Allegro Club Magazine for Leisure & Living

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES

The Award-Winning Allegro Club Magazine For Leisure & Living

4-5 Summer salads areare quick,quick, easyeasy Side dishes or lighterlighter mealsmeals

6 LUVTFFNLUVTFFN VanityVanity platesplates livenliven upup thethe roadroad

8-9 Quiet, powerful, comfortable,comfortable, spaciousspacious Owners applaud AllegroAllegro 3535 QBAQBA

Volume 4 Issue No.4 June 2008 SIDE ROADS Is published quarterly March, June, September and December by the Allegro Club, Inc.

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 159, Birmingham, AL From the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Allegro Club, Inc. P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582 driver’s seat NOTICE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Allegro Club, Inc., Red Bay, AL, has designed tours, caravans, by Jimmy Johnson and rallies for your pleasure and enjoyment and has attempted to select for you the best campgrounds, accommodations, restaurants, and transportation facilities for the prices charged. Allegro Club, Inc., Jimmy and Gail Johnson, and the Board of Directors do not own or operate any of the campgrounds, hotels, restaurants or transportation Tears were shed as the couple shuttled belongings from their beloved facilities and, furthermore, assume no responsibility for delays, losses, accidents, or for damage to persons or property caused by any person, Allegro “Brownie” to their shiny new Allegro. They had lovingly cared firm, corporation, or other legal entity providing the following services: for the older model for 21 years, and while their hearts were heavy campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, transportation (including but not recounting so many great campouts, the time had certainly arrived for a limited to transfers and sightseeing) or any other services incident to these tours, rallies, caravans or any activities of the Allegro Club, Inc. spiffy new motorhome with all the latest bells and whistles. The right is reserved to substitute campgrounds, hotels, restaurants That occurred at a Colorado Springs rally in October 2005. Purchases of and alter the itinerary or reverse the places to be visited. The right is reserved to cancel the tour or caravan prior to departure. In the event new coaches are common at our rallies – seven proud new owners at our of a tour or caravan cancellation, the Allegro Club, Inc., Jimmy and Gail March rally in Tucson, for example – yet the process is still exciting to watch. Johnson, and the Board of Directors’ liability is limited to a refund of money received. I know the moving experience well. In my five years as president of The Allegro Club, Inc., Jimmy and Gail Johnson, and the Board of the Allegro Club, I’ve lugged my plastic tubs into three Allegro Bays, Directors reserve the right to make any changes, with or without notice, that might become necessary with the understanding that there is no three Phaetons and two Allegro Buses. A coach comes with the job, extra charge. After a tour, caravan or rally begins, any unused portions but I don’t develop the close attachments that couple with the Brownie of fees paid are not refundable. The Allegro Club, Inc., also reserves the enjoyed. After 3,000-5,500 miles, I must surrender one rig and figure out right to terminate tour, caravan and rally services for any client at any time for good cause. another one. The mission of the Allegro Club is: That sounds like a dream world. New motorhomes have a magic aura 1 ) To promote friendship, fellowship and camaraderie among all owners of Tiffin-built motorhomes; about them, like a new car or a new house. It’s shiny with all the smells 2 ) To provide pertinent information and assistance regarding of newness. Features just beg for you to explore them. Here in the Deep Tiffin-built products, their maintenance and related safety topics; 3 ) To promote brand loyalty to Tiffin-built motorhomes among South, we have a saying about the good feeling of being the first owner current owners; of something you really like: “Nobody’s been licking the red off your 4 ) To encourage ownership of Tiffin-built motorhomes among non-owners. sucker before you.” The Allegro Club reserves the right to edit submissions for space and After all my motorhome moves, in addition to the excitement, I clarity. Manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and other proposed content remember banged knuckles, too. That’s one reason I appreciate the are welcomed and will be considered for publication. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Content, including 30-in. entry doors on 2008 Phaetons and Allegro Buses. statements of fact and opinion, do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints The moving routine is almost a science for the Johnsons. Starting at of Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. or the Allegro Club, Inc. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. and the Allegro Club, Inc. are not responsible for content. Privacy laws the rear of the coach, belongings are separated into plastic tubs: towels, and policies prevent Side Roads from publishing memorials, illnesses and linens, clothes, toiletries are all easy. When we get to the galley it gets other personal information without written permission. more complicated and often requires 10 tubs. ON THE COVER Then from the basement come tools, cords, hoses, patio carpet, lawn chairs, Ask any Tiffin owner. The only reason Bob Tiffin’s face isn’t on Mount a gas grille or two, camp tables, hiking sticks, flower bed edging (for a fire ring) Rushmore is that South Dakota’s Black Hills ran out of space. This Zephyr, and 2x12s (for leveling so I don’t have any wheels off the ground). pushed by a 500 HP Cummins ISM 10.8-liter diesel, makes short work of mountain inclines. We can empty a coach in two hours but loading takes twice as long. My second Phaeton was probably my favorite: spiffy colors, in-motion LETTERS TO THE EDITOR satellite and the built-in exterior entertainment center. Want to share an experience you had in your Tiffin Motorhome? Have a comment or suggestion about I’ve only journeyed across the parking lot at the Tiffin plant in my Side Roads, the Allegro Club newsletter? Write to: new Allegro Bus, but I’m told I may get to settle into this one for a Side Roads Editor, Allegro Club P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582 change. Of course, that’s what I thought several coaches ago, when I Please include your name, address, email and phone drove a beautiful Phaeton to a rally in Vermont, only to wave farewell number so we can contact you. when a dealer had a customer for it. CONTACTS: Next time you’re at a rally, a show or just visiting a dealership, check out Tiffin Motorhomes Parts & Service: the new Tiffin models. Banged knuckles heal fast on a new steering wheel. (256) 356-0261 Allegro Club: (256) 356-8522 [email protected] Jimmy Johnson, Allegro Club president President Verbon Jones, Allegro Club office manager Allegro Club Cynthia Skinner, Allegro Club membership coordinator Janet Gober, Allegro Club administrative assistant

