The Apollo ’13 rescue mission outlined in this article takes place much closer to home and doesn’t involve a crippled spacecraft, but rather a rare and doomed vintage motorhome — the Apollo Sceptre. As Ron Howard did for Apollo 13, we, too, would like to introduce a new generation of RVers to the Apollo Sceptre and its amazing story.

From the earliest days of the RV industry and lifestyle, in the years around World War I, motorized camping vehicles were called “house cars,” or “motor coaches.” These terms especially described vehicles that had been converted from commercial highway coaches, as opposed to completely homemade or custom-made vehicles.

Sitting behind the huge, one-piece windshield while driving up the hills toward Tonopah in the Journey’s captain’s chairs, we felt as though we were seated in First Class, watching Nevada’s beautiful landscape slip by on a giant 3D screen. 

Without a doubt, the use of supplemental braking systems is one of the most-discussed topics among motorhome owners. Visit any RV forum and you are sure to find someone requesting information about whether a supplemental braking system is needed. The answer should be a resounding “Yes.”

When we downsized our motorhome, we also had to look for a smaller towed vehicle. Our new 24-foot motorhome is built on a Sprinter chassis and has a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Not many cars approved by the manufacturers for four-wheels-down towing weigh less than 3,500 pounds.

Share one of your most memorable FMCA moments.

If you’ve been meaning to adopt aspects of the Mediterranean diet into your lifestyle but need simpler recipes to mesh with your busy life on the go, let’s get started.

One of the most surprising discoveries during our past year of traveling across the country is how many other uses exist for our Type B motorhome besides camping.

Prevost Named Official Luxury Motorcoach Of NASCAR

Prevost and NASCAR recently announced a multiyear partnership that designates the Sainte-Claire, Quebec-based company as the Official Luxury Motorcoach of NASCAR.

Multi-Tool

The 12 Survivors Multi-Tool is a handy, versatile device that includes all the basic tools you may need in a compact, lightweight, handheld unit.

The Oswego Harborfest Rally, co-hosted by the Vintage Birds, Pen-NY Mixers, Fingerlakers, and New York Centrals chapters of FMCA, was a delightfully fun-filled, laid-back event on the shores of Lake Ontario.

John Samuelson, F19, passed away on February 7, 2013, in Bourne, Massachusetts, at the age of 95. He and his wife, Jean, who died in 2009, were among the 26 motor-coach-owning families who met in Hinckley, Maine, in July 1963 to view a solar eclipse.

Why ABS?

Dear RV Doctor:
Why do RV manufacturers use plumbing made of ABS material instead of PVC?

The following company has a recall detailed in this month's Recall Corner: Prevost Car Inc.

Raining Inside Refrigerator

We have a 2009 41-foot diesel pusher with a Norcold four-door refrigerator. It runs on 120-volt-AC electric or propane. The ceiling inside the refrigerator is always wet, and the water drips down inside.

Excessive Maturity

Dear Editor:
I liked President Charlie Schrenkel's synonym for old age in the February 2013 issue: "excessive maturity" (page 8).

Over the past two months in this column, I have recognized two individuals who had a vision for this association, which remains true to its founding principles 50 years later. You also may have read this month’s President's Message defining who we are. The next logical questions are what do we want to become in the next 50 years…

This month brings much warmer weather across the Lower 48 states and on up into Canada. Most FMCA members who travel to warmer climes during the winter — our so-called snowbird members — are headed back to their comfortable summer locales.

Many FMCA members in the baby boomer generation have followed in their parents’ or grandparents’ footsteps and acquired their own motorhomes. Others are trying out the RV lifestyle for the first time, buying a coach as their discretionary income allows. But Mike Middaugh didn’t wait. He became an FMCA member before the age of 21…

A look at Family Motor Coach Association and the motorhome lifestyle through the years, as portrayed in past issues of Family Motor Coaching magazine.

The FMCA tradition of motorhome owners gathering for fun and fellowship started with the association’s formation meeting in Hinckley, Maine, in July 1963 and was cemented with the first official convention the next summer in Ticonderoga, New York. That 1964 gathering drew families in 106 motor coaches from 20 states and Canada.

Going on seven years now, the Phaeton, manufactured by Tiffin Motorhomes, has been consistently rated as a top-selling Type A diesel motorhome, and the 2013 versions appear to be no exception. I recently had a chance to examine the 2013 Phaeton 36 GH, which was on display at an RV show.

Learn more about your motorhome and the RV lifestyle during the educational presentations at FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase this June. 

