CONVENTION REPORT

See the prospective Schedule
and
Use this handy interactive Registration Form. Simply fill out, print and mail.

Summer Ladies Page
by Margie McLaughlin

9/09/2011

Several folks are posting photos for those of us that cannot attend.
Dan Gregg
Richard Waters
Jim Wagner
John Ruff
Chuck Boyd
Mike Hartman

KUDOS

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Sun 9/18/2011 2:23 PM
I'd like to add my belated "WOW" to Kim and the rest of the folks who put together the Goshen Convention.  Technically, I wasn't a 1st Timer, as I spent just 1 day at Berrien springs a number of years ago.  But, it was the 1st time I spent the entire week at one, and it was really valuable to me.  Many of the technical seminars were on subjects I'm right in the middle of on my renovation, so I learned a ton, and took 11 pages of notes.  I think the only presentation I missed was the refrigeration one, as I'm still on electric, and it's just not in the  budget to change anytime soon.  Being able to meet the many people who I've received advice from on this board was also wonderful.

And, I was very lucky at the raffle.  I would have been delighted to only come home with the jar of jelly I won, (it's nice to just have the feeling of winning!)  But to win another rally attendance next year was much appreciated, and I thank the club, vendors, and ticket sellers that made it possible.  Oklahoma is a little further than I'm willing to travel at this stage of renovations, but I look forward to seeing everyone in Iowa next fall!

Thanks again to all that made it such a great event.
--
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI

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Sun 9/18/2011 6:33 AM
I think the FMCA could learn a lot from the organizers of the Goshen rally. 

The facilities were great (ignoring the train whistles) and there was plenty to do both on and off the fairgrounds.  We even found an Amish store isolated out in the country that sold only POPCORN!

A visit to an Amish factory that specialized in furniture for RV's and Cathy got the new recliner for our SOB she has been wanting.  And it was assembled by hand without the use of power tools.

Lots of restaurants in the immediate area; and lots of RV surplus stores for the guys to browse through.

We have been to a lot of rallies but this one was at the top of our list!

GREAT JOB!

John Ruff
Noxen, PA
1975 Eleganza

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Fri 9/16/2011 9:21 AM
What a convention! Lots and lots of coaches and great GMC folks.  A really great time. 
Thanks, Kim, for putting together another great one.

For those of you who missed it, start planning now on Shawnee in the Spring.

Roger
Burns, TN
77 Birchaven

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Tue 9/13/2011 8:39 PM
Got home about 6:00 PM from Goshen.  What a great time, I thoroughly enjoyed my first rally.  Thanks to all of you for your friendship and to those who worked so hard to put on an outstanding rally.  Can't wait until I can get to the next one.

What an incredible group of people !!!!

Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen  TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Tue 9/13/2011 8:08 PM
http://danandteri.blogspot.com/2011/09/racing-gmc-motorhome.html

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Mon 9/12/2011 10:12 PM
Yes, we had a big crowd for Larry's EFI session.  A lot of good ideas exchanged; I think all of the participants learned a lot.  The discussions got pretty deep at times.  Even though only a few are using MPI, there was still a lot of interest in it and the details of its operation.  Don't think many of us TBI users were convinced to go through all the shenanigans necessary to convert to MPI though. :-)

I don't know how long we were supposed to be there, but we probably ran over.

Ken H.

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Mon 9/12/2011 2:24 PM
It is difficult to single out one member for compliments among all the significant contributors but KEN BURTON must be recognized as one of the best here in Goshen.

George DV
1976 Glenbrook

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On 9/11/2011 10:26 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
I'm beat after 2 days of "supervising" my friends from Preferred Glass.  They did 13 in two days and I had exactly 13 more from people who asked to get in on the deal after we shut it off.  We had several people take some of the removed ones that were not broken.  What they wanted with removed fogged windshields I'm not sure but it saved us from having to haul them to the dumpster. 

The first day these guys put in 11 hours non stop.  It took just under 1.5 hours per windshield which matched their estimate.  They have done dozens of these in the past years for GMCers and when we set this up 1.5  hours was the owner's estimate.  I thought he was being too conservative with his estimate, but he was correct.  I did not factor in all of the time for the extra sealing and clean up that they do.  Also I did not factor the extra time involved when doing them outside of their shop where they normal do GMC installations.  

Oh well, that takes care of that and now I can enjoy the rest of the Convention bugging, Dan, Jim K, and others.

Maybe we will do it again next year at Amana Colonies.  The logistics will be worse since we are not near a glass warehouse there.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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8/27/2011

These dedicated GMC Motorhome VENDORS will be in attendance:

UPCOMING SEMINARS:

"What's Up" with Electronic Fuel Injection? Randy Van Winkle and George Beckman
The objective of this seminar is to provide an introduction into fuel injection for the GMC Motor Home. A discussion of some of the benefits of fuel injection along with simple explanations about how the computer controls the fuel and spark advance. Much of the session will actually show the computer controlling the engine and "learning" how to best meet requirements of the engine. Results of testing with lean cruise and how to get better mpg will be discussed. Tuning tips will be provided during the session.

