elkhartjim

Bill, looking at it from a business standpoint, reduce staff, go strictly to electronic magazine and lower the annual dues to bring in more members. I like your idea of giving away a one year membership with new coaches sold. Make the FMCA Assist an optional program with a separate charge. Not to turn this into a political scene but you can't tax your way out of a financial crisis and by continuing to raise the dues thats exactly what they are doing. We always had a saying in sales that its much easier and less expensive to retain a customer than to get a new customer. If they are truly losing 1000+ members a month, they need to do something quickly or they won't exist in a matter of a few years. Escapees has kept their dues at less than $40 for some time and their membership growth has been descent. Sorry Herman, but I would never walk up to a complete stranger and have a conversation on the merits of FMCA. Why? Other than med assist and a tire program that I question the value of, what does FMCA have to offer? I know, rallys! Like DocJ, I have no interest driving halfway across the country to park shoulder to shoulder with 2000 RV's and go to a seminar. The majority of younger folks don't have the time or interest.

Ross made it perfectly clear, FMCA is bleeding cash. Magazine loosing $300,000 per year and membership numbers dropping like a rock certainly doesn't sound promising.

Base plate: $400 Wiring : 130 Towbar: 1000 Brake Buddy 850 Total Parts $2380 Crazy number of hours 8 x $125/hour = $1000. Total: $3380.00 plus your local taxes I've installed base plates on 5 different vehicles and its never taken me more than 3 hours to install including the light wiring. Like Bill said, if you can find a used towbar on Craigs List, Ebay, etc, thats more money saved.

Social media sites are going nuts on the way FMCA canceled the rallies. Many are saying they will not renew but even worse many are saying they are new to rving and had thought about joining and this will negate that thought. Maybe FMCA is operating on the penny wise pound foolish concept. FMCA is in a lose lose situation unfortunately.

I mentioned several months ago that Camping World was in deep financial trouble and some thought I was nuts. They are quickly draining cash and with the economic downturn due to the virus they could be bankrupt sooner than later. Their debt load is totally out of sync with their income.

I tried to book a site there for the same time about 6 weeks ago and it was full. That has always been our first stop traveling to Big Bend.

My lucky day because I was able to book a full hookup site in the Davis Mountains State Park.

I just called the Rio Grande Village campground and was told the park would be closing at midnight Sunday. Crazy times we're living in.

The park is open but all the campgrounds ordered closed on Monday. I don't know if this includes the parks inside the park. We had reservations at Maverick RV park; I just called and the complete resort will close Monday. https://visitbigbend.com/covid-19/

The Brewster County (Texas) judge issues the order effective Monday, March 23, all hotels, B&B's, campgrounds, etc will close. This is the largest county in Texas and includes the Big Bend National Park. We were planning to go late next week.

This is the best website i've seen addressing the status of campgrounds in the US. https://www.campendium.com/camping/covid-19-state-by-state-campground-closures-responses/

Bill, Oasis recommends exercising the unit on diesel monthly. They also have a1 year, 3 year and 5 year maintenance recommendation. https://itrheat.com/ https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/SS2013OASM12.pdf

I can't believe any of you caught this.

Carl, we'll be at Maverick Ranch beginning April 30 - March 3rd.

Brett, we will be taking the exact same path. Like you, if I don't get to the Big Bend area once a year I'm lacking my fix.

Carl, mostly at s&b on Lake Travis. I think Baylor's spring break started today. We're going to Big Bend March 29 for 10 days. Adirondacks in July and Baltic cruise in August.

Bill, this is whats needed for the Oasis system. Check Amazon.

Bill, do you have Aqua Hot or Oasis? I have an Oasis in my Newmar.

Pilot is making more profit by honoring the Good Sam card only so they have know reason to quibble with Good Sams at this time. I think any form of protest would be better served by contacting Pilot and that has a snowball chance of being any benefit.

The following quote was posted March 3rd on the TSD Logistics Facebook page. "As of the end of the week, Pilot is officially retracting their discounts from our program due to their relationship with Good Sams. Good Sams has an exclusive contract with Pilot which prevents them from giving any discounts to the RV community through any other means. Every other discount is still in place."

Congratulations to you both on the new ride. Welcome to the Newmar family. I'm glad your signature change worked this time. Safe travels.

Carl, we'll have some temperature swings from Colombia, Panama Canal to Machu Picchu. Brett, the seas were exceptionally calm even with 20 knot winds yesterday.

I'm just south of Cuba on the Silversea ship Silver Shadow and its a hot 82° F.

Newmar has specific procedures for the full wall slide. If you will share which year, model and make you have, you will possibly get a more accurate answer. The chassis doesn't dictate which procedure you use, the box sitting on the chassis dictates.