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Location: Gut Wammen Havert Germany
(185.22.143.255) | Hello Fmc owners
Just bougth a fmc in Canada
Gone pick up next Months
Gone travel area Vancouver to Florida
Maby when possible i hop by at the Rally in Oregon in sept.
Could someone give me some inside tips so i don t get trouble with the Fmc
over the distance of 3000 Miles.
For example what the best travel speed
What rpm i have alcoa on it
What speed i have the best Mpg.
What speed gear and rpm i should use in the mountains
What tire presure would be recomed.
Are there some spare parts that i maby could need for the roadtrip
Fuses belt filters or fmc special things
By the way its still the original 440 with 87000 on it.
Sorry for my bad englisch but i m dutch from origine
Thanks for every help
Hans
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Location: Gut Wammen Havert Germany
(185.22.143.255) | Hello Lou
What an adventure i hope i have not so much problems
Thanks for the great story
Hans and dunya | |
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Location: Bethune, SC
(96.45.100.131) | What could possibly go wrong with a 43+ year old vehicle that has a drive train with 87,000 miles on it? Anything, and, I hope not everything. Have you had a mechanic thoroughly check out the auto/mechanical systems? What is the condition and date code on the tires? Will you have a spare tire? Is the steering gear in good condition? What about the radiator and cooling system? Brakes are always a major issue. This is definitely more than a hoses, bulbs, and belts check and be on your way. Get a motorhome road service policy and a complete set of tools from Harbor Freight. You will need them. If you do not currently live in the US, you will have to plan well before hand for your insurance. Many companies will not insure a vehicle this age with no experience with the insured.
The owner of the coach the people from Holland sold the coach to had many more adventures with it. He spent ten days at my house getting the radiator and cooling issues squared away. He was driving on mainly flat roads going to Massachusetts.
By the way, I have owned 5 FMCs.
I wish you luck,
Henry | |
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Location: Scottsdale, Aridzona
(24.251.181.209) | Are you going to get German Plates for it ?
If it is going to be driven in the USA it has to have some kind of "valid" license plates . . .
Lou #120 | |
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Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
(108.172.101.233) | Welcome to the FMC fraternity, Hans!
Please share the last four numbers of your coach serial number with us so we know what coach you bought? There's a tag to the left of the side entry door that will have the serial # on it. Did you buy the coach in Abbottsford, BC?
Henry is spot on with his words as he is among the more experienced and knowledgeable about these coaches. Indeed, get the brakes in top-shape, don't run on old or worn tires, make sure the transmission is shifting as it should and the engine is running good. If you can't confirm all these things, and more, have been serviced and checked by a good mechanic who's familiar with classic coaches - I would seek one out before you hit the road if you can't do this stuff yourself.
During your ownership of this coach, the more you learn about them, the more service work and repairs you can do yourself and save a bundle of cash. Working on my coach is one of my favorite things to do and although I'm not a mechanic, when I get it right and it improves the handling, performance or utility of my coach, it's very rewarding for me.
Good luck and don't be afraid to come here for help. Many good people here.
Terry
#846 | |
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Location: Medford, OR
(204.10.247.1) | Should of bought mine Hans....Already been there and done that. lol! Start a photo album on this site and share your experiences with your new coach. Congratulations | |
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Location: Gut Wammen Havert Germany
(185.22.143.255) | Thanks Henry and Terry
My Fmc is a #994 and right i bought it from Scott Ball in Abbottsford BC
From telling in perfect condition
Tires brand new
The rest about matenance i gone ask him especialy the brakes
I m mechanic specialisted in Classic cars so most problems can i solve.
With my 1975 gmc i never had big problems
Driving it at 60% off its capability
I have insurance with progresef but roadassitance is a good advise
Are there electrical problems that i can expert.
I will try to go to the rally in Oregon in sept
Thanks Hans | |
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(65.41.158.2) | Just is case you find Electrical problems of any kind, I was the Electrical Specialist and Inspector on your specific vehicle. After 1000 Coaches the plant had a shutdown and then less than a third of the workers were brought back to finish the vehicles not completed.
The more we built the better they were!
Hope you are having good luck
John V. formerly FMC (RVD) and (AED) Santa Clara, California
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | Hans, Welcome to FMC ownership and to this website!
I saw your coach when Scott picked it up when he purchased it. It is a very clean, well cared for "M" model coach so you should not have the common problems found with coaches that have sat still for a number of years. I am sure that you will enjoy it!
I am the Rally Master for the rally at the end of September in Oregon. You have read the instructions for registering for the rally on this website I believe. Please reserve space #64 very soon. It was reserved by another person who had to cancel and it is in a great location so call Casey's Riverside RV park and reserve that space now before it is reserved by someone that is not part of the group as I can no longer keep spaces reserved. The phone number is 1-541-782-1906 and tell them that you are part of the FMC group and that you want to reserve space #64 for September 27, 28, 29 and leaving on Sept 30. Note, if you like you can come early or stay longer. It is a nice location alongside the Willamette River.
My contact information is: mbl phone: 1-916-425-7996 so feel free to call or text me with any questions. My email is: Stephen@Heinrichs.com
I look forward to seeing you and the coach at the rally!
You have a beautiful coach and we all would like to see it and let you see our coaches. There are 9 other coaches currently registered for the rally.
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Location: Gut Wammen Havert Germany
(185.22.143.255) | Thanks Dan and Stephen
I have limited time so i only can visit the rally for 1 day and night when the coach runs wel
So i don t reserve spot 64
Somewone else that staying al 3 days can use it
When i make it to the rally i look what aviable
Thanks Hans
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | Hans, I still would like for you to take that spot! I think that all others that will come to the rally have already registered and I would like you to be inside the group for that one day. | |
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | The current Canadian plates may be be good for awhile. Not sure what the border people will want. | |
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | BigRabbitMan - 2019-08-15 2:23 PM The current Canadian plates may be be good for awhile. Not sure what the border people will want.
A second thought since the coach is very close to the border, is to have Scott (the Canadian seller) drive the coach across the border into the USA and then you can take possession of the coach and operate temporarily under the Canadian plates while you sort out any issues.
Another option would be to change the title in Canada to your name retaining the Canadian plates. If you haven't done this before, I would discuss it with Scott before your arrival.
You say you are traveling to Florida. After that trip, do you intend to keep the coach or to sell it? That possibly makes a difference as how you handle the title issue. | |
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Location: Gut Wammen Havert Germany
(185.22.143.255) | Hello Stephen
I hope Scott drives it over the border
I already have insurrance from progressive and road asistance.
I hope the Fmc is gently to me because i don t wont to sell it
After get to now it i wont to travel true usa
Thanks Hans | |
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Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
(108.172.101.233) | Hans,
Be certain to contact the border services for both Canada & the US to inquire what the procedure is for importing/exporting vehicles. They have rules and are very fussy. I imported #509 into Canada from the US 7 or 8 yrs ago and they - Border Services - wanted documentation (Bill of Sale/Export document/copy of Title etc) in their hands 3 full days before I showed up with the coach. Now, you have to have a broker involved or they won't do it. Not sure about exporting into the States though. I encourage you to look into it so you don't have any surprises when you get to the border. My experience was a circus, compounded by my screw-up of going to the wrong border crossing which made it impossible for me to get the coach across before they shut down for the weekend. Had to leave the coach at the border and come back the following Monday to finish the process.
Good luck regardless.
Terry
#846 | |
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Location: Cottage Grove, OR
(71.94.238.133) | Since it was built in the USA, I expect it will be easier going coming this way. | |
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