Volume XXIII, Issue 5 • September-October 2018
The Official Magazine For Owners Of Heritage, Eagle, Dream, Tradition, Allegiance, Limited, Revolution & Patriot Motor Coaches
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ACA NATIONAL MAGAZINE: Membership Services ELECTED OFFICERS: Editor - Doug Thompson Chairwoman - Janice Thompson President - Tony Ford 12214 Arron Terrace, Trinity, FL 34655 American Coach Association, 5531 Kings Row Court, Las Vegas, NV 89148 727-709-0218 12214 Arron Terrace, Trinity, FL 34655 702-540-0319 Cell [email protected] 501-858-9564 [email protected] [email protected] Vice President - Bob Carani Advertising Coordinator - Bob Frank 2843 Kensington, Westchester, IL 60154 407-506-2801 Cell ACA National Web Site: [email protected] Chairman - Doug Thompson 708-987-7102 Cell 12214 Arron Terrace, Trinity, FL 34655 [email protected] Design & Production - Print Group Inc. 727-709-0218 Secretary - Pat Adams 1440 W. Skyline Ave., Ozark, MO 65721 [email protected] 19255 Tenaja Rd., Murrieta, CA 92562 417-581-7651 951-741-0673 Cell www.printgroupinc.com ACA National New Member Ambassador: [email protected] [email protected] Chairwoman - Debbie Darby Treasurer - Alberto Rivera 1021 Pinehurst Pl., Camarillo, CA 93010 7426 S. Staples #105, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 805-469-2796 361-960-0344 Cell [email protected] ACA Magazine - ©2018 [email protected] Volume XXIII, Issue 5 ACA National By-Laws & Policy: September-October CHAPTER PRESIDENTS: Chairwoman - Pat Adams 19255 Tenaja Road, Murrieta, CA 92562 Great Lakes - Bev DeAngelis 951-741-0673 Cell 8628 Brittany Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45242 [email protected] 513-235-7900 Cell [email protected] ACA Scholarship Foundation: Happy Wanderers - Bill Makowski Chairman - Bob Carani 2958 N. Manistee River Rd., Grayling, MI 49738 2843 Kensington, Westchester, IL 60154 989-390-9444 708-987-7102 Cell [email protected] [email protected] Mac Pack - Trim Sawtelle 1913 Saye Broo Dr., Monroe, NC 28112 ACA National Rally Guidelines: 704-226-8179 Cell Chairwoman - Pat Adams [email protected] 19255 Tenaja Road, Murrieta, CA 92562 Missouri Valley - Barbara Weeks 951-741-0673 Cell 2165 Grassy Branch Rd., Sevierville, TN 37876 [email protected] 865-621-3015 Cell ACA National Historian: [email protected] Chairwoman - Ann Beadel NorCal/NorWest - Glenn Caldwell 8801 FM 45 South, Brownwood, TX 76801 14566 Mono Way, Sonora, CA 95370 325-646-5104/325-998-0431 Cell Cell 209-559-8923 [email protected] [email protected] The ACA Across America Magazine (USPS 025-025) is published Northeast - Claudia Rutherford bi-monthly by the American Coach Association, Publication Depart- ACA National Legal Advisor: 1494 Birch Lane, Perkasie, PA 18944 ment, ACA, 12214 Arron Terrace, New Port Richey, FL 34655 (727) Chairman - Scott Rose 709-0218, and is funded in part by annual membership dues and 267-228-6143 Cell 300 South Houser Dr., Covina, CA 91722 paid advertisements. Membership dues are $45 per year. Mem- [email protected] 626-523-2863 bership in the American Coach Association is open to owners of Southern California - Jerry Scott American Coach motor coaches only – Heritage, Eagle, Dream, [email protected] 1225 Christina Ct., Camarillo, CA 93010 Tradition, Allegiance, Limited and Revolution. Cell 805-432-0401 Periodicals Postage Paid at New Port Richey, FL, and at additional [email protected] mailing offices. South Central - Allen Meek 1010 Floyd St., Anahuac, TX 77514 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ACA Across America Magazine, Member- 281-782-1125 Cell ship Services, 12214 Arron Terrace, Trinity, FL 34655. [email protected] Southeast - Pauline Shea ACA Across America contains advertisements which may 411 Walnut St. #4708, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 be of interest to members- the appearance of any adver- 601-508-0532 Cell tisement for products or services in this publication shall not be deemed an endorsement by the Association or indi- [email protected] vidual members. ACA reserves the right to reject or accept, Southwest - Fred Sotelo including editing for reasons of space and clar- 13117 W. Denton St., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 ity, letters to the editor, chapter news or articles. Statements 623-826-9661 Cell of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the author(s) alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers of [email protected] the ACA, the members, the Editor, or Production Staff. Letters and photographs become property of ACA and will not be returned.
2 September-October 2018, Volume XXIII, Issue 5 [ Contents ]
5 President’s Letter 6-7 Vice Presidents Letter On The Cover- ACA Scholarship Foundation Imagine- this is day one of 8-14 Chapter News our pre-rally – with 9 more days of fun to come – and 15 Open Letter to REV Employees everyone is already in a party frame of mind. The 17-19 REV Group - Revitalizes... facilities here at Elkhorn Ridge are totally outstand- 20-23 Tech Tips ing, and the staff is going way out of their way to be accommodating and helpful. This rally is going 24 REV Group - Employee to be one for the record books- our fun meter is pegged already. Wish you were here. I was so 26 Refrigerator Water Valve happy to be able to snap this photo just as this 24-26 Tech Tips event is beginning and place it on the cover- Remember, it’s all about the fun!!! 27 Guidanz 28 Rolling Recipes 30 Is My RV’s Fresh Water Safe? ACA mailing address: 31 Tips & Tricks American Coach Association PO Box 2428 #24502 32-33 Upcoming Rally Details Pensacola, FL 32513 Rally Schedule www.myamericancoach.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/600849993367224 34 Chapter Directory 35 Membership Services Other links: www.acc-fmca.com 36 Chapter Registration Form
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ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 3 THE MARK OF A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE.
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4 [ President’s Letter ]
I thought I’d use this issue to reminisce a bit on our recent Product and practice used during assembly is impressive. I travels and the meetings I was able to have while in Decatur, can tell you with confidence, that our raw product parts are Indiana. Sue and I arrived in Decatur, Indiana for some stronger and assembled with proprietary systems that pro- warranty work. All said, we spent three weeks on site. Not vide us with a better coach than our competitors. Other’s only did I wait for daily repair appointments/work, but we look pretty as ours do, but what you cannot see is very, very were able to once again explore the area. While our coach important. American Coach is simply built stronger. was moved daily for work, we were able to accomplish several Finally, at the assembly plant, there was a new attitude. A things on behalf of the Association. Sue and I had several positive, welcoming attitude that I remember was lacking meetings with many of the executive team members at REV four years ago when we last toured the plant. Associates Group, Decatur. During a luncheon arranged by National engaged us, spoke briefly about their job and the product(s) Vice President Bob Carani, we first met with Pat Terveer, they used, and they did so in real time, while remaining V.P./General Manager of REV Recreation Group, Janeen focused on getting their task done. Gerke, Product Sales Manager, and Doug Hormann, Human Resources Director of REV Group, Decatur. This luncheon After our tour, we as a small group were able to meet with was a prelude to our Scholarship Foundation Award Presen- Janeen Gerke, who provided us with an exclusive tour of the tations. This lunch allowed us to get to know each other bet- 2019 Eagle. Impressive indeed. Janeen eagerly wanted our ter and to develop a more productive working relationship. opinion. What works and what, design wise can be reworked On point, I shared that it is our feeling that REV Group, or rethought out. This time was a great example of corporate American Coach, doesn’t take enough advantage of us as an and our association working together toward providing the organization. We are, in my opinion and the opinion of your buying public with the best coach available for purchase. leadership team, a valuable resource for product design and The Dream and Revolution models will be reworked as well. sales. As I emphasized, we have about 1,000 members (and While no coach, no matter the brand is absolutely perfect building) of owners who are routinely asked, “How do you when it comes off the line and is ultimately delivered to the like your American Coach?” We are their best sales force. end user, American Coach is actively striving to be the best. As I mentioned before, later the same day, Sue and I were I like a quote offered by Vice President/General Manager Pat present for our Association Scholarship Awards. Seven Terveer, that I will paraphrase a bit. “We will no longer chase deserving college bound students, received the awards. market share. We are to build a quality high end luxury National Vice President Bob Carani and Doug Hormann coach that ultimately will drive the market.” did a wonderful job of making the event memorable. Vice In addition to these meetings and topics, the members of President/General Manager Pat Terveer shared with those your board of directors and I were engaged in several ongoing assembled, the history of the Scholarship Foundation, which meetings amongst ourselves and also with our consultants, started out as a “one time event” and has morphed into a 14 Membership Corporation of America. year tradition. Pat was present when the Scholarship idea was first offered. After all was said and done, we were able to travel north to Petoskey, Michigan, Mackinac Island, the “upper peninsula”, Later during our time on site, I was able to meet with Mr. the dells and points toward South Dakota. Truly we live in a Steve Heim and Mr. Larry Rodgers, who are the nucleus of magnificent country. service center and warranty management. We met causally I could go on, but for now, that’s the big picture of what has several times, in fact too many times to really count, and we been going on. also had what you can label as a more formal meeting that Safe travels and I hope to see continued through lunch. you soon,
We, along with Former National President Pat Adams, Gary Adams, Southwest Chapter President Fred Sotelo, and his Tony Ford wife Stella, we’re able to tour the “new to us” relocation of ACA National President the American Coach Assembly plant, which if I understand correctly, has been returned to its’ former location across the street from the local Wal-Mart store.
During our tour, a few things jumped out at us. One, production times have changed. A coach assembly takes the time it needs to be produced, vs being run down a line along with other product sizes which require less time.
