Enjoy a taste of paradise with these recipes from the Florida Keys.

Describe a card game, board game, etc. you particularly enjoy while camping.

The RV/MH Hall of Fame, Museum, and Library in Elkhart, Indiana, preserves the heritage of the recreation vehicle and manufactured housing industries.

The evenings will be filled with great music and good times during FMCA’s 82nd International Convention in Bowling Green, Ohio, in July.

Whether your next motorhome trip is a weekend away or a months-long journey — or somewhere in between — proper preparation can make it go much more smoothly.

  The Born Free 32-Foot Slide-Out The Born Free 32-foot Rear Queen Slide-Out, photographed by RV writer Lazelle Jones near Florida’s Lake Kissimmee, is the first motorhome from Dodgen Industries…

Anecdotal accounts often best describe the significance of an evolutionary step when it occurs. Case in point is the decision by Dodgen Industries Inc., of Humboldt, Iowa, to build the company’s first-ever slideout room in a Born Free motorhome.

Four of the eight U.S. presidents with roots in the Buckeye State have northern Ohio visitor sites worthy of exploration before or after FMCA’s Bowling Green convention.

The cities of Cleveland, Akron, and Canton in northeast Ohio form a line from north to south, and are easy to locate on a map of the state. If you travel south and west of Canton, you’ll find that you’re no longer in the urban areas — you’re in northeast Ohio’s Amish country.

FMCA’s national treasurer, Doug Key, reports on the financial status of FMCA. He reviews revenues and expenses for 2008, and also discusses the association’s investment portfolio. Treasurer’s Comments includes a…

The Hernando County Airport in Brooksville, Florida, came alive with pirates and pirate ships as the Southeast Area (SEA) Motor Coach Association’s “Treasure Hunt At SEA” rally took place February 4 through 8, 2009. The event attracted more than 1,250 family members …

The RV Friendly signage program was rolling right along. In September 2005 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued an interim approval for states to use the RV Friendly symbol. By the end of 2007, 15 states had enacted RV Friendly legislation or started programs administratively under FHWA’s interim approval.

Now that we are quickly approaching FMCA’s 82nd International Convention, I want to devote this month’s column to that large group of individuals who give so much of their time and talents to make the association’s conventions a success: volunteers.

Some of us might not be as knowledgeable of the Internet and of using Web sites as others. However, I believe that we all would like to learn how to benefit from the advances that have been developed using these forms of communication.

Post-Convention Repair

Dear Editor:
My wife, Mary, and I attended our very first FMCA convention in Perry, Georgia, this past March after having numerous FMCA members encourage us to do so.

Butane Vs. Propane

Could I get some clarification on the propane versus butane issue brought up by Walter A. Szczepanik in his letter (“Propane Or Butane?” page 25) in the October 2008 issue of the magazine?

Navistar has announced NHTSA recall 09V110000, which affects 2001 through 2008 Workhorse Custom Chassis W20, W21, and W22 motorhome chassis manufactured from July 24, 2000, through December 19, 2007.

Back in the February 2009 issue of Family Motor Coaching, I replied to an inquiry from Autumn Rose, who asked whether it would be okay to plug her motorhome shore power line into her stationary home’s 240-volt clothes dryer outlet for the purpose of testing the rooftop air conditioner …

The Versatile Tennis Ball

Tennis balls are among the most useful items you can carry in your motorhome. I use tennis balls on the wiper blade arms to keep the wipers off the glass, and they work with both single-rod and dual-rod arms. Put a slit in a tennis ball and it becomes a …

Magnetic thumbtacks

Good Grips MagTacks from OXO International Ltd. are versatile holders that can be used on both corkboard and steel surfaces to post photos, receipts, coupons, and more.

Winnebago Industries plant tours resume

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into building a modern-day motorhome, you can see for yourself thanks to Winnebago Industries. The company, based in Forest City, Iowa, resumed its tours on April 6 …

When you hit the road this summer, consider these particularly scenic highways, some of the best drives in North America.

What’s the most unusual place or attraction you’ve visited during a motorhome trip?

Golden tips to help you find inexpensive books, compare cell phone plans, avoid extra postal expenses, and more.

Getting shore power to a motorhome requires a hands-on approach to the shore cord. With proper care and maintenance, you can help to assure a good connection each time the vehicle is plugged in. Here are basic tips for caring for an RV’s shore power cord and connections.

