In the April 2006 issue we reported a “Towable Correction” after a representative from American Honda Motor Company told us that none of the 2006-model Acura or Honda vehicles are approved for towing four wheels down behind a motorhome, including the Acura MDX and Honda CR-V. This was contrary to information we received earlier for the “Towables For 2006” article (January 2006, page 66).
American Honda has since clarified that the Honda CR-V is the only 2006-model Acura or Honda that can be towed four wheels down.

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Telephone Number Correction
The April “Full Timers Primer” column (page 116) listed an incorrect area code in the phone number for Long Term Care Insurance Planners.

I am happy to announce that FMCA has partnered with U.S. Bank to offer a new credit card program to the membership.

If you missed FMCA’s 75th International Convention in Pomona, California, held Monday, March 20, through Thursday, March 23, you missed a great celebration. The number of family coaches attending our “Celebrating Family” convention was 2,892, and we had 1,375 commercial coaches, for a total of 4,267.
Although the weather was cool and damp on the first few days, it improved each day, and the last two days were ideal.

Almost before Hurricane Katrina had cleared the Southern Louisiana Gulf Coast in August 2005, leaving unimaginable devastation in its wake, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, located in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, was in emergency operations mode. Leaders of the 4,800-acre base, located less than 10 miles south of downtown New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River, had planned and prepared for hurricanes, but no one ever conceived of that much destruction.
All seemed as well as could be expected after the storm moved inland, until the protective levees were breached and the “Big Easy” and surrounding area were flooded.

You may have heard of the Shipshewana Flea Market, reportedly one of the three largest such outdoor sales in the United States (the others are in Kenton, Texas, and Webster, Florida). Located in the small northeast Indiana town of Shipshewana, the market attracts shoppers from throughout the United States and Canada, who roam among the stands of 1,100 vendors in pursuit of just about anything money can buy.
You know before you get there, because of what you’ve been told, that it’s going to be colossal.

Twice annually the Youth Center at FMCA conventions opens its doors to traveling youth between 2 and 18 years of age to enjoy outings and friendship. There are four age groups separated between TOTS, ages 2-5; TWEENS, 6-9; PRE-TEENS, 10-12; and TATS, 13-18.

“We are Family,” the hit disco tune from 1979, could well have been the theme song for FMCA’s 75th International Convention, dubbed “Celebrating Family.” Members of the Family Motor Coach Association share a special connection and sense of community, and association members gathered March 20 through 23 in Pomona, California, to celebrate those “family ties” and enjoy the makings of an event designed to celebrate the motorhome lifestyle as well. A total of 4,267 motorhomes traveled to the Golden State for this get-together.

My wife, Gail, and I were in our late 40s when we sent the youngest of our three children off to college. Even though the house would soon be empty, I knew that it might not be permanent.

It was happening right before our eyes. Our family vacation was going down the tubes.
Three tubes, in fact.

According to Coach Care business development manager Bill Gibson, more than 1.4 million motorized recreation vehicles are on the road today, and with all the troubleshooting and maintenance that statistic implies, the service industry is taxed. To help dealerships handle the growing demand for repair technicians and service bays, as well as to give RV owners a way to stay connected while they are out on the road, Coach Care’s national network of one-stop service repair centers was born.
“Let me define the term ‘one-stop,'” Mr.

We use a swim noodle placed between the slideout roof and the awning to keep the awning from flapping in the wind when the slideout is extended. Make sure that the noodle is tightly secured so it won’t blow away.

Sterling All Terrain aluminum tow barThe Sterling All Terrain from Roadmaster Inc., which is touted in company literature as the world’s strongest aluminum tow bar, now features Roadmaster’s exclusive non-binding technology. The Freedom Latch is said to release the tow bar at any angle, level, or bind the first time, every time.
The Sterling All Terrain is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs just 35 pounds, but is rated to pull up to 6,000 pounds.

Mandalay Luxury Division, a division of Thor Industries, C847, has added the new Valencia to its lineup of type A diesel motorhomes for 2006. According to company officials, the Valencia has been designed for those who want the style and longevity of a diesel motorhome at a price point comparable to a luxury gas motorhome.
The Valencia is built on the Freightliner XC chassis with a 300-horsepower Cummins ISB diesel engine that provides 600 pound-feet of torque.

Tour Master Inc. — an affiliate of Gulf Stream Inc. — has drawn upon customer input to incorporate an assortment of interior living comforts and thoughtful design details into this reintroduced luxury diesel pusher.

These recipes were chosen to be easy on the cook, tasty for the crew, and highway-friendly for the family that loves motorhome travel.

Seafood Corn Chowder

Canned seafood is a lifesaver in the galley, because a little goes a long way. Surprise guests show up for supper? Reach into the pantry for a few cans to make this hearty chowder, which can be served with hot, crusty biscuits.

