Coach-Net To The Rescue
Dear Editor:
While we were traveling in Missouri on May 23, 2005, the refrigerator in our 2004 Fleetwood Pace Arrow completely quit. Outside the temperature was 86 degrees and climbing.
We called Coach-Net and they were helpful right from the beginning. As soon as the problem was described to them, they immediately tried to find a dealer to help us.
First, a Fleetwood dealer in Springfield was contacted, as we were only 20 miles away along Interstate 44. They could not help us for at least four weeks. Coach-Net kept trying and found Allen’s RV Center in Branson, Missouri, our destination that day. Al Carlock, the owner, told Coach-Net he would wait for us. Upon our arrival, Al went right to work and readily found the problem. He was able to get our refrigerator going temporarily and then contact Dometic to order parts.
Al let us know when the parts had arrived and had us going on our way within the next 10 days.
We never lost any food, and we had great service from an independent shop owner. Our thanks to Al in Branson for his ability and willingness to help us.
Jim & Sheila Kavanaugh, F342527
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Dear Editor:
Last March at the Perry, Georgia, convention, we purchased FMCA’s emergency road service “” Coach-Net “” never thinking we would need it so soon, if at all. However, as we traveled from Orlando, Florida, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, on August 11 and 12, we had two problems. Only 25 miles from home, we had a blowout of the right outside rear dual tire. We called Coach-Net and in only two hours we were back on the road with a new tire.
The next day in Atlanta, during rush hour on the Interstate 285 bypass, the right inside rear dual tire blew the same way. Again we called Coach-Net, and this time in only one hour and 15 minutes we were on the road with a new tire.
Both tire services were very efficient and pleasant to deal with and the prices for the replacement tires were reasonable. We could not have asked for better service.
Our tires were 6 years old and we knew they would need replacement soon but didn’t think they had aged enough to need it yet. The motorhome has always been kept in dry storage, and the tires had no discernable aging cracks. We were planning to replace the entire set after this trip. Obviously, we guessed wrong, and Coach-Net was there for us. Thank you.
Steve & Rebecca Marcereau, F342103
Winter Garden, Florida
Help Others While Wintering In Florida
Dear Editor:
I have received a request to enlist RVers to assist in the reconstruction of areas damaged by last year’s hurricanes in Florida.
We are about to enter the season when thousands of RVers will be wintering in Florida. We now have an opportunity to thank the residents for their yearly hospitality by assisting them recover from storms in 2004 (and any possible new ones in 2005). A need for workers in Florida still exceeds local resources.
Currently they are looking for people willing to be involved in rebuilds. Generally they are repairing roofs, hanging drywall, and installing windows; some require complete rebuilds that would involve electrical, plumbing, framing, and block construction.
These Florida contacts both happen to be affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. However, the effort is ecumenical and involves many varieties of churched and non-churched as well. These just happen to be my friends and folks who are well-organized to make best use of the resources of RVers. They are Jim Kirk at jkirk@moorings-presby.org; and Larry Graham-Johnson at larry@peaceriverpresbytery.org www.peaceriverpresbytery.org).
I thank you for any support you may give to this opportunity to help our neighbors in need in Florida.
Bobb Barnes, F199606
Pecos, New Mexico
Friendly Minot Residents Make Convention Pleasant
Dear Editor:
Following is a copy of a letter I sent to the Minot Daily News expressing my appreciation for the kindness of Minot, North Dakota, residents during the FMCA convention there this past August. I encourage other FMCA members who enjoyed their time in Minot to write as well, for it is important that the townspeople get some feedback from us about our experience.
I also want to thank all of the FMCA staff and volunteers who made the convention happen. We have attended dozens of rallies in the past, but Minot 2005 was the best ever for us. An enormous amount of time, effort, and heart went into pulling it all together. Thank you!
“Dear Editor: My husband and I recently visited Minot while attending the Family Motor Coach Association rally that was held at the fairgrounds. Everyone we met in Minot was very friendly and accommodating. I’m sure that having more than 4,000 motorhomes driving through your streets was inconvenient at times, but we never heard anyone grumble.
“We have an unusual coach and quite a number of people, both FMCA members and Minot locals, dropped by our parking spot to see it. One young man, who I believe drives the water truck that serviced the fairgrounds, was kind enough to bring us some fresh walleye that he had caught. I had never tasted walleye before, and it was delicious! I have no way to contact him to thank him except through your newspaper. Please extend my thanks to this generous fisherman, and all the other kind Minot residents who made our stay in your city so pleasant.
“We will definitely visit Minot again!”
Louise Hornor, F209145
Richland, Washington
Oregon Repair Shop Recommendation
Dear Editor:
I have had the good fortune to find a reputable, competent, and honest motorhome repair shop that has cheerful workers.
I needed work done on my coach while traveling the Pacific Northwest. Quality Coach Services in Eugene, Oregon, was recommended to me by staff at HWH Corporation. QCS specializes in repairs and service on motorhomes and does warranty work for most coach manufacturers.
I took the coach to QCS. They had 50-amp hookups for those needing to stay the night. In the morning I was greeted by cheery owners and employees who diagnosed my coach’s problems accurately. I was impressed with their experience and knowledge. They quickly went to work and repaired the coach satisfactorily. I would recommend this shop to anyone.
