. www.fmcowne rs. com Happy Holiday Season December 2, 2011 Volume 11, Issue 4 Letter From the President Howdy Gang Another Summer has slipped by and Winter is creeping around the corner. Hope you had a great time with the FMC. Our #902 never saw the pavement this summer but I expect to put on plenty of miles next year. The 2nd annual Mega rally is in the planning already. Looks like you will get to check out the beautiful Colorado mountain scenery. Those of you running diesel engines get your engine/chassis brakes up to snuff, and those with gas engines need to remember how to use 1st gear. I have had our coach over the worst of mountain passes. Keep it in 1st gear on the steep downgrade and you don t have to use the brakes. I would rather get there a little later and not have super heated brakes, not to mention I like the rumble of the 440 through the canyon. I will be looking forward to meeting new faces and coaches so clear the calendar for late June 2012 and make plans to meet up in Colorado. Let s set another record and get the most coaches together and watch the admirers flock to the group. Those of you wanting to sell your coach should attend as there is always someone stopping by wanting to buy one of these awesome coaches. Sadly, we are looking for a Newsletter Editor since Connie is stepping down. Volunteers can contact any of the officers. Connie has done a great job and will be missed Bill Sitton Inside this issue: The Sitton family. National Director Report 2 Secretary/Treasurer Report 2 West Coast Rally Highlights 4/5 2nd Mega Rally Info 6 Application/Renewal Form 9 Special points of interest: You-tube and the West Coast Rally FMC Coach Tips Membership Renewal/Application President FMC Owners Club 1 Upcoming Rallies.
National Director Stephen Heinrichs Are You Somebody? Anybody CAN be Somebody I would like to publicly thank a very important Somebody that has done much for our little organization over the last There is a person who is Somebody. At least it seems that way as Somebody several years. That Somebody is Connie Kubiak. She volunteered to edit the organizes a rally, Somebody keeps newsletter two and a half years ago and has minutes, Somebody oversees the done a superb job of doing just that. But website,somebody contributes to the she has decided that it is now time for Newsletter, Somebody collects the someone else to pick up the reins and be dues, Somebody has edited an award winning newsletter for us. Somebody the Somebody that edits the newsletter. seems to be everywhere! Are YOU somebody? Yes, you are Somebody. Email Connie or Bill Sitton Are YOU Somebody? Yes, you are the same as many other people and are right now and let them know that with Somebody. We have been fortunate to guidance you are now a Somebody. have many Somebody s doing many things for our organization. It is the only way that an organization can be successful and meet the needs/desires of its members. Secretary/Treasurer Lynn Clugston or 3 year at a time that is OK. In March Secretary/Treasurer s Notes I will send reminders to all that have not sent their dues. Well it looks like it is that time of If you missed the California rally the the year again. January 2nd will be first of October we had a wonderful here soon and you know what that time. We have 3 new members who means..your dues are due. See signed up, bringing our membership to the renewal form you will find in 52.We will be losing several members this newsletter and send to me at the end of the year because their (address is on the form) and fill in FMCA dues have lapsed. If you think all information that needs to be up you might be one of these please check dated. I am finding a lot of email with FMCA. addresses, street addresses, etc. that have changed and we want to be Hope to see you all at the Mega Rally able to keep you up to date on the in June! activities of the club. Dues are only $10 a year and if you want to pay 2 Lynn Clugston, Sec/Treas Letter from the Editor I would like to thank the Officers, Board, Members and FMC Owners for the opportunity to serve the past few years as the Newsletter Editor. I have enjoyed working with many members and appreciate the help with articles, tips and pictures. I will assist, if asked, whoever takes over the position. I am humbled by the expressions of gratitude. Hope to see you soon 2
West Coast Southern California Rally Feb 18-19, 2012 The Western Area of the FMC Owners Club has had its most recent rallies in the middle or northern portion of CA. Given the length of the state, this has made it difficult for some of our members from the more southern areas of California and Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico to attend a rally out west. That is now changed as the next rally will be in San Dimas at the East Shores RV Park adjacent to Puddingstone Lake and a County park. Here is the link to the RV park website www.eastshorervpark.com. This is in the general north and west portion of the greater Los Angeles area and is easy to access. This park is the opposite of the setting of the last rally (reported elsewhere) as it has full facilities and is easy to access as it is just off of interstate I-10. While it is February, the weather in this area should be about 70+/- degrees and sunny. This is California! Given that we will be at an oasis in a highly populated area, the number of spaces is limited and so it will be first reserved, first served. The final number of spaces that will be available is a work in progress at this time, but the date and location is finalized