A Cool Tip
Speaking of a “Scalding Moment” (“RV Doctor,” June 2018, page 16), another option for avoiding too much heat from the shower water is to put the showerhead on the floor after you shut off the showerhead spigot. This keeps the hot and cold water mixed until you pick it back up and turn the water back on at the showerhead.
— Al Johnson
Via email
Motorhome Restoration
Isadore and Vivian Burdeniuk’s 1990 Fleetwood Pace Arrow motorhome was restored to its vintage appearance by J.C. Custom Fibreglass in Springfield, Manitoba.
As we rolled down the Trans-Canada Highway toward the Canadian Northern Lights chapter rally in Carberry, Manitoba, we looked forward to showing off our restored motorhome. It is no longer the tired and faded little mouse that attended rallies last year. It has been renewed thanks to a “spa date” at J.C. Custom Fibreglass.
We own a 1990 30-foot Pace Arrow that’s been lovingly cared for by our family since its beginning and in our personal possession for the last 10 years. We had to take it to J.C. because we missed a small problem. The molding covering the junction of the left upper and lower fiberglass panel came loose. As do-it-yourselfers, we glued the molding back on. It came off! We taped it on. It came off! We tried to dry the wood panel backing. No luck. In exasperation, we sought professional help.
Our restoration expert at J.C. said the left-side fiberglass wall had delaminated from the wood panel backing due to moisture seepage. The paneling began to deteriorate, separating from the wall, which caused a bulge in the left side of the coach. The damaged area was approximately 20 feet long, and we were in danger of having this rotting panel blow off during transit.
The repair involved first drying the area, which took one week. Once dry, the surface was sanded down to the insulation and three layers of fiberglass were sprayed on, left to cure, and then ground down. After the sanding, an epoxy primer was applied, readying the surface for painting.
Isadore and Vivian Burdeniuk’s 1990 Fleetwood Pace Arrow motorhome was restored to its vintage appearance by J.C. Custom Fibreglass in Springfield, Manitoba.
At that point, the coach was faded on one side and plain on the other. Neither appealed to us! We decided to dive into a completely new paint job; striping; decals; new awnings; and a thorough detailing of the interior.
The restoration was labor-intensive and therefore very costly. If we had been vigilant and replaced the strip before moisture was introduced behind the panel, this would not have been needed. But, in hindsight, we were able to turn our lemon into lemonade. Thank you, J.C. Custom Fibreglass (22109 Hazelridge Road 65N, Springfield, Manitoba R2C 2Z2; 204-777-5251).
— Isadore & Vivian Burdeniuk, F332260
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Chapter Now Welcomes All Diesel Pusher Owners
Change is good! The Monaco North Central chapter is now the North Central Diesel Pusher RVers. We accept FMCA members who own all brands of diesel-pusher motorhomes. We are in FMCA’s Midwest Area, which includes Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Members from neighboring states are welcome to join also.
Our group of about 20 families owns several different brands of motorhomes. We enjoy touring and traveling; sharing information about our coaches; shopping; socializing; and, of course, eating.
We hold three to four rallies each summer and travel to FMCA rallies and conventions across the country. We have also visited many other special destinations together, such as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; Shipshewana, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Medora, North Dakota; and Omaha, Nebraska.
You can learn more about us by visiting www.monaconorthcentral.com (at this writing we were still in the process of changing the web address to our new chapter name.) Or you can email me at christine-gibson@msn.com or Jean Firl at silverbullet6066@gmail.com.
Come check us out; we’d love to meet you!
— Chris Gibson, F136799
President, North Central Diesel Pusher RVers
New Hope, Minnesota
Unified Tow Brake System Parts
I noticed during the Great Lakes Area Rally this past May that several RVs had the same U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake system that we have installed on our motorhome and towed car. Our braking system stopped working because of a short in the harness between the motorhome and the towed vehicle. An RV dealer told me U.S. Gear no longer made this product, so I might need to purchase a replacement system for approximately $900.
After a phone call and some digging online, I found an Arizona company that purchased the U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake inventory. The owner said that approximately 5,000 sets were purchased originally. So, I attached a schematic for the towing system I have and ordered parts.
The company is in Yuma, Arizona, and is called Just For Towing (2490 E. 15th Place, Yuma, AZ 85365; 928-782-3611). It may save fellow FMCA members money and stress, in that they do not need to replace the brake system, but just buy minor parts.
— Mike Solon, F429301
West Chester, Ohio
Editor’s note: In August 2014 the inventor of the Unified Tow Brake, Ron Chesnut, announced that the former maker of his product was no longer manufacturing it or selling it. Instead, the system had been upgraded and would be sold as Smart Brake LLC. Smart Brake is the same Unified Tow Brake system, but upgraded with new components. It is made by NSA RV Products Inc. See www.smartbrakellc.com or call (620) 365-7714.
Fun At Allegan Rally
My wife and I just finished attending the 2018 Great Lakes Area Rally at the Allegan County Fairgrounds in Allegan, Michigan. As with any rally, it is what you make of it. We had a great time and look forward to next year.
While we were parked close together, I don’t think the parking crew had much choice, as there were very few electrical hookups unused. I’m sure the parking crew chief is very good at jigsaw puzzles. Lot 6 was a great example of that. I was sure they couldn’t use that area, but they did.
We assisted with security, and our leader, Mary Alice Gast, was the most pleasant volunteer boss you could ever want to work under. Her only problem was keeping Bob, her husband, in line.
The coffee and doughnut hour was great, and the Frustrated Maestros played a lot of songs that we all knew. Keep up the great entertainment!
It was exciting to see the number of trailers and towed RVs parked there for the first time, and anybody I talked to had a fantastic time. As time goes on, it will be nice to see their numbers increase.
The last night’s entertainment was full of laughs and music we could relate to. Even the two Elvises seemed to enjoy it. I liked the hairdos. As the real Elvis used to say, “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Great job, Les Naylor (Great Lakes Area national vice president).
— Bill & Karen Gerrie, F76862
Limehouse, Ontario