Correction
In the November “Cooking On The Go” column, an editing change made to the introduction that accompanied the recipe for “Waldnesian Soup” (page 80) created some potential for confusion. In 1893 a group of Christians from Italy, called the Waldenses, settled in North Carolina. Their religious ancestry predates the Protestant Reformation, which took place in the 16th century, well before their arrival in the United States.
Parts For Smartire Systems
Dear Editor:
Regarding the article titled “Tire Monitoring Systems” in the September 2015 issue (page 46), please inform readers that SmarTire systems still can be repaired. My SmarTire system stopped working and went into alarm mode. I contacted Bendix and was informed that they no longer support the RV industry. I called several RV dealerships and found that repair parts are available from dealer stocks and that dealers have access to limited Bendix parts. Reconditioned control modules are available in the aftermarket.
My problem was a defective control module. Bob Dickman Tire Center, a Les Schwab Tire affiliate in Eugene, Oregon, repaired my system. Les Schwab has more than 450 locations.
Gaylord Coston, F396070
Elizabethville, Pennsylvania
Friends And FMCAssist Help During Crisis
Dear Editor:
Thanks, FMCA, for making the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program available to all members. After attending an Arkansas Travelers chapter rally in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, we drove to Colorado. We spent time in Durango and then headed to Colorado Springs, where I had chest pain. After a quick trip to an urgent care clinic where they did a few tests, I was sent to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. Almost immediately, I was rushed into surgery to have a triple bypass done. I was in the hospital for five days.
Jeannie Carey, my significant other, was having her own crisis during this time. She had to go back and forth from the campground to the hospital, in a strange town with no friends around her. But the people at Pikes Peak RV Park in Manitou Springs came to her rescue. They walked our dog, Rosie, every day, and even gave her a bath one evening. They took care of the coach by dumping the tanks. And they helped with anything else Jeannie needed. Our RV family came to our aid with phone and text message support, with several offering to come to Colorado.
Our special friends Ted and Sheila Sulcer made the trip from Arkansas to Manitou Springs to be with us and were able to park their coach next to ours. I was really glad to see them, but to Jeannie, it was almost a lifesaver.
Charlie Adcock, FMCA national president and a member of our chapter, heard about my emergency and called Jeannie to offer his help. Charlie is not just talk, but is a leader and a man of action. He really took charge of getting us the help we needed through the FMCAssist program. (Thanks, Charlie, for all the help.) FMCAssist flew Jeannie, me, and our dog home and arranged to have our coach and towed vehicle returned home as well.
Thanks to Jeannie for taking such special care of me; to Ted and Sheila Sulcer; and to Allen and Rita Ruben, also in the Arkansas Travelers chapter, for stopping by to see us on their way through that area. I can’t believe the number of friends we have and how many phone calls, text messages, and emails we got from family and RV friends and others that gave support. I think I am doing great — still sore and short of ambition, but progressing every day.
Cherish every friend, and embrace every day!
Bruce Friedrich, F384182
Omaha, Arkansas
Too Much Adventure
Dear Editor:
In late February 2010 we left Lazydays in Seffner, Florida, after 5:00 p.m. with our newly acquired 2007 bus conversion. Driving through Gainesville around 8:00 p.m., we missed our turn and went through a very dark residential area, where we were overtaken by a motorist who was excitedly trying to get us to pull over.
Fearing a robbery attempt, we first ignored him, until we realized he was shouting that our towed car was on fire. It was caused by incorrectly installed air lines and electrical connections.
After this Good Samaritan helped us put out the fire, and after making police and fire reports and sending our car to Honda, we continued driving on to Jacksonville and eventually to Savannah, Georgia, because we found no campgrounds open.
After midnight, still full of adrenaline from the evening’s excitement, I drove onto Interstate 16 headed west toward Augusta. Somewhere after seeing mile marker 140 and upon recovering in time to see mile marker 137, I left the road with the cruise control set at 70 miles per hour.
God was with us, as we got back on the road with only a broken windshield, lots of grass in the undercarriage, a few dents in the basement doors, pine twigs in the patio awning, and frayed nerves.
I no longer drive after dark.
Tommy and Ann McBride, F371528
Evans, Georgia
Roadside Rescue
Dear Editor:
On a fishing trip to the Florida Keys in early July, an inside dual tire on my 43-foot Newmar Mountain Aire blew out at mile marker 98 in Key Largo. Road service was called, and after seven hours, they dispatched a tech from Goodyear in Miami with a replacement tire (295/80R 22.5). Although the service call was covered, the tire and mounting charge cost more than $1,100.
The good news is the fishing was great and the weather was outstanding.
On my way home to Punta Gorda, Florida, on Interstate 75, the outside dual blew out and caused significant damage to the side and interior of the coach. I called Rick Horner from Horner’s Auto and RV Repair for guidance, as I could see another $1,100 bill headed my way. He recommended that the coach be towed to his shop, but the tow company would not tow the unit until a new tire was installed. Left with little choice, I called Rick Horner again for advice. He was at home, eating dinner with his family.
Rick went to his shop and found a used tire, but his truck was in his body shop, ready to be painted the next morning. So, he opened his body shop, stripped the masking tape and overspray paper off the truck, hand-loaded the heavy tire by himself into the bed, and drove 25 miles to where I was stranded on I-75. We unloaded it so the road service could mount it on my RV. I estimate Rick saved me about $1,100.
I asked the service tech why two tires would blow out in quick succession, and he said the build date on the tires showed they were almost nine years old. I was amazed, as I had just purchased the eight tires about four years ago. He showed me the build date code on the tire sidewall and told me it is common for a company to sell their oldest tires first to keep their inventory fresh, as most customers do not know to check the build dates on the tires they purchase.
Needless to say, I asked Rick to repair the damage to the coach and to install eight new tires at a price about $3,000 less than I paid four years ago! I will keep the one installed in Key Largo for a spare.
Massive kudos to Rick and his independent family-owned repair shop (Horner’s Auto Repair Inc., 941-575-7294, www.hornersautorepair.com) for exceeding normal customer expectations. Score one for the small guy!
John F. Steciw, F228130
Punta Gorda, Florida