aztec7fan

Jim, It's great to hear from you and I'm glad you took the time to write. I also just now finished reading your PM to me as well. It's interesting that you and I aquired our first coaches around the same time. I got my first one in 1997 (which was a 1991 Allegro Bay). I had to get rid of that one around 2004, and I just picked up my current Southwind about 3 years ago. You are correct, my parents did travel with a horse trailer to a couple of rally's which does bring up a good story: On one trip we had two horses which my sister Karina rode in some shows. On this same trip, my aunt Cindy asked if we could stop by Chinchotegue (sorry for the incorrect spelling) and pick up a pony she had just purchased for their farm in Mass. My dad's original thought was to modify the two-horse trailer (he is a mechanical engineer you know) to accommodate the pony in the front. Once we got to the pick up point, we realized the pony would not fit in the new space, so he got the bright idea of having the horse in the bus. We covered the floor with rain slickers and hay and with a ramp and several strong men we got the pony into the Fitzjohn and drove to the FMCA rally (Northeast chapter I believe). My sister was in girl heaven, what other girl can brag that she had a pony in her bedroom! We arrived late at the rally site and the next morning we were all wakened by the pony whinning that it time to do it's business. The rest of the attendees of the rally knew my fater was crazy when we all piled out the next morning, including the pony, and my dad was seen shoveling horse manuer out our back window. I was only 4-5 years old when we stayed at your place, but my dad still remembers that he asked your dad one time, where do I empty my holding tanks? (shhhh, this was against FMCA Code of Ethics at the time). Your dad just told him to open his valves and drive around the field. I would love to see any of those photos you have from those early rally's and gatherings. As soon and you have the time to get them scanned and uploaded, let me know. I have a few here but they are mostly from national conventions and rally's out west: http://community.fmc...classic-photos/ Those were special times with everybody learning something from everyone else. At one rally my dad learned how to remove his dual wheels properly. At another rally a member spend several hours helping my dad get his rear axles repaired. If you saw another motor home on the side of the road you stopped to help because we were all one family. My dad was wondering what ever happened to your parents Flx? I was also wondering if the barn that the FMCA helped raise still being used? Good to hear from you, Chris Guenther

Ok, I think I figured it out. It's an early 1980s Pace Arrow. I was wrong about the Tioga since those are all Class C coaches. Sorry DandT, but the windows don't look right to be an Executive, and my guess about the Southwind was wrong too, because the back on this coach is angled and the Southwind has a straight back and straight ladder. Bring up pictures of Pace Arrows (like 1983) and you will see the same angled back end and same small louvered bedroom window. Now I'm curious, why did you want to know?

It's too bad the picture is slightly distorted and you can't see the front clearly, but it looks like a mid-1980's coach like a Pace Arrow or Tioga. Possibly a Southwind. Looks to be about 28-30' long.

One thing to consider is that tire manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced around 7 years of age. If they replaced the original 1996 tires around 2003-2004, that means the tires now are 8-10 years old and all should be replaced. As far as manufacturer, many people swear by Michelins because they ride "softer" and their RV specific tires are designed to last longer, but they are pricier than other brands.

Fishing Bridge is a good campground if you are looking for hookups, but it has more of a "parking lot" feel. A couple of years ago we stayed at Bridge Bay campground which is also in Yellowstone. No hookups and some of the sites are not level, but I believe it is more scenic. Also, you have a picnic table and fire ring for evening cookouts which Fishing Bridge does not. Also check out one of the caves in the Mount Rushmore area, Wind Cave or Jewel Cave. I would second the vote for staying in Stockade Lake North campground in Custer State Park when you go to Mount Rushmore. The park is great and the drives around the area are not to be missed.

Probably not your issue, but something to think about: We originally had a 1991 Tiffin Allegro Bay (gas, Ford chassis). We took it out on it's first test drive and it would get up to 55 mph, then die back to 50 mph, and the engine ran really loud. I called Tiffin, asking if there was a governor on the engine and they said no. I checked with Ford and local mechanics and they confirmed, no governor. I took the coach on the highway again and noticed that the shifter seated itself in 2nd gear very easily, and you had to back it up slightly to get it into 3rd gear. No more problems.

Yep, alot were Flx's, but not all. Some were GMC's, Marmon Harringtons and many others were converted school buses. That's why the Code of Ethics had to have rules about covering the lights and changing the paint. FMCA didn't want to have any "undesirables" e.g. "Hippies" joining! My parents motor home was a 1957 Fitzjohn Roadrunner. Rumor was, much of the interior work was done by Custom Coach. That bus is still around today owned by someone who is re-doing the interior and parks it in a cave when not in use. And DESERTDEAL, yes, the "real" plates were made out of aluminum. I wish I still had my dad's

I still use my parents original # as well F-3508-s. The plates have always been referred to as "Goose Eggs" since the early days of FMCA. I love finding them when I take my evening walk in RV parks and campgrounds. Alot more motorhomes out there without them on, than with.

Ben, I don't know if I'd be much help in regards you looking for much younger RVers, but I'm 46 and my wife is 41, and we have 2 kids, 16 and 11. I'm in Colorado, so may not get your way much, but you're welcome to stop in if you come out our way. I also grew up with FMCA and my parents joined after attending a rally with the New England chaper around 1968. I'm originally a Conn. Yankee from Cheshire CT, and miss the new england area. Did you keep your parents F-number (with an S attached)?

