Corrections
On the cover of the June 2008 issue, the Host Industries 300 TS motorhome is described as a “Super C.” After publication, FMC was informed that the phrase “Super C” is a registered trademark of Gulf Stream Coach Inc. and cannot be used without its permission.
The phone number included in the July 2008 article about Fleetwood’s Power Bridge Chassis was one digit off. The correct number to call for more information is (800) 322-8216.
We recently learned from Kia Motors that none of the Kia vehicles listed in the “Towables For 2008” story (January 2008, page 60) can be towed four wheels down. These include the Optima, Rio, Spectra, and Sportage 4×2 vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.
The name of a Greyhound Bus line founder was confused in the editing process of the “Go Greyhound!” article in the July 2008 issue (page 78). Instead of Charles, the name Carl should have been used (referring to Carl Eric Wickman) in the paragraphs on page 80 beneath the “Tracking The Hound” heading.
FMC regrets these errors.
An Enjoyable “G.L.A.S.S.” Rally
Dear Editor:
Even though we have belonged to FMCA for many years, we were first-timers at the Great Lakes Area Spring Spree (“G.L.A.S.S.”) Rally this past May. We were quite impressed with how organized the rally was; how accommodating and friendly the volunteers were; how clean and shady the Berrien County Youth Fair facility was; how thorough the seminars were; and, last but not least, how wonderful the entertainment was most evenings. We really enjoyed ourselves, and I’m sure we will attend again in the future.
Frank and Dee Jezek, F94569
Ontonagon, Michigan
Help In Time Of Need
Dear Editor:
We attended the FMCA Northwest Area Rally in Albany, Oregon, this past June. At the rally we had the misfortune of a refrigerator fire in our motorhome. The fire was extinguished by helpful RVers, but the local fire department was required to come out and check to be sure the fire was out and had not extended into other areas of our coach. We were impressed by the professionalism and skill level shown by the Albany firefighters.
Guaranty RV provided us with a coach to use during the rest of the rally, and if it were not for that act of kindness, we would have been forced to go home that very day.
My wife, Dorothy, and I thank the Albany Fire Department and Guaranty RV Center, as well as all of our FMCA friends, for going out of their way to assist us during this stressful time in our lives.
Lex and Dorothy Haagen, F342255
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Waste Not …
Dear Editor:
“Disconnected RVing” by Ronald Jones in the June issue (page 58) should be retitled “Disconnected Thinking,” because of its disregard for the environment that RVers enjoy. Mr. Jones has replaced the notion of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” with ideas such as using paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic utensils to eliminate some dishwashing; cooking in disposable pans where possible; and using sealable plastic bags as mixing bowls.
I challenge FMCA and its readers to come up with more environmentally appropriate alternatives when dry camping.
Joel Chinitz, F360128
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
A U.K. Perspective
Dear Editor:
After spending two wonderful years and 36,000 miles traveling the United States (including Alaska) in our much-loved Safari Cheetah, we are now back in the United Kingdom, having shipped the RV over here. Oh, how we would love to be filling up with diesel at $4 a gallon. In the U.K. the equivalent price of a gallon of diesel is $9.60, and rising with every visit to the pump. Needless to say, we don’t travel far in the motorhome around here. In fact, during our stay in the U.S. we noticed that almost everything was so much cheaper there than it is in the U.K., mostly due to our high tax rate.
If any readers would like information about the U.K. on any subject, we would be very pleased to hear from them. Our e-mail address is denborv@fsmail.net.
Dennis and Mary Smith, F310386
Chichester, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom
A Better-Looking Body
Dear Editor:
While at the FMCA international convention in Pomona, California, this past February, we discovered a company among the vendors that would repair/paint our 1999 Safari motorhome. Our coach was suffering from electrolysis (rusting of the aluminum from the inside out). We also had some damage to several of the bays. Our only requirement during the outside paint and repair was that they not touch “Tony,” the tiger that’s painted on the rear.
Pacific RV Body Works Inc. in Garden Grove, California (info@rvpaint.com), did the job. They are located some 250 miles from our home, but it was well worth the drive. When we picked up the coach, it looked like it had just come off the showroom floor. We now have a much more contemporary-looking RV. Not only did they repair all of the damage, but they changed the paint colors slightly, and the swirl pattern; updated the handrail; painted the mirrors white (they were green); replaced screws, lights, and tailpipe; and so much more. Plus, they waxed and clear-coated the finish.
As for the painting of Tony, they blended in the new color along the edges, so that he really “pops” now.
We couldn’t be happier with the results. They were wonderful to work with and we highly recommend Pacific RV Body Works. Thanks for having them at the convention. By the way, they also do interior updates. We saw examples of their excellent work on the lot.
Dave and Sylvia Burns, F357602
Morro Bay, California
Rolling Right Along
Dear Editor:
I just wanted to let everyone in the Atlanta, Georgia, area know about the great service and best deal on tires anywhere. Tony at Alignment Professionals (4872 Clark Howell Highway, off Interstate 285; 404-209-7763) set the alignment on my 2002 Dutch Star in December and gave me a price on a set of Michelin tires. I winter in Florida, so I set up an appointment for the spring. Tony held the price even after a price increase from Michelin. He installed solid valve stems for easier pressure checking and didn’t charge extra.
The coach rides and handles better than when new! Many thanks for timely, great service.
