By Dave & Jane Whitmore, F318909
February 2013
In December 1993, the owners of 20 Roadtrek motorhomes gathered in Titusville, Florida, to view the launch of the space shuttle Endeavor and attend the very first regional rally of FMCA’s new Roadtrek International (RTI) chapter. Attendees didn’t realize then that they were launching a community that would bring thousands of Roadtrek owners hours of pleasure, many delightful adventures, and countless friends. Now, 20 years later, this chapter includes “trekkers” from throughout North America.
Discussions about what would become the Roadtrek International chapter began as early as 1986 with early Roadtrek clubs being formed in Ontario (1986), the southeastern United States (1992), and Arizona (1992). Early organizers included Fred and Florence Ritter; Jack and Belle Schneiker; and David and Marion Sandiford, who had been Roadtrek dealers since 1988. Roadtrek International became an active FMCA chapter in February 1993. Belle Schneiker published the first chapter newsletter in March 1993 and sent it to 125 charter members. At the first chapter meeting in Blacksburg, Virginia, in August 1993, Denis Foley was elected chapter president and Pat Foley became the first executive secretary. By the end of 1993, the chapter boasted 400 charter members.
So who are our chapter members today? “We are people from all walks of life,” said chapter president Francis Griffin. “There are many teachers, engineers, organizers, artists, blue-collar workers, and small-business owners among us. We tend to be active, sometimes talented problem-solvers, and people who enjoy learning and have a love of traveling this continent by road. We are mostly over 50, some single, most retired — though not necessarily so — from just about every province of Canada and the United States.”
To become a chapter member, you must belong to FMCA and you must own a Roadtrek motorhome. Roadtrek owners are notorious for making modifications to their Type B motorhomes. Many ideas for making these small living spaces as efficient and comfortable as possible are passed around at rallies.
One RTI charter member, Susan Mitchell, has her own theory about why Roadtrek owners are so friendly and gregarious. “The small footprint of our van-sized RVs naturally encourages us to be outdoors a lot,” she said. “When we are around others with this vehicle it is natural to socialize, sit around a campfire, and share our stories of the road and our experiences and ideas for making our little rolling homes most comfortable and functional.”
Member volunteers organize and host 25 to 30 rallies per year throughout North America. Multi-day rallies have been held at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado; Louisbourg, Nova Scotia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and San Diego, California, to name just a few. We have had a dog-training rally; parked and ridden on barges floating on the Mississippi River; and gathered at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Caravans have gone to Alaska; traversed Newfoundland and Labrador; followed the flow of the Mississippi River; traveled throughout Mexico; and navigated the Natchez Trace. Often, Roadtrek owners will park together at FMCA Family Reunions and area rallies to take advantage of the activities these larger events have to offer.
The RTI chapter Web site came online more than 15 years ago. Thanks to the efforts of webmaster Dennis Womack, members can check on rallies, see the latest issue of the chapter’s “Roadtrek News” newsletter, look up information in the Member Directory, view photos from past rallies, and much more. Members also can sign up for the chapter’s CyberRally, one of the key benefits of belonging to RTI. Hank Seamon, one of its moderators, said, “The CyberRally is a member’s golden resource. This ‘virtual rally,’ which has been in existence since 1997, is an e-mail forum that offers members with Internet access a chance to communicate quickly.”
Through the years, the chapter has received a great deal of support from Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. of Kitchener, Ontario, and the Roadtrek dealer network. The company has arranged factory tours, lined up speakers for technical seminars, provided financial support, and much more. None of our adventures would be possible without their skills in building and constantly updating these fine machines for the past 40 years!
Jim Hammill, president of Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc., recently said, “Roadtrek Motorhomes is blessed to have one of the largest and most active owners groups in North America. The Roadtrek International members are some of my favorite people.”
Often our chapter gives back to the communities we visit. One recent occasion was at our September 2012 chapter rally in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The 162 Roadtrekkers who attended contributed to a food drive for the Foxboro Discretionary Food Pantry. Attendees began piling donations under our sign the first evening. Normandy Farms Campground got into the spirit by placing a box in their reception area, to which employees and other campers could contribute. Altogether we collected seven boxes, four large bags, and a few miscellaneous items. Chapter member Candace Rapf came up with the idea, which will live on, as the Normandy Farms staff indicated that they would keep their donation box in place to continue collecting for the local food pantry.
Through the years, members have experienced many memorable events in their Roadtreks. One of our charter member couples, Paul and Shirley Bachman, were married in their Roadtrek. Actually, the ceremony had to be performed twice, because the video camera was not turned on the first time.
“In the end, our chapter is all about the people,” Denis Foley said. “Good people, caring people, friends — sometimes more like family members. I can’t tell you how many times we have stayed with Roadtrek friends all over the U.S. and Canada. Members from many places have come and stayed in our driveway. At a rally, we may meet up with someone we have not seen for a few years. Doesn’t matter; we pick up right where we left off. And what a good time we have!”
Being members of the Roadtrek International chapter has greatly enriched our enjoyment of traveling in our motorhomes.
For more information about the Roadtrek International chapter, visit www.roadtrekchapter.org..