Louisiana Methodist Children's Home Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center

After stops in Sikeston, Mo and North Little Rock, AR, we've arrived for our NOMADS volunteer mission at the Louisiana Methodists Children's Home Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center.  The rig behind us belongs to Don Guy who's here as a volunteer, too.  There's one other person due here this weekend, too.

As I said on Facebook, we're in the middle of nowhere Louisiana near Dubach.  Cell phone and internet service is poor, so there won't be a lot of blog updates.  Looking forward to three weeks of helping out.  Making Salsa in the main item on the list, but there's also trail maintenance and tree removal on the list, too.  Maybe I'll get to drive a tractor?  Would probably break that, too!  Later, David

Stuck in Effingham, IL

Well, that didn't take long.  We're at the Camp Lakewood Campground in Effingham, IL having the belly of the trailer removed so we can find the short that's taken out all 110 v electrical from the Kitchen back.  Another strong statement on the reliability and durability of the RV Industry.  Only two days since we left the manufacturer, too.

Saw a bumper sticker on a pickup in Indiana that asked, "Out of job, yet?  Keep buying foreign."  I'd like to fine that guy & tell 'em the reason no one is buying American is because we don't build anything that works.

End-of-Day Update:  Short found and fixed.  We got a great Mobile RV tech who was good at finding electrical shorts.  He found the short on the opposite side of the trailer where DRV told us to look.   This is our second short on this trailer since January.  DRV uses crimp-style wire connectors and leaves a lot of live wire exposed in the connection boxes.  Just bouncing along on the road over time pretty much ensures we'll get electrical shorts at some point.  As we find these shorts we're cutting the excess exposed wiring and using screw cap covers vice the crimp connectors.  Took the opportunity today to have every connector box we had opened rewired plus the ceiling fan to try to minimize future shorts.  I have no idea why manufacturers insist on wiring these trailers like a house knowing their going to get a rough ride on even the smoothest of roads.

Anyway, Sikeston, MO tomorrow if all goes well.  Promised Donna dinner at Lamberts.  We'll see if I can still catch a throwed bread roll!  David





#DRV #RVIA

A Sleepy Weekend

Shipshewana, IN

We're back at Shipshewana South Campground for a sleepy weekend before heading out to Onan Monday morning to have the generator serviced (which we also do annually).  From there it's south to the Louisiana Methodists Children's Home Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center for our first NOMADS mission. 

So how'd we do with the trailer?  As I posted on the Suites Owners Forum: two thumbs up for DRV (trailer manufacturer); I hate Lippert Components, Inc.  Everything on the trailer is repaired, and DRV completed the suspension service that Lippert blew off.  Our bedroom slide was adjusted to give it as much rearward tilt as possible to offset the frame flex.  Dometic completed a full service on the frig and reported it healthy.  We're not so sure it's healthy (even though it's working fine), but it's documented and we know what we're looking for & watching.  DRV found several items on the trailer installed or assembled incorrectly, and all was fixed (most of these we didn't even know about until the tech read us the final worksheet.)  A recall on the dimmer switches for the ceiling lights was performed.  It's gonna take me a few days to get use to the new switches.  So for now everything is working until we break it.  We'll be on I-55 probably Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.  I'm sure we'll break stuff then.

But until then we're back in Shipshewana enjoying the area.  This is an unusual area for us.  In most areas that we visit after school starts, the campgrounds fill up on the weekend.  Not Shipshewana.  This place is full Monday through Thursday and somewhat empty for the weekend.  Reason:  It's Amish - nothing's open on Sundays.  Kinda nice.  Later, David

P.S.  OK, so one engineer may read this and wonder why the trailer's frame flex isn't being followed up on.  We may if we find the bedroom slide continues to ride on the trailer wall.  But in my defense, I tolerate frame flex.  Coming from a naval aviation background, I was taught that your frame could either flex or break.  Since I'm taught that way, I tolerate frame flex probably more than most.  The real solution (in my mind) is to enlarge the trailer wall opening to allow that bedroom slide to rotate forward and not hit the trailer wall.   And, of course, why isn't DRV doing something about this as it's a known issue, and we're perfect examples that it's not resolved.  Well...I'll just leave that to the discussions bouncing along on the Suites Owners Forum.

Shishewana, IN (and surrounding areas)

Shipshewana, IN - home of the Indiana Amish

If it happens in Shipshewana, IN, try not to step in it.

We're actually in the area to get our trailer serviced plus some repairs.  That's apparently easier said than done when Lippert Components, Inc. is involved.   The subject issue hit my high blood pressure button yesterday morning at our 10:30 AM appointment when Lippert looked at my complaint, stated the offending hydraulic leg was built the way the trailer manufacturer wanted it, and there was nothing they could do about it.  OK, fine.  So go ahead and service the suspension (also manufactured by Lippert), and we'll be on our way.  The tech walks around, checks that the airbags for the air ride suspension are air'd up appropriately, notes no bolts are missing and says we're fine.  No bearing checks, no greasing of the 6 grease fittings per trailer side, no check of bolt torques, no nothing.  I'm handed a piece of paper that says all is fine.  Of course if any of that suspension maintenance stuff isn't up to snuff, you'll over heat the wheel bearings and start a fire.  Last time I check, RVs burn easily.  They're not made of kindling wood, but the glue that all the manufacturers like to use to help keep these things together has a low flash point.  Those bearings heat up enough, the glue ignites and we'll have a real neat bonfire on our hands.  We carry a fire extinguisher in the truck just for that purpose - put out wheel bearing fires on the trailer.   The fire extinguisher at the entrance door of the trailer is a back up - assuming we have enough time to get back there and get the door open.

So off we go to DRV (trailer manufacturer) to get the trailer's fall service complete, fix a few things we've broken, start the process to have the refrigerator replaced (coolant leak - coils are shot), have an unsightly stress fracture under the bedroom slide (a result of the bedroom slide being out of alignment) repaired and the bedroom slide aligned.  Oh, and complain about Lippert.  All goes well until we get to the refrigerator and bedroom alignment thingies.  DRV states they have to give the manufacturer of the refrigerator 24 hrs notice to come out and look