2 SIDE ROADS www.tiffinmotorhomes.com Comfortable computing is Tiffin’s latest option

Comfortable computing and “The Euro Recliner and the power blackout windshield shade, a shorter Allegro Bus are recent computer work station proved manual driver and passenger additions to Tiffin’s menu of popular with many of our blackout and solar shades, plus 2008 models. customers, but others wanted the manual roller valance shades in additional sleeping capacity of all windows except the galley and the Air Coil® Hide-A-Bed sofa water closet. Options include the instead,” Williamson adds. dinette/computer work station, With the adjacent dinette, Euro Recliner with computer/end computer users will have plenty table or two Euro Recliners, of horizontal workspace. When washer/dryer, dishwasher and the computer is shut down Hydro-Hot® heating system. and it’s time to watch TV, the The 36 QSP coaches began midsection seated-eye-level set rolling into Tiffin dealerships accommodates many viewers in April. from the two sofas and the For more information, visit swiveled seats. www.tiffinmotorhomes.com. The upscale Allegro Bus diesel Maybe laptop isn’t where pusher is now available in a you want to use your laptop. A downsized 36-ft. quad-slide. new, convenient optional coach Powered by a 425hp Cummins location to search for restaurants ISL 8.9-liter motor on Tiffin’s near a campground or admire own PowerGlide® chassis, the 36 the latest emailed photos of the QSP sports all the power, comfort grandkids emerged in January and style of the 40-, 42- and 43-ft. on all 2008 Phaeton, Allegro Allegro Buses. Maneuverability Bus and Zephyr diesel pusher of the shorter coach is expected models. The dinette/computer to be a huge attraction. work station includes room for a “Good things can come in printer and files. small packages,” says Williamson. “We believe this will appeal to “When you see all the Allegro everyone who uses a computer, Bus features in a 36-ft. coach, and that’s at least 90% of our your first reaction is luxury. customers,” says Jerry Williamson, Then you’re thinking handling Tiffin national sales manager. ease and power. This is a sweet “Our customers are electronically floor plan.” savvy, which has become a way The Allegro Bus features include of life.” independent front suspension, Earlier in the current model 18-in. VIP Smart Steering Wheel, year, Tiffin began offering an aluminum wheels, solid wood optional Euro Recliner with a interior décor, Ultra Leather computer/end table. For 2006 driver and front passenger seats, models, Tiffin introduced a front a 3,000-watt Pro Sine inverter, passenger side dash laptop work a mid-section, seated-eye-level station which is still standard. LCD TV, and MCD single-piece Allegro Bus 36 QSP

SIDE ROADS 3 Roadside recipes by Gail Johnson

Can you believe those lazy days of summer are upon us? For many of you, I am sure, the summers are not so lazy, but one menu item that goes well with any summer schedule is a good salad. In this issue, we offer a variety of delicious, easy salads for side dishes or light meals. As Allegro Club rally season gets into full swing, I look forward to meeting you so we can share information about cooking on the road.

Strawberry Supreme Many variations of this delicious congealed salad exist. My family enjoys this one year-round, but it is especially cool and refreshing during summer. Ingredients: 1 large package strawberry gelatin mix 1 10-ounce carton frozen strawberries 2 small bananas, mashed well 2 cups boiling water 1 cup cold water 1 cup chopped pecans Pinch salt Small can crushed pineapple (drained) 1 8-ounce carton sour cream

Instructions: Dissolve gelatin mix in boiling water; add salt. Add frozen berries, stirring until thawed. Add cold water. Stir in bananas, pineapple, and nuts. Pour half of mixture into oblong casserole dish. Chill until firm. Spread sour cream over chilled mixture. Chill until set. Add remaining mixture. Chill until firm.

Old-Fashioned Cabbage Slaw An Allegro Club member requested a recipe for vinegar slaw. I have used this one over the years as a good accompaniment to fried fish. It does have a bit of mayo in it, but is not a creamy slaw.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1/3 cup white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper 3 cups or more chopped or grated cabbage 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard 1 or 2 teaspoons grated onion (green or red or a combination) 1/2 to 1 teaspoon celery seed 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 or 2 tablespoons salad dressing or mayonnaise

Instructions: Place ingredients in a large bowl in the order listed; mix well. Cover and chill thoroughly. Garnish with watercress and sliced stuffed olives just before serving, if desired.

4 SIDE ROADS Easy Potato Salad My mother uses this recipe for our family July 4th gatherings. It goes great with barbeque and chicken.

Ingredients: 1 envelope Italian dressing mix 5 cups diced cooked potatoes 1/2 - 1 cup celery, diced 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise Freshly ground pepper, to taste 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion

Instructions: Combine dressing mix and vinegar; allow to stand for 30 minutes. Mix with mayonnaise. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper; add chopped vegetables. (You may add or delete ingredients to your own taste. Some people like less celery or the addition of bell pepper or chopped boiled eggs.) Add salad dressing mixture and toss lightly to mix. Chill and serve. When choosing potatoes for boiling, remember that Russets sometimes disintegrate. Red potatoes are best for potato salad.