Have you ever gone to the main page and clicked on some of the reviews with low ratings (I do it since many of them can be very entertaining!)? There is plenty of ranting and dumping going on and it looks like the admins allow almost anything in the review, unless it's obvious the review is "suspicious" like another competing park giving a bad review.

With the campaigns for the 2012 election in full swing, I just thought I'd bring up some FMCA presidential history: FMCA has had a brush with at least two US Presidents.... http://community.fmca.com/gallery/image/2236-nixon/ http://community.fmca.com/gallery/image/2237-reagan/

May I reccomend Fleet Management Services (http://www.fleetmanagementservicesinc.com/index.html) Also in Commerce City. They work on our companies fleet of gas and deisel trucks and cars as well as working on my motor home and personal cars. They just fixed my daily driver Grand Am today that stopped working very quickly and very reasonably priced.

I don't mind KOA too much since they are usually clean, well managed, and convienent. My only problem is that they charge extra for every person over two people. Whenever I comparison shop for a park to stay at for the night I usually need to add $10-15.00 to their advertised price for all the little extras ($3.00/additional people, $3.00 for pull through site since there are no back in sites available, $3.00/person to use their mini-golf, etc., etc.)

After 3 years in our current coach, I can say I have only used our TV once to watch anything from Cable/Sat/Broadcast. The kids are usually using our TV to play the PS3 or we are enjoying the outside or playing games. Ocasionally we will put in a movie to watch. I actually removed our bat-wing antenna and hooked up to cable once to watch a sporting event.

Just wanted to let parents and grandparents know that they can save some money by buying some school supplies at Office Depot and using this discount card from FMCA: http://www.fmca.com/...iscount-program I used it, and when I spent about $108.00 on supplies for my two kids, I saved about $26.00. Be careful though, many of their items are more expensive than Walmart and other discount stores. I ended up taking a few things back since they were cheaper/better somewhere else, but I still saved $$.

Hi folks, I was just wondering if there are any sons or daughters or other relatives of early FMCA members here and if you might want to share your experiences when you were a child attending FMCA events. Also, I have several scrap books from the late 1960's and 1970's with a few pictures from FMCA events and my parents may have captured your family at one of these events. Also, I have some stories I can share with you and you may have some stories you might remember as well. My parents took extended trips and frequently looked in on FMCA members designated as "Stop-over spots" and I have some stories from staying with these folks as well. I'm particularly looking for any relatives of these folks: Audrey and Bud Stone (F3) Cindy and Roger Jenkins (F1678) Erna and Hanz Heidera F2378 Mr. and Mrs Lou Hamilton (F479) John and Lee Pundt (F1390) Seymour and Betty Johnson (F802) "Billie" and "Doc" Watkins (F1272) Eileen and Mabin Wensley (F1272) Mr. Gilford Eerdman (F3038) Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bishop (F1496) Mr. and Mrs. Terry Kolb (A986) Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mathias (F2370) If not here, try to find me at the convention in Gillette WY in 2013. If $$ and time permit, I hope to be there with my family.

I hope you don't mind me freshing up this topic, but ever since the "Occupy Wall Street" and the later, copycat "Occupy XXX" campains begain, some cities have or are thinking of putting "no camping" ordinances in their books. I wonder how these ordinances would affect camping in city parks, truck stops, Cracker Barrell, Wal Mart and other places in those city limits?

My first suggestions to any new motorhome owner is don't drive it like you used to take trips in your car. When you're younger and take family trips in a car you drive as much as you can each day to get to your destination or your next hotel. Not in a motorhome. You will find that many motorhome owners will usually drive 2-3 hours in the morning, stop for lunch, and then 2-3 hours in the afternoon. This will allow you to get to the campground (assuming you are staying in one) while it's still light, allow you to set up and unwind from driving and possibly go into town for some sight seeing, or sit out under your awning and enjoy the rest of the day. The motorhoming life is a more relaxed lifestyle. Also, try not to always drive on the interstates. look at the maps, or your GPS and try to drive through some small towns and "red roads". You will be suprized what you find on the backroads of this country (and Canada and Mexico).

What are your concerns? It really hasn't changed much in 10 years. Rocky Ford still has great melons, The Royal Gorge is still scenic, but kind of a tourist trap, Monarch pass is steep but managable, and Blue Mesa Resivoir still has great fishing.

I my line of work, we deal with homes and business that have been damaged from fires, floods, etc. We hire an electronics specialty company to remove the electronics and they told us that when transporting flat screen TV's, the LCD's can be laid flat, but the plasma ones need to be stored and transported upright at all times. Just something to consider when installing which ever you choose.

On our trip last week, the kids were applying one of those spray sun screens and it went off. Also went off when pilot blew out on the refrigerator while I was driving down the road and opened a window too much. I know, big debate about whether to run 'fridge while driving, but I like my food cold, and with it being opened occasionally while driving by the kids and wife getting drinks, it could warm up quite a bit by the time we arrive at our destination.

I just recieved my latest issue of FMC magazine with the directory in the back. I was wondering where the section listing the Stoppin' spots, stop over spots and mechanics helpers were listed. Has this feature been eliminated?

Here's a completely different type of topic, just for a fun discussion: My son recently got me into watching the series on AMC called "The Walking dead". Basically 99% of humans are dead or zombies, and the few surviving members band together and travel together trying to find others. They travel in a mix of vehicles, but the main vehicle is a 1970's Winnabego Brave, which frequently breaks down with a radiator hose problems. My question is, if you are one of the few surviving members of the human race, wouldn't you "upgrade" to a better motor home, something built in the last few years with a good working generator, water filtration system, and possibly clothes washer/dryer? Happy travels!