Mileage On Used Motorhomes
Regarding the Readers’ Forum “Mileage Sweet Spot” question (February 2018, page 14, related to “The High Price Of Low Mileage,” December 2017, page 16): RVs are not used routinely for getting to work, taking the kids to school, and so on. They simply were not designed for these purposes. RV mileage is relative to the intended usage.
Point 2: A used motorhome life cycle is dramatically unconventional. Assuming all systems are in perfect working order, mileage should never be an issue.
Point 3: Buyers should ask themselves how they intend to use the motorhome. Where will they go? How often will they use it? How many people and pets will use it? These are all critical factors affecting your choice of a motorhome.
Point 4: Mileage is, in a word, unimportant.
The final and most important point is condition. Do all systems work, and is it as near perfect as your budget allows?
Happy motorhoming.
Thomas W. Davis, F456027
Gainesville, Florida
Calling All Quilters, Knitters, And Crocheters
If you are attending FMCA’s convention in Gillette, Wyoming, this July, please bring your kid-sized comfort quilts/blankets to donate to local children during the On-Road Quilters seminar. To be kept informed via newsletter about quilt-related activities taking place during the convention, please send your email address to me, Lois Marvin, at lemarv1n@aol.com by June 15, 2018.
Lois Marvin, F415802
Spencerport, New York
DC Polarity
In the March 2018 issue, the article “RV Voltmeter Installation” (page 54) contains what I consider to be an error.
On page 57, the paragraph at the bottom of the page states, “The DC meter wiring is not polarity-sensitive, so you cannot miswire it.” DC wiring is, in general, polarity-sensitive, and if a device is installed with the wrong polarity, it either will not work (as happens with LED lights) or may be damaged (as with an analog voltmeter).
I assume the author is working with a DC voltmeter that will indicate whether the DC voltage being measured is either positive (meter correctly connected) or negative (reverse polarity connection). This is a minor point, to be sure, but there is always the danger of equipment damage if an uninformed reader decides that the “not polarity-sensitive” phrase is gospel for all DC applications.
Another point I’d like to make is that even though I am an electrical engineer by training, I’m reluctant to tackle AC house (or RV) wiring. Grounding issues can cause serious problems and even cause fires. Therefore, I strongly agree with the suggestion that one should have a licensed electrician handle any modifications or additions to an RV.
Gerry Mueller, F475335
Bend, Oregon
Different Model Pictured
In the article on the Coachmen Mirada (April 2018, page 52), I noticed the exterior picture on page 53 clearly shows a slideout on the street side, with bunk bed windows in the slideout. But the floor plan on page 55 does not show a street-side slideout or bunk beds. I think one of the images is incorrect for the coach reviewed.
Tom Kassens, F463145
Kent, Washington
Editor’s note: You are correct that the exterior shot on page 53 does not depict the 32SS floor plan; the photo seems to show the 35BH. We were attempting to illustrate the exterior paint color, but the caption erroneously labeled it the 32SS. Thanks for your eagle eyes!
Of Snow Chains And Sinks
A couple of topics in the April 2018 “Tech Talk” column have caused me to voice my opinion. The first is regarding snow chains (page 20).
I have driven motorhomes with rear dual tires since 1976, and until a couple years ago, I was also an avid skier. So I have had to chain up many times. In addition, after retirement, I ran a tour bus company for five years, and our primary business was ski trips. It was not unusual to chain up two to three times a week.
On the tour bus, we carried regular chains, but I never had cause to use them. We used cable chains on the outside dual only. Same with motorhomes. I do carry regular chains in my Safari Trek for the outside duals only and have used them once.
A hard lesson I learned about chaining: If you are towing and chains are required, you must chain your towed car also. We tow a four-wheel-drive Subaru Forester, however, so when chains were required, we disconnected it and my wife drove it (the Subaru did not require chains).
Regarding the gray water tank odor mentioned on page 22 in the “Slow-Draining Sink” letter: After about 300,000 miles of motorhoming, I have never had an odor from the gray tank. Black tank, yes. We use a commercial additive in the black tank.
Thank you for all the good advice you provide.
Bob Beers, F341770
Redmond, Washington
A Real Deal
I have noticed the ad mentioning FMCA’s OfficeMax/Office Depot discount in the magazine for a while. I figured at best it would mean the typical 10 percent. I recently needed printer ink and decided to rip the page out to take with me. What the heck, 10 percent is better than nothing. However, while checking my receipt, I discovered that what would have been $74 was only $41 with the FMCA discount. A savings of $33, which is almost 50 percent. After that, I decided to use the lamination coupon as well, since now the “card” is a little more valuable. The discount made one of the ink cartridges basically free, as it was $33 by itself.
Randy Lehnhoff, F428008
Olney, Illinois
We Want To Hear From You! Family RVing welcomes comments about articles published in the magazine or topics of interest to RV owners. Send email to readerswrite@fmca.com or mail letters to Readers Write, FMCA National Office, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Please include your name, city, and state/province. Because of the volume of correspondence we receive, we cannot draft individual replies. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.