Cost Compariso
If you pay for electricity at a campsite but wonder whether it would be more economical to operate your refrigerator on propane, here’s how to make an approximate cost comparison
Multiple TV Failures
Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 2010 Winnebago Aspect that I purchased new in 2011. I have been through three televisions. A TV repairperson checked them and said the inverters failed on all three. One repair technician found it odd that there is no insulation behind the entertainment center.
The following company has a recall delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Newmar Corporation.
Gen Set Info
The December 2014 “Readers’ Forum” column (page 16) mentioned that any generator with two legs of 120 volts AC could be connected to provide 240 volts AC output. Twenty years ago I went through this with Onan, and they said the generator absolutely was not designed to do that.
The Real Cost And Value Of Motorhoming
Dear Editor:
In the February 2015 “RV News & Notes” column (page 45), you included the results of a study commissioned by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association about motorhome vacation cost versus other forms of vacation travel (“Motorhomes Shine In Vacation Cost Study”).
My wife and I have enjoyed watching "NBC Nightly News" with anchor Brian Williams for many years. In fact, I try to make it home from the office in time to catch the familiar and soothing fanfare of John Williams' composition The Mission, which accompanies the opening credits of each broadcast.
Well, here it is the first week of February, and I’m trying to write this column for the April issue of FMC magazine. From the time I am writing this to when you end up reading it, Gloria and I will have been to many places.
Whether you prefer land or water, you are sure to find “the real Florida” at this nature preserve near Sarasota.
Easter is not only a wonderful holiday to revisit your favorite springtime haunts, but it's also a time of creation and new life. The painted egg is one of its happiest symbols.
The area we call Zion National Park was designated a national monument in 1909. Ten years later, it was expanded and became a national park — Utah’s first.
Owning a motorhome allows us to seek out special places, and we frequently choose destinations that have played a role in history. Recently we visited Sky City on New Mexico's Acoma Pueblo …
These devices prevent breakers from tripping by monitoring power usage and adjusting electrical loads.
How do you monitor severe weather while you are traveling in the motorhome or parked at a campsite?
Call them canapés, appetizers, or midnight snacks. Nibbles and noshes seem to be the first provisions to disappear during a motorhome trip. Snacks are also the likeliest place for diets to die and food budgets to bulge. Let’s try to do better than greasy potato chips and chemical-laden cheese crisps.
For RVers, it’s difficult to find a more popular state than Florida. But it’s equally difficult to find a spot on the beach that isn’t crowded and built up with high-rises and condos as far as you can see in most directions. That’s why we have fallen in love with Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
Jayco Offers New Floor Plans
Jayco has introduced new floor plans for its Type C Redhawk and Type A Precept motorhome lines.
Jayco has introduced new floor plans for its Type C Redhawk and Type A Precept motorhome lines.
Bottle, Can Opener
Twist tops, flip tops, and metal caps can be difficult to open on plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles, especially for folks with limited hand strength or arthritis. Magic Opener perhaps can help.
The Florida Roll’n Gators chapter holds an annual Christmas rally that traditionally has included a gift exchange, with members abiding by a $10 limit. But the December 10-14, 2014, rally at Silver Palms RV Resort in Okeechobee, Florida, was different.
The Oregon River Ramblers chapter celebrated its 15th anniversary during a rally held September 12-14, 2014, at Port of Newport Marina RV Park in Newport, Oregon.
The Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was the setting for the Penn Coachmen chapter’s 45th anniversary rally July 17-20, 2014. Seventy-six members attended. Ron and Carol Becker served as rally masters.
The Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was the setting for the Penn Coachmen chapter’s 45th anniversary rally July 17-20, 2014. Seventy-six members attended. Ron and Carol Becker served as rally masters.
The California Pacers chapter of FMCA marked its 25th anniversary with a rally from September 24-28, 2014, at Wine Country RV Resort in Paso Robles, California. The wonderful event was filled with fun and laughter, as are all of our rallies.
Level Parking
We all know the importance of the motorhome being relatively level when parked — for efficient operation of the refrigerator and also for comfort inside the RV. Normally, when settling in to a new site, the driver has to move the motorhome back and forth while the copilot stands next to the bubble levels inside and gives directions to help level the vehicle.
Sticky Leveling Situation
Dear RV Doctor:
We have a 2007 “new to us” Georgetown motorhome. We have used the Lippert Components leveling system five times — during the walk-around at the dealer when we picked it up (worked fine); that evening at a campground (worked fine); in our driveway a couple of weeks later (all jacks stuck down); camping a couple of weeks later (worked fine); and during an end-of-season trip (rear jacks stuck down).
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's column: Allied Recreation Group, Prevost Car Inc., Winnebago Industries Inc.