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 5 [ Vice President’s Letter ] ACA Scholarship Foundation
Kathy and I hope that you are all enjoying some won- On June 28, 2018, I had the honor of represent- derful weather and taking in the sights thru the win- ing our Association at the Scholarship Foundation dows of your beautiful American Coach. We spent Awards. most of the month of July on the road. On our way to Gillette for the FMCA National Rally, we spent 5 days at Elkhorn Ridge putting finishing touches on our 2018 This Scholarship Program was founded in 2004. National Rally. You never know who you will run into For the past 14 years, we have awarded a $1000.00 when you stop along the road. Once we checked into Scholarship to deserving college bound seniors that Elkhorn Ridge, I received a phone call from Pauline are Children/Grand Children of employees that are Shea, Southeast Chapter President, informing me they responsible for building the beautiful motorhomes would be there tonight. that carry us down the road enjoying our great life- style. Well it wasn’t only them. Others included Jim & Doty Graham, Jim and Carmen Justice and Michael and Dor- othy Strunk, (Dorothy is SE VP). We had a pre-rally to In addition to myself, Association representatives on the pre-rally and had a wonderful time. hand for the presentations were National President Tony Ford and his wife Sue, National Secretary Pat By the time you get this message, our 2018 National Adams and her husband Gary and Scott Kellett, Rally in Spearfish, South Dakota will be in the rearview Great Lakes Chapter member. REV was represented mirror. In our next magazine, we will detail the high- by Vice President/General Manager Pat Terveer, lights of that rally and start to tease you with what to expect next year at Lake Conroe. Product Sales Manager Janeen Gerke, Human Re- sources Director Doug Hormann and Larry Rodgers, This article is short as I’ve devoted more to the scholar- National Owner Relations Manager. Our commit- ship article. I do ask that you pay particular attention to tee, comprised of Bev De Angelis, Sue Ford, Bill Tony’s Presidents article and to my Scholarship article. Dettmer, John Corcoran, Charlie Adcock and Kathy Carani reviewed and scored the applications. The Safe Travels and hope to see you soon. committee selected seven applications to award the $1000.00 scholarship. In addition to their grades, applicants were scored on School and Community Involvement, Leadership, Application Presentation and Recommendations from school personnel.
All of these recipients were very deserving of this award and this monetary amount helps them consid- erably in reaching their education goal. ACABob National Carani Vice-President, The recipients and course of study are: ACA President Amber Dahlstrom Social Work/Human Services Scholarship Committee Jorden DeBolt Biology Ethan Hale Physical Education Cassandra Marbaugh Radiography Haley Michaud Pharmacy Madison Murray Elementary Education Lucas Strickler Business
6 Pat Terveer opened up the meeting with a slide pro- This program is a wonderful way that we can show gram outlining the past 14 years of this program and our appreciation and recognize the hard work that those that benefited from it. Tony and I had an op- the REV Employees working on our American portunity to address the recipients and their families. Coaches do on a daily basis. I urge you to give The message very simply----mom and dad be proud generously to this program so we can continue it for of your children, they did well! And to the recipi- several years to come. ents…..enjoy your college experience and remember, as you go through life, you will be challenged. You Congratulations to this year’s recipients. We wish you will have successes and failures. Study hard and rest continued success as you work towards your college assured that no matter what happens in life you will degree. always have your education and no one can ever take that from you. Bob Carani President ACA Scholarship Foundation
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 7 [ Chapter News ] Northeast Southeast
When this issue of our magazine is in your hands our We have been travelling most of the summer and it has National in Spearfish will be history, and I can elaborate been a wonderful experience! One very exceptional next time about the adventures getting there, exploring event was stopping at Elkhorn Ridge on our way to along the way, everything that took place while at the Gillette and seeing five other Southeast coaches, an rally, and our adventures post rally. unplanned rally began!
Exactly one week and we will be on our way! We plan on During our travels we had an ignition problem that stopping at Rev on the way for our leak that really, really I want to share with you, hopefully some of you will does not want to leave our coach! Eventually it will, benefit. During a period of long travels when the we’re sure of that, kind of! I will be toting decorations for the rally, red, white, and blue! I think we are at 7 NE coach had been run for several hours after a shutdown coaches attending, but we will share our responsibilities re-starting the engine was difficult. We first assumed and time with the Happy Wanderers. The HW’s attend- that the ignition switch was the issue. We bought a ing are also NE members, so why not combine our small replacement from Spartan and installed it ourselves. chapters! Remember, you can belong to as many chapters The problem continued to occur and got worse. We as you like, and attend ANY chapter rally, as you travel to scheduled a service appointment at a facility in Bill- different areas of the country. We always check the rally ings, Montana that is recognized by both Cummins calendar in the ACA magazine to see what’s going on and Spartan. In covering the maker of our chassis and where. engine we believed the issue would be quickly diagnosed and repaired. It did not work out that way. After hours We just spent 2 weeks in Maine, Bar Harbor and Acadia of troubleshooting with our technician being on the National Park, and a few days in Cape Cod on our way phone with Spartan we were surprised to hear that the back home. Acadia is beautiful, breath taking…. lots to faulty component was our Allison Transmission Control do and so many places to explore on Mt. Desert Island. Module (TCM). We had to go to an Allison facility We watched fireworks with our fellow AC and FL River and the issue was resolved in less than an hour. The fact Bend friends, Terry and Andy Peterson from their deck- that the replacement module was readily on hand indi- where they spend summers in southwest Harbor. AND cates to us that this part must have an established failure Andy “may” have offered to assist me with a NE rally rate. Our TCM is located on the passenger side in the there in the future! We also ran into 2 more fellow AC locker where our DEF tank is filled. At least one tech- and NE members, the Roses and Coventry’s at our park, nician believes the high temperature in that area may The Narrows Too. They were set to head off with Fan- have contributed to the failure. Our lesson learned, tasy RV Tours thru the Canadian Maritimes. and recommendation is if the maintenance is beyond your capacity to repair, seek out the most multi-talented Fall will be here before we know it… plans are in the service facility, we thought we had all the bases covered. works for our Fall Rally in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. All part of the adventure! Easy to call the park and make your own reservations, September 20- I am sure RVillage will be mentioned elsewhere in this 24 at Massey’s Landing RV resort. magazine and I am encouraging you to join! Joining Safe travels through the rest of the was easy and I believe this will be very informative. The summer; hope to see you at our American Coach Association has a group and we are Fall Rally in Delaware. looking forward to the connections.
Claudia Rutherford NE Chapter
8 [ Chapter News ]
Southeast has several chapter rallies scheduled and we Our “Adventure at Fort Wilderness” at Disneyworld in are planning more! Our rally schedule, updates and early February 2018 had twenty-three coaches in atten- registration are always available on the southeast web dance. The feedback was positive, and we have planned site www.southeastaca.net . a “Return to the Wilderness” in February 2019. To register and reserve for extra days call our agent (Hilda), In October we will be in Fort Myers at the Gulf Waters her phone number is listed in the rally details section of RV Park, the highest rated premier RV Park in the area. this magazine. Southeast has not been to this area in at least eight years and there is good interest. This rally is past two/thirds We are always on the lookout for great rally locations of our capacity. Please register soon! and I would appreciate your input!
Southeast will have our annual Christmas Rally at the Information, agendas and registration for our rallies Sun-N-Fun resort in Sarasota. Sun-N-Fun is a luxury is always available at www.myamericancoach.com and facility that is widely recognized as one of the premier www.southeastaca.net. resorts in the world. Our experienced rally hosts Terry & Belinda Moorefield along with Dave & Ann Laudick Welcome to Southeast’s newest members! Donald and Wendy Gaynor are going to provide a fun filled Ballard, Orlando, FL, Eric & Diana Gladding, Polk rally! City, FL, Keith Hampson & Michelle Lundy, Orlando, FL, Larry & Lori Hiss, Ormond Beach, FL, Robert We already have received well over half of our registra- & Carol Ide, Cape Coral, FL, Scott & Susan Kellett, tions for the 8th Annual Regional Rally at Lazydays. Brights Cove, ON, Ron & Tawnee Parrish, Crestview, This rally will be a little different in 2019. Based on FL, Susan Raetz, Parrish, FL, Wayne & Pat Ryan, comments we have received opening night will be more Bradenton, FL, Patricia Sansosti, Odessa, FL, socially oriented with background music only. The rally Jerry & Kay Venlet, Fort Ogden, FL and Benny will also be shortened to three nights with meals each Whitehead, Georgetown, GA. night. The rally will end on the morning the Super- show rally begins. Ray and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this chapter and we hope to We are going back to the Florida RV Supershow in see you soon! January 2019. There were 40 SEACA coaches in atten- dance in January 2018 and it was a lot of fun. Everyone Pauline Shea got along just fine on the 30A power with no water and no sewer. Based on lessons learned from our previous Supershow rallies we have posted a tentative agenda on www.myamericancoach.com and www.southeastaca.net. This rally is run by the Florida Recreational Vehicle Trade Association (FRVTA) and registration will not be available until fall. We will do our best to keep you informed to when registrations are available through the FRVTA. Please note that this rally sells out fast.
