aztec7fan
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Posts posted by aztec7fan
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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)?
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I agree with posting at the above review site. But don't get carried away with your ranting about your personal experience with the campground because I doubt that it will get approved by the Admin staff. I've used the site for years. I suspect that all of us could rightfully dump on a campground or two, but I've never seen a review there that actually allows one to blatantly do it.
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.
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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....
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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 $$.
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Hi folks, I was just wondering if there are any sons or daughters or other relatives of early FMCA members here and if you might want to share your experiences when you were a child attending FMCA events. Also, I have several scrap books from the late 1960's and 1970's with a few pictures from FMCA events and my parents may have captured your family at one of these events.
Also, I have some stories I can share with you and you may have some stories you might remember as well.
My parents took extended trips and frequently looked in on FMCA members designated as "Stop-over spots" and I have some stories from staying with these folks as well.
I'm particularly looking for any relatives of these folks:
Audrey and Bud Stone (F3)
Cindy and Roger Jenkins (F1678)
Erna and Hanz Heidera F2378
Mr. and Mrs Lou Hamilton (F479)
John and Lee Pundt (F1390)
Seymour and Betty Johnson (F802)
"Billie" and "Doc" Watkins (F1272)
Eileen and Mabin Wensley (F1272)
Mr. Gilford Eerdman (F3038)
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bishop (F1496)
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Kolb (A986)
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mathias (F2370)
If not here, try to find me at the convention in Gillette WY in 2013. If $$ and time permit, I hope to be there with my family.
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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?
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Hello Everyone,
Just bought a new to us 2002 Kountrystar.
Very exited to enjoy it.
This is our first motorhome, so we're looking forward for do and don'ts with the Family and Maintaining.
All comments and opinions welcome.
Thanks in Advance
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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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!
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Try selling it on Craigslist.org or other local site. My guess is if it's a gas unit you could get $8-10K, and if it's a Diesel, possibly $15K or more. That's much more than what you could get written off taxes for donating it.
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I've read thread after thread on this board talking about how FMCA is dying, the membership is dwindling and losing money, and the arguments back and forth about allowing towables or not. I came to the realization that no matter how many times I post my opinion about these issues, I haven't solved anything, so I decided to act. I ordered a G.R.O.W packet (http://www.fmca.com/...heels-grow.html) and started handing out my old issues of FMC magazine with the informational papers and the free issue cards to motor home owners I know (ahem, not towable owners). I've already handed out several and more are on the way. Hopefully this effort will help in a small way gain membership. Anyone else out there who is not actively recruiting new membership, should start now by doing the same. Do the math, if only 20% of the current members got ONE family to join, this would go a long way to getting us back over the magic 100,000 members.
Now I'm not blind. I see there are dissatisfied members, and I feel there are many places FMCA can improve and grow:
1) The TATS need to become more organized so they become more than just a babysitting service at the national conventions. They should be visable on a social networking site like Facebook, and possibly take up some national cause like increasing recycling while camping. There used to be a national TATS President, why not again?
2) People need to be the focus of the magazines, not the coaches and advertisers. There were people on the front cover of the January 2012 issue! Keep it up! It used to be, we would hear about individual travels of members, and a couple of times there was a "Family of the Year" Let's do it again!
3) I would like to hear more about people "using" their coaches, not just living in them. How about articles about taking the coach skiing, using it to tailgate, or go to a car race. Heck, one time, my parents took their coach to a wedding.
4) How about being able to donate the $10.00 we get when recruiting new members to our favorite school? The school would benefit, and this might raise awareness of our organization.
Finally, why are there only 5 states that will accept the national convention? Are you sure there are 43 states in this great country (yes, I can add, I eliminated Alaska and Hawaii) that won't accept the revenue from 2,000 motorhomes converging on their state? I know some may not have the proper facilities, but now that attendance is down, some areas should be re-visited.
When I worked for a large telecom company, they kept drilling in our heads that if we kept doing the same thing, we would get the same results. Keep this in mind.
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I agree with the previous posts that you may have some junk in the tank and it occasionally is causing blockage in the fuel pump, or possibly another filter in the tank. Another slight possibility, could it be temp related? You seem to have the problem only after driving for a while, albight sometimes for a long while. Is a heat sheild near the fuel pump loose or missing? could the pump be getting warm and after the coach sits, the heat builds up more in the fuel pump area? Have your mechanic check fuel pressure after the coach has run for a while.
Also possibly an vapor lock problem?
How long did the coach sit? is it possible some of the old fuel varnished? I wouldn't think so since you've filled it several times, but there might still be some pockets of bad fuel in the tank.
I have a 1989 Southwind with the 454 engine and performance so far is great. I do need to change my fan clutch though, and I'm just waiting for the time, $$$, and warmer temps to do so.
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My dad used to tesch skiing at Winter Park Colorado, and we would frequently stay for the weekend in the parking lot in our 1957 Fitzjohn. We were very comfortable with the space heaters and never had problems with any water system freezing.
Just one bit of advice. Make sure your CO2 sensor is working fine and has good batteries. In Colorado, the winter weather can creat an inversion where warmer air is actually held at ground level and when this happens, there is no wind. Because of this situation, while we were running the generator at night, CO2 built up in the motor home, and we were wakened (thankfully) in the middle of the night with the dogs throwing up and splitting headachs.
