Winterizing The Water System
Dear Editor:
In the November 2010 issue of Family Motor Coaching, the “House Calls” column (page 18) mentioned using blowout plugs to winterize your coach’s water system. These are excellent devices and will remove water from most, but not all, places in your coach. In addition to the places needing additional treatment identified by the author (P-traps, Aqua-Hot systems), your water filter canister (if your coach is so equipped) needs special attention. Compressed air will not remove all the water from the canister; neither will the low-point drain. You need to unscrew the canister and pour out any residual water. Failure to do so may result in the bottom of the canister being fractured by freezing water. I speak from experience!
Grant Hardwick, F412233
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Gary Bunzer replies: You are indeed correct. Aqua-Hot systems and instantaneous water heaters such as Precision Temp, because of their built-in safeguards, will not be relieved of residual water if using compressed air. Neither will fresh water purifiers. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for winterizing tips for those products. The same goes for the nonpressure side of the water pump (the line from the tank to the pump). It’s best to disconnect the output hose from the water pump and briefly run the pump for a few seconds to eliminate the remaining water. Be sure to use a pan to catch what little water may exit the pump.
Simplify Exterior “Designs”
Dear Editor:
The greatest motorhome design flaw may be the exterior paint. Where is it written that motorhomes have to be painted with a bunch of scrawling lines? No matter what brand or make, they all look alike. My computer can generate endless variations of these mindless, cluttered designs, but in the end, they all look the same.
How about a nice, solid color or two-tone paint? One of the neatest paint jobs I ever saw on a motorhome was in the 1970s. It was a “Coca-Cola” red GMC.
Mel Smith, F121703
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
New York Salute
Dear Editor:
This past year, I received a recall notice indicating that my 38-foot Newmar Mountain Aire needed new brake calipers. I set up an appointment with Fogg’s Automotive & Suzuki (642 Saratoga Road, Scotia, NY 12302; 518-399-8393; www.foggsauto.com).
Service manager Gary DuBois gave me a tour of the shop and explained what was going to be done with the recall. In addition to that work, I had some other problems corrected. Everything was completed in a timely manner.
It was a joy to have my coach’s work done at Fogg’s, and I would highly recommend them to anyone. I salute manager Gary DuBois and his great staff.
Eric Dreimiller, F96559
Waterford, New York
Great Garage
Dear Editor:
We were about 11 miles from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, on our way to a Penn Coachmen rally last October when our motorhome’s engine began making a loud noise. We were towed by Quesinberry Garage Wrecker Service & Truck Sales (1620 Holly Springs Road, Mt. Airy, NC 27030; 336-351-3670) where they determined we needed a new engine. While we were at their facility and then back home in Pennsylvania waiting for the new engine, the staff, including Linda, Brad, and Wayne, gave us outstanding professional service. They remained in contact with us and kept our motorhome in a heated garage.
Quesinberry Garage is equipped for handling and repairing large trucks and motorhomes. If you are in the Mt. Airy or Winston-Salem area and need maintenance, towing, or repair, we highly recommend this company.
James & Shirley Lowthert, F376538
Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
Thanks, B&E
Dear Editor:
Our 2007 Holiday Rambler diesel pusher was love at first “drive.” Not long after buying this coach, we were camping for a month at an Ocala RV resort. While there, our main awning quit working with the awning out. We called a mobile repair facility “” B&E RV Service & Repair (3660 N.E. 45th Place, Ocala, FL 34479-2278; 352-401-7930; www.bandervservicerepair.com). They arrived on schedule and determined that the cog that makes the awning move was broken. Unfortunately, the awning supplier would not send the part to B&E, but required them to go through a distributor. This added cost and time in getting the part. When the part finally arrived, B&E came out and had the awning working in 10 minutes. They also fixed our TV system. I had pulled out my few hairs in trying to get it to work on a cable. It turned out that the factory had wired the cable to the satellite side of the wall plate. Reversing the line fixed the problem.
On our return trip home, we had an issue with water seeping down the driver’s-side panel and wetting the carpet. We had it checked by two repair facilities, but no leak could be found. While camping during the spring, we noticed that the water seepage would come and go.
We moved to Ocala, Florida in June. Our new house would not be finished until September, so we spent three months in the RV. During the rainy Ocala summer, our wet carpet returned.
As soon as we moved into our house, we took the motorhome to B&E. They found that the driver’s outside rearview mirror had a plugged drain hole, and they had to remove the left panel, driver’s seat, and carpet to replace the flooring. B&E, which stands for Bob and Ed, did a wonderful job and kept costs down to a very reasonable level. To make matters better, they also found and fixed two other very minor leaks.
We simply do not have the words to express how impressed we are with B&E’s professionalism, courtesy, promptness, and attention to detail. We heartily recommend them to anyone traveling in or near Ocala. B&E RV Service & Repair has earned our business and our respect.
John & Virginia Redden, F410320
Ocala, Florida
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