Former Governor Discusses New Book At Madison Family Reunion
After two terms as the governor of Maine, Angus King packed up his wife and kids in their Newmar Dutch Star motorhome and set out on a five-and-a-half-month journey to see the United States. In his new book, Governor’s Travels: How I Left Politics, Learned to Back Up a Bus, and Found America . . .
Holding Tank Treatment
According to product literature, RVers who use Nature-Zyme Holding Tank Treatment from RV, Home & Marine Solutions will no longer have to worry about odors, clogs, overactive sensors, or toxins in their black water holding tank.
To celebrate our 25th anniversary as an FMCA chapter, the Heartland Execs. gathered for a rolling rally through Oklahoma and Missouri beginning on May 12, 2011.
Longtime member and former Southeast Area national vice president Patricia Malloy, F1681, died on June 12, 2011, in Edmond, Oklahoma.Â
Gerald Chavers Sr., F10014, who served as FMCA national vice president, Southeast Area, passed away in his Panama City, Florida, home on May 25, 2011. He was 89. His wife, Patricia, died soon after, on June 22. She was 86.
Have you heard of the Freightliner Chassis Owners Club (FCOC)? The FCOC is the largest chapter in the Family Motor Coach Association, with more than 3,500 member families, and has been in existence since January 1995.
Electric Or Propane Heating?
Motorhomers may wonder which power source is more economical when heating their RV: electricity or propane? Here’s a way to figure out which is best for you.
Stripped-Out Awning Lag
Dear RV Doctor:
Is there an easy fix for a stripped-out lag bolt on the bottom bracket for the awning arm on my motorhome?
The companies with a recall detailed in this month’s column are Navistar Inc./Monaco RV and Fleetwood RV Inc.
Batteries
Is it a good idea to keep my motorhome plugged in to AC power while not being used?
Superior Success
Dear Editor:
We recently made a trip from Oklahoma to Washington. On our return, while passing through Crescent City, California, our diesel pusher developed a major radiator leak.
Well, hello again from Cincinnati. I would like to take a moment and share with you something that I read in the publication of another association (non-RV-related) to which I belong. Many associations in this day and age are losing members at a fairly rapid rate. No one association seems to be immune.
Well, it is now August and time for another FMCA Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase. I hope you have made your plans to join us for the “Family A’Fair†in Madison, Wisconsin, August 10-13, 2011. It is going to be one great event.
During my recent review of the new Foretravel IH-45 luxury motor coach, I spent time with Lyle Reed, chairman of privately held Foretravel Inc. He talked candidly about the economic cards the company was dealt immediately following his acquisition of Foretravel in 2005, the actions his team took to survive the downturn, and their current business strategy.
After two years of intensive planning and design, Foretravel Inc. of Nacogdoches, Texas, unveiled its new company flagship: the IH series. This ultra-luxurious home on wheels joins the Phenix and Nimbus to round out Foretravel’s current motorhome lines.
FMCA’s commitment to members goes beyond providing fun and fellowship. FMCA is always looking for ways to provide extra value to the members it serves, especially during these challenging economic times. To that end, following is information about several new and enhanced “connections†to discounts for members.Â
Developing an emergency exit plan and having several fire extinguishers in your motorhome will help to keep you and your loved ones secure while traveling and camping.
The FMCAssist plan offers medical evacuation and vehicle return coverage while traveling in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
What’s your favorite kind of potluck, and why?
Enjoy the tastes of upstate South Carolina by trying one or more of these homegrown recipes.
Cartoons often show picnics invaded by hordes of ants, but this time of year, you are as likely to have flying visitors from the wasp family join in your festivities, particularly the ones called yellow jackets.
Monaco RV President Kay Toolson Retires
Monaco RV LLC, manufacturer of motorized and towable RVs, announced the retirement of company president Kay Toolson effective June 30, 2011. After 25 years at the helm of Monaco, Mr. Toolson will step away from the day-to-day operations but still be involved in special projects and take an advisory role in the company.
Disc Toss
According to product literature, the Skywinder Disc Toss from Sportcraft Ltd. will have players launching flying discs farther and faster than ever with a quick flick of the wrist.
In mid-May FMCA officials toured the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. The group met with Tom McNulty, Hall of Fame executive vice president (center), and discussed FMCA’s current commemorative display, which recently was moved to a different area of the facility, as well as other topics related to FMCA and the RV industry.
Two pages of puzzles and fun related to carnivals, fairs and amusement parks. Print and enjoy!
