Determining Coach Weight
Dear Editor:
The November 2016 “Tech Talk” column had a question titled “Weighing The Options” (page 16) regarding places where RVers could take their motorhomes to get weighed. The answer mentioned the limited types of locations that weigh RVs but did not include one I have used: a moving company.
I have been able to get my axle weights and each wheel weighed at a North American Van Lines truck scale in Durham, North Carolina. I call ahead to ensure they can fit me in during less busy times. The moving company I used just had large scales but let me move my coach and towed vehicle around to measure each wheel. Some smaller movers may have individual scales.
Herb Vogt, F334196
Morganton, North Carolina
Dear Editor:
I read in the November 2016 “Tech Talk” column about the need for wheel-by-wheel weighing of RVs. I could not agree more. RV Weigh-Mobile Weigh Station (FMCA commercial member C13128) has been weighing RVs in the western and southwestern United States for the past 10 years. In 2016 we were at the FMCA Western Area Rally in Indio, California; the Freightliner Chassis Owners Club rally in Yuma, Arizona; the FMCA Rocky Mountain Ramble in Farmington, New Mexico; and other rallies. We also visit snowbird RV parks in the winter months.
At all our rally and RV park visits, we present a seminar about weight, weight balance, and tire safety and maintenance.
Recreation Vehicle Safety and Education Foundation (RVSEF) is a fine and reputable organization, and they deserve much credit for the work that they do. Although we are not as large an operation, we weighed approximately 160 RVs in 2016 (Type A and C motorhomes, and fifth wheels and travel trailers).
We use Haenni scales, which are the industry standard. You can get a good glimpse of what we do at our website: www.rvweigh.com.
Please keep us in mind if you need our service in the West and Southwest.
Stephen R. Kass, C13128
Owner
Rv Weigh-Mobile Weigh Station
Indio, California
More Arizona Sights To See
Dear Editor:
I wish to thank Jim Brightly, F358406, for his suggestion in the December 2016 “Rear View” column (page 120) regarding visiting Fossil Creek near Strawberry, Arizona. I have changed our route to FMCA’s convention in Chandler, Arizona, this coming March to include a visit to Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek, and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, also near Strawberry.
I am a retired ground-water contractor (I drilled water wells and installed pumps), so springs are of great interest to me. We have passed that way many times on major highways without knowing such interesting sites were just a few miles away.
John Williamson, F410823
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Stranded No More
Dear Editor:
We recently stopped at Blake Ranch RV Park in Kingman, Arizona, for a quick overnight before heading home to Prescott, Arizona. Upon arrival, we set up our coach and then we headed out to take a walk and meet and talk with other RVers. We returned to the coach to find that we had lost our 12-volt power! No slideout power, no interior lights, no refrigerator, no toilet, no power blinds — nothing run by 12-volt power. We went to the campground office to see if they could recommend anyone who could help us to at least get our slideouts back in the next morning, so we could leave. They offered any help we might need, including the use of their fridge for our cold and frozen food.
In the meantime, we called our roadside assistance service and Monaco technical support. The roadside assistance could provide us with help sometime the next day. The Monaco tech had some ideas about what might have caused the loss of 12-volt power and how to temporarily fix it.
The next morning, Bill from the park came with another gentleman to try to help my husband figure out what the problem was. The three of them worked for several hours and spent time on the phone trying to find someone who could come to the park for service. Since we were stuck, they told us not to worry about staying beyond the checkout time, even if it meant not leaving until the next morning. With the aid of the Monaco tech and the help of Bill, we managed to get the power on temporarily for travel. Slides in, shades up, fridge working, toilet flushing . . . and away we went on our 150-mile drive home.
We’d like to thank Bill, his staff, and Blake Ranch RV Park (9315 E. Blake Ranch Road, Kingman, AZ 86401; 928-757-3336, www.blakeranchrv.com) for their kindness, consideration, and help in rescuing stranded RVers. They went above and beyond the call of duty.
Larry and Candi Kolves, F337313
Prescott, Arizona
White Glove Treatment
Dear Editor:
Our motorhome needed repair while we were at a rally. As luck would have it, two men from Westside Garage in Lufkin, Texas, also were in attendance. We agreed to bring the coach to them at a later date.
They did the necessary repairs in their shop. When we went back to pick up the motorhome, it had a clean carpet, and you could tell our coach had been given the white glove treatment.
If you are ever in Lufkin, Texas, and in need of repairs, we recommend Westside Garage (1602 N. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, TX 75904; 936-637-4894).
Shara Wilkerson, F239195
Chandler, Texas