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FMCANationalOffice

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  1. No accessory kits have been set aside specifically for FMCA members, according to a Fiat Chrysler spokesman. Questions should be directed to the Jeep Customer Assistance Center, (877) 426-5337. When more information becomes available, we'll post it immediately in Forums.
  2. Family Motor Coaching magazine has published its annual Towables Guide since 1999, and each year, the list of vehicles that can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome has included various Subaru models that are equipped with a manual transmission. The list is based on information FMC receives from each manufacturer, including Subaru. However, it appears Subaru is rethinking its position on flat towing. Recently, FMC heard from several FMCA members who were told by Subaru employees that Subarus should not be flat towed behind a motorhome. FMC immediately contacted the company. Subaru’s corporate office is researching the matter and as of April 5 has not provided a definitive answer as to whether the company has changed its policy regarding flat towing. However, when an FMC editor called Subaru customer service, the Subaru representative said the company recommends towing via a flatbed trailer, except in emergency situations. FMC will continue to seek clarification. When more information becomes available, it will be posted FMCA’s Forums and published in the magazine.
  3. This member has been contacted. There was a misunderstanding of the language where they believed the FMCAssist program had to approve their overall travel plans. The language is intended to mean that the emergency travel plans must be coordinated by or approved by Seven Corners.
  4. To clarify, as of this date, Subaru has not changed its owners manuals in regard to flat towing. The owners manuals have not specifically mentioned towing behind a motorhome or an RV for at least the last three years (2013-2016). However, owners manuals for the Forester, Impreza, WRX,and XV Crosstrek do contain a section titled "towing with all wheels on the ground." Subaru, as of November 2015, confirmed to FMCA that certain 2016 models, when equipped with manual transmission, are towable four wheels down behind a motorhome. FMCA is now in contact with Subaru to determine if that policy has changed. Such answers are not always quick in coming. We will post updates as soon as they are available.
  5. We continue to hear from FMCA members who call the Jeep Customer Assistance Center -- 877-426-5337 -- to inquire about the wobble issue, but find themselves talking to someone who knows nothing about it. When this happens, insist on talking to a supervisor. That seems to work. Fiat Chrysler has told us that all Jeep Cherokee owners will be contacted, however the timeline for that to happen is still unclear. Also, the Jeep Customer Assistance Center is advising people not to flat tow the Cherokee until the new accessory has been installed. FMCA will post more information in Forums as soon as it becomes available.
  6. Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) has announced a search for its next executive director. After more than 16 years of service to the association, Jerry Yeatts has resigned from this position, and a committee is being formed to conduct the search. “We appreciate the many contributions Jerry Yeatts made to Family Motor Coach Association,” commented FMCA president Charlie Adcock. “Jerry began his time at FMCA as the director of conventions and commercial services and was responsible for coordinating many successful events, among them FMCA’s largest-ever convention to date. He stepped into the role of executive director at a challenging time for the RV industry and for FMCA, and he helped to set the course that we are on today toward renewed growth. As a motorhome owner himself, Jerry understands the needs of FMCA members and motorhome owners in general and was an advocate for FMCA and its members within the industry and beyond. We thank Jerry for his dedication to FMCA during the past sixteen years, and we wish him well.” Family Motor Coach Association leaders have begun the process of seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of executive director and help guide the association as it continues in its mission to promote and enhance the motorhome lifestyle.
  7. A Jeep Cherokee owner need not be a member of FMCA to get the Jeep Cherokee accessory for flat towing. Call the Jeep Customer Assistance Center, (877) 426-5337. FMCA, however, played a significant role in helping get the issue resolved. And as Herman Mullins noted above, there are many other benefits of FMCA membership. In terms of the cost of the accessory and who must pay for it, the statement Fiat Chrysler released on January 20, 2016, said that Fiat Chrysler would provide the new accessory for free to those several dozen Cherokee owners who the company knew had experienced towing problems up to that point. Others would have to pay. The cost has been described as "modest," but an exact figure has not been provided. When we get that information, we'll pass it along.
