May 2015
Extra Exterior Receptacle
Dear RV Doctor:
I've owned a couple of older Type A motorhomes that had a 120-volt weatherproof outlet on the outside of the coach. The outlets were handy for powering the awning lights, a radio, or even an exterior light for reading outside in nice weather.
Motorhomers who attend FMCA’s summer Family Reunion will be so glad they get to stay awhile in Madison, Wisconsin, once they see it. This pretty city is situated between two lakes. Summer days bring fresh breezes, and nights reveal lights reflecting on the water.
When properly placed and installed, awnings create shady areas that can substantially lower temperatures and increase the comfort level outside a motorhome. But they do even more by protecting surfaces from sun damage; reducing the need for air-conditioning; keeping rain from patio areas; and enhancing a motorhome’s visual appeal.
We’re flying down an unbending highway, 100 miles from nowhere in the vastness of southwestern Texas — near Big Bend National Park, to be precise. I’m wondering whether this is worth it, as we barrel along under a hard sky that fades out the prairie ahead.
Online retailer Amazon made news when company representatives unveiled plans to one day use drones to deliver packages. Consumers, too, have noticed that advances in technology have made drones affordable for people looking for an interesting hobby.
It did not take me very long to decide what to write about this month. Since we observe Memorial Day here in the United States in May, it seemed appropriate to write about veterans.
I recently searched the word “fun” on the Internet, and I couldn’t find anything that identified an age when people should stop having fun. In fact, I read a quote from an unknown author stating, “You don’t stop having fun because you get old; you get old because you stop having fun.
Smart Car Transmission
Dear Editor:
In the "Towables For 2015" article (January 2015, page 44), the Smart Fortwo listing states in footnote 2 that the vehicle "is equipped with an automatic transmission that allows the driver to select either manual shifting or automatic shifting options." That is incorrect.
Battery Charging
The 12-volt house batteries failed on my 2004 Georgie Boy 38-foot diesel pusher. Using my multimeter, I found that the batteries were charging only when the coach engine was running.
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Newmar Corporation, Winnebago Industries.
A Murphy bed, a large rear bath, and an open floor plan set this Type B wide-body motorhome apart.
Concealed Control Panel
Easy access to a motorhome’s control center is a necessity. However, a panel located at eye level on an interior wall detracts from the coach’s décor.
During their 60-year marriage, Tony and Geri Innocenti, F56315, rarely were apart. Whether at church, in their motorhome, at FMCA rallies and Family Reunions, or at home in Victoria, Texas, they were an inseparable pair.
A GMC Motorhomes International chapter convention drew the owners of approximately 120 GMC motorhomes to the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls from September 27 to October 2, 2014.
Ice Maker
The ice machine cometh. Dometic’s HZB-12 is a compact machine that cranks out 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours.
National Parks Set Attendance Records
America’s national parks broke attendance records in 2014, with 292.8 million visits. That surpassed the previous record set in 1999 when parks saw 287.1 million visits.
As the 2015 travel season shifts into high gear this month, I’ve been tweaking my tech — adding new gadgets, downloading apps for our various mobile devices, and redesigning the systems we use in our Type B Roadtrek motorhome as we head out for what will be another year of crisscrossing the country.
Are you a bake-and-take cook? Whether the prepping is done before a trip or you assemble things in your galley on the go, a motorhome has everything you need for safe, convenient, jump-start meals.
What is the most unusual or intriguing tourist attraction you have visited?