During my recent review of the new Foretravel IH-45 luxury motor coach, I spent time with Lyle Reed, chairman of privately held Foretravel Inc. He talked candidly about the economic cards the company was dealt immediately following his acquisition of Foretravel in 2005, the actions his team took to survive the downturn, and their current business strategy.
Category:
2011
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After two years of intensive planning and design, Foretravel Inc. of Nacogdoches, Texas, unveiled its new company flagship: the IH series. This ultra-luxurious home on wheels joins the Phenix and Nimbus to round out Foretravel’s current motorhome lines.
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FMCA’s commitment to members goes beyond providing fun and fellowship. FMCA is always looking for ways to provide extra value to the members it serves, especially during these challenging economic times. To that end, following is information about several new and enhanced “connections†to discounts for members.Â
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Enjoy the tastes of upstate South Carolina by trying one or more of these homegrown recipes.
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Cartoons often show picnics invaded by hordes of ants, but this time of year, you are as likely to have flying visitors from the wasp family join in your festivities, particularly the ones called yellow jackets.
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Monaco RV President Kay Toolson Retires
Monaco RV LLC, manufacturer of motorized and towable RVs, announced the retirement of company president Kay Toolson effective June 30, 2011. After 25 years at the helm of Monaco, Mr. Toolson will step away from the day-to-day operations but still be involved in special projects and take an advisory role in the company.
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Disc Toss
According to product literature, the Skywinder Disc Toss from Sportcraft Ltd. will have players launching flying discs farther and faster than ever with a quick flick of the wrist.
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In mid-May FMCA officials toured the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. The group met with Tom McNulty, Hall of Fame executive vice president (center), and discussed FMCA’s current commemorative display, which recently was moved to a different area of the facility, as well as other topics related to FMCA and the RV industry.
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Two pages of puzzles and fun related to carnivals, fairs and amusement parks. Print and enjoy!
Kids’ Section (PDF)Â
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Jeanie Cheneweth, L9986, wife of former FMCA national president Charles Cheneweth, died on May 2, 2011, in Chula Vista, California. She was 84.
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This story began on Sunday afternoon, March 20, 2011, following FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Perry, Georgia. At a small RV park in Plains, Georgia, 23 members of FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® gathered to organize and plan an event that for many would be a life-changing experience.
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Travel Info On Computer I’ve created a number of folders on my computer in which I keep information about our motorhome and the travel lifestyle.
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Possible Fresh Water System Freeze Damage
Dear RV Doctor:
We are purchasing a 2007 Winnebago motorhome with 16,000 miles on the odometer. Unfortunately, it was exposed to freezing temperatures with fresh water still in the system, and the water heater froze and cracked. -
If you own a motorhome equipped with a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator and have not received recall notification, or if you have recently purchased a preowned motorhome that has a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator, you may want to check to see whether your refrigerator needs to be serviced.
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A Heater Core Note
Dear Editor:
Peter D. Du Pre mentioned engine cooling in his “Cooling System Basics” article (March 2011, page 38). Then in the May 2011 “Readers’ Forum” column, Steve Haeffele described how he rerouted heat from the heater core of his motorhome engine (page 19). -
Hello from Cincinnati. Well, the weather sure has heated up fast here, and it seems like we went right from winter (cold) into summer (heat and humidity). This month I have asked the supervisor of FMCA’s mail forwarding service, Cindy Ackley, to explain their operations.
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Have you ever read the newspaper and looked at what your local town leaders were doing and said to yourself, “Boy, are they missing the boat! They should . . . .†Well, some of you probably say the same thing about FMCA.
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A preview of the plentiful products and services to be offered at FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, this August.
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Advance your knowledge of the RV lifestyle, motorhome maintenance, and miscellaneous other topics, including many offered for the very first time, by attending one or more of the seminars presented at FMCA’s upcoming Family Reunion in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Today this Wisconsin city is considered a great place to gather over a beer, tour fantastic museums, visit waterways, and so on. With so many meeting places, it is a fun town to visit.
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For summer fun, the young at heart head to Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, Wisconsin.
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A few simple strategies can help you keep your motorhome on the road despite the price at the pump.
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Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced the return of its popular Era Type B motorhome to the company’s product lineup for 2012.
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On July 19, 2010, John and Kathi Belcher, F388523, and their four children started heading in a whole new direction together. They moved into their 42-foot Fleetwood Revolution motorhome full-time, with plans to visit all 50 of the United States, as well as some Canadian provinces.
