FMC Magazine Collection
Dear Editor:
We have retired from motorhoming, and we have copies of Family Motor Coaching magazine dating back to 1995. We thought someone might like to have them. If anyone is interested and willing to pay for the shipping to have them sent to them, they can contact me at (810) 629-1828.
Lloyd Betts, F139623
Fenton, Michigan
Towing A Ford C-Max Energi
Dear Editor:
I was just reading the January 2015 “Readers’ Forum” column and saw a letter about towable electric cars (“Time For Towable Electric Cars,” page 20).
In October 2014 we purchased a flat-towable Ford C-Max Energi. The C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid car with a battery range of 20 miles and a 560-mile range per tank. It can be plugged in to a campground 120-volt-AC outlet with the standard adapter that comes with the car; in this manner, it takes seven hours to recharge the battery. For two-hour recharging, you can purchase the 220-volt-AC/30-amp adapter.
This little hatchback gets about 40 miles per gallon when motoring. It tows well and is fun to drive. The specs say it accommodates five adults, but four are all you really want. An optional luggage rack allows you to carry two bikes or two kayaks on the roof. Ford suggests a 70-mph top towing speed when flat towing.
As a side note, I just wrote a project paper about outfitting our C-Max for recreational towing. It is a 9-page document with photos and can be seen at www.mangles.net/fun/projects/Phaeton/MyCMaxToadBrakes.pdf.
Mike Angles, F445103
San Jose, California
Michelin Help Found
Dear Editor:
I just learned that the Michelin tires on my 2011 Jayco Melbourne were under a recall. Michelin told me that a dealer near my home could replace my tires at no cost to me. They called the dealer while I was on hold and then came back on the line and told me the dealer was not willing to do the job.
I searched and found United Tire & Service in West Chester, Pennsylvania (614 Westtown Road; 610-692-6997; www.unitedtire.com). Bill Damico was super helpful, taking time to look up the recall and call Michelin. He said they would order my tires that day and call me when they arrived. I wish I had found them the first time around.
Rocco J. Navarro, F421507
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Mobile In Montana
Dear Editor:
I must tell other FMCA members about a wonderful mobile RV repair company based in Billings, Montana. We were preparing to leave our campground in Hardin, Montana, and the motorhome would not start. It had no spark, no nothing! We called Yellowstone Truck Service, which was about 90 minutes from us.
When they got to us, the serviceman and his son proceeded to trace the problem with efficiency and care. When he had checked everything possible, he crawled under the coach and “thumped” the starter once. Apparently it needed to be dislodged, because it started right up. This company is efficient and reasonable.
Yellowstone Truck Service (121 Sugar Ave., Billings, MT 59101; 406-690-1052) specializes in large trucks and motorhomes and is highly recommended.
Kenneth P. East, F330923
Vista, California
Help From “Grumpy”
Dear Editor:
In early October 2014, my wife and I were driving from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. We encountered some cold weather with snow and very windy conditions. To travel any farther, we would need chains in case the roads did open. Temperatures were to drop to 17 degrees that evening. We were concerned about our motorhome’s water system freezing. Fortunately, we found one campground still open.
While having a fantastic lunch at Grumpy’s Restaurant and Saloon in downtown Silverton, I asked the owner where I could find a hardware store, so I could buy a trouble light or something to keep the motorhome’s water from freezing. But it was Sunday and the only hardware store was closed.
After doing some shopping, my wife and I returned to our motorhome and to our total surprise, there was a trouble light wrapped around the door handle. A business card attached identified George Foster (“Grumpy”) as the donor. We are so thankful for his thoughtfulness and the extra effort he made not only to help us but also to locate us.
Grumpy’s (at the Grand Imperial Hotel, 1219 Greene St.; 970-387-5834) is a great place to eat, with an old-town atmosphere; live ragtime piano music; delicious food; and quick, friendly service. Whether you take the train from Durango to Silverton or are driving through Silverton, stop for a visit. And say hello to Grumpy from us!
