aztec7fan

I suggest you take a look at your July 2017 FMC magazine. Very good article on how to check voltage at RV park pedistals! You don't need very expensive equipment to verify the power is safe before plugging in, and you can show the park what is wrong, and speak the correct language (open ground, reverse polarity, reduced voltage, etc.). It also talks about some of the products mentioned by previous posts here, so you can compare surge protectors and other devices. Chris G. F3508s

What were the problems with the power pedistal? Did you check it with a multi meter before plugging in? What were your findings?

Ok, I did a quick Google search. Do any of these help: https://www.befrugal.com/tools/fly-or-drive-calculator/ https://www.tripsavvy.com/rv-or-motel-cost-effectiveness-459122

At work, we have to have our box trucks and other large vehicles DOT inspected. There are line items for tread depth and any visual damage to the tires or wheels, but the tire age is not part of it. We had tires on one truck over 11 years old and it passed inspection just fine (although I kept trying to get the owner to replace them).

What was the vote count of the governing board? Was it close, unanimous?

I agree, we need to find out where the failure is, not re-invent the wheel. I don't watch too many RV shows, but the few I have watched had plenty of young couples buying motor homes. Chris G. F3508s

I know one reason we are considering allowing towables into FMCA is because the cost of the FMCAssist benefit has been going up, and there have been more than expected claims for this benefit. Why doesn't FMCA make just this benefit available to non-members, to anyone who is willing to pay to purchase it? Let's assume a price of $60.00/year, which makes it competitive with Good Sam's Travelers Assistance. If you are a paid member of FMCA with a qualifying coach (assuming we don't allow towables), then FMCAssist is a free benifit, otherwise, non members can purchase it as well and get some info on FMCA, if they get a qualifying coach in the future. FMCAssist has more features than Good Sams program, so I think it would be popular. Plus, the Good Sam program only covers one person at $59.99, and two people at $69.99. http://www.goodsamtravelassist.com/default.aspx Just a thought, Chris G. F3508s

Several years ago we visited Yellowstone. Camped at Bridge Bay campground with our 32' southwind; no hook ups, and some sites are too small or not level enough for motorhomes, but many sites are fine. Herd of buffalo (bison) came through and destroyed several tents, so we were glad we were in a hard-sided coach. The ranger program in the evening was wonderful. Drove through the park in a van, but I agree with previous posters, parking is limited. Fishing bridge campground does have full hookups, but is like a parking lot.

In Colorado, it's becoming more complicated: Some roads are toll roads all the time, and the transponder just gives you a discount on the toll. (E-470/northwest parkway) Some are HOT lanes (free for 3+ occupants, or toll lanes for fewer occupants). These require a switchable pass to drive on them for free (I-25 through Denver, and US-36 to/from boulder) And some lanes are toll all the time like the new express lanes on I-70 through the mountains. All of these toll lanes & roads allow you to be billed through your license plate, but at a higher rate. Many of these will save you time, especially if you travel at the rush times, so the cost might be worth it. https://www.codot.gov/projects/i-25-hov-express-lanes/rates-violations Chris G. F3508s Has FMCA thought about publishing a list of toll roads in each state, and their payment options?

Being bored, I thought I'd google EV motorhomes and see what came up. Came accross several articles and discussions, including this article from Mark Polk from 6 years ago: http://conventions/polks-top-7-266/3506-polks-top-7-issues-with-an-all-electric-motorhome.html Many good reasons that an EV motorhome would not be feasible, then I began thinking, what if you mounted the large battery bank for the drivetrain on a trailer? Let's assume with today's technology and more batteries, you could get 200+ mile range on one charge. Then, assuming a network could be established, maybe with campgrounds, to have spare trailers on-site and fully charged, you could stop and swap out the trailer and continue for another 200+ miles. This would fit with most of our travel plans where we drive 300-400 miles a day when traveling. The motorhome could still have a gas/diesel generator on board to charge the batteries when boondocking and to extend range even further. Just thinking out loud. Your thoughts? Chris G. F3508s

Wow, Brett! I thought you had some title at FMCA, or at least they offered you a few bucks with all the technical knowledge and wisdom you share here! I'm even more impressed! Thanks Brett for all you do! Chris G. F3508s

I drive an old 1989 southwind gas coach with peeling and faded graphics on the outside. I plan on going to the Rocky Mountain Chapter rally in August up at Central city, CO. I have a 16 year old son, and I'm only 51. I'm curious to see what activities they will have and how I will be treated. RSBILLEDWARDS, feel free to stop by as well. It should be interesting. I'm going because it's their 50th anniversary, and my dad was president of the chapter in '72 & '73. Chris G. F3508s

I believe "coach code" is the 3-digit code assigned to various motorhome makes/models in the "Stoppin Spots" section of your January FMC magazine. SWD = Southwind NMR = Newmarket Industries Chris G. F3508s