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 9 [ Chapter News ]
Gene Owens spent time restoring an antique tractor and Southern California got some help from Ginny Wenzel who assisted taping off for paint. Cindy and Rob Madore have relocated to Hello ACA Members, It has been a busy Spring and South Orange County and are busy exploring their new Summer for our SoCal Chapter and the season is con- surroundings. Sandy and Art Bridges are thoroughly en- tinuing at the same fast pace. By the time you read this joying their new home in Prescott, AZ. They have been newsletter we will have enjoyed a wonderful National busy and very actively involved in their granddaughter’s Rally in the Spearfish area. So many of us have looked wedding which was held mid-July. Don and Mary forward to the Spearfish rally as it’s an area we have not Ferderer enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Baltics. Sharon had the opportunity to explore. Miller has bonded with new friends and is enjoying some local trips – Las Vegas, San Diego, and Laguna Beach We recently completed a Regional Rally hosted by Nor- where she enjoyed the Pageant of the Masters. Cal/Norwest. We enjoyed a great campsite at the Black Oak Casino and Resort in Tuolumne, but the star of the George and Nancy Borecky are hard at work rebuild- show was our first National Park. Yosemite National Park ing their home. Although heartbreaking to lose their was established in 1890 and without Yosemite paving the home, it appears they are enjoying driving tractors and way there would probably be no national parks. 95% of other large equipment. Tom Jordahl continues to enjoy the park’s over 700,000 acres (roughly the size of Rhode fantastic meals without gaining a pound. Dorothy and Island) is classified as wilderness. So much beauty, no Erv Bretz have uprooted themselves from California and wonder it is the most popular park in our nation with moved to Cumming, Georgia where they will be close over 4 million visitors a year. to their daughter and family. Eileen Smoot has been busy working at a nationally known needlepoint store in The rolling rally began August 8th heading for our Los Angeles. Her clients, among others, include Maria National Rally at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort in Spearfish, Shriver, Kate Hudson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jerry Hall South Dakota. This location proved to be very popular to name a few. While I’m sure there is more to tell, let’s with all ACA members and was sold out quickly. Lo- catch up at rallies. retta and I are positive this rally will live up to all of our Just a reminder about our rally scheduled for the rest expectations. 2018 and some 2019 information. All the details can be found on the SoCal Site www.socalaca.com just click on During the gap between Yosemite and the Spearfish rally, the rally tab for details. our chapter members have been busy. Loretta and I are September 21-24 we are headed to the Morro Bay RV knee deep in paper and negotiations with our business, Park in Morro Bay, CA this location has limited sites that Tony and Sue Ford, Pat and Gary Adams and Fred and our coaches will fit so plan early to attend. Stella Sotelo made their way to Decatur, IN and it ap- October 25 – 27 Plan to be at Flying Flags RV Resort in pears they are not only getting some repair work done, Buellton Ca. Newly renovated and a must see for anyone but they spent time enjoying the new “camping” facilities traveling in the area. at the REV center. Can’t wait to hear their reviews. February 20th - 23rd 2019 “The No Rain Rally” in Wil- domar, Ca. is a small group but we have a great time. Norma and Jerry Dunn took a lengthy cross-country trip May 18th – 22nd 2019 National Rally at Lake Conroe to Ohio enjoying visits with their sons and families, along KOA in Montgomery, TX with attending a college graduation for their grandson. Regional Rally Hosted by SoCal Their traveling buddies, Ben and Beverly Petty, made the sometime in 2019 details TBD tough decision it was time to sell their coach. While sad, they were very happy it went to a great family who were Travel safely and enjoy your time on thrilled with their new 2003 American Dream. Welcome the road, to the club Jon and Brooke Wollam and their two daugh- Jerry Scott ters. Brooke is the daughter of Bob and Becky Clapper! SoCal President
10 [ Chapter News ] Happy Wanderers HELLO HAPPY WANDERERS, my how time flies by, have a lot of answers to questions about full timing. it’s already time again for the chapter notes. By the time Betty and I were on the road and homeless for nearly 17 you read this, the Spearfish rally with be done and in years as have many others in our chapter and feel quali- the history books. fied to answer questions asked by those who wish to do the same. Once again I would like to welcome our new members Gene and Linda Barron of San Antonio Texas and also The Happy Wanderers do not compete with other Dusan Maly and Nichole Wheeler of Jupiter, Florida. chapters for members: however many of our members belong to other chapters and enjoy the “Happy Wan- In the next issue we’ll be telling you about all the great derers” for our RV experience and FUN, FOOD and things we did during the National - but for know we’ll FELLOWSHIP. fill you in on things that are happening after that. With our diversity, we plan our “RENDEZVOUS” The Happy Wanderers will be having a Pre-Rally to around Pre and/or Post Rallies at the ACA National, the Southeast Regional Rally from January 9-12, 2019, Regional and other Chapter Rallies you will have to make the reservations on your own at 800-350-6731, tell them you will be attending the ACA Communications Options - Happy Wanderers web Regional and you would like to park with the Happy page - can be reached by accessing the www.myameri- Wanderers Chapter. cancoach.com website, then clicking on the “Chapters” menu, and then click on HWC. You can also pull up We have a few things planned for our chapter while at acahappywanderers.blogspot.com. You can find us on Lazy Days and of course they have to do with eating Facebook - Happy Wanderers-ACA, click on like or such as a trip to Parksdale Farms for Strawberry Short- become a member of the page, post your updates. Our cake. Parksdale also carries all kinds of Vegetables and E-mail address is [email protected] and is a fruits to purchase. We also have in mind a couple more quick and easy way to get in touch with our officers. adventures that you will enjoy. Thanks again to all those who are helping the Happy The Happy Wanderers Chapter continues to work Wanderers grow, as you can see we are excited about the with other chapters to schedule additional fun events future of our chapter and are looking forward to more across the country so keep checking our communication fun and enjoyment with all of you. options for updates and we welcome everyone’s sugges- tions. Any members from other chapters are welcome God Bless our service men and women and thank you to join us at any of our events as well other chapters will for your service. welcome you to their events. Bill Makowski Your officers are working hard on the future of the chapter and we welcome any and all suggestions that may forward our progress in coming together for camaraderie and enjoyment. The “Happy Wanderers” include those who travel Full Time or travel between Winter and Summer locations or those who travel extensively through the country. Many of us have been on the road for many years without a home base and
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 11 [ Chapter News ] Missouri Valley Mac Pack
SAD NEWS, we lost four members of our group. Past- Hello from MacPack! Hope everyone is having a great President Ray Smith passed away June 25, 2018. James and summer so far, and enjoying trips in their American Hil Monahan bought a different coach last year. Bill Land Coaches. passed away last year and his daughter Marie passed shortly thereafter. Sam and Linda White did not renew. As I write this letter we are on our way to Spearfish via Denver, Moab, and Hill City, SD. We had a somewhat GOOD NEWS, we have three new members: Kyle and Lisa costly issue in Tennessee when we first started our trip. Richards from Omaha, NE; Our fan belt broke while coming down the west side of Darrell and Deb Kudobe from Mt. Pleasant, IA and Kent the mountain and we got to admire the roadside while and Rita Thomsen from Huron, SD. waiting for the RV service that responded went back to get a replacement belt. Marge and Dick Bender were so HAPPY NEWS! Past President Keith Hulfeld who sold thoughtful and brought us antifreeze and stayed with us his coach after his wife Izzy passed away two years ago, has till we were able to pull out. Thought I had the correct moved to The Villages, FL and remarried to a lady named belt on board, but unfortunately that was not the case! Shelley. We wish you guys the absolute best. Corrected that for sure!
Ron has a 30X55 building with electricity that houses the We are now in Moab, UT, and it’s hot for sure, over motorhome when not in use. We stay in it when we are 100! If you have never been to this area be sure to put here. It is so ready… Ronnie discovered that the steps were it on your bucket list. We spent our first day here in not working properly. A call to Kevin Mallory of Cruising the Arches National Park and there is so much to see America, and a new part is on the way. It pays to know the and enjoy. Some of the rock structures seem to defy right people. Two new steering tires will be put on next week gravity! Our second day was spent going through Can- before we head west, and Ronnie is washing the coach in his yonlands National Park, and the views were spectacular! spare time. I am very proud of the care he gives our ’05 Eagle Hate to leave this beautiful area, but it’s time to head to and his knowledge of how to keep it running. In the event he Hill City, SD to meet up with some close friends and passes out while driving, I know how to throw him out of the then on to Spearfish! seat and stop the coach (God forbid). Marge and Dick Bender have organized at fall rally for When this article is printed our national rally held August MacPack at River Plantation Oct. 15-19. We’re re- 18-23 will be over. We are in Missouri now preparing for our ally looking forward to seeing everyone and if Mother trip to Spearfish, SD and the fabulous Elkhorn Ridge RV Re- Nature cooperates, we may get to see some changing of sort. Our Missouri Valley Chapter was responsible for sou- the leaves! venirs and gifts (goodie bags). The Badge swingers were easy from McBees. The badge pins were wonderful thanks to Bob Nancy and Doug Fleming are still working on our Carani’s help with our theme “CELEBRATING AMERICA” spring rally at Cape Hatteras, so stay tuned for more and Mount Rushmore on them. A gift of a lighted magnify- information! ing glass was added. Also, our many thanks to both Kevin and Marla Mallory of “Cruising America” for having donated On a side note, if you’re traveling on I-70 anywhere over 120 of their great refillable pens. My Grandson Aaron, from Missouri to Utah, watch out, the roads are really who works for Ole Smoky Moon- rough! They shook the coach shine in Gatlinburg donated a souve- so bad our front air conditioner nir from his company for every bag, a almost fell off! pour spout lid for a quart jar. Looking forward to seeing every- Until we meet again, one Spearfish! Barbara Weeks, President Safe travels!! Trim Sawtelle
12 Great Lakes Southwest
June found GLC’ers back at one of our favorite haunts Our summer travels have taken us from the Western – Shipshewana South Campground in…you guessed Regional in Tuolumne, CA to Omaha, NE to visit our it…Shipshewana, Indiana. This is a quaint town in granddaughter @ Creighton University, then to Decatur northern Indiana comprised mostly of Amish families. and today to the tourist’s Mecca that is the Wisconsin Once again, we had a wonderful meal at Carolyn Yo- Dells. der’s farm. Delicious food served graciously in a beauti- ful setting. Another evening, we treated ourselves to the As we traveled… one issue arose to share- My smart Blue Gate Restaurant. Again, the food was delicious. I wheel lost all functions after being parked at Camp look forward to visiting the Blue Gate Bakery because Decatur. After checking fuses, I was able to restore my they’re one of the only places I can always count on to windshield wipers long enough to get me on the road. have Amaretto Fudge. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Subsequently, when the rain stopped, my wipers did the Shipshewana Flea Market (Midwest’s largest flea not. At the next stop I called Spartan. market) is open. We also took this opportunity to visit the RV Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. They’re always They ran me through a reset procedure, which didn’t changing exhibits, so we see new ones each time we’re change a thing. I then had them send me a new clock there. If you haven’t visited the RV Museum, add it to spring (to be delivered to my next stop). I purchased a your RVer’s Bucket List…it’s worth it! So, another fun rally with our GLC family. What a great way to kick $25 steering wheel puller at an AutoZone and installed off the summer. the new clock spring. I was very happy to be able to get back to our trip without further worries, fingers crossed. By the time you read this issue, our ACA National Rally I hope this info can be helpful to other ACA members in Spearfish, South Dakota will be a wonderful memory, who may come across this or a similar issue with the but as I write this, many GLC’ers are preparing to meet steering column. in Davenport, Iowa for the first leg of our GLC rolling rally. More reminiscing in the next issue. This mini rolling rally has been great fun traveling with the Fords and the Adams. When this ACA magazine When we return home from Spearfish, we’ll have time issue “drops” we will have enjoyed a great rally in Spear- to repack with some warmer clothes and head up fish and the membership will also have received updates north to another of our favorite places. In September, on what the board has been working on to improve our we return to the Lake Leelanau RV Resort owned by organization. former GLC’er, Don Wilson. This beautiful area has it all – Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes, a lighthouse, For now, Continued acres of cherry trees and so much more. Don has an Safe Travels to all entire building for his model trains (he still owns his own private train car which can be transported to “train Fred Sotelo rallies” all over the country). His home has the largest privately owned pipe organ east of the Mississippi. All this just waiting to be enjoyed with good friends and fellow RVers. Just doesn’t get any better….