David Castleberry, F279968
Canton, Georgia
Chevy Chassis Service
Dear Editor:
This past April, as we were driving through Shelbyville, Kentucky, heading to General Butler State Park, the alternator went out on our 1993 Southwind. The engine just died on the highway. Just by luck, our friends were following behind us. They had an extra battery with them, which we used to get to Carrollton. We stopped at Herb Kinman Chevrolet on State Route 227. They couldn’t get the part until the next morning. We had things in the refrigerator and couldn’t let them spoil, so they were kind enough to let us stay overnight right on their business lot and hooked us up to their electric to keep our refrigerator going. Sure enough, on Wednesday morning, Coco, the mechanic who was working on our motorhome, came knocking on our door with the new alternator in his hands. By 9:10 a.m. we were on our way home to Amelia, Ohio.
I just want to let FMCA members know about Herb Kinman Chevrolet (502-519-4626). If you ever need any help, stop in to see them. They were so kind and helpful. Thanks to Herb Kinman, Coco, Matt Kinman, and the fellow who spent a lot of time on the telephone trying to locate the part for us. We really did appreciate it.
Milton and Janet Hultz, F309187
Amelia, Ohio
Sticky Leveling Situation
Dear Editor:
On our recent visit to Georgia in our 2007 Newmar Kountry Star, I incorrectly positioned the coach on a campsite and activated the Atwood leveling system. As a result, the leveler legs disappeared into the soft ground. When I activated the retraction sequence, one leg remained in a deployed state and activated an error sequence, which sounded an alarm. We were unable to move from our campsite.
Representatives from both Atwood and Spartan led me through the procedure to bypass the error code and allow us to drive our coach to a service center. I then contacted the Sagon RV Supercenter in Jackson, Georgia, for help, and they said they would insert us into their service schedule on a priority basis if we could get there. Shortly after we arrived the next morning, a technician quickly determined that a complete leg replacement would be necessary. They had the part ordered for overnight delivery and then set about providing us with a location to overnight in their lot with electric and water.
This was an extra-special day for us, as it was also our 41st wedding anniversary. After the staff left for the day, we settled down for a lovely night overlooking Interstate 75 to celebrate not only our good fortune with Sagon, but the good fortune we had had over the previous 41 years.
The following morning the service team installed the new part as soon as it arrived, and we were on the road by 11:00 a.m., after having paid a bill that we thought was very fair.
We would like to thank Sagon (800-433-6626), especially Adair, Red, Sandi, and Leonard, for providing us with a one-of-a-kind anniversary memory “” and great service. We look forward to our next visit to this awesome facility, but just for planned maintenance.
Chuck and Vicky MacDonald, F276089
Hartington, Ontario, Canada
Dicor First-Rate
Dear Editor:
Recently we had major damage done to a wheel liner on the back/dual tire of our motorhome and needed a replacement. We made several phone calls but couldn’t locate anyone who would sell us just one wheel liner, for they are sold in sets of two.
I then called Dicor Corporation, which manufactures the wheel liner we needed. What a fantastic experience it was. We drove to Elkhart, Indiana, and met with Kathy McCleery at the Dicor factory. She knew immediately what we needed and brought it to us. Never have we been so impressed as with the friendly, courteous service we received at this factory. Dicor supplies many items to various RV–related companies. From what we experienced, we are sure they all are first-quality.
Richard H. Packert, F264079
Port Clinton, Ohio
A Safe Alignment
Dear Editor:
Recently on our way from St. Louis, Missouri, through Sioux Falls, South Dakota, we noticed that our 2005 Coach House motorhome was pulling to the left. Examination of the front tires revealed a significant amount of cupping on the tire edges. It was obvious that a wheel alignment was needed. As we approached Sioux Falls, we contacted the local Ford dealerships and learned that our E-450-based coach would have to be aligned at an independent garage, since none of the dealers had the appropriate equipment. We were told that Dakota Alignment & Frame Service could provide what we needed.
Upon our arrival, our coach was taken immediately into the service bay. After about an hour, the technician, Corey, came over to tell us that we had serious tire problems. He and the owner/manager, John Grode, explained that our front tires had been ruined by the faulty alignment and that the rear four tires were exhibiting significant cracking from age and exposure to the elements, despite the fact that they were only 4 years old. Without being pushy, John and Corey made it clear that they thought that replacement of the front tires was mandatory and that the other four should be replaced, particularly in view of the fact that we still had more than 4,000 miles of vacation ahead of us. They left the final decision to us, but they clearly didn’t want us to risk our safety.
After we decided to replace all six tires, they located the required Michelins at a local tire dealer and then drove over to pick them up so we didn’t have to wait on delivery. The new tires were mounted, and we were on our way by noon. The work was done quickly and professionally, and we were very pleased with the fair price we were given for such excellent service.
If anyone ends up needing alignment or tire services in Sioux Falls, we recommend Dakota Alignment & Frame (605-338-9450) without reservation.
Joel and Sandie Weiss, F372364 Thurmont, Maryland
Small Spot, No Problem
Dear Editor:
Our recent travels took us to northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. We had a marvelous experience while in Branson, Missouri, with a repair facility and felt we should relay our satisfaction for others who may need service while in Branson. When we left our site at Outdoor Resorts on Table Rock Lake in Arkansas, we noticed a small spot from the differential on the site pad. A call to several repair/service facilities in Branson revealed only one facility that could help us with an inspection without waiting several days. The personnel at Branson Motor Coach (The Bus Stop) owned by Ken and Margaret Irvin were welcoming, even over the phone, and told us to bring the coach in as soon as possible and that they would inspect the differential. Within 15 minutes after arriving at their facility, a technician was under our coach examining the fluid level in the differential, and within 30 minutes we were back on the road! Further, the service was provided at no charge.
We cannot express our appreciation to Ken and Margaret and their staff and felt we needed to tell others about their facility and exceptional service.
Joe and Carolyn Shirley, F394962
Huntington Beach, California
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