Motorhomes have been equipped with holding tanks for fresh water and black or gray water since the first coaches were built. And the monitoring systems used to keep track of the fluid levels in these tanks haven’t changed much during the past 40 years.
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Load Bearing
Dear RV Doctor:
How do you put a load on a generator in the winter? You recommend running the air conditioners to exercise the generator, but that doesn't seem practical during the cold winter months. -
Ford 2012 Escape, Fusion No Longer Towable
Family Motor Coaching recently learned that Ford Motor Company has amended its information concerning flat-towing 2012 Ford Escape and Fusion vehicles equipped with front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive systems (excluding hybrid models). In February 2012 the company published an Owner Guide Supplement for these vehicles that was sent to current owners.
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Correction
"Niagara Falls, From The River Up" (May 2012, page 60) contains an error introduced during the editing process. It incorrectly states that the Niagara River flows south, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. Actually, the opposite is true: the river flows north, from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
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Ah, those college days. Ohio University, my alma mater, had a tradition that was carried on from the 1950s to the 1980s involving J-Prom. In honor of this springtime event, fraternities and sororities put on little traveling shows around campus.
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It is 6:45 p.m. on April 16, 2012. The weather is absolutely beautiful here in central Pennsylvania as I write this. I grew up in this part of the world, and learned the lessons of life from a caring grandfather and grandmother with whom my brother and I spent most of our summers and holidays.
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What strategy can you suggest to keep motorhomers on the road despite rising fuel costs?
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RV travel is a team sport, always best when children play a role in planning the trip, preparing meals, looking for nature specimens, and sharing tall tales around the campfire. Here are some recipes that are simple enough for children to make, yet delicious enough for the whole family to enjoy.
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Grand Canyon Walking Tour App
Geographic West, an online magazine dedicated to presenting the beauty of the western United States, announced that it has released its first apps for Apple and Android smartphones at their respective app stores. The Grand Canyon Walking Tour app is a point-by-point descriptive and photo tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim.
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Archery Set
The Faux Bow from Marky Sparky Inc. is a fun archery toy set designed to make it easy for kids to hit the target every time.
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Since 2010, Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has hosted ChallengerFest, a weekend of drag racing and car shows for folks who own Dodge Challengers.
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The Coaches For Christ – South Central chapter began in 2005 while R.G. Wilson, L21025, was FMCA’s national president. Since then we have gathered for two rallies each year — one in April and one in September.
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Checklist Holder
We keep our “Take List” right beside the motorhome’s ignition so we won’t forget items we need on the trip. It is held there with a stick-on clamp that can be purchased at any mass merchandise store.
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Temperature A-Risin’
Dear RV Doctor:
How do I raise the water temperature on my Precision Temp continuous water heater? I see no adjustable thermostat. The water heater is working, and it’s suitable for a quick shower in the summer, but the water is not hot enough for washing up. -
Ford Escape, Fusion Clarification
In the ”Tech Talk” column of the June 2012 issue of FMC (page 18), it was reported that Ford Motor Company had published an Owner Guide Supplement in February 2012 that indicated 2012 Escape and Fusion vehicles with front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, and all-wheel-drive systems should no longer be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome.
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Rapid Radiator Repair
Dear Editor:
We have a 2010 Fleetwood Discovery on a Spartan chassis. While we were in Florida this past winter, the radiator began to leak. -
Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July in the United States, holds different meaning for different people. For some, this American holiday represents a midway point for summer vacations. … Yet, for others, it is a symbol of the true meaning of living in a free society. On the first day of July, Canada celebrates in a similar fashion for Canada Day, frequently referred to as Canada’s birthday.
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The Executive Board has just completed our spring meetings at the Cincinnati, Ohio, national office as I write this month’s column. A lot of work was completed during those nine days. My wife, Jean, and I were at the office for about two weeks before the meetings began.
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Exploring Alaska by motorhome is without doubt an adventure beyond words. This is especially true for those who prefer to travel at their own pace, blazing their own trail, seeking opportunity to explore Mother Nature’s most prized wilderness wonders.
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Traveling with children or grandchildren is an experience that cannot be replaced by phone calls or Skype, or even visits at your home. In the Midwest, southern Indiana offers an abundance of fun, family-friendly attractions to help make time spent together fun and interesting.
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While you may be many years removed from your days of sitting through lectures or studying for exams, you never stop learning. This is especially true when it comes to the motorhome lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why the seminars presented at FMCA Family Reunions attract such large and captive audiences.