In the meantime, on behalf of the Great Lakes Chapter, we wish all of you many miles of good health, good friendships, peace and love.
Bev DeAngelis
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 13 [ Chapter News ] South Central NorCal/NorWest
Good day to the ACA membership. As (If) you read this Greetings from places near and far. NorCal/NorWest entry we will have completed our trek to Spearfish and had a wonderful rally this summer near Yosemite Na- the 2018 National Rally. I know we got to see a lot of our tional Park. Those who took the excursion to the park chapter there. South Central chapter “shows up.” On our have lifetime memories, as promised. way one of the interesting places we visited was Thermopolis, WY. While there we visited Hot Springs State Park, Wyo- Our national parks are world renowned and Yosemite is ming’s first state park and got up close and personal to a one of the most visited places on earth. The grandeur of herd of American Bison. You could actually reach out the car Yosemite is unforgettable and we are fortunate to have it window and touch one (not recommended). They sure are in our backyard. We also enjoyed local live theater with big and beautiful animals. a performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Our The Hot Springs in the state park had a lot to offer. You local theater is able to draw actors from New York so the could soak in a 104 degree mineral springs bath house or performance was spectacular. On Saturday night we had swim in an outdoor pool. It is believed to be the same un- a raging pool party with awesome live music and danc- derground activity that fuels the Yellowstone’s geysers. The ing. Then Sunday morning for Father’s day breakfast, Snake River and its canyons were amazing. From Ther- the youngsters served and bussed to everyone’s enter- mopolis we traveled to Buffalo, Wyoming to participate in tainment. The Gala Dinner opened with stand up joke “Longmire Weekend” then on to Spearfish. And the rest (as telling from the youngsters and came to a quick conclu- they say) is history. sion on a prank to our President Tony Ford.
We are planning on rallying our chapter to continue plan- The rally committee Glenn and Jeannine Caldwell, ning sessions for the 2019 National Rally. Please feel free John and Dwayla Carr received many wonderful com- to join us and/or offer suggestions. We are open for ideas ments and we thank you for those. You can see lots of and solutions. We’ll continue planning right up to the last rally photos and video. Just copy and paste the follow- minute and plan to drill down to details at our Fall rally on October 21. The rally is in Conroe, TX and we’ll be detail- ing link into your browser: ing the activities for the 2019 National Rally. https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AEMH5YuzEn N5I_E&id=EA8C29A8CCB59D05%21343&cid=EA8 We (Vicki and I) traveled 5000 miles on our way to Spear- C29A8CCB59D05 fish, and saw wonderful sights. The coach has done pretty well…a few cold showers and a generator problem didn’t We are on our way to Spearfish, South Dakota for “Cel- deter us. She (our Eagle) has handled 18% incline and ebrating America” at Elk Horn Ridge. We look forward descents, great in spite of my wife, Vicki’s nervous reactions. to seeing everybody and making new friends. After all, It was all good, the beautiful country, Canada too, and of that’s what rally’s are all about. Good friends in places… course, our American Coach. near and far.
God bless you and your adventures and our guardians in Safe travels, uniforms. God bless our leaders and this great country we
live in. Glenn ~Allen Meek
PS: If you have a burning desire to sign up to participate in the plan- ning of the 2019 National Rally at the KOA Lake Conroe RV Resort, (Copy the link above into your browser’s address bar- or Montgomery, Texas on May 18-23, just follow this link directly from Glen’s article on the 2019 please call or email me! ACA Website) 281/782-1125 [email protected]
14 ASSOCIATION P O Box 2428 #24502 Phone: 501 -‐858-‐9564 Pensacola, FL 32513 www.myamericancoach.com
An open letter to the associates based at REV Recreation Group, Decatur, Indiana.
On June th 27 , 2018, my wife Sue and I arrived at the Technical Service Center in Decatur with several fellow American Coach Owners for scheduled service.
Additionally, we were on hand at this year’s scholarship award presentations and we met several of your amazing children.
Each of us has owned American Coaches since 2007. We have met several of you over the years.
Every day, you come to work chassis, and you build floors, walls, and cabinets, run wiring harnesses, paint and turn wrenches, fix broken coaches; basically working your tails off.
On this visit, I had the pleasure of meeting with several of you, from Mr. Pat Terveer, your V.P. to Andy King, one of your fellow assemblers, and Cassie Demmer and Travis Nihiser, from the Service Center Paint Department. This of course in addition to those at the service center, some new to us, some we’ve known over the years.
We also took the opportunity to tour the heavy assembly plant at its “new to us” location. Everyone was welcoming.-‐Even those who were busy building the next one.
You do more than turn wrenches. You build recreational vehicles allowing families like mine, a lifestyle of travel and recreation and an opportunity to become closer and experience new things.
You change lives. You improve lives of families throughout the industry.
I and my friends are lucky. Very lucky. We have been blessed with the ability to purchase a product that you have designed and built, not for yourself, but for others. I lity deeply appreciate your hospita and feeling of acceptance of us, as part of your extended family.
On behalf of the members of the American Coach Owners Association and me personally, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You make a difference every day.
Respectfully,
Tony Ford National President American Coach Owners Association
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 15 2402 CHARLOTTE AVE. ELKHART, INDIANA. 1.800.445.1830 FURNITURE, TV UPGRADES, FLOORING, SHADES, CUSTOM CABINETRY & MORE! HASSLE-FREE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.
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16 When RV industry veteran Pat Terveer went to work last November for REV Group, Inc. at the company’s key Class A motorhome- building facility in Decatur, IN – it was a homecoming of sorts for the amiable RV industry veteran. Terveer was born and raised in the small Indiana town – and had spent about 20 years working at the plant earlier in his career as a front-line sales guy for now- defunct Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc, once the industry’s dominant RV manufacturing force. As a matter of fact, Terveer, who subsequently worked for rivals Newmar Corp and Coachmen RV before returning late last year to the Decatur plant as vice president and general manager of the REV Recreation Group, was showing dealers at the 1,500 employee Decatur campus in mid-June an array of new 2019 Class A motohomes whose brand names were, in many cases, legacies from an earlier day in which he was closely involved both as a sales manager and competitor: Fleetwood, Holiday Rambler and Monaco among them. But it wasn’t nostalgia that drew Terveer back to the 152acre, 900,000 square foot facility as much as it was the allure of another professional challenge that he accepted when he was hired by Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of the Milwaukee-based parent company. His goal, Terveer explained, was to inject a new competitive life into REV Group’s Class A brands and the Decatur opera- tions that he how directly oversees. And from all appearances- as he worked the third of three May/June dealer days – it’s a task that had reenergized Terveer as much as the staff around him, including national product sales managers Janeen Gerke, who oversees the American Coach and Monaco diesel lines; Doug Miller, overseeing Holiday Rambler and Fleetwood diesels; and Mark Lombard who is responsible for the Holiday Rambler and Fleetwood Class A gas lines. Under REV’s new organizational approach to its varied motorized lines, the company’s Class B and C operations are now managed separately. Tim Gray, vice president and general manager of Midwest Automotive Designs, oversees that division’s Class B pro- duction from its Elkhart, IN facility, while Mike Lanciotti, CEO of Bristol, IN based Renegade RV, is responsible for Renegade’s own product lines as well as REV’s Class C operations. So, how do things look today- about seven months into this new phase for Terveer, whose team unveiled an array of new 2019’s including an affordable new Fleetwood Flair and Holiday Rambler Admiral, plus upgrades to a number of REV’s higher-priced coaches?
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 17 Terveer is giving everything a thumbs-up at this point, given the short time frame and the aggressive new wide-angle strategy REV is taking with regard to its entire product portfolio and overall production practices, having already greatly reduced the number of models it manufactures. “Well, things look promising” said Terveer, seated in a 2019 Feetwood Discovery LXE 44H outside the Decatur Plant. “We came in with a decision that we had to make- whether we were going to chase market share or whether we were going to try to build prod- ucts that the customers want and let the market take us where we want to go, and we chose the latter. Even though market share’s still important, it’s not our driver. So, we took a look at the entire product lineup and frankly, it was pretty confusing. “We had way too many brands or models, which we’ve reduced for the 2019 model year by 40%,” added Terveer. “We were trying to be everything to everyone and not really doing a very good job with it. And it was confusing to our employees on the produc- tion line. I mean, how do you build quality when you have so many variables on the line that everything’s different every time you build it? It also confused the customers and our dealers because they didn’t know what we were building.” In the process, Terveer maintained, he and his group are trying to do a better job of listening to dealers who, by their very nature, are closer to the retail customers themselves. And, initially at least, he noted, the reaction among dealers to REV Recreation Group’s new 2019’s has been decidedly positive. “We thought in the past that we had a better mousetrap and we tried to introduce those mousetraps and, quite honestly, at last year’s Open House they failed,” Said Terveer. “So, we had to make a major change and we had to do it quickly. That’s why reducing models, concentrating on our core brands and listening to our dealers has become our top priority.” For his part, Miller said that within the diesel lines he oversees, by September, Holiday Rambler’s lineup will include the Navigator (four floor plans) and Endeavor four brands, while Fleetwood’s four brands will offer the Pace Arrow LXE (four), Discovery (three) and Discovery LXE (five). Miller singled out the new Discovery LXE 40G, a 41-fot, 4-inch two slide bunk model atop a Freightliner XEM chassis paired with a 380 Cummins engine and Allison 3000 transmission. While the exterior’s Rhine color scheme offers a dramatic change in color depending on the lighting, it was the innovative floor plan that Miller sought to highlight. Set inside a curbside full-wall slide, the bunks are directly opposite the spacious three-piece bath that offers three access points: from the rear master bedroom, the bunks and the living area up front. “That’s the great thing about the 40G, it’s not just a bunkhouse but more of a multipurpose floor plan for all kinds of families to enjoy,” Miller pointed out. “When the slide comes in, the bunkhouse is still accessible into the lav, the front of the coach and into the rear. And when the room is extended, both of those sections close off so that mom and dad have a great access into the lav without disturbing the kids while the kids have a great access into the lav without disturbing mom and dad – and anyone staying up here in the front, sleeping on the pullout sofa and/or the U-shaped dinette, also have access to the lav without disturbing anyone else. So it really creates three or four different living zones inside this particular floor plan. As for REV’s Class A gas offerings, Holiday Rambler will feature the Admiral (five floor plans) and Vacationer (five) models, while Fleetwood has three lines in the Flair (five), Bounder (five), and Southwind (five). Lombard, who, again, oversees REV’s Class A gas products, was especially enthused about the all-new redesigned Fleetwood Flair – and its Holiday Rambler Admiral sister line – whose models range from 29 feet, 3 inches to 33 feet, 6 inches long are available in either vinyl or partial paint exteriors and feature a double-door 8 or 10 cubic foot refrigerator, 1,000 or 2,000-watt inverters and a 15k Btu air conditioner or, on the top-of-the-line 35R, two 13.5k Btu a/c units with a 5.5KW generator. “The floor plan offerings are completely different than what they were last year, and we actually set these up for price points,” Lombard said. “To give you an idea, we want the dealer to be able to sell the 29A for around $79,999. So we made sure that we did all of our homework, checked all of our competitors, and then made sure that we could deliver that to the dealer for a very good price, they could make good money on it, and it was a great-looking coach with a lot of features that the customer wants. And we hit that target- and we’ve done that all the way through our Flair line.” Lombard also highlighted a new configuration currently being developed for the Bounder that he called an “extended living floor plan.” The model takes a current double-bath bunk unit, swaps out the rear full bath for a two-piece lav and adds a tailgate to the unit’s rear so that “you can have a nice patio living area on the back.” Some people have tried this before but the way we designed it, the kids can be up in the bunk, mom and dad can have their bedroom door closed, and then if they get up in the morning and they can have a cup of coffee right out on the back desk and they don’t have to wake the kids up,” Lombard said. Monaco Coach will feature the Marquis (four floor plans) and Signature (four) lines of diesel motorhomes, and American Coach checks in with the Dream (four) and Eagle (three), all diesel pushers. Gone for 2019 is the Revolution, although Gerke mentioned that the Revolution would return in the future.”
