rossboyer

I was probably grandfathered in, because I had both east and west feeds of ABC, CBS, and NBC. Had FOX originally, but found that we were not watching it enough. If we do drop DirecTV, we will miss OAN and FOX news. Also, HALLMARK, HGTV, LIFE, LIFETIME, AMC & HISTORY. The local channels DirecTV provides is meaningless to us. We get seven times as many over the air and HD.

Welcome to FMCA. Suggest you look into chapters in your area. The next area rally that will be close to you should be the Western Area rally in Indio, CA next January 6-10, 2021. Probably will have 300-400 RVs. The next national convention will be next March in Perry, GA which is a long way away. Gillette, WY, July 7-10, 2021 would be closer to you. It is a great facility. Hopefully, we will see you there.

I just received the following message from DirecTV which means we will no longer receive New York and Los Angles ABC, CBS and NBC in our motor home. Not sure that we will continue to pay for DirecTV. Local channels have many more choices than what was available when we first signed up for DirecTV. “Regrettably, we must inform you of a new law that affects your programming. Until recently, the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act authorized DIRECTV to provide you access to your out-of-market broadcast networks—ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, and/or FOX. Unfortunately, Congress has decided to not renew key provisions of this law. As a result, on June 1, 2020, we no longer will be able to provide you access to these out-of-market channels. These are not available anywhere else. However, this change does not affect access to your existing local network stations. If you’re paying for these channels, you’ll receive a credit within 1-2 billing cycles for this programming change. If you have any questions, please call us at 866.595.9429. Thank you for choosing DIRECTV.”

If you have ever sat in on an Executive Board meeting, you would know that the Staff makes a lot of recommendations. But keep in mind that the National Area Vice Presidents are controlling the Executive Board. A year ago they took 5.5 hours changing the proposed budget to benefit their own travel, area travel, and area support under the disguise that the funds were needed for chapter visitation which on the whole they are not doing.

My son bought a travel trailer today. I was very proud to call FMCA and give him a membership with our number and an ‘S’ for Son. This is the future of FMCA.

No, the drawbar has a swivel between the arms and the receiver. It moves about 15-30 degrees either way. If it does not, as you turn great force is placed on the towed on the same side as you are turning.

We use to have Coach Net back when their service was excellent when Safe Ride (VAS) was the actual provider. We dropped it when their service went down hill. Safe Ride was no longer their provider. Safe Ride (VAS) is the current provider of FMCA’s Road Assist. So I will stay with FMCA Road Assist.

Possibly. Is the tow bar at the proper level? Do you leave the tow bar attached to your auto when not towing? Which is not recommended. Is the knuckle joint twisting freely? If not try to break it loose with a product that will free up rust. If that knuckle does not move freely (not loose), when you turn increased pressure is forced on the the suspension of the auto which might explain your problem.

$129/yr for towables and $159/yr for motor homes.

Not in FMCA. Dues paid ahead are placed in reserves and recognized in the year and month of the anniversary. What you describe is the way accounting was done in 1990-2005 and maybe more years. The advantage to FMCA is the possible earnings on the investments and probable renewals.

I have a 2005 Cat C-7. I use the biocide recommended by Brett Wolfe. Also, I use Howes one a year. This year twice. May or may not need it, but for 12 years it has not hurt.

Reminder: Many if us treat our fuel for condensation water and algae in the winter. I did that for our snowbird stay this winter in Arizona. When I returned home in Indiana, I topped off as I usually do, but today I remembered I have to treat the fuel. Probably will not use motor home until August which is 4 months away from the time I got home.

While the technical wording is as you say, there are way too many cases where FMCAssist had gone the extra mile. You are wrong about if you are out of the country, they will take you home; and if it is your remains, they will be returned to the location of ‘your’ choice. The RV is returned to your home only limited by drivability and $5,000 max. But all this to no avail because you have made up your mind be it right or wrong.

