Lending Our Home On Wheels
As FMCA members and owners of a Roadtrek Type B motorhome, we would like to suggest that our fellow members consider helping medical personnel in this time of crisis. So many doctors, nurses, police officers, and other first responders are heroes on the front lines of caring for people with coronavirus. Many of these caregivers are afraid to go home and possibly infect their families. We have contacted our local hospital to offer the use of our RV as a temporary, emergency home. If we could all offer our vehicles, it would help relieve stress and possibly save lives.
Jack & Linda Jones, F351910
Palm Harbor, Florida
Editor’s Note: What a kind gesture. A growing number of companies within the RV industry also are offering to help. At press time, several had started to make masks and surgical gowns in response to the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to numerous other efforts.
Bearizona Wildlife Park: Part Of A Memorable Journey
Bearizona Wildlife Park provides a home for animals in need — including bears, of course.
I just finished reading the article about Bearizona Wildlife Park in the March 2020 issue (“Livin’ The Life,” page 76), and it reminded me of a trip I took last summer.
My younger sister Sue and I decided to take a month-long trip to the West to visit our sister in Colorado and help celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary. Sue drove up from Palm Bay, Florida, to my house in Florence, South Carolina. We left the next day for Indiana to visit my oldest daughter; we also saw relatives in Cincinnati, Ohio (where I got some Skyline chili). Great visit.
We then left for Colorado Springs, Colorado, to our sister’s house, and then went on to Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit my brother and family. Another great visit.
After going to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a few days, we headed for Arizona and the Grand Canyon. I had reservations at the Williams, Arizona, KOA, near the Grand Canyon and the town of Williams. As we went to town to get supplies, we saw the signs for Bearizona Wildlife Park. We decided to make a visit there.
It was great. First, we drove through and saw the animals in natural settings; then, we walked around. I particularly enjoyed watching some young bear cubs playing in the tops of trees.
Another highlight was the narrated bus tour. Very informative. We took one last drive through the park as we left.
All this for one price.
One thing to not overlook is the town of Williams. What a little gem sitting on Route 66. We had supper at the Red Raven restaurant. Great food and great service. You must walk up and down the quaint streets and see all the stores. And at 7:00 each evening they have a Wild West show; that was a lot of fun.
Thanks for the article, which reminded me of a great summer.
Ed Litteral, F464819
Effingham, South Carolina
Things Got Briter
Briter Ion-Ready RV battery.
We have a 2018 Thor Palazzo motorhome and it has the optional solar panels (for a total of three). They never worked correctly, in spite of multiple visits to two different certified warranty repair centers, involving nine weeks during which the RV was out of service.
While at the October 2019 Thor Diesel rally in Goshen, Indiana, I stopped at the Briter Products booth to learn more about their batteries and how they interface with solar systems. When they heard of the poor experience we had with our solar system, they arranged to have Rachel, an engineer attending the rally, to come to our coach to assess the problem. She was at the motorhome for less than 30 minutes, making two trips between the roof and the controller located in the inverter compartment. My solar system was now working, and Briter did this at no charge.
If I had been a customer, this would be called good customer service. Since I had not (yet) purchased anything from Briter, this could be considered going “above and beyond.” Great people, great company.
Dale & Susan Willrich, F494725
Young Harris, Georgia
Repairs In Northern Colorado
During September of 2019, a portion of northern Colorado experienced a significant hailstorm right where we live and park our motorhome. After waiting for our insurer to finally provide the funds for repairs to our shower cover, solar panel, vent pipe cover, and door awning, we selected Colorado’s Premier RV Services in Johnstown, Colorado, to complete the repairs.
Unfortunately, by the time parts arrived for the repairs, I had undergone significant back surgery and was not able to drive our Type A diesel motorhome.
The folks at Colorado’s Premier RV Services were kind enough to come to our home, move the RV to their shop, and return it when repairs were complete. That’s service with a capital “S” in my book.
Should you need RV repair in Northern Colorado near Loveland, Johnstown, or Greeley, I highly recommend this shop. Contact Amanda, Dick, or Nate for great service at (970) 342-6957; www.coloradospremierrvservices.com.
Craig Pascal, F440947
Milliken, Colorado
First-Class Service In Utah
My wife and I were on a trip with a final destination of Tucson, Arizona, when the RV had a breakdown that left us on the side of the road with no power. There was no cell service at that spot, but we were able to take our towed vehicle to find some and contacted Bar M Diesel & Automotive Service in Beaver, Utah.
They handled the towing with excellence, as our RV needed to be winched onto a lowboy trailer because of its size. Tony Blood was not only careful, but he was professional.
The experience of excellence continued once our vehicle was put into their shop the following day as Cody Crane determined that the alternator was the cause of our problem. He was able to source a new one and install it the same day. Our downtime was kept to a minimum.
If you find yourself on the side of the road in the Beaver, Utah, area, I highly recommend you contact Bar M at 2080 S. 525 West in Beaver; (435) 421-9594; www.barmdieselandautomotive.com. Austin Mortensen and his staff will handle your towing and/or repair issue in a first-class manner.
Mike & Lynn Noonan, F448134
Cascade, Iowa