The “Supplemental Braking” article that appeared in the October 2017 issue (page 42) contained an incorrect description of the Stay-In-Play Duo. The correct description, according to SMI Brake, is as follows:
Stay-In-Play Duo is a permanent-mount supplemental braking system. The small operating unit is installed in the towed vehicle’s engine compartment. A compact actuator attached to the brake pedal arm operates the pedal. Two separate signals are required to activate the towed vehicle brakes — deceleration and motorhome brake lights. Immediate full braking power is applied during a panic stop. No wiring in the coach is required, except for an optional LED to indicate when the towed brakes are being applied. $1,099.95.
FMC regrets this error.
Dear Editor:
I read the “Motorhome Buying Tips” article (August 2017, page 48) with great interest. I’m not in the market right now, but I follow Type A resales very closely.
I am a little confused by what I consider to be an odd phenomenon in the Type A motorhome resale environment. I often notice ads for 10- to 12-year-old diesel pushers that tout the RV’s low mileage; say, a 2004 coach with 22,400 miles. The price is premium because of the mileage.
I have a really fine 2006 diesel pusher, immaculately maintained inside and out, with 85,000-plus miles. Everything — automotive, electrical, appliances, and the exterior finish — is perfect (it gets three wax jobs annually). Yet, because of the mileage it comes in way below a “hangar queen” that isn’t even broken in yet. Once it’s on the road, I would expect everything on that low-mileage beauty to start leaking and failing simply from not being used.
I see comparable value in my coach, but the market tells me I’m dead wrong. Don’t buyers appreciate a well-polished gem, lovingly cared for by a motorhome maintenance madman?
Clear the fog from my brain please.
Ted Fichtl, F241819
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Dear Editor:
I am writing to let our fellow FMCA members know of a fine motorhome paint shop, Showcoach in Washington Court House, Ohio. The owner, Glen Franklin, has been painting coaches for over 30 years.
Glen repainted and clear coated the roof radiuses and roof rails on my 43-foot Blue Bird. This involved sanding, painting, and clear coating the entire perimeter while protecting the rest of the coach from any dust or overspray. The paint matched perfectly, resulting in a beautiful job that looks brand-new.
Glen’s shop can handle the largest coaches and he is experienced in painting all types, from Prevosts to Type Bs. This is not a rapid service, as it is a one-man operation. But the result is a first-class job. The shop is located between Cincinnati and Columbus; phone (740) 333-7140 or email Glen at showcoach@att.net.
Maurice O. Bohrer, F170040
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Dear Editor:
We wrote to Progressive Insurance to bring three exemplary employees to their attention and to thank them for their assistance with a claim on our RV policy. All three communicated with us by phone in a polite, patient, and professional manner, providing excellent customer service in filing and processing our claim. In addition, our insurance agent was very helpful, serving as an advocate on our behalf.
These employees came to our aid and did everything possible to bring an end to a terrible situation, as we were victims of an unscrupulous tow truck driver dispatched by our roadside assistance. After winching our RV off a muddy road in a campground, the tow driver took our RV to a storage lot and held us hostage with a bill for services that was inflated and exaggerated. The tow truck driver was very difficult to deal with due to his rude and abusive language. He spoke to us and to the Progressive employees in an intimidating and threatening manner. Despite the trouble with this tow driver, they managed to negotiate his bill down to a point at which he agreed to accept payment and release our RV. Being able to get our RV released was as important, if not more, to us as having Progressive pay the invoice under our policy.
We want you to know how thankful we are that these outstanding individuals provided us nearly daily contact over our 10-day ordeal, reassuring us that they were doing everything possible to help us get our RV back so we could continue on our trip.
We purchased our policy through FMCA RV Insurance and look forward to being FMCA members and Progressive Insurance policyholders for many years to come.
Dennis & Debra Delorenzo, F426042
Riverview, Florida
Dear Editor:
My husband and I were traveling throughout the Florida Panhandle in our 2007 Winnebago Adventurer. At a fuel stop along Interstate 10 about 170 miles east of Pensacola, my husband discovered that he could not get the RV out of “drive.” He used the parking brake while gassing up, and then we stopped at the closest rest area (100 miles).
We started trying to find a shop or dealer that would help us. After talking with two Chevrolet dealers, we tried an RV dealer, who gave us the name of Auto Works Towing Heavy Duty in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and the personal cell phone of Eric Miele. Because we were able to operate in drive, Eric told us to bring it in (about 15 miles away). Once we were there, Eric very quickly diagnosed a broken shift cable.
Because of the age of our RV, finding a replacement shift cable was difficult, but Eric located one. It was in Chicago and would take a day or two to get to the shop, and they didn’t have the facilities for us to remain in the coach. So, we packed our necessary belongings in our fanciest trash bags and found a hotel in Pensacola.
The next day Eric told us the part had gotten lost in shipping, but he did his magic and got it located. The RV was fixed, and we were on our way the following afternoon.
We recommend Auto Works Towing Heavy Duty (12901 U.S. 90 W., DeFuniak Springs, FL; 850-399-1542,www.autoworkstowinghd.wixsite.com/website), especially Eric Miele and the other mechanics. We were treated with the utmost respect, and the price was totally reasonable.
Joan Senus, F339888
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Dear Editor:
We want to recognize the kind acts of fellow FMCA members. A huge thank-you to Robert and Rita Landrum, F413023, who are listed in the member directory as volunteer Pinch Hit Drivers. They are also Red River Rovers chapter members.
They helped return our motorhome to storage. I suffered an ankle injury while working maintenance on my coach and could not drive. Robert and Rita graciously answered our request for help to drive it back to storage. And Robert even gave me a lesson in the three-point turn to get the motorhome into its space.
FMCA members are the best!
Mike & Nancy Honkomp, F429915
Arlington, Texas