Guardian Glass Phone Number Correction
First, information about a new FMCA benefit associated with Custom Glass Solutions by Guardian Glass was included in the “FMCA Update” column in the April issue. It contained an incorrect phone number for the company. The correct phone number is (855) 362-2784.
Next, this new benefit gives FMCA members access to the Guardian RV Glass Network of approved glass repair and replacement providers across the United States. A free year of FMCA membership is provided to all members who use the company’s service for a new windshield installation. For more information, visit www.fmca.com/benefits/guardian-glass.html.
Nightmare On Interstate 10
DEAR EDITOR:
After we left Chandler, Arizona, on Saturday, March 11, my wife, Garnetta, and I never thought we would be fighting a fire on Interstate 10 in New Mexico.
As I passed an 18-wheeler on the west side of Las Cruces, the driver of a semi truck blasted the air horn several times. I looked in my rearview camera and, to my horror, smoke was pouring from the rear of our towed vehicle. Immediately, I pulled to the side of the road.
By the time Garnetta and I grabbed fire extinguishers and got to the back of the motorhome, there was an inferno under the car’s hood. It was obvious that the car was too far gone to be saved. Hundreds of scenarios went through my mind all at once. The car is going to blow up. How do I get it away from the motorhome? Mom and the pets need to get out of the motorhome. What do I need to save that’s inside the car? I NEED HELP!
Of course, I had locked the pins in the towed car hookup. I could unlock and remove one pin near the car, but the fire was entirely too hot to get to the second one. The next thing to start burning would be the motorhome.
At the very last minute, I realized I could unhook the tow bar from the motorhome. One of the gentlemen helping me knocked out the pin as soon as it was unlocked. The motorhome was saved.
The story does not end there. Mom fell after getting out of the motorhome. We had her examined by the paramedic that accompanied one of the fire fighters. No serious injuries, but they felt she should go to the hospital. The ambulance was stuck in the three-mile traffic backup, so it took a while to get to us.
The car burned for an hour. To pass my time, I answered numerous questions being asked by the New Mexico State Police, who were super nice.
Garnetta rode with Mom in the ambulance and I drove on to the hospital in the motorhome. Pulling in there, I caught the rear outside tire on the curb. Yes, I bent the rim and lost air in the tire. Thanks to TA Truck Service and an extremely nice young man named Tony, the rim was repaired.
Mom was okay. Sunday morning, we were back on the road.
Things I learned:
1. First, there are still good people left in this world. No matter how far away you are from home, first responders are absolutely GREAT. They never get paid what they deserve.
2. Do not lock the pins to your towed vehicle.
3. If you ever need service on your vehicle in Las Cruces, New Mexico, call TA (TravelCenters of America) Las Cruces (575-527-7400).
4. Ultimately, we are never alone as long as we have our FMCA family. I received phone calls on Sunday from FMCA national president Charlie Adcock and national senior vice president Jon Walker wanting to know what they could do to help.
William W. Mallory, F256138
FMCA National Vice President, Eastern Area
Cynthiana, Kentucky
All-New 2017 Jeep Compass Not Flat Towable
In March 2017, the “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” began appearing at dealerships. For RVers who are searching for a vehicle to flat tow behind a motorhome, an important distinction must be made between the “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” and the “2017 Jeep Compass.”
So, the “2017 Jeep Compass” (when equipped with a manual transmission) can be towed four wheels down. It is included in “The 2017 Towing Lineup” (January 2017, page 46), Family Motor Coaching magazine’s annual list of vehicles that can be flat towed behind a motorhome without significant modifications. The 2017 Jeep Compass owners manual spells out the procedure for flat towing behind a motorhome. Production of that vehicle ceased in December 2016, according to a spokesman for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S.
The “All-New 2017 Jeep Compass” is an entirely new vehicle from the ground up. The new vehicle’s owners manual specifies that the vehicle is NOT flat towable.
Always consult the most up-to-date version of a vehicle’s owners manual to determine whether the vehicle can be flat towed.