The economic downturn has had a profound effect on the RV industry. Uncertainty has left consumers wondering how they will be affected. Following is an update, and some potential answers.

Every two years, FMCA members hold elections for national president, senior vice president, treasurer, and secretary. As I write this, there are five candidates for the office of president and three for senior vice president.

FMCA members attend conventions to shop; to enjoy the entertainment; to meet up with old friends; and, in some cases, to travel to new destinations. They visit FMCA area rallies for the same reasons. 

Repairing wheel rims may be risky

Dear Editor:
An FMCA commercial member contacted us to comment about the fix for the towed vehicle wheel rim described in an April 2009 “Readers’ Forum” letter (“The Tire, The Rim, And The Rock,” page 20). He wrote: “If you are off-roading and dent a steel rim …

Digital TV questions

We have two TV sets in our motorhome on the antenna with the power booster. Will we need the converter box for each set even though the one is digital?

Forest River Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 08V664000, which affects some 2007 through 2009 model-year Georgetown motorhomes.

Carpet replacement

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 1987 motorhome and would like to replace the worn carpet. How was this carpet originally installed by the manufacturer? How do I install the new carpet?

Door stop

Not all of the cabinet doors in my motorhome had “stops” to limit how far they would open and keep the doors from banging into walls or mirrors. This was quickly remedied with a trip to a local home improvement store.

Max A. Durbin, F76454, a tireless champion of FMCA members’ legislative rights, passed away on March 4, 2009, in North Fort Myers, Florida, after a battle with cancer. He was 79.

Shower space addition

The Extend-A-Shower is touted by Stromberg Carlson Products Inc. as “a slideout room for your shower” that can add as much as 30 percent more elbowroom in what often can be cramped quarters.

Several years ago we made our first plane flight into San Francisco, California, arriving in the early evening. As we descended toward the airport, we could see an exceptionally large painted patchwork of rich reds, pale greens, and various shades in between. 

Enjoy the tastes of Appalachia with these easy-to-make Southern recipes.

What’s the best state or province for motorhome travel?

Four reasons underscore why the 2009 Coachmen Avant-Garde Type A gasoline-powered motorhome makes good sense. First, even in these challenging economic times, the base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the Avant-Garde is $102,900, a competitive figure in the Type A motorhome market. Second …

Outdoor outfitters Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops operate destination stores that extend the welcome mat to traveling RVers, offering ample parking at many of their locations.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence surrounds this dramatic point of land, which abounds with breathtaking nature scenes and historical attractions.

If your motorhome is not equipped with an on-board air system, consider a portable air compressor to help complete a variety of maintenance tasks around the coach.

As FMCA members, we take pride in being an extended family and having concern for each other. When a member is in need, there are always others ready to step forward and render assistance. On February 11, FMCA members demonstrated just how far we are willing to go to help.

We occasionally receive inquiries from members who say they are interested in attending an FMCA international convention but are hesitant because they are not familiar with the types of activities that will take place at the event and the services offered.

Fan Mail For Tim Ruddy

Dear Editor:
I always enjoy reading Tim Ruddy’s articles, as  I experience so many “been there, done that” moments. One request of Tim if possible …

Cooling It With A Colorado

I just purchased a 2008 Colorado 4X4 and I am going to tow it behind my RV. I want to know whether I need to do anything other than put the transfer case in “neutral”? Does the steering wheel lock when the key is removed?

Thin Wall Mounting Dilemma

Dear RV Doctor:
The license plate and license light bracket are ready to fall off the rear cap of our motorhome. The screws have become loose. What’s the best way to reattach these items to a thin wall (approximately 1/8-inch thick) with foam insulation behind it?

Drain Plug Handle

Since my husband is not always available to drain the black and gray water tanks, I have had to take on this job. The tanks have disk-type drain plugs that are almost flat when screwed in properly. The only problem is that they are hard to get started and tend to cross thread when …

“Welcome Coastal Tarheels!” greeted Sonny Hooks as he and his team scooted around on their golf carts assisting fellow chapter members with parking. It was a special occasion …

Baseplate pins cover

The Nixtopper Hardware Cover from Adjust-A-Brush is designed to fit over the protruding baseplate tabs or brackets on a towed vehicle to hide the hardware and prevent injuries.