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In FMCA’s most recent membership survey, Family Motor Coaching magazine once again was ranked first in importance among FMCA member benefits. Recently I identified the need for FMCA members to assist in the recruitment of new members, and what better way to make that happen than by introducing nonmember motorhome owners to this valuable source of information.

If it seems as though FMCA’s president spends a lot of time on the road, you’re right. Much of it is for convention-related business.

Glenn Troyer said he had never worked on an RV production line when he made the bold decision to form his own fifth-wheel travel trailer manufacturing firm. With RV production expert Paul Miller, Mr.

With the rising prices of fuel, food, and RV site rentals, it’s easy to find yourself arriving at a vacation destination and realizing you may not be able to do as much as you’d planned. Well, there’s good news.

America’s love for the automobile has no bounds. For more than a century it has been a national passion.

Every time I remove the battery from my cell phone I break a fingernail or need to find something thin to pry it out. I now use a short length of ¼-inch ribbon that I place in the battery well before inserting the battery on top, allowing the two ends of the ribbon to extend out the sides.

R3 wireless backup camera systemRoadmaster USA Corp. has introduced the VR3 wireless backup camera system to provide drivers with an unobstructed view of the area behind their motorhome when backing.
The VR3 camera lens bolts to the vehicle’s rear license plate and has a 110-degree horizontal viewing area and an 80-degree vertical viewing area for complete coverage behind the motorhome.

Creative Mobile Interiors, C9705, based in Columbus, Ohio, recently finished restoring a major piece of music memorabilia when it returned the MCI tour bus that carried legend Johnny Cash and his band from 1979 to 2003 to its original condition.
The bus, known as “JC Unit 1,” was purchased by vintage coach collector Dave Wright of Pinehurst, North Carolina, in late November 2005, and he drove it directly to CMI for restoration. “I would not entrust this job to anyone else,” Mr.

“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” an old saw advises, and the people at Travel Supreme Inc. have taken this advice to heart.

Before the discovery of fire, life was much different than it is now. During daylight hours early mankind lived an active but precarious life as hunters and gatherers, and after sunset they retreated into the dark, dank safety of their caves.

If you’re leery of spiders, you’re in good company. It’s such a common complaint, it has its own name: arachnophobia.

The Aqua Saver from PJB Company is so named because it can save a great amount of water during the process of flushing and cleaning fresh-water tanks on motorhomes and boats. However, after installing and using an Aqua Saver on our coach, I think it also could be called “Time Saver,” “Work Saver,” and even “RV Antifreeze Saver.”
The Aqua Saver is a port that provides a 5.5-inch opening in an RV’s fresh-water tank and thereby allows access to the inside of the tank.

When we write a tips column, we like to test each idea before including it. This one was no exception.

Cooking is more than just a necessity when kids are along for the ride. Youngsters can learn about nutrition, fuel and water conservation, sanitation, and manners.

RV parking issues keep popping up in Southern California. But RVers spotted one in British Columbia, Canada, and quickly batted it down …
Prince George, British Columbia, overnight parking
City Council on April 24 passed a motion to ticket retailers who allow RVers to park overnight on their lots.

The Anasazi chapter, founded in 1997, is made up of FMCA members from the Phoenix, Arizona, metro area and surrounding cities. Named after the Anasazi people who once inhabited Arizona, the chapter currently boasts 30 member families (coaches), the maximum allowed by the chapter.
This chapter prides itself in having active members.

San Diego, California, is reputed to have the most perfect climate in the United States. Fortunately, the area lived up to its reputation March 24 through 26, 2006, when 10 family members of FMCA’s Golden Spike chapter, along with one guest family, gathered at the Chula Vista RV Resort, C2744, for their big spring adventure.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have an older Hydro-Flame 19,000-Btu furnace; the serial number is 0066957. The thermostat is a Robertshaw CM60.

Q: I had the same problem described in the “Triton Starter Problems” letter that was published in the February 2006 issue of FMC (page 20). I had a 2000 model F-53 chassis with a 22,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Dear Editor:
In the aftermath of the disasters that have struck the United States in recent years, FMCA members often have expressed interest in helping in some way. Having a motorhome at the ready provides a unique opportunity to travel to an area and bring one’s own accommodations and supplies while helping in the recovery effort.

