It seems as if we went from summer straight into the holiday season. Since being elected as your national president this past June, Gloria and I have attended five area rallies and visited eight chapters. I also have been on two …
Category:
2011
Personalized Sign
Let other campers know who you are and where you’re from with the Personalized RV Sign from Gunflint Woodshop.
As always, the focus of this column is on RVers who live and travel in their motorhomes as a way of life. When you’re happily homeless, there are immense advantages, but when problems arise, they have a way of multiplying.
Each autumn, motorhomers from up north turn to their favorite winter nesting places along the Gulf Coast of Texas. These “Winter Texans” may spend half of the year or more elsewhere, but locals in places such as Corpus Christi, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island consider them to be nothing less than Texans.
Lazydays Reaches Milestones During 2011
Lazydays has experienced a year of growth and expansion in 2011, including a new RV-style restaurant and a new Tucson, Arizona, location.
If you’ve never experienced a NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, you need to put it on your bucket list.
Organizing Bag
Keep loose items in your motorhome organized with Sticky Pockets bags from Davis Instruments.
This year Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake & RV Inc. of Grants Pass, Oregon, has been celebrating its golden anniversary of service to the motoring public.
This month we resume our presentation of Type C motorhomes, providing readers with information about the latest family-friendly, easy-to-maneuver RVs available from manufacturers.
The weather was far from frightful for the Vancouver Islanders’ “Christmas In July” chapter rally, held July 18 through 22, 2011, at Storeys Beach in Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada. In fact, it was quite nice…
Just think about it! For two decades, the Happy (OK) Wanderers have enjoyed rallies, fellowship, friendships, great food, unbelievable entertainment, enticing tours, and wonderful places to camp and have fun.
Improvised Windshield Washer
On our annual winter trek from Colorado to Arizona in our motorhome, we encountered just enough snow and wet weather in Colorado to really mess up the motorhome. The spray from the passing cars and trucks was a problem, even though our windshield wipers and washers were working.
Adding A Battery Disconnect Switch
Dear RV Doctor:
My new motorhome did not come with a disconnect switch for the batteries. I want to install one, but I’m unsure of the proper way.Frosty Fridge Fins
We have a 2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor motorhome. Last summer the refrigerator’s cooling unit was replaced. With the original unit, we hardly ever had to defrost the refrigerator or freezer. With the new unit we have to defrost the refrigerator about every two weeks.
The company with a recall detailed in this month's column is Jayco Inc.
"Purses" Auction Nets Many Thanks
During the Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, this past August, FMCA held a "Purses for a Purpose" silent auction. All funds collected through the auction were donated to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County.
Well, it is that time of year again, with the holidays fast approaching. This month, I have asked the new chairman of the Membership/Member Services Committee, John Breisch, to write a little something about himself and about what his committee has been doing.
“Charlie, you have a call on my cell phone.” My immediate reaction was, “I don’t think so, lady.” Jean and I were strolling in the Lazy Day Campground just off of Exit 170 on Interstate 70 near Danville, in the middle of Missouri, where we had stopped on our way to the Six State Rally in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Ride height is critical to ride, handling, and component longevity. All chassis makers have specifications for the correct ride height — leaf spring, Torsilastic, and air suspensions.
Describe the best breakfast you’ve ever eaten during a motorhome trip.
For more than 60 years, Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation was one of the largest trucking firms in the United States. Today its heritage is preserved at the C. Grier Beam Truck Museum in Cherryville, North Carolina.
For many of us, the numerous properties overseen by the National Park Service provide highlights to our travels, but their recognition is not limited to the United States. Thirteen national parks have worldwide reputations and are among the 936 international World Heritage Sites.Â
Are you also wondering what there is to see in Arizona? One of our favorites happens to be the town of Bisbee, located in the southeastern corner of the state, only 8 miles from the Mexico border.
CB Radio
The 29 LX citizens band radio from Cobra Electronics is said to take driver communications to the next level.
The first-ever FMCA Road Chef Competition, a recipe cook-off, took place during the association’s 86th Family Reunion in Madison, Wisconsin, this past August.
