I am pleased to announce that there is now a suggested motorhome-specific lemon law. This draft document is available to state legislatures that are considering revising their laws to improve existing coverage, or to provide coverage where none exists.
Archives
-
-
Duane Pindell, F105443, former Rocky Mountain Area vice president, passed away on May 1 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was 77. Duane actively supported FMCA at the national, area, and chapter levels.Â
-
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States is the most severe-weather-prone country on the planet …
-
Tiny Chapel At RV Park
Dear Editor:
I was thumbing through the March 2009 issue and found the “Baker’s Dozen” column titled “The Smallest Churches And Chapels” (page 70). I eagerly looked for a small chapel we saw at an RV park in Kieler, Wisconsin. -
Give Me Liberty!
I recently purchased a 2008 Jeep Liberty that I intend to tow flat behind my motorhome. Based on published data, I thought this would be a simple thing to do. I had a 1998 Jeep Cherokee …
-
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 09V175000, which includes 2009 model year Bounder Diesel, Discovery, Excursion, Expedition, and Providence motorhomes manufactured from April 29, 2008, through April 21, 2009.
-
Six Or Twelve?
Dear RV Doctor:
I’m wondering whether I’m better off using two 6-volt batteries wired in series or one 12-volt battery. I’ve heard a variety of reasons why it’s better and why it’s not. What is your opinion? -
Tools On The Road
I have tried many toolboxes of various sizes and shapes and always have preferred an old bucket for ease of use and ample storage. I found a half-height, 2 1/2-gallon bucket at my local lumber company that has the same footprint and diameter as a 5-gallon bucket.
-
Travel game
When traveling with kids, make the miles fly by and give the youngsters a reason to look out the window and see the passing scenery with Travel Bingo from eeboo.
-
Navistar finalizes Monaco acquisition
Navistar International Corporation announced on June 4 that a wholly owned affiliate of the company had completed the purchase of certain assets of Monaco Coach Corporation for approximately $47 million.
-
-
Describe a card game, board game, etc. you particularly enjoy while camping.
-
The RV/MH Hall of Fame, Museum, and Library in Elkhart, Indiana, preserves the heritage of the recreation vehicle and manufactured housing industries.
-
The evenings will be filled with great music and good times during FMCA’s 82nd International Convention in Bowling Green, Ohio, in July.
-
Whether your next motorhome trip is a weekend away or a months-long journey — or somewhere in between — proper preparation can make it go much more smoothly.
-
 The Born Free 32-Foot Slide-Out The Born Free 32-foot Rear Queen Slide-Out, photographed by RV writer Lazelle Jones near Florida’s Lake Kissimmee, is the first motorhome from Dodgen Industries…
-
Anecdotal accounts often best describe the significance of an evolutionary step when it occurs. Case in point is the decision by Dodgen Industries Inc., of Humboldt, Iowa, to build the company’s first-ever slideout room in a Born Free motorhome.
-
Four of the eight U.S. presidents with roots in the Buckeye State have northern Ohio visitor sites worthy of exploration before or after FMCA’s Bowling Green convention.
-
The cities of Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in northeast Ohio form a line from north to south, and are easy to locate on a map of the state. If you travel south and west of Canton, you’ll find that you’re no longer in the urban areas — you’re in northeast Ohio’s Amish country.
-
The Hernando County Airport in Brooksville, Florida, came alive with pirates and pirate ships as the Southeast Area (SEA) Motor Coach Association’s “Treasure Hunt At SEA†rally took place February 4 through 8, 2009. The event attracted more than 1,250 family members …
-
Now that we are quickly approaching FMCA’s 82nd International Convention, I want to devote this month’s column to that large group of individuals who give so much of their time and talents to make the association’s conventions a success: volunteers.
-
Some of us might not be as knowledgeable of the Internet and of using Web sites as others. However, I believe that we all would like to learn how to benefit from the advances that have been developed using these forms of communication.
-
Post-Convention Repair
Dear Editor:
My wife, Mary, and I attended our very first FMCA convention in Perry, Georgia, this past March after having numerous FMCA members encourage us to do so. -
Butane Vs. Propane
Could I get some clarification on the propane versus butane issue brought up by Walter A. Szczepanik in his letter (“Propane Or Butane?†page 25) in the October 2008 issue of the magazine?
-
Navistar has announced NHTSA recall 09V110000, which affects 2001 through 2008 Workhorse Custom Chassis W20, W21, and W22 motorhome chassis manufactured from July 24, 2000, through December 19, 2007.
