idaho
Dear Editor:
On a recent trip from Oregon to Yellowstone National Park in our seasoned 1999 Beaver Marquis, we had the good fortune (as it turns out) to experience an engine overheating situation near Meridian, Idaho. It was good because Caterpillar customer service referred us to Western States Equipment in Meridian (400 E. Overland Road; 208-947-4501).
By then it was early evening on a Saturday, and I found that the shop had closed. The after-hours service number connected me to Rod Brooks. He and I agreed to meet Sunday morning at 7:00 at the Western States Equipment service center. Rod meticulously diagnosed and remedied the overheating issue so that we were able to be back on the road by noon.
If you ever find yourself in the Boise, Idaho, area and in need of diesel service (or any RV service), keep them in mind. They have water and electric hookups in case your issue requires an overnight stay. Western States is now on our list of most trusted and accommodating repair facilities in the Northwest.
Glenn & Betty Perkins, F206961
Livingston, Texas
On-The-Road Awning Repair
Dear Editor:
We were cruising southbound on U.S. 285 north of Artesia, New Mexico, at 60 mph when the Carefree electric patio awning on our 2007 Monaco Diplomat started to extend. We pulled over to the roadside and, because of tilting, the awning rolled all the way out and could not be retracted.
The people at the KOA in Carlsbad suggested we call Main Trailer Sales in Roswell. Steve answered the phone and knew exactly what our problem was. Steve and his family arrived, sized up the situation, and zip-tied the awning so we could continue on our way. The total charge was only $60.
If you are ever in the Roswell area and need service, call Steve at Main Trailer Sales, 2900 W. Second St., Roswell, NM 88201; (575) 622-1751; www.maintrailersalesinc.com.
Pete & Sandy Leydorf, F390992
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Shade For Cats
Dear Editor:
What a nice article highlighting the new life given to the exotic cats at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in your October 2011 issue (“A Home For Big Cats,” page 44). The owners of MCD Innovations, Dave and Carla Townsley, visited the facility in 2009 and also were touched by these beautiful creatures, as well as the generosity of the staff and volunteers. They noticed that the animals were virtually unprotected from the sun at that time, and they were moved to do their part to help. MCD donated more than 10,000 square feet of high-quality solar screen material for the tops of the animal enclosures to provide shade during the hot summer months.
MCD is now in the process of sending several thousand more square feet of solar screen to cover even more shelters, as well as the walkway used by visitors to view these beautiful creatures.
We encourage readers to visit www.turpentinecreek.org for more information and/or to make a donation to this worthy cause.
Peggy Grich, F342867
MCD Innovations, C9750
McKinney, Texas
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