Mohawk Trail Correction
An alert reader notified us that the description of a photo on page 73 of the June 2016 issue was incorrect. The caption in the article “Seven Must-See Stops On The Mohawk Trail” stated that the East Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel was visible only using binoculars. This is not the case. It is right near a road and can be reached from the Mohawk Trail (State Route 2). For more details and directions, see www.hoosactunnel.net/east.php.
FMC regrets this error.
Reflective Vinyl Aids In Visibility
Dear Editor:
In the May issue’s “Rear View” column (page 120), Richard and Phyllis Cicchetti, F387705, commented about coach nighttime visibility problems. I have just finished refurbishing a 1991 classic Elite. I put reflective vinyl strips on its side to increase visibility. I chose white, but there are many colors, many product grades, and many visibility grades. Reflective vinyl is not just for school buses and emergency vehicles.
A small local sign company cut the vinyl for me, and I installed the strips myself (carefully). It’s not a job for the untrained.
Elgin Deighton, F417471
Irvine, California
Replace The Manifold On Leaky Aqua-Hot
Dear Editor:
I’m writing regarding the Aqua-Hot problem mentioned in the May 2016 “Readers’ Forum” column (“Sealing A Leak In An Aqua-Hot System,” page 12), which the writer solved by using a stop-leak product called AlumAseal. We had a similar antifreeze loss on the Aqua-Hot unit in our 2005 American Heritage. Although it looked like an internal leak, neither the fault nor the repair was very serious.
When the covers were removed, it could be seen that the leak was coming from the left rear of the unit. Further inspection revealed a leaky manifold (located at the top left rear). This manifold, which receives the heated antifreeze output from the unit and distributes it to the various zone pumps, had two pinhole-size leaks. The leaks were caused by internal erosion in thin sections of the machined aluminum extrusion. We were in the boonies and made the decision to fabricate a replacement manifold using off-the-shelf plumbing components. The upside to this is that the new fittings will not erode like the original manifold.
From what I observed, the stop-leak product may work short-term, but the erosion may continue to spread and result in new (and larger) leaks as time passes.
Tom Curran, F311954
Via E-Mail
More Details About Towing Forester
Dear Editor:
I read Gary Bunzer’s response to the topic “Towing And Charging” (“House Calls,” June 2016, page 18) and believe it needs a bit more information than what he provided.
I tow a 2015 Subaru Forester with a manual transmission. As related to me by Subaru of America customer service, the towing procedure is as follows. First, you must either tow the vehicle four wheels up or four wheels down. (Subaru currently is evaluating whether they are going to continue to allow four-wheels-down towing.)
Second, the ignition key should be inserted and turned to the ACC position (NOT the “on” position). I found that even the ACC position allowed the service/information monitor to remain active, which is still a significant battery drain. However, if you continue to turn the key toward the “off” position, you will find a spot between ACC and “off” where the monitor screen will turn off, but the steering wheel lock will not be engaged. You can tow the car with no battery loss, and the front wheels will turn and follow the motorhome.
I have also discovered that you can tow with the key in the “off” position as long as you do not remove the key. The steering lock mechanism will not engage unless you remove the key while it’s in the “off” position.
I leave the key between the “off” and ACC position to ensure that the key does not wiggle out or accidentally fall out of the ignition and possibly force the steering lock to become engaged. I also installed the power lead to the towed vehicle and discovered it was a nonessential addition. The key method above prevents battery loss, except for the Brake Buddy draw, and the mileage is not recorded. This is the method Subaru recommended.
Thank you for your help in providing tips and procedures in the “House Calls” column. They are always interesting.
John Marsh, F277488
Endicott, New York
Commercial Friends
Dear Editor:
I have been a commercial member of FMCA for 20 years, and NEVER has this ever happened before. An FMCA president and first lady helping us set up our booth and work!
What a wonderful gesture. They offered to help us during the Quartzsite, Arizona, show when an employee of ours was not available.
Thank you, Charlie and Gloria Adcock!
Janet Trannum, C8707
Almost Heaven Microfiber
Bigfork, Montana
FMCA Family Is There To Help
Dear Editor:
My husband, Dan, and I were looking forward to the 93rd Family Reunion in Perry, Georgia, this past March. We were first-time attendees excited about the seminars and entertainment. Unfortunately, Dan became very ill while we were there. He was admitted to Perry Hospital on Saturday, the third day of the event. Eventually it became apparent he would still be in the hospital on Monday after it was over. I was alone with our dogs and not sure how we would get home. I was feeling helpless.
That’s when we found out FMCA truly means family. On Sunday afternoon, we contacted Jeff Walukonis, whom we had met through the Under 60 Task Force. Within minutes, former FMCA national president Charlie Schrenkel called to tell me they’d handle everything for us.
