Branson, Here we come!!
So Sunday morning I go and get the MoHo from the storage lot and fill with fuel and propane to bring it home. I started the fridge on propane that day to cool for loading food on Monday. Sunday was busy with the cleaning and preparation for the trip. The plan was to leave on Monday morning, so I loaded clothes and shoes, etc for wife and I. I also loaded dry food and soda plus other stuff for the trip.
On Monday morning, after the fridge had been on all night, when I started to load cold items, the fridge was not cold - so I made an alternate plan using a foam cooler for frozen and another for cold stuff. (That was warning #1)
It took awhile to get the alternate cold storage situated, but it was OK and I was sure we would be fine in that regard. Then I started the engine and tried to load the route and GPS in the dashboard computer. Somehow, during the six months of non-use, a large black band (dead pixels) went from lower left to upper right. But ...no worries - I have another computer in the home office - all I need to do is load the programs and maps! (Warning #2)
Also, at that time, I noticed the dash-cam was not working - I did a reset on it and no response! But again, no worries - I have a good dash cam in the Saturn TOAD and I just need to change it over. (Warning # 3)
Then with everything loaded, I got the Saturn hooked-up to tow and ready for departure at 11:30. BUT...as I was preparing to get DW into the rig, the lift would not work. (I installed an external lift after her fall last year as she cannot go up & down steps now.) I traced the wiring and found the problem. And while I was doing that, I heard a slight hiss from under the rig. Long story short, there are two air tanks for air pressure for air brakes. (As you know, air pressure is needed to release the brakes and hold them open - no air, the brakes lock and the transmission will not shift into drive.) Both tanks are rusty, but the end cap on one had two pinhole leaks and when I touched it, it was just soft rust! It could fail at any time - locking the brakes!!! (Warning #5!)
IF we had been on the road at 55 MPH and the tank failed, the transmission would go to neutral and the brakes would lock! I dread to think what could happen in that situation on the mountain roads in Arkansas and leading to Branson. Most likely an uncontrolled stop and perhaps roll-over. I'm not sure and I do not wish to find out!
I knew I did not want to take the rig on the road.
So Monday afternoon was taken up with unloading everything from the rig! I called the truck repair shop about 45 minutes from here (Big Wheel in Hammond) and made arrangements to take it there. I made it OK to Hammond , but that was as far as I wanted to go without the replacement of the air tanks and hoses.
Guardian Angel? I'm not sure, but I think so!! Religious - not too much, but Monday was a special day.
So Sunday morning I go and get the MoHo from the storage lot and fill with fuel and propane to bring it home. I started the fridge on propane that day to cool for loading food on Monday. Sunday was busy with the cleaning and preparation for the trip. The plan was to leave on Monday morning, so I loaded clothes and shoes, etc for wife and I. I also loaded dry food and soda plus other stuff for the trip.
On Monday morning, after the fridge had been on all night, when I started to load cold items, the fridge was not cold - so I made an alternate plan using a foam cooler for frozen and another for cold stuff. (That was warning #1)
It took awhile to get the alternate cold storage situated, but it was OK and I was sure we would be fine in that regard. Then I started the engine and tried to load the route and GPS in the dashboard computer. Somehow, during the six months of non-use, a large black band (dead pixels) went from lower left to upper right. But ...no worries - I have another computer in the home office - all I need to do is load the programs and maps! (Warning #2)
Also, at that time, I noticed the dash-cam was not working - I did a reset on it and no response! But again, no worries - I have a good dash cam in the Saturn TOAD and I just need to change it over. (Warning # 3)
Then with everything loaded, I got the Saturn hooked-up to tow and ready for departure at 11:30. BUT...as I was preparing to get DW into the rig, the lift would not work. (I installed an external lift after her fall last year as she cannot go up & down steps now.) I traced the wiring and found the problem. And while I was doing that, I heard a slight hiss from under the rig. Long story short, there are two air tanks for air pressure for air brakes. (As you know, air pressure is needed to release the brakes and hold them open - no air, the brakes lock and the transmission will not shift into drive.) Both tanks are rusty, but the end cap on one had two pinhole leaks and when I touched it, it was just soft rust! It could fail at any time - locking the brakes!!! (Warning #5!)
IF we had been on the road at 55 MPH and the tank failed, the transmission would go to neutral and the brakes would lock! I dread to think what could happen in that situation on the mountain roads in Arkansas and leading to Branson. Most likely an uncontrolled stop and perhaps roll-over. I'm not sure and I do not wish to find out!
I knew I did not want to take the rig on the road.
So Monday afternoon was taken up with unloading everything from the rig! I called the truck repair shop about 45 minutes from here (Big Wheel in Hammond) and made arrangements to take it there. I made it OK to Hammond , but that was as far as I wanted to go without the replacement of the air tanks and hoses.
Guardian Angel? I'm not sure, but I think so!! Religious - not too much, but Monday was a special day.
Wow, what a series of close calls! It sounds like you had a real guardian angel watching over you.
All those warnings before hitting the road could definitely be seen as signs—like the 1212 angel number, which often symbolizes new beginnings and the need to pay attention to your surroundings: https://meaning.bot/angel+number+1212+meaning+for+love,+money,+career,+health,+bible,+and+pregnancy/
It seems like those issues with the fridge, dash cam, and especially the air tanks were all nudging you to take a step back.
Better to discover these problems before you hit the road than during your trip, especially with the potential for something serious like brake failure.
It sounds like you made the right call by unloading and getting the rig checked out.
Here’s hoping your journey to Branson is safe and smooth once everything is sorted out.
Enjoy the Mardi Gras fun and let the good times roll!
