2017
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Napkin Holder
At a table setting, it’s easy to present a paper napkin in a pretty butterfly shape. Just slip the folded napkin through the tines of a fork. The napkin will be safer from breezes, too. Similarly, you can use the tines of a fork to hold a recipe card. Also, placing the edge of a crisp taco shell into the tines keeps the shell upright while it’s being filled.
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In November 2016, members of the Allegheny Mountain chapter were saddened by news of the devastating wildfires that were consuming thousands of acres in the beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee, area and much of Sevier County. The flames caused 14 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. One chapter member went online, found the phone number of a church in the affected area, and called to see whether it was providing direct help to fire victims. That call resulted in one of those small miracles we often take for granted.
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Vintage Birds
“It’s not old; it’s vintage!” is the motto of these owners of Blue Bird motorhomes.
Do you recall the beautiful bus-style Blue Bird Wanderlodge? If so, you may also remember that these motorhomes were built at the Blue Bird plant in Fort Valley, Georgia.
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Packing Cubes
A meticulously organized motorhome maximizes space and minimizes stress. Which is where Mumi packing cubes come in. Made of 70 percent laminated nylon fabric and 30 percent nylon mesh, the cubes can be used to store clothing, jewelry, batteries, cables, and more.
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Snowbirds Assist Habitat For Humanity
Snowbirds staying at Rincon Country West RV Resort in Tucson, Arizona, spend part of their winters building Habitat for Humanity houses. During the winter of 2015-16, volunteers helped build 14 homes for low-income families; this past winter, they helped construct 13 more.
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Apps For The RVer
Convenient, helpful, and even safety-enhancing programs are available for your smartphone or tablet.
Perhaps the biggest change we’ve seen in our five years of very active RVing is how apps for our smartphones and tablets have come to be essential to our motorhome lifestyle.
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Recall Corner
The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Forest River, Rev Recreation Group, Thor Motor Coach.
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Odor Origins
Dear RV Doctor:
I attended one of your recent motorhome maintenance talks. You spoke about ways to reduce or eliminate sewer odor. One recommendation was to replace the P-traps with HepvO waterless sanitary valves. While I can see the value in getting rid of gray-water odor, I thought the real sewer odors came from the black-water system, which just has the toilet connected to it. I have not used a motorhome yet, so all of this is theoretical for me, although I have smelled it in marine pplications. Can you please clarify?
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Kentucky has about 40 state parks, many of which offer RV camping. And the camping season starts earlier and continues longer in the Bluegrass State than farther north. The following three parks are within easy driving distance of each other. Keep in mind, though, that traveling between them will require getting off the interstates.Fun and fascinating discoveries can be made in small towns along the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia coasts.Conventional wisdom says that you can either grow a vegetable garden, or you can travel. In reality, the two aren’t mutually exclusive, and even if your family will be on the road for the majority of a season, you can still enjoy the benefits of fresh vegetables planted, maintained, and harvested by hand. It may take a bit more planning…Neglecting the periodic maintenance that all motorhomes require can lead to expensive repairs and vacation delays. One easy-to-forget component that needs annual attention is the RV water heater. Mounted outside, out of sight and out of mind, it often ends up relegated to a lesser place behind the more prominent motorhome maintenance mandates.For motorhome owners whose winterized coaches have spent months in storage, the arrival of spring is an exciting time. But as much as everyone would like to hit the road, prudence requires a bit of preparation before you begin another season of RV travel.This gasoline-powered Type A offers prodigious storage and a bevy of comfort-enhancing features, whether parked at a campsite or motoring down the road.Campground potlucks. Infield entertaining. Campfire conviviality. Tailgating. Motorhome travelers love camping camaraderie and the finger foods that go with it. Here’s a collection of serious snack recipes to eat hot or cold, sitting or standing, without fork or fuss.I’m far from being an RV salesman. But sometimes as Jennifer and I visit RV dealerships, shows, and rallies and meet with folks across North America, we feel like ambassadors for the RV lifestyle. We also like to push people off fences . . . fences of indecision.Airstream Teams With Tommy BahamaAirstream has collaborated with Tommy Bahama, an island-inspired lifestyle brand, to create the Airstream Tommy Bahama Special Edition Interstate Touring Coach.Black-Tank CleanerIt’s bad news when gunk builds up on the interior walls of your black-water holding tank and causes the sensors to produce inaccurate readings. Commando Black Holding Tank Cleaner, from Walex, is formulated to clean and remove waste and paper buildup — and the odor.What’s more fun than motorhoming? Ask the members of FMCA’s Amateur Radio chapter, and they’ll tell you it’s motorhoming with a worldwide communication device on board. The radio is a portal into a world of people who share similar interests. It lets amateurs exchange info, make new friends, and keep in touch with old friends.The Sand Dollars chapter held its first rally of the 2016-2017 season October 25 through 28, 2016, in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The group stayed at San Carlos RV Resort & Marina, which offered beautiful views of the water.Members of the Central Alabama Travelers arrived in 16 motorhomes for a rally to celebrate the chapter’s 15th anniversary. It was held October 17 through 20, 2016, at Leisure Acres Campground in Cleveland, Georgia.