I don't think this would happen in your case since you said you would only run the genny a couple of hours a day, but you can never be too careful.
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Check out RV Fog Dr. http://rvfogdr.com/
They have a 2 year warrenty and I've heard a couple of people were very happy with the results. They are a member of FMCA too!
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Young adults with families do not want or can't afford a motorhome. They want a towable with room to sleep a family or a toy hauler to carry their atv's. This is the young blood that we need to grow our organization. We are aging out and need to attract young families.
Paul, twice now you have said this in your posts and I have to completely disagree. I have a motorhome and I am not retired or over 55. I have two boys ages 15 and 11 and I've had tent trailers, camped in tents and I'm now on my 2nd motorhome. I bought our latest one with some money I saved for $6500.00. It's not pretty but it serves it's purpose to take my family on an occasional vacation or trip to the mountains. My neighbor across the street just bought himself a 1970's Titan motorhome which is ugly as sin, but he only paid $1,000 for it. He just got rid of a trailer project he was working on to get this instead. He has an 11 year old boy who plays with my kids all the time. My boss at work owns a newer class C and his wife and their 10 year old daughter take it out a few times a year, and another co-worker has a motorhome up in the Pouder canyon they visit several times a year with their kids. (and yes, I've shown each of these people the FMC magazine, but none are interested in joining)
My point is, all types of families can and do own motorhomes, so don't automatically assume that they don't.
Also, shame on all of you for suggesting that towables should be allowed into this club just for some quick cash. This club was founded specifically for motohome owners and doing anything else spits on the hard work and dedication the founders put in to make this club what it is today. I believe Ken Scott wound be disgusted that we are even considering such a thing and this would be his "pipe nightmare" rather than his "Pipe Dream".
Rather than making this club like any other club where "we just want your $40.00, now you're on your own", we need to set ourselves apart from Good Sam and any other club like it. There is nothing wrong with that organization, but I just feel FMCA can be and will be a higher quality organization. I've already offered many suggestions on other threads, so I won't repeat myself. I just feel there are hundreds of thousands of motorhomes out there, and we should be able to make this business work as is without resorting to drastic measures. They made it work in the 1970's with 5,000 and 10,000 members, why can't we make it work today with 87,000? Do we have that much overhead and costs to cover?
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I'm thinking of taking the motorhome skiing this winter and staying near a ski area where I can use shuttles to get around the area. I would like to find a place where I can plug in, so the heater and other appliances won't drain the batteries. So far, the only place I can think that's open in the winter Tiger Run Resort in Breckenridge. Does anyone have any other suggestions on where to stay?
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1+ on this response, The F in FMCA stands for family, it seems like in our membership the family is general an older retired couple (I'm one of them), we need to get the younger the younger crowd involved if the organization is to survive. I think it's time to expand our membership to towables, as has been suggested in the past, they seem to be the younger crowd needed to sustain an orginazation.
Sorry, I disagree on allowing the towables into our group, but I do agree we need to attract a younger following. Here are some suggtestions:
1) When was the last time you saw PEOPLE on the cover of the FMC magazine? I have some old issues of FMC from the 1960's and 70's and they frequently showed families (yes, sometimes with children) enjoying the motohome lifestyle. There were covers with families skiing, and enjoying the outdoors, and also pictures of rallies and conventions. These days, the cover only shows the latest and greatest coach, shich appeals to the advertizers, more than to people.
2) FMCA needs to set itself apart from the other clubs as the best group to join and belong to. If you compare FMCA and Good Sam, they are very similar. We both have helpful informative magazine, good website, discounts for insurance and roadside assistance and other perks, rallies and conventions and fellowship. So why should someone with limited funds (like a working stiff like me) shell out $40.00 to belong to FMCA over Good Sam? Belonging to GS actually gets more campground discounts than FMCA, so again, I ask, why choose FMCA?
We need to get more RV parks and campgrounds to join us and offer even a minimal discount to add value to the FMCA membership. We also need to highlight the "Stoppin' Spots" part of our membership as something no other club has.
We as members need to also look for opportunities to get into local media by our actions as FMCA members. I remember in the 1970's a large number of members helped Audry and Bud Stone "raise the roof" on their barn to accomodate their motor home conversion. This made the local papers and attracted interest in the club. What about selecting a charity and raising money for it by driving accross a state or the country?
Just some thoughts, thanks for listening,
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I had reason to call Coachnet 3 weeks ago when my coach started overheating in the Colo. mountains. At first I just wanted some technical assistance since they say this is part of their services. All I needed was confirmation of where my thermostat was located on my engine (I was pretty sure I knew where it was, but wanted to make sure. After being asked a bunch of questions and being transfered to a "technician" I was told, "I'm not sure where the thermostat is, but it should have a wire running to it".
I called back later to inquire about towing, hoping they would tow me to Denver, but they would only tow me to the nearest repair facility (I expected this so was not too suprised). I think I will still keep them for the chance I would need towing while out of state, or need my spare tire mounted, but I'm not going to count on the "technical assistance".
To answer the original question, yes they would cover the tow. This is a one-time service, I think once a year.
Saw Lots of FMCA Plaques In Elma WA.
in General Discussion
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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.