18 “We have had some “opportunities” with our American Coach product, and with that, we have shelved the American Revolution. It will be back in a different capacity, but it will be back eventually,” Gerke told RV Business, adding that “opportunities” also exist with the Monaco brand. “We’re trying to build that brand back up,” she explained. “With the Marquis and the Signature it gives us an entry level and a higher-end look in the product for our customers out there. Again, we have to build that relationship back up with our dealers and with our customers to try to get the product out there for them to see.” While a model of the American Dream was not on display – the first units were still on the production line – Gerke was excited for it to hit the market. Built on the exclusive steerable-tag-axle Liberty Chassis from Freightliner, the three 42 foot models will be paired with the 450-horsepower Cummins engine while the 45 foot configuration is powered by a 600-hp Cummins powerplant. Other features include now-standard under-chassis LED lighting, upgraded Firefly Multi-Plex control system and an optional lithium battery package instead of eight standard AGM batteries. “We made some major changes in that product and we’re hoping to keep it in a mid-price range with the offerings of a higher-end product,” Gerke said. “We will have the 42 and the 45 foot floor plans in the Dream, so buyers will see a different offering once they step into the American Coach product as far as floor plans.” All of the models on display featured a variety of new interior decors and wood cabinetry colors, the result of the work by REV In- terior Designer Mindy Cox, who told RV Business that “gray is the new beige.” She even coined the term “greige.” In fact, Rockport Greige is one of the three decors available in the American Dream. “The gray tones and the more distressed woods are just here to stay for a little while,” she said. “The greige – and I joke about it, but it’s a little bit of a return of some of the lighter cream and tans. But I think the younger generation, those Millennial folks we talk about, they seem to like the lighter interiors, lighter fabrics.”
Webguy: REV group had an excellent featured article in the last issue of RV Business Magazine, which we thought you might like to read. It is being reprinted here with the express permission of the publisher. RV Business Magazine is an industry leader in news and information relating to the RV Industry. If you would like to read additional industry news, they maintain a digital library at this address: http://www.rvbusiness.com/ - photo credit to Shawn Spence – it was a protected document- so had to be hand entered- please ignore any accidental modifications to content-
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 19 Technical Tips #104© By Rob Lowe
Preparing a Coach for a Trip to Alaska and the Yukon (Part 2)
In Technical Tip 103, I began this two-part article. What follows will give you some background and if you have not read Technical Tip #103 you will find it helpful to read it before this one. I have presented seminars on travelling to Alaska and the Yukon and afterwards I am asked: “How do I (or did you) prepare (y)our coach for that trip?” That’s a great question and one that is rarely mentioned in any travel guides that I have seen.
After our 2015 AK trip (which you can read about on our Travel Blog on our website), I made some notes. After reviewing them recently, I have digressed somewhat from the typical Technical Tips format and provide some guidelines and lessons learned. My hope is that it will allow those that are apprehensive about taking the trip, to make the decision to take the ‘trip of a lifetime’, one way or another. (Please remember that while these articles are focused on preparing the coach and showing some issues as part of the trip, this typically is a small part of the trip. The travel experiences, people that you will meet, the sights, experiences and memories created will last far longer than the items mentioned in these articles.)
Pre-Trip Preparations (continued):
Exterior: Prepare the RV finish in advance of the trip: "Super" wax the body exterior, including wheel trim with a good quality wax or polish. If you are a waterless or dry wash user follow your usual procedure to thorough clean and polish your RV. On the trip, be prepared to clean the RV with water, sponge, chamois & stiff brush. This will make it easier to clean the road grime off. Check the tire dates and have them examined by a truck/RV tire professional to assess whether they are safe for the trip. If they are deemed safe, then clean them. Some use 303 Protectant or other RV tire safe cleaner/polish on the tires to provide a finish that will protect from UV and Oxidization damage and provide some surface protection from dirt. Given the distance you will cover, the tires will also provide their built in UV/Oxidization protection by moving the waxes in their construction out to the tire surface as they are used. Ensure they are at the proper pressure and that the monitoring system is functioning properly. Speeds in the north will be slower however you will be travelling on Interstate highways to get to the area. Add or ensure that the rear wheels have good “mud flaps” to direct road debris down and way from your towed vehicle.
Add and Use Accessory Coach Front and Tow Vehicle Covers: Diamond Shield or other similar brands of clear plastic coating or a vinyl bra on the RV and a tow cover shield on the towed vehicle are wise improvements. Wax them prior to the trip to shed dirt easier. Our coaches come from the factory with Diamond Shield protection, which we have always properly maintained, and it worked well over the trip. We elected to buy from our supplier, Coastline Mfg. Co.(https://rvandoffroad.com/), a custom
20 fitted cover that completely protects the tow car from the top of the windshield down to the lower air dam, together with the front sides of the front fenders. They will provide access holes for your towing system which you need to specify when ordering the cover. We made this selection even though we also had access to suppliers which sell hard plastic guards and vinyl mesh shields that stop debris from coming up off the roads. The experience of others with those systems all reflected that on the 'Alaskan' trip they did not perform all that well and many said the Coastline Cover was what they would use if doing a similar trip.
Some of the tour and caravan companies suggest covering the lower engine section of rear engine pusher coaches with a wire mesh to prevent rocks and stones from being thrown up into the rad or oil pan. I’ve heard of a RVer whose coach took a rock up into the side rad shroud area that bounced loose when the coach was driven over a particularly rough road, long after the trip and the stone struck the fan and deflected into the radiator, causing a large coolant leak. While you can always take precautions, this is your call. Travelling at slower speeds on gravel roads is the best way to avoid stone damage, however you cannot control the actions of others. Our experience showed that small boat and utility trailers being towed behind pickup trucks and travelling too fast for conditions were the most likely to throw off a stone that will strike you. Slowing down and moving to the road edge often avoids an unpleasant experience.
On the trip: Maintain the front of coach daily when on the road, if possible. Avoid fuel stop squeegee's: The soap and windshield solution with alcohol will remove or damage the wax.
Most RV Parks in the North allow hand washing with brush and bucket. Some have RV & car wash pads which will allow you to spray off most of the grit and grime. Use them, experience will show that this is a timely way to get your RV combination back to looking 'Normal'. Be careful to avoid damaging the finish, ideally you want to wet and loosen the grime before trying to remove it, otherwise you will scratch the finish. These spray systems use high pressure water and a nozzle designed to fan the spray out over a wide area. Care needs to be taken around side and rearview cameras, vinyl accent striping and any loose trim to avoid damage. These wash pads are long enough to allow a motorhome and towed vehicle or pickup with trailer (either fifth wheel or conventional) to be washed while connected. Hoses may be suspended on high arms making it easier to get around the combined unit. Others simply use long hoses and require time to get the hose from one side to the other. Having an assistant makes the task easier. The wash selections will be limited often to Wash & Rinse choices. It is rare to have the variety we are familiar with in Canada and the lower 48 States. The
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 21 charge to start a typical wash is $3.00 (3 loonies in Canada or 12 quarters in the US). Experience using these indicates that a complete wash including RV Radiators, engine area, some underbody spray as well as the exterior body will run $15 to $20. Have a sufficient number of the appropriate coins ready to insert. There rarely is any warning when the wash is approaching the turn off point. Some post how long the $3.00 wash will run, but don't count on it. If it stops before the wash is completed, it will require another $3.00 to restart. A hint: If there is no time posted, insert the $3.00 charge, and begin to wash. When it stops use the beginning and stop point as a guide to how many more $3.00 washes it will take. If possible have an assistant add coins as you approach the place where the wash will end and then you may be able to top off the wash without running out prematurely. Some RV parks provide Tokens for their washes and sell them in quantities sufficient for typical wash. Should you run out you'll need to buy another 'bunch' or if you have extra they can be donated to any other RVer in the park. The primary reason for using these tokens is the reduction in keeping change in the local currency and the ability to use a credit card to pay for a wash.
When hand washing, use a stiffer RV wash brush, not the fine finish ones you might use when dust is the primary dirt being removed. You will need a brush capable of being used to scrub the dirt off with lots of water on its bristles. The mud and sand that will accumulate requires lots of water and a firmer brush to lift and remove the dirt without damaging the finish
Interior: Dust will enter and settle on every interior surface! Using the engine driven Air Conditioner set to the vent setting and recirculation mode to create pressure inside while driving may reduce the dust infiltration, but it won't eliminate it. Place plastic bags over direct entry places into the RV Basement, such as cord access hatches, especially if these are through the floor of storage bins. Expect dust to make it around even well- maintained cargo door seals and leave a fine dust on every surface in the basement. Covering valuable items which should not get dust on them will add some protection.