Quality Coach Services is located at 4150 W. 11th Ave. in Eugene; phone (541) 343-1120.
Dallas Eberth, F159446
Rockledge, Florida
Service At The Campground
Dear Editor:
We recently found ourselves in need of service while staying overnight at the Rocky Mount, North Carolina, KOA. We called our insurance company, which contacted Mangum’s Inc. in Rocky Mount. In less than an hour, on a Saturday, a wonderful man named Herman Warrick arrived and repaired our stuck left front jack. He was so nice, as were the owners of the KOA. Their campground was immaculate and easily accessible from the interstate. What could have been a very upsetting event turned out just fine because of these great people.
Wilbert & Marianne Bittner, F345541
Jacksonville, Florida
“Finest” RV Park In Las Cruces
Dear Editor:
We traveled from our home in Florida to Las Vegas. During our trip we spent four delightful days in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at Sunny Acres RV Park, C9568. It is by far the finest we have experienced while traveling all the way across this wonderful country.
The park is conveniently located and beautifully maintained. The grounds are manicured and the buildings, laundry, and clubhouse are immaculate. Many of the sites have mature shade trees. One of the nicest things we found was the friendly greeting we received from Paul Black, owner and manager. He and his wife, Lynn, work to make this a great experience for campers.
Their phone is (505) 524-1716. The campground is an FMCA commercial member, and they are affiliated with Passport America as well.
Jim & Barb Evans, F130797
Boca Raton, Florida
More Details About Indiana Campground
Dear Editor:
The Vanderburgh 4-H Center campground in Evansville, Indiana, listed under “Area Campgrounds” at the conclusion of the “Perfection In New Harmony” article (page 110, May 2005) is worth noting.
It is the most improved campground in southern Indiana and is located approximately five miles south of Interstate 64, and only a half-mile west of U.S. 41. This campground offers full hookups on all of its 31 sites for $20 per night. They have 50-amp service, cable TV, a bathhouse with showers, and phone hookups on-site. They are open year-round.
A very courteous staff takes reservations between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact them at (812) 867-6217; www.vanderburgh4hcenter.com.
Ronald Happe, F289905
Evansville, Indiana
Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort
Dear Editor:
My husband, Matthew, and I discovered a wonderful campground this past week and would like to share it and our experience with other FMCA members. We did have the opportunity to meet other FMCA members there as well.
The campground is Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort, located in Belfast, Maine. All sites have ocean views; we extended our stay an extra day and moved to a new site that was available, and the view was still breathtaking.
There are only 44 sites, so the campground is small enough to have a very safe and comfortable feeling. A restaurant with homemade food (pies included) is on-site. You are a short distance from town and many other fine seafood and regular restaurants as well. The town is very rustic and the people are wonderful. It is a true taste of northern New England hospitality.
The rates are very fair and the owners are very friendly. The Web site is www.oceanfrontrvcamping.com; phone (207) 338-6860; e-mail: mooringscamp@yahoo.com.
I almost hate to share this information, because when you find a true treasure like this, you like to keep it to yourself! But the owners deserve the recognition for the hard work that they have put into making this a wonderful place to stay.
Matthew & Lisa Braccio, F310787
Southboro, Massachusetts
Camco Customer Service
Dear Editor:
I had a problem with a Camco CX-90 filter, and upon contacting Camco customer service my problem was solved by their personnel immediately. I will purchase Camco products in the future, as they stand behind what they sell.
Dennis Shirrel, F340057
Poway, California
Dream Sites For Washington Golfers
Dear Editor:
Eureka! I have found it. “It” is a dream destination for the golfing or fishing RVer. It is Lake Woods Golf Course, a beautifully kept course in north-central Washington. It has not been discovered by the masses, so it is like having a private course all to yourself. It is a par 70, no starting times are required, and no one crowds you. Fees are very nominal, and a restaurant is on-site. It is the type of thing that we used to go a thousand miles for.
The kicker for this is that Bridgeport State Park is within a ¼-mile of the course. It has about 20 full-hookup sites “” first come, first served. It is located on the Columbia River where it is crossed by State Route 17.
It is immediately above Chief Joseph Dam, a large hydroelectric federal dam, and 50 miles west of Grand Coulee Dam. The fishing is good in the area. The season opened June 15 for king salmon. Some 200 boats were out at the confluence of the Okanogan and Columbia rivers, and anglers were all catching fish up to as big as 50 pounds. Fishing is wonderful behind Chief Joseph Dam.
If anyone would be interested in further information, I would be happy to oblige at roylois@cuonlinenow.com.
Roy Westerdahl
Brewster, Washington
Dear Editor:
We want to share a great RVing experience located in northeast Washington. The Chewelah Golf and Country Club has recently expanded its RV park, which is located near 27 holes of championship-grade golf. They have 50-amp connections and long pull-throughs.
This gem is 45 miles north of Spokane. It also has a clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, restaurant, and bar all on the property. Set at an elevation of 2,600 feet in the tall pine trees, it is a nice place to cool off in summer.
For more information, contact Jason Pitt at (509) 935-6807; e-mail proshop@chewelahgolf.com.
Don & Betty Flood, F194560
Reno, Nevada