aztec7fan

BTW, towable owners don't corner the market on stupid. take a look at this motorhome owner:

All good comments regarding which type or RV to buy. I would add one additional thought. When traveling with kids, I would suggest the motorhome over any type of towable. I know the cost is a little bit higher, but how many times when traveling in a car did you just get on the road, and then hear the comment "I need to go to the bathroom"!. With the motorhome, they can use the facilities without having to stop and go back to the trailer or find a rest area. Also, the seating is more comfortable than being cramped in the back seat of the car.

I would also recommend staying within the park at Grand Canyon, possibly at Trailer Village. The shuttle service is great and very reliable. If you have time, be sure to take the red route to Hermits Rest, especially in the morning before the crowds pile up. Important note! Be sure to get reservations at the campground as early as possible! Some suggest getting them a year in advance during busy times. I would also 2nd the suggestion to go through Colorado on I=70. Glennwood canyon is impressive, and a dip in the hot springs pool is wonderful! Also try to see some of the other National Parks in Utah such as Brice, Zion, Arches, etc. All worth seeing. Chris Guenther F3508s Westminster, CO

I just thought I'd let you know of something I've come across at a few RV parks in the last few years. I'll start off by saying I don't belong to any other clubs or memberships (Good Sam, TT, KOA, etc.), so that might make a difference for some readers. In several occasions, while checking into a campground/RV park for the night, the manager will ask if I have any discounts, and sometimes list a few. Even if they don't mention it, I will mention FMCA? More than once, they have given me a discount, even if the park is not an FMCA Commercial Member themselves. It's worth a try and may save you a few $$ down the road. Happy Trails, Chris Guenther F3508s

You are not alone. My parents full timed for 8 months with 2 kids and 2 dogs in our 35' fitzjohn with no towd. They were both teachers, so we had each summer off and continued traveling without a car behind. With my two motorhomes since the mid 1990s, we have never traveled with a towd either. As far as the trip, you might want to try I-70 through colorado on one of the times crossing the continental divide. Very scenic!

The two campgrounds I'm familiar with inside the park is Fishing Bridge, and Bridge Bay. If you don't need full hookups, I would recommend trying to get into Bridge Bay. Some sites are too small or not level, but many will accommodate you coach just fine. We stayed there for 4 days in our 32' coach and we're quite comfortable. There is room to put your awning out and watch the bison walk by. Even if there are no sites available here to reserve, stop in when you arrive, and see if there are any first come, first served sites available. They will not measure you. Fishing Bridge is OK too, but you are parked very close to your neighbor on both sides, and you can't have a campfire.

We have taken many trips in late March from our home in Colorado to other parts of the country. Always have the furnace running while driving for comfort. Never have had any problems with freezing, even in 20 degree temps. Only problem one time we woke up to a frozen water pump. I would recommend running a light bulb in the water pump area for additional heat. 1989 southwind 32' Chris g. f3508s

In Colorado, also try this guy. Dynoman Diesel Emissions 10420 E 106th Ave Ste B, Brighton, CO Very reasonable and fast.

Instead of looking at production coaches, what about looking at converted commercial busses? I've seen a few in the $40,000-50,000 range.

Try this link first: http://www.rvservicereviews.com/ The site will list repair shops in whatever area you are in and give reviews from owners who have had service done. Also look for fleet service shops in your area. These places usually can deal with your rv chassis, and they are used to getting things done quickly for fleets of vehicles.

Hi Ralph, welcome (back) to the FMCA. Although I don't think we ever met, we're from the same Era of the club. My parents were members from 1968 until my dad passed two years ago. I've been a member off and on since 1997. If you ever want to talk about FMCA of the 1970s drop me a personal message. Chris guenther F3508s

Not sure how you are trying to sell the coach (craigslist, ebay, for sale sign, consignment, etc.), but if you are posting photos online, be sure to remove clutter and personal items. I like to look at coaches online for sale just to keep abreast of the prices, and a big turn off is to see a very lived in coach, clutter, unmade beds, tools out near the engine, etc. Also, overdone personalized items (bunny rabbit motif curtans, slip covers, blankets, pot holders, etc.) throughout the coach can be a negative. Stage it like a house for sale with nutural items that appeal to the masses. As far as the nose cap, would a dark vinyl bra cover it?