-
Back in the February 2009 issue of Family Motor Coaching, I replied to an inquiry from Autumn Rose, who asked whether it would be okay to plug her motorhome shore power line into her stationary home’s 240-volt clothes dryer outlet for the purpose of testing the rooftop air conditioner …
-
The Versatile Tennis Ball
Tennis balls are among the most useful items you can carry in your motorhome. I use tennis balls on the wiper blade arms to keep the wipers off the glass, and they work with both single-rod and dual-rod arms. Put a slit in a tennis ball and it becomes a …
-
Magnetic thumbtacks
Good Grips MagTacks from OXO International Ltd. are versatile holders that can be used on both corkboard and steel surfaces to post photos, receipts, coupons, and more.
-
Winnebago Industries plant tours resume
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into building a modern-day motorhome, you can see for yourself thanks to Winnebago Industries. The company, based in Forest City, Iowa, resumed its tours on April 6 …
-
When you hit the road this summer, consider these particularly scenic highways, some of the best drives in North America.
-
What’s the most unusual place or attraction you’ve visited during a motorhome trip?
-
Golden tips to help you find inexpensive books, compare cell phone plans, avoid extra postal expenses, and more.
-
FMCA’s national treasurer, Doug Key, reports on the financial status of FMCA. He reviews revenues and expenses for 2008, and also discusses the association’s investment portfolio. Treasurer’s Comments includes a…
-
The RV Friendly signage program was rolling right along. In September 2005 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued an interim approval for states to use the RV Friendly symbol. By the end of 2007, 15 states had enacted RV Friendly legislation or started programs administratively under FHWA’s interim approval.
-
Getting shore power to a motorhome requires a hands-on approach to the shore cord. With proper care and maintenance, you can help to assure a good connection each time the vehicle is plugged in. Here are basic tips for caring for an RV’s shore power cord and connections.
-
The economic downturn has had a profound effect on the RV industry. Uncertainty has left consumers wondering how they will be affected. Following is an update, and some potential answers.
-
Every two years, FMCA members hold elections for national president, senior vice president, treasurer, and secretary. As I write this, there are five candidates for the office of president and three for senior vice president.
-
FMCA members attend conventions to shop; to enjoy the entertainment; to meet up with old friends; and, in some cases, to travel to new destinations. They visit FMCA area rallies for the same reasons.Â
-
Repairing wheel rims may be risky
Dear Editor:
An FMCA commercial member contacted us to comment about the fix for the towed vehicle wheel rim described in an April 2009 “Readers’ Forum” letter (“The Tire, The Rim, And The Rock,” page 20). He wrote: “If you are off-roading and dent a steel rim … -
Digital TV questions
We have two TV sets in our motorhome on the antenna with the power booster. Will we need the converter box for each set even though the one is digital?
-
Forest River Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 08V664000, which affects some 2007 through 2009 model-year Georgetown motorhomes.
-
Carpet replacement
Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 1987 motorhome and would like to replace the worn carpet. How was this carpet originally installed by the manufacturer? How do I install the new carpet? -
Door stop
Not all of the cabinet doors in my motorhome had “stops†to limit how far they would open and keep the doors from banging into walls or mirrors. This was quickly remedied with a trip to a local home improvement store.
-
Max A. Durbin, F76454, a tireless champion of FMCA members’ legislative rights, passed away on March 4, 2009, in North Fort Myers, Florida, after a battle with cancer. He was 79.
-
Shower space addition
The Extend-A-Shower is touted by Stromberg Carlson Products Inc. as “a slideout room for your shower” that can add as much as 30 percent more elbowroom in what often can be cramped quarters.
-
Several years ago we made our first plane flight into San Francisco, California, arriving in the early evening. As we descended toward the airport, we could see an exceptionally large painted patchwork of rich reds, pale greens, and various shades in between.Â
-
Enjoy the tastes of Appalachia with these easy-to-make Southern recipes.
-
-
From time to time I hear comments from members and nonmembers that they perceive FMCA to be an organization for well-to-do type A motorhome owners. I can understand how people might get that impression.
-
Reduce your time in the kitchen with these easy-to-prepare meals.
The slow food movement is gathering momentum, but that doesn’t mean you have to eliminate shortcuts. These recipes were chosen for their traditional taste yet time-shaving appeal to motor coach chefs.
Thanks to Judy Nelson, F144141, for sharing this delicious soup.