First. I have to warn you this is a long post. Cuz a lot happened here....
We were all set. Our vacation to Lake Oroville and then meet some friends to celebrate Kevin’s Birthday later in the week. All was planned several months in advance. Then we had one rain here in the S.F. Bay Area, and discovered that our roof on our motorhome is leaking once again. Thus, we had to change plans and return to Bakersfield, Ca., for the fourth time, to have the roof repaired once again. This is another long story, so I will spare you the details of that situation. But in short, the entire roof was removed, the improperly installed at the factory ceiling vinyl was removed and replaced. Then the roof was re-installed to the top of the coach. Thus, no squeaking or other problems, but we do have leaking that appeared with the first rain of the Winter season.
This week has been one of the most disastrous weeks of vacation for the two of us. Strap on your seat belt, this is going to be a bumpy ride.
Early Saturday, we drove to Bakersfield in our new to us ‘05 Jeep Wrangler to retrieve the RV with the now “repaired leaky roof”. Our plan was to leave the very next day (Sunday) and head to the Coast for the rest of the week. We were told that there was a problem with our automatic Kwikee steps that occurred at the body shop and that they were unable to fix it completely. The steps were not retracting properly, so Kevin would give them a shove and they would retract. No problem???
Then we noticed the weather reports and that there was a big storm heading for California. Remains of a Typhoon! So we decided to stay put in Bakersfield and ride out the storm there. We were in the very nice Bakersfield RV Resort with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar! So, why not??
Although there was no rain, we endured a full day of very high winds and dust (sand) blowing. We even pulled in the bedroom slide for fear that the slide topper would rip from the wind. Late in the day, Kevin decided to take a swim in the now dirty pool and then hit the sauna.
Tuesday, after the storm, we packed up the RV and moved to a spot to hook up the new to us “toad” and head out. Well, Kevin noticed that we had a flat in a outer rear tire. This had been a prior problem so we had asked the roof repair shop to keep an eye on the tire. Great work, Huh? Anyway, after getting some air put in the tire, we again parked in our site and called a mobile tire repair service to come out and fix the tire. Turned out to be the tire stem that was leaking. Now $90.00 poorer, we decided to stay the night and make sure that the tire would hold air before moving on to the Coast.
Now Wednesday. We started the day off great! We were all set to pull out of our site well before the 11:00 AM check out time. Remember I mentioned that we were having trouble with our steps? I had searched for two days trying to get replacement parts to no avail. So we decided to proceed with the half functioning steps. With our manual assistance, they would open and close. Well, this morning they would not close at all. Nothing! Hanging to the ground! Kevin had to prop them up with bungee cords and we were off at precisely 11:00 am.
We stopped around some empty sites to hook up our “newer” ‘05 Jeep. One would think that we would have checked to see that all the components worked properly and fit together as they should since we had a new tow bar and Jeep combination. Nope! Not! Nada! The one time we had the RV travel ready and would have had the chance for a “dry run”, Kevin forgot and I didn’t even think of it. I was too concerned about the step problem to think of anything else. Since we were parked in a back in site, we would have had to break down for that dry run. So we didn’t. Big mistake!
When we tried to hook up the Jeep, the tow bar was pointing directly up instead of level with the coach hitch. So off to the Camping World (across the street) to get a new hitch! Now, we are ready to go… Not! Kevin attached the cables and wires required for towing. They were too short! Back to Camping World. Nope, no longer cables in stock. Kevin unhitched the Jeep, drove to Lowes to purchase chains! The girls (doggies) and I waited in the RV parked in a lot and tried to keep cool.
You know, the only thing that did work for this new set up was the installation of the brake & head light systems and the Even Brake system which we had installed by our (friendly) local dealer Allied Trailer in San Leandro. That was my biggest concern prior to all the rest of this “stuff” that has happened and is yet to happen.
We finally arrived in Morro Bay at 7:00 pm! Normally a three hour drive…… and remember we started to leave at 11:00 AM. We stayed at a local Morro Bay RV Park Wednesday night. What a dump!!! Prior to our arrival at the “park” we had purchased a two step ladder at Home Depot so I can get my big butt into the RV. Now that we have leveled the RV, we will need a three step ladder for my big butt!
Frankly, I am afraid to hit the road again!!!!!!
But we did! Thursday AM. Previously, we had really wanted to stay at the Morro Bay State Park, but the fees were raised from $20.00 per night to $35.00 per night for a non hook-up site and from $35.00 per night to $50.00 per night for a hook-up site. Well, we bit the bullet and paid the $50.00 for a great site overlooking the boat dock and the sunset. Oh! Happy day....
