O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

C l a s s i c A i r s t r e a m C l u b • M a r i e E f i r a , N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r • P a g e 1 •

With the New Year settling in I hope that you are keeping up with your New Year's Resolutions.If one of those might happen to be updating records -names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses- don't forget to include the Classic Airstream Club in your updates.

Record keeping can be a very big and difficult project when members fail to pay dues and update records. People sort of get lost in the shuffle and contacts get lost. We can only be and do as good as the information that we receive to keep this club going at top speed. Your help will be most appreciated.

We are interested in moving the CAC into the age of email newsletters and so many of you have made this a really great adventure and, I hope, have enjoyed the results. We will continue to snail mail copies to those of that are not computer equipped for newsletters. There was considerable postage money saved by this venture. We are not the only club out there that are going to this method of conveying our newsletters- and the reason is the same - a mail out postage savings.A note to the Treasurer, Hallie Holmes, should you not desire to continue membership in CAC would make record keeping much easier.

Now that you've been reminded about your Resolutions I hope your 2009 will be a Very Good Year.See you at Florida State,

Bettie Jones, CAC President

Classic AIRSTREAM Club

NEWSLETTER

WALLY BYAM CARAVAN CLUB INTERNATIONALthe Airstream RV Association

.

IntraClub...

Winter 2009

Volume 2Issue 2

Contents: Page 1 President’s message Page 2 Updated Officers Contact page Page 3 February Rallies Bettie’s Dangerous Mug Cake Page 4 Classics in Madison 2009 CAC Caravan- Annual Breakfast Newsletter Article Contest Page 5: Members on the Road Page 6: Editor’s Message - Dues

OUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

*****Happy New Year *****

Bettie Jones, CAC President

If you would like to receive your CAC newsletter online, please contact Ed Efira, CAC Webmaster, at

eefira@wbcci.net to obtain your password.

O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

C l a s s i c A i r s t r e a m C l u b • M a r i e E f i r a , N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r • P a g e 2 •

CAC OFFICERS CONTACT PAGE (1/09 UPDATE)

Bettie Jones

President 2008-2009Past President 2007-2008

757-484-8681bettiejones1221@peoplepc.com

Lynn Conner

Vice PresidentMembership Chairman

225-279-1701

Gloria Hissong

Corresponding/Recording Secretary

703-938-6344gehissong@gmail.com

Hallie Holmes

Treasurer770-967-6380

(see address for dues page 6 of this issue)

Chuck Green

Council Member - 1 year210-509-0660

cgreen2011@satx.rr.com

Ed Efira

Council Member - 2 YearsWebmaster

650-759-5800eefira@wbcci.net

Kay Corder

Council Member - 3 YearsPast First Lady 2006-2007

816-524-5240benco@socket.net

Ben Corder

Caravan CoordinatorNominating Chairman

Past President 2006-2007816-524-5240benco@socket.net

Marie Efira

Newsletter Editor650-759-5800

marie-and-ed@sbcglobal.net

Rich Stevens

Public Relations ChairmanPast President 2005-2006

918-257-4253Richrock@wavelinx.net

John "JT" Lester

Membership Directory254-863-5109

jt-lester@msn.com

Caleb CollinsPast President 2003-2004

Tom SimmonsPast President 2004-2005

O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

C l a s s i c A i r s t r e a m C l u b • M a r i e E f i r a , N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r • P a g e 3 •

February 4 - February 8, 2009

TEXAS STATE VINTAGE AIRSTREAM RALLY at BRAUNIG LAKE RV RESORT Come join us our Texas CAC members for the Texas Vintage Rally just south of San Antonio on I-37. Admire Vintage Airstream trailers in various stages of renovations. Attend the many seminars and enjoy special food from our Friends in

Louisiana. The Texas Highland Lakes Unit will host the rally. More information at http://wbregion9.org/txhlunit.html

February 9 - February 15, 2009

29TH NATIONAL HOBO RALLY in BLYTHE, CALIFORNIAKing and queen contest, beard contest, tell tall tales, swap n sell, hobo stew, skits, entertainment.

Blythe is near Quartzsite, the largest swap meet in the U.S. Contact Judy Bechtold @ 530-908-0400 or email jabkeb@aol.co

February 17 - February 22, 2009

FLORIDA STATE RALLY, SARASOTA FAIRGROUNDS, SARASOTA Fl Come and join the party with other CAC members. More activities and seminars, professional entertainment, bingo, ball-

room dancing and ice cream. Contact: Frank Carson, Director email: fc23343@aol.com or Dale Edwards, Asst. Director email: dalesarah@gmail.com

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ FEBRUARY RALLIES ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Happy Valentine’s Day ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

“Bettie’s Dangerous 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake” by Bettie Jones

Ingredients: 4 Tbsp Flour, 4 Tbsp Sugar, 2 Tbsp Cocoa, 1 egg, 3 Tbsp Milk, 3 Tbsp Oil, 3 Tbsp

Chocolate Chips (optional) and a small splash vanilla extract + 1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Blend egg, milk and oil, mix well. Add wet ingredients to

dry ingredients and mix well. Add the chocolate chips ( if using), add vanilla extract.Put mug in the microwave and cook 3 minutes at 1000 watts. Cake will rise over the top of the mug - not to worry.

