Readers Write
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Level Sites Wanted We have just logged 120,000 miles on our 40-foot 2001 Monaco Diplomat motorhome (our second RV). We have a request for RV park owners: Give RVers pull-through,…
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See what members are talking about in the latest Readers' Forum!
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Ten years ago when I purchased my first coach, a friend told me that surge protection was a very important part of the RV lifestyle. Somewhat reluctant to spend the money, I purchased a surge protector for my 30-amp Type C coach. In the two years I had it, I never experienced a problem. Then I bought a Type A coach and started reading more and more about the pedestal problem with fluctuating power surges; this is especially true in some older campgrounds.
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Update On Towing Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain
The June 2017 “Tech Talk” column included a letter from Ralph Marino (“Equinox Towing,” page 18), who said his 2016 Chevrolet Equinox sometimes wobbles when it is flat towed behind his motorhome. In an editor’s note, we asked other Equinox owners to contact FMC associate editor John Johnston if they have had the same problem.
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DEAR EDITOR:
After we left Chandler, Arizona, on Saturday, March 11, my wife, Garnetta, and I never thought we would be fighting a fire on Interstate 10 in New Mexico. -
Cause For Wear On Motorhome BrakesDear Editor:I enjoyed reading the informative air brake articles by Mark Quasius (“Understanding Air Brakes,” page 48, August 2016, and “Testing Air Brakes,” page 40, September 2016). I am writing you because I have an issue with one paragraph in the September article.
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.Windshield Repair Along The Alaska HighwayDear Editor:As we were driving on the Alaska Highway this summer, a rock went through a window of our towed car. We were in British Columbia, between Muncho Lake and Tetsa River. I discovered the absence of the window while getting fuel at Tetsa River Lodge.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.Reflective Vinyl Aids In Visibility
Dear Editor:
In the May issue’s “Rear View” column (page 120), Richard and Phyllis Cicchetti, F387705, commented about coach nighttime visibility problems. I have just finished refurbishing a 1991 classic Elite. I put reflective vinyl strips on its side to increase visibility.
New Text-Viewing Option For Digital MagazineBe sure to check out FeatureFLo, a new text-viewing option that you can use with the digital edition of Family Motor Coaching. It makes it possible to view a simplified text version of an article and to increase the size of the text.Quilts And Quilters To Meet At Next Family ReunionDear Editor:In early August, FMCA’s On-Road Quilters will meet during the 94th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase, at the Eastern States Exposition (ESE), home of the BIG E, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. If you’re a quilter, too, please join us.Subaru Flat-Towing Comes Into QuestionFamily Motor Coaching magazine has published its annual Towables Guide since 1999, and each year, the list of vehicles that can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome has included various Subaru models that are equipped with a manual transmission. …Recently, FMC heard from several FMCA members who were told by Subaru employees that Subarus should not be flat towed behind a motorhome.Regarding That “Perplexing” FurnaceDear Editor:The February 2016 issue’s “House Calls” column (page 20) covers a question titled “Perplexing Furnace Problem.” It includes a photo of a work light, and it’s suggested that one of these can keep a propane tank warm. This is a great idea, but . . .Towing Guide Update
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited was inadvertently left out of Family Motor Coaching’s “Towables for 2016” towing guide (January 2016, page 44). The front-wheel-drive vehicle is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine and an automatic transmission. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed…Allergies On The RoadDear Editor:I was a respiratory therapist for 40-plus years, and my wife has allergies. I commend the many recommendations in the “Full-Timer’s Primer” article titled “Managing Allergies” in the October 2015 issue (page 84).Bubbles No MoreDear Editor:In the November 2015 “House Calls” column (page 24), Charly Barnes described a problem with air bubbles from the water pump. We had the same problem with our 2000 Georgie Boy Landau motorhome.