Driving Experiences: Overall, expect the unexpected. Truckers warn that if you encounter wildlife near, or on the road, pass slowly if they are on the sides, stop and wait if they are on the roadway. DO NOT blow your horn, the animals are more likely to approach your RV after the horn blast than leave the roadway. Some of the best photos we took came in these unexpected stops. Stay in your RV and take photos through the clean windows. You will often know in advance that there is wildlife nearby because the traffic will be stopped ahead. This will likely be a line of five to ten vehicles, certainly nothing like you have experienced in the south.
22 On our return to Tok, AK as we were leaving AK, we came over a small rise in the road that prevented us from seeing what was ahead. As we crested the small hill we saw a blackened road surface as far as we could see ahead, not directly from tar spray on the road but from the tires of vehicles that had gone through the tarred section of road. This road section just over the hill had obviously been repaired earlier in the day with gravel, sprayed with fresh tar and left exposed rather than being covered with a top coat of gravel. We crossed other sections farther down the road where the repairs were gravel covered and completed. We concluded that they had forgotten that particular (first) spot when spreading the top coat of gravel. Unfortunately, this was in an area where we did not have our Tow Car Cover in place and while the lower sections of the coach, especially behind the wheels had numerous tar spots, our white tow car was completely covered with tar from the roof, windows and all exterior surfaces down to the bottom. Given our trip timing and the fact that we were heading back onto the Alaska Highway the next day, with the tow car covered with tar, we did not want to damage the fleece lining of our cover by getting tar all over it and ruining the cover. We decided that we would travel without the cover. The good news for us was that since we were near the end of the road repair season, most sections were already repaired. Other than lots of gravel pieces found in the tray at the base of the windshield, we had no further damage. We did travel through the new sections very slowly to reduce the chances of incurring any damage. To close the loop on cleaning the tar, I had a container of Goof-Off2, an environmentally friendly citrus based cleaner often used to remove graffiti and adhesives from hard surfaces. This cleaner was sprayed on an area and allowed to soften the tar as it began to run down the surface. I used over a roll of paper towels to remove the softened tar. Amazingly the citrus based cleaner softened the tar, so I could wipe it off and did not remove the wax. Prior to settling on using this cleaner, I experimented with Goof Off (a harsh chemical-based cleaner, "the original") which did remove the wax, as well as WD40 and some odor-free mineral spirits, all of which I had with me. All of the latter chemicals removed the wax and required constant scrubbing to remove the tar. Using the Goof-Off2 took all day to clean the car however it was extremely effective and safe to use and having a waxed surface meant a lot less rubbing to get the tar off and left a waxed surface. We were able to complete the remainder of that portion of the trip with similar road work sections with the tow car cover on. At our destination where we removed the cover and washed it a few times to remove the dust and remaining grit from earlier in the trip. The cover was then able to be stored ready to use again.
When you return 'Home': At the conclusion of the trip, we planned a couple of weeks of cleaning, dusting, waxing and checking over the coach at a nearby campground. Taking such a break, gives the time to return the coach to the way you like it to be. It also allows the time to thoroughly examine areas where there may have been issues. Checking the tires, undercarriage, engine and radiator areas as well as the lower storage areas allowed any issues to be identified. We had the chassis lubricated in the Yukon however after arriving home we planned our annual chassis inspection and service. This down time allowed us to clean the dust out of everywhere inside and out, to touch up stone chips and generally give the coach a thorough going over. We waxed it, decided that the tires were in need of replacement, serviced the tow bar and found little items to be attended to. Thankfully, the many improvements and enhancements we made in the year prior to the trip proved to have been worthwhile, everything performed as well or better than expected. We experienced a couple of windshield stone chips one of which was repaired in the Yukon and the other received while driving through the Prairies, was repaired after we arrived home.
We did experience a water pump leak and the service experience was no more expensive than if it had been carried out Canada or the southern 48 states. Turnaround time from beginning to end was 2 days and we did not lose any time on our trip. Facilities exist that provide capable service, quality parts and because of the short season, prompt parts delivery. Coach body parts will be slower to acquire however standard parts are readily and quickly available. I hope you found these Technical Tips helpful and should you adventure on to Alaska, the Yukon, Alberta and British Columbia, that you bring back memories and stories to share with many! Travel Safely & Enjoy!! For past issues of Technical Tips go to the RV-Parts Plus Website at www.RV-PartsPlus.com and click on Tech Tips or follow our Blog also on our website. Tech Tips appear online prior to being printed. ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 23 This issue’s featured REV Group employee While in Decatur, Indiana, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the employees of REV Group/American Coach. One of those, was Mr. Larry Rodgers. Larry is REV Groups, Decatur based National Owners Relationship Manager. He is one of the persons I tend to communicate with regularly regarding issues that members may encounter.
Larry has been with Fleetwood/American Coach, REV Group for 35 years. Larry tells me that what he actually enjoys most about his job is, “Being able to help owners when they have a problem with their RV. They spend a lot of money and we really want them to enjoy their time on the road.”
Larry has been married for 41 years and has three sons, four grandchildren. Every Sunday, Larry enjoys lunch with his entire family after attending church services. Nothing is more satisfying than time with family. Larry’s hobbies vary and include collecting sports cards, going to memorabilia shows, buying and trading cards. Every year, Larry looks forward to his annual vacation, which he and his family deliberately plan at a different location, each and every time.
By: Tony Ford National President, ACA
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24 Southwest Florida's NEWEST Class A Luxury Motorcoach Resort
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*Coach must be at least 34 feet in length.
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ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 25 Dave Parsons RefrigeratorRefrigerator Water Valve Water Valve Technical Writer Many times I have heard the complaint about the lack of, or the unlikely location of the water valve that will shut off the water supply to the refrigerator water supply and icemaker. For some reason AC has located this valve under the sink, way in the back, and as high possible. A very difficult position to reach. And of course it normally takes 2 hands to open, or close, the valve. This valve is needed when making any repairs to the fridge water/ice maker system. Also when putting my coach in storage I like to shut off the water, then let the ice maker run to harvest the last batch of ice. This removes any water that would otherwise lay in the bottom of the ice maker during storage. For years I have said unkind things about the difficulty operating this valve.
Then one day a light bulb turned on and I realized how easy this is to correct. For just a couple dollars in parts, it is very easy to move the valve out to the front edge by the door. A couple connectors, and a couple 90 degree elbows, and maybe a piece of hose, and the valve is now easy to reach. I found the parts in my odds & ends parts pile, so it cost nothing! Not all hardware stores carry these “shark bite” fittings, but any big box store will. Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
Dave Parsons [email protected]
26 Guidanz™ Mobile App and INLINE™ Mini Adapter Get Enhanced Feature Set for 2018
Fall is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the ever changing colors of scenery across the country. While you’re out on the road consider the Cummins Guidanz technology that allows Customers and dealer service personnel to quickly read fault codes and other key information on 2007 and newer engines. Guidanz mobile app for your smartphone or mobile device harnesses advanced algorithms and wireless technology to allow better communication with your service provider and enhance your overall service experience. Campground operators could also use this to assist customers that experience a check engine light on their Cummins engine.
For 2018, Guidanz has additional functionality that will allow it to read additional fault information available on the SAE J1939 public interface. This includes fault information from the transmission, electronic braking system and more. This means that when a check engine lamp comes on, customers can immediately read fault code information and share it with a certified service provider to determine the severity.
The Guidanz mobile app allows you share key fault code data from your mobile device and quickly locate a service provider using and the sales service locator function.
At that point, your service provider can provide operational guidance and identify the next steps in scheduling service.
The Guidanz mobile app utilizes the INLINE™ mini adapter to transfer key vehicle data to a smartphone or tablet. The INLINE mini adapter plugs directly into the standard SAE -‐ J1939 13 diagnostic connector, allowing quick retrieval of engine information using a Bluetooth-‐equipped iOS® or Android® smartphone or tablet. Even when not connected to the internet, Guidanz can still provide a list of engine faults. We are continuously updating our Guidanz mobile app with more service product features and capabilities.
The enhanced Guidanz mobile app, together with the INLINE mini adapter, provides best-‐in-‐class service support capability with key benefits to customers:
• Quick identification of issues related to the chassis, the engine or other electronic vehicle systems • Additional information to allow you and your service provider to make an informed decision about continuing your trip or making arrangements for service • More accurate scheduling, allowing service providers to check on parts availability for parts likely needed for repair
The Guidanz mobile app and INLINE mini adapter are available now. The app can be downloaded at no additional charge, from the Apple® App Store® or Google Play™. The INLINE mini adapter is now available through your local Cummins service provider store.cummins.com or by visiting (part r numbe 5299909).
To learn more about how the Guidanz mobile app and INLINE mini adapter make service more streamlined, visit cumminsengines.com/guidanz.
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 27 Rolling Recipes
We were recently invited over to friend’s house for a barbecue. As I often do, I asked what could I bring (hoping for dessert) and was given the assignment of salad. I certainly didn’t want to just throw together iceberg lettuce and tomatoes; I wanted to do something special. Searching around I found this recipe for a salad and it was outstanding. I’ve already made it twice and it doesn’t disappoint. If you are looking for something fresh and cool and great tasting, try this salad!
In other news, this will be my last recipe contribution to ACA Across America. My husband, Ben, and I made the difficult decision it was time to hang up our motorhome keys. Life-changing to say the least. We have been traveling in a motorhome since 1998 and in our 2003 American Dream, we logged over 153,000 miles. It has been a wonderful ride with great adventures and meeting wonderful and life-long friends across this great nation. We sold our beloved American Dream to a young couple with 2 daughters and they are thrilled with their new mode of transportation. So from Ben and I, enjoy the adventure, travel often, and be safe out there!
BRIGHT AND COLORFUL SALAD 1 head red-leaf lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces Half of a small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced 2 – 14 oz. jars quartered artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped 1 – 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced ½ cup toasted pine nuts 1 batch zesty red wine vinaigrette (or if you lack the time, purchase a vinaigrette dressing, I used Girard’s Champagne and we loved it) Optional garnish: freshly grated Parmesan cheese or purchased shaved Parmesan cheese
Zesty Red Wine Vinaigrette Ingredients ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup red-wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon Kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
To make the salad: Add all ingredients together in a large bowl and toss until evenly combined. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
To make the dressing: Whisk all ingredients together until combined (or add them together in a mason jar and shake until combined. Use immediately.
