The Florida Roll’n Gators chapter holds an annual Christmas rally that traditionally has included a gift exchange, with members abiding by a $10 limit. But the December 10-14, 2014, rally at Silver Palms RV Resort in Okeechobee, Florida, was different.
The Oregon River Ramblers chapter celebrated its 15th anniversary during a rally held September 12-14, 2014, at Port of Newport Marina RV Park in Newport, Oregon.
The Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was the setting for the Penn Coachmen chapter’s 45th anniversary rally July 17-20, 2014. Seventy-six members attended. Ron and Carol Becker served as rally masters.
The Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was the setting for the Penn Coachmen chapter’s 45th anniversary rally July 17-20, 2014. Seventy-six members attended. Ron and Carol Becker served as rally masters.
The California Pacers chapter of FMCA marked its 25th anniversary with a rally from September 24-28, 2014, at Wine Country RV Resort in Paso Robles, California. The wonderful event was filled with fun and laughter, as are all of our rallies.
Level Parking
We all know the importance of the motorhome being relatively level when parked — for efficient operation of the refrigerator and also for comfort inside the RV. Normally, when settling in to a new site, the driver has to move the motorhome back and forth while the copilot stands next to the bubble levels inside and gives directions to help level the vehicle.
Sticky Leveling Situation
Dear RV Doctor:
We have a 2007 “new to us” Georgetown motorhome. We have used the Lippert Components leveling system five times — during the walk-around at the dealer when we picked it up (worked fine); that evening at a campground (worked fine); in our driveway a couple of weeks later (all jacks stuck down); camping a couple of weeks later (worked fine); and during an end-of-season trip (rear jacks stuck down).
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's column: Allied Recreation Group, Prevost Car Inc., Winnebago Industries Inc.
Owners Manual Info
I have a 2011 Sportscoach Pathfinder. Have you seen a specific year and model owners manual for this coach? All I have is a generic motorhome manual from Coachmen for all types of motorized RVs, and it is too general in its content.
Corrections
FMCA 2014 Convention History
The “FMCA Convention History” in the January 2015 issue (page 320), which lists previous FMCA convention dates, locations, and coach counts, erroneously indicated that the 89th and 90th Family Reunions in Perry, Georgia, and Redmond, Oregon, respectively, occurred in 2015.
The late Jan Hooks was a comedian who became known for hilarious sketches on NBC-TV’s long-lived comedy show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). One of the most memorable performances of her time on this show was when she portrayed Brenda, a waitress who served a cowboy played by Alec Baldwin.
As the saying goes, time marches on. As I write this, national senior vice president Jon Walker, Gloria, and I have just left the Western Area Rally in Indio, California. We are getting ready for the Southeast Area Rally in Sarasota, Florida, in February, and we expect we will have a great time with many of you there.
It’s called the Blue Ridge because, from a distance, this ancient mountain range looks pale blue. To European explorers, it was the first great barrier to the way west. To the mountain folk who made it their home (both Indians and settlers), it provided a good living, if you knew its secrets. To modern travelers it holds “America’s Favorite Drive.”
This month, FMCA members will arrive in the city of Pomona, anticipating many pleasurable activities scheduled during the association's “California Gold” Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, March 26-29. That includes two nights of top-notch entertainment attendees won't want to miss.
Use this treasure map to learn which companies will display motorhomes and offer RV-related products and services during FMCA’s upcoming Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Pomona.
This innovative Type B+ motorhome offers contemporary styling on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
The performance of ammonia absorption refrigerators, which are common in motorhomes, can be affected by several factors. Some, such as the weather or grandchildren who frequently raid the fridge, may not be within your control, but most are.
Where's a great place to get a piece of pie in your hometown or on the road?
At a typical campground get-together, meat sizzles on the grill or a turkey hisses in the deep fryer while a table is set to receive side dishes that everyone brings. You don’t want to miss a minute of the party, so recipes should be fuss-free and easy to self-serve.
This is peak time for cabin fever, and it has hit us big-time. Cabin fever, as described by Wikipedia, is “a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do for an extended period. Cabin fever describes the extreme irritability and restlessness a person may feel in these situations.”
Boondockers Welcome, C12795, which launched in 2012, now includes more than 800 North American locations that offer RVers free overnight parking on private property. RVer hosts and guests can connect online at www.boondockerswelcome.com, which was started by Marianne Edwards and her daughter, Anna Maste.
Liquid Dispenser
Bottles, bottles, and more bottles. One way to eliminate some of that clutter in the shower and kitchen is with the Classic Dispenser 3 from Better Living.
Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley in Clermont, Florida, was the setting for a rally June 6-8, 2014, at which members of FMCA’s Sandpipers chapter marked 20 years of motorhoming fun.
The Gateway Getaways and Ozark Ridge Runners chapters enjoyed a joint rally May 19-23, 2014, in Branson, Missouri. Thanks go out to those who planned the event, Don and Joyce Sturms of the Ozark Ridge Runners and Mark and Linda Boka of the Gateway Getaways.
