Adding such a device provides important information about battery condition and power usage.
Category:
2016
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Packable Backpack
Backpacks need not be bulky. The Matador Freerain24 Backpack weighs just 5.5 ounces, or slightly more than a baseball. When packed into its storage bag, the backpack fits in the palm of your hand.In 1976, three years after General Motors began producing GMC motorhomes, a group of proud owners in Southern California formed the GMC Pacific Cruisers chapter of FMCA. Forty years later, many GMC coaches produced from 1973 to 1978 are still going strong, and so is our chapter.
The Red River Rovers chapter is a friendly and caring group open to all motorhome owners. In fact, fellow members are considered family. We gathered for the chapter’s 15th anniversary rally June 9-12, 2016, at Durant/Choctaw Casino KOA in Durant, Oklahoma.
What is the recipe for fun, relaxation, and camaraderie within an FMCA chapter? It’s easy to define. Variety is the one key that will keep existing and new members participating rally after rally. Mix it up! Plan new events! Liven up old events! Make sure all members have FUN.
Fifteen motorhomes from the Colorado Columbines chapter arrived on May 11, 2016, at the Holiday RV Park and Campground in North Platte, Nebraska, for the group’s first rally outside the Mountain time zone. What a rally it was!
Rusty Step Repair
When rust caused small holes to appear in my electric steps, I decided to repair an otherwise safe and reliable unit.Water Pump Won’t Shut Off
Something is wrong with my three-way water pump system. The pump will not turn off at any of the switches. The green light goes out when I push a switch, but as soon as a sink faucet demands water, the light comes back on and the pump comes on.The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Entegra Coach, Forest River, Kibbi LLC, Newmar, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin Motorhomes Inc., Winnebago Industries.
Low Ground Clearance
I purchased a 2014 Type A motorhome. It was jacked up at the time, and I did not notice the low ground clearance of the 10-foot overhang behind the rear duals. I have talked to the motorhome manufacturer, and they say it is a problem of the chassis manufacturer. I talked to the chassis manufacturer, and they say it is a problem of the motorhome manufacturer. I cannot find anyone who can help.Have A Backup Plan
A letter in the August 2016 issue from Don and Martha Copeland (“FMCA Family Is There to Help,” page 12) prompted me to write this letter. In 2001 when my husband and I purchased our first Type A motorhome, I started reading Family Motor Coaching and other RV publications.Hello, My Fellow FMCA Family. What a great time we had at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in early August. A total of 1,305 motorhomes were on hand for the “Celebrate Your Freedom” event, FMCA’s 94th International Convention, including the 248 motorhomes that were on display and open for touring. And celebrate we did!
A sculptor of wood furniture who did not like parallel lines or symmetry — this could be one description of Wharton Esherick. He also made smaller objects from wood, such as board game pieces. Esherick’s artistry extended to the publishing trade, too, in the form of hundreds of woodcut prints used as book and magazine illustrations.
An airplane hangar nearly the size of four football fields? It’s almost too large to imagine. Yet it’s real, and it’s the new exhibit area at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Some tips to help ensure you’re prepared for a paddling adventure.
Dayton, Ohio, has a secret and it affects all of us. It is one of the most innovative cities in the country. While the airplane may be the most famous invention by Daytonians, many of their lesser-known creations also affect our daily life.
Green beans will always be high on the favorite-foods list of Bill and Camilla Szymanski, F443545.
In early August, motorhomers from all geographic points descended on western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, heeding the call to "Celebrate Your Freedom" — theme of the association's 94th International Convention — August 3-6, 2016.The newest addition to the Entegra line of diesel-powered motorhomes is considered the company’s entry-level model but comes packed with high-end features that say otherwise.
As a kid, I dreaded September. It was “back to school” time. Now, as an empty-nest RVer, I am still a bit sorry to see September come, but for another reason: it means fewer families in our parks and campgrounds.