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The FMCAssist plan offers medical evacuation and vehicle return coverage while traveling in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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As we approach the summer season, our travels often take us toward open water, preferably areas that include sand dunes and ocean breezes. Some of our favorite places are managed by the National Park Service, but rather than being national parks, they are called national seashores and national lakeshores.
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The full-timer’s life differs from that of individuals who use their RV to vacation, take an extended trip, or even set out on a lengthy sabbatical. That’s why this column focuses on problems specific to those who live their life on the go. Here is some of the latest news and views for full-timers.
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NeXus RV Sets Open House Dates
NeXus RV, C12206 (FMCA commercial member), a new motorhome manufacturer that offers direct sales to consumers, will hold an open house at its facility in Elkhart, Indiana, from June 20 through 30, 2011.
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Shoe Moisture Eliminator
According to product literature, Stuffitts Shoe Savers will help eliminate moisture and odor from shoes to keep them smelling fresh.
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Margaret Goodman, F44592, wife of former Western Area national vice president Bill Goodman, recently passed away. She was 97.
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A Hilly Billy Wedding was the highlight of the Fingerlakers chapter’s 37th annual Officers Rally in upstate New York. Sixty-six members and guests attended the three-day rally held October 8 through 10, 2010, at the Genesee Country Campground in Caledonia, New York.
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Jack C. Schneiker, L2150, a longtime member of FMCA who, along with his wife, Belle, recruited more members to the association than any other family, died at his Tucson, Arizona, home on April 1, 2011. He was 87.
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Securing Storage Compartment Struts
The screws used to attach the gas struts on my motorhome’s outside storage compartments kept coming loose.
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Perplexing Propane Problems
Dear RV Doctor:
I am having a problem with the pilot light on my motorhome’s hot water tank. I can light the pilot, but when I turn the dial to the “On†position, it takes a moment for the ignition. And when the propane gas finally reaches the pilot light area, the combustion is so strong that it blows out the pilot light and the main heating flame. -
The company with a recall detailed in this month’s column is Fleetwood RV Inc.
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How Long And How Fast?
I tow a 2008 all-wheel-drive Saturn VUE XR that’s equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. When preparing the vehicle to be towed, I place the transmission in “neutral†with the ignition key in the accessory position and pull the ignition fuse so the battery doesn’t go dead.
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Shut Off The Fridge
Dear Editor:
In “Refrigerator Leveling” (March 2011 “House Calls,” page 20) the RVer was worried about the refrigerator becoming unlevel while the coach was being driven on hills and mountains. My answer to that would be to never run the refrigerator when you are driving. -
Hello from Cincinnati. As I write this month’s commentary for our June issue of FMC magazine, I reflect back on the past few months as to what our staff has accomplished since my arrival here in January. I can report that things are moving at a fast pace, and many good things are happening behind the scenes at FMCA . . .
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My messages in the past few issues have focused on the motorhome lifestyle, and, indeed, that is what FMCA is all about. But there is more to FMCA than simply traveling, meeting old friends, and making new friends. For many of you, it is about becoming involved.
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Great music and many fun activities will greet those planning to attend FMCA’s 86th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, which will take place August 10 through 13, 2011, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
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The 2011 election of FMCA National Officers will be held August 10, 2011, at FMCA’s 86th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin. The Nominating Committee has submitted its slate of candidates. Although balloting is restricted to National Directors and National Officers …
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In Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys children’s mystery novels, an “old river road†always seemed to play some part in the mystery at hand. Wisconsin has its own river road, the Great River Road, and it, too, is surrounded with mystery. But in this case it’s the kind that goes hand in hand with the magic of travel and discovering new places.
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One hour west of Madison, Wisconsin, site of FMCA’s 86th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase this August, two of the most fascinating homes in the entire United States await discovery. The little town of Spring Green is home to this mismatched pair, because two very different architects were drawn to the same lush, green foliage and rolling hills.
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With retro-vintage looks, but built with a revolutionary and innovative bottom-to-top, bumper-to-bumper production process, the 2011 Monaco Vesta is being unveiled at numerous RV shows across the United States to oohs and ahhs from all levels of the industry.
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When you’re stopped on the side of the road in need of assistance, it’s important that the proper personnel and equipment be sent to tend to your special situation. To do that, the service provider or towing company needs detailed information about your motorhome so that they make educated decisions about your dilemma and respond accordingly.
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Here are some easy ways to use the simple spiral as a way to turn everyday dishes into something more special.
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Every time we see Canada geese flying overhead, we are reminded of our personal calendar of seasons, which is much more inexact.