Allow to cook a little and tip out onto plate if desired. EAT- this can serve 2 if you are feeling virtuous.

It is Dangerous in the sense that you can have chocolate cake at anytime, day or night!

Any Valentine will enjoy it any day of the year. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ Let’s caravan and celebrate our Friendship ♥ ♥ ♥

O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

C l a s s i c A i r s t r e a m C l u b • M a r i e E f i r a , N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r • P a g e 4 •

MEMBERS ON THE ROAD

In 2005 we were still driving a 2000 GMC Yukon XL with a six liter engine. We purchased a new 34-foot trailer with slide that spring and pulled it a few thousand miles using a Hensley Hitch. In November we left Virginia on an 18-month, full-time RV excursion. While I had heard a few bear stories about GM hitches, I had had no problems with my 1995 Suburban towing a 34-foot, 1988 Excella 1000. But in Waco, Texas, in Dec. 2005 as we were braking in front of a Flying J Service Center, we heard a loud noise in the rear; we were sure our new trailer had been rear ended. Such was not the case. Upon examination, I learned that the GM hitch bar had broken just above the receiver (see photo), and the trailer was hanging by a thread of steel. I eased our rig into the Flying J parking area and explained our plight to the station manager. I dropped the Airstream there, and we headed to a GMC dealer a few miles away.  The service manager promised that he could have a new hitch bar in stock by the next morning at 8:00 a.m. We stayed overnight at Flying J, and the next morning the GMC dealership came through as promised. To my surprise, the bill for parts and labor was only $200.

The next year, a couple came to a campground in New Mexico, where were hosting, with the same problem we had had in Waco. They were driving a GMC pickup with a Hensley Hitch. The GM dealer in Deming, NM took several days to get a new hitch bar and charged them over $400. What a difference between two GM dealers in terms of customer service.

We sold our Virginia home in October 2007 and moved to the North Texas Airstream Community (NTAC) in Hillsboro, TX. Five hundred miles from our destination, I inspected our hitch bar and learned that there was a hairline fracture in the weld just above the two-year old hitch bar receiver on our Yukon. We kept going, but I must mention that I did not alert my wife as to the problem. I monitored the weld at every stop, and it did not appear to be getting worse. It was a big relief to get to NTAC without mishap. I went back to the Waco dealer regarding the break on the hitch he had installed two years before. The same service manager was there, but after checking with GM, he said there was nothing he could do except order a third hitch bar at my expense. He admitted that GM hitches are not welded

properly, and he had had a few other cases like mine. In fact, on his own GMC pickup he had elected to reinforce the weld by adding angular braces between the receiver and the tubular cross bar. I elected to not order a third hitch bar but to try the service manager's remedy. The welder, Will, at our Hillsboro garage followed my instructions regarding the new angular braces and he reinforced the original GM welds (see photo). The hairline fracture had not gotten worse. In April 2008 we took off on a trip to Florida. I checked the newly reinforced hitch bar at every stop, and all went well regarding Will's welding job. 

In April 2008 traveling from Florida to Tennessee to Virginia and on up to Pennsylvania was a breeze. The reinforced hitch bar was doing great. In West Virginia, I made a rather sharp turn in a Cabela's parking lot and heard a strange noise, which I attributed to the sharpness of the turn. Hitches do sometimes groan. Not stopping to take a look could have been a fatal error. Sometimes we do that when we are in a hurry to make our destination before dark. Arriving at the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio in late afternoon in May, I backed into our space and began to unhook. To my horror, the entire rear bumper and hitch assembly was drooping. "Not good," thought I. Upon examination, I learned that the Yukon's frame was broken on both sides. All that was securing our big trailer to the car were the shock nuts. Will's welding job was still intact, but not the GMC frame. It should be noted that there are large holes near the rear of the frame at the point where mine broke. Perhaps they are there for use on the assembly line or to tie the vehicle down in transit. Whatever the rationale, it is a design flaw in my opinion. I told my wife, "I have good news and bad news. First the bad: we are not towing one more mile with our Yukon. The good news: after eight years and 175,000 miles, we are finally going to get a new truck."  Within 10 days we were driving a new Toyota Tundra pickup truck, which is designed to pull 10,300 lbs. We love the bigger brakes, powerful engine, heavy duty frame and sturdy six speed transmission. Getting 12.5 miles per gallon while towing is not bad. In fairness to GM, the Yukon was rated to pull 8600 lbs. The car had guts, the brakes worked well, and we never had transmission problems. However, the frame and hitch bar were flimsy. If you are driving a 2000-2007 GMC pickup, Suburban, or Yukon, be sure to check your hitch assembly at every stop, and do not exceed the manufacturer's towing recommendations. My experiences are not unique. Others have had similar GM problems.