Salads are the essential make-ahead meals for motorhome travel. A salad can be a main dish, a side dish, or a dessert. Most salads can stretch to feed a crowd just by adding more of this and that.Toss up and dish out meals that will delight a variety of palates.Thor Industries Acquires JaycoThor Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of RVs, acquired Jayco Corporation for approximately $576 million in cash on June 30, 2016. Jayco is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Thor, which is based in Elkhart, Indiana.Travel GamesOnce you get rolling, it’s hard to stop playing some games. And speaking of rolling, Sondergut produces a chess/checkers game and a backgammon game on lightweight travel boards that can be rolled up (to a size of 10 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches) and taken anywhere.The rain outside couldn't dampen the enthusiasm inside the clubhouse at the Wild Frontier RV Park in Ocala, Florida, on April 15, 2016. The Tailgators chapter was celebrating its 20-year anniversary.It’s a cool, sun-filled morning in June at the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana, as we sit and chat with Jane Roush, president of Great Lakes Area Motorcoach Association (GLAMA). We are at GLAMARAMA 2016, the area’s annual rally.Ironing Board SolutionOur portable ironing board was too small, so we found a slightly larger folding ironing board at a discount retail store. It was too long to be used on our cabinet’s pull-out cutting board.Slideout Roof SealantsDear RV Doctor:We are new at this and are trying to do the best for our new motorhome. What type of sealing products would you use on the roof of a slideout?The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Forest River Inc., Newmar Corporation, REV Recreation Group, Spartan Motors USA.Charging SystemI recently inherited a 1998 41-foot Beaver Patriot motorhome. Even though the motorhome has been plugged in, power from the batteries is not reaching the motorhome circuits. Everything is dead. Local motorhome repair technicians do not seem to know where the problem is.Check Tires CarefullyDear Editor:We recently had our motorhome tires replaced, because of age, not miles. The front tires looked fine until they were removed. The insides of the tires had very little tread on them because we needed a front alignment. I am so glad we replaced the tires and had the alignment done. Now we can travel and know we have done everything to make our travels safe.I’m excited about the many initiatives we have in place currently to continue to make FMCA the very best it can be. I’m pleased with the growth we have been experiencing this year, and I want to thank all of you who have helped by spreading the word about FMCA to your motorhome friends and to new people you meet in your travels. Members are indeed the best recruitment tool FMCA has.What better location for an island camping experience that promises pristine beauty and solitude amid huge amounts of history, both natural and human? Plus, this place is not far off the beaten path, offering an easy excursion for those traveling through Utah.
Ah, retirement. One of its great rewards, eagerly anticipated by many, is the freedom to travel. Sounds nice, but Ben and Rebecca Pazdernik, F458300, aren’t waiting around. Instead, they reconfigured their lives so they can travel now, while they’re young and — dare we say it? — restless.
So you've been to all of FMCA’s area rallies and attended a convention or three. Seen every state, every Canadian province, and a few territories for good measure. But wait! How about attending a major motorhome rally away from your “comfort zone” — or better still, away from your continent?
Have you heard the buzz about the social media platform built by RVers for RVers? FMCA has embraced this rapidly growing site — RVillage.com — and is working closely with the team at RVillage to help FMCA members connect with each other and with other RV owners.As Josh Gifford discussed the restoration of Bob and Janet Prince’s 1977 GMC motorhome, he couldn’t help but gush every so often. He described it as “an awesome opportunity,” “a dream job,” and “a ton of fun.”
The motorhome was parked next to a dumpster, which seemed fitting for the tired old relic of the past. It wasn’t the weathered, rotted awning silhouetted against the dark sky that caught our imagination. It wasn’t the flat tire, or the greasy odor, or the critters that made their home in the wheel wells. It wasn’t the faded, peeling paint or the rusted, dented hubcaps that captivated us.
The August issue of Family Motor Coaching contained an article titled “Understanding Air Brakes,” which explained the components of air brake systems and how they operate. Now we turn our attention to testing and troubleshooting such systems.
The company’s patented one-piece unibody shell and exacting attention to manufacturing and design standards result in this quiet, solidly built motorhome.
Mike and Jennifer Wendland identify some trends that have transformed their RV experience during the past five years.
Newell Coach Introduces p50 Body StylingEvery 2017 model-year motorhome from Newell Coach will feature new p50 Edition body styling, the company’s first exterior styling redesign in more than 20 years. The introduction of the p50 Edition comes as Newell Coach, based in Miami, Oklahoma, prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017.
Camp ShoesLadies, if you’re like most RVers, you spend some time slogging around in the rain and mud. Slogger Shoes not only will keep your tootsies dry, but they’ll add some footwear flair.Members of the Orange Blossom Special chapter gathered March 10-14, 2016, at Lazydays RV Resort in Seffner, Florida, for an event dubbed the Reunion Rally.
FMCA’s Tucson Drifters chapter is a fun-loving group with more than 40 member families from Tucson, Arizona, and surrounding communities. Our membership footprint extends north to the Phoenix metropolitan area and south to Sierra Vista, Arizona. We recently concluded our rally season with our first photo contest.Members of the Monaco America chapter enjoy traveling in their motorhomes, visiting new places, attending rallies, and meeting with our FMCA friends. But there’s another important aspect of this international chapter.Wisconsin Voyagers members celebrated the chapter’s 25th anniversary when they gathered for their first rally of 2016. It was held May 23-27 at Harbour Village Campground & Water Park in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. A few charter chapter members attended.Shelf StorageOur motorhome came equipped with a pair of narrow nightstands, which didn’t quite hold all of our necessities. We created extra space near the ceiling by …FMCA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FMCA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.
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