28 Fleetwood New Ad for 2016.pdf 1 2015-12-29 1:12:44 AM
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ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 29 Is my RV’s fresh water safe to drink? A simple yes or no depends on how you treat it. Ignoring your tank- especially in the summer- can lead to potentially seri- ous illnesses. As you know, there are two ways to fill your tank- gravity and bypass. With gravity, there is no filtration, so if the water is chlorinated, it should remain so. If you use the bypass fill- and use an activated charcoal filter in your filtration system- most if not all of the chlorine is removed, leaving your tank subject to the growth of microbiological contaminants, including cysts, E. coli and cholera.
What to do? – It is easy to use general household bleach- in the proper concentration, to ensure that the water in your tank is sanitary. Periodically, you should also use bleach in a higher concentration to sanitize the tank- something that we do at least 3 times a year.
Sanitize: The average fresh water tank on an American Coach contains about 100 gallons of water- a concentration of ap- proximately 20 to 50 ppm of sodium hypochlorite is required to sanitize it. We find that 24 ounces of bleach reaches the desired level in most cases. Our process is – level the motor home- remove or shut off external water supplies – open the bottom tank drain – turn on the pump – open any faucet in the motor home (allows complete draining) – and dump all of the water. Once that is completed, turn off the pump and close the valves – then, place the appropriate amount of house- hold bleach in a container – stir – then introduce the mixture into the gravity fill inlet. Next, completely fill the tank with a drinking water safe hose. Then, open each of the faucets in the motor home- one at a time- and let the water run until you smell chlorine. Allow the tank to remain full for at least a few hours- it’s even better if you drive around and slosh the contents a bit.
Next dump and flush the entire tank- put enough fresh water – a few gallons - into the tank to enable you to clear the tank and lines to the faucets of the chlorine odor- once that’s done, dump the balance of water again.
Disinfect: Now that you have a sanitized fresh water tank, it is ready to be filled to the desired level. Using the container again, add an appropriate amount of chlorine, stir and then introduce through your gravity fill. Finish filing the tank to whatever level you generally travel with- run a faucet for about 60 seconds, and then, using a pool test kit, test strips, or any similar analysis tool- and make sure the reading is between 2 and 3 parts per million. Our recipe is approximately 1 - 2 ounces to 25 gallons for drinking. Be aware that you can buy bleach products that vary in their concentration of sodium hypochlorite – from about 3.0% to about 8.5% – Obviously, that significantly alters how many ounces of product that you would need to achieve the required parts per million. Be sure to take that into account in your experimentation- and use the same percentage concentration each time- or adjust accordingly, to achieve consistent results. Too high a level of sodium hypochlorite can present significant health hazards – so you really need to be sure, and test to determine your concentration levels.
The following statement is from the EPA website: “The EPA requires treated tap water to have a detectable level of chlorine to help prevent contamination. The allowable chlorine levels in drinking water (up to 4 parts per million) pose “no known or expected health risk [including] an adequate margin of safety.”] Mar 30, 2010
This overview is intended merely as food for thought- do not just use our suggested formula as being appropriate for your specific application, especially with so many brands using different concentrations- trust the chemical analysis tools to be much more accurate.
Thanks for reading…. Stay Healthy The Webguy
Bibliographic references: This quotation is from the Clorox website- which contains a wealth of information on the topic: “Sodium hypochlorite, the main ingredient in Clorox® Bleach, kills over 99% of bacteria and viruses commonly found in untreated water.” Read more at: https://www.clorox.com/our-purpose/our-causes/safe-water-project/ https://tappwater.co/us/what-activated-carbon-remove/ http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/how-fresh-is-your-rv-fresh-water-system.asp http://www.thervgeeks.com/plumbing/sanitize-an-rv-water-system/ https://www.epa.gov/
30 by Debbie Darby
Handy reminder for Microwave Don’ts (and Do’s) Your motorhome came equipped with a wonderful microwave oven…. Many are convection sys- tems as well. They make being on the road much easier. Please follow the suggestions below to ensure that you operate it safely and create the tastiest of meals….. DON’T microwave an egg in its shell; you could have a messy explosion. Don’t microwave an egg out of the shell without piercing the yolk to allow venting. DON’T microwave whole spherical fruit or vegetables (such as apples and potatoes) without piercing the skin to prevent steam buildup. DON’T reuse plastic food containers, such as margarine tubs, in the microwave. Chemicals can leach out of non-microwavable plastics into your food. DON’T use product wrapping unless it’s specifically approved for microwave use. DON’T let plastic wrap touch your food during microwaving. Place microwave-safe plastic wrap loosely over food, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some labels indicate that you should leave at least one inch of space between the plastic wrap and the food. DO cover messy foods like chili, spaghetti sauce, soup and anything with beans to prevent splat- tering. DON’T use patterned or colored paper towels and napkins in the microwave. They tend to bleed their designs onto the food or the floor of your microwave. Use only white towels for a clean and easy zap. DO be aware of the cooking time specified for your microwave recipe. Most are written to ac- commodate a standard 700-watt appliance. If yours is significantly more powerful, decrease the cooking time accordingly so you don’t overcook the food. DON’T leave plastic lids on tight. Open the vents if lids have them, or loosen lids to allow steam to escape. DO handle hot dishes carefully when removing from the microwave. And be careful when re- moving lids or coverings or opening bags. DON’T use metal in the microwave. You already know this, but I just wanted to offer a reminder to be safe. DO read and follow directions in the owner’s manual for your microwave, as well as those on food products and cookware packages.
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 31 [ Upcoming Rally Details ]
September 16-21 October 25-27 Southeast attends the GLC Fall Rally – in Michigan Flying Flags RV Resort, Buellton, CA Florida RV Supershow Lake Leelanau RV Resort SoCal Chapter January 15 – 20, 2019 There are a limited number of sites at This resort is newly remodeled and a http://www.frvta.org/show/florida-rv- this beautiful park. It is located in one must see for anyone traveling in the area. supershow/ of the most beautiful parts of the Great Registration must be made through Lakes area, and is owned by former Southeast’s Annual Christmas Rally the Florida Recreational Vehicle Trade GLC’er Don Wilson. Call the resort November 29 - December 3, 2018 Association (FRVTA). Registration does directly, and be sure to tell them you with Sun N Fun, Sarasota, FL not become available till about Sep- the Great Lakes Chapter and coming to http://www.carefreervresorts.com/rv- tember, but when registration does the ACA rally. parks/florida/sun-n-fun/ become available, this rally sells out fast! Southeast returns to the award-winning Updates are available through the Florida September 20-24 Sun ‘N Fun RV Resort for this popular Recreational Vehicle Trade Association Massy’s Landing RV Resort annual event. Our hosts are Terry & website http://www.frvta.org/show/ Rehoboth Beach – Northeast Chapter Belinda Moorefield along with Dave & florida-rv-supershow/ or call 813 741 Fall will be here before you know it. Ann Laudick and Wendy Gaynor. The 0488. Please note; The registration for Plans are in the works for our fall rally registration form and tentative agenda the Supershow Rally indicates a four-day at Rehoboth Beach, DE. Call the park are available at www.myamericancoach. event, we go in as a group one day early and make your own reservations please. com and www.southeastaca.net (Tuesday, January 15) at no additional This would be the perfect stop en route charge. to your southern winter destinations – 2019 RALLIES: check out their website: https://www. January 9-12 Southeast’s return to masseyslanding.com/. Happy Wanderers Disney’s Fort Wilderness Pre-Rally to Southeast Regional – February – 6 or 7 or 8, 2019 September 21-24 Lazydays, Tampa https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ Morrow Bay, CA – Morrow Bay RV Park The Happy Wanderers are having a resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness- SoCal Chapter pre-rally to the Southeast Regional- You resort/ We are heading to the Morrow Bay RV will need to make your own reserva- Our adventure starts with a social hour Park- this beautiful resort has limited tions with the campground- please do on February 3rd, and our sites are sites that our motor homes will fit, so so soon, as the are very busy this time blocked from February 1st till the 10th. plan early to attend. For more informa- of the year, call them at 800-350-6731, This is an ala carte gathering as meals tion, please contact Debbie Darby. be sure to tell them you will be attending and park admissions are not included, the regional and would like to park with we will have our social hours in the Southeast’s Fall Rally the Happy Wanderers Chapter for the morning and in the afternoon! Expect October 4 - 8, 2018 event. the cost to be about $120 a night for Gulf Waters RV Park, Fort Myers, FL your site. Reservations can be made by www.gulfwatersrv.com/ 8th Annual Eastern Regional Rally calling Hilda Neal (302 598 8892), tell This is Fort Myers highest rated premier January 12 – 15, 2019 her you are with Southeast Chapter of RV Resort. This rally is already at two- Lazydays, Seffner, FL the ACA. If you do not want to visit the thirds capacity! Agenda and registration Southeast hosts the 8th Annual Eastern theme parks, there is still plenty to do! available at the Southeast web site ( Regional Rally. This rally will be held www.southeastaca.net ) just before the Florida RV Supershow. February 20-23 Rally includes three nights at Lazydays Wildomar, CA October 15-19 RV Campground, catered meals and SoCal Chapter Mac Pack fall rally – in Tennessee entertainment. We have 60 sites and as This is our “No Rain Rally” – it’s a small River Plantation RV Resort of late July over 30 are already reserved! group, but we have a great time. Please Details to follow- put this on your cal- Registration form and agenda are avail- join us. endar! Your hosts are Marge and Dick able at www.myamericancoach.com and Bender. They are really looking forward www.southeastaca.net to seeing everyone and if Mother Nature cooperates, we may be able to see some of the changing of the leaves!