Many FMCA members already have made plans to attend FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase — nicknamed “Celebrate In Gillette” to mark the association’s 50th anniversary — June 19-22, 2013, at the CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette, Wyoming. Are you among them?

“Ahh” is the most popular sound in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Most “ahhs” emanate with the steam that floats from the thermal baths that gave Thermopolis — “Hot City” in Greek — its name. But it’s best to wait and enjoy the rest of the town before dipping into these ancient hot waters, because a relaxing soak in them may lead to a nice, long nap.

The idea of traveling to FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Gillette, Wyoming, this June can really stir a traveler's imagination. Look on a map and you'll see that Gillette is so close to some of the West's most famous scenes that a motorhomer can feel obligated to experience as much as possible.

A step-by-step guide for cleaning and polishing aluminum rims.

Taking the mystery out of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

Have you ever “rescued” an animal while on the road that became a member of the family?

Enlist the services of a staffing agency should you need to find a job while on the road, know how to answer those tough interview questions, and discover a new travel atlas.

We who travel the country in our motorhomes sure do love our pets. When Jennifer and I took up the RV lifestyle a year ago, a big reason was because we could bring along our dog, a 70-pound Norwegian elkhound named Tai.

Prevost Introduces Innovative Energy Management System

Prevost recently announced development of a new energy management system that reduces fuel consumption by using the engine’s downtime (braking, deceleration, and other negative torque situations) to charge the batteries and compress air.

Detailing Lubricant

Super Protectant from Prolong Super Lubricants is an advanced instant detailer that is said to beautify and protect leather, rubber, and vinyl surfaces.

The GMC Motorhomes International (GMCMI) chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary with a joyful, tasty, fun-filled week in quaint Amana, Iowa. Members arrived in their classic and colorful GMCs (and some in other brands) until we had more than 155 motorhomes in attendance for the rally…

William Patrick Conway, F99081, who served as FMCA national vice president, Northeast Area, from 2003 to 2007, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013, in Brooksville, Florida. He was 71.

Plate Collection

We often use paper plates when traveling, but we do enjoy eating off our plastic dishes on occasion. Our collection includes plates for different holidays, sports, and seasons.

Corroded Conduits?

Dear RV Doctor:
My wife and I have been full-timers for about three years and have a 2008 Fleetwood Providence. Lately my wife has complained about the water pressure being very low, particularly in the shower.

The following companies have recalls detailed in this month's Recall Corner: Entegra Coach and General Motors LLC.

Damaged Clear Tape

I have a 2007 Winnebago Adventurer with protective clear tape on the front. Mold has started to form between the paint and tape. If I remove the tape, adhesive residue from the tape is left on the paint.

California, Arizona Regulations Corrections

Recently two errors in the "Motorhome Regulations" chart published in the January 2013 issue page 198) have come to our attention…

Last month, I recognized Kenneth T. Scott, L63, as a gentleman who had a dream for this association. Mr. Scott could not have fulfilled this dream without the vision of FMCA pioneer and founder Robert L. Richter, L1.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Big Wing Airlines flight 007. Please make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and your seat back and tray tables are in the upright and locked position. …

Fresh air fills my lungs as I take a deep breath, step off the platform, and fly 730 feet through the trees. A stream weaves 30 feet below me and tree limbs fly past at 25 miles per hour.

A look at Family Motor Coach Association and the motorhome lifestyle through the years, as portrayed in past issues of Family Motor Coaching magazine.

FMCA introduced a member benefit in 1980 that proved to be of particular interest to frequent travelers: the Mail Forwarding Service.

When New England “bus nut” Robert Richter organized a gathering for owners of similar vehicles in Hinckley, Maine, to watch a solar eclipse and talk about forming an official organization for house car owners, his idea was not new — except, perhaps, in scope.

Great music, a variety of activities, and plenty of 50th anniversary fun await those attending FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Gillette, Wyoming, this June.

These two outstanding national parks are located next to each other in the northwestern part of Wyoming.

Sometimes a different approach needs to be taken. NeXus RV has embraced this philosophy and individualized its strategy. NeXus builds Type C Phantom and B+ Viper motorhomes in lengths ranging from 23 feet to 32 feet, plus the recently introduced Ghost Super C diesel motorhome in 34-foot and 36-foot lengths.

This past January, the 2014 Ghost, a “Super C” motorhome manufactured by NeXus RV, made its debut at the Florida RV SuperShow. For this model NeXus RV connected an International TerraStar truck chassis with luxurious living accommodations ready for the open road.