Bruce & Lynnel Huizen, F347590
Marne, Michigan
Repairs In Elko
Dear Editor:
On a recent two-month, 7,000-mile motorhome trip out West, we encountered problems with the RV refrigerator and had a leaking water pump as well. While at dinner, we were talking about the repair problems, and a nice fellow at the next table overheard us and offered to help. He said to call Gateway RV Center in Elko, Nevada.
The next morning we called, and they asked us when we could bring in the motorhome. As soon as we got to the shop, three mechanics started working on the coach. Within 90 minutes they had us on the road, with the refrigerator working and the water pump fixed. The owner and the technicians really know their stuff.
If you are ever in Elko, Nevada, and need repairs, contact Gateway RV Center, 1377 W. Idaho St., Elko, NV 89801; (775) 738-8071; www.gatewayrvnevada.com.
Keith R. Fisher, F152426
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Coaches For Christ Chapters To Gather In Wisconsin
Dear Editor:
As new FMCA members some years ago, my wife and I had no intentions of joining an FMCA chapter. I was a retired minister; we were very active and our calendar was full, we thought. That attitude changed at our first FMCA convention, in Perry, Georgia. We attended morning devotionals and learned about the Coaches for Christ chapters. Since then, over the past seven years, not only have we joined FMCA chapters but we also have had the privilege of helping to start the Coaches For Christ — South Central chapter.
I’m now serving as an FMCA chaplain, and we participate in morning devotionals, where we have met many outstanding fellow believers of all faiths across the country. Chapter involvement has truly been a rich, rewarding experience.
We strongly believe every member of FMCA would benefit by being involved in a chapter. Chapters can be designed around your interests and desired level of participation. I believe every “person of faith” in FMCA should look for the Coaches for Christ (CFC) chapter in their area and join together with others for spiritual support and fellowship. In all the CFC chapters, we do not focus on our differences, but on Christ who unites us.
To find the CFC chapter in your area, go to www.FMCA.com and do a chapter search. If your experience is like ours, you will be blessed beyond measure. At a minimum, in the South Central Area we offer the opportunity for all FMCA members to become “eConnected” and receive Coaches for Christ — South Central chapter information, event dates, and prayer support via email. Just send an email to coachesforchrist@gmail.com and request to be “eConnected.”
Several years ago, members from all of FMCA’s Coaches for Christ chapters held a rally in Branson, Missouri. It was a great success and ended with a strong call to “do this again.” That time has come! One week prior to FMCA’s 2015 summer Family Reunion (July 29-August 1 in Madison, Wisconsin), we plan to hold a second Coaches for Christ rally. Our rally will be at the Bonanza RV Park in beautiful Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, July 20-24, 2015, and is open to all “persons of faith” within FMCA, whether or not you are a CFC chapter member. Reservations for our rally are due by May 1, 2015. The rally fee is $80 per coach (two people), and camping is $40 plus tax per night for full hookups. For further details or additional reservation instructions, send an email to gfarc@aol.com. If you have an interest in a Coaches for Christ chapter, this would be an excellent opportunity to begin your search.
George Archer, F288074
Livingston, Texas
Inverter Fix
Dear Editor:
Our old Xantrex inverter/charger went out on us while we were on the road. RV service centers we called promised to look at our problem in a couple of weeks, and then order a new unit, which would arrive in another 10 days.
At the time we were driving south from northwestern Washington, and we were told that Mark Snyder Electric in Poway, California, could remove, test, repair, and/or replace these units, usually the same day. We got in for service at our convenience, and we had a rebuilt 2,000-watt Xantrex unit installed in a mere 2 1/2 hours.
Based on info from other RV service centers, we were anticipating a replacement cost of around $1,500 plus labor. We were pleased that the Snyder bill was well under $900.
What confidence I experienced as I watched them work and saw their shop had dozens of new and rebuilt units. At Mark Snyder Electric (12900 Brookprinter Place, Suite 200, Poway, CA 92064; 858-748-4612; www.marksnyderelectric.com), they truly are specialists with old-fashioned prompt and friendly service.
Andrew Cammenga, F275577
Three Forks, Montana