Friday AM. We headed up Highway 1, to Monterey. We had plans to go to dinner Friday night with Kevin’s Brother and Sister-in-law. It was Kevin’s Birthday and we decided to celebrate. We had a wonderful dinner and conversation. Returned to our RV and visited some more and then they left for their drive home. Saturday, was mostly uneventful though we were still entering and exiting the coach with a ladder stool.
So, Sunday morning, we packed up, pulled the slides in and I pushed the button for the jacks to retract so we could hit the road. Again, just 20 minutes before check out time. Well, one of the rear jacks would not retract all the way and we could not drive with them down of course. Kevin decided to pull out to the street (jacks now almost all the way up) and try to start hitching up the Jeep. Apparently, the jack had retracted completely by the time Kevin pulled on to the street. However, he went out the ENTRANCE. Did not see the big sign printed in red ink EXIT with an arrow pointing the other way!! There was also a rental class C in the driveway and Kevin hit a tree on the passenger side trying to avoid that other RV! Lucky for us it was a “soft tree”! No damage done....
Now we are home and when I went outside Kevin was talking to our neighbor who also has a RV. They both were getting in our RV because Kevin did not detach the Jeep on the way home as usual. Now, he can not get it detached because we live on a big hill and the Jeep was pushing on the hitch. So, I was asked to go with Kevin to help release the Jeep on a flat surface down the hill. I said that you (Kevin) have to pull in the slide first….. OH! You know, we started to drive off. Our neighbors started yelling and Kevin thought that the Jeep was not following properly so he stopped. Then we heard our neighbors yelling “pull your slide in”. Who are we? The Clampets (sp?) form The Beverly Hillbillies, The Three Stooges or what????
OK, now with the Jeep and the coach happily apart, Kevin drives off in the coach and leaves me sitting in the Jeep and in the middle of the street. I start to honk at him and point to the emergency brake that he always pulls so hard that I can not release it! Yep, I can’t move the car and he pulls away in the RV. Drives around the block, I get out of the Jeep and asked if he knew why I could not drive and was still sitting in the middle of the street? Yep, it is the emergency brake.
Next, Kevin starts washing the coach. I am sure that I told you that the reason we went to Bakersfield in the first place was because the roof was leaking!! Well, you guessed it, the roof is still LEAKING!!! Freaking leaking, again, still...
I give up!
Monday, 10-19-09, we had a feak storm in the S.F. Bay Area, POURING!!
After our return home, we have had a myriad of problems with the stick home. Murphy’s Law remains in full force!!!
Please note that I have posted this “Journal” of our Vacation from He** for your entertainment value. I am sure that all or at least most of you have done some very silly things while on the road, but choose not to mention them to others. We know what we did, did not do and where we went wrong. Thanks to all for your compassion.
Kindest regards,
Dawn & Kevin
Moonbeam & Chloie Pearl
Here is what the doogies think of our V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.....
CHLOIE PEARL
MOONBEAM
PS: Our local dealer fixed the leaky roof by using some "liquid" sealant, waited for it to dry and then we tested with water on our hill at our stick home. A OK!
* This post was
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edited 10/28/09 02:58pm by HIDEOUT *
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Kevin & Dawn
Doggies:
Persalina, We love you & miss you so very much!
Moonbeam
Chloie Pearl
'07 Itasca Suncruiser 35L
Workhorse 24-8.1 Vortec w/6 sp. Allison
05 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Roadmaster Even Brake
Okey Dokey, that’ll be $200.00 for the therapy session. Feeling better now???
Calvin...
PS It was well worth the wait…and I thought Pops was having problems with our rig…May be you could post the photos you took of the wind storm in this thread…It’ll give everyone a feel how strong the winds were.
* This post was
edited 10/26/09 04:19am by AZPops *
Captain: Pops
Ist Mate: Harlee "The Vicious Attack Dog", but only if you try to move her when she's sleeping...
Just looking at the prices for staying at a state park makes me not want to go to CA. I'm glad the Roy Rogers museum moved to Branson. I'll stay in Texas and steer clear of CA.
Sunday two weeks ago, we were going to Ashville,NC for a couple of days (wife had to work that area) then to Upstate NY for a birthday party. Left home around 10 am for a 6hr drive to the campground. 150 mile from home I feel a bump and the right side starts to shake. Great, I have just thrown a wheel weight, no problem, I'll slow down. 15 miles later the tag wheel shreads apart. Call Coach net and they dispatch a service vehicle to change the tire, I have a spare.