While camp hosting at Foscue Creek Campground in Demopolis, Alabama, Tony and Marijke Schellenbach, F83597, have met many nice people. They can now count Ernest and Ruth Aulick among them.
Members of FMCA’s Northern Lights chapter enjoyed a great rally September 4-7, 2014, at Frankfort Crystal Lake RV Resort in Michigan. The campground owner and crew did a fantastic job of welcoming us to the new resort on Lake Michigan.
Electrical Malfunction
Dear RV Doctor:
My Safari is always “on” in some electrical fashion. This problem has now escalated to the point where I cannot start the motorhome.
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Entegra Coach, Newmar Corporation, Tiffin Motorhomes.
Out Of Step
I have a 2006 National RV motorhome. The automatic retractable steps worked as they should until I shut the door recently and the steps wouldn’t retract. What should I look for? What would make them not work?
November Notes
Dear Editor:
I almost always read the “President’s Message” columns. I find Charlie Adcock’s messages particularly enjoyable and encouraging. Thanks for sharing not only the "good" stuff but also the challenges we can relate to. It's helpful to us newbies and part-timers.
On the third Monday of January each year, America pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pastor; an activist; leader in the Civil Rights movement; and, equally as important, a humanitarian.
Happy New Year to my FMCA Family! Can you believe that another year has slipped by? Sometimes I feel like I’m racing against a clock. I have so many things I still would like to see happen in FMCA, and it seems as though time is running out on me.
Makeshift Rain Hat
I find those free motel shower caps so useful. They fit over a ball cap, making a perfect emergency rain hat.
You’ve heard that you can’t judge a book by its cover, and that can be said for the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting in Phoenix, Arizona. It is housed in a rather plain, single-story building, but its simplicity belies what’s inside — nearly 300 years of mechanized firefighting history.
It’s another dreary winter day. The kids look up from their electronic devices and moan: “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” The weather is unappealing, so you avoid telling them to go outside and get some fresh air. It’s an indoor day. Again. What can you do?
Are your chapter rallies getting a bit stale? Are you doing the same things over and over? If so, how about a cardboard boat race? This may not work for everybody, but it sure was a success for our chapter.
Just a few miles from Interstate 70 near Vail, Colorado, is the wide, broad valley of the East Fork of the Eagle River. It’s dotted with weathered concrete foundations and crisscrossed neatly by a grid of roads. This was Camp Hale, training center for the 10th Mountain Division, the Army’s elite winter warfare unit of World War II.
In a few short months, FMCA members will be arriving in Pomona, California, anticipating fine entertainment, motorhome exhibits and related displays, enlightening seminars, and that most valuable commodity of all: each other’s company. All of these are mainstays at FMCA international events.
Ask a guy what he wants for Christmas, Father’s Day, or his birthday and odds are the answer will not be socks, a tie, or a really cool sweater. The more likely choice: tools. Many of us just have to have more, because with the right tool, we can fix anything.
Family Motor Coaching magazine's annual guide to flat-towable vehicles includes cars, trucks, and SUVs that have been approved by their manufacturers for four-wheels-down towing behind a motorhome without major modifications.
Though its name may be familiar, this luxury diesel pusher from Newmar Corporation is a completely new model for 2015.
Save money and gain satisfaction by performing certain diesel pusher maintenance yourself.
Full-timers are easy targets for a fast shuffle. It’s not really fraud. After all, it’s all there in black and white. Small type is everywhere, from government regulations to websites, warranties, services, and even the most innocent disclosures, agreements, and waivers.
All eyes this month will be on the tiny town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. More specifically, attention will be focused on a hilltop called Gobbler’s Knob, where every February 2, a shy little rodent named Phil is pulled out of his makeshift den to tell the world whether winter will last another six weeks.
Roadtrek Touring Series
Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. has launched its new Touring Series coach, the TS Adventurous. The coach, built on the Mercedes-Benz chassis, continues Roadtrek’s trend of clean and sleek exterior lines. On the interior, exclusive to the TS Adventurous, are charcoal cabinets with subtle hints of gray throughout and chrome accents.
Pill Organizer
It is not our place to remind you of the importance of taking the right medications at the right time. We can, however, suggest something that might help keep that routine running smoothly.
The CHAI-Chavurat Yehudim chapter was formed at the 2004 FMCA Family Reunion in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly before the Jewish holiday of Passover. Since then, nine of the Jewish-oriented chapter’s rallies have centered on the celebration of Passover. These rallies have been held at full-hookup campgrounds all over the United States . . .
In 1974, in the midst of a worldwide gasoline shortage and spiraling inflation, a group of RV enthusiasts decided to organize and form FMCA’s Over The Hill chapter. Several versions circulate as to how the group decided on the name, but whatever the reasoning, the chapter has hurdled many hills and is still going strong 40 years later.
Jane Key, L23527, wife of former Rocky Mountain Area national vice president Perry Key, died on November 8, 2014.
Chester “Chet” Stewart, L23883, a former Rocky Mountain Area national vice president, immersed himself in many organizations. But perhaps none brought him greater joy than FMCA.