Our stop at Wapakoneta, Oh. was uneventful. The campground was very flat, open and not a CG I would stay at except as a way point on a trip. Exactly what we needed. Next morning we set off for DRV in Howe, In. When we pulled in we found out we were the third unit there! An Elite Suite that had been there 4 weeks getting problems fixed and a unit that had been on it's way to Florida when they had a fire in their electrical box! Our changes and problems seemed like nothing in comparison. We wanted an automatic fan put in the bathroom, the raised floor under the toilet cut off to eliminate stubbing your toe and our back up camera fixed and the furnace doesn't run.
Monday morning at 6 AM there was a knock at the door! Whoa, they start work this early?? Yep, the gentleman said, "Get up and ready and we'll take you in and go over your list". Half hour later we were going in. Our list was written down and we were told to come back about 2:30 PM. Off we went to site see in Elkhart.
Spent the morning eating breakfst at Cracker Barrel then went to the Motor Home and RV Museum. We both felt that this was very worth while visiting. There are all kinds of campers from as early as 1905, with many from the 20's, 30's and 40's. The brand new building was housing over 55 motor homes and campers inside. We went to Shippshawana and went into a cheese store, meat store and then a farmer's clothing store - just like home in Amish country - Lancaster,Pa.
Back to the factory at 2:30 and talked with Scott Hamilton about our unit. Everything looked great! Job well done Scott! We wanted a See-level kit put in but he didn't have time so we go back onto the lot so that tomorrow we get it finished. The furnace problem was that the program mode was on and set for the wrong time! Cleared the programs and it works great.
Tuesday we get up early so we are ready for the 6 AM knock. At 6:15 our unit is inside, this time we are told to come back about 12:30. We went down the road to the Howe Diner for breakfast. At about 7:30 we get into the truck to go more site seeing. Oh no - the check engine light is on! Pulled over, got the manual out and found the "check engine light". Take it to the dealer it says. So we called the closest dealer, they can see us at 8:30. They are about 25 miles away and did I mention - IT'S SO FOGGY YOU CAN'T SEE 200 FEET!
So off we go at a real slow pace. No scares and we arrive at the dealer at 8:15. After checking in we are told to have a seat they will talk with us after it is on the computer. About 8:45 the service manager says it is the thermostats and it will take 3 hours. So ok go ahead and do it.
About two hours later the service manager comes out and says that they can't get they lower thermostat out, the EGR bracket will not come off. They will have to take out the radiator, remove the turbo and the exhaust pipe - maybe another 5 hours! I asked if they have a loaner car - no, seems it was out. So we are stuck in the customer service lounge. Our cocker, Cory doesn't mind, he gets to greet all the customers or sleep.
Finally at about 3:30 they tell us we are all finished. And it's all covered UNDER WARRANTEE ! You who!
Back at the dealer we tell Scott we'll settle our bill tomorrow morning. Off to sleep with the knowledge we don't have to get up at 6 AM.
About 8:30 I pay our bill and we are off to Scottsburg, Ind for our next night.
Arriving at Scottsburg, we are told it will get into the 20's tonight so no water. We settle in and set the furnace on to stay warm.
On Friday we get up to a very cold morning! But good news is that by the time we get to Tuscaloosa, Al it will be in the mid 60's and getting warmer the whole week end.
More as we go farther south over the next couple of weeks.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
On the move - Nov. 11th
After living through the earliest snow storm this century in Denver, Pa. (Oct. 29th - 6 inches), we headed out on Nov. 11th for Howe Ind. The first day was cold, in the 40's and in Allegheny Mountains we drove through snow again. Now maybe I'd better tell you how we are traveling.
I'm driving our F-450 pulling our DRV Mobile Suites. Nice and dry, comfy with plenty of heat and heated seat. Because I wanted my Honda Goldwing trike to go to Texas with us, my very loving and courageous wife is driving the trike behind me. So who suffered the cold, snow and wind? Believe me, I heard about it all night!
First night we stayed in the KOA in Washington,Pa. This CG is on the top of a hill over looking I-70. A little cold with the wind blowing at 25 - 50 mph. Early in the morning we woke up to NO furnace. Trailer at 50 degrees. No problem, started the heat pump and got the temp up to 65 before we left.