They worked with the fairgrounds security to let us stay on the site. Monday morning, C.B. Edwards and Donnie Osterhout, FMCA Parking Team leaders, unhooked us and drove the coach to a full-hookup site on the far side of the fairgrounds. They hooked the coach back up and made sure it was okay before they left. We also received several phone calls from members just checking to be sure we were okay or to ask if we needed anything — more importantly, to let us know they were thinking of us and hoping for a speedy recovery for Dan.
Dan was released from the hospital a few days later and was able to drive us back to Florida safely.
We will always remember how our FMCA family was there when we needed them. We can’t wait to attend another rally, and I will be taking the driving course the next time it is offered.
Dan & Martha Copeland, F414352
Palm Harbor, Florida
Thanks For FMCAssist
Dear Editor:
We were wintering in Arizona, and Joe had a medical emergency right before we were getting ready to head home. He was hospitalized with pneumonia and an irregular heartbeat. The cardiologist did not want him driving our RV home. We contacted Wesley Smith at Seven Corners, which administers the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program, and explained our situation. We asked him if we could have a family member fly out and drive the RV and us home. He explained the process to us.
After arriving safely home, we submitted our claim and were reimbursed for the plane ticket and travel expenses we incurred. What a wonderful benefit to have through our FMCA membership. Well worth our membership dues. We certainly hope FMCAssist is continued for FMCA members.
Joe & Linda Evers, F146029
Amana, Iowa
An Unusual Jump Start
Dear Editor:
We have all experienced the sinking feeling of having no power to start the motorhome after it has been parked awhile. Especially when we have forgotten to hit the battery disconnect buttons.
This happened to us while we were preparing to head home from Florida in April. I called Coach-Net, and they sent a young man to assist us. He drove an older, midsized Pontiac.
“What have you got in that thing that can crank a 330-horsepower diesel pusher?” I asked.
He answered, with a grin, “Do what I tell you to do and I will have it running in 10 minutes.”
He told me to shut everything down, and he meant everything. I turned off all battery disconnects and all 110-volt breakers. He connected the cables to the motorhome and smiled. Ten minutes later, the coach was running.
It turned out the car had a 300-amp alternator, installed by the previous owner. “The dude was planning to crank some music,” the young man said.
The moral of this story: Never judge a book by its cover.
Bill Mallory, F256138
Cynthiana, Kentucky
It Takes Two
Dear Editor:
They say “when it rains, it pours,” and that’s exactly what happened to us in April 2016 when traveling from San Antonio, Texas, back to New Jersey in our 40-foot Itasca Meridian. On day two of our journey, we drove through wind and rain like we had never experienced. The “Stop Engine” light came on and remained on even after we stopped for a while.
We called the closest Freightliner service center, which was Lonestar Truck Group in Texarkana, Texas. From the beginning of the process to completion, everyone — from our service adviser, Janet, to Bob, our technician — was pleasant, professional, and accommodating. We stayed overnight in a local motel, and they worked well into the evening to remedy the problem, which necessitated a labor-intensive replacement of the crankcase ventilation filter. We were back on the road by noon the following day.
Thinking the rest of our trip would be smooth, imagine our surprise when we stopped the next night outside Nashville, Tennessee, and experienced a deafening clanging when we plugged into the electric at a campground. The next morning we called several RV service locations only to hear responses such as, “Well, did you buy the RV here?” and “We are scheduled three months out!”
We then called Buddy Gregg RVs in Knoxville, Tennessee, and once again were treated with understanding, professionalism, and consideration. Even though they had many appointments scheduled, they were able to determine that they needed to replace the 50-amp surge guard transfer switch but would have to order the part. While all of this was occurring, we were made comfortable in what they call the “customer cottage.” And when it was determined that we would have to stay at least one more night, we were directed to one of their overnight spots on-site. Service advisers Ray and Pal were exceptional, as was our technician, Dave.
If you are ever in this part of the country and need quality help from people who understand that emergencies can’t be scheduled, we highly recommend Lonestar Truck Group/Texarkana Truck Center (109 Lone Star Crossing, Nash, TX 75569; 866-980-8444) and Buddy Gregg RVs and Motor Homes (11730 Snyder Road, Knoxville, TN 37932; 865-671-3465).
Bill Moll & Karen Buesing, F433110
Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey
Rock Removed From Radiator
Dear Editor:
While we were touring the Southwest this past fall, the fan on the side radiator of my Country Coach picked up a rock somehow and threw it into the radiator. We were camped near College Station, Texas, and researched radiator repair shops in the Houston area on the Web.
I contacted McCarty Radiator & A/C Service in Houston and was told I was only 40 miles from their location and that they could work me in. Owners Jerry Almaguer and Ross Shank had techs start to work immediately, and about six hours later we were on our way to our reserved campground on Galveston Island. Talk about quick service at a very reasonable price — we got it. I highly recommend McCarty Radiator & A/C Service (1521 McCarty St., Houston, TX 77029; 346-704-2371).
Enoch O. Morris, F107796
Cullman, Alabama