Can you imagine life without cell phones, high-speed Internet, and e-mail? Not long ago, these conveniences were considered high-tech wonders more than everyday necessities. But as many people have discovered, the speed of technology, particularly in electronics, is measured not in time, but in the rollout of new models with more advanced features.
The products described below include some of the latest technological innovations and have been selected because they fit the motorhoming lifestyle.
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Whether caused by a backing mishap, by turning too wide, or from some mysterious force, it seems that dented exhaust pipes are fairly common among motorhomes. Replacing the dented piece may require a chat with a loan officer at the dealership.
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Keepsakes need a special place in the motorhome, and they collect dust, but you can make a travel collection without buying a thing. My husband and I travel from state to state “collecting” national parks and monuments, wildlife refuges, and even state high points.
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What do you do when the exterior of your coach just doesn’t have that “wow” appeal any longer? One option is to trade the motorhome in and get a new one with a sparkling finish. But if you can’t stand the thought of parting with your coach, you can have it repainted by a company that specializes in making older coaches look like new.
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As an old TV commercial used to say, “You ride on a cushion of air.†While it’s true that your tires are filled with air, your motorhome also moves along on rubber (or at least a synthetic compound that goes by the same name), steel, neoprene, grease . .
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When you want to save water and gray water storage but also need to have a shower, here’s a way to do both. First, find a nonbreakable bowl or cut off the top of a jug, leaving the handle intact.
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OveRx Cocoon sunglassesAccording to product literature, OveRx Cocoon sunglasses from Live Eyewear are designed to be worn over prescription eyewear or as conventional sunglasses, protecting the eyes from harsh outdoor elements while maintaining optical clarity and quality.
Cocoons feature polarized front and side lenses that are said to block out 100 percent of damaging ultraviolet A and B light and to meet ANSI Z80.3 eyewear standards for impact resistance. The lightweight, full-wrap frames reportedly are made of unbreakable nylon and feature Flex2Fit adjustable temples for an exact fit.
The sunglasses, which come with a neoprene carrying case and a cleaning cloth, are available in six sizes and four lens colors and have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $44.95. -
Georgie Boy Manufacturing, based in Middlebury, Indiana, has brought back its popular type A Cruise Master model for 2008. And the company is building it on a Workhorse UFO chassis, which is powered by GM’s Vortec 8.1-liter V-8 rear gasoline engine and boasts a 26,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating.
“The Cruise Master name has a lot of history as a touring coach, and we thought a motorhome built on the UFO chassis was perfect for rekindling this great brand,” said Mike Scheetz, vice president of motorized product for Coachmen RV Group. -
“Man, that’s the quietest diesel I’ve ever heard!†exclaimed the fuel station attendant as I pulled up to the pump. Since we were in Oregon for FMCA’s 78th International Convention (state law does not allow self-service in gas stations), I already had my window open to hand over my credit card.
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It’s so convenient to shop at an FMCA convention. You don’t have to drive for miles and miles to the next RV dealership or motorhome products store. If you don’t see what you’re looking for in one aisle, you probably can walk around the corner and find it in the next.
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This past December I took delivery of a 2009 Phoenix Cruiser 2551 for a test outing. Simply put, I found this coach replete with innovation, livability, functionality, and observable quality. I also was pleasantly surprised to discover that …
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My father was a member of the United States Navy when I was young, so I spent a lot of time moving from station to station with my parents. Since my mother was somewhat directionally challenged at the time, I was forced to learn how to read a map
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There are 28 cities in the United States named Albany, but after immersing yourself in the confines of Albany, Georgia, you’ll likely be willing to testify that it cannot be topped.
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Geocaching is the modern equivalent of the treasure hunt game many of us played as children, with the addition of global positioning system (GPS) technology. It’s so new that until May 2000, the sport never existed.
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With a high-speed Internet connection, you can travel wherever you want and still be in communication via e-mail, photos, and even videos.
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This past January I boarded an airplane in Corpus Christi, Texas, and left the balmy 78-degree temperatures for Bowling Green, Ohio, where I met Jerry Yeatts, director of FMCA’s Convention Department. We were conducting the final planning visit …
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Wobbly Antenna
Dear RV Doctor:
I have a Winegard crank-up “batwing†TV antenna, and when it’s in the up position, it rocks back and forth when the wind blows. Someone told me there’s a tool to adjust the antenna. Do you know what kind of tool this might be and what I have to do to adjust the antenna? -
Cushion Anchors
Most motorhome couch cushions have to be readjusted every time you sit or lie on them. This is especially true with a sofa bed. But I found a solution to this sliding problem: hook-and-loop fastening material, such as Velcro.
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Harold “Ken†Wilson, L13812, who served as FMCA’s Eastern Area vice president during the early 1990s and also authored numerous articles for Family Motor Coaching magazine, passed away on December 27, 2008 …
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Laptop computer shelter
The Planet Business from LapDome Inc. is a padded laptop carrying case that pops open to shade and protect your computer. The product offers protection from the elements, but most of all it provides computer visibility when working outdoors.
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New book focuses on full-timing
Motorhomers who are considering full-timing can gain a better understanding of the lifestyle and all that it entails in Fulltiming For New & Used RVers ($24.95, RonJon Publishing Inc.) by Ronald Jones.
