From Father To Son
Dear Editor:
My wife and I have traveled the country by car and camper and now are continuing to do so in a 28-foot Four Winds motorhome. My dad passed his love of travel on to me. I’m using his FMCA family member number, F546, with the “S” on it for “son.” My dad no longer travels, but he has many fond memories of FMCA.
My father’s name is Henry Burgess, and he is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started out with a converted school bus, in which he and my mom and my four siblings traveled across the country in the 1950s. Next, he bought a Flxible bus conversion, and then he had a Dodge motorhome. He was among the early members of FMCA and was president of the Michigan Knights of the Highway chapter in the early 1960s.
My dad has a sample “goose egg” plate, one of the first made for FMCA, which has room for five numbers on it. That was the most they thought they’d ever need on a plate. He has the sample plate hanging from the lamppost in front of his house.
My dad now lives in Bradenton, Florida. He would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers him from their association with FMCA. His e-mail is henryhb1@aol.com.
Bill Burgess, F546S
Bradenton, Florida
E-ZPass Takes Its Toll
Dear Editor:
I do not usually travel up Interstate 95 in Maryland with my motorhome, but this time I did. When I got my bill from E-ZPass, I was sorry.
The JFK Memorial Highway toll pass in Maryland charged me $23 for my motorhome towing a car. I called New York E-ZPass, and they told me it was correct for four axles. I asked how much it would have been if I had disconnected my car and driven the vehicles separately across Maryland and was told that would be two axles each, and therefore $5 each.
I told her it didn’t make sense and that it was like being charged a commercial vehicle rate. She said the sensors read the four axles.
I would like to make all RVers aware of this, so they can possibly bypass this JFK Memorial Highway section of I-95 when traveling with a motorhome and towing a car.
And, yes, I only had my E-ZPass in my motorhome and not the car, too.
Hank Osborne, F335997
Lake Wales, Florida
New Members
Find A Chapter, Add MPG
Dear Editor:
We are new to FMCA and had never been to a chapter rally. So when I noticed that there was one being held in Texas about the time we would be returning from the West Coast, I decided to call. The Bluebonnet Travelers are a super group of RVers. We had a great time getting to know everyone, and they treated us to a big Texas barbecue with steaks and all the trimmings. We had so much fun and everyone was so gracious that we decided to join. Even though we live in Florida, we figure we will try to join them somewhere once or twice a year. We give a special thanks to Jack and Cheryl Collins for a grand time and all their assistance.
Also, I want to let you know that the article in the September 2009 magazine regarding Airtabs (“MPG,” page 40) was right on the money. We installed them on our Tiffin Phaeton just before our trip, and they were everything the article said. We are extremely pleased with the stable performance we experienced with the Airtab product.
Thanks for all the great information and suggestions that your magazine provides us every month.
Ralph & Sharon Herbison, F407612
Niceville, Florida
A Sine Wave Suggestion
Dear Editor:
November’s “House Calls” column includes a letter titled “De-Cafinverter” wherein the good doctor’s response was spot on. However, the letter writer also might want to consider upgrading to a pure sine wave inverter. There are a number of appliances with electronics susceptible to the output on modified sine wave inverters. We have seen this on the ice makers of some residential refrigerators installed as options in RVs. Most RV original equipment manufacturers (OEM) now offer pure sine wave inverters with this option, but OEMs don’t have visibility on aftermarket appliances. The voltage on the house battery bank sometimes exacerbates this condition, especially on microwave ovens.
Magnum Energy Inc. makes inverter/chargers and sells them through various retailers. They have a technical hotline staffed by experts in RV inverters. Magnum is located in Everett, Washington, and can be reached at (425) 353-8833 or at www.magnumenergy.com.
Kelly Moyer
Partner/Sales Manager
Future Sales RV
Elkhart, Indiana
Georgia RV Park Manager
Lends Assistance
Dear Editor:
Last September, our motorhome’s engine overheated while we were on our way to visit my father, who was in a hospital in Gainesville, Florida. We pulled off Interstate 95 at exit 49 in Darien, Georgia. Our first contact with a local repair shop did not work out, so we left the motorhome in a parking lot and drove the towed car to Inland Harbor RV Park, just across the I-95 overpass.
Paul, the manager, told us he was related to the owner of the repair shop and that they had a great reputation. He said we should just drive on over and showed us where to park the motorhome while he called the owner of the shop at home (it was after hours).
We continued on to Gainesville and left the motorhome at Inland Harbor RV Park for 10 days. We kept in contact with the owner of the repair shop, who ordered a water pump from Cummins so we wouldn’t have to wait at the motorhome for the part to arrive. Turns out it wasn’t the water pump at all, but a broken metal pipe, which was replaced for a lot less than the price of a water pump.
Inland Harbor RV Park charged us a much-reduced rate for the 10 days our motorhome sat while we dealt with my father’s illness and eventual passing.
We have been RVing for a good while and have never run across the type of manager who helped us out in so many ways. The park is on a bluff with shade trees. It’s quiet, clean, and neat; has full-hookup pull-throughs; and is right off I-95 in Darien, Georgia. We wish to recommend Inland Harbor RV Park (912-437-6172) and especially manager Paul Luchetti to all FMCA members and RVers alike.
Frank & Jeannie Walter, F89282S
Lake City, Florida
Indiana Glass Factory
Dear Editor:
RVers visiting northern Indiana for its RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart or flea market in Shipshewana should also head south to Kokomo and see the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company.
This is the oldest manufacturer of hand-cast rolled cathedral and opalescent glass in the United States. The factory tour costs $1, and you get a close-up view from start to finish of a fantastic array of colored glass.
While there you can also buy what you need to design an original creation, or shop for finished glass items made by local artists. Either way, you will have received an unimaginable education once you see this glass, which has been made the same way since 1888. For more information, call the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co. Inc. at (765) 457-8136 or visit their Web site: www.kog.com.
Jim & Bronwen Soukup, F345468
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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