The 19th Annual Northeast Area Rally, held July 21-24 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, Vermont, paid tribute to FMCA’s Northeast Area heritage.
Ed Ruese, F28117, a longtime member of FMCA who served as the association’s national senior vice president and national vice president, International Area, died on August, 27, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Vent Operating Tool
Because the ceiling vents in our motorhome operate manually and are difficult to reach without a stepladder, I decided to make a special tool to open and close the vents.
Support Needed
Dear RV Doctor:
We just purchased our first motorhome, a preowned 2006 28-foot model. The unit is in great shape, and I would like to keep it that way. I want to clean the roof, but I have heard that you can’t walk on all motorhome roofs. ÂCompanies with a recall detailed in this month’s column are Fleetwood RV Inc., Provan Industries Inc., Thor Motor Coach, and Winnebago Industries Inc.
Propane Level
From the time I purchased our new 2003 Fleetwood Discovery, the propane gauge at the front of the motorhome always has read full, regardless of the amount of fuel in the tank.Â
Two Kinds Of Volume
Dear Editor:
I enjoyed the article “High-Volume Power Roof Vents” in the June 2011 issue (page 82). One useful item of information for comparison purposes would have been the noise level generated by each model.Well, it is that time of the year. Some of you are lingering up north, while others are either making plans to head south for the winter or are already in a warmer climate. Whatever the case, enjoy yourselves and the RV lifestyle we share.
Today’s family-friendly Type C motorhomes offer more sleeping area, better maneuverability, and many of the same amenities found in larger, more expensive models. This compilation includes models, dimensions, weight ratings, tank capacities, chassis type, engine type, options and base suggested retail prices.
This month brings not only the cooler weather and the possibility of reduced travel in our motorhomes, but it also brings back the thoughts and memories of two holidays that most of us celebrate.
Loss of inflation pressure is a major factor in tire damage. Heat buildup from low pressure can easily exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to devulcanization, ply separation, or a blowout. Sometimes an underinflated tire on the motorhome can …
It’s fascinating when I think back to when I was a child and arrived at the conclusion that Cheese Nips, the Cheddar cheese-flavored baked crackers, were only available 50 miles from home. The reason I believed that was because the only time we had them was when the family took an automobile trip.
If money were no object, what one item or feature would you like to add to your motorhome?
A travel guide for Mobile Bay, Alabama, aptly describes it as the place where fun floats.Â
These rawboned recipes are as good for the campfire as they are in the modern RV kitchen or gas grill.
Florida once again finds itself full of new amusement park opportunities for the entire family. From St. Augustine to Winter Haven, individuals of all ages can make plans this winter to visit and enjoy three new superb attractions.
In addition to the abandoned birds’ nests and parasitic plants such as mistletoe that adorn the bare branches of deciduous trees, you’ll often find evidence of insect homes called galls.
Cummins Care Now Available For RV Market
Cummins Inc. announced that it has added the RV market to its new Cummins Care enhanced customer assistance program, which provides around-the-clock response for customers with Cummins engines.
The companies with a recall detailed in this month’s column are Airstream Inc., Cummins Inc., Fleetwood RV Inc., Navistar Inc. (Monaco and Holiday Rambler), Tiffin Motorhomes, and Winnebago Industries Inc.
Chevy Cruze Automatic No Longer Approved For Flat TowingFMC recently was notified by several FMCA members that Chevrolet has issued a bulletin and supplemental owners manual page that advises owners not to flat tow Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, even though the owners manual states that the vehicle can be towed four wheels down.
Ready For Towing
Dear Editor:
Thank you very much for the “Beating The Breakdown Blues†article (June 2011, page 60) with its Roadside Emergency Chart. We used that chart as a template and then customized it to meet our needs.I would like to focus this month’s commentary on changes that are taking place within FMCA. First, a new events manager has been selected from two very qualified in-house candidates. Please join me in welcoming Chris Lusk as FMCA’s new events manager.
Thank you once again for your trust and confidence in electing me as your national president. Jean and I have just returned from the “Family A’Fair†Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin. And what a great time it was.
We were invited by a friend to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, one of Arkansas’ top tourist attractions. It turned out to be one of the greatest places we have ever visited.
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