Readers’ Forum: October 2015

Great Stops

Dear Editor:

Regarding the June 2016 48-day Alaska caravan led by Fantasy RV Tours (advertised on page 11 of the July 2015 issue), I have been to all of the places the caravan will visit, and then some. I highly recommend the trip. I have driven to Alaska from Maryland four times in the summer and spent time there twice in the winter. I have met very few people who were not totally awed by their visit to Alaska. Good selection of stops.

Jim Heins, F421918
Kensington, Maryland

Local Campground Found

Dear Editor:

We were excited to see our letter titled “Campground Savings Search” in the July 2015 “Readers’ Forum” column (page 18).

During our search, we visited a local membership campground, Niagara’s Lazy Lakes Camping Resort. No high-pressure sales pitch, very professional presentation, family owned and operated for 29 years, and pristine. We stayed several days at this facility. And we have to say that they understated the qualities of this place.  It is everything the owners, the Swift family, said it was and so much more. It’s a fun spot with plenty of activities for every age group.

Suffice it to say that your “perfect” campground may be less than an hour’s drive from your home base. In our case, Niagara Falls is close by, and amazing wineries are located minutes away from this campground, too. We never thought to look at this opportunity so close to home. We like to get away for long weekends, but how far away can you go and still have time to relax? 

Our search for discount campgrounds will continue. But for a close-to-home getaway with reasonable membership costs, Niagara’s Lazy Lakes is number one for us. To see what they have to offer, check their website, www.lazylakes.com, or call (800) 874-2957.

Thank you for your suggestions and information. We will use the FMCA Forums at FMCA.com and the RV Marketplace campground directory.

George and Karen Sparks, F312735
Lake View, New York

Cool Again

On August 11, 2015, in Rawlins, Wyoming, the control panel on our Winnebago Adventurer stopped working, and we couldn’t get any air-conditioning during the hottest month of the year. Also, we had no Internet service and spotty cell phone service.

After trying to get help from local technicians, and even driving to Laramie, we still did not have a solution. One electrician said we might need to find a Winnebago dealer in Lincoln, Nebraska. But that was two days out.  

We stopped in Kearney, Nebraska, in a campground that had a strong Wi-Fi signal. I was able to get on the Winnebago Industries website, which listed Harrison RV Land in Jefferson, Iowa. Gary Harrison called us back within the hour and walked my husband through resetting the electrical system. It worked! We finally had air conditioning. 

I cannot say enough about the great service when we really needed it.  Anybody in Jefferson, Iowa, who needs repairs or sales should call on Harrison RV Land (800-397-8206; www.harrisonrv.com).

Linda Harris, F418058
La Quinta, California

Always Check Tire Manufacture Date

Dear Editor:

We were driving along the Pacific coast when we had a tire blowout on the left front side. Fortunately, we safely pulled over and called AAA. We had a spare, and the attendant got us on the road again. 

While camping at the Elks RV Park in Florence, Oregon (which we highly recommend to fellow Elks members), we met a young couple from Vermont who had also had a tire blowout and told us of their experience with Superior Tire Service in Eugene, Oregon (541-744-2000; www.superiortireservice.com). Denny called Superior and the manager said he honors the FMCA Michelin Advantage program, which gives members special prices. He ordered six new tires for us. 

Four days later, only 50 miles from Superior Tire, we had a tire blowout on the front right side. This one blew a hole in the floor of the RV by the passenger seat. Tire pieces and dirt flew up the hole into the cabin, but through all this we were able to pull to the side of the road without a serious incident. Once again, AAA came to the rescue (so that spare came in handy again). 

When we finally arrived at Superior Tire in Eugene, manager Paul Saunders was there to greet us with our six new Michelin tires. They were installed in about an hour and a half, and we were on our way once again — needless to say, feeling greatly relieved!

Paul told us that the tires on our four-year-old motorhome were eight years old. We had bought the RV new four years ago. Even though the tires had been checked several times before by a tire company, we were not told how old they were. A lesson learned. When buying a new (or used) RV, always check the manufacture date on the tires!

Denny and Sybil Wheeler, F188967
Avila Beach, California

Campground Deposit Refund Policy

Dear Editor:

I would like to inform everyone, especially those in the Southern California area, of the no-refund policy that is enforced by the folks at the Californian RV Resort in Acton, California. In May, I reserved 10 spaces for our chapter’s August 21-23 rally and paid the $100 reservation fee. 

I called June 20 to advise them that our club was unable to make the August 21-23 dates and asked for a refund of the $100, since I gave them 60 days’ notice. They refused, citing a notice given at the time of reservation that deposits are not refundable. 

I told the manager I had cancelled 60 days in advance and mentioned that we are an FMCA chapter, but she said the policy would not be changed. Everyone wishing to stay at this venue should be aware of this.

Tom Williams, F425082
Simi Valley, California

Dear Editor:

I own a 34-foot 2006 Type A motorhome with three slideouts. During the winter of 2014-2015, I decided to replace its old carpet and flooring. Next came a BIG surprise. My repair service center, E. Boudreault in Quebec City, found that all three slideouts had water infiltration in the walls and floors. So, they had to be replaced.

When the workers removed everything, they discovered that the coach manufacturer did not put sealant in any of these places, so the water got through. The cost of sealant is maybe $25 to $35.  It cost me $20,000 to fix the problem.

If you own a coach with slideouts, check all the seals on your motorhome, including the junction of the slideout walls — all places where water can enter. 

I hope this advice will help someone save big money.

Denys D’anjou, F435521
St-Leonard-De-Portneuf, Quebec