32 [ Rally Schedule ]
DATE LOCATION CHAPTER Sep 16-21 Lake Leelanau RV resort GLC Fall Rally Sep 20-24 Rehobeth Beach, DE - Massey’s Landing Northeast Chapter - Hosts: Barb & Carl Bullock Sep 21-25 Morro Dunes RV Park- Morro Bay, CA - limited sites SoCal Chapter: Hosted by Debbie & Joe - book early! Darby - Susan & Scott Rose Oct 4-8 Gulf Waters RV Resort, Fort Myers Beach - Southeast Chapter it is rated 10-10-10 Oct 15-19 River Plantation RV Resort MacPack Chapter - Hosts: Marge & Dick Bender Oct 25-27 Flying Flags RV Resort - Buellton, CA - venue has So Cal Chapter: recently added 100 sites Hosted by Erling & Sue Pohls Nov 29- Dec 3 Southeast Annual Christmas Rally - Southeast Chapter Sun N Fun, Sarasota, FL 2019 Rallies: Jan 9-12 Happy Wanderers Pre Rally to Regional Happy Wanderers Chapter Jan 12-15 8th Annual Eastern Regional Rally - LazyDays RV Southeast Chapter - host chapter Resort, Tampa, FL Jan 15-20 Florida RV Supershow Rally - Southeast Chapter Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, FL Feb 3-8 Southeast Returns to Fort Wilderness - Southeast Chapter Lake Buena Vista, FL Feb 20-23 No Rain Rally - Wildomar, CA Socal Chapter April 7-11 Florida Grande RV Resort - Webster, FL Southeast Chapter May 18-23 The 2019 ACA National Rally - Hosted by South Central Chapter Lake Conroe KOA - Montgomery, TX 2020 Rallies: Apr 16-20 Spring Rally #2 at Compass RV Park - St. Augustine Southeast Chapter
Southeast’s 2019 Spring Rally at May 18 – 23 2020 RALLIES: Florida Grande RV Resort Lake Conroe KOA, Montgomery, TX April 7 – 11, 2019 ACA National Rally – Host Chapter: Southeast’s 2020 Spring Rally at Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort, South Central St. Augustine Webster, FL Planning is underway at this time- more April 16 – 20, 2020 http://www.floridagrande.com/ information to follow soon. Compass RV Park This rally is a work in progress. Check at www.compassrvpark.com/ www.southeastaca.net or www.my- This spot is the closest campground to americancoach.com as details become historic St. Augustine. This rally sold out available. in April 2018 and we are returning by popular demand!
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 33 [ Chapter Membership Chairs ] • Northeast • South Central Chapter: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma & Texas Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, www.aca-scc.com Delaware & Maryland Robin Fagala, Membership Chair Brenda Anderson, Membership Chair 103 S. 68th Street Broken Arrow, OK 74014 PO Box 129 cell 918-521-2658 Corinth, NY 12822 [email protected] cell 518-796-3896 $12.00 Initiation Fee [email protected] $12.00 Annual Dues less $1.00 prorated per month after January $8.00 Initiation Fee $12.00 Annual Dues-less $1.00 prorated per month after July • Southwest Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Utah • Mac Pack www.acasw.com Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Sue Ford, Membership Chair South Carolina & Tennessee 5531 Kings Row Court Annette Hatfield, Membership Chair Las Vegas, NV 89148 3110 Elmwood Dr. 702-540-0319 Edgewood, KY 41017 [email protected] $8.00 Initiation Fee 859-468-6130 $12.00 Annual Dues less $1.00 prorated per month after July [email protected] $8.00 Initiation Fee • Southern California $12.00 Annual Dues, due July 1 Southern California www.socalaca.com • Southeast Brianne Brissette, Membership Chair Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia & Florida 29668 Nicholson Court www.southeastaca.net Highland, CA 92346 909-721-0921 Yvonne Brim, Membership Chair [email protected] 12841 47th Place $5.00 Initiation Fee • $15.00 Annual Dues, due June Wellborn, FL 32094 386-362-9586 • NorCal/NorWest [email protected] Northern California, Northern Nevada and $8.00 Initiation Fee Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, $12.00 Annual Dues Wyoming, Alaska,British Columbia, Alberta & Saskatchewan • Great Lakes www.norcalaca.com Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Rhonda Dieter, Membership Chair Michigan & Southern Ontario, Canada PO Box 592 Clio, CA 96106 Diane DeMille, Membership Chair 530-836-1632 731 N. Williams Dr. [email protected] Palatine, IL 60074 $5.00 Initiation Fee 847-344-7798 $15.00 Annual Dues less $1.25 prorated per month after July [email protected] $10.00 Annual Dues, due by July 1 $5.00 after January 1 • Happy Wanderers All 50 States Plus Canada • Missouri Valley Candy Diggins, Membership Chair North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, 5212 Theys Road Nebraska, Iowa & Missouri Raleigh, NC 27606 919-345-3803 Barbara Weeks, Membership Chair [email protected] 2165 Grassy Branch Rd. NONE Initiation Fee Sevierville, TN 37876 $15.00 Annual Dues 865-621-3015 Annual dues renewal date: January 1 [email protected] $15.00 Annual Dues due by July 1
34 Jan Thompson, ACA Membership Services [ Membership Services ] [email protected] (501) 858-9564 • (727) 364-5327 We are very proud to announce that we have added 36 new member families to our Association during the pe- riod since our last magazine issue. If there is anything membership services can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask…. We can be contacted at: email: [email protected] – The membership services hotline at: (501) 858-9564 - or text to: (727) 364-5327. We’re always here to help. For club news, rally dates, details and information regarding upcoming rallies, head to: www.myamericancoach.com Sincerely, Janice Thompson, Membership Services
Please welcome our new members and make them feel wanted in our ACA family: Andy Jones, William & Denise Donohue, Jim & Robin Madaffer, Bob & Carol Ide, Jonathan Holder, Eugene & Pamela Reich, Vanessa Bruce, James Whaley, James Ducharme, Wayne & Pat Ryan, Donald Ballard, Dennis & Helen Frankie, David Fredenburgh, Lisa Mazurka, Patricia Sansosti, Colby Griffin, Larry & Lori Hiss, Joe & Lynda Fullen, Peter & Charlene Harbottle, Jonathan & Brooke Wollam, Diane Dodge-Gordon & Russell Piercy, Tim & Judy Murphy, Michael & Teresa Roe, John & Elizabeth Gray, Eric & Diana Gladding, Ron & Tawnee Parrish, Bob & Tracy Petzold, Frank Frione, Murrell & Barbara Wellhausen, Rick & Carol Schopp, Carroll & Evelyn Marbury, Benny Whitehead, Keith Hampson, Timothy Kirkland, Susan Raetz, Kevin & Nancy Cera, Jack & Sheila Ricardo
A farewell note here… I have been your Membership Services Chair for 10 years, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have been able to assist new members with questions, point them in the right direction as needed and in short, keep all of the membership records ship shape so that members can receive all necessary information relating to the club’s events and activities. This decision wasn’t an easy one- this job is a very time consuming one- at least 20 hours a week, and not one that can be taken lightly. With that having been said, it’s time for me to change focus and let someone younger step up and take over. Thanks for all of those kind words over the years- I have enjoyed helping the club and working with all of the members. This has been totally a labor of love, and I thank you for the opportunity to let me serve you.
• Credit Card Services • • Free Web Site Advertising • • Change Phone or Address • You can join or pay your annual Members can place a classified Change and/or view your personal dues with a Master Card or Visa on “coach for sale” advertisement membership information on the ACA the ACA Web site*. We’ve taken pre- on the ACA Web site. Web site* cautions to ensure it’s safe and no Best of all, it’s FREE! one will have access to your credit All ACA mailings, including the card information. • Membership Badges • ACA Across America Magazine, are New members receive their mailed to the address listed in the • Membership Roster/By-Laws • Membership Badge(s) - they are ACA Roster data base. Membership Roster & By-Laws can FREE - with their New Member be viewed and downloaded from the Welcome Letter. Existing members If you don’t have a computer (or ACA Web site*. Please note we no who wish replacement badges must hate to use one) just call or mail longer mail out either unless one is order them directly from McBee’s - us and we’ll make any necessary requested by mail or e-mail. see below. changes or corrections for you.
* Type in www.myamericancoach.com - on the home page, click on Membership Login and follow prompts.
Need Swingers, Badges or Ovals? It’s easy: Mail your order along with an enclosed check (US $), including your correct ACA Membership Number, to the following: McBee’s • 909-336-2325 • PO Box 660, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352 • Swingers @ $3.00 each • Badges @ 10.00 each • Ovals @ $20.00 each - Prices include shipping and sales tax. Questions? send e-mail to [email protected]
ACA ACROSS AMERICA - September-October 2018 35 [ Membership Form ] New Membership Enrollment & Dues Renewal Form Please complete this form and mail (with check in US dollars) to the ACA Membership Services address listed below When enclosing a check with this form, please fill in the following information: Select one: o Current ACA member # ______o Reactivating membership/previous ACA # ______o Enrolling as a new member o New membership - $55 first year only $45( annual dues plus $10 initiation fee) o Annual renewal or reactivation dues - $45 yearly o Number or years renewal (select one): o One o Two o Total of your enclosed check $ ______(US dollars please) Check number ______Date mailed ______Please type or print clearly. NOTE: If you are a New Member, the National Directory & your ACA badge will be exactly as listed.
______Owner’s name: first (if you prefer a nickname, use that) last
______Co-Owner’s name: first (if you prefer a nickname, use that) last
______Mailing info: address & street name city state zip U.S. or Canada
(______)______-______(______)______-______Phone: home cell E-mail address I/we own: o Heritage/year _____ o Eagle/year _____ o Dream/year _____ o Tradition/year _____ o Allegiance/year _____ o Limited/year _____ o Revolution/year _____ o Patriot/year _____ I/we belong to the following local chapter(s): o Great Lakes o Happy Wanderers o MacPack o Missouri Valley o NorCal/NorWest o Northeast o Southern California o South Central o Southeast o Southwest
• • • American Coach Association • • • PO Box 2428 #24502 • Pensacola, FL 32513 If you need to correspond with the Membership Services office directly, you can reach them at 501-858-9564 or send Email to [email protected] cut & mail separately USE For Local Chapter Membership Enrollment ONLY * I understand that I may join as many local chapters as I please but that I must be a member in good standing in the National American Coach Association in order to join a local chapter - my membership number is: #______
______Owner’s name: first (if you prefer a nickname, use that) last
______Co-Owner’s name: first (if you prefer a nickname, use that) last
______Mailing info: address & street name city state zip U.S. or Canada
(______)______-______(______)______-______Phone: home cell E-mail address See Directory & Dues page for a listing of chapters, states they cover, dues & initiation fees and key contacts. Indicate the chapter(s) that you wish to join by checking the appropriate box(es) o Great Lakes o Happy Wanderers o MacPack o Missouri Valley o NorCal/NorWest o Northeast o Southern California o South Central o Southeast o Southwest Total of the enclosed check (see chapter requirements): $_____ Check number _____ Date mailed _____ * Send this completed form, along with a check in the correct amount for initiation fees and first year’s dues (US dollar please) and mail it to the appropriate chapter contact as listed on Directory & Dues page of this Magazine.
36 cut & mail separately ACA Across America The Official Magazine of American Coach Association Membership Services 12214 Arron Terrace New Port Richey, FL 34655
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