I am pleased to announce that the MEDEX PLUS emergency medical evacuation assistance program, a free member benefit, will continue for FMCA family members through the year 2008. FMCA recently purchased this coverage for you for this additional year.

Forty-three years ago this month, a group of motor coach owners met at Good Will-Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine, to discuss their common interests and to view a solar eclipse. The group decided to form an association for motor coach owners, and of those in attendance, 18 families signed on as members of the new organization, which they named Family Motor Coach Association.

My wife, Barb, and I had the opportunity to attend our first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event, the O’Reilly Spring Nationals, at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, March 31 through April 2, 2006. Baytown is near Houston, our hometown.
NHRA events are extremely fan-friendly and fun for all ages.

Gary Bunzer, also known as the RV Doctor, won’t ask you where it hurts, but he will tell you how to fix it. Among RV enthusiasts, his reputation as a technical expert precedes him wherever he goes.

One day my 9-year-old made this excited confession to me. “Mom, I love when you wake us up while it’s still dark, and we drive away.

If you have never heard of the Moravians, it’s safe to say that you’ve never visited Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Winston-Salem is one of the leading urban areas in the state and is a forward-thinking city, but it’s still proudly rooted in its Moravian past.

Hostile Indians, dangerous shoals hidden under the Atlantic Ocean, and notorious pirates combined to make Cape Fear, North Carolina, aptly named for struggling early settlers. However, these days there’s no reason to be skittish about exploring one of the best mid-Atlantic destinations for adventurous travelers.
The Cape Fear Peninsula dips south into the Atlantic Ocean near the state’s southern border.

Sewer hose storageMy motorhome didn’t have a designated space to store the sewer hose. I had to store it in the sewer compartment, which took up a lot of room and kept the compartment damp.
To solve this problem, I mounted a storage pipe for the sewer hose under the coach that is capable of holding 20 feet of hose with the plastic ends still attached.
To do this I used a 10-foot section of 4-inch ABS-plastic pipe.

Folding Bench from Diadora AmericaThe Folding Bench from Diadora America is a portable folding chair that is said to keep occupants covered, rain or shine, whether they’re sitting around the campsite or on the sidelines cheering for their favorite team.
The bench — which comes in one-, two-, three-, and four-seat versions — includes an overhead canopy as well as roll-up side flaps and a removable back panel to protect users from the rain and sun. The seat itself is made of heavy-duty polyester with PVC coating while the canopy, sides, and back are constructed of polyester fabric with a waterproof coating.
Each bench comes with a carrying bag (the bags for the three- and four-seater benches have wheels) and is available in five colors — red, royal blue, forest green, navy blue, and black — and three patterns — sand camo, jungle camo, and U.S.

A pair of Flxible Clipper buses — the same type of vehicle that is depicted on the FMCA logo — were brought out of retirement to be used in the Sony Pictures movie RV, starring Robin Williams and Jeff Daniels. These buses were once used to transport members of the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, high school band.
According to a story in The Daily Advance, the buses used in the movie were two of four Flxible Clippers that were bought for the band by millionaire Miles Clark in the early 1950s.

Load up the basketball team, volleyball team, or half the lacrosse team and head for the playoffs. The 2007 Newmar All Star 3950 motorhome shines with accommodations for eight.

Whether you travel with children full-time or have kids on board only occasionally, here are ways to make motorhome adventures safer and more fun for adults and youngsters alike.

• Taking the children out on the water? If you don’t have the right size life vests available on board for youngsters, you may be able to borrow some for free thanks to the Life Jacket Loaner Program, which is sponsored by the Boat U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.
  

Mary Ellen Johnson, F354444, wrote: “When we travel in our motorhome we almost exclusively cook outside over the campfire, portable gas grill, or Coleman stove. It would be great to see some campfire/outdoor recipes.” I’m happy to comply.

This time of year a traveler’s thoughts turn to cooler places, in a literal sense. We already had felt the relaxation of watery surroundings as we planned and wrote this column.

Looking to save a little money this year? Here are some tips that can help you keep more of what you have in your pocket.
Emergency cash
Not yet the age of 59-1/2, but you need your IRA money right now? According to a column in the April 2006 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, you can tap into the funds without penalty for outlays such as disability, medical bills, buying your first home, converting to a Roth IRA, or paying for higher education. But there are so many rules, limits, and exceptions, it’s best to work with an IRA expert at your bank or brokerage to make sure you’re not hit with unexpected taxes or penalties.

