Correction
An item in the November 2017 “Tech Talk” column (“Persistence Pays,” page 18) incorrectly stated that a Dometic toilet had been recalled. Family Motor Coaching regrets this error.
Mileage “Sweet Spot”?
Dear Editor:
A letter in the December 2017 “Readers’ Forum” (page 16) discussed the resale value of motorhomes with low mileage versus higher mileage. When I have shopped used motorhomes, salespeople always are pointing out the low mileage, and when talking trade-in, they lower my RV value because it has higher mileage. Personally, I prefer a quality unit that has been used and not sitting idle. I think most will agree engines, chassis, and generators are meant to run and, if serviced properly, are likely to have fewer problems than those that have had long periods of disuse. With that said, I am left wondering if there is a “sweet spot” between low use or sitting idle versus extremely heavy usage?
Bill Green, F401236
Longwood, Florida
RV Production Outpaces Number Of Campsites
Dear Editor:
In the “RV News & Notes” section of FMC’s December 2017 issue is an item titled “Outlook Bright For Outdoor Recreation In 2018” (page 42). It mentions industry sales projections of 2017 wholesale RV shipments at 479,700 and 2018 wholesale shipments at 491,200.
While that is good news for the RV manufacturers, it is not good news for the RVer. Adding together the 2017 and 2018 projected shipment figures, the manufacturers are projected to sell close to 1 million new units by the end of 2018. But how many new campgrounds, new RV resorts, new state parks, or new additional spots in our national parks will be built by the end of 2018 for all those new and present rigs to stay in?
There is already a shortage of spots for many RVers who have not made reservations for their units well in advance, and sometimes even a year ahead, to make sure they don’t get shut out of their favorite places to stay. The lines for fuel and propane get longer and longer at the truck stops. Walmarts are filling up with RVs that have no other place to go for the night. You can see RVs sitting overnight at big box stores and empty malls. At some point in time, RV parks will become so saturated that the RVers will be going back to their dealers asking, “Why did you sell me that unit when you knew there was no place for me to use it?”
We don’t know what the solution is, but the consequences are starting to emerge.
Dick Kashdin & Sandy Donovan, F250007
Williamsville, New York
Editor’s note: The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, which released the shipment figures cited in the December 2017 “RV News & Notes” column, revised those figures in late November. During the National RV Trade Show, it was reported that RV industry shipments were now forecasted to total 505,600 units by the end of December 2017. This number includes 441,100 towable RVs and 61,500 motorhomes.
Saturn Service At A Reasonable Price
Dear Editor:
This past April 29, a Saturday, I was headed from Red Bluff, California, to Corning, California, in my 33-foot Type A coach towing a Saturn Ion. We suddenly hit a narrow, badly broken-up stretch of road and took a serious pounding. We thought we had dodged the worst of it, but at the RV park I found oil rapidly dripping out of my Saturn. I had it towed to the Gold Rush Chevrolet dealer in Auburn.
Frank Curtis, the service manager, said they were backed up with work but would get to it as soon as possible. He called Monday to say the oil pan and the transmission pan were both damaged. There was also a broken motor mount. Some of the parts had to be shipped in from Reno, Nevada, but they completed the repair by late afternoon Tuesday and stayed late so that I could pick up the car.
Their service was great and the cost was very reasonable. If you are in the area and need work, I highly recommend Gold Rush Chevrolet (570 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn, CA 95603; 530-392-4572; www.goldrushchevy.com).
Donald R. Hubner, F243708
Oak Harbor, Washington
Service At The Campsite
Dear Editor:
Recently we were parked for the night at the Rolling Hills Casino near Corning, California, when we discovered that we could not continue our trip without help from a professional RV technician. The RV park maintenance person suggested Kampfire RV (1515 U.S. 99 W., Box C, Corning, CA 96021; 530-262-5504). It was about 7:30 in the evening and Chris Whitlock, the owner, said he was swamped but would come as soon as he could. He showed up around 9:30 p.m., made the repairs quickly, and we were in business. I could not thank him enough. He even took the time to make some other recommendations for the future that had nothing to do with the immediate problem.
Dennis Wheeler, F188967
Avila Beach, California
A Born Free Coach Owner Reminisces
Dear Editor:
My wife and I, plus my father-in-law, were browsing through motorhome material when we came across a Born Free ad. Nice, we all thought; this would make a good RV for the German market, which typically has smaller RVs. We liked the aircraft-style, aerodynamic shape of it and the beautifully designed interior. Additionally, the fact that Born Free seemed to be a small, niche manufacturer.
We made a quick call to the factory and arranged for a personal tour. We also expressed interest in not only us buying one of their products but also introducing Born Free to the German marketplace. Off we went to Humboldt, Iowa, in the middle of a cold winter. That was awhile back. The nice folks at Born Free picked us up at the airport — in a 21-foot Born Free Rear Door model, of course.
The Next Day
All of the next day we spent touring the factory. Teams of four or five workers were responsible for assembling an entire unit end-to-end. No moving assembly lines; just people doing it all. What a concept. Their attention to detail and overall quality is what impressed us most. The beautiful woodwork was all done in-house.
After meeting with the late John Dodgen and his late son, C.T., we decided to purchase a 21-foot Rear Door model with a 7.3-liter diesel engine for our own personal use in Germany. We consequently purchased a couple more units, which we sold in Europe. We really enjoyed our BF21 on trips to Scandinavia, France, Ireland, and of course, in Germany. Eventually, we drifted apart while Born Free refocused more on the domestic market.
We’re still loyal owners of a 2007 Born Free 26RSB (Rear Side Bed) with beautiful full-body paint. We’re towing a 4×4 behind it, pursuing our passion for off-roading/overlanding. Unfortunately for us and many other Born Free fans, the company closed its doors in the summer of 2017. No more factory tours. We’re not happy about this, but life goes on and we’ll be keeping our BF26RSB as long as it holds up. We hope it will be a long time to come.
Detlef & Ursula Mews, F185548
Pleasanton, California
New Air Conditioning In July
Dear Editor:
We were on our way to Wichita, Kansas, in the middle of July this year (something I swore I would never do again), when our roof air conditioning quit. It was 105 degrees and truly miserable. I called the coach manufacturer, Renegade RV, and they found a dealer in Wichita that might be able to look at it. I didn’t hold out much hope because most dealers are swamped in the summer months. The dealer agreed to take a look. To my surprise said they would work it into their schedule as we needed to be in Colorado in a few days.
The A/C unit was a Coleman, and I figured that was fortunate, as they are made in Wichita. The RV dealer, Wichita RV, was great to work with. They really went to bat and eventually, Coleman replaced the whole unit.
If you are ever in need of repairs near Wichita, I highly recommend the people at Wichita RV (10810 W. U.S. 54, Wichita, KS 67209; 316-559-2900; www.wichitarv.com).