A look at Family Motor Coach Association and the motorhome lifestyle through the years, as portrayed in past issues of Family Motor Coaching magazine.
Category:
Archives
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Lubrication And Solar Charging
Dear RV Doctor:
I’m looking for the name of a lubricant that won't attract dust. Also, how do I determine whether the solar panels on my motorhome roof are working and whether there is a charge controller? -
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's Recall Corner: Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner Custom Chassis), Prevost Car Inc., Thor Industries Inc. (Airstream), and Winnebago Industries Inc.
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V-10 Temperature
We purchased our 2008 Itasca 32H Sunrise in September 2007. It is built on a 2007 Ford chassis with a V-10 engine, and it has been driven 47,800 miles. On five different occasions during the past 12 months, the water temperature gauge has risen toward or into the red zone.
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The View From A Bicycle
Dear Editor:
I applaud the “Sharing the Road” article in the October 2012 Family Motor Coaching (page 54). My first RV had two wheels — a bicycle. I toured with a tent, sleeping bag, and clothes. Among my travels was a trek 4,200 miles from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine. Most nights were spent in campgrounds. -
February is National Heart Month in the United States. With FMCA members on the road to exciting destinations across this continent, we may wish to take a moment to reconsider the familiar quip that the best thing our spouse makes for dinner is reservations at a restaurant. The number-one killer among adults is cardiovascular disease.
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The sound of the wind rushing past the front of the motorhome changes every now and then as the direction of the coach changes; the cruise control is set to the “sweet spot” speed for our 500-horsepower Cummins engine, where the fuel economy is 8.1 miles per gallon.
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FMC magazine's January 2013 Motorhome Regulations chart contains the following information for all 50 U.S. States and the Canadian provinces and territories: length, height, width, combined length, license type required, and Web site.
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In preparation for times when you need to fall back on an emergency food supply, here are recipes to help with planning, stowing, and cooking.
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Mike Wendland shares his list of RV-related goals for the new year.
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Airstream Launches Interstate Model In Canada
Airstream announced that its popular Interstate Type B motorhome model will be available in Canada beginning in spring 2013.
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Pet Life Jacket
The Outward Hound Life Jacket from The Kyjen Company will keep your dog safe whenever it’s around bodies of water.
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The second annual Country Coach Friendship Rally, presented by Country Coach Friends Inc. (CCFI), an international chapter of Family Motor Coach Association, brought 170 motorhome owners to the River Bend Resort in Harrisburg, Oregon, near Junction City, for five days of rally fun, July 24 through 28, 2012.
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The 39th Six-State Rally, presented by the Six-State Rally Association (SRA), took place at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, September 26 through 29, 2012.
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Members of the New York Centrals chapter celebrated the group’s 35th anniversary during a rally at the Camillus Elks Lodge in Camillus, New York, June 14 through 17, 2012. New York Centrals members are from throughout central New York and southern Canada and have a rally the third weekend of most months from May through October.
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Day-Night Shade Repair
While we were on the road in our 2003 Fleetwood Southwind, we stopped at a campground in Ohio for the night. When getting ready for bed, I reached over and tried to close the shade in the bedroom. I heard a snap — I had broken the plastic anchor that holds the string for the shade.
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Manually Extending A Slideout
Dear RV Doctor:
The slideout motor on my Challenger motorhome is not working, which means I have to manually operate the slideout. The owners manual does not give instructions on how to do this. Do you know how? -
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's Recall Corner: Fleetwood RV Inc., Thor Motor Coach, and Tiffin Motorhomes Inc.
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Fridge Facts
The refrigerator in our motorhome works sporadically. During our last trip, it didn’t work at all. We took the RV to a home appliance store and the diagnosis was that they needed to “burp the fridge,” because of the ammonia within the sealed system.
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Satisfied Michelin Owner
Dear Editor:
I have to tell you how pleased I am with FMCA's Michelin Advantage Program. I recently used it in Jacksonville, Florida, where we live, at a company named TCI Tire Center. They were great and there was no hassle of any kind. -
I recently had the opportunity to listen to Jim Carroll, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading global futurists and an expert regarding trends and innovations. He spoke to attendees of the 2012 Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida.
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I hope this column finds you all well and looking forward to a great 2013. I am writing this from central Florida, where Jean and I have a motorhome pad that we occasionally have the opportunity to visit. Weather here is much warmer than what we left behind in Pennsylvania.
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Whom should you contact for travel information when planning a motorhome trip? To answer that question, the staff at FMC has compiled this list of tourism offices in the United States and Canada. The following information was accurate as of November 2012.
