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RV magazine choice

October 28, 2011, 05:25:46 am

Our subscription to Motorhome magazine is drawing to a close.
I can't say we are blown away by its content, but we do enjoy some of the content
Other than Trailer Life, are there better choices to read and try to stay current with RV's?

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Re: RV magazine choice

Reply #1 – October 28, 2011, 05:57:40 am

I like FMCA.  They have a great magazine and good benefits.

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Reply #2 – October 28, 2011, 08:03:30 am

I've dropped Motorhome since their content dropped so far.  Sticking with FMCA.

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Reply #3 – October 28, 2011, 08:39:02 am

Family Motor Coaching, flagship of the FMCA organization, is tops in my book!  They put out a excellent product and it is included in the price of the membership. 

I still get Motorhome, but am not all that happy with it.

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Re: RV magazine choice

Reply #4 – October 28, 2011, 08:48:46 am

I started the RV experiment about 24 years ago, started with the FMCA, later the  Good Sam for the road side coverage, fast forward, today I dropped FMCA about 5 years ago and kept the Good Sam and no longer have their road service. instead I switched over the the Coach Net service.

Main reason for dropping the FMCA, There is a large element of "Unless you have a million bux coach", they get snooty.  I do not need that element in my life.  Good Sam outfit seems to fit my mentality, meaning they are just happy folks with what ever they have.

Good thing as I am currently at the Flying J, Pearl Ms with a crazy air leak/issue, can not build above 75 psi unless I just get on the road and then the pressure goes to normal. While sitting, will not go over 75, there is a massive air leak between front wheel area. Problem today I am not in condition to crawl under anything, why I gave up the MCI.

So I am waiting for Coach Net and what ever that brings.  Just got a call from the Coach Net service.
Sorry  for the rant, but you asked 
 FWIW

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Reply #5 – October 28, 2011, 08:57:17 am

IMHO One of the best reasons to belong to FMCA is their medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.  Had a friend have a stroke in FL, they flew him and his wife with a Paramedic escort home to a rehab facility, and sent a qualified river to take his MH and car to his residence.  For 45 bucks a year you cant beat it. Only cost was price of air fare for his wife.
Gary B

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Re: RV magazine choice

Reply #6 – October 28, 2011, 10:08:51 am

FMCA magazine generally has the most useful info, for us.

Since they're all owned by Affinity Group, Motorhome, Trailer Life, and Good Sam Highways are more what I call "adgazines" than anything.  Product reviews, even technical articles are all slanted towards products they sell either through Affinity (service plans, directories, campground memberships) or at Camping World (also owned by Affinity).

BTW, y'all do realize at least Woodall's (and almost assuredly Trailer Life) ratings are "highly influenced"  on how much $ campground pays for their listing/ads in the directory, right?  We have seen the sales packet the campgrounds get.

Michelle

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Reply #7 – October 28, 2011, 10:30:29 am

I have both FMCA & Good Sam.  The FMCA is required for motorcade and they do have some good rallies.  Good Sam also has some good rallies but they send to you a lot of junk mail to sell you everything.  The discounts help at the rv parks. I currently use Good Sam for my towing.  DAn 

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Reply #8 – October 28, 2011, 10:59:34 am

Motorhome Magazine, I think, has become a monthly ad flyer for Camping World. The regular feature columns are good but the articles are slipping badly.

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Reply #9 – October 28, 2011, 11:18:18 am

I really wish there was a good comprehensive motorhome oriented magazine available. To me the FMCA mag is the best out there right now but it still isn't like it used to be. I presume when the RV industry took a nose dive, the profit and therefore the investment in the trade magazines dropped as well. Motorhome used to be pretty good and I would buy it again if it improved back to its old level of content. I particularly like the technical sections, problem solving and motorhome reviews as well as the product ads.

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Reply #10 – October 28, 2011, 11:21:25 am

I receive the FMCA magazine and have been pleased with some of the articles. I don't subscribe to any other RV magazines. I get most of my RV information here.

Good Sam "Highways" is simply advertising disguised as a magazine. I renewed at the ONE campground we have visited that offered discounts only for Good Sam members. Through a telephone request, I was able to cut down on the amount of junk Good Sam sends me. <RANT>I do not plan to renew Good Sam, even if I pay a little more for a campground. I am offended by an outfit that charges a fee to join so they can flood me with advertising.</RANT>

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Reply #11 – October 28, 2011, 12:45:24 pm

Dave M, you should have started a new thread on the air leak as someone online has had the same problem for sure. I had problems last winter but it was a great fluctuation one and proved to be a bad/sticking air regulator. Sorry no ideas
Jophn

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Re: RV magazine choice

Reply #12 – October 28, 2011, 12:55:55 pm

John, yup,  agree, but it is all solved, I was struck by unthinking mechanic who left the wet tank drain valve open after he fixed air system, a mechanic fixed it in 30-45 seconds, reach under  and close valve. did sound like from front, but was at drive wheels.

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Reply #13 – October 28, 2011, 01:01:48 pm

Safe travels Dave.
John

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Reply #14 – October 28, 2011, 05:23:10 pm

I had subscribed to Motorhome about 20 years ago. I remembered it as a fantastic magazine. It was thick with info and beautiful pictures.
When I started to get back to RVing I wanted something to help me get back up to speed on what was going on in the RV community.
I didn't expect it go be what it once was, but I was still surprised to see how lacking it now is.
I guess it's better than nothing.
I will give some of the suggestions you all have offered a good look.
Thanks for your advice.

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Re: RV magazine choice

Reply #15 – October 29, 2011, 04:07:55 pm

I think most of the "Glossy Mags" are really in it more for the ads and are influenced by them.  At my business we get mailings and spam from the Better Business Bureau and Angie's List even.  Don't see how it's not a conflict of interest.

I like the following for campground reviews.  Having posted several and never had one altered I think it's impartial.

RV Park Reviews :: Home

Keith

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Reply #16 – October 29, 2011, 10:02:29 pm

I use RV Park Reviews all the time. Have had good luck with it so far. Recommended...

see ya
ken

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Reply #17 – November 01, 2011, 03:29:21 pm

No one has mentioned MotorCader.  We do look at it when it comes.  The scenic photography is great  And we do hang on to it (and other magazines) to use as a planning tool for some of our trips.

And then there are the travel books.  We buy them when the price is low (couple years old) but they work just as well.  And a $20 book for $3, well I do love bargains and so what if some of the restaurants are closed down.

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