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FMCA members celebrated the RV lifestyle in grand style at the association’s 97th International Convention and RV Expo. By Robbin Gould, Editor Photos By Rachel Jochem, Project Manager Spring had…

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FMCA returns to Gillette for an encore performance; the first time was in June 2013 to celebrate the association’s 50th anniversary.

While enjoying the charms of the Equality State and the amenities of Cam-Plex Multi-Event Facilities — the venue hosting FMCA’s “Wanted In Wyoming” convention — attendees will be treated to some great live entertainment. Check the Gillette convention program, FMCA.com, and the Gillette convention app closer to the event for news of additional entertainment options and activities. For now, here’s a sneak peek at the lineup.

Members of the Kentucky Horse Shu Kru laugh often. And that’s one serious reason why the group has lasted almost 40 years. These RVers have an appealing attitude. Chapter president Dennis Ducharme said, “We’re a pretty easygoing bunch. We try to have a good time, and that seems to work for us.”

The Susquenago chapter’s annual Labor Day Invitational Rally, held September 1 to 4, 2017, doubled as a celebration of the chapter’s 40th anniversary. It was the 37th consecutive year the rally took place at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, New York.

Check out the lastest Readers’ Forum for April 2018

Read Housecalls for April 2018!

Have you ever been driving along in your motorhome and crossing over a railroad track, only to find that the back wheels suddenly are off the ground, and you are stuck on the tracks? April Fool’s Day joke? No, this is a true story.

Be ready to handle malfunctions in an RV’s DC electrical system.

This July, FMCA’s “Wanted In Wyoming” International Convention and RV Expo will ride into the small city of Gillette. And within short order, RVers in an assortment of “covered wagons” will get acquainted or reconnect with each other. They will attend seminars, shop for RV-related merchandise, and take in fabulous daytime and evening entertainment. It promises to be legendary!

What type of campground do you prefer (RV resort, commercial campground, national or state park, U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, etc.)? Please share why.

More than 37,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roadways in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Not surprisingly, each year, speeding and impaired driving account for many vehicle accidents. One additional cause is aggressive driving.

The following recall notices are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, and model, visit www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues. NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.

April is a month of renewal and change. Here in the Midwest, spring bursts forth, and we — and the landscape around us — shake off the winter doldrums. April is one of the months of the year that holds special meaning for me. My first child, Lyla, was born in April five years ago. When I started working at FMCA, she was only 4 months old. One of my favorite pictures of her is the one we took of her sitting in my office chair shortly after I was hired. Another is of the two of us braving the snow, the photo I’ve shared in this column. She sure was tiny. The adage “Time flies when you are having fun” has never rung more true.

I recently found an old photo that brought back warm memories of life on the road. Even though I just celebrated my 10th anniversary behind the wheel of my Winnebago View motorhome, my fascination with traveling the byways of America goes back many years.

Read the lastest news and notes for April 2018!

Look at all of the latest RV Products for April 2018!

With more than 1,200 member families, Roadtrek International is FMCA’s largest chapter. As it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018, here is a look back at how the chapter got its start.

When we were invited to be judges at the World Food Championships, held at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, we loaded the RV and headed south. Who wouldn’t want to be part of the ultimate food sport in the world’s largest kitchen arena under a big tent in the Alabama sunshine? We didn’t have to wait long to cross paths with some of the competitors. En route, in an RV park in Kentucky, we met Team Roberstons Braai-B-Que from South Africa. They introduced us to their mascot, a little brown piglet named Barbie.

Whether singing or auctioneering, Dane Bailey sees music as his ministry.

This feature-filled, conservatively priced Type A motorhome fills families’ needs on the road and at the campsite.

A bunkhouse and a variety of family-friendly features provide the makings of great adventures in this travel trailer from an iconic RV manufacturer.

Inexpensive digital voltmeters can help RVers avoid costly repairs. An AC meter monitors incoming voltage from a campground, alerting you to insufficient voltage, which can damage sensitive electrical appliances such as air conditioners. A DC meter indicates whether the RV batteries are properly charged, and such information can prolong battery life. This article provides an overview on how to install such digital voltmeters.