On down the road entering Ohio, Bonnie's on the CB - "Pull over immediately!". So at the next exit (about 1/4 mile) I pulled over. Seems the bike rack on the rear of the trailer had come apart and my bicycle had been dragging on the road. A nice hi-way patrolmen pulled up behind us, lights going while Bonnie and I horse the bike into the back of the truck. Then he told us to pull on down the ramp, clear of the white line on the right and park there. so I did this and Bonnie road back to the last exit to see if she could find the part of the rack that is missing. Success!! She found it! Pulled down the raod about 4 miles to a rest stop and put the rack back together, put the bike on and off we go! Before leaving the rest stop, I noticed the passenger side front tire on the trailer looked a little low.
Now about an hour and a half later we stopped at a Pilot for lunch and fuel. After lunch I took my air gauge and went to check the tire. Pushing the gauge on on the valve stem - it pushed into the tire and a POW with a rush of air followed. Whoa - what was that? I looked at the next tire and it appears the nut holding the stem in was missing allowing the valve to push in. So I jacked up the side of the trailer with the hydraulic leveling jacks. Next to us was parked a very nice trucker named Ken. Ken saw and heard what happened so he hopped out of his truck. "I don't have anythign to do for the next three hours, I can have that changed for you in no time." Since I have my physical handicap and it would have taken me about an hour, I said "Thanks Ken. I can use all the help I can get". Well he and I had it off and the spare on in about 20 minutes. When I handed him my 3/4 inch torque wrench to tighten the nuts, he said, "Wow, you're really equipped!" Threw the tire in the back of the truck and off we went to spend the night in Wapekoneta, Oh. Hopefully uneventful !!
I'm driving our F-450 pulling our DRV Mobile Suites. Nice and dry, comfy with plenty of heat and heated seat. Because I wanted my Honda Goldwing trike to go to Texas with us, my very loving and courageous wife is driving the trike behind me. So who suffered the cold, snow and wind? Believe me, I heard about it all night!
First night we stayed in the KOA in Washington,Pa. This CG is on the top of a hill over looking I-70. A little cold with the wind blowing at 25 - 50 mph. Early in the morning we woke up to NO furnace. Trailer at 50 degrees. No problem, started the heat pump and got the temp up to 65 before we left.
On down the road entering Ohio, Bonnie's on the CB - "Pull over immediately!". So at the next exit (about 1/4 mile) I pulled over. Seems the bike rack on the rear of the trailer had come apart and my bicycle had been dragging on the road. A nice hi-way patrolmen pulled up behind us, lights going while Bonnie and I horse the bike into the back of the truck. Then he told us to pull on down the ramp, clear of the white line on the right and park there. so I did this and Bonnie road back to the last exit to see if she could find the part of the rack that is missing. Success!! She found it! Pulled down the raod about 4 miles to a rest stop and put the rack back together, put the bike on and off we go! Before leaving the rest stop, I noticed the passenger side front tire on the trailer looked a little low.
Now about an hour and a half later we stopped at a Pilot for lunch and fuel. After lunch I took my air gauge and went to check the tire. Pushing the gauge on on the valve stem - it pushed into the tire and a POW with a rush of air followed. Whoa - what was that? I looked at the next tire and it appears the nut holding the stem in was missing allowing the valve to push in. So I jacked up the side of the trailer with the hydraulic leveling jacks. Next to us was parked a very nice trucker named Ken. Ken saw and heard what happened so he hopped out of his truck. "I don't have anythign to do for the next three hours, I can have that changed for you in no time." Since I have my physical handicap and it would have taken me about an hour, I said "Thanks Ken. I can use all the help I can get". Well he and I had it off and the spare on in about 20 minutes. When I handed him my 3/4 inch torque wrench to tighten the nuts, he said, "Wow, you're really equipped!" Threw the tire in the back of the truck and off we went to spend the night in Wapekoneta, Oh. Hopefully uneventful !!
From snow to warmth - a tale of a trip
Well let first start by saying this will be a series of posts to bring the blog up to date. Date, hmmm..... from middle of September until 11 November we were in Shady Grove Campground in Denver, Pa. Nice location, near our house as we cleaned it for sale, near our friends and not to far from the youngest grand daughter. The first problem we had at the campground was there were two tress at the south side of the RV that blocked the satellite signal. So they told us to move over one site for a day or two and they would take out the trees! Wow! Out came the trees!
