Quilts And Quilters To Meet At Next Family Reunion
Dear Editor:
In early August, FMCA’s On-Road Quilters will meet during the 94th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase, at the Eastern States Exposition (ESE), home of the BIG E, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. If you’re a quilter, too, please join us.
We are a group of FMCA members who gather at FMCA Family Reunions to discuss our quilting and stitching projects, and share what we’re working on. We also make children’s quilts that are donated to a charity or organization in the local area.
The On-Road Quilters will meet Friday, August 5, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Young Building on the ESE grounds. More information will be provided in the Family Reunion program (“Special Events” section).
Please consider making a children’s quilt or blanket and bringing it to West Springfield for the donation. You’re also welcome to bring an item for show-and-tell at the meeting. The donated items will be displayed in a special “Quilts For Kids” exhibit at the Information Center. Following the Family Reunion, they will be given to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut & Western Massachusetts.
For more information about the On-Road Quilters group or the meeting in West Springfield, please contact Marcella Pasetto (mpassetto@yahoo.com) or Peggy Groves (peggy@gtek.com).
We look forward to seeing you there!
Marcella Pasetto, F169404
Peggy Groves, F353034
On-Road Quilters Coordinators
Born Free Engine Description Correction
Dear Editor:
Being a current Born Free owner, I read the test of the Born Free Reign (April 2016, page 54) with a lot of interest. I noticed the engine specs to be incorrect. Seems you listed the specs of the 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel: 161 horsepower, 265 pound-feet of torque. However, the 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in the Born Free Reign is rated at 188 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
Regardless, it was a nice test/report by Lazelle Jones. I only wish the Reign model were available with a cab-over bed.
I hope Born Free is in business for a long time to come.
Detlef Mews, F185548
Pleasanton, California
Editor’s note: Jeff Butler, president/CEO of Born Free, confirmed that Mr. Mews is correct.
Tick, Tick, Tick
Dear Editor:
During prior motorhome engine starts, my wife and I had heard a ticking sound that lasted only until the engine stabilized at idle. But at Beachfront RV Park in Brookings, Oregon, it didn’t go away until the engine reached nearly normal operating temperature. It also matched engine speed, so to me it seemed that something was wrong with a bearing.
We encountered a police officer at a nearby market and asked about RV or Ford truck shops in the area. Another gent joined the conversation and we learned that the local Mazda and Ford facilities were somehow connected and the dealer was just up the road.
So, by Saturday morning the technicians at Bernie Bishop Mazda (365 Wharf St., Brookings, OR 97415; 800-707-3126; 541-469-3126; www.berniebishopmazda.net) had the trouble nailed down to a belt tensioner, and they had the one shown in the book. We went into town. Upon our return to the shop, we were informed that the part that came off the engine was not the same as in the book, and the correct part would be there Tuesday morning. Tuesday, our motorhome was already finished, test runs and all, when we got back from breakfast.
From the stories we’ve heard about long delays or unusual occurrences in the dollar department, this was indeed a refreshing experience. It would be worth getting towed to this place if repairs are needed.
Dan & Judy Fregin, F389328
Chico, California
Full-Timers Find Great Service
Dear Editor:
On our most recent motorhome trip out west, we arrived in Rapid City, South Dakota, and saw that the back of our coach and our towed car were covered in oil. We opened the engine door and found oil leaking out near the oil filter.
We have a Caterpillar engine, so we called Butler Machinery Co. in Rapid City. After we explained how we live in the motorhome, we were told to bring it in at 1:00 p.m. the next day. They said they’d work on it and finish it by that evening. They did exactly that. We picked up the coach at 7:00 p.m.
The staff at Butler were friendly and efficient. We thank them for the great service and want to let other travelers in the Rapid City area know to go see them (Butler Machinery, 3601 Deadwood Ave., Rapid City, SD 57702; 605-342-4850).
Fran & Jeanne Layman, F366385
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Wonderful Repair Shop
Dear Editor:
In February, our coach stopped just after we refueled near Tucumcari, New Mexico. Under very low power, we were able to get to a truck lot across the highway before calling Freightliner in Albuquerque.
They recommended John’s Truck & RV Service in Tucumcari, and we were on our way to the most wonderful repair shop we’ve ever needed. A technician named Steve came out to the breakdown site. We explained that we were on an emergency trip back home to Pennsylvania. He somewhat diagnosed the problem, told us to get towed to their garage ASAP, and said he’d do his best to get us back on the road quickly.
They worked on it until after quitting time, and the next day, Steve told us the trouble was the high-pressure pump, which we had replaced once before. They completed the work, and we were back on the road to our destination.
These people did excellent work at a fair price and even kept in touch with us after we arrived home.
We thank John’s Truck & RV Service, 6297 Quay Road AP.6, Tucumcari, NM 88401; (575) 461-2703.
Frank & Julia Wagner, F402444
Worthington, Pennsylvania