A Slight Adjustment
Dear Editor:
Regarding the “Fouled-Up Fuel Filler” letter in the February 2014 “Tech Talk” column (page 20), I have encountered the same frustrating problem with my 2007 National Sea Breeze LX. The low angle and length of the filler tube to the fuel tank caused the fuel pump to shut off.
The solution that I have discovered is to extend the rear jacks in order to raise the rear end a bit. This changes the angle on the filler tube and allows the fuel to drain more rapidly into the tank.
Try it. It works!
Dave Miller, F307238
Cornville, Arizona
Happiest With A Super C
Dear Editor:
Thanks for featuring a Super C RV in the February 2014 issue (“2014 Dynamax Grand Sport GC4000GT,” page 52). My husband and I have previously owned two Type A motorhomes and a converted bus. We discovered NRC Conversions in Middlebury, Indiana (574-825-3646; www.nrcmod.com), which builds only custom truck-chassis-based RVs. We were delighted to get the Super C coach we have always dreamed of owning.
This coach has a heavy frame and a 40,000-pound hitch to haul a heavy trailer. For dry camping, we have a 200-gallon fresh-water tank and a 200-gallon black/gray-water tank. The floors are ceramic tile throughout. We found that when you travel with two dogs, carpet gets nasty and wood floors can be scratched.
We were told by owners we interviewed prior to buying the conversion that NRC would exceed our expectations and that our coach would not cost near as much as truck conversions sold through dealers. Both were true.
Cass Flagg, F106633
Taylorsville, Georgia
Rolling The Right Way
Dear Editor:
On October 1, 2013, we were traveling to the mountains in South Carolina on Interstate 26 when we had motorhome trouble. We noted that there was a fuel station about 20 miles away at exit 52, and we barely made it there.
As we were turning in, we saw a sign about a truck repair facility down the road. My husband called the number and found out they were only about a half a block away. Thank goodness it was downhill! We pulled into the lot and immediately someone came out and directed us to a bay. They began to check out our motorhome and after a while realized too much work was involved to get it fixed that afternoon. We put our belongings in the vehicle we were pulling, left our motorhome with them, and went on to the mountains.
After a couple of days, our coach was repaired and we went back to get it (they had offered to bring it to us!). We were very impressed with their honesty, friendliness, and work. These are good people to do business with. The name of the company is Palmetto Chrome & Truck Services LLC, in Clinton, South Carolina (864-833-3712). Thad McCord is the owner — a great guy to deal with.
Tommy and Sharon Davis, F51629
Wilmington, North Carolina
Professional Treatment
Dear Editor:
We were halfway through a Fantasy RV Tours caravan in Alaska when the hydraulic pump in our motorhome quit working. This left us with no cooling fan or power steering. With the cab heater fan on high and lots of arm strength, we managed to limp into Anchorage. After a fruitless afternoon of searching for a repair facility, we finally stopped at Western Peterbilt. Service manager Wayne Schlaht not only agreed to help, he set us up in their secure lot and supplied a cord so we could have electricity. After arranging for overnight air shipment of the correct part, he arrived himself to replace it since two of his mechanics were out of action and he knew about our need to rejoin the tour.
I can’t say enough about the professional ability and compassionate treatment we received. I want to recommend Western Peterbilt Inc. in Anchorage to anyone in that area (2756 Commercial Drive; 907-276-2020).
Darrel and Arline Walberg, F415440
Rochester, Minnesota
A Great Place For Michelins
Dear Editor:
Buying motorhome tires is always a big expense, but when you are away from your home area, it can also create a bad case of nerves. While RVing in Jacksonville, Florida, in October, we contacted TCI Tire Center. We were quickly reassured by the professionalism and knowledge of their service manager, Jimmy Davis. He ordered our tires, gave us a really good estimate of cost, and walked us through FMCA’s Michelin Advantage Program features.
So, if anyone is in the Jacksonville area and wishes to use the FMCA Michelin Advantage Program, we highly recommend TCI. Their location is near the interstate, and they will give you great customer service.
On top of this, the Michelin Advantage Program is definitely a “fabulous” FMCA member benefit.
Sam and Sandi Marks, F427536
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Walkin’ The Talk
Dear Editor:
We’ve been members of FMCA several times over the past few years and recently rejoined. We truly enjoy reading the magazine each month.
We lived full-time in our 36-foot Airstream Land Yacht a few years ago. Being a gadget guy, I installed an intercom in the basement storage area with a corresponding receiver in the kitchen, so we could communicate the lazy way. One night, we heard a weird noise in the kitchen, and kept listening, trying to figure out what was causing it. Finally, my brave wife went outside and opened up a basement door. Out scampered a large cat. It had been walking over the talk button.
Frank and Marty Hill, F373997
Port Charlotte, Florida
Fire Safety First
Dear Editor:
I recently had a fire in the battery compartment of my 2008 Monaco. I had just pulled into a rest area. Luckily, a Good Samaritan alerted me to the fire just as flames were starting to escape from the battery compartment door.
I used the small chemical extinguisher that came with the coach. I then used a chemical extinguisher that I had placed in the bedroom. I then had to borrow one from a trucker in the rest area. That finally did the trick.
The batteries (Lifeline absorbed glass mat) were completely melted, with the plates exposed. Water would not have worked well at all, as the batteries still had electricity in them. The fire crew arrived just after the flames were out. They said they would have been too late to save the coach.
I am lucky that I was in a rest area; otherwise, the coach would have been destroyed.
I have replaced the two small chemical extinguishers and have purchased a 10-pound chemical extinguisher that I have placed by the driver’s seat. All the extinguishers are fastened to the wall. I want the extinguishers inside, available where I would need them most. I also have a couple of small gas-type extinguishers by the stove that I got from Lowe’s. Total cost was less than $150.
Chuck Seitz, F342731
Enterprise, Alabama
Curbside Service
Dear Editor:
Last August my wife and I and two of my granddaughters arrived at Lake George RV Park in Lake George, New York, for an eight-day stay. The morning after our arrival, I noticed that my motorhome’s front curbside hub and lug nuts were seeping black grease. I became concerned that I had a bad wheel bearing. I called several RV technicians in the area to see if they could evaluate and repair it. No one had the equipment to service the unit at the campsite, and I was disappointed that I was going to have to cut short our vacation to bring the coach to them. Finally, I was given the name of Adirondack Truck Repair (518-615-0376; www.adirondacktruckrepair.com) in Queensbury, New York, about 20 minutes from where I was.
The owner, Jeff Threw, came to my site and evaluated the problem. I had to have my outer hub cover/seal replaced, which they did the following day. I have to compliment him and his staff on the great work they performed at a very reasonable cost. Most importantly, they salvaged my vacation. I hope this will help someone else in the future.
Anthony J. Dicroce, F416727
Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
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