Member Spotlight

Kirk Hoffman
Stockton, Illinois

FMCA membership number:  F276235

I joined FMCA in: 2000

FMCA chapter memberships:
None, yet. I’d like to start a chapter for coaches built on International chassis.

Current motorhome:  1973 Grumman. I still have a 1971 Krager Kustom Koach. I have also owned a 1974 Travel Mate.

I decided to buy a motorhome because:
It’s more convenient than my old Shasta trailer.

Current occupation:  Jack-of-all-trades: mechanic, welder, machine builder.

Children:  Daughters Shannon and Megan. Stepchildren Cathy, Pam, Cindy, Richard.

The best thing about motorhoming is:
Wherever I go, I am still at home. Home is where you park it.

When I'm not motorhoming, I'm:
Working around the farm doing welding and machine shop work. Or, working at the local cheese factory, fixing up the buildings. Maintaining my property.

My all-time favorite motorhoming trip was:
The first trip I went on to take my nephew to Fort Benning, Georgia. It was a kind of shakedown cruise for the Grumman.

My favorite motorhoming destination is: Any state park.

One of my fondest motorhoming memories is:
The first summer I spent on a working vacation.

One of my not-so-fond motorhoming experiences was:
The trip to Texas in December 2000 during a blizzard.

My "dream" motorhoming trip would be:
A smooth, trouble-free trip, with all good weather, to one of the wonders of our country.

The best thing about my motorhome is:
The International chassis and the coach’s construction – the body is 1/8-inch aluminum. The Grumman is big enough to live in, and small enough to be very maneuverable. It has plenty of power and gets 10 mpg on a good road.

Something I know now about motorhoming that I didn't know when I started is:
How a crosswind can blow you all over the road.

If I could change one thing about my motor coach, it would be:
Change the carpeting and interior upholstery in the dining area and kitchen.

The best alteration or addition I've made to my motor coach is:
Removal of two bunks to make room for a TV shelf and extra closet.

My favorite thing about FMCA is:
Family Motor Coaching magazine and the special January issue with the membership list.

My hobbies are:  Woodworking; my machine shop; restoring old tractors, trucks and cars; flying model airplanes. Learning to pilot ultralight aircraft.

Favorite book: My ICS Stationary Engineering Home Study Course book.

Favorite song/singer: The Supremes or any Motown music

Favorite restaurant: McDonald’s

Favorite stores: Farm & Fleet, Wal-Mart

When motorhomers visit my home state, Illinois, I recommend they see:
Jo Daviess County – the scenery is beautiful.

My advice to new motorhomers is: Have fun, enjoy.

Behind my motorhome I tow:
A 1951 Crosely car on a trailer, a 17-foot 1965 Johnson boat, or anything else I can hook up – even an old International semi tractor.

My favorite activity to do inside the motorhome is:
Play cards, watch TV, eat, sleep.

FMCA members can reach me at: kchmn@blkhawk.net