so do get you name on the reservation list. To reserve your slot, you need to contact either Greg Miller at 831-428-2668 or gregmiller@pobox.com or Stephen Heinrichs at 916-425-7996 or Stephen@Heinrichs.com. When it is available, additional information will be posted on the club website at www.fmcowners.com and emailed to those with reservations. See you there! SouthEast Vice President Denny Shewmake The South East unit will be putting together a Regional Rally the first week in April. Location to be determined, suggestions are solicited and welcome, somewhere East of the Mississippi MidWest Vice President Barney Martin It is time to start planning this next season for some great rallies. So far we have 2 planned and need to get details from you to reserve the space. The earlier the better as always. The first rally is the annual GLASS Rally on the Memorial weekend starting May 24 to the 28 of which Barney and Connie are your host along with the Michigan Knights. You may register at www.glassrally.org or the FMCA magazine. You may notice that I am in charge of the Seminars and Crafts so if any of our group desires to educate or teach a craft to 800 other motorhome lovers, this is your big chance! Contact Barney at barney4u@usa.com for more info. Hope to see you there. Have a safe and Happy Holiday to you and your family. 3
West Coast Rally 2011 Ocean Cove California West Coast Vice President Greg Miller/Stephen Heinrichs The West Coast rally was held on September 30 through October 2, 2011 at Ocean Cove, on the Northern California Coast. The rally was a little different than normal in that it was a dry camping rally with no hookups. The Ocean Cove campground has a spectacular location on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Laura Lumibao, Gerald, Tim and Ben Jacobsen, Randy and Mary Ann Bradshaw, Frank, Michael and Alida Freda, Michael Andrews, Carlton, Nuntawan, Nick and Joe Camyre, Eric, Toni, Jake and Kati Whedon, and Stephen Heinrichs. For more info and pictures, see the FMC Owners Web Site http://tinyurl.com/7rvh23p. We ended up with 11 coaches and 14 Owners, a pretty good turnout considering the the last 15 miles of road to Ocean Cove is a harrowing, two-lane, cliff-hanging section of Highway 1. Last, and not least, Rod Dahlgren volunteered to do a video of the coaches and owners at the rally. It turned out very good and we want to thank Rod for taking the initiative and doing this video. Here is the link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1zbn3asvnu In attendance were Rod and Cindy Dahlgren, Greg, Liza, Ruth and Gage Miller, Ken and Lynn Clugston, Jim Woestman, Ed and Evelyn Hannevig, Harry and Sandy Day, Dean and Please join us at the next rally so that you will be in one of the pictures. 4
West Coast Rally Pics Harrowing Ride Jim Woestman ready for a dip Wagons circling Seeing the sites What a View!! 5
MidWest Vice President/MEGA Rally Rally Master Barney Martin This year, the FMC Biannual Mega Rally, starting on June 24 and going to the 29th, 2012, is to be located at a wonderful campground near Pikes Peak. The Garden of the Gods Campground, located about 4 miles west of Colorado Springs, offers great amenities in a great part of this country. Please visit their website (www.coloradocampground.com ) to check out the area and campground. They are intending on putting us in the horse shoe area that surrounds the playground on the bottom left of their site layout map. Full hook up rates are 43.76 a night or 218.80 for a standard site and 45.80 or 229.00 for the deluxe sites which includes the high Colorado tax. This is a high end campground that normally limits their customers to a 10 year old coach so give the old gals a bath before showing up and we will fool them---no--we already cleared the 10 year old limit with them----i think they are just trying to keep the GMC's out----;-)elections are also held at this Rally. Please consider Becoming Somebody and contact any Officer if you are interested. Contact Barney and Connie (see page 8) for further updates and details and please let us know as soon as possible as to your intentions. We need to commit early as they fill up fast after the first of the year. Look for Rally registration Info on the Web Site after the 1st of the New Year and in the next Newsletter (March 2012)!! See you there! Illustration 1: Perspective Camp Site in Yellow Horseshoe on Left of Map 6
International Vice President Frank Borrmann.Hello fellow FMCers, I hope everyone had a good summer and fall, both personally and with the coach. By the newsletters and the emails there were some great rallies this year. I hope my coach is mobile in the next couple of months and plan on being at the GLASS rally this spring, and also the Mega rally this summer, where- ever it is, I can hardly wait. A few thoughts about preparing the coach for the winter: Because of our members wide geographic locations, some of these points will not apply. If you can drive your coach periodically (once a month or so), that s a good way to keep things free and dry. It circulates all the fluids and linkages and exercises wheel cylinders and calipers. If you can't drive the coach, it's good to at least start the engine and run it til it reaches operating temperature. I would recommend keeping the fuel tank full, that helps to prevent moisture from accumulating. If the coach sits outside, a moisture- break between the tires and the ground is a good idea, wood or plastic or similar. Of course empty the fresh and wastewater and purge the lines. I always like to blow