Check Tires Carefully
Dear Editor:
We recently had our motorhome tires replaced, because of age, not miles. The front tires looked fine until they were removed. The insides of the tires had very little tread on them because we needed a front alignment. I am so glad we replaced the tires and had the alignment done. Now we can travel and know we have done everything to make our travels safe.
It was very surprising to see how the tires had worn; rather scary, too.
Tom Suffecool, F441612
Countryside, Illinois
Back Home, Thanks To FMCAssist
Dear Editor:
We have a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer and each year we take a multi-state trip. This year we traveled to Nashville, Tennessee; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; the Atlantic coast of North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Houston and Waco, Texas.
While in Waco, I woke up feeling very ill, and eventually got into the shower. As I stepped in, my left knee gave out, and I fell back and hit the door jamb of the toilet room. I was in severe pain, and my wife called 911.
At the Waco trauma center, the surgeon told us that I had broken two back bones and recommended surgery as the quickest way for me to get back on my feet. This was a Saturday morning, and Sunday morning I was on the table for five hours, I was told.
My wife called FMCAssist, the insurance we were told we had as part of our membership in FMCA. They worked with the trauma center in Waco and our insurance company on the West Coast. They arranged for a driver to pick up our motorhome and drive it 40-plus hours to our home in Pleasanton, California. And they had an ambulance pick us up at the center with a flight nurse and EMT and take us to the Waco airport. At the airport we were put into a small jet and flown to California, and then picked up by another ambulance that took us to a rehab facility.
On June 3, I saw my home for the first time since March 31. I am recovering daily.
Thank you, FMCA, for getting us home.
Dan Clapp, F416690
Pleasanton, California
Quick And Painless In Alabama
Dear Editor:
While trying to leave Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, we realized our motorhome’s alternator had frozen up, and the serpentine belt had broken. We made it back into the park and called B&D Auto in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Bruce came out, determined what was needed, and ordered the parts. The repair was quick and painless and the cost was even less painless.
Over the couple of days while we were waiting for the parts, I talked to others in the campground. Many also had had positive experiences with B&D Auto.
B&D Auto is at 22345-C State Route 59 S., Robertsdale, AL 36567; (251) 947-4400; www.b-dauto.net. Bruce and Donna are really nice people who will treat you like family.
Howard Hill, F402280
Stoughton, Wisconsin
Roadmaster Saves The Trip
Dear Editor:
We attended an RV show in Phoenix that had a Roadmaster towing display. It was then we knew we wanted the Sterling tow bar by Roadmaster Inc. So, in January of this year, we had one installed on our 41-foot Damon Tuscany, complete with the Invisibrake.
This past May 16, Joe took the motorhome out to buy fuel. With all of the detours around northwest Phoenix, apparently the tow bar assembly fell down and was being dragged on the pavement for about 2 miles. The fuel station attendant told Joe about it, and there it was, ground up, yet still with about half of the protective Roadmaster Towing cover on it.
We called Arizona Hitchman and Auto Tint, the company we had purchased the tow bar assembly from, and the rep suggested we call Roadmaster and ask them about getting some help.
We sent an email to Roadmaster with pictures of the unit in its unfortunate condition, and waited for a reply. We heard from a technician at Roadmaster named Benny, who asked for more photos. We began to get anxious, as we had a three-month trip coming up between Arizona and Colorado, and we did not want to start cancelling any part of it if we didn’t have to. Benny advised us the “rod” had to be made, and he had his staff working on it as quickly as possible, but he wasn’t sure if he could get the part to us in time to start our trip.
However, by the morning of May 20, we received a call from Benny saying the parts had been shipped, and they arrived that day. Benny offered to talk my husband through the rebuilding process should he have any questions. And what else was in the box but a new Roadmaster cover for the hitch. I was just getting ready to order a new one.
These folks are beyond amazing! I can only tell others to remember to buy “made in the USA” products and think Roadmaster Inc. (www.roadmasterinc.com, 800-669-9690, 360-896-0407) when making any kind of a towing or other alignment product purchase. This is the kind of story everyone should be able to write about their experiences with a company.
Joe & Carole Martinez, F455116
Sun City, Arizona
Expert HWH Repairs
Dear Editor:
I had issues with my motorhome’s HWH leveling system recently. First, the pump motor stopped working. I contacted Stuart’s Service in Elkhart, Indiana, and spoke with Chuck. He guided me through the process of determining the correct motor and then shipped it to me overnight. The motor was installed and all worked well.
Then, the jack system stopped working. I was going to the FMCA convention in Perry, Georgia, so I decided to consult the HWH techs there. They looked at the system and said I should send the control box to the factory for repair. The factory replaced two relays on the leveling section, but after it was installed, the jacks still did not work.
So, I went back to Stuart’s Service, and the techs there determined that the cause was two broken wires.
I know electrical issues are rough to troubleshoot, but Chuck and the techs at Stuart’s found the trouble and repaired the system. This would have been next to impossible in my home area. The trip was definitely worth it.
I recommend Stuart’s Service (2990 County Road 6 W., Elkhart, IN 46514; 574-262-0225; www.rvleveling.com) to anybody who needs parts or service work on an HWH system.
Matt Endres, F391030
Conway, South Carolina
Faucet Fix
Dear Editor:
The valve in the kitchen faucet of our Tiffin motorhome began to leak. The coach is out of warranty, so I contacted the maker of the faucet, Dura Faucet (www.durafaucet.com; 888-242-5932). I learned that all of their RV faucets have a lifetime warranty, and they provide replacement valves and parts free of charge.
The part arrived, and a detailed diagram and instructions arrived via email. The valve was easily replaced. No more leak. I was very impressed with Dura’s willingness to stand behind their products and the quality of their customer service.
David Abrecht, F53949D
Los Osos, California
Happy Campers
Dear Editor:
We needed some adjustments done on our motorhome’s slideouts. We made an appointment with a large RV dealer in central California that had been recommended to us.
When we got there, we learned they charge $159 per hour, and that we were a “dropoff,” meaning they’d get to our motorhome whenever. Needless to say, I cancelled the service.
My wife went online and found Camper’s Corral (635 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff, CA 96080; 530-527-7779). They charged $95 per hour, and Jeff, their technician, completed all the work we wanted done and more in 90 minutes. He was the most efficient technician we have ever witnessed, and we have been to several RV repair facilities. We have another appointment there in September. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.
Carl & Ruth Engstrom, F257319
Dallas, Oregon
A Rare Part Found
Dear Editor:
This past June while on the way to Kansas City to attend an RV convention for Rotary members, I broke the rear taillight lens on my 1998 Holiday Rambler motorhome. After making several attempts to find a replacement with no results, I had given up hope.
At the convention campground was a local Rotarian, Dave Bowe, a manager with Transwest Truck Trailer RV of Kansas City. This is a Tiffin, Newmar, and Winnebago dealer that services all makes and models of RVs.
Dave took a look at the taillight and called his coworker Danelle Kincaid, who spent many hours and phone calls tracking down the part. When we returned home, a package arrived with the new lens.
If you need parts or service in the Kansas City area, visit Transwest Truck Trailer RV’s newly expanded parts and showroom with 18 new service bays. They are located just south of Kansas City at 17327 S. Outer Road, Belton, MO 64012; (816) 892-5941; www.transwest.com/kansas-city/.
Carl Stigdon, F91789
Grand Island, Florida