Owners Manual Info
I have a 2011 Sportscoach Pathfinder. Have you seen a specific year and model owners manual for this coach? All I have is a generic motorhome manual from Coachmen for all types of motorized RVs, and it is too general in its content.
Corrections
FMCA 2014 Convention History
The “FMCA Convention History” in the January 2015 issue (page 320), which lists previous FMCA convention dates, locations, and coach counts, erroneously indicated that the 89th and 90th Family Reunions in Perry, Georgia, and Redmond, Oregon, respectively, occurred in 2015.
The late Jan Hooks was a comedian who became known for hilarious sketches on NBC-TV’s long-lived comedy show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). One of the most memorable performances of her time on this show was when she portrayed Brenda, a waitress who served a cowboy played by Alec Baldwin.
As the saying goes, time marches on. As I write this, national senior vice president Jon Walker, Gloria, and I have just left the Western Area Rally in Indio, California. We are getting ready for the Southeast Area Rally in Sarasota, Florida, in February, and we expect we will have a great time with many of you there.
It’s called the Blue Ridge because, from a distance, this ancient mountain range looks pale blue. To European explorers, it was the first great barrier to the way west. To the mountain folk who made it their home (both Indians and settlers), it provided a good living, if you knew its secrets. To modern travelers it holds “America’s Favorite Drive.”
This month, FMCA members will arrive in the city of Pomona, anticipating many pleasurable activities scheduled during the association's “California Gold” Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, March 26-29. That includes two nights of top-notch entertainment attendees won't want to miss.
Use this treasure map to learn which companies will display motorhomes and offer RV-related products and services during FMCA’s upcoming Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Pomona.
This innovative Type B+ motorhome offers contemporary styling on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
The performance of ammonia absorption refrigerators, which are common in motorhomes, can be affected by several factors. Some, such as the weather or grandchildren who frequently raid the fridge, may not be within your control, but most are.
Where's a great place to get a piece of pie in your hometown or on the road?
At a typical campground get-together, meat sizzles on the grill or a turkey hisses in the deep fryer while a table is set to receive side dishes that everyone brings. You don’t want to miss a minute of the party, so recipes should be fuss-free and easy to self-serve.
This is peak time for cabin fever, and it has hit us big-time. Cabin fever, as described by Wikipedia, is “a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do for an extended period. Cabin fever describes the extreme irritability and restlessness a person may feel in these situations.”
Boondockers Welcome, C12795, which launched in 2012, now includes more than 800 North American locations that offer RVers free overnight parking on private property. RVer hosts and guests can connect online at www.boondockerswelcome.com, which was started by Marianne Edwards and her daughter, Anna Maste.
Liquid Dispenser
Bottles, bottles, and more bottles. One way to eliminate some of that clutter in the shower and kitchen is with the Classic Dispenser 3 from Better Living.
Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley in Clermont, Florida, was the setting for a rally June 6-8, 2014, at which members of FMCA’s Sandpipers chapter marked 20 years of motorhoming fun.
The Gateway Getaways and Ozark Ridge Runners chapters enjoyed a joint rally May 19-23, 2014, in Branson, Missouri. Thanks go out to those who planned the event, Don and Joyce Sturms of the Ozark Ridge Runners and Mark and Linda Boka of the Gateway Getaways.
While camp hosting at Foscue Creek Campground in Demopolis, Alabama, Tony and Marijke Schellenbach, F83597, have met many nice people. They can now count Ernest and Ruth Aulick among them.
Members of FMCA’s Northern Lights chapter enjoyed a great rally September 4-7, 2014, at Frankfort Crystal Lake RV Resort in Michigan. The campground owner and crew did a fantastic job of welcoming us to the new resort on Lake Michigan.
Electrical Malfunction
Dear RV Doctor:
My Safari is always “on” in some electrical fashion. This problem has now escalated to the point where I cannot start the motorhome.
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Entegra Coach, Newmar Corporation, Tiffin Motorhomes.
Out Of Step
I have a 2006 National RV motorhome. The automatic retractable steps worked as they should until I shut the door recently and the steps wouldn’t retract. What should I look for? What would make them not work?
November Notes
Dear Editor:
I almost always read the “President’s Message” columns. I find Charlie Adcock’s messages particularly enjoyable and encouraging. Thanks for sharing not only the "good" stuff but also the challenges we can relate to. It's helpful to us newbies and part-timers.
On the third Monday of January each year, America pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pastor; an activist; leader in the Civil Rights movement; and, equally as important, a humanitarian.
Happy New Year to my FMCA Family! Can you believe that another year has slipped by? Sometimes I feel like I’m racing against a clock. I have so many things I still would like to see happen in FMCA, and it seems as though time is running out on me.
Makeshift Rain Hat
I find those free motel shower caps so useful. They fit over a ball cap, making a perfect emergency rain hat.