We've had problems with our DRV Mobile Suite since we picked it up three weeks ago. First it was the power to the back up camera, "No TX Power", the error code says. Then it was various lights not working I.E. turn signals failing, break lights on constantly and then running lights flashing. So I obtained a wiring diagram for the lights converter in the trailer and checked it out. It worked fine.
Next I went to the truck and checked the 7 pin plugs, the one at the bumper (factory) and the one in the bed (wired by the hitch installer). Guess what one has problems? Yep , you guessed right, the one wired by the hitch installer. Seems he used those inline clamp on connectors that then gives you a spade connector off the side for another circuit. Those things are known POS. Any professional electrical person knows this, but the dealer says: "We use them all the time". Well Not on my truck, you're not.
So any how, I'm wiring the truck up and I look out the side and see two sneakers at the end of khaki pants. "Hi, I'm Ernie from next door." Can I help?" Well no, I don't think two of us can get under here, but thanks for offering. As I went on working he told me about his tools and he had all kinds of crimp connectors if I needed them, etc. etc. Some people are really nice. Offer to help even when there's no possibility of them being able too. He was about 80, so getting down on the ground and under the truck just wasn't in the cards.
When I took a break to let my arms rest, we had a nice talk. He has always done his own work on his Suburban, on his Avion trailer and everything else. He has been in the same RV park during the summer for 20 years. A real fixture in the park. It's nice that he's there, he can help people who have problems as he has seen almost everything go wrong in those 20 years. So here's a tip of the hat to Ernie - sorry I didn't have something you could work on!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Oh NO Mr. Bill !!! (for those of you who remember the 70's).......
Ah, sweet New Hampshire in August. The crisp coolness in the White Mountains, the brisk cold water of Lake Winnipasaukee and the eternal clear skies. (And I hope you believe all of that, cause it's already too crowded up here!) We've been here for a week now, just enjoying being here with the step son, daughter in law and grand daughter. They have a place on the lake and we are just a few miles away in a cozy campground.
But the exciting part of the trip here was the last 100 yards. Our trip was uneventful through Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and most of New Hampshire. When we got to our destination campground we were told where our site was and that we should "go around this way" to get into it. So off we went, "this way", to get to it. First glint that this was a wrong move was listening to the campground lady who obviously had no idea what "big rig" meant. We took up the whole road around the camp. When we got to the "go around" part, the rig drifted to the inside of the turn (naturally, big rigs do that). What looked like a bush in the turn hid two big boulders! Nicely placed right in the apex so as to slide under the side of the rig but high enough to contact one of our self leveling hydraulic jacks. Know what sound that makes when you hit it ? Bet you don't...................................................
.
.
STOP! At least that's what I heard from my partner walking the outside of the route. SHE wasn't too happy. Well after some backing up (avoiding the boulders on the other side of the road) and some more maneuvering, the camp host's husband and son offering advice, I negotiated the turn without further mishap. But the damage was done. The mount for the jack was now at a 20 degree angle towards the inside of the trailer, it's supposed to be straight up and down.
Second glint of an idea learned was - walk your route before going in with the rig. Locate low trees, obstacles and problems.
Now a week later, I've had time to relax and cool down. Tomorrow I will attempt to remove the jack mount and get it straightened. Oh, did I tell you they call New Hampshire the granite state? Want to guess what kind of boulders these were? You guessed it.
We met the neighbors this week. There are exactly 6 others in the campground. Makes for nice quiet times. Tonight's special meeting was the couple who left Florida because of the economy crash there. Hit really hard, houses not selling so most people just turn their keys over to the bank and walk away. Least that's what they did. Bought a used trailer, used U-haul pick-up and headed on out. Made some eel pots along the way and as soon as he can find a nice boat to put his motor on, he's going eeling. Got to be money in that!
I tell you, life's got some real gems in store for you and you don't have to look far to find them. I hope his eel comes in, I really do. He needs it. After all, he said he can't go back to running a water treatment plant. It's too crappy of a job!!! :)
But the exciting part of the trip here was the last 100 yards. Our trip was uneventful through Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and most of New Hampshire. When we got to our destination campground we were told where our site was and that we should "go around this way" to get into it. So off we went, "this way", to get to it. First glint that this was a wrong move was listening to the campground lady who obviously had no idea what "big rig" meant. We took up the whole road around the camp. When we got to the "go around" part, the rig drifted to the inside of the turn (naturally, big rigs do that). What looked like a bush in the turn hid two big boulders! Nicely placed right in the apex so as to slide under the side of the rig but high enough to contact one of our self leveling hydraulic jacks. Know what sound that makes when you hit it ? Bet you don't...................................................
.
.
STOP! At least that's what I heard from my partner walking the outside of the route. SHE wasn't too happy. Well after some backing up (avoiding the boulders on the other side of the road) and some more maneuvering, the camp host's husband and son offering advice, I negotiated the turn without further mishap. But the damage was done. The mount for the jack was now at a 20 degree angle towards the inside of the trailer, it's supposed to be straight up and down.
Second glint of an idea learned was - walk your route before going in with the rig. Locate low trees, obstacles and problems.
Now a week later, I've had time to relax and cool down. Tomorrow I will attempt to remove the jack mount and get it straightened. Oh, did I tell you they call New Hampshire the granite state? Want to guess what kind of boulders these were? You guessed it.
We met the neighbors this week. There are exactly 6 others in the campground. Makes for nice quiet times. Tonight's special meeting was the couple who left Florida because of the economy crash there. Hit really hard, houses not selling so most people just turn their keys over to the bank and walk away. Least that's what they did. Bought a used trailer, used U-haul pick-up and headed on out. Made some eel pots along the way and as soon as he can find a nice boat to put his motor on, he's going eeling. Got to be money in that!
I tell you, life's got some real gems in store for you and you don't have to look far to find them. I hope his eel comes in, I really do. He needs it. After all, he said he can't go back to running a water treatment plant. It's too crappy of a job!!! :)
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