Kids’ Section (PDF)Â
Jeanie Cheneweth, L9986, wife of former FMCA national president Charles Cheneweth, died on May 2, 2011, in Chula Vista, California. She was 84.
This story began on Sunday afternoon, March 20, 2011, following FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Perry, Georgia. At a small RV park in Plains, Georgia, 23 members of FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity® gathered to organize and plan an event that for many would be a life-changing experience.
Travel Info On Computer I’ve created a number of folders on my computer in which I keep information about our motorhome and the travel lifestyle.
Possible Fresh Water System Freeze Damage
Dear RV Doctor:
We are purchasing a 2007 Winnebago motorhome with 16,000 miles on the odometer. Unfortunately, it was exposed to freezing temperatures with fresh water still in the system, and the water heater froze and cracked.
If you own a motorhome equipped with a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator and have not received recall notification, or if you have recently purchased a preowned motorhome that has a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator, you may want to check to see whether your refrigerator needs to be serviced.
A Heater Core Note
Dear Editor:
Peter D. Du Pre mentioned engine cooling in his “Cooling System Basics” article (March 2011, page 38). Then in the May 2011 “Readers’ Forum” column, Steve Haeffele described how he rerouted heat from the heater core of his motorhome engine (page 19).
Hello from Cincinnati. Well, the weather sure has heated up fast here, and it seems like we went right from winter (cold) into summer (heat and humidity). This month I have asked the supervisor of FMCA’s mail forwarding service, Cindy Ackley, to explain their operations.
Have you ever read the newspaper and looked at what your local town leaders were doing and said to yourself, “Boy, are they missing the boat! They should . . . .†Well, some of you probably say the same thing about FMCA.
A preview of the plentiful products and services to be offered at FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, this August.
Advance your knowledge of the RV lifestyle, motorhome maintenance, and miscellaneous other topics, including many offered for the very first time, by attending one or more of the seminars presented at FMCA’s upcoming Family Reunion in Madison, Wisconsin.
Today this Wisconsin city is considered a great place to gather over a beer, tour fantastic museums, visit waterways, and so on. With so many meeting places, it is a fun town to visit.
For summer fun, the young at heart head to Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, Wisconsin.
A few simple strategies can help you keep your motorhome on the road despite the price at the pump.
Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced the return of its popular Era Type B motorhome to the company’s product lineup for 2012.
On July 19, 2010, John and Kathi Belcher, F388523, and their four children started heading in a whole new direction together. They moved into their 42-foot Fleetwood Revolution motorhome full-time, with plans to visit all 50 of the United States, as well as some Canadian provinces.
Describe an act of kindness shown to you by a fellow RVer.
As we approach the summer season, our travels often take us toward open water, preferably areas that include sand dunes and ocean breezes. Some of our favorite places are managed by the National Park Service, but rather than being national parks, they are called national seashores and national lakeshores.
The full-timer’s life differs from that of individuals who use their RV to vacation, take an extended trip, or even set out on a lengthy sabbatical. That’s why this column focuses on problems specific to those who live their life on the go. Here is some of the latest news and views for full-timers.
NeXus RV Sets Open House Dates
NeXus RV, C12206 (FMCA commercial member), a new motorhome manufacturer that offers direct sales to consumers, will hold an open house at its facility in Elkhart, Indiana, from June 20 through 30, 2011.
Shoe Moisture Eliminator
According to product literature, Stuffitts Shoe Savers will help eliminate moisture and odor from shoes to keep them smelling fresh.
Margaret Goodman, F44592, wife of former Western Area national vice president Bill Goodman, recently passed away. She was 97.
A Hilly Billy Wedding was the highlight of the Fingerlakers chapter’s 37th annual Officers Rally in upstate New York. Sixty-six members and guests attended the three-day rally held October 8 through 10, 2010, at the Genesee Country Campground in Caledonia, New York.
Jack C. Schneiker, L2150, a longtime member of FMCA who, along with his wife, Belle, recruited more members to the association than any other family, died at his Tucson, Arizona, home on April 1, 2011. He was 87.
Securing Storage Compartment Struts
The screws used to attach the gas struts on my motorhome’s outside storage compartments kept coming loose.
Perplexing Propane Problems
Dear RV Doctor:
I am having a problem with the pilot light on my motorhome’s hot water tank. I can light the pilot, but when I turn the dial to the “On†position, it takes a moment for the ignition. And when the propane gas finally reaches the pilot light area, the combustion is so strong that it blows out the pilot light and the main heating flame.
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