Getting started in 2014

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The winter has passed and it was time to get the RV on the road and start exploring, visiting, and enjoying. We winterized the RV last fall upon our return from our long western trip and though we had gone out and run the generator monthly, we needed to stock the shelves, clean the inside, and make sure all was working well.

Opps, it wasn't all working well. We wanted to take the RV to Florida in mid February to visit the kids and grandkids, but the generator wouldn't start. Our trusty mechanic tried to fix it but couldn't so we took it to an Onan Service facility near Huntsville. And just like going to the dentist when you have a toothache, then get there and it doesn't hurt, we pulled in, the mechanic looked at it and it started right up. grrrr....... But we asked him to look at a couple of other issues as well. RV would be in the shop 2-3 days.

One issue we had was the digital odometer. It was fuzzy looking when we bought it, but we were told it was normal and would clear up as the engine warmed up. Well, now it was NOT clearing up. We not only could not read the mileage, but the gear selection was unclear so never sure if we were in D or 2 or N, except when you hit the gas and nothing happened. But not safe and not legal. The Onan service center had replaced one previously for a customer, but declined to do ours as it took too long and cost too much. Hmmm, that is not promising. After calling around, I found a Workhorse Service Center in Chattanooga, TN that could do the work and work with our Extended Service Plan insurance. I made an appointment and we took it in at the end of March. We were told it would be about $1200-$1600 and would possibly take 3-4 weeks. That's because they had to take the odometer out, send it to the manufacturer, have them download the data (mileage), calibrate the instrument, send it back and then install. Since this was a full RV service center for Workhorse chassis, I asked them to tell me what was wrong with the internal heater and were my jacks going up and down properly. Well, four weeks later, after I called, they said it was ready to go and "only" $2400. This led to a strong discussion and eventually, the service manager, new as of 4 weeks ago, called back to say that insurance was picking up the bulk of the bill. Wheww. So we got the RV and brought it home, began loading for our trip north and looked forward to leaving Monday morning early.

Over the weekend we checked to make sure the water system was working and discovered we had a leaky toilet. Couldn't very well go with that. So first thing Monday, I called our local RV center and they said they would look at it and see what they could do. I had heard good and bad (isn't that normal?) about the service center but was pleasantly surprised that they got me in quickly, fixed the leaky valve (apparently broke over winter even though it was blown out and clear) and also replaced a roof vent cover that was cracked since we were headed into rain. All done in under 2 hours and just over $200. So home an on our way.

We made it as far as Bristol, TN that night and found a very nice campground about 2 miles from the NASCAR track and after getting settled, headed out in the car for dinner. Trish asked why the car was so noisy and when we got out, discovered the muffler had come loose from the bracket. When we returned to the campground, I asked the manager for a recommendation of a good, inexpensive mechanic. He directed me to a resident of the campground who was a mechanic and had a small shop nearby. The mechanic looked at it, and told me to bring in first thing in the morning. I got up early, followed him to the shop, and he did some miracle welding and fabrication and muffler is now firmly attached. He refused any money since I was a retired DOD employee and he was retired Army. We had a great chat about military life and I headed back to the campground and we got on our way. We had driven only about 5 miles when I had a phone call from the camp manager advising me that I "may" have a tire problem as he had seen unusual drag marks in the gravel near where we had camped. I thanked him and turned white....when I hooked up the car, I realized I had forgotten to 1) turn the engine off (it was running but in neutral) and 2) had left the parking brake on. YIKES! We pulled over and I fixed both, but it gave us a scare. (Everything was fine, we later discovered, but not a good way to begin a drive.)

Trish had discovered when we got to the campground the evening before that the refrigerator was NOT cool. We had it on gas, so it should have worked, but it didn't. That meant a stop at a Camping World in VA, about 2 hours away. We got there before lunch and after talking to the service manager, were promised they would look at it and fix it "before we go home this evening." So we sat in a parking lot in the rain, waiting until almost 5PM before they had a mechanic available. When he finally checked it out, discovered a relay switch was bad and replaced that. With inspection, parts and labor, we wasted another 5 hours in travel and almost $100. But now the refrigerator worked while traveling. We were still 4 hours from Kim and Kris, so only went to Lexington, VA to spend the night. Since Kim would not be home from a business trip until later that day, and Kris was working, we decided to spend time and tour Lexington. We visited the Stonewall Jackson home and had a lovely tour. Lexington has a number of things to see and do and next trip north, we may stay here and spend a couple of day; there is VMI, Washington & Lee University, Gen. Marshall's home and museum, and lots of small shops and boutiques to visit.

Finally we got to Martinsburg and then had to figure out how to park the larger RV next to the house. It was a tight fit, and we couldn't put out the living room slide (street side) but the bedroom slide went out fine, so all was well. Kim came home and after the hugs and hootin and hollarin, we headed out for dinner. The purpose of the trip, aside from seeing the kids, was to celebrate their first anniversary. We stayed for about a week and relaxed, went shopping, talked and had fun. Our newest feline, Koko, learned to walk on a leash and enjoyed going around the block every evening and every morning, checking out smells, sounds and finding new territory to "claim". He learned remarkably fast and adapted well to walking on the leash. But Kris had his business to tend to and Kim had to go to work and Autumn to school, so after an all too short time, we packed up and headed for Ohio and a Mother's Day visit with John's parents.

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Photos

Teapot home
This unusual home (like an old silo) is on the road between the campground and Lexington, VA. It looks like an old teapot! The home is one of a number of homes listed in various guides of unusual homes. It's fun finding sites like this as we travel.

"Date night" for 1st Anniversary
Both kids cleaned up real nice and went out for a relaxing dinner while we stayed back with granddaughter Autumn and had pizza and watched a movie.

Happy Anniversary
The bakery where they got the wedding cake said, "Don't try to save a piece from the wedding; it will be frozen and nasty. Our gift to you on your anniversary is a small cake (like was on top of the wedding cake) for FREE. Just let us know when you need it." WOW! Great service and GREAT taste.

Comments

[Deborah Chamberlain]

Wow!
Wow! That was an expensive start for a relatively short trip. These things happen though. Hoping the rest of your 2014 RV season runs smoothly.

[Angela Herring]

Whew!
Talk about the trip from hell and back! Glad it ended on a happy note (o: