Bear with me, it’s been a long week, just thought I'd share for a laugh.:B
All this past week I had to keep reminding myself that RVing is fun, but I can do some dumb things and other things just happened than can make it somewhat more "entertaining" than usual.
A quick week long getaway with DW, DD, the dog and me, just to go chill and relax after not having any real time off for about 18 months.
First gotcha – pinched nerve in my neck last week, making everything painful, meds to take a couple of weeks to reduce the chronic pain, but I can manage. We plan to only drive an hour or so and stay the week – lots of time to relax.
2nd – almost left with the toad in park, caught it after just pulling a few inches. Transmission came out of park with a bang but other than that seems OK.
3rd – pulled into a campground along the way just for propane, road was very narrow and partially blocked for the turn in – got stuck beside their sign – any more forward and the toad would take it out. With some help from friendly campers (and a great deal of embarrassment on my part) got the toad unhooked and managed to get past the sign with only a rub on the last inch of the MH.
4th – While unhooking it, noted that the toad had a very low tire – I figured I’ll pump it up when we set up as I carry a compressor. Trouble is the TPMS seems to be glued to the valve stem – it would not budge. With pliers holding the valve stem all I was doing was tearing up the stem. No problem, I’ll change it out with the spare tire. I've never changed a tire on the toad before in the three years we've had it so I never noticed until now it has no jack! Hoping the tire would last, drove it to the local Wal-Mart, bought a jack and went back and changed the tire.
5th – this is only the second time out in our new to us MH, last time I didn't dump because it was raining cats and dogs, figured I’d dump next time even though the tank was nearly full. So at our destination I pulled into the dumpsite and found out the black water tank dump valve was broken – handle comes out, bayonet gate doesn't move. DW and DD inform me they do not relish the idea of making night trips to the public washrooms etc for the next week.
This happened on Sunday so first thing Monday I called Camping World in Syracuse (I was near Massena NY) and a very understanding service writer said he could try and fit me in Wednesday morning. I could use their hookup on Tuesday night. So we cancelled what we could on our campsite and headed to Syracuse on Tuesday.
Their hookups, though free, are only 20 feet from the I90 so it really wasn’t a great night for sleeping. Oh yeah, along the way I also got another “rub” on the front bumper. In a construction zone a semi in front of us was scattering the orange cones left and right – not really his fault as they had narrowed the road way down – and even though I stayed well back, I hit one with the right front bumper.
Wednesday morning (after a few hiccups) they got the MH in. I really pity the technician – they had to cut into the valve to slide the bayonet gate out so they could dump it before installing the new dump valve – and you know it would leak! Here’s the kicker - the part (3 inch Bayonet) was only $4.02 – the labour ($297.50) and taxes brought the total to $325.64! I was in no position to argue – I could have done it myself at home but when you’re on the road you’re stuck.
5th – Wednesday night at our campsite I noted that although Camping World had fixed the black tank valve, the grey water tank valve now leaks steadily which it did not before.
6th – Couldn't find any place in our destination area that had 4 nights available. Managed to get a couple of nights in a state park, but I couldn't get anywhere for the 2 more nights we wanted. We also had a torrential downpour for three hours that flooded our campsite and I left behind a significant amount of firewood that will not probably dry for a week. Also found out one of our Fantastic Fan leaks and somewhere we have a leak on the front as well.
We’re now home a day earlier than planned all really due to a part that costs $4.02!
The good news is, I just booked a campsite for three days next weekend (same place this all started) and we’ll try again for a relaxing few days.:h
Anyone else had similar trips where nothing seems to go right?
Chris
2008 Holiday Rambler Scepter 42 PDQ
2018 Ford Edge SEL- Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar/Blue Ox Base plate/Patriot Brake System
Retired Canadian Army WO (1971-2000)