There’s no denying it: American badgers do get nasty at times. Maybe it’s in their genes.

Just because full-timers live a different lifestyle doesn’t mean they don’t have the same interests, responsibilities, and challenges that recreational motorhomers do. Here are a few pointers and warnings to help make life on the go more manageable.
Work as you go
If you’re a seasoned worker in search of a conventional, long-term job rather than the type of position found through KOA Work Kamper or Workamper programs, try job hunting at www.job-hunt.org or www.seniorjobbank.org.

We hadn’t realized until recently that the Amish are no longer clustered only in the Eastern United States. They now live in half of the country, as well as eastern Canada.

In 1972 the Sportscoach Owners International (S.O.I.) chapter was formed to bring together owners of motorhomes made by Sportscoach Corporation of America. It was the beginning of an incredible journey for motorhome owners at that time.
Back then, a Time magazine ad for Sportscoach stated, “It costs you $25,000 to join this exclusive club, and for that we will throw in a Sportscoach for you.” That caught my attention.

The 18th Annual Western Area Rally took place at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio, California, January 11 through 15, 2006. The event definitely sparkled and shone in the warm desert sun, attracting approximately 1,370 family coaches and 1,900 interested visitors who purchased day passes.
The rally kicked off Thursday afternoon with a delightful parade.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a water heater that seems to be leaking although I cannot actually see it leaking. But I have a towel placed close by the heater and it does get wet.

Q: My motorhome has a 1997 Chevy 7400 Vortec V-8 engine with a Banks lifetime air filter. Can you explain how to connect the air-conditioner fan to a switch so I can turn it on and off when I want to (only the fan, that is)? The reason I’d like to do this is when I go up hills in the summer months with the dash air on, the engine starts to heat up, the engine loses horsepower, and the fan clutch makes a lot of noise.

Dear Editor:
Just a heads up that in Houston, Interstate 10, from the intersection of Interstate 610 westward for approximately 30 miles, is under perpetual construction. It is navigable, but in many cases drivers should proceed with extreme caution and forethought.

Did you watch the Winter Olympics on television this year? If you did, you probably also witnessed the debut of the new Go RVing television ads. The ads that aired during Olympics coverage kicked off the fourth three-year campaign of the highly successful promotions that have generated significant interest in the RV lifestyle.

Another successful area rally, this one hosted by FMCA’s Southeast Area, was enjoyed February 1 through 5 in Brooksville, Florida. The rally theme this year was “Celebrate Mardi Gras at S.E.A.” Each day was filled with lots of activities.
The fun began early.

Looking for an offbeat travel theme? Well, how about vacationing where a giant ice-age flood ripped through the northwestern United States? The settings are dramatic and the history amazing.
During the last ice age, a series of gargantuan floods, known as the Missoula Floods, scrambled the landscape of Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, and northern Oregon. The floods broadened the Columbia River Gorge, rerouted the Snake River, and, in places, made both rivers run backward.

When Lou Holtmann, F369233, chose a family activity that everyone in his clan of 21 would enjoy, he did it in a big way. The retired corporate executive from St.

When compared to other Alabama cities, Dothan is a bit out of the way. It’s far removed from any interstates, making it one of those places you need to travel to on purpose.

A few weeks ago we were attending a small rally held at an older RV park when I observed three guys hovering around the utility post for one of the coaches. They were in a friendly but intense discussion, so I walked over to satisfy my curiosity.

Lyle Reed, a retired executive with 33 years of experience in the railroad industry, recently transferred the management skills, business acumen, and enthusiasm he had acquired during that career to focus on the production and marketing of high-line motor coaches. Those attributes now are being applied to Foretravel Inc., C236, a high-line motor coach manufacturer based in Nacogdoches, Texas, that has been an innovative force in the RV industry for decades.
Mr.

There’s something alluring about an island, especially when it’s not connected to the mainland by a bridge. The attraction is more than just a physical detachment from everyday life, though; it’s that mental million-miles-away-from-it-all feeling you get by simply arriving.

If you’ve ever had an automatic transmission fail in your motorhome, then you are familiar with the meaning of the word “expensive.” Rebuilding an automatic transmission is costly, with repairs starting around $1,500 and ranging upward of $3,000 or higher if a complete rebuild or replacement is necessary. Furthermore, since Murphy’s Law is ever-present in our universe (it is in mine, at least), odds are if your transmission fails, it will do so while you are on the road, adding to the overall cost with towing charges and motels, plus ruining your trip.

Stable sewer pipe connectionThe sewer pipe connections at many campgrounds are above or below ground level, resulting in a less-than-tight connection for the sewer hose. This is a condition we all would like to avoid.

Paw kit dog organizerThe Paw Kit from FunStuffForDogs.com is a handy travel bag that can be used whenever you and your dog are on the go.
The bag includes seven labeled mesh pockets — for leash, toys, water bottle, towel, bags, bowl, and treats — to keep accessories organized and handy. The spacious interior provides plenty of room for additional items, and the bag’s neoprene exterior makes it durable and waterproof.
The Paw Kit, available in hot pink, has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $34.95.
For more information, contact:
FunStuffForDogs.com
9188 Chivalry Court
Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 712-2812
www.funstufffordogs.com

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Vehicle Appearance Products
Eagle One vehicle care productsEagle One has introduced a new line of vehicle care products that, according to product literature, apply easier; penetrate the surface better to eliminate hairline scratches and swirl marks; and produce a deeper, high-gloss shine that lasts longer.
NanoWax Spray reportedly provides a high-gloss shine to the vehicle’s exterior without hazing or leaving a white residue.

Liberty Coach of Florida, C9408, welcomed 140 guests for the company’s annual “Open House” event at its dealership in Stuart, Florida, February 2 through 5, 2006. Coach owners who attended camped in their luxury coaches at the eight-acre facility for four nights where they enjoyed meals, seminars, and entertainment.
This year’s rally raised money for the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s research.

There’s good reason why, halfway between the Southern California coast and the area near Palm Springs, hundreds of giant wind turbines lace the hillsides and valley floor. The prevailing wind travels through a natural funnel-shaped pass that gives it tremendous velocity.

Basque hotels, with their wonderful restaurants, were a second home to the sheep farmers who flocked to North America in the 1870s. Lured by the promise of “wide open spaces,” these hard-working settlers established lives in the New World, never forgetting the comfort foods of their homeland.
While traveling through Nevada last year, I discovered the goodness and huge variety of Basque dining.

After reading a terrific book on Nebraska paleontology recently, Kaye decided that some FMC readers must also be interested in really, really ancient North American history. So once we decided on our topic, we began to research archaeology and paleontology museums on the Internet, selecting the most intriguing ones to include in this column.

Every year, clever manufacturers introduce new aftermarket accessories that are a boon to full-timers, especially those who are handy enough to install the items themselves. Here are a few that you may be interested in.
Sink-Away is an outside sink system that attaches to the exterior of the motorhome to help keep messes outdoors.

On a recent drive into California’s Central Valley, we saw our first sign of spring. Although readers who live in the northern parts of the United States might think we are a little premature, what we saw was our favorite vernal pool coming to life.

Forming a new FMCA chapter takes a little time, right? Well, yes, it usually does take awhile, but it sure didn’t for the Northern Nevada Prospectors.
From the initial idea to the actual formation meeting, the entire process took a little less than two months. Add the fact that the chapter president, one of two men who thought up the idea of the chapter, had just joined FMCA, and it’s even more impressive.
A few coincidences definitely smoothed out the process.

Ray and Nancy Lambertson, F318812, full-time motorhomers, are about as different as two people can be. Nancy is effervescent and chatty, while Ray is quiet and soft-spoken.
The two are so dissimilar that even the minister who married them in 1966 said he was sure it wouldn’t last, Nancy said, laughing.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have a 34-foot 1990 type A motorhome. My problem is that when I have the coach hooked to shore power, my coach batteries do not stay charged.

Q: I am investigating the purchase of a new Silverado with the 5.3-liter V-8 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission with a rear-locking differential. Noting your 2005 towables guide, you only reference four-wheel-drive Silverados as being towable.

The toll-free number given for Winegard Company, maker of the Movin’ View MV3500T In-Motion Satellite TV antenna featured in the February 2006 “RV Products” column (page 48) was incorrect. The correct number is (800) 288-8094.
FMC regrets this error.

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“Towables” Addition
The “Towables For 2006” article (January 2006, page 66) failed to include the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome.

Do you remember the famous U.S. military recruitment posters from the World War I and II eras that depicted Uncle Sam pointing straight at the observer, with the words “I Want You” in big, bold type? For FMCA, the message is the same.

Most of you know how it feels when you want to go someplace, but your motorhome won’t start. It happened to us.

As you drive on Interstate 24 across the southwest corner of Kentucky, heading east from Paducah toward Hopkinsville, you pass in quick succession the northern tip of Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River, and then a pair of inlets at the north end of Lake Barkley, on the Cumberland River. It’s a 20-mile drive past glittering acres of sapphire water poking emerald hills with a thousand fingers.

Once known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron, Ohio, no longer merits that title. Instead, this city of 217,000 has become a world-renowned center for polymer research and development.

Admittedly there are a number of tourist railroads these days. But none of them, that I’m aware of, take you through 40 miles of wild, remote, and beautiful mountains as does the Skunk, a Northern California tourist railroad.