Homemade French Dressing This is an old standby from a local barbeque restaurant in the Shoals area of Alabama. It is delicious on a tossed salad or a vegetable. Ingredients: 1 can tomato soup 1 teaspoon dry mustard 3/4 cup vinegar Dash of oregano or parsley 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Instructions: Mix all ingredients well. Cover and chill until serving.

Garden Chicken Pasta Salad This salad makes a quick and delicious lunch. Prepare ahead of mealtime and chill until serving. Ingredients: 8-ounces rotini pasta, cooked and drained 6-ounce package roasted or grilled chicken breast strips 2 cups broccoli flowerets 1/2 cup each chopped red pepper and green pepper 1 1/2 cups “3-cheese ranch dressing” 1/2 cup chopped onion Instructions: Toss all ingredients together; mix gently and refrigerate.

SIDE ROADS 5 Vanity plates can be puzzlers by Bob Poiry

Carol and I were Next, we have the lifestyle town). JEEP1 (you don’t suppose the on the road head- plates. President goes four-wheeling do you? ed west when I MY401K (sportscar, enough Probably not because it wasn’t black). began to notice said). 1BIG (same thing here). 49RFN (49er fan). 56CRZR (a really more and more MYNW1 (my new one). sweet Chevy convertible). SWT16 of the license MMSCDY (mom’s Caddy? (this old gal was really dreaming). plates on other It was on a pink Cadillac). LV2FSH (love to fish). CTCH22 vehicles. It is LV1MN (Las Vegas won (wonder what that was all about)? really amazing mine). ME2HR (a gift to her, no The next category is nickname once you start to doubt)? 92FVE (banker’s hours). plates. pay attention. I have 2X4MN (two-by- four man, maybe SASSI. LADYX. MISTY. separated some of them a carpenter)? BLT42 (on a 2 seat LUCKY1. BRTHA. LDYLK (Lady into categories that best describes dunebuggy). MY2HR4 (I’ll bet this Luck). MGZY1 (Muggzy 1). SCBDU them, I think. I won’t list the states, couple has six kids between them). (Scooby Doo). MOJO3. DNEBY but they are as varied as the plates. LVRVN (this van was really decked (Danny Boy)? PRTY1 (a lady’s car for First, we have the attitude plates. out). FN2DRV (a fancy pickup driven sure). FXHTR (fox hunter)? P33PR STFIT (stuff it)? NTYRVT (not by an older lady. By the way, there (you suppose this guy was a peeper)? your ‘Vette, on a new Corvette). was a sticker on the tailgate that BR549 (Hee Haw comes to mind ISTLIT (I stole it)? AINTHS (ain’t read “No This Ain’t My Husband’s here). BWHTR (I know this gal, his)? UR12 (one what)? BKOFF Truck”). MYTFNE (mighty fine, I she held a record in Michigan for the (back off). SHEDVL (where’s Taz)? guess). BUD4ME (cops should do a largest black bear taken with a bow 1TFGL (I wouldn’t want to mess with sobriety test on this one). 2FS4ME and arrow a few years ago). this gal). UWNT12 (on a Mercedes (too fast for me)? ITZ2FST (it’s too Then we have the vehicle monicker and actually, I do want one, too). fast). HERZ (but he was driving it). plates. GT1NW (got one now). ITZMN (it’s INDY07 (must have made the races 642GO (’64 muscle car). 4T7CHV mine). GO4BK (go for broke). STL39 that year). 4TTDE (had to really (1947 Chevy coupe). MY58FD (on a (well, I figure this guy’s still hanging think about this one, but probably for- ’58 Ford, of course). 23TCPE (a really onto 39 years old). 2OLD2 (I wonder titude). HRZ2U (here’s to you). PD1 sweet 1923 Model T coupe street rod). what that refers to)? (probably the chief of police of that 8PK2GO (beefed up V8 street rod). 572DR (1957 2-door Ford). PSCHO The Yankee Doodler Cartoonist Bob Poiry (custom street rod pickup, with “Split Personality” lettered on the tailgate. Would you want to argue over traffic with this guy)? PNKSLP (I’ll bet this one’s paid for). While the unmarked police cars driven by detectives are supposed to be inconspicuous, some are not. BNE83 (breaking and entering back in the 1980s). CCW79 (carrying a concealed weapon). ARSN21 (arson investigator). CR54 (Car 54, that’s an old timer). Now you know any crimi- nal in that town got a real hoot out of those cars. You have to think about some of these. Look for them on the high- ways; it can be fun and it works your brain (but wears me out).

6 SIDE ROADS ------

Allegro Club Fall Foliage Fest October 6 - October 9, 2008 (Check out October 10) Cold Springs Camp Resort / Weare, NH

This event is available to the first 95 eligible applicants.

Cost Includes: 4 nights camping fee, full hook-ups, several meals, entertainment & activities. When on hand, Tiffin factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Cold Springs RV will display the latest in Tiffin-built motorhomes for your viewing. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.