On October 29th, we had 8 inches of snow at the campground. This photo is when we had about 5" and I went out side to walk the dog.
This was a great campground and very helpful, we'll be back here next year.
More to come about the November adventures....
On October 29th, we had 8 inches of snow at the campground. This photo is when we had about 5" and I went out side to walk the dog.
This was a great campground and very helpful, we'll be back here next year.
More to come about the November adventures....
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Why am I parked here, of all places?
We moved to Pennsylvania last week for a couple of months until we get ready to head to Texas for the winter. We are in Shady Grove in Lancaster County which is a nice campground rebuilding with a new owner. The last owner let it run down a little, now there are about 20 full timers here with another 80 filling in on weekends. It is open ALL year.
Our big adventure last week was to make the Hershey RV Show. Having lived in Hershey we knew it was a great event. Last year there were about 650 units on display, down from the high number of 900+ a few years ago. This year they had around 1200 on display. Now most of the units were smaller TT's, more toy haulers, but still the big class A's, high end 5th and other units we have come to expect. And every dealer I talked to said they were selling units. Who says this is a down economy for the RV industry? At least for the units that are selling - mostly lower cost ones. We did buy some items for our 5th wheel: a folding step, a patio rug for outside and some other small items. See we did our part for the economy.
We got the folding step because our site rolled off drastically on the door side. Our new neighbors, Tim and Cindy loaned us there step so we didn't have a 15" first step. Whew! I get a nose bleed going up and down those steps. Also the hydraulic lifts were at their extreme which caused the RV to sway every time someone walked or the washing machine runs. Also no playing, if you get my meaning. Wife doesn't like the rocking!
When we pulled into the site I tried to get the satellite pulled in but couldn't peak any of them. Looked outside and there were two trees in the way! So off I went to the office as there were three other sites around me that were free, wanted to see if I could move. The owner Don talked with me and told me he had planned to get them down this fall but hadn't done it yet. Could we move for a couple of days and he would get them down? Very accommodating in my book! So on Monday of this week we moved two sites over. That afternoon the crew came in with a tree digger to take down 5 of the trees along the fence. Ours were the first out and today they finished up with number 5. In addition they are going to be putting more stone down and leveling the site to help eliminate the drop off it had before.
This is a video of what the unit looked like taking out the first tree. All gone in about 30 minutes.
Tomorrow we have friends coming in from Chicago who haven't seen our RV yet. Added bonus - they will get to see us pack it up and move two spaces - JUST SO WE COULD GET SATELLITE TV!!!
We'll be back here next year for sure. Until later....
Our big adventure last week was to make the Hershey RV Show. Having lived in Hershey we knew it was a great event. Last year there were about 650 units on display, down from the high number of 900+ a few years ago. This year they had around 1200 on display. Now most of the units were smaller TT's, more toy haulers, but still the big class A's, high end 5th and other units we have come to expect. And every dealer I talked to said they were selling units. Who says this is a down economy for the RV industry? At least for the units that are selling - mostly lower cost ones. We did buy some items for our 5th wheel: a folding step, a patio rug for outside and some other small items. See we did our part for the economy.
We got the folding step because our site rolled off drastically on the door side. Our new neighbors, Tim and Cindy loaned us there step so we didn't have a 15" first step. Whew! I get a nose bleed going up and down those steps. Also the hydraulic lifts were at their extreme which caused the RV to sway every time someone walked or the washing machine runs. Also no playing, if you get my meaning. Wife doesn't like the rocking!
When we pulled into the site I tried to get the satellite pulled in but couldn't peak any of them. Looked outside and there were two trees in the way! So off I went to the office as there were three other sites around me that were free, wanted to see if I could move. The owner Don talked with me and told me he had planned to get them down this fall but hadn't done it yet. Could we move for a couple of days and he would get them down? Very accommodating in my book! So on Monday of this week we moved two sites over. That afternoon the crew came in with a tree digger to take down 5 of the trees along the fence. Ours were the first out and today they finished up with number 5. In addition they are going to be putting more stone down and leveling the site to help eliminate the drop off it had before.
This is a video of what the unit looked like taking out the first tree. All gone in about 30 minutes.
Tomorrow we have friends coming in from Chicago who haven't seen our RV yet. Added bonus - they will get to see us pack it up and move two spaces - JUST SO WE COULD GET SATELLITE TV!!!