compressed air in the city water connection, (40 psi) and take turns opening and closing all the faucets, toilet and shower valve. Then dump plumbing antifreeze into the fresh water tank and pump it through the system. You'll want to bypass the water heater (most coaches have bypass valves already installed) to prevent filling the heater with antifreeze. Also make sure the water heater is drained. Some coaches are set up to pull antifreeze right at the pump so you don't have to add it to the tank. Come spring when, you refill your fresh water tank, you may not want to deal with antifreeze in your fresh water. This can be plumbed into any coach. Dump antifreeze down all the drains to fill the traps and add to the sewage tanks to keep the dump valves lubricated. Some like to pull the batteries for indoor storage. An easier solution, especially if you want to start the engine, is to use a smart charger. Some coaches will already have that function built into their on-board convertor if it's an upgraded unit. But today you can purchase from most auto parts stores a small 1.5 amp trickle charger that can be left on continuously and it will not harm the batteries. These chargers cost around $30.00. Don't forget to charge both the engine and the house batteries. These little chargers are great to be used year round. Make sure you keep the water up in the cells if the batteries require that. Some kind of cover over the whole coach is beneficial to keep the moisture out and protect the paint. It should be soft on the side against the paint to prevent abrasion, some plastics will scratch paint. If you can keep a fan running to constantly change the air that helps to keep the interior dry. Mice always seem to show up. There's probably lots of different ideas here. I think drier sheets work well. Some people like to put moth balls around the 7 tires and other places on the ground. I've had many antique cars come into the shop where people have put moth balls in the car and mice still went in, not a nice smell. Probably being diligent about setting traps is the best way. I envy you folks that can use your coach year round. Up here in the arctic, it just gets to cold and salty on the roads. If anyone ever has any questions or suggestions, feel free to call. My phone number is 519-335-3857, (Canadian Phone Number) Monday to Friday 8am to 6 pm Eastern. My e-mail is frank@borrmannsgarage.com but I'm sometimes slow at getting back. Have a happy winter.
FMC Motorhome Owners Club Officers and Board President Bill Sitton bsitton@westernet.net National Director Stephen Heinrichs- Stephen@Heinrichs.com 916-425-7996 Alternate National Director Gene Albers- hausalbers@centurylink.net Secretary/Treasurer Lynn Clugston- clugston@fidnet.com Southeast Vice President Denny Shewmake-denshew@mindspring.com or denshew@hotmail.com Midwest Vice President Barney Martin-barney4u@usa.com 231-590-0210 West Coast Vice President Greg Miller-gregmiller@pobox.com 831-428-2668 International Vice President Frank Borrmann- frank@borrmannsgarage.com 519-335-3857 Newsletter Editor--Connie Kubiak- cjk5729@hotmail.com 231-590-7118 WebMaster--Jim Evans- jimevans@fmcowners.com Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers, the Titanic by professionals. (Unknown) Consider being a volunteer and work on a Committee, run for an Office or Board Position or host a rally. 2012 Rally Schedule Feb 18-19, 2012--West Coast Southern California Rally Greg Miller/Stephen Heinrichs San Dimas California-Puddington Lake April 2012 Southeast Area-Denny Shewmake- Location to be Determined May 24-28, 2012 Midwest Area-Barney Martin-Berrien County Fairgrounds- Berrien Springs Michigan June 24-29, 2012 FMC Biennial Mega Rally-Barney Martin-Garden of the Gods-Colorado Springs Colorado Contact any officer if you would like to Host or assist in any Rally. 8
FMC MOTOR COACH OWNERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION Membership held EXCLUSIVE to FMC Motor Coach Owner s (You must also be an active member of the FMCA) Date: Membership: New Renewal FMC Motor Coach No. FMCA Membership No. Name on Badge #1: Name on Badge #2: Number of Children, Names and Age: (Do you want name badges for the children? YES NO If Yes, charge is an extra $7.25 for each.) Mailing Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email Address(es): (To save on postage, most Correspondence & Newsletters will be sent via email.) New Memberships/Initiation fees are $25.00. This includes first years dues & two name badges. Chapter dues are $10.00 per year, payable January 2nd of each year. Checks should be made payable to FMC Motor Coach Owners Club. If you need an application for FMCA ask Lynn for one. MAIL TO: Lynn Clugston, Secretary/Treasurer FMC Motor Coach Owners Club 900 Halifax Drive Rolla, MO 65401 OFFICE USE: Amt. Received Date Check # Badges Ordered 9
Connie Kubiak Newsletter Editor 9239 Vans Lane Kingsley MI 49649 newsletter@fmcowners.com www.fmcowners.com FMC Owners Club Our objectives are to develop camaraderie, pride in owning a unique and wonderful coach, sharing knowledge in an open exchange of technical information on maintaining, upgrading parts and service. We need to be passionate about owning, driving and working on our FMC Motor Coach. A high priority is to keep fun in FMC Motor Coach ownership. We are a fun-loving, family-oriented group and will produce and promote events that will include the entire family. This document is the property of the FMC Owners Club. The reproduction of this document, without written permission, is prohibited.