  8. This is John Johnston, associate editor at Family Motor Coaching magazine. After I was contacted by the FMCA member who posted the comment directly above, I, too, called the Jeep Customer Assistance Center, (877) 426-5337. Unfortunately, I had a similar experience with the Jeep rep I spoke with. She had never heard of the wobble problem, and asked if I had contacted a dealer about it. I then reached out again to my contact at Fiat Chrysler corporate, and was told that information had been shared with all the FCA agents answering the phones at the customer assistance center. It's important to note that Fiat Chrysler has not yet contacted dealers or Cherokee owners about the wobble problem. As noted earlier by Fiat Chrysler, updated instructions on towing the Jeep Cherokee are not expected until late February, at the earliest.
  9. This is John Johnston, associate editor at Family Motor Coaching magazine. I contacted an official at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) about the above questions. Apparently there was an internal misunderstanding at FCA regarding when the Jeep Customer Assistance Center would start taking questions about the wobble issue. But that has been straightened out, according to the FCA spokesman, and FCA product specialists are now available to take questions at (877) 426-5337. (877-IAMJEEP). As for what Jeep Cherokee owners are supposed to do until the modification is made, this is the Fiat Chrysler response: "All owners will receive updated instructions starting next month. These instructions supersede any previously communicated information -- including that which is currently in customer hands. FCA US apologizes for any inconvenience." I asked for clarification on when next month the updated instructions will be available. The FCA spokesman's response: Late February. "But be assured our supplier is indeed tooling up." If anyone calls the Jeep Customer Assistance Center about the wobble issue and finds that the FCA rep doesn't know what you're talking about, let me know, either by posting here or emailing me at jjohnston@fmca.com.
  10. Fiat Chrysler today (January 20, 2016) released the following information exclusively to Family Motor Coaching magazine. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) has announced plans for resolving a problem that sometimes occurs when 2014-16 Jeep Cherokees are towed four wheels down behind a motorhome. FCA released a statement in response to inquiries by Family Motor Coaching magazine and concerns of a number of Jeep owners who reported problems when flat towing their Cherokees. The owners reported that the vehicle sometimes wobbles significantly, raising safety concerns. The wobble reportedly has occurred at slow speeds and at highway speeds, and has happened with a variety of motorhomes and towing systems. The only way to stop the wobble, owners have said, is to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The FCA statement said: “Under certain operating conditions, such as traveling excessively bumpy or poorly maintained roads, the flat-towed vehicle may not consistently track in line with the tow vehicle.” The cause, according to the statement: “The vehicle’s Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system is inactive while the vehicle is being flat-towed with the ignition in the ‘off’ position. Accordingly, the vehicle does not benefit from the system’s function.” A Jeep official said the company knows of several dozen Cherokee owners who have experienced the problem. For those owners, FCA will “provide a complimentary jumper wire harness and switch to ensure the vehicle’s EPS system has power to function while it is being flat-towed. These components have been engineered and validated by FCA US LLC and will be made available to all customers through MOPAR, as early as January 29. In addition, all Cherokee owners will be contacted directly by FCA US and provided with updated instructions for flat-towing. These instructions supersede all previous instructions. Also, the vehicle’s online owners manual will be updated.” Family Motor Coaching brought the problem to the attention of Fiat Chrysler in September 2015 after an FMCA member contacted the magazine and provided a link to a video showing a Cherokee wobbling as it was being towed behind a motorhome. FCA assigned engineers and technicians to investigate and resolve the problem. For more information, Cherokee owners can call the Jeep Customer Assistance Center at (877) 426-5337.
  11. Tommy: Your hidden account info might be related to the Web browser you are using. Try Firefox or Chrome. You will receive your membership plates and a new-member packet within two to three weeks, via postal mail. Your membership card will arrive with your March issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine. Until then, you can print a paper copy of your card. Once you are signed in, hover your mouse over "My Account." Next, click "View My Member Profile." Finally, click the "Print Membership Card" button. The shopping cart on the FMCA Store site appears to be working on the major browsers and operating systems. Just click the "Add to Cart" button, and the item should show up when you click the "Shopping Cart" icon/link at the top of the page.