Renewal dues are $75. New memberships are $85. For many years new members pay more for the first year to help offset the goose egg. As a full timer, you are covered by FMCAssist. You may think it is no value to you, but neither is life insurance. FMCAssist will repatriate you to the location of your choice. It will transport you to the medical facility that is agreed to be the best to care for you. If you were to buy this coverage, the cost would be &115-$130/year. Or about $40 more than your renewal dues.

Yes, I am chairman of the Policy and Procedure committee. Probably my last year. I am getting tired of the NAVP’s doing what is best for themselves or their area. They have lost sight of the bigger picture to do what is best for FMCA There still is the dealer program to give free memberships to their customers. Only a couple do anything with it. Lazy Days does. Most are interested in closing the deal, not giving FMCA memberships.

I think you will find ads in the back of your magazine. But almost any glass repair company will do it at no cost because your insurance company will pay it. They don’t want to replace your whole windshield.

FMCA has reduced staff in the past month. Digital magazine would have to be much better than the current one. Poor on my iPhone. Better on my laptop. Only the Governing Board can change the dues other than special promotions approved be the Executive Board.

I have checked with my towed auto manufacturer, and I received a printed and expanded document stating the manufacturers specified towing limits and requirements.

Economists state that an organization like FMCA should have 2 times the annual operations expense in reserves. While getting closer to that goal, we are not and with current conditions slipping away from that goal. Most members do not know that most deposits for conventions are not refundable. Usually, entertainers will not return anything. We have had some site deposits held over to another year or partially. A couple of entertainers have agreed to come back with some adjustments. Too many members think that the rally registration covers the cost for them to attend. Not true. The vendors and coach displays pay the greatest share. Several years ago, the magazine income from advertising covered many other expenses, but the magazine is loosing about $300,000 plus per year. Look how many manufacturers there were ten or so years ago. Many are gone or have merged with other brands. With fewer manufacturers, the result is fewer advertisers which is a loss of income to the magazine. I could go on, but hopefully those members that do not understand the large scope of our operatIon will read and learn. i think you can find a copy of a proposed budget in the Governing Board book each year. Your National Director should be sharing that information. Also, the minutes of the Governing Board meeting will have the final, revised budget. If you are a National Director and are not getting that information or if you are not a member of a chapter, request the information from your National Area Vice President.

Roadmaster does the same, but you are to take it to their repair truck. Onetime I could not remove my tow bar from the receiver. One of their technicians came to my motor home and removed it, repaired, returned it and installed all at no charge.

Without getting into a debate, I like Roadmaster products. Check online to their authorized dealers for parts price, but I installed everything in my 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. I had to remove 64 screws to get to the mounting locations for the baseplates and crossbar. I moved my Air Force 1 braking system from old auto to new. Wired the Bright Light module and wiring from motor home to rear of towed. It took me a week, but I could only work on it but a few hours each day. I had the tow bar, so no cost there. The directions that came with the baseplates from Roadmaster were excellent. Specific instructions and pictures of installing on you auto. Frankly running the wire from the motor home to the rear of the towed is the hardest task. Installation is not for the faint of heart. Would I do it again? Absolutely! But you do need average skills and the tools to do the job.

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The same warehouse parts department for REV also has Fleetwood parts. I have gotten a couple of small parts without any problem. As with any manufacturer, price is higher than other sources if you can find the part.

Additionally, it would be very difficult to issue refunds for Tucson, since the funds for registrations received have been spent as indicated in our President’s message to the membership. Lincoln on the other hand is different, because minimal (compared to Tucson) funds have been spent; therefore, refunds are being made. Chapters are prudently working on canceling their rally schedule. Possibly, August, September and October rallies may be viable. August might not work, but it is a lot easier to schedule a rally for 20-40 attendees than a national convention. What could FMCA done differently? If FMCA had followed some airlines and travel reservations where nothing or 20-25% refunds were made, I think FMCA has been fair. We were registered for both conventions. One voucher and one refund. I probably will use the voucher for Gillette in 2021.

I think you will find that all Area rallies through the end of the year will be canceled. They just can not afford high losses either.