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The first three letters of Winnebago are “w-i-n,” and the company has created a real winner with the Itasca Sunova 30A, a compact yet fully featured 31-foot-1-inch motorhome.
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A step-by-step guide to replacing your existing RV refrigerator with a 120-volt-AC residential model.
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Keep your motorhome’s electrical system safe from the evils of "dirty" electricity by using one or more power protection or voltage-boosting devices.
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Fleetwood RV introduced the 33-foot-11-inch, 102-inch-wide Excursion diesel pusher last November at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s National RV Trade Show. Following its debut at the Louisville, Kentucky, show, the 2013 coach was driven …
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Stop by the Smokejumper Visitor Center in Missoula, Montana, to learn about the men and women who risk their lives to put out blazes in remote locations.
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Before heading out this travel season, make sure you have a plan and know what to do if you encounter severe weather.
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Complete this sentence: "Don’t leave home without _____ when you go motorhoming.”
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Pioneers found food to be sparse in Death Valley, a barren expanse located along the California and Nevada border. But today’s RV travelers know that the desert has unique culinary delights.
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Blue Ox Recognized By White House
Automotive Equipment Manufacturing Co., which operates under the name Blue Ox, recently was recognized at a White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture event to acknowledge manufacturing success in rural America.
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Trip Planner
The RV Trip Wizard is a Web-based trip-planning tool that is said to make it easy to plot out your next travel adventure.
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Visiting, shopping, and relaxing. These were the perfect ingredients for a great time as members of the Ozark Ridge Runners celebrated the chapter’s 10th anniversary during a rally in Canton, Texas, November 3 through 6, 2011.
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The 24th Annual Western Area Rally, presented by the Western Area Motorhome Association, was held January 11 through 15, 2012, at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival Fairgrounds in sunny Indio, California. The theme for this year’s rally was “Western’s Pirate Adventure,” which inspired some fabulous floats and costumes for the parade.
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File Holder
Here’s an idea that has worked well for us. We didn’t want to carry a standard file cabinet in the motorhome, but we needed a place to keep our important papers and documents organized while traveling.
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Tour boats and a specially built "hurricane" deck take visitors as close as possible to some of North America's greatest waterfalls.
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This elegant diesel pusher includes all the creature comforts and storage required for a weekend jaunt or a long-term live-aboard stay.
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Gear up for great sights and attractions in the Hoosier State capital as you attend Family Motor Coach Association's 87th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase this August.
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Take care of your water heater and you will be sure to have a reliable supply of hot water during your travels.
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Graphic Description
Dear RV Doctor:
I recently purchased a 1985 motorhome that has a weathered exterior. It has a lot of vinyl graphics that are baked on, cracked, and peeling. I would like to remove the graphics to clean up the appearance but have yet to find anything that helps release the bond of the decals. -
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's Recall Corner: Entegra Coach, Gulf Stream Coach Inc., Newell Coach Corporation, and Spartan Motors Chassis Inc.
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Valve Extensions
Referencing the “Tire Valve Extensions” letter that appeared in the January 2012 “Tech Talk” column (page 20), I think the answer provided offered good advice, but I also want to point out that many wheels do not need them.
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Kids, Grandkids, And Memories
Dear Editor:
We have been members of FMCA since the early 1970s and have taken advantage of attending many FMCA international conventions. We took one of our grandsons, Stephen Dombek, to a rally in 1991. -
I am truly excited to share with you some changes that will be taking place over the next several months to make your FMCA experience even better.
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We experienced an early spring in much of North America this year, and many motorhomers who live in the northern and middle parts of the continent are on the road, enjoying the weather. As the summer camping season begins, the upcoming months hold the promise of many interesting places to go and lots of new things to see.
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What’s your favorite snack to make and/or enjoy around the campfire?
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Full-timing can be a rewarding way of life, but the lifestyle is getting squeezed these days from all directions. Here are a few ways to make your full-timing finances go both further and farther.
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Winnebago Industries’ Bob Olson Retires; Randy Potts Promoted
Winnebago Industries Inc. announced the retirement of Bob Olson from the position of chairman of the board effective February 24, 2012. Randy Potts, 53, will assume this role in addition to his current positions of chief executive officer and president…
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Personalized Sign
Let other campers know who you are and where you’re from with the Personalized RV Sign from Gunflint Woodshop.
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The Cruisin’ Cajuns chapter celebrated its 41st birthday November 17 through 20, 2011, at Rayne Civic Center in Rayne, Louisiana. There were 200 coaches at the birthday rally.