Motorhomes require periodic maintenance to stay in good working order. Engine oil changes are the most common procedure, but axles, the transmission, wheel bearings, and other components also must be serviced. No oil or lubricant is one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to make the right choice for each component according to the chassis manufacturer’s specifications.

On a clear night in Wisconsin about 20 years ago, John and Brenda Nejedlo took turns peering through the eyepiece of their first telescope. Among the celestial objects they observed was Saturn, the ringed planet. “I just stood there and cried,” Brenda said. “That was it. I was hooked.”

In the fall of 2017, NeXus RV launched its newest motorhome, the Wraith Super C diesel. The name may bring to mind the most powerful car ever built by Rolls-Royce, also called the Wraith, a twin-turbo, 624-horsepower machine that can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Interestingly, Rolls-Royce built the original Wraith back in the 1930s as a rolling chassis, which was sold to builders that did their own bodywork on top of the chassis. In some ways, this is similar to the RV industry, in which coach manufacturers construct their product on top of chassis often supplied by other vendors.

Read the latest RV News and Notes for March 2018!

Members of the Thousand Trails of Texas chapter returned to the place where the chapter was founded — Medina Lake RV Campground in Lakehills, Texas — to celebrate the chapter’s 30th anniversary from November 17-19, 2017.

This long-lived chapter gained 25 new member families in 2017.

Full-time RVers want a product that can take the rigors of long-term live-aboard use while retaining many luxuries found in sticks-and-bricks homes. KZ RV, a Thor Industries company, meets this challenge with the Durango Gold series upscale fifth-wheel. The Durango Gold is filled with residential amenities and furnishings and is available in nine floor plans, ranging from 36 feet to 42 feet in length.

By the time you read this month’s “President’s Message,” Sondra and I will have been on the road since New Year’s Day 2018, serving our members. We left Elkhart, Indiana, in blowing snow, icy roads, and a windchill factor of 21 below zero. By the time we got to Chicago, our water lines were frozen . . . in spite of the fact that I had the generator going to power our fireplace, an electric heater in the water bay compartment, and an electric heater in the water tank bay. Plus, the Aqua-Hot heating system was going full blast, along with the dash heater. I don’t think most motorhomes are built to withstand such extreme temperatures.

We’ve all made them: those silly mistakes that cause RVing mishaps or, preferably, just a little embarrassment. It doesn’t seem to matter how long we’ve been RVing, either. At some point, we all slip up or forget one little thing. As a newbie, you’re at a disadvantage, because you just don’t know as much about RVing in general or your RV in particular. I know we’ve made our share of missteps in our RV, both as new RVers and as seasoned travelers.

Look at all of the latest RV Products for March 2018!

Greetings from Cincinnati! As you read this, the national office staff will be wrapping up registrations for FMCA’s 97th International Convention and RV Expo, set to take place March 15 through 18 in Perry, Georgia. Registration figures for “Southern Charm” have us trending toward the biggest event in a number of years. If you want to join the party, it is not too late. You can go to https://site.fmca.com/fmca-perry-learn-more, or call us at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622 to sign up or learn more about the event.

Pull into any state or national park campground and you’re bound to be greeted by a camp host. It may be easy to take them for granted, but they play a vital role when it comes to enjoyment of one’s camping experience. Most volunteer their time in exchange for a free campsite during their stay.

On June 23, 2016, torrential rains caused devastating floods that resulted in 23 deaths in West Virginia, including 15 in Greenbrier County alone. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. Twelve counties were declared federal disaster areas, which allowed for federal funding through FEMA.

Read the latest House Calls for March 2018!

Gain insight into the lives of America’s third, fourth, and fifth presidents as you tour their Virginia homes.

RVers have been stuck with 1960s technology long enough. Pondering how far technology has come in the evolution of RVs can boggle the mind. Here are just a few examples:

More and more people are deciding that they want to start RVing. After all, the lifestyle has much to offer. But selecting the type of recreation vehicle that’s best for an individual or family can be a bit bewildering. Choices include motorhomes, towables, and truck campers, and each has pros and cons. FMCA members, many of whom are longtime RV owners, are encouraged to share this article with RVer wannabes so they’ll be better equipped to make an educated decision.

FMCA members Rich and Sherry Hashagen created an inclusive camp that serves thousands.