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As we’ve traversed the United States through many years, we’ve found that some of the most memorable places are often the smallest. It’s the same way with churches. Somehow the tiny churches we have visited stick in our memory.
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What is this thing called spring? Can we really pin its beginning to a particular date? Or does the date depend on specific plants — when they bloom, or when a particular locality turns from white to green?
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DTV Converter Question
We hope you can clarify the DTV converter box issue with our motorhome. Do we need to purchase a converter box for our motorhome TV, or will the place we camp at have the right digital connection for us? Please clarify this dilemma.
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Coachmen RV Company has announced NHTSA recall 08V639000, which includes the following Type A and Type C motorhomes: 2002 through 2006 Coachmen Santara Type C and 2004 through 2005 Santara Type A …
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If you’ve visited FMCA.com lately, you’ve no doubt noticed that the Web site has been completely revamped. The new site was launched on January 28, 2009. I have asked our Web editor to share some details about the new FMCA.com.
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“Queen Of The Road” Web Site
Dear Editor:
Thanks so much for the lovely mention of my memoir, Queen of the Road (“RV News & Notes,” December 2008, page 118). Readers might want to know that my Web site, www.QueenoftheRoadtheBook.com, has pictures of our bus conversion and our … -
What is your motorhome’s best feature (looks, livability, a special component, etc.)?
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Just when you thought you had life figured out, it seems that somewhere along the line the rules changed. Things we once believed to be true have been proven wrong or have been replaced with newer, better truths. As free-roaming citizens of the world, full-timers have their own set of needs and concerns.
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The 2009 Anthem by Entegra Coach is a real eye-catcher. We recently had the opportunity to test a new 42-foot-10-inch diesel pusher in this model line.
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I happened upon this story quite by accident while spending time at a four-wheel-drive shop called Moab 4×4 Outpost, located on the south end of Moab, Utah, not long ago. As I watched the shop technicians install equipment on Jeeps, I listened to them talk fondly about a group of four-wheel enthusiasts they had nicknamed “The Old Man Mafia.”
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Thousands of motorhomers will descend on the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, March 16 through 19, 2009, for FMCA’s 81st International Convention. More than 100 different classes will be taught, including 30 new sessions, covering a wide scope of technical and educational subjects, along with 13 different crafts classes.
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Most everyone’s heard of Jekyll Island, a barrier island along the coast of southern Georgia. It’s situated near Brunswick, and especially hard to miss if you’re a snowbird who migrates north and south along Interstate 95 twice a year.
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Do you want to know what tomorrow’s weather will bring? You could rely on newspaper forecasts, but they are often outdated by the time you read them.
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Many RVers plan their travels to coincide with fun events such as festivals, or to pursue their hobbies at pet shows, antiques displays, car rallies, and more. In Oregon, my home state, just about every weekend of the year is booked.
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When I was growing up, buttons from discarded clothes were removed and put in a large coffee can, ready to be sewn onto the next handmade garment. I used to love going through that button can. I would sort them by size, color, or favorites. Sometimes we used them in games of tic-tac-toe, tiddlywinks, or checkers.
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I have been asked some questions recently about the FMCA Commercial Council and the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and have noted that some confusion seems to exist. So, I thought I would dedicate this month’s article to discussing FMCA’s commercial members and our relationship with RVIA.
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This month, I’m sharing a list of questions we often receive at the FMCA national office and providing answers to them in the hope that other members will benefit from the information.
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Fresh water chlorination
Dear RV Doctor:
The water in our RV had a bad odor — a musty smell — so we added some household bleach to the tank and let it sit awhile. Now we cannot get the bleach taste out. What do you suggest we do? -
Although there are always interesting places to explore, in February we’re focused more on planning than actual travel. Between short trips to our favorite winter places, we spend this time of year making sure the motorhome will always be ready when the weather turns warm. Here’s how we do it.
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It’s a juggling act to keep meals pretty and nutritious, yet simple and easy to clean up. At the same time, many RV chefs also are conserving their dollars, water, and propane. The following recipes are easy on the taste buds, the cook, and the budget.
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Remembering Jim Hodge
Dear Editor:
In the November 2008 issue of FMC was a lovely article about one of FMCA’s founders, Jim Hodge (“Jim Hodge Was Proud Of His FMCA Roots,” page 32). -
Frozen freezer
Our freezer section built up with frost and ice to an amazing degree. I had to defrost it every week (the refrigerator section is fine). It is level enough so that water seems to drain. The ice and frost collect in the upper part of the freezer. -
Double Dog Bowl
We have two big, thirsty dogs, so to keep their water from spilling while we are on the road I created this bowl-in-a-bowl system.
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The 25th Rocky Mountain Ramble — “Black Tie & Blue Jeans†— took place October 15 through 18, 2008, and was a rousing success. This year for the first time, all of the chapters within FMCA’s Rocky Mountain Area were invited to hold pre-rallies at the fairgrounds.
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Folding table
The Magic Table from B&R Plastics Inc. is a portable, plastic version of the popular wooden Amazing Magic Table and, like the original, has many uses inside the motorhome.
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New state park near Brownsville, Texas
Resaca de la Palma State Park recently opened to become Texas’ newest state park and the eighth link in the World Birding Center chain stretching the breadth of the Rio Grande Valley.Â
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Certain plants are so closely associated with particular locations that they take on a symbolic nature. When you mention the desert, particularly in the Southwest, nearly everyone thinks of the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea).