February 2018
The FMCA family is about to get bigger! The FMCA membership voted to welcome owners of other wheeled, self-contained RVs into the association, branching out from a 54-year history of requiring motorhome ownership for membership. No matter how you voted, rest assured that the FMCA you know and love will still be here for you. We’re just sharing all of the good things FMCA has to offer with even more RV enthusiasts.
More and more people are deciding that they want to start RVing. After all, the lifestyle has much to offer. But selecting the type of recreation vehicle that’s best for an individual or family can be a bit bewildering. Choices include motorhomes, towables, and truck campers, and each has pros and cons. FMCA members, many of whom are longtime RV owners, are encouraged to share this article with RVer wannabes so they’ll be better equipped to make an educated decision.
Stop to see attractions as you drive along Interstate 75 in Georgia, and also be sure to taste the local flavor.
In mid-March, FMCA returns to a convention venue highly regarded by previous attendees: the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. Located in Perry, just off Interstate 75 in the heart of the Peach State, it’s a convenient destination for snowbirds and other travelers. Add a dose of Southern hospitality, a facility nicely attuned to RV events, and a slew of planned activities — including touring RV exhibits — and you’ll want to put March 15 through 18 on your calendar.
RVers have been stuck with 1960s technology long enough. Pondering how far technology has come in the evolution of RVs can boggle the mind. Here are just a few examples:
FMCA members Rich and Sherry Hashagen created an inclusive camp that serves thousands.
A full-time RVer decides to take his hobby on the road and let it lead the way to adventure.
The FMCA membership recently approved new wording for the FMCA Constitution and the Articles of Incorporation. The votes were tallied by FMCA’s accounting firm on November 30, 2017, and the resulting changes became effective immediately.
It is my great pleasure to officially welcome anyone who owns a self-contained towable RV to FMCA! As a result of the recent vote of the FMCA membership, you and others can now join us as full members of our not-for-profit, member-owned association.
Some of you might be asking, why is this happening now? Haven’t we always been a motorhome owner’s association? I’m fortunate to have been an active member for a long time, and I have witnessed the history of the discussion regarding whether to maintain the status quo and keep membership restricted to motorhomes or to extend membership to owners of other self-contained RVs.
The FMCA staff certainly has been busy over the past couple of months. As you probably have read or heard by now, FMCA has announced three new or revised member benefits since November 1, 2017.
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month’s Recall Corner: Forest River Inc., Kidde, Prevost Cars Inc., Thor Motor Coach, Triple E Recreational Vehicles.
The following recall notices are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, and model, visit www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues. NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month’s Recall Corner: Daimler Vans USA, Entegra Coach, Forest River, Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC, Highland Ridge RV, Jayco Inc., K.Z. Inc., Newell Coach Corporation, Newmar Corporation, REV Recreation Group, Thor Motor Coach.
Read the latest questions and answers in this month's House Calls!
Jean Pryor had two families, and she loved them both. She was connected to one family by blood, and to the other — Family Motor Coach Association — by a bond that spanned more than 40 years. Her children readily acknowledge that aside from her kin, FMCA was the most important thing in Jean’s life.
The GMC Motorhomes International chapter held its 35th anniversary convention from September 15 to 21, 2017, at Elkhart Campground in Elkhart, Indiana. Some of the attendees could recall the chapter’s first convention, held in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1982. Others were attending their first GMCMI convention. Regardless, everyone shared a common goal: to celebrate GMC motorhomes and their owners. Jon Walker, FMCA national president, was an honored guest.
Four dozen exhibitors, 38 seminars, and 22 craft sessions, as well as entertainment, activities, and socializing, highlighted the 44th South Central Area Rally, held October 25-28, 2017, at Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana, Arkansas. The event drew more than 600 people and 318 motorhomes.
Join this active group of FMCA members based in Texas.
Super Bowl Sunday is this month — specifically, February 4, 2018 — and among the many watch parties taking place will be one made up of Bluebonnet Travelers. Members of this FMCA chapter will be at Brazos Valley RV Park in Caldwell, Texas, February 4 through 7.
Do you prepare a favorite dish or snack when RVing in cold-weather months?