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Replacing the coolant at recommended intervals and maintaining the system helps to ensure trouble-free travel.
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“Exercise is not fun.” “There isn’t time when we're on the road.” “I can’t exercise in an RV.” I’ve heard these quotes and similar comments from many other RVers we’ve met during our road trips. Motorhome owners offer a variety of reasons (excuses?) for not doing as much physical exercise as they should on the road.
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“We choose to go to the moon.” President John F. Kennedy’s words, spoken in 1962 in Houston, Texas, still echo through the decades. He continued, “Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there.”
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Family Motor Coach Association’s logo features a rendering of a Flxible bus, a vehicle that was popular for motorhome conversion when FMCA was formed 50 years ago. Here’s the story of how I became a full-time RVer and why a similar, 50-year-old Flxible bus entered my life and will eventually become my full-time home on wheels.
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The following article by Mr. Scott appeared in the premier issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine, published February 15, 1964. Mr. Scott’s dedication to FMCA during the 13 years he served as the association’s first executive director, beginning in March 1965, was instrumental in the sustained growth and viability of the organization
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An informal history of the start of Family Motor Coach Association, written by the man whose vision and leadership resulted in the formation of what would become an international organization for motorhome owners.
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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.
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Updated information regarding the many benefits and services available to members of Family Motor Coach Association.
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A look at Family Motor Coach Association and the motorhome lifestyle through the years, as portrayed in past issues of Family Motor Coaching magazine.
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Battery Filling
RV batteries need regular service, and sometimes they are mounted in a location that makes it difficult to see into the cells to determine whether they need water. For years, I used a flashlight and a mirror attached to a stick, which wasn’t easy to do.
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Establish a successful full-timing plan with these tips related to buying real estate and learning how to make your business thrive.
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We could hear the crackle of our campfire. The hoot of a distant owl. The yips of a pack of coyotes somewhere far to the west. The gurgle of the Rifle River moving over a stretch of rocks just downstream from our camp. The whooshing sound of wind whipping through a stand of red pines.
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Millennium Luxury Coaches Featured On Destinaton America
Millennium Luxury Coaches, based in Sanford, Florida, will be featured on the new cable television channel Destination America as part of a program titled “My Million Dollar.”
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Tablet Bag
The Hadaki On The Run iPad Messenger makes it possible for women to keep their iPad or other tablet device safe and close at hand while traveling.
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The Happy (OK) Wanderers chapter was formed in 1991 by Manuel and Ramona Jackson, a couple who enjoyed camping and RVing and wanted to encourage others to "wander along" the byways of Oklahoma and especially enjoy the state parks in the Sooner State.
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Eight members of the Mohawk Roamers chapter attended a rally in Oswego, New York, during the 25th annual Harborfest celebration on Lake Ontario, July 26 through 29, 2012.
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The Midwest Prairie Schooners chapter (MWPS) celebrated its 35th anniversary July 13 through 15, 2012, at The Great Escape RV Park & Campground in Higginsville, Missouri.
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Mobile Wine Cellar
Last year we hit the wine trail as part of our trip to Niagara Falls. We found many wonderful vineyards with excellent wines, but the sad part was that we could not take some with us to enjoy later. Carrying glass bottles in our motorhome had always been a challenge…
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Trevor Brazile, the “King of Cowboys,” is a nine-time all-around world champion and has used a high-line diesel pusher to travel to various rodeo events with his crew. He is just one of many rodeo cowboys and others who use motorhomes for this purpose.
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Motorhome Heater Problem
Dear RV Doctor:
I own a 2008 Suncruiser, and the coach furnace suddenly stopped working. There is power leaving the circuit breaker, but there is no power at the toggle switch. -
The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's Recall Column: Forest River Inc., Jayco Inc., Prevost, and Spartan Chassis Inc.
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Ethanol
Now that the government has approved 15 percent ethanol (E15) gasoline, how is this going to affect our 2007 GM Workhorse 8.1-liter gas engine?
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Priceless art and mansion splendor combine with circus memorabilia at this must-see stop in Sarasota, Florida.
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Good Neighbors To Know About
Dear Editor:
Thank you so much for including the article about Truline RV in the September 2012 issue ("Truline RV: Rehab And Update Specialists," page 66). -
It wouldn’t be the holidays without hearing the late Andy Williams sing his 1963 hit “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I can still see the red jacket cover of The Andy Williams Christmas Album my family owned when I was growing up.