Cost: Allegro Club member motorhome with two (2) people / $425 • Allegro Club member motorhome with one (1) person / $315 • Non-member motorhome with two (2) people / $625 • Non-member motorhome with one (1) person / $515 • Each additional guest / $125 Total Cost: $ Number of people Amount enclosed (full payment required) $ Name: Second person’s name: Mailing Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone number: Allegro Club #: Chapter #: Name of guest(s) in member’s motorhome: We wish to park with our chapter (listed above) or individual: We will be in: q Allegro q Allegro Star q Allegro Bay q Allegro Bus q Open Road q Phaeton q Zephyr Motorhome length: License plate # : State: Tow vehicle: Make: License plate #: State: My chassis is: q Ford q Workhorse q Chevrolet q Oshkosh q Spartan q Freightliner q PowerGlide CUT HERE q Other: YES q / NO q This is our first Allegro Club rally. q q ------YES / NO We wish to park in the handicapped section. (Enclose Handicapped Certification copy with your registration.) YES q / NO q We will bring our pet(s). Participants wishing to park together must send registration and rally fee in together! Get your reservations in early. There will be only 95 spaces available. No reservations will be taken after the deadline of August 29, 2008. The refund deadline is August 29, 2008. Send check, money order or fill out complete credit card information below: q Visa q Master Card q Discover Credit Card Number: Expiration Date ______/ ______/ ______/ ______/ ______1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Month Year

Signature: Call (256) 356-8522 to register by phone or fax your registration form to (256) 356-9746. You can mail your reservation form with check payable to: Allegro Club, P.O. Box 1429, Red Bay, AL 35582-1429

Attention: Early arrivals and late departures should be handled on your own by By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following calling Cold Springs Camp Resort at (603) 529-2528. statements: “I understand that neither the Allegro Club, Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., nor any campground, restaurant, bus service or supplier assume any No partial or total refunds will be given after the refund deadline. Upon cancellation responsibility directly or indirectly, for the use or operation of a car or a $20 handling fee will be charged. Travel insurance is an option available through Farm recreational vehicle going to or from or during the rally; or for injuries before, & City Insurance at (800) 331-1520. Payment must accompany each rally registration. during or after the rally; or damage to property of any kind before, during or

o u r Reviewers e f f i c i e n c y o f heating a n d cooling systems Dave, Jinney and The heaters work great. With over eight vents throughout Zack Misper of the RV it stays nice and toasty. As for the air conditioning Spanaway, WA, were we have not had the chance to use it yet. planning to replace their 1989 (non-Tiffin) spaciousness o f living r o o m Class A this summer, I love the space in my living room. Since we travel but a RV show and with family and friends, I know that if the weather is Poulsbo RV “made our cold and rainy (we live in Washington) the party is dream come true” in going to be in my motorhome. There is enough space January. Dave works for to set up two card tables or I can set up a queen-size air the federal government, Jinney is a public school para- bed. The room is large and roomy, yet cozy. educator and Zack is a fifth grader. The Mispers have owned two RVs over an 11-year span before the 35 QBA. Attractiveness o f i n t e r i o r decoration Explains Jinney: All Zack wanted was his own bed, not Tiffin could not have come any closer on the a couch like he had in the old motorhome. Now not only interior colors. I love the earth tones. does he have his own bed, but he has two bunk beds with 15-in. TVs. The Mispers use their motorhome for vacations, dry camping at family mountain property and camping at resorts. They enjoy traveling as a family, “The interior is luxurious, with its sometimes taking along a friend or two of Zack’s. Very happy with their 35 QBA, which they call their second wood and color scheme, yet homey.” home, they are planning a summer trip to Yellowstone. (253) 732-0555 [email protected] Workability o f galley turning r a d i u s , r o a d handling a n d stability LOVE IT! I am getting used to the convection oven David really likes the way that our Allegro handles. though; would love any tips. Because of the two slide outs Although we have only taken a couple of trips, he I have more than enough room in the kitchen. The ice noticed right away the smoothness and stability. maker is an upgrade for me. My fridge is large enough for a week or two of food, plus more than enough drawers Power/torque and cabinets. Very spacious. Compared to our 1989 it is night and day. The Allegro had no problems up the pass to our property. c o m f o r t a n d usability o f bathroom Although it’s not the biggest bathroom, it works. The Learning curve f o r maintenance, shower is a nice size. A little snug in the toilet area; we electronics a n d o t h e r f e a t u r e s have had the toilet paper holder removed to make more Once Dave got out the manuals and glanced at room to sit (it would poke you in the thigh). Lots of them, the jacks were a breeze to put up and take storage for towels. down. Tiffin makes it easy to learn. Their manuals were easy to read and if we have questions we just call. Livability o f bedroom No more corner beds - we have a queen size bed that Noise l e v e l (b o t h parked a n d moving) you can walk around. With two slide outs we have lots The generator is very quiet; we can finally hear the of space in our bedroom and more than enough storage, TV. The engine purrs like a kitten. Very quiet when including under the bed. traveling or parked.

8 SIDE ROADS What the owners say: Testing the 2008 Allegro 35 QBA

o u r Reviewers Noise l e v e l (b o t h parked a n d moving) Je f f and Adrianna The noise level while driving was not bad. We Pickford of Alhambra, CA, could converse easily and Dodger slept the whole way. took their first trip in Everyone slept well their first night in the motorhome. their first motorhome to There was a freeway near the campground and the visit daughter Bryana, a noise level was minimal inside the motorhome. student at the University of San Diego. Along for e f f i c i e n c y o f heating a n d cooling systems the adventure, including The motorhome comes with two heaters, one in the braving Los Angeles traffic, front and one in the rear. The one in the rear worked were daughter Stephanie, very well, however the one in front would not ignite. mother-in-law Lourdes We are taking it to the dealer to have it fixed. and yellow lab Dodger. Jeff and Adriana have been camping and RVing since getting married in 1986, spaciousness o f living room starting with a tent, moving up to a pop-up tent trailer With the four slides on this compared to the one we and two travel trailers. Their search for a motorhome had on our travel trailer we were in heaven with all of with bunk beds focused on the Allegro and another the space; it is really like two big separate rooms. brand. They say, “Once we saw and drove the Tiffin our decision was easy to make. The four slides and Attractiveness o f i n t e r i o r decoration layout of the floor plan made a lot of sense to us.” The interior of the motorhome is very pleasant and (626) 282-7795 comfortable; we felt at home right away. The layout of [email protected] the living room is great. I really like having the big rear television because it allows you to use the driver turning r a d i u s , r o a d handling a n d stability and passenger seats for TV viewing and socializing. Once rolling along we really enjoy the way our motorhome keeps in its own lane and is a breeze to Workability o f galley drive. The side cameras are a nice feature although we The kitchen layout is good with ample counter space seem to rely more on the mirrors for lane changes. and plenty of storage.

