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Valley Rally and FMCA Convention and RV Expo
of its land set aside as national forest. The valley encom- passes about 714 square miles of red rock formations and lush canyons fed by the Verde River, Arizona’s only wild and scenic river.
The area accommodates pursuits such as boating, hiking, golf, and shopping opportunities await. The valley has historic towns and one of the highest concentrations
of archaeological sites in the United States. The city of Cottonwood, in the Verde Valley, is considered the heart of Arizona’s wine country. The area is a place of startling beauty, unforgettable stories, invigorating adventure, and tantalizing flavors. Verde Valley is also home to Native American cliff dwellings, the area’s copper mining heri- tage, ranching, and farming. The sight of bald eagles soar- ing overhead is quite common.
Sunsets and Saguaros
The 101st International Convention and RV Expo will feature plenty of exhibits and related displays having to do with RVing, a highlight of every FMCA convention. The association’s 101st gathering will be held March 26
through 29, 2020, at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. The “Sunsets + Saguaros” event will be staffed by personnel well-versed in products and services geared to RVs, RVers, and the RV lifestyle.
Entertaining times will be a part of the convention. Jim Pelley will be featured on the Main Stage on Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. The FMCA Chapter Block Party will be held Friday evening March 27. Josh Turner will perform Saturday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. Three Dog Night will take to the stage on Sunday, March 29.
Following is a shortlist of vendors who will exhibit at the event. Adventure Caravans Inc, Bilstein-Shock Absorb- ers, Blue Ox, Camco Manufacturing Inc, Continental Tire, Cummins Inc, Custom Glass Solutions, Duncan Systems Inc, Fantasy RV Tours, Girard Systems, HWH Corpora- tion, Magnetism Shade, Michelin North America Inc, Mobileye Inc, Passport America, Proteng USA, Road- master, Seven Corners Inc, and ShadePro Inc. The list, of course, is in no way a complete listing but does give first- timers a good overview of what to expect.
Large Diesel Motorhome Maintenance Tips
Radiator and Charge Air Cooler Maintenance
On chassis equipped with a rear radiator, it is very impor- tant that the radiator and charge air cooler be inspected at regular intervals. Cummins® recommends inspecting the charge air cooler every 7,500 miles. This is because air and dust blown through the radiator and charge air cooler can build up and reduce the airflow through the cooling system. This is considered part of normal maintenance.
From the engine side of the radiator, use a flashlight
to look into the fan shroud at the face of the charge air cooler. If there is any dirt buildup, this should be cleaned using a water hose and a mild solvent. If this is not done, the system can become clogged and can result in engine overheating.
Ride Height Adjustment
The ride height is the setting for the air suspension on your chassis. If the ride heights are not set properly, two important factors are affected:
1.) The front ride height will change the front-axle caster settings. This can affect the handling of your coach on the highway and tire wear.
2.) The rear ride height will change the drive-shaft angles. Incorrect drive-shaft angles can cause driveline noise (vibration or a growling sound) and can cause prema- ture wear of the u-joints on the driveline.
Freightliner and Spartan recommend checking ride height every scheduled maintenance interval.
Your online diesel technician available only at the club’s forum