GMC Tow Bar Problems

By Jerry Hissong, WBCCI NORVA Unit

O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

C l a s s i c A i r s t r e a m C l u b • M a r i e E f i r a , N e w s l e t t e r E d i t o r • P a g e 5 •

CLASSICS IN MADISON 2009

CLASSIC AIRSTREAM CLUB CARAVAN “EASTERN WISCONSIN LIGHTHOUSES”

July 5 - July 15, 2009

We'll leave Madison on July 5 and end up in Oshkosh 11 days later on July 15. On our way, we will visit/see 14 lighthouses and take 2 boat trips.We will visit Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers) and the Experimental Aircraft Museum at Oshkosh.We will have 5 dinner-meals and 3 coffee/cake or Ice Cream get together.We will move 4 times and will camp in 2 Passport America Campgrounds (If you are a member, please let us know, so that you can obtain their discount if applicable).We will also go to other campgrounds including the Milwaukee State Fairgrounds.The cost is $720 for 2 people per trailer, $600 for one per trailer, $200 for each extra person.The caravan is limited to 20 Units and we anticipate a waiting list. We suggest you sign up early for this caravan by sending a $120 deposit to Ben Corder, Caravan Treasurer, 1002 SW Alendale Blvd, Lee's Summit, MO 64081. Make check payable to Classic Airstream Club.Full payment must be received by May 1, 2009.There will be a $30.00 fee for any cancellation before June 1st. Leaders discretion after.This caravan is opened to the Classic Airstream Club members only. If you are interested and are not a member yet, please contact our membership chairman, Lynn Conner #5068 at 225-279-1701 or submit the application that you can download on the Welcome page of the Classic Club Website at http://classicairstream.wbcci.net.

Dick and Jane Arnold, Caravan LeadersJimmie and Bettie Jones Caravan Co-LeadersBen Corder, Caravan Treasurer

For more information contact:Dick and Jane Arnold, Caravan Leaders540 729-2095pwft1980@hotmail.com

Jimmie and Bettie Jones, Caravan Co-Leaders757 484-8681bettiejones1221@peoplepc.com

CAC Annual Breakfast Mark your calendars!The CAC Annual Breakfast at the 52nd International rally in Madison is scheduled for June 30, 2009 at 7:00 AM at the Clarion Hotel (Michigan Room)

Fee is $5.00 per person

DEADLINE FOR TICKET SALES: June 29, 2009 at the CAC table.

Would you like to write an article for our newsletter?The topic has to be related to the CAC member lifestyle and informative for our readers: adventures in your Classic Airstream trailer or motorhome, travel discoveries, technical advice, experience of day to day life on the road. You can also write about the CAC camaraderie or how you became a CAC member.A selection of the best articles will be published in our next newsletter and prizes will be attributed at our ice cream social in Madison.The article should be 300 words maximum but you can add a picture illustrating the article.Email your articles in pdf format toMarie Efira #5495Newsletter Editormarie-and-ed@sbcglobal.netAll articles must be submitted by March 15th 2009.We reserve the right to shorten or modify as necessary the content of the articles for publication.

Menu

Quiche du Jour,

Ham and Cheese Lorraine

Oven Bronzed Potatoes

with Sauteed Onions and Peppers

Seasonal Sliced Fruit and Berries

Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee

CAC Newsletter Article Contest

O f f i c i a l I n t r a c l u b N e w s l e t t e r • F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 0 9 •

*

*

*

*

Marie Efira Newsletter Editor

PO BOX 2038Los Altos, CA 94023

! ! ! !

Happy New Year!

According to the Chinese Astrology Calendar, we

will be entering the year of the Ox January 26, 2009.

The Ox symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work.

All your CAC officers have vowed to serve you this year with the

best of their ability and I personally hope that you will find this

newsletter informative and entertaining.

In these times of restrictions and personal hardship, we feel

blessed to belong to such a group of good people ready to step up to

make other people’s life more enjoyable. There is no better way to

thank them than by attending those mid winter fun rallies.

Send us your pictures and articles and let us share the

memories. Don’t forget to read about the CAC Newsletter Article

contest in page 5 of this issue.

I thank all the members who took the time to participate in this

present edition of the CAC newsletter regardless of their personal

occupations and travels.

! ! ! ! ! Marie Efira

! ! ! ! ! Newsletter Editor

Did you

forget?

Yes?

Don’t wo

rry, it

is still

time to

renew yo

ur membe

rship fo

r 2009.

Please s

end your

$10.00

check to

Hallie H

olmes #2

67

CAC Trea

surer

6810 Str

inger La

ne

Flowery

Branch,

GA 30542

-3877

Make che

ck payab

le to

Classic Airstream Club.