2hr 30 minutes later I'm on the road again. Another 80 miles and BAMN! What the He^^ was that! Pull off to the side and this time the outer dually was gone. Not only the tire but the whole fiberglass panel that covered the axles. Walked back to pull the remains of the tire off the interstate, and found most of the fiberglass wheel well in three pieces. Called Coach Net--"Your not going to believe this..." They dispatched another service company. Called back and said they were having problems, some one was on their way, but it would be several hours. Called the campground, cancelled the reservation, see you tomorrow. 8 pm the service truck arrived with the new tire. Same company from Cary, 100 miles away. 45 minutes later, back on the road again.
Drove for 45 minutes, all is well. Stopped for gas and checked the tires. Everything looks great. The tires are only 3-4 years old. 10 minutes in the trip the tire pressure monitor shows a problem. Inside dually is loosing pressure. Pull off the next exit, just in time to see the gas station turn off the lights. Don't even think about filling up a tire from the coin operated machines.
Told my bride that here is the campground for the night. She had to be in Asheville the next morning, 75 miles away. Take the toad the next morning and I'll meet up with you at the camp ground.
Things are turning around. Across the street was a tire store. Pulled into his parking lot and spent the night. Got up the next morning and sent the DW off on her trip to work. Made it with no problems. The tire store owner arrived shortly after 8am and we discussed tires and load ratings. Mine are 16", so availability was easy. After a brief discussion, I decided that I'm not playing this game anymore! Give me 8 new tires and put the one I bought last night as a spare. He put three of his workers on the MH and by 10am I was on the road again! Total bill $1185.00.
Made it to Asheville and settled in the campground. All is well!!!
Bobbi got a call that there were problems with a drug study and she needed to go to Philly (actually NJ). No way the MH could be there in time, so she booked a flight Wednesday and I would meet up with her on Friday and then we would head north to Albany.
Being a pilot, I always check weather. I didn't like what I saw forming around the Great Lakes and the Low moving in from the south. It spelled the three and four letter words I don't like. Being from the south, here is my take:
COLD = 74 degrees
ICE = belongs in a glass of Whiskey
SNOW = is when you don't pay your cable bill
Change of plans. I'm headed home, you fly home from Philly, and lets call this night mare off.
We both arrived home to be greeted by warm sunny weather. I arrived Wednesday night, she arrived Saturday afternoon after three flight cancelled out of Philly.
Bless your hearts, you have really been through the mill on this shakedown trip. A look on the brighter side, you faced adversity, worked out some creative solutions, did not hurt each other or place blame when not needed, became closer and learned a lot more about RVing. You are smarter and better because of it all. You know more about your RV, know you have to fix the parking brake adjustment on the toad, know you need to get the rear jack looked at, know you need to fix the steps and believe it or not, you both will be closer because of it because you worked as a team to resolve the problems. Sounds like Kevin is a lucky man to me to have such an understanding (albiet frustrated which is understandable) DW.
Jim
Driver: Me Passengers: None RV:1996 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE, 230 HP Cummins - FMCA F408358 Toad:1992 Geo 4x4 Favorite Quote: Without courage there is no freedom - Without freedom there is no happiness WARNING: THIS RIG PROTECTED BY SMITH AND WESSON!
Kevin, you could have unhooked you Jeep on a slope. All you have to do is back up the Jeep an inch or two to take the pressure off the hitch arms and then set the Jeep parking brake.
Horace, did the tires on your Pace Arrow have the improper load rating for your weight?? With 16" tires motorhomers often buy too low of a load rated tire for their weight.
-Tom
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Indiana, PA · FMCA 335149 · Mystic Knights of the Sea
2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24 chassis, no chassis mods needed · 2003 Honda Civic EX · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
lizbard wrote: Just looking at the prices for staying at a state park makes me not want to go to CA. I'm glad the Roy Rogers museum moved to Branson. I'll stay in Texas and steer clear of CA.
If you want to see the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson you better hurry. We left there about 2 weeks ago and I read in the paper while there that it is closing. Seems the younger generation are not really interested in Roy and Dale.
Brian & Loretta
Chance (Golden Retriever)
2008 Holiday Rambler Endeavor PDQ40
2008 Ford Explorer toad
Quote from a friend of ours who sells RVs for a living.
"Do you know what RV stands for? Ruined Vacation."
Jim and Sally and a Lakeland Terrier named Rufus
Carson City, NV/Surprise,AZ/Florence,OR
2001 Country Coach Affinity, 40'
Towing a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a Blue Ox tow bar and using a Brake Buddy.
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Thanks to all for your compassion. 