I agree, with towables in FMCA, how do we distinguish ourselves from Good Sam? The only differences I see is the FMCAssist benefit, the "stoppin spots", and the Michline Tire Advantage discount. Not much else keeps us from becoming "another Good Sam". Charlie Adcock's April 2017 article "FMCAs Future" was educational, but I still have lots of questions. He says there are fixed costs, but what are they? What positions in FMCA are paid positions and which are volunteer? Do the chapters get any financing from FMCA? There are a lot of chapters that overlap areas and interests. Can we save some $$ by merging a few of them? He says we spent alot of $$ on marketing efforts. Where are we advertising? How well is that advertising working? Spending almost $270K to gain 616 members doesn't seem too affective. Sorry to be so blunt, but before we change our core mission, to cater to motorhomes, I think we need to question everything to try to make the existing model work Thanks, Chris Guenther F3508s

I went through this in february of this year. Dates on 1 of the tires installed was 4608 and two were 2113. I went back the next day and insisted on tires manufactured within the last year. Although the tire dealers say they work with motorhomes all the time, still check behind them. This same dealer inflated the tires too high PSI for the weight of my coach also. Chris G. F3508s Westminster, CO

The slant for these idling violations is primarily for desel vehicles, and idling for comfort or cool down. Another type of idling violation that probably won't apply to most RVs, but still exists is "puffing". This is where the owner leaves their vehicle idling and unattended (while they go inside their home) to warm the vehicle up in the winter months. It's a violation in Colorado, and probably a few other states as well. $100.00 fine. http://www.nbc11news.com/content/news/Warming-up-your-car-unattended-is-illegal-in-Colorado-364803991.html

Great advice from the previous posts! The main thing I would like to add is, driving a motorhome vs a car (on vacation) is a slower pace. It won't come into play on your short maiden voyage, but on longer trips, limit the amount of miles you drive so you can arrive at the next campground before dark. For us, this means at most, about 350 miles in a day. You will appreciate having daylight to be able to set up camp, and have plenty of time to make dinner, or find a place to eat out. This is different than vacationing in a car, where you drive as many miles you can. Also, you may not always drive the posted speed limits with your rig. You will find that most motorhome owners drive around 60-65 mph because there is a significant gas milage savings by driving slower, and fuel is one of our biggest expenses. Enjoy your trip!

We have driven this route several times in our 32' gas coach, not towing anything. You will cross two passes, La Vita pass which is a gradual incline/decline, then Wolf Creek Pass which is much steeper on both sides. Please, don't let the passes bother you, just gear down and engage any supplemental breaking system you have on the down grades. The idea is to reach an equilibrium where you use your brakes very little, if at all. I don't believe you will need to disconnect your towd, but you may get other advice from other people who tow. Be sure to stop in at the "Great Sand Dunes National Park" on the way, and if you have time in Durango, take the narrow gauge train to Silverton. Chris G. F3508s Westminster, CO

Man, if telling people where you live is an infraction on IRV2, I wonder if there's a violation for telling people where they can go? ?

I'm watching this thread with great interest. My 1989 southwind is occasionally "hiccuping", when under load. Seems to happen mostly with a cold engine. Probably needs a tune up and a good check of the vacuum hoses, but im reading all the suggestions here. Need to take care of air bags and alignment before I tackle the engine. Chris G. F3508s

Jlemont, nice buggy! Is that a Meyers Manx?

Herman, thanks for the invite to your anniversary. I'd love to be there, but with work and kids in school, I'll be hard pressed to make it to TX at that time. I believe it was Lee Pundt, from the Lone Star chapter who really helped my dad. I think he had a garage in the area of the rally we were attending, and had all the right tools available to work on our bus. Regards, Chris G.

I disagree with allowing towable into FMCA for two reasons. The first is somewhat selfish. I've been involved with the organization since the late 1960s, and have grown up only knowing FMCA as a "motorhome" club. I agree with the OP that allowing towable would dilute the membership. Some may see this as an "old stick in the mud" attitude, and if thats what it is, I'll accept it. FMCA members with the Lone Star chapter taught my father how to change his duals and fix his brakes at a rally in the mid 1970s, which might have saved our lives. Could people who drive towable have that knowledge? FMCA members drove us kids and my dad's motorhome from the Soux Falls national convention back to Denver when my dad was hospitalized. Could people who drive towables be able to drive a 35' Fitzjohn bus? My second reason to say no to the change is, the organization should be self sustaining, weather we have 20K members or 120K members. If FMCA is losing money after raising membership fees, then more cuts are needed. On top of that, to bring more younger members in, our advertising needs to change. We need to go so far as to "sell" younger RV buyers that a motorhome is a better choice than a towable. Just my 2-cents worth, Chris Guenther F3508s

A 1991 allegro bay was our first motorhome. Loved that rig! That 454 engine should be very reliable for you. Chris G. F3508s P.s. here is my gull wing door car. Not a delorean, but similar...

Just used the Advantage Program to purchase 6 tires for my old Southwind. Saved about $76.00/tire. Thanks FMCA! A bit of advice. Even if the dealer says they deal with motorhomes all the time, and they say they will give you the "freshest" tires they have, be sure to check the date codes on the sidewalls, either before mounting, or before you drive away. With my purchase, I got the coach home, only to find one tire was manufactured in 2008, and two in 2013! Luckily I needed to bring it back to get an alignment, and the dealer was willing to swap the older tires for ones manufactured in 2016. Chris G. Westminster, CO F3508s