Smart Car Transmission
Dear Editor:
In the “Towables For 2015” article (January 2015, page 44), the Smart Fortwo listing states in footnote 2 that the vehicle “is equipped with an automatic transmission that allows the driver to select either manual shifting or automatic shifting options.” That is incorrect. The Smart car is equipped with an electronically assisted manual transmission. I know, because I have personally replaced my clutch plate after it slipped into gear while I was towing the car four wheels down. The Smart’s transmission is an automated manual that’s similar to a manual transmission but is driven like an automatic, meaning there’s no clutch pedal. It can be driven in either fully automatic mode or manual mode.
Robert Tilley, F425435
Alpharetta, Georgia
A California Developer In Redlands
Dear Editor:
Maggie Kielpinski’s article titled “Redlands And The Orange Empire” (March 2015, page 56) is interesting and will encourage readers to visit this unique city. However, her characterization of William F. Holt as a “St. Louis developer” is not correct.
William Franklin Holt was born on a farm in Mercer County, Missouri. As a young adult, he moved from Missouri to Colorado to start a manufacturing business and subsequently relocated to Globe, Arizona, where he established a successful bank. His most notable achievement, however, was transforming 20,000 acres in California’s Imperial Valley from a desert into irrigated farmland, and establishing the towns of El Centro and Holtville.
Thus, Holt’s accomplishments as a developer were not in St. Louis, but in California. William Holt and his wife and their two daughters lived in a Moorish-style mansion at 405 W. Olive Ave. in Redlands.
Hollis Davison, F392715
Titusville, Florida
Blue Ridge Parkway And Large RVs
Dear Editor:
As the owner of a Type A motorhome as well as a motorcycle, I would ask that you please do not try to take your coach over the Blue Ridge Parkway or any other similar roads. Leave your coach in an RV park and take your towed vehicle.
That road was not intended to be used by motorhomes, especially Type As, and anger builds up so much among folks in the line behind you that people take unnecessary chances in trying to pass you.
“I pay my taxes” is a common refrain among those who do not care about others.
Robert (Buck) Monday, F440699
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Power Regained
Dear Editor:
During a recent two-month, 7,000-mile motorhome trip out West, we endured several breakdowns in our 13-year-old coach. We lost power and could go only 26 mph while trying to reach the summit of Donner Pass (more than 7,000 feet). Because of construction, we were in the only open lane while going to the summit, which made it annoying to the truckers. But on level highway, we could maintain the speed limit.
We kept going until we reached Elko, Nevada, and the Cummins Rocky Mountain facility there (2735 Ruby Vista Drive, Elko, NV 89801; 775-738-6405; www.cumminsrockymountain.com). A wonderful guy named Ray Cardona, service supervisor, had technician Lee Dyer check our problem. In spite of their entire computer system being down for 24 hours, they managed to have us back on the road in less than two days.
The shop was so clean you could eat off the floor. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and they also gave us electrical hookups overnight. We highly recommend this Cummins shop if you are near Elko.
Keith R. Fisher, F152426
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Colorful Campground
Dear Editor:
I just read “Florida Island Colors” in the February issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 80) and must commend the author for the detail and thoroughness of the article, including the interview with Leoma Lovegrove. However, I must add one clarification to the camping information. There is a small campground located on Matlacha Island at Matlacha Pass. It is the Sugar Sand Beach RV Resort (11200 Porpoise Point Road, Matlacha, FL 33993; 239-676-3880; www.sugarsandbeachrvresort.com). It’s family-owned and has 11 sites that can accommodate motorhomes up to at least 40 feet. It is quaint, and within walking distance of all of the colorful shops.
We spent a few days there around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2014 and had a wonderful time, which included a community dinner and fireworks hosted by the resort manager. We dealt with Kathleen, the owner, who was very helpful and hands-on in accommodating our needs and reservation. I would highly recommend staying at Sugar Sand Beach Resort if visiting the Pine Island/Cape Coral area.
Michael V. Polsinelli, F431420
Trinity, Florida
Excellent Support In Victoria, Texas
Dear Editor:
This past January as we were on our way to the Rio Grande Valley, we had made reservations to spend the weekend in Victoria, Texas, at Gateway to the Gulf RV Park. About a block from the park, I noticed a drop in oil pressure in our diesel motorhome. The red warning light came on as we approached the office. I immediately shut the engine down and walked to the back of the motorhome, where I discovered the towed vehicle was covered with oil.
About this time, the manager of the park, Phil, pulled up in a golf cart and said, “Looks like we got a little problem.”
The motorhome’s engine had just a trace of oil left on the dipstick. Phil had oil for the unit on hand, and after we added some oil, he escorted us to our site. He promised to help the next morning. True to his word, the next day, in the rain, he crawled under the unit and tried to figure out where the leak was coming from. He told me he had made a couple of phone calls, and he recommended I go up the highway about eight miles to Southern Field Maintenance and explain my situation.
I went there on Monday morning, and I was promised a mechanic would come by my RV site Tuesday morning. After about an hour spent examining the engine, the tech said we needed a new oil pump, and it would have to be placed on order. The pump arrived in two days, was installed the next day, and we were on our way.
During this entire time as we were staying at the RV park, Phil and his wife, Shirley, and staff made arrangements for us to use the dayroom at the park and enjoy their facilities. We highly recommend Gateway to the Gulf RV Park (9809 U.S. 59, Victoria, TX 77905; 361-570-7080; www.gatewayrvpark.com) and Southern Field Maintenance (2004 S. Laurent St., Victoria, TX 77901; 361-576-3535; www.sfmvictoria.com) to all members. Their staffs provided excellent, courteous service and support during a difficult time.
Richard & Nancy Von Gunten, F349907
Camdenton, Missouri