The final space shuttle mission ended July 21, 2011, but we still recall seeing — and feeling — a shuttle takeoff. As the last few countdown seconds ticked down, a loud bang was followed by a sharp metal-to-metal clank as the launch tower separated from the ship. The entire assembly shuddered, and the booster engines ignited; then, the booster and solid rocket engines fired.

Crossing the international border between tiny Oroville, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada, via U.S. 97 brings you into one of the most exciting wine-producing areas in all of Canada. The semi-desert Okanagan (pronounced oak-a-NOG-in) Valley is well known for its abundant vineyards, world-renowned wineries, and fruit-laden orchards, as well as beautiful, sparkling lakes and dazzling scenery.

An FMCA member upgrades his motorhome by installing new interior window shades from MCD Innovations.

After realizing the limitations of the exterior sunscreens on their new motorhome, Dave and Carla Townsley believed they could make something better. So they did.

Think of Ben Franklin, and you'll likely recall that he was one of the founding fathers of the United States, or that he flew a kite in an electrical storm. But did you also know that many counties in the United States were named after him? Franklin County, Florida, is one.

With a better understanding of the components and operation of your motorhome’s propane system, you can enjoy the benefits of this compressed fuel with confidence.

What book, movie, play, or TV show title best describes motorhome travel?

Just when you think you have the best business model or the best buy in a campsite, something happens to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery. An FMCA member recently wrote to me explaining how he had lost his motorhome and his full-timer’s lifestyle . . .

Las Vegas Luxury Resort

LVM Resort, formerly known as the Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort, is a luxurious 41-acre, gated resort for Type A motorhome owners located southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, near Blue Diamond Road and Interstate 15.

Air Purifier

The Breathe Easy air purifier from Dometic Corporation is a portable, compact unit that is said to purify up to 800 cubic feet of air, potentially helping those who struggle with allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities.

After serving as president of the Olympic Snowbirds chapter for one year and working at FMCA’s Northwest Area Rally in Albany, Oregon, last June, it has become clear to me that our chapter has an excellent reputation and is well-liked in the RV industry. 

A mutual love of Virginia Tech football and motorhoming were the reasons behind the creation of the Hokie Travelers chapter, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Last year was a time of celebration for the Ozark Ridge Runners. The chapter, which is based in the Ozark Mountain area of northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri, celebrated its 10th anniversary as an FMCA chapter in 2011 — 10 years of great travel, fun rallies, and new friendships.

Bring The Fun Inside

At a recent rally we experienced torrential rain, making it impossible to eat or socialize with friends outside.

Holding Tank Installation

Dear RV Doctor:
I recently bought an older Type C motorhome and just noticed that the dump valves on the gray and black water tanks had been broken off at one time.

Macerator

I have a 2010 Roadtrek Type B motorhome that I ordered and received in February 2010. I went on a trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in October 2010 to visit with family. I used the macerator pump to empty both the black and gray water tanks. The system worked fine, except that it blew the fuse.

Correction
The Web site address listed for Ford accessories in the December 2011 “Tech Talk” column (“Neutral Tow Kits Now Available For Ford Explorer, Ranger Vehicles,” page 20) was incorrect.  

Dan Fogelberg was a singer-songwriter most popular in the 1970s and ’80s. His soulful voice and songs could make even the most stressful day bearable. …Similar to many FMCA members, Dan was a true adventurer.

Quite a while ago — 16 years to be exact, in March of 1996 — Jean and I were returning home from the FMCA international convention in Perry, Georgia. We had been discussing what we would do about retiring and where we would live.

Share one way you’ve maximized storage in your motorhome.

These recipes taste delicious, are easy to make in the motorhome galley or outside on the grill, and they will help shave costs, calories, or both.

Liberty Coach To Offer Dean Loucks Custom Exteriors

Frank Konigseder, vice president of Liberty Coach, announced that the company will team with well-known automotive and marine industry paint specialist Dean Loucks to offer innovative exterior designs on Liberty’s newly manufactured coaches beginning with the 2013 models.

Fire Extinguisher Mount

The Quick-Release Fire Extinguisher Bracket from Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs provides a secure mount for your handheld fire extinguisher yet allows it to be accessed quickly in the event of a fire emergency.

The Ontario Overlanders chapter has been part of Family Motor Coach Association for 34 years, having received its charter on February 17, 1978. Through the early days, money was scarce and the chapter pulled together to cook meals, drive buses, and tirelessly volunteer.

Charles “Phil” Johnson, L3221, who served as FMCA’s sixth national president from 1974 to 1977, passed away on December 20, 2011, at his home in Darien, Wisconsin. He was 89.

Filter Drying

The air conditioner on our Newmar motorhome has circular foam air intake filters that have a hole in the middle. These filters must be rinsed clean and dried periodically.

