FMCAssist: There When You Need It
For years as a member of FMCA, I noticed a benefit called FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program, and always thought it was for the other guy. Well, guess what? I recently used this amazing benefit and was so pleased it is available.
While traveling in our motorhome in northern Michigan to see the fall colors, I became seriously ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized for two weeks. The situation became complex, as my wife is a recovering cancer patient and we have a dog. I was unable to drive the coach home, or to be in the coach for the many days required to get home. FMCA came to the rescue.
My FMCAssist-assigned professional, Dave Shelton, ensured all arrangements were made, considering our circumstances, and all were executed with the same precision. We arrived home a few days after my hospital release, and our beautiful motorhome arrived one day later. Dave Shelton could not have been more patient, helpful, professional, and organized. Everything that he said worked as expected.
Thank you, Dave, and thank you, FMCA. FMCAssist is there when you suddenly need it and are least equipped to deal with the situation.
—Gordon “Woody” & Ann Woodward, F419843
Punta Gorda, Florida
Traveling In Memory
I have read every issue of the magazine since joining FMCA in April 2017. The article in the July 2018 issue about David and Julie Palmer (“Making Every Minute Count,” page 60) was of special interest to me, primarily because my story was very similar. My wife, Kimber, was diagnosed with liver cancer in May of 2017 as we were making arrangements to purchase our first RV. We decided to spend as much time together traveling in that RV to the places we always wanted to go. We were fortunate to be able to check a number of places off our must-see list.
I was deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing. Unfortunately, my story continues to mirror David and Julie’s, as Kimber lost her battle with cancer on August 18, 2018.
I plan to go forward with the many trips Kimber and I had planned, but were unable to take, beginning with a stay at Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. It is my hope that Julie also takes to the road to embark on the RV adventures that she and David were unable to complete.
—Daniel Briggs, F468528
San Antonio, Texas
Extra Care Required With Home Receptacle
Regarding “RV Power Hookups At Home” (August 2018, page 36), we had an electrician put 50-amp service at our house, since we live where the RV can be parked all the time. BE SURE the electrician understands 50-amp RV service. We had a licensed guy working on the side to do ours, and he put in a 50-amp plug, but it was the kind used by a clothes dryer, not an RV. It cost us about $3,500 in burned-up motherboards, microwaves, etc.
Since he worked on the side, we were on our own to get it all fixed. Be sure you hire someone with a company that will back up any problems that might arise.
—Tony Hughes, F389273
Birmingham, Alabama
Winnebago Owner Finds Basement Heat Pump Replacement
The September 2018 “Tech Talk” (page 16) contained a note (“A Coach Divided”) discussing options to replace the Coleman basement heat pump unit that many coaches, especially Winnebago, came with from the factory. The reader stated the unit is no longer being manufactured, which leaves no good options. I have read that statement in many RV forums, but it is not totally true.
I know of at least one replacement option. In 2016 I called the manufacturer, RV Comfort in Kansas, using the contact information on their website (www.airxcel.com). The replacement for the original model #6535A871 in my 2003 Winnebago Ultimate is model #46515-811. RV Comfort does not sell directly to the public, and I was told I would have to buy it through a local dealer. I found prices as high as $3,000, but I got one shipped from DyersRVOnline for $2,280 and installed it myself. For those whose original unit has duct ports in another location, I have heard of owners having this unit modified to fit.
—Paul Rider, F332812
Whitehouse, Texas
Warranty Honored
For months, we planned a six-week journey through eight states to visit relatives, celebrate a birthday, and just relax. Three hours from home, our 15-year-old Monaco Diplomat lost its power steering. My husband struggled on for 30 to 40 miles until we could reach a metropolitan area, believing our chances of finding someone who could fix our problem would be better.
One night at a campground, a number of driving miles with hubby using his muscles to the max, and three mechanical shops later, we landed at the doorstep of Porter’s Automotive in Tallahassee, Florida. You’ll never meet a nicer, more willing-to-help bunch of people, including Heath Porter and his amazing office manager, Sherri. But the diagnosis was not good. A very expensive gear box needed replacing. Hubby and I packed up a few things and headed back to home base in our towed car, leaving our problems and a copy of our service warranty with the good folks at Porter’s.
Together, Heath and Sherri battled with our warranty company for two weeks to get the assistance our policy clearly covered. When the approval finally came, they ordered the necessary parts and successfully installed them. They stayed in touch with us throughout the ordeal. Sherri even rescued a forgotten houseplant from the motorhome and cared for it until we returned. And the day after our trip from Tallahassee to home, Sherri called to make sure we made it and to see how our coach handled during the short trek.
If you’re ever in the Tallahassee, Florida, area, and need help with your vehicle, no matter what it is, contact Porter’s Automotive. They’re located at 415 Capital Circle S.W., Tallahassee, 32304; (850) 224-2886; www.portersautomotive.com. Their store is convenient to Interstate 10 and U.S. 90. Tell them the Capos send their very best regards!
—Willis & Mary Capo, F266169
St. Augustine, Florida
Super Job In Paducah, Kentucky
This past summer while traveling, we woke up to smoke filling the RV. We discovered that the front roof air-conditioning unit seemed to be burning up. We shut it down and decided to seek help in the morning.
We found New World RV online. They said that they were backed up for three weeks, but to bring the RV in, and they’d see what they could do. New World (7020 Benton Road, Paducah, KY 42003; 270-442-6477; www.newworldrv.com) was only 15 miles from our next stop, so we took a chance. When we arrived, we were greeted by Neal and Stewart Scott, father and son, who are the owners.
Before we knew it, a tech was up on the roof and discovered the AC had two burnt capacitors. In under an hour they found and replaced the parts. Total cost: $117.
What honesty, integrity, and friendly service!
If you are ever in the area and need help, don’t hesitate to give them a call.
—Paul & Lucy Levine, F453166
Hernando Beach, Florida
Service Right At The Campsite
We spent the month of August at our favorite RV park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and had a wonderful time. However, about 10 days into our stay, our rear air conditioner started making strange noises. This went on for several minutes before it made a loud boom. I rushed to the bedroom and turned the unit off. Of course, this happened on a Sunday, so I had to wait until the next morning to find someone to repair it. There was an ad on the RV park map for Ricky’s RV Repair in neighboring Sevierville. I had seen their mobile repair trucks in our campground as well as others in the area, so I assumed they were reputable.
I called and hoped they would be able to come out to help us in a few days, but just before noon, Joe, their technician, called to say he had finished a previous job in our RV park and would be at our coach in a few minutes. He found that our air conditioner’s fan had failed. The fan blade hit the mounting brackets and one blade was sheared off. Joe had a replacement fan blade on his truck, but he had to call the shop for the motor mounts, which were delivered in less than 15 minutes. In about two hours, he had our air conditioner repaired and running smoothly again.
We had an extended warranty that Ricky’s accepted, so we were out only our deductible and some other minor costs. I would gladly call them again if the need arose: (865) 908-3245; www.rickysrv.com. They also have a service center you can visit if you don’t need mobile service; it is at 1742 Veterans Blvd. in Sevierville.
—Ron Frinkley, F438584
The Villages, Florida
We want to hear from you!
Family RVing welcomes comments about articles published in the magazine or topics of interest to RV owners. Email readerswrite@fmca.com; mail to Readers Write, FMCA, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Please include your name, city, and state/province. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.