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.

Installing a Xantrex TRUECharge2 battery charger in a recreation vehicle.

The 2013 election of FMCA National Officers will be held June 19, 2013, at FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase in Gillette, Wyoming. The Nominating Committee has submitted its slate of candidates. Although balloting is restricted to National Directors and National Officers …

Describe a memorable pizza place you’ve discovered during your motorhome travels.

Motorhome cooks love slow cookers. Meals steam and steep for hours, developing flavor and tenderness without tiresome tending. However, there is another way to free your day for campground fun: wok cooking.

It’s March, the month that they say comes in like a lion and goes out as a lamb. For those of us who travel the land in motorhomes, that means freezing temperatures slowly go away as the month progresses and, once again, it’s time to hit the road.

Advanced RV Rolls Out High-Line Type B Motorhomes

Advanced RV, a startup manufacturer that builds Type B motorhomes on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis, is targeting a tight niche in the market: those looking for “the ultimate Type B motorhome experience,” according to the company’s CEO.

Grill Plate

According to product literature, the Gas Grill Oven Plate from Grill Innovations makes it possible to bake outdoors on a gas grill.

In December 2012, a delegation from the California Southwinders chapter met with Barbara Musella, center manager at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at the Los Angeles airport (LAX), and presented a $500 donation.

Scooby, an 8-year-old English golden retriever owned by James Hsu and Michael Burger, F412587, had a blast during the Great Eastern Area Rally held October 10 through 14, 2012, at the York Expo Center in York, Pennsylvania.

The family fun experienced at FMCA’s 87th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, held August 27 through 30, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana, continued for nine member families of the FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® who traveled east toward Hamilton, Ohio, a town north of Cincinnati, following the international event.

On December 1, 2012, members of the Cenois Prairielanders chapter had their annual Christmas party at Shannon’s Five Star Restaurant in Bloomington, Illinois. During this gathering, we also held our second annual Christmas gift exchange for Toys for Tots.

Portable Desk

Most RVs can use more space for storage and organization. Our idea was a small magazine rack that is used as a desk and storage compartment while we are traveling.

Relocate A Smoke Alarm?

Dear RV Doctor:
We live in our unit full-time. The smoke alarm in our motorhome is so sensitive that I cannot cook a meal without it going off.

Charging House Batteries

I have a 2006 Coachmen 38-foot diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis with a 300-horsepower Cummins engine. I bought the motorhome new and found that the house batteries do not receive a charge while the diesel engine is running.

More Commercial Member Info

Two commercial member campgrounds listed in the January 2013 RV Marketplace have additional information that was omitted from the January magazine listing. Also, a company was omitted from the Furniture/Upholstery portion of the Services, Coach Components & Accessories listing.

One hundred years ago this month, Kenneth T. Scott, FMCA’s first executive director, was born in New Cumberland, Ohio, a small town in the northeastern part of the state.

March: the adage is, if it comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb; or, if it comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion; or perhaps none of the above. What is certain is that the month of March is a transitional month.

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

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