The Care and Servicing of You GMC Refrigerator and How It Works - Leon Herschberger
The objective of the seminar is to teach and acquaint owners on how to maintain and repair their gas/electric refrigerators and how the system works. A question and answer session is planned.

"VAPOR LOCK" - What Is It, Why and How to Avoid It. - Jim Kanomata
A live simulation of this phenomena.

Front End Alignment - Dave Lenzi
The objective of this seminar is to show owners how to inspect their steering components for wear, and the effects of caster, camber and toe settings on handling.

Cad 500 Port Fuel Injection - An Informal Roundtable Discussion - Larry Weidner
This will not be a formal presentation. It will be an informal get together for individuals who have installed or are interested in installing Multiport Fuel injection on their Cadillac 500 engine. Everyone participates!

The Anatomy of GMC Oiling - Dick Paterson
The objective of the seminar is to explore beyond the oil itself. Examining oil flow circuits through the OLDS motor reveals why and what helps or hurts motor longevity. Additional topics include some internal enhancements, viscosity questions, mpg, start ups, storage, etc.

Modern Oils and Our GMCs - John Richardson
The seminar will address possible problems and provide alternate solutions.

Ask the Experts - Panel

What is Oil Analysis? - Jim Stark of Blackstone Labs
The objective of the seminar is to show what is going on inside your engine through oil analysis.

Replacing Upper and Lower Ball Joints - Dave Lenzi
The objective of the seminar is to describe problems encountered when replacing riveted in ball joints, and the proper method to eliminate fatigue failure of the new lower ball joint mounting ears.

GMC Interior Renovations - Dan and Ginette Stuckey
The objective of the seminar is to acquaint GMC'ers with some ideas, materials, and methods for re-doing the interior of our coaches.

GMC Steering Column Repair - Ken Henderson
The objective of the seminar is to demonstrate the procedures and specialized tools for disassembling and repairing the GMC steering column.

GMC Carburetion Wear & Tear - Dick Paterson
The objective of this seminar is to offer the following: how it works, ethanols future impact and mpg & performance.

Tips on Creating a Paint Scheme - Byron Songer
The objective of the seminar is to guide the audience in the journey of design as it specifically relates to the character of the GMC motohome by using numerous images and photos as examples. Ideas will be presented which will assist an owner in developing a design that may be an extension of your personality while respecting the implicit qualities of the coach. Concepts presented will include methods of selecting color, whether monochromatic, complementary or contrasting, and the elements of design and cues from the basic architecture of the GMC. In addition, basic information on the paint job itself will be presented as well as an overview of the work done by Larry Bontrager at Topeka Graphics.

Tankless Hot Water - Finally Hot Showers at Walmart - Richard Waters
The objective of the seminar is to show how a finished GMC motorhome can have two water heaters, one for boondocking and one for full hookup camping.

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Sun 8/21/2011 4:11 PM
Change in Book Exchange

Bring your books, tapes, magazines etc. that you want to exchange every morning when you come for coffee, to the Book Table. Then you may also check what is there to take in exchange for what you brought.  Each morning you may check the Book Table and see what is new and take what interests you.

If you finish reading a book, just bring it back and take another. For those who don't have a book or ??  to exchange we ask you to wait until the afternoon to make your choices.  We leave it up to each one of you to be fair to others who also love to read.

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Thu 8/18/2011 11:19 AM
Friday Early Bird Schedule

*That's right! *
You asked in your Area Meetings and we listened!

Friday, September 9th we have the following scheduled...

7:30 am – 9:00 am - Coffee Hour – Donuts, Waffles, Bagels & English Muffin, Fruit
9:00 am – 10:00 am GMCMI Board Meeting
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Early Bird GMCMI Horseshoe Tournament
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Early Bird Tech Session with Randy Van Winkle and George Beckman                                   “What’s Up with Electronic Fuel Injection?"
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Early Bird Non-Tech Session with Jean Price "Celebrate Your Beauty" 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craft Coordinators’ Meeting
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm *First Timers Meeting*
5:15 pm – 6:15 pm Welcome Meeting
6:30 pm  – 7:30 pm Catered Meal with Entertainment to follow

We look forward to seeing you there! If there are any questions/concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. Safe travels...

Kimberlea Weeks

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Reminder....didn't see my previous email...Shipshewana flea market is held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Come early and enjoy the Amish atmosphere of Shipshewana. Check out these
websites:

Shipshewana flea marketing: http://www.tradingplaceamerica.com/index.php

Or to learn more about the town of Shipshewana, Indiana go to:
http://www.shipshewana.com

Make sure to get your registrations in to attend the GMC Motorhome International Fall 2001 Convention in Goshen, Indiana at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds. Information and registration form is available at www.gmcmi.com. Registration form offers Optional Early Nights for September 6, 7, 8 but if you wish to come in for the flea market, just write it in!
Remember $20 a night includes full hookups!

Mark those dates on your calendar for the Fall Convention – Friday, September 9-Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

See you there!

Kimberlea Weeks
Convention Manager