We'll be back here next year for sure. Until later....
Monday, September 5, 2011
It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' - - -
Here it is a whole week after Irene. We've moved from the hiding hole in Maine where our DRV Mobile Suites sat out the storm. After all the hype we felt that it was a rather windy but still a non-event. Those west of us got it much worse than what we experienced.
We were in Meadowbrook Campground just outside of Bath, Me. for 4 days before and 1 day after the hurricane came through. The day before we went around the campground and turned pick nick tables over, picked up lawn chairs and placed them under tables to keep them from becoming air-borne.
All the RV's that were up in the treed area moved down to the open area where we were. Several got up early on Monday morning before Irene made to far north and headed out. I don't know where they were going, they did have Maine plates. But even at that, why would you want to move and then drop off you rig at home when the winds is blowing 50 + mph!
Our thoughts led us to put the sides in on the 5th wheel, take the dog, food, drinks, the Kindle and our rain coats; we hooked the truck to the 5th and then sat in it until early evening. The rain had quit by this time and the wind was not howling too bad. So we went into the rig, put the living room slides out and read in there. When it was time to go to bed we ran that slide out and crawled into bed. I fell asleep almost immediately but Bonnie was up until 3AM listening to the wind howl.
At Meadowbrooke they have a couple of things going on I need to mention. First is their Lobster Pound (a place you can buy lobsters - live or cooked). They have fresh lobsters going for $6.99/lb. either fresh or cooked. Ummm... we filled up on lobster, let me tell you. They take 20 minutes to cook so yo have time to get the corn done and coleslaw ready.
Second is the little restaurant found in the club house. It's called the Drifter's Reef. They have great meals every evening and during the summer they use produce that they grow. We had fantastic spaghetti with squash, corn and home made cookies!
For the last several days we have been back in Wolfeboro, N.H. They had some trees down but no RV's damaged. We Love being in this quiet campground, enjoy the people here and you never know what will turn up. Yesterday I walked past Bob's 5th wheel and on the pick nick table there was one of the plastic containers we all use for items packed in the basement. But this one was different - it had a heat lamp blasting the interior and inside were about two dozen guinea chicks! Seems the daughter was visiting and had brought them along because no one would be at home to take care of them.
So keep your eyes open - you don't know what you'll see!
We were in Meadowbrook Campground just outside of Bath, Me. for 4 days before and 1 day after the hurricane came through. The day before we went around the campground and turned pick nick tables over, picked up lawn chairs and placed them under tables to keep them from becoming air-borne.
All the RV's that were up in the treed area moved down to the open area where we were. Several got up early on Monday morning before Irene made to far north and headed out. I don't know where they were going, they did have Maine plates. But even at that, why would you want to move and then drop off you rig at home when the winds is blowing 50 + mph!
Our thoughts led us to put the sides in on the 5th wheel, take the dog, food, drinks, the Kindle and our rain coats; we hooked the truck to the 5th and then sat in it until early evening. The rain had quit by this time and the wind was not howling too bad. So we went into the rig, put the living room slides out and read in there. When it was time to go to bed we ran that slide out and crawled into bed. I fell asleep almost immediately but Bonnie was up until 3AM listening to the wind howl.
At Meadowbrooke they have a couple of things going on I need to mention. First is their Lobster Pound (a place you can buy lobsters - live or cooked). They have fresh lobsters going for $6.99/lb. either fresh or cooked. Ummm... we filled up on lobster, let me tell you. They take 20 minutes to cook so yo have time to get the corn done and coleslaw ready.
Second is the little restaurant found in the club house. It's called the Drifter's Reef. They have great meals every evening and during the summer they use produce that they grow. We had fantastic spaghetti with squash, corn and home made cookies!
For the last several days we have been back in Wolfeboro, N.H. They had some trees down but no RV's damaged. We Love being in this quiet campground, enjoy the people here and you never know what will turn up. Yesterday I walked past Bob's 5th wheel and on the pick nick table there was one of the plastic containers we all use for items packed in the basement. But this one was different - it had a heat lamp blasting the interior and inside were about two dozen guinea chicks! Seems the daughter was visiting and had brought them along because no one would be at home to take care of them.
So keep your eyes open - you don't know what you'll see!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
When it works it's great, when it doesn't .....
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!
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!
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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