Travel savings
Our first stop at a new destination is always the visitors center, chamber of commerce, or tourist information center.

Hard as it may be to believe, there are more than 30 species of sparrows listed in our favorite North American field guide. That number may grow, as it’s been rumored that several of them are about to be split into separate species.

The Texas Outlaws chapter was chartered on January 24, 1976, and was formed to have approximately half of its membership from Texas and half from Louisiana. Our rallies are most often held at locations within those two states.
The fun typically begins on Thursday as we have either a potluck or we go out to dinner.

For the past nine years, the first full day at the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, has been filled with excitement, rain or shine. Thursday is Parade Day! Yes, since 1998 the opening day has been highlighted with a parade.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 1990 Fleetwood Southwind with two air-conditioning units. They are on a front/rear switch so you can use only one unit at a time.

Q: I recently purchased a Saturn Vue to use as a towed vehicle. Prior to the purchase, I checked your magazine (the January 2006 article on towing), and also with the dealership sales manager and the salesman who sold me the vehicle.

Dear Editor:
It has been a hard spring for me because of my husband Bill’s death, but I am doing better. I appreciate all the letters, e-mails, phone calls, and visits from so many FMCA friends.

Recently I was asked by an RV trade magazine to contribute my thoughts regarding FMCA’s involvement in RV rallies and their benefit or detriment to the RV industry. Obviously, since FMCA itself promotes motorhome conventions and rallies, my comments were labeled as being “pro,” or in favor of such events.

In my opinion, the best way for FMCA members to enjoy their membership in this association is to join a chapter. If you don’t belong to a chapter, you are missing out on one of the greatest benefits of FMCA.
FMCA has chapters all across the United States and Canada.

While waiting for the Branson Follies to begin at the Follies Theatre, in Branson, Missouri, this past fall, I noticed a woman in the audience wearing a sweatshirt blazoned with the words: “It’s All In The Attitude.” She couldn’t have chosen more appropriate attire for this particular performance.
That’s because all 16 members of the energetic cast who performed the “Over 60 Never Looked So Good!” segment of the show had reached their 60th birthday, although many were 10 and even 20-plus years beyond that. What other than an amazing attitude — and, of course, a lot of hard work — could keep these women and men, at their ages, so nimble on their feet?
Among the 10 women in the cast, whose ages ranged from 60 to 85, was strawberry-blonde Lois “Layne” Mazgaj (pronounced “Mazgay”), F340541.

The scenic beauty of Devil’s Gate in south-central Wyoming belies the 1856 tragedy that struck members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints headed west over the Mormon Pioneer Trail. The primitive road, carved into the wilderness by cartwheels and trudging footsteps, ran adjacent to the Oregon Trail, which carried nearly 400,000 emigrants westward during the mid-1800s.
Today travelers find the stone landmark 60 miles southwest of Casper on State Route 220.

Family Parking Procedures
Families will be assigned a day and time of admittance based on the date their registration is received at FMCA headquarters in Cincinnati. All registrations will be divided equally over a three-day period.

Parking for FMCA’s 76th International Convention will commence on Saturday, August 12, at 7:00 a.m. Please display your admittance card on the front windshield, lower left hand corner of the driver side, without obstructing the driver’s view.

Almost 300 years ago, Swiss Baron Christopher de Graffenried led a ragged band of settlers across the Atlantic. They landed in today’s North Carolina in 1710 and established a village at the confluence of two broad rivers, the Neuse and the Trent.

The beauty and the backwoods of Ontario, Canada, inspired the creation of the first camper van that eventually would be called a Roadtrek.
In 1974 Jac Hanemaayer successfully built a small fully self-contained motorhome that his family could use as they enjoyed the backwoods, the skiing, the boating, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in Ontario, Canada. Today this multimillion-dollar corporation based in Kitchener, a city west of Toronto, is guided by his son, Jeff.
Jeff was 10 years old in 1974.

Hoover Dam has long topped our “must-see” list. Unfortunately, a dozen trips in and around Las Vegas through the years had failed to take us within viewing distance of the 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete that make up this man-made wonder.