Power/torque c o m f o r t a n d usability o f bathroom Our motorhome has the Ford chassis and motor The bathroom is sized fairly well. The shower was which seem to perform well. Passing and acceleration comfortable and the water pressure was okay. are very good and the ride is smooth.

Learning curve f o r maintenance, electronics a n d o t h e r f e a t u r e s Setting up is fairly easy. On our trip, when we hit the auto level button on the Atwood jacks, the rear passenger side was raised off of the ground. We are not sure why. The site was concrete and pretty level and we had also tried the jacks at home quite a few times to familiarize ourselves with them. We just Livability o f bedroom adjusted the jacks individually. Water, sewer and The bunk beds are great. The drop down TV monitors CATV hookups were no sweat. with wireless headphones let the kids enjoy a movie even with the other TVs on. The bedroom has tons of room with both walls sliding out. The big mirrors on the closets and the one on the rear are a nice feature.

SIDE ROADS 9 Jack & Ken’s RV Odyssey ‘Sparky’ and Jack get their wires crossed playing fix-it and trusting an atlas

We assumed we We thought it would be smart to decide had thrown a breaker where we would camp that evening so or blown a fuse so Ken pulled out the 2005 edition of the we proceeded to check Rand McNally atlas I had packed and these areas of the coach. started looking for a nice spot. Our I will admit that even only criterion was that we stay next to though I have sold 16 water, which would have a cooling effect Tiffin motorhomes in my five after such a hot day. Ken found what Jack Donovan and Ken Kaplan sell Tiffin months on the job, I am not a service appeared to be a nice place just south of motorhomes at La Mesa RV in San Bernardino, technician and Ken (new nickname Amarillo. We called one of our mates to CA. This is the second installment of their Sparky) to his credit knew where most “Google” it for more information. The of the fuses and breakers were located. cross-country odyssey in a 35 TSB Allegro Bay RV park had full hook-ups, a swimming Every fuse we checked was fine and we pool, a water slide, laundry facilities and FRED to learn the RV lifestyle. did not want to take the time to read all everything else you may expect at a top- of the documents Tiffin provided. notch RV resort. We experienced our first problem of We did what we always do when we Ken was very pleased that his selection the trip when the power failed to the get into a bit of a jam or have a question appeared to be a winner. Just for fun, I co-pilot seat. Ken crawled under the with a Tiffin motorhome: call Regional asked Ken to look north of Hwy. 40 on seat, discovered a simple connection Sales Manager Dan Blanke. Dan called the atlas and see what may be a possible had come loose, and plugged it back in back straightaway, gave us another place stopover. He found what showed on which solved the problem. Ken was so to check, and said he would contact the map as a large waterway called the proud of himself, as I learned he is far the service department at the factory. Canada River, which we had passed from a handyman. In a flash, Dan was back on the line. over on very small bridges twice already Upon swiveling the seat back to the The diagnosis from the factory was a as it snaked through the land for tens of forward position the connection came potentially bad solenoid, either stuck miles and ended in Lake Meredith. apart again so Ken confidently crawled or easily replaced. When tapping on I decided since I was the pilot at that back under the seat and when I heard the solenoid yielded no result, we opted point, I fancied heading north instead sparks crackling and Ken screaming like to do nothing more until our service of south. I directed Ken to navigate us a little girl I realized he had crossed the technicians could have a go at it. to Lake Meredith as our goal for the live wires. Ken is a bit of a slow learner Pressing onward at 10 a.m., we evening. I must point out that Ken quite at times as he again sparked the wires, stopped for fuel and breakfast at the strongly voiced his opposition to my idea again screamed and left us without any Cowpokes Café in Oklahoma with 605 but ultimately relented as he realized we power to the seats, dash air, auxiliary miles logged. The Allegro Bay drank had no real itinerary or time pressures. start, dash fans, map light, and, as we 69 gallons of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel After nearly 10 hours on the road later found out, the windshield wipers. and we calculated about 8.75 mpg. At and the afternoon gently slipping into Ken, incidentally, used to portray 11:15 a.m. we proceeded due west until early evening we finally saw some Mickey Mouse at Disneyland (it is true). 1:30 p.m. when I took over the helm signage pointing to Lake Meredith He is vertically challenged compared to with 705 miles logged and 240 miles campgrounds. The road was small, had my 6’2”. before Amarillo, TX. absolutely no traffic coming or going,

and seemed to go on forever. After (Continued on Page 14)

10 SIDE ROADS ------

Allegro Club Key Lime Rally April 6 - April 9, 2009 (Check out April 10) Boyd’s Key West Campground / Key West, FL

This event is available to the first 100 eligible applicants.

Cost Includes: 4 nights camping fee, full hook-ups (50 amps), several meals, entertainment & activities. When on hand, Tiffin factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.