Also try Fleetwood themselves: http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/partsandservice/ They've been able to get parts for my 1989 southwind, so your 2001 model bounder should be no problem. You will love having the motor home with your kids. Don't just use it for trips. When my teenaged son wants a sleep over with his friends, we park ours in front of our house and let them sleep in there. On the 4th of July we Take it to the park, and while other people are roasting under the sun and having to use porta-potties, we are comfortable under the awning, and using our own toilet. Chris G. Westminster, CO f-3508s

Try this group... https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MotorhomesP-30GM/conversations/messages There are several experts on that group who know the Chevy 454 P-30, engine/chassis you have.

Try fleet management services in commerce city: http://www.fleetmanagementservicesinc.com/page2.html They have done great work on my old Southwind, and all the different trucks at my work. Chris g. F3508s Westminster, co

You might want to check out the cuaroe estados chapter: http://cuatroestados.com/ They mention they do 4x4 trips.

Ok, mapquest says to take the southern route through Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. I would suggest going a little further north through Kansas City and Denver via I-70. You will see some amazing scenery through the Colorado mountains. Glennwood canyon is not to be missed, and you will find lots of unusual shops and eateries along the way, especially in Georgetown, and many of the ski towns. Once you get to Utah, you will have plenty of national parks to stay at such as Arches, Bryce, Zion, and Natural Bridges.

Another solution if you think you might get stuck in this situation, or for extra insurance, carry chains with you. I picked some up the first year I purchased my motor home. I haven't used them yet, but i almost put them on when i woke up to 6" of snow on an easter weekend in a campground. I had to drive up several steep hills, and wasn't sure i would make it, but my old southwind dragged us out. Chris G. F3508-s

If you want the details of how my parents and i fell in love with motorhomes, just check out the Jolly Green Giant article in the Dec. 2013 issue of FMC: http://www.fmcmagazine.com/back-issues/2013/december/3352-the-jolly-green-giant.html Basically, i loved the motorhome lifestyle so much, i conviced my wife we needed one in 1997, a year after our first son was born. We've actually moved up and down the spctrum of RVs going from the motor home, to a tent trailer, to tents, and now another motorhome. As far as traveling song, i love "Ive Trucked All Over This Land" by C.W. McCall. Sure. It talks about trucking, but change the word "Trucking" to "Camping", and it applies to many of us. Chris G. F3508-s

What type of generator? Are you getting spark when turning over? The fuel pump should be on the generator. Check for an in line filter on the fuel line from the tank. Chris g. F3508-s

Ken, if you will be running your heating system to keep it comfortable in the living quarters, you should not have to winterize the water system. Most modern basement unit motorhomes provide enough heat to the lower part of the rig to prevent it from freezing. I sometimes leave the courtesy light on in the compartment with the water pump just for some extra heat. If you will be turning off the heat for any amount of time in freezing temps, this is when you would want to winterize it. Chris g F3508s Westminster, CO

Also check youtube. you'd be suprised how many DIY videos are on there on all different types of repairs.

What about putting together a Facebook page for kids of FMCA? This way, the kids who meet at the reunions can continue to communicate throughout the year, and possibly arrange meetings at local chapter rallies. It could be run/organized in part by the TATs president and other members, with support by FMCA. What do you think?

Here are some resources for you: Champion motorhomes Yahoo group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ChampionMotorhomes/info This is an old website, but it might contain some info you can use. Most links no longer work: https://web.archive.org/web/20111012151859/http://www.championfleetowners.org/ Good luck in your quest for knowledge. Chris G F3508s