The Cuatro Estados chapter held its 30th anniversary rally September 9 through 14, 2016, at Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The park maintains the look and feel of a trading post from the 1950s and ’60s. Forty-six people attended the anniversary party on September 11.
Flexible Vacuum HoseWe sometimes need a flexible vacuum crevice tool to reach into tight spaces and around corners in our motorhome. We solved this by getting a short section of old water hose…GFCI QuestionDear RV Doctor:I have been one of your many fans for the past 25-plus years. I would like some information about GFCI operation. How do they actually work in a motorhome?The following companies have recalls delineated in this month's Recall Corner: Daimler Trucks North America, Entegra Coach, Forest River, Gulf Stream Coach, Jayco Inc., Newmar Corporation, Thor Motor Coach, Triple E Recreational Vehicles.A/C DrainageType C motorhomes have long had the problem of water draining from the rooftop air conditioner onto the sides of the coach, including the windows. Has a solution been developed to drain the water efficiently so that it falls to the ground without touching the coach’s sides?Medicare In CanadaDear Editor:The writers of the “Border Crossings” article in the January 2017 issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 84) were correct in saying that Medicare coverage does not extend outside the United States. However, they left out an important consideration, one that has given us some peace of mind about making short forays into Canada.March is one of my favorite times of the year. With the start of spring this month, it is time here in Cincinnati to dig ourselves out of the cold winter conditions and look forward to blooming flowers and warmer weather. If you are lucky enough to be a snowbird, you can leave the comfy spot where you stayed over the winter and head back to your home.If you could only see me now. We are sitting in our motorhome looking out the windshield, with nothing but beautiful white sand and about a hundred yards between us and the Pacific Ocean. We are at Delmar Beach Resort at Camp Pendleton, California, and it is beautiful.Travelers will feel like royalty aboard this elegant home on wheels, which includes numerous updates for 2017.
Made famous by a February fable, this large North American rodent has some interesting and surprising traits.
The future was created in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan, but the past has been preserved there as well.
A course schedule for FMCA’s 95th International Convention.
A look at the companies scheduled to attend FMCA’s next International Convention with displays of motorhomes, RV products, and information about related services and facilities.
A look at the companies scheduled to attend FMCA’s next International Convention with displays of motorhomes, RV products, and information about related services and facilities.
Arizona’s most iconic views can be found in and near this popular town.
This auxiliary source of AC power requires regular maintenance.
This auxiliary source of AC power requires regular maintenance.
Are you a work camper? Describe a job you have had while staying in your motorhome.
Marathon Coach Completes 1,250th Conversion
Marathon Coach, which was founded in 1983, marked a milestone in 2016 with the completion of its 1,250th custom bus conversion. The quad-slide coach, built using a Prevost H3-45 shell, was equipped with …A/C Air Filter
When cool air from an air conditioner flows into your motorhome, pollen, mold spores, dust, and pet dander may come with it. According to the folks at RV Air Inc., that’s because …The fall rally of the Country Coach Texans chapter was held October 5 through 9, 2016, at the Mineola Civic Center and RV Park in Mineola, Texas. On Saturday, we were pleased that …
Thor Diesel Club, an FMCA chapter for owners of Type A motorhomes manufactured by Thor Motor Coach, held its Fall International Rally from October 2 through 7, 2016, at the Elkhart County …
Members of the Blue Ridge Pioneers celebrated the chapter’s 25th anniversary during a rally held August 15 through 19, 2016, at the beautiful Anchor Down RV Resort on Douglas Lake in …
The Treasure Coasters chapter, centered in St. Lucie County, Florida, was chartered in 1984, but by 2013 membership had dropped to 15 families. And so in October 2014, members decided to …
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