  12. Hi, Stephen. Thank you for posting on the FMCA Forums. I'll throw out a few bits of information that might help. Several motorhome manufacturers specially outfit motorhomes for RVers with physical challenges. Among them are Winnebago Industries and Newmar. Several companies outfit motorhomes with wheelchair lifts, among them Star Tracks (http://www.startrackslifts.com/) and Coach Lift (http://www.coachlift.com/rv-lift/). A Google search located a dealership that has a rental motorhome that is wheelchair accessible. Searching may turn up others. Here is a link to the one I found: http://www.fraserway.com/rentals/vehicles/wheelchair-accessible-motorhome. And, as it turns out, there is a handicap-equipped motorhome for sale by a private owner in Family Motor Coaching magazine’s Classifieds section. I can share more information with you if that’s of interest. The Handicapped Travel Club, which is not affiliated with FMCA, might be a good resource for you. Their website is www.handicappedtravelclub.com. FMCA has a chapter called Achievers International, whose members may have more direct experience with motorhoming with physical challenges. I can provide the contact info for the chapter, if you like. And I would be remiss if I did not suggest that you join FMCA once you do purchase a motorhome. The associated benefits can help you to travel with more peace of mind. Plus, the monthly magazine contains valuable information that many say makes the membership worthwhile. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if FMCA can assist otherwise.
  13. Mr. Boyer is correct in that you will need to contact the membership department regarding the above membership. We will need to verify the existing membership record. We always welcome returning members!
  14. FMCA is always looking for new member benefits. We would be happy to investigate windshield replacement companies.
  15. They do not have a meeting scheduled, but you can contact the president Sue Gillard at 239-690-5045. She would know if they are meeting.
  16. Rich: If you have only a handful of PDFs, then post them on the forums. If you have trouble attaching, email them to us and we'll do it. If you have a larger number of PDFs, the Photo Gallery would a better area for them.
  17. If you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, FMCA can contact the company on your behalf and attempt to assist with a resolution. It helps if we are able to include details, invoices, and other pertinent information. This proactive approach, behind the scenes, has been known to produce positive results. An FMCA staff member will reach out to you to discuss the situation.
  18. Consider FMCA's Road Assist program: www.fmca.com/benefits/fmca-roadassist.html
  19. A new tire can be brought out and mounted. VAS, the service provider, soon will be adding specific language regarding mobile tire service. It will be posted on the benefit page: fmca.com/roadassist.
  20. Family Motor Coach Association’s Annual Membership Meeting will take place Saturday, August 1, 2015, during FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
  21. Spring is a time of renewal. But for a moment, let's reminisce ... What is your favorite Easter memory from your childhood?
  22. It's March, an apt month to pose the question: What's the luckiest thing that's happened to you while motorhoming?
  23. After publication of Family Motor Coaching magazine’s “Towables for 2015” towing guide (January 2015, page 44), we learned that two manufacturers had provided us with incorrect information regarding towability of certain vehicles. The 2015 Jeep Renegade should not have been included in the guide, as it is not towable four wheels down behind a motorhome. Two 2015 Toyota Scion models equipped with a manual transmission should have been included in the guide. The vehicles are the front-wheel-drive tC (curb weight 3,058 pounds; length 176.6 inches) and the front-wheel-drive xB (curb weight 3,020 pounds; length 168.1 inches). There are no distance limitations when towing these vehicles. Refer to the vehicles’ owners manuals for more information about towing the vehicles with all four wheels on the ground.
  24. It's February .... a lovely month to pose this question: When did you first fall in love with motorhoming? How, and where did it happen? Has your time together been fulfilling, adventuresome, unpredictable, a little rocky? Have you been inseparable or on-again, off-again? And, if you care to add: What love song best describes your relationship with motorhoming or your motorhome?
  25. Doug: During online enrollment, you have the option to print and save a copy of the contract. But we have spoken to the provider (Vehicle Administrative Systems), and they are sending the material to you via postal mail.
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