Most Expensive Camp Site Ever

[JimBollman]

Was heading home last Sunday with my 2000 F250 7.3L with 8 foot Shadow Cruiser Popup on the back pulling a 12 foot enclosed trailer. Was on the last leg of a 2+ week trip and heading down the new I-99 old Rt 15 in PA when I heard a strange noise coming from the engine compartment. Pulled into the PA Visitor Center and discovered the serpentine belt trying to self destruct. I trimmed some of the loose pieces that were swing around and hitting things but it didn't look like it would last the 500+ miles I still needed to go. I went into the visitor center and ask the fellow where the closest Ford garage was and he wiped out a small map of the Mansfield area and put an X on the map where the Ford garage was located. and told me about how far I needed to go. Made it to Mansfield and got off on the North side of town so I could go slower the last bit and scout out the area. Drove by a Walmart maybe 1/2 mile from the Ford garage that the visitor center guy thought allowed overnight camping. Drove to the Ford garage just to see where it was with the plan to loop back to Walmart for the night. Started to pulled into the Ford driveway to turn around and the belt snapped. Drove in about 30-40 feet and shut down and set up camp for the night.

Was in easy walking distance of a dinner and a ice cream shop, we had emptied out most of our supplies and turned off the frig not intending to cook any more this trip.

Was sitting by camper having coffee when they opened the doors Monday morning. They were great, told me where to drop the trailer and got it right in. Bad news the water pump had seized causing the belt to break. It probably was making noise earlier but the diesel noise masked it. Before noon we were on the way South again. Camping for the night a little over $700.

Couldn't have pick a better place to break down. Ford of Mansfield PA was great.

[jimh406]

I camped at Erics RV in Sequim and had a Banks Power Pack system put on. If I remember right, it was a little less than $3K modification for an overnight stay. It really woke up that 460 in my Class A ... For the record, the basic modification of replacing the bolts in the exhaust manifold was going to be about $850, so I thought I might as well add headers and of course, tuning, and transmission mods.

[Reddog1]

gbopp wrote:
You may have paid a little over $700 for a campsite but, you got a free water pump and belt installed. 🙂

I never thought of it that way.

[1320Fastback]

I always keep a good old belt under the seat and since water pumps on old 12valves are literally the easiest thing to change, one of those is under the seat too.

$7 bills is a hard hit but could of been much worse.

[gbopp]

You may have paid a little over $700 for a campsite but, you got a free water pump and belt installed. 🙂

[Reddog1]

A few years back I had a similar experience. Transmission gave up, three nights camped behind transmission shop for $4500. It did include towing for 15 miles.

Wayne

[SCVJeff]

Sounds to me it should be divided over 14 days if you want to bill it to a trip

[Kayteg1]

Good to hear you beat Murphy law.
I still can't take it as camping cost.
Would you break down 100 miles from the city, get it towed for $260 and go for coffee, would you call it $260 coffee?