Parts For Smartire Systems
Dear Editor:
Regarding the article titled “Tire Monitoring Systems” in the September 2015 issue (page 46), please inform readers that SmarTire systems still can be repaired. My SmarTire system stopped working …DC Wiring For CPAP MachineDear Editor:In the September 2015 “Tech & Travel Tips” column (page 27), Ralph Fullenwider, F248513, describes how he installed an inverter to power a CPAP machine (“Inverter Addition”). We purchased a new motorhome in 2013 that, unlike our old coach, did not have an inverter. I also sleep with a CPAP machine, so we were faced with the same issue.Great Stops
Dear Editor:
Regarding the June 2016 48-day Alaska caravan led by Fantasy RV Tours (advertised on page 11 of the July 2015 issue), I have been to all of the places the caravan will visit, and then some. I highly recommend the trip.Home, Sweet HomeDear Editor:Last year we became RV owners. Before we committed, we did lots of research and attended many shows. We saw those decorative signs RVers display that say “Home is where you park your RV” and thought those must be for full-timers.Drone EtiquetteDear Editor:You had a nice article from Mark Quasius regarding how to use cameras on personal drones (May 2015, “Eyes In The Sky,” page 70). However, Mark failed to list one very important operating guide, which has to do with respecting your neighbors.#ILoveFMCAThe 52nd anniversary of FMCA's founding is July 20, 2015. Leading up to that date, FMCA is encouraging members to share some FMCA love on Facebook.
Suggested Stops Along The Blue Ridge ParkwayDear Editor:The article about the Blue Ridge Parkway in the March 2015 issue (“Springtime On The Blue Ridge Parkway,” page 74) was an excellent description of this 469-mile route.Smart Car TransmissionDear Editor:In the "Towables For 2015" article (January 2015, page 44), the Smart Fortwo listing states in footnote 2 that the vehicle "is equipped with an automatic transmission that allows the driver to select either manual shifting or automatic shifting options." That is incorrect.The Real Cost And Value Of Motorhoming
Dear Editor:In the February 2015 “RV News & Notes” column (page 45), you included the results of a study commissioned by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association about motorhome vacation cost versus other forms of vacation travel (“Motorhomes Shine In Vacation Cost Study”).CorrectionsFMCA 2014 Convention HistoryThe “FMCA Convention History” in the January 2015 issue (page 320), which lists previous FMCA convention dates, locations, and coach counts, erroneously indicated that the 89th and 90th Family Reunions in Perry, Georgia, and Redmond, Oregon, respectively, occurred in 2015.November NotesDear Editor:I almost always read the “President’s Message” columns. I find Charlie Adcock’s messages particularly enjoyable and encouraging. Thanks for sharing not only the "good" stuff but also the challenges we can relate to. It's helpful to us newbies and part-timers.FMC Magazine CollectionDear Editor:We have retired from motorhoming, and we have copies of Family Motor Coaching magazine dating back to 1995. We thought someone might like to have them.FMCA Members, “FMCAssist” Bring Care During CrisisDear Editor:On October 5, 2014, we had just completed a very successful South Central Area “Six-State” Rally in Shreveport, Louisiana, and FMCA members who attended were packing up and departing the state fairgrounds there,Roads, Ferries, And Vikings
Dear Editor:
It was nice to see our little neck of the woods featured in the August 2014 issue. We would like to point out, however, that …Correction: Raceway Permits Motorhomes
FMCA member Doug Hansen, F231205, contacted FMC to let us know the “Drive The Glen” information mentioned in the “New York’s Lively, Lovely Finger Lakes” article (September 2014, page 66) was in error.Corrections
As a result of a production error, the article “Take A Train To The Beach” story (page 66) in the August issue was missing some text.Window Defogging In Florida
After twice going through a “repair” and still having fogged windows return in our motorhome, we finally found Darren Thomas Glass Co. in Sebring, Florida. They replaced our …Family Photo
Dear Editor:
Just finished reading the May 2014 issue. I always read the whole magazine front to back and all ads in between. But what really stuck out in this issue was the “Chapter Spotlight” column about …More Bike Business
I would like to add to the “How to Buy a Bicycle You’ll Love” article in the April 2014 issue (page 46). While I agree with the information presented about the types of bikes and …