Furnace Inefficiency

Dear RV Doctor:
I have an older motorhome with two sideways-mounted propane tanks in the compartment. My furnace was working fine until one of my propane tanks ran out and I turned the other one on. Must both tanks be turned on at the same time for the furnace to heat properly?

Replacing Tires

I’m thinking about replacing the tires on my 2005 Sportscoach even though there are only 34,000 miles on them. I keep my coach garaged, the tires are always covered and set on heavy-duty plastic, and the air pressure is checked often.

Got Spinners?

Dear Editor:
Here's a photo of a back wheel of our Newmar Mountain Aire motorhome. My husband, Rick, gets credit for this idea: we have spinners!

Years ago, in July 1963, to be exact, a number of families gathered on the property of the Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine. Some had met before and knew each other; others were meeting for the first time. They had been drawn together through their common interest in traveling via motorized, self-contained camping vehicles.

In our view, one of the best things about RV travel is parking our motorhome in places where life happens in the open, sometimes raw and uncensored. The interactions we watch day-to-day are often pleasurable, such as a parent showing love and care to a child. Other times, they take on a sad twist.

Now retired, former Monaco RV CEO Kay Toolson looks back on golden times and the bumps in the road.

Many times it seems that the most striking natural beauty is found only at the summit of a steep mountain, the bottom of a deep canyon, or at the end of a rugged hiking trail. Not so at Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah.

As the economy continues to regain its foothold, consumer interest in smaller yet still feature-filled motorhomes has been stirred. Thor Motor Coach has addressed this trend with an evolutionary motorhome that combines the best of Type A and Type C RVs — the A.C.E.

Sanitizing the motorhome’s potable water tank and fresh water system starts with draining all the old water out of the tank and the water lines.

What stands four stories high, encompasses six acres, has nine kitchens, 10,000 windows, 47 fireplaces, and 13 bathrooms, but only one shower?

Save fuel and help your motorhome operate at peak performance by learning how to manipulate the transmission's shifting schedule.

If you’re a full-timer, or are considering becoming one, you’ll want to take a look at the 2012 Winnebago Tour lineup. Its three floor plan choices consist of the 42AD (four slideouts with a wide-open front galley), the 42QD …
 

Three different types of brake retarder systems are used on diesel engines: exhaust brakes, engine compression brakes, and variable-geometry turbo brakes. Here’s a brief description of how each works.

Mountain peak after mountain peak, like a line of pointed hats, fill the horizon, while far below an azure glacial lake sparkles in the sun. After a gentle walk along North America's Continental Divide, hikers arrive at this scene at Hidden Lake.

Postcard collecting is an ideal hobby for RVers. It is interesting, affordable, and informative. Plus, postcards won’t put too much extra weight on your motorhome’s chassis as you travel from place to place. For storage, postcards can fit neatly into photo albums …

What’s the top activity or place to visit on your motorhome “bucket list”?

French, Cajun, and Creole flavors are the crown jewels of Louisiana cuisine, where good dishes begin with a cooked flour-fat mixture known as a roux. Come to the state’s southwest corner to discover the best in gumbo, boudin, sweet dough pies, and much more.

Winnebago Introduces Fourth Sightseer Floor Plan

Winnebago Industries Inc. recently unveiled the new double-slideout Winnebago Sightseer 30A for 2012. The Sightseer 30A features a sectional U-shaped dinette that extends to take seating from two to six in a matter of minutes. Add in a 42-inch LCD TV…

Paper Towels

It’s convenient to carry a roll of paper towels in the motorhome to clean up messes both indoors and out. But it’s also a hassle when you have to reroll the towels after they’ve toppled over because of wind or motion.

The 20th Century Wagontrainers (TCW) chapter gathered for its Jersey Devil Halloween rally at Holly Acres, the home of members Bob and Peggy Pittenger, on October 13 through 16, 2011.

Remote Control In Its Place
My wife and I are always misplacing the remote control for our bedroom TV. To make sure it remains in a commonly accessible place…

Dear RV Doctor:
I am interested in adding solar panels to my motorhome to help power it when I’m dry camping. My motorhome uses four (U2200) golf cart batteries. I typically run them down to approximately 50 percent charge overnight.

The Badger chapter, which became one of FMCA’s earliest chapters when it received its charter on June 29, 1966, celebrated its 45th anniversary during a rally at the Tomah Recreation Center in Tomah, Wisconsin, September 22 through 25, 2011.

A great motorhome rally must have multiple aspects that blend together to make it extra special. …Fortunately, all of these pieces fell into place for the “Heartland Motorhome Festival,” the 38th Six-State Rally, held September 28 through October 2, 2011, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.