Check out Region 3’s new photo website. Mart Plaxco is getting this started with a nice bunch of photos from Region 3 special events and International participation by Region 3.
Be sure to check back often, you’ll probably see pictures you haven’t noticed before — Mart will be adding the best photos from the many memorable rallies and caravans from our Region’s members.
The September 2009 Region 3 newsletter is fresh off the printing presses. Thanks to Vic Smith for helping us get the Region 3 newsletter, Hi-Lites, available on your Region 3 website. You can see them by selecting from the menu choice for Newsletter, or by clicking here.
Our First VP wants to share with you this Oct 23, 2009 memo from Leo G :
Please find attached the tentative details on our 2010 WBCCI Pocono Rally in July. The Purpose is to find as many units as possible that would like to join us for this mega-joint rally. So far, the Metropolitan New York, Ontario Canada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Charter Oak Units are in! We would love to add your unit to the list. Please forward this email onto any of your unit leaders that are not on this distribution list (see bottom).
If you have any questions, or would like to participate, please contact me. Thanks!
Leo G
WBCCI# 6006
1st Past President, Metropolitan New York Unit
You can download the brochure for this exciting rally HERE:
Most of us know former members who are no longer active in WBCCI. Many of them are included in a “Friends” or “Newsletter Only” listing in Unit Directories. In addition to receiving Unit Newsletters, former members may want to keep in touch with WBCCI by receiving regular issues of the Blue Beret magazine. By subscribing, they will keep up with Club news, color photos of Club events and other interesting articles. This option is available to former members by sending name, address and a check for $25 to Blue Beret/WBCCI, P.O. Box 612, 803 E. Pike Street, Jackson Center, Ohio, 45334.
[ Posted at request of Norm Beu, International 1st VP, WBCCI]
Does your Airstream trailer have federally-required reflectors properly installed at the rear? Some new Airstreams, manufactured between 2002 and 2009, were not produced with required rear reflectors. This is the subject of a recent recall notice by Airstream Company and, according to Airstream Company, affects 2,052 trailers.
The Recall:
Airstream is apparently sending out notifications and reflex reflectors to all registered owners of 2002-2009 16′, 19′, and 22′ travel trailers. Airstream states the specified trailer models potentially lack required rear safety reflectors. Since the factory-installed tail lights on these models (Bambi, International, Safari, 75th Anniversary, DWR, and Ocean Breeze) lack the legally required reflective qualities, new reflectors need to be added to these vehicles.
What should you do?
Do you have an Airstream 16, 19, or 22 built between 2002 and 2009? If you do not have reflectors, act now or immediately upon receiving the recall notice to install reflectors. If you have reflectors, are your reflectors in good repair and conspicuous to another vehicle behind yours? Try to imagine what another driver, from behind you, would see under low-light or reduced visibility conditions. You may need to address this to reduce the chance of a potentially serious accident. Take a careful look TODAY at the rear of your trailer!
The Requirement:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a long-standing requirement for provision of reflectors on motor vehicles and trailers [Part 571.108]. This requires all cars, trucks, and trailers sold in the United States to have reflex reflectors on the vehicle rear. Somehow, certain models of Airstream trailers produced between 2002 and 2009 escaped the factory without the required safety equipment.
Summary of rear reflector requirements from Tables in 571.108:
Reflex reflectors shall be located at the rear on each side of the vertical centerline as far apart as practicable, at the same height not less than 15 inches, nor more than 60 inches height above road [at curb weight].
Links for more information:
Below are three links, these are correspondence between Thor/Airstream and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Airstream’s proposed owner notification letter.
Excerpts from the Regulations:
Below are excerpts from the NHTSA regulations regarding reflectors for trailers. These excerpts provide the reader with the Purpose, Scope, and Applicability of the reflector regulations. These are verbatim from NHTSA Regulations Part 571 Standard 108:
Part 571: Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Standards
Subpart B—Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Standards
§571.108 Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
S2.Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents, by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and by enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their presence is perceived and their signals understood, both in daylight and in darkness or other conditions of reduced visibility.
S3. Application. This standard applies to:
(S3)(a) Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers (except pole trailers and trailer converter dollies), and motorcycles;
(S3)(b) Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors manufactured to conform to S5.7 of this standard; and
(S3)(c) Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment for replacement of like equipment on vehicles to which this standard applies.
Notice of this recall also posted on Carolinas Unit of NC website at Safety Alerts page.
Jim Cocke
The June 2009 Region 3 newsletter is fresh off the printing presses. Thanks to Vic Smith for helping us get the Region 3 newsletter, Hi-Lites, available on your Region 3 website. You can see them by selecting from the menu choice for Newsletter, or by clicking here.
Do you have a decent case of cabin fever? Are you sick and tired of the less than great news you hear every time you turn on the TV or radio? Well, we have a solution for you. Get that pink stuff out of the pipes of your Airstream, dust it off, pack it up and hurry to Charleston, SC for the Region 3 Rally which will be held April 27-May 2, 2010. By now most of us know about all the great things to do around Charleston.
If you have never been to Charleston, this great Rally will be the time to go. Charleston is the last bastion of southern charm and gentility. It is the place to visit to see what life was like long ago. There are many guided and walking tours that should not be missed. And if you like to eat you cannot miss the multitude of restaurants. Cultured and charmed, Charleston is a beautifully preserved treasure. Deep in history and undeniably southern, the city is unquestionably the epitome of southern charm. This is one rally you just do not want to miss!
Most of us have attended large rallies such as State, Region and International. We know about seminars, entertainment, good food and tours around the area, but the one thing we cannot forget about these and all rallies is the opportunity to be with our WBCCI friends. No matter what has or is going on in our lives, the time we have with these folks is precious. We Caravanners seem to find many ways to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. We sit under our awnings with snacks and chairs and listen to travel stories. We find nice places to visit. We care about each other and are concerned when someone is dealing with health or other issues. So why not take advantage of the chance to attend every rally that you can. You do not want to miss all they offer and you sure do not want to miss this one.
You can view and print the Region Rally 2010 Flyer HERE.
[Thanks to Carol Bell for this article which was slightly edited and updated by Joe Kolb, #1060.]