Cost: Allegro Club member motorhome with two (2) people / $599 • Allegro Club member motorhome with one (1) person / $475 • Non-member motorhome with two (2) people / $799 • Non-member motorhome with one (1) person / $675 • Each additional guest / $150 Total Cost: $

Number of people Amount enclosed (full payment required) $ Name: Second person’s name: Mailing Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone number: Allegro Club #: Chapter #: Name of guest(s) in member’s motorhome: We wish to park with our chapter (listed above) or individual: We will be in: q Allegro q Allegro Star q Allegro Bay q Allegro Bus q Open Road q Phaeton q Zephyr Motorhome length: License plate # : State: Tow vehicle: Make: License plate #: State: My chassis is: q Ford q Workhorse q Chevrolet q Oshkosh q Spartan q Freightliner q PowerGlide CUT HERE q Other: YES q / NO q This is our first Allegro Club rally. q q ------YES / NO We wish to park in the handicapped section. (Enclose Handicapped Certification copy with your registration.) YES q / NO q We will bring our pet(s). Participants wishing to park together must send registration and rally fee in together! Get your reservations in early. There will be only 100 spaces available. No reservations will be taken after the deadline of February 23, 2009. The refund deadline is February 23, 2009. Send check, money order or fill out complete credit card information below: q Visa q Master Card q Discover Credit Card Number: Expiration Date ______/ ______/ ______/ ______/ ______1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Month Year

Attention: Early arrivals and late departures should be handled on your own by By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following calling Boyd’s Key West Campground at (305) 331-1520. statements: “I understand that neither the Allegro Club, Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., nor any campground, restaurant, bus service or supplier assume any No partial or total refunds will be given after the refund deadline. Upon cancellation responsibility directly or indirectly, for the use or operation of a car or a $20 handling fee will be charged. Travel insurance is an option available through Farm recreational vehicle going to or from or during the rally; or for injuries before, & City Insurance at (800) 331-1520. Payment must accompany each rally registration. during or after the rally; or damage to property of any kind before, during or

# Important: The Allegro Club has planned this event based upon claim after the event; and I also grant permission for the use of photographs, videotape, assumptions, including a minimum number of participants. On occasion, written or verbal testimonials and other media from the rally that depict circumstances arise which make the event impractical. Accordingly, the Allegro registrants and their guests for promotional purposes by Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. Club reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason, at any time and without and the Allegro Club.” obligation beyond the refund of any prepaid fees for the cancelled event. SIDE ROADS 11 Chapter Chatter: Next time you pass this way Campgrounds Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a Force Base launched a spectacular air 450-acre oceanfront parcel managed by 2008 Allegro Club show. My, how the Tiffin name can do the City of Jacksonville, FL. The park wonders. The campground, by the way, is north of Atlantic Beach and south of Rally Schedule has gravel campsites, full hookups with the Mayport Naval Station. The First Allegro Club Niagara Falls Fling cable TV, plus a beavertail cactus or salt Coast Allegros of northeast Florida and Four Mile Creek Campsite cedar tree next to each slot. Native plants southeast Georgia report that the park Youngstown,sold NY Juneout 16-18, 2008 cover the park except for around the pool has more than a mile of lifeguard-supervised Tiffin/JC’s RV’s Rally in the Valley and clubhouse. sandy beach for swimming, sailing, fishing French Camp RV Park Resort Restaurants and soaking up sun. Picnic pavilions, Manteca,sold CA June 24-26,out 2008 snack bars and clean restrooms with Allegro Club Branson or Bust Try the breakfast buffet at Brandy’s on showers abound. A freshwater lake offers America’s Best Campground Route 24 in Morehead City, NC, say the fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Branson,sold MO September out 22-26, 2008 Tarheel Allegros. You’ll find lots of variety campground with full hookups is nestled Allegro Club Fall Foliage Fest without paying a lot of money. Also, while into woods along winding, paved roads. Cold Springs Camp Resort the Myrtle Beach area has almost as many Cable hookups are not available and Weare, NH seafood restaurants as a Tiffin coach has trees block satellite reception. Laundry, October 6-9, 2008 snazzy features, the Tarheel Allegros restrooms with showers, a general store (break camp October 10) recommend Horry’s Restaurant. and 24-hour security complete the package. Start Planning Now for 2009 The Niagara Frontier Allegros give the The Tarheel Allegros of eastern thumbs-up to Pane’s Restaurant in North North Carolina, a recent addition to the Allegro Club Key Lime Rally Tonawanda, NY, just a few miles from Boyd’s Key West Campground chapter list, catch on fast. The chapter Tiffin dealer Colton RV. Pane’s offers Key West, FL recommends two campgrounds in the April 6-9, 2009 a large selection on their menu, excellent Carolinas. Willow Tree Resort (www. (break camp April 10) food and reasonable prices, the chapter says. willowtreerv.com) in Longs, SC, nine Another recommendation from the chapter Allegro Club Branson Return Rally miles west of North Myrtle Beach, America’s Best Campground is in Batavia, NY: Bohn’s Restaurant, which offers some sites with hot tubs and all Branson, MO offers sandwiches to full dinners. Excellent sites are pull-throughs. Goose Creek May 12-16, 2009 food and service, the chapter writes. Resort (www.goosecreekcamping.com) (break camp May 17) Gene’s Seafood Restaurant on in Newport, NC near Morehead City is Additional rallies in the planning stages: Jacksonville Beach (FL) serves excellent touted as especially good for off-season A Southwest Rally in February/March, fare, according to the First Coast Allegros. camping. Ask for Row W on Bogue a Northwest Rally in June, a Northeast Some chapter members were sufficiently Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway, Rally in September and a Fall Rally in brave to order gator tail, calamari and the Tarheel Allegros suggest. The October/November. shark. Prices are reasonable. Service is campground shares its site with a large excellent, even for a large and rowdy crowd. For additional information: summer camping community so crowded, [email protected] Destination attractions noisy conditions can be expected in or www.tiffinmotorhomes.com summer months. Phone: (256) 356-8522 The newly renovated and enlarged Just as the Sun Diego Allegros pulled Fax: (256) 356-9746 or write: North Carolina Aquarium on Emerald into the Crazy Horse RV Campground Allegro Club P.O. Box 1429 Isle and the Marine Museum in in South Tucson on March 8, obliging Red Bay, AL 35582-1429 downtown Beaufort are worth your time, pilots at nearby Davis-Monthan Air according to the Tarheel Allegros. The

12 SIDE ROADS (Continued on Page 15) ------

Allegro Club “Back to Branson” Rally May 12 - May 16, 2009 (Check out May 17) America’s Best Campground / Branson, MO J This event is available to the first 100 eligible applicants.

Cost Includes: 5 nights camping fee, full hook-ups, several meals, entertainment & activities. When on hand, Tiffin factory technicians will perform minor repairs at no cost. Plenty of food, fun and fellowship.

Cost: Allegro Club member motorhome with two (2) people / $595 • Allegro Club member motorhome with one (1) person / $415 • Non-member motorhome with two (2) people / $795 • Non-member motorhome with one (1) person / $615 • Each additional guest / $225 Total Cost: $

Number of people Amount enclosed (full payment required) $ Name: Second person’s name: Mailing Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone number: Allegro Club #: Chapter #: Name of guest(s) in member’s motorhome: We wish to park with our chapter (listed above) or individual: We will be in: q Allegro q Allegro Star q Allegro Bay q Allegro Bus q Open Road q Phaeton q Zephyr Motorhome length: License plate # : State: Tow vehicle: Make: License plate #: State: My chassis is: q Ford q Workhorse q Chevrolet q Oshkosh q Spartan q Freightliner q PowerGlide CUT HERE q Other: YES q / NO q This is our first Allegro Club rally. q q ------YES / NO We wish to park in the handicapped section. (Enclose Handicapped Certification copy with your registration.) YES q / NO q We will bring our pet(s). Participants wishing to park together must send registration and rally fee in together! Get your reservations in early. There will be only 100 spaces available. No reservations will be taken after the deadline of April 1, 2009. The refund deadline is April 1, 2009. Send check, money order or fill out complete credit card information below: q Visa q Master Card q Discover Credit Card Number: Expiration Date ______/ ______/ ______/ ______/ ______1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Month Year

Attention: Early arrivals and late departures should be handled on your own by By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following calling America’s Best Campground at (800) 671-4399. statements: “I understand that neither the Allegro Club, Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., nor any campground, restaurant, bus service or supplier assume any No partial or total refunds will be given after the refund deadline. Upon cancellation responsibility directly or indirectly, for the use or operation of a car or a $20 handling fee will be charged. Travel insurance is an option available through Farm recreational vehicle going to or from or during the rally; or for injuries before, & City Insurance at (800) 331-1520. Payment must accompany each rally registration. during or after the rally; or damage to property of any kind before, during or

W h e n Carol Beckwith also raves about her the Beckwiths husband’s creative carpentry. She was storing are in the her earrings in a plastic box for fishing lures. campground, Dick converted the clothes hamper to a hinged- sometimes it’s top storage piece with drawers for jewelry. hard to figure out Then he made a box on wheels – a rolling stool whether you are in – with a hinged top for use as a dressing stool church, a concert hall, a circus or a ballpark. and hamper. He also modified a drawer under While their 2006 Allegro Bus was still on the galley sink, modeled after the 2006 Zephyr. the production line, the Beckwiths removed While the Beckwiths call Livingston, TX, one of the sofas, rechanneled heat ducts and their home, they are members of the Southwest added some cherry-stained wood framing for Florida Allegros Chapter. Dick Beckwith’s electronic organ. Closer to a church or theater model than a touring band’s keyboard on legs, this organ might shake apart a coach that wasn’t built as well as a Tiffin motorhome. “People come by our Bus and will say, ‘Hey, play “Misty” for me’ or other requests,” Dick Beckwith says with a laugh. “I am blessed. I can play almost anything on the organ without sheet music. And without too much bragging, I’m pretty good. Other people say that, too. My wife says I’m wonderful.” Jack and Ken’s RV odyssey (Continued from Page 10)

following the signs for about 20 more miles, we came upon a crest in the road with a sign at the top welcoming us to Lake Meredith. We were very tired but had finally arrived and only needed to drive over the crest and down into the serenity of the lakeshore to enjoy a beautiful Texas sunset and begin cocktail hour. As we drove over the crest, we were very surprised to see no people, no RVs, and… no lake. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but very dense reeds, cattails and other overgrown vegetation. I was totally flabbergasted.

Ken laughed for what seemed to be an eternity and it was only when tears started rolling down his cheeks I realized he was laughing at my insistence we drive an additional 60 miles to visit this abandoned lake instead of the beautiful RV resort we had researched earlier in the day. It was now a bit past 6 p.m. so we let down the jacks, put out the slides, took a couple of photographs of the “lake,” and started cocktail hour. After feasting on turkey and ham sandwiches with corn chips it was lights out.

