You may not guess that San Antonio, Texas, is the eighth-largest city in the United States, but according to census reports, it is. It recently jumped ahead of Dallas in the rankings.

NX2, a product development software system created by UGS Corporation, has revolutionized the way companies in the aerospace, automotive, and other high-tech industries do business. This three-dimensional design, engineering, and machining “product suite” is said to reduce the number of man-hours it takes to bring a new concept to market.

At each international convention, FMCA hosts youth centers that are open to all children between 2 and 18 years of age where they can enjoy videos, games, and friendship with other traveling youth. This past summer’s convention in Minot had more than 100 youth in attendance.
On Monday, the first night of the convention, the Teen-Age Travelers (TATS) held their annual election of youth officers.

FMCA’s Executive Board is made up of the national president, senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer, along with the 10 area vice presidents. FMCA members were able to learn more about the four nationally elected officers when their resumes were published in the June 2005 issue prior to the election at FMCA’s 74th International Convention in Minot, North Dakota.

Here’s a hot tip for road gypsies who yearn for new destinations south of the border: Pack up and head for San Felipe, in Baja California, Mexico, where the motto is “No Bad Days.”
The destination is relatively new, but the culture and ambience are not: a peaceful inland sea; majestic mountain views; and a protected, unusual desert ecosystem. And best of all is the unhurried pace, with 320 days of sunshine each year in which to enjoy it.

Kirwan Elmers, L145, has been in the driver’s seat for decades. Throughout his journey, he has accumulated decades of fascinating memories associated with motor coaching, FMCA, and individuals he’s met along the way.

You’ve finally found the motorhome that meets all of your wants and needs. You’ve negotiated a reasonable price and a good trade-in, so what can you do to make your transition as smooth as possible? Or how can you make sure a previously owned coach is worth the asking price? The answer is to thoroughly inspect the unit before you buy it.
When buying a previously owned coach, you should examine it meticulously prior to signing a contract.

In the spirit of Lewis and Clark and their explorations 200 years prior, several thousand families embarked on a voyage of discovery and headed to North Dakota in mid-August for FMCA’s “Dakota Expedition” convention. Once there, they circled the wagons and set up camp at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot for the better part of a week.

Using a plastic bag as fluid catcherI have rented and owned several motorhomes, and it seems that they all require a funnel with a long flexible tube to facilitate servicing the engine, transmission, and generator fluids. Funnels such as these are inexpensive and are available at any auto parts store.
The problem is, once you have used the funnel, you can’t clean out the long flexible tube, because there is a screen at the funnel end and the tube is corrugated.

Shurhold Industries has introduced a series of one-handle cleaning kits that are said to provide the tools needed to care for any type of motorhome.
Each kit features a durable Shurhold telescoping handle with the exclusive SHUR-LOK quick-release locking system, which holds the accessories firmly in place so they won’t spin or pop off during use yet allows them to be changed at the push of a button.
The Basic Kit comes with a 6-foot-long handle (extends from 43 inches to 72 inches), a 6-inch-wide soft brush, a Super Floor Mop, an angled floor broom, a 12-inch stainless-steel squeegee, and a tube of Snap-Stick snap and zipper lubricant.
The Intermediate Kit includes a 9-foot-long handle (extends from 63 inches to 108 inches), a 10-inch brush, a 16-inch squeegee, and the other accessories in the Basic Kit.
The Deluxe Kit comes with the same utensils as the Intermediate Kit but also includes a nonabrasive Dip and Go swivel pad infused with Simple Green cleaning solution, plus a towel and sponge made of synthetic PVA material.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Basic Kit is $111.25; the Intermediate Kit is priced at $129.67; and the Deluxe Kit is priced at $172.61.
For more information, contact:
Shurhold Industries
3119 S.W. 42nd Ave.
Palm City, FL 34990-5558
(800) 962-6241
(772) 287-1313
www.shurhold.com

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Rechargeable Spotlights
Black & Decker’s rechargeable V-Power Series spotlightBlack & Decker’s rechargeable V-Power Series spotlights are useful accessories for the motorhome or towed vehicle in case of an emergency or a power failure, or when performing work outdoors at night.

On May 21, National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration officials, honored guests, and participants caravanned the 90-mile leg from Clinton to Natchez, Mississippi, to help celebrate the official opening of the final segments of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road stretches from Natchez, Mississippi, through the northwest corner of Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee.

Bob Tiffin, founder and CEO of Tiffin Motorhomes, has several passions; among them are restoring classic automobiles and building quality motorhomes. A perfect bridge between the two is the Phaeton motorhome, named after a luxury touring car that was built for several decades beginning around the turn of the 20th century.

Failing Flange

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a question regarding a toilet flange. The flange that holds my toilet down has rotted away and will NOT hold the bolts that secure the toilet in place.

When full-timing, it pays to be flexible, aware, and always up-to-date on how to make the best of life on the go. Here are some solutions and suggestions full-timers might find beneficial.
Sole food
Ladies, if sandals and other open-toe shoes are a must in your on-the-go wardrobe, discover Summer Soles.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 of each year to mark the independence day of five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Our nearest neighbor to the south, Mexico, celebrates its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

Many people don’t like lizards any more than they do snakes, but we find these creatures interesting and often delightful. There are more than 100 species of lizards in the United States that sport a variety of shapes, patterns, and colors.
Lizards can be found in every state except Alaska, but the greater numbers occur where temperatures are warm.

Let’s get back to basics with recipes that are easy and quick, yet chic and delicious.
Foil-Poached Salmon
Fish is one food that is best cooked outside the motorhome, unless you want to enjoy the aroma for hours afterward inside. Here is a way to cook juicy fish outdoors.
1 large shallot
1 large clove garlic
1 large plum tomato, diced
4 pats butter
4 servings filleted salmon, preferably wild
Dill weed
Salt, pepper
8 tablespoons white wine, vermouth, or chicken broth
Set out four squares of nonstick foil.

The first meeting of the Arizona chapter was held at a ballpark in Casa Grande, Arizona, with 15 members attending. The chapter was chartered on July 13, 1968.

There is something truly fascinating about watching huge, heavy vehicles, which look more like toy trucks when seen at the bottom of a 900-foot-deep mining pit, moving tons of rock and ore around in search of gold. Members of the Rocky Mountain Motorcoach Association (RMMA) planning team were fortunate enough to experience this sight during their meeting in Winnemucca, Nevada, at the beginning of June in preparation for the 2005 Rocky Mountain Ramble, scheduled for September 14 through 17 at the Winnemucca Events Complex.
The Newmont Mining Corporation, which operates the Lone Tree mine east of Winnemucca, offers public tours of the facility.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a Sportscoach III on a P-30 chassis. I need to either shorten or modify the 3-inch down tube connecting the toilet to the black water tank.

Q: I have a late 1990s type A chassis with a Chevy 454-cid engine. It has 46,000 miles on it and I’d like to make it ride better.

Dear Editor:
Technical articles in RV magazines often leave you blank. But I must compliment writer Peter D.

This month I am dedicating my column to the questions most frequently answered by the staff in our Membership Services Department. I have found that although the facts are quite familiar to those of us who work with the issues daily, they may not be to members who deal with us infrequently, or those who are new members of FMCA.
Beverly Spurgeon, director of membership services, and the Membership Services Department staff have compiled the following list of the most frequently asked questions and the answers.

Previous FMCA presidents have told me that this is the magazine article they enjoyed writing the most. By the time you read this, I will be out of office and relieved of the tremendous responsibilities of being president of Family Motor Coach Association.
I don’t see how any man could serve in this position and do an acceptable job without a talented, intelligent, and loyal wife, as I have been blessed to have.

From a distance, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has the foreboding, medieval appearance of a haunted castle. With 30-foot-high stone walls and even taller towers, the penitentiary — the first of its kind in the United States — looks like and is a fortress.

One of the newest and most spectacular Midwestern routes for RV travelers is the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, located along Iowa’s western border. This panoramic roadway, which received its national designation in 2000, traverses the Loess Hills, an unusual land formation that is up to 15 miles wide and 200 miles long, and stretches from Sioux City in the north to St.

Before the Wild West existed in the minds of Americans, a place called Greene Ville was at the heart of history in the making.
Today, Greenville, Ohio, is a small town that epitomizes America’s heartland, but in the late 1700s and early 1800s, it was the epicenter of history that helped form this great nation. It was Annie Oakley’s hometown and also is the place of her burial.

Dr. Dean Edell, F10003, is one of the most recognized physicians in the United States.

Black and white streaks, the RVer’s version of barnacles, are a by-product of dirt and grime buildup, mixed with moisture, which has spilled down the sidewalls of the RV. There is no easy way to remove streaks; however, the best way to prevent these unsightly blemishes is to regularly wash the roof.
Now I don’t say this lightly, because while crawling around one story above the ground may be matter-of-fact to some people, for most of us it’s an episode straight out of “Fear Factor.” However, getting up there and washing away dirt and grime is the only way to avoid the backbreaking task of scrubbing away streaks that can permanently stain the sidewall surfaces.
It goes without saying that if you are on medication that can cause dizziness, or suffer a condition that can leave you feeling weak or light-headed, traipsing around the motorhome’s roof is not recommended.

It gives me great honor and pride to announce a continuing alliance between the Family Motor Coach Association and Passport America. Passport America and FMCA have supported one another over the years in this great industry by offering FMCA members the opportunity to become Passport America members, and thus receive some of the best campground discounts available.
Throughout history, great alliances have created new realms of possibility.

Kentucky is aptly nicknamed the Bluegrass State. But it could just as appropriately have been dubbed the Cave State, so riddled is its wide midsection with subterranean passageways and elegantly adorned, light-free halls.

Some people consider the House on the Rock an architectural wonder; others, a boondoggle; and others suggest it’s just plain weird. The house, perched atop a 60-foot-high sandstone pinnacle seven miles south of Spring Green, Wisconsin, is a museum-like structure visited by a half-million people each year.

Whether you’re a newcomer to RVing or have enjoyed the activity full- or part-time for decades, there’s always something more you can learn about it. And, of course, the more you know about the mechanics of your vehicle and the RVing lifestyle, the safer and more pleasurable your experiences on the road will be.
Such was Gaylord Maxwell’s reasoning when he began to develop the highly informative and popular RV Life on Wheels program a decade ago.

The compressed air system is relatively new to the typical diesel-pusher motorhome chassis, and coach owners may not understand how it all fits together. This article is merely an introduction to the compressed air systems and is intended to provide readers with a working knowledge of the systems.

We have a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire motorhome. In one of the exterior storage bays, a piece of fiberboard with 1/4-inch holes covers the right side of the water tanks.

RVers with roof-mounted or portable satellite dishes often have difficulty finding a clear line of sight though trees or other obstacles to allow for good reception. The Align-A-Site satellite dish alignment system can help locate openings so the dish can receive an unobstructed signal.
Using the system’s handheld sighting unit, motorhomers can survey the area for a suitable parking location with a clear line of sight.

Airstream, a division of Thor Industries, C847, based in Jackson Center, Ohio, tapped coach converter Creative Mobile Interiors, C9705, located in Grove City, Ohio, to help design and build the prototype interior used in Airstream’s new A-Series motorhomes.
The A-Series is designed to appeal to sophisticated motorhome enthusiasts. Its modern décor features clean lines; a restrained color scheme; and contemporary finishes such as leather, Ultrasuede, and highly polished Corian surfaces.

The all-new type C Itasca Navion from Winnebago Industries Inc. is a departure from other motorhomes made by this company.

Here are some offbeat, delicious island recipes to help bring the flavors of the Caribbean to your campsite.
Jerk Burgers
Traditional Jamaican jerk is prepared by rubbing a spice mix onto raw meat, chicken, or fish, then “jerking” it back and forth over a hot fire. North American supermarkets carry several brands of jerk seasoning.

The year 1860 is famous for more than the start of the Civil War; it also marked the beginning of the Pony Express. On April 3 of that year, a batch of mail was stuffed into a mail pouch and tossed on the saddle.

Naturally occurring wildfires have been caused by lightning and volcanoes for millions of years. However, archaeologists have found evidence that parts of North America have been intentionally burned for more than 5,000 years.

If you ever have heard professional organizer Debbie Williams on radio or television, you know she takes a commonsense approach to eliminating clutter. Now she has organized many of her best ideas into a compact book, Common Sense Organizing ($13.95, Champion Press).

This committee formerly was known as the Insurance and Risk Management Committee, and its name was changed because of its new focus over the past couple of years. After ensuring that the property and casualty policies (these cover the building and equipment owned by FMCA) were up-to-date, the committee began to focus on what risk management means to FMCA.
FMCA provides coverage for all active members via two programs: the Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policy and the MEDEX emergency medical assistance program.

Indianapolis City-County Council was considering a proposed ordinance amendment that would restrict RV parking and storage to inside a garage or atop a hard-surface area alongside or behind the owner’s residence.
Status: Introduced May 23, 2005, and referred to the Metropolitan Development Committee. The proposal was tabled at the committee’s June 6 public hearing and placed on the June 27 agenda.

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Idaho RV license fee
Marse Shobe, F313485, is leading an initiative to reduce Idaho’s annual RV license fee.
Currently, Idaho RV owners pay an annual license fee of $8.50 for an RV with a market value of $1,000 or less, and $5 for each additional $1,000 in value.

The original Klondikers set out in 1896 for the Yukon region of Canada. They struck it rich along Bonanza Creek and its tributaries.

Despite dire predictions of bad weather, the sun shone brightly on Lebanon, Tennessee, for the sixth annual International Area Rally, sponsored by the International Area Organization (INTO). Six hundred forty family coaches and 64 display motorhomes crowded into the James E.

Dear RV Doctor:
We just purchased a clean 1971 RV and have discovered a leaking plastic toilet. The toilet leaks from the top back when the “flush pedal” is in operation.

Q: Now that we are seeing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in taillights and interior lights on service panels, when do you anticipate that LEDs will begin to overtake incandescent 12-volt lightbulbs on RVs? It seems that would be the natural progression, and we all would benefit from the lower power consumption.
Peter Jordan
Via e-mail
A: I don’t really foresee LEDs replacing either the incandescent or fluorescent lights found inside motorhomes in the near future, other than those that are already used as accent lighting on the ceilings and along floors. At present LEDs are very expensive, and a main concern for coach manufacturers is the bottom line.

In the obituary for Don McGrath, past national vice president, Great Lakes Area (July 2005, page 32), it was stated that Mr. McGrath served as Midwest Area vice president from 1996 to 2000.

Stories about identity theft seem to be making the news on a regular basis these days. Now FMCA’s Membership/Member Services Committee has found a plan for FMCA members that will provide protection against identity theft and assist members in restoration if they become a victim.