In the next issue of Side Roads: Jack and Ken venture to the “beef capital of the world,” enjoy grits and consider life on other planets. To write Jack and Ken: [email protected] and [email protected].

14 SIDE ROADS Through Billy Tinney’s lens - Something about the elegance of his 2005 Phaeton just doesn’t fit in with the chickee huts along a Baja beach, but that’s nothing against the location. Tinney, the senior photographer for the 12 magazines published by the Easyriders group, doesn’t always need an “RV Friendly” sign when he’s ready to lower the jacks and roll out the slides. Beachfront campsites are usually level, too. Chapter chatter (Continued from Page 12) Lynch, chapter secretary. Rally Park it turns out. Arriving two hours after has wi-fi, cable, 50-amp service, pool their tee-time and without a check for and hot tub, plus the $39 nightly fee greens fees and lunch, they never made includes a newspaper, breakfast and it to the first tee. lunch (except Sunday). The First Coast Allegros assembled at a member’s abode for some fun, Quirky Occurrences food and fishing. Wendell Thomason When something bugs you, it can distinguished himself as an angler, Marine Museum features a display of be contagious. Just ask the Sun Diego winning honors for catching the largest shells from around the world, a series Allegros. At 7 a.m. on the Sunday of decorative palm tree for the second year of photographs from the area’s seashore a March campout, Jerry Pryde was in a row. How do you clean a decorative and many marine artifacts. spotted cleaning bugs from the front palm tree, and is it better broiled or fried? While the Tampa area has a wealth cap of his coach. Within a short time, of attractions, when the Sun Coast all the other rigs sported shiny clean Allegros visited the Lazydays RV noses. But the quirkiness of this crowd SuperCenter’s Rally Park in January, doesn’t end there. The next day, when the chapter members only had eyes for the chapter moved on to the Tiffin/La Mesa Tampa RV Super Show, which draws Southwest Shootout, all four members 40,000 participants to 350 booths and of the Sun Diego Allegros golf team more than 1,300 new RVs. “Spending professed to have shot par at the rally’s two days there is easy,” says Jeanie golf outing. Only they didn’t play at all, SIDE ROADS 15 P.O. BOX 1429 PRESORTED STANDARD RED BAY, AL 35582 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ADDRESS SERVICE PERMIT # 159 REQUESTED BIRMINGHAM, AL

Latest contest had us all shook up Picking a traveling companion isn’t easy. You don’t want someone who digs the hip-hop world of Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus when your tastes lean more toward Frank Sinatra or Rosemary Clooney big band tunes. Then there are just-get-there-fast people and there are let’s-explore-that-cute-antique-mall people. Our contest in the March issue of Side Roads asked you to name the person – alive or deceased, real or fictional, famous or not – with whom you would enjoy taking a trip in your Tiffin motorhome. The response was inspiring. Mike Segroves of York, ME, picked Charles Kuralt, whose CBS Sunday Morning reports always captured the essence of being On The Road. Jean Hazelquist of Rhinelander, MI, would explore Virginia to the Pacific Coast with Lewis and Clark “to see what’s over the next hill.” TV adventurer MacGyver was the choice of Shirley and Ray Elmendorf of Whittier, CA, because his Swiss Army knife, duct tape and bundle of wire would “take care of anything that might try to ruin our trip.” Several folks would invite Bob Tiffin, including Ronald Bell of Kingsville, TN, because “he is the most polite, caring and respectful person I have ever met.” Our winner is Brian Palmer of Eugene, OR, who would travel with Elvis Presley. Writes Palmer: “Fried chicken, cheeseburgers and a beer or 50 with The King on a short jaunt through the South would be priceless. I am almost certain my wife would understand.” Brian and his wife will receive a prize package from the Allegro Club.

Our new contest question is inspired by Side Roads columnist Bob Poiry with his collection of vanity license plates. Now it’s your turn: Send us a digital photo of a vanity plate you spot during your travels in a Tiffin motorhome. We strongly recommend that you do not take the photo while operating your rig. The plate can be funny, clever, convoluted, whatever. We’ll make the judges work hard this time. Email your entry along with your name, address and phone number to [email protected]. Please, only one entry per household. The Allegro Club is not responsible for lost entries. The judges will select the winner by August 1 for announcement in the September issue of Side Roads. The winner will receive a prize package from the Allegro Club. New Allegro Chapters Chapter #183 Gold Coast Allegros Chapter #184 Gold Rush Allegros Area: Southeast Florida Area: Sacramento, CA Meeting Weekend: 2nd Meeting Weekend: TBD President: Leonard Zuzchik • Email: [email protected] President: John Cordoni • Email: [email protected] Phone: (954) 816-0590 Phone: (209) 404-7748

Become an Allegro Club member or update your address info If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re enjoying one of the membership is $25, a two-year membership is $46, and a benefits of Allegro Club membership. Other benefits include three-year membership is $70, payable by check or credit card. rallies, local chapters and discounts on insurance, campsite fees For credit card payment, call (256) 356-8522. We want you and car rentals. to continue your membership and help us build our numbers When you buy a new Tiffin Motorhome, the first year of by recruiting other owners of Tiffin Motorhomes. Allegro Club membership is free. After that, a one-year Names: Address: Nickname for Allegro Club ID badge #1: Nickname for Allegro Club ID badge #2: Email: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) – Alternate Phone: ( ) – Serial No. of Your Tiffin Motorhome: Chassis type: VIN: Are you interested in joining or starting a local chapter of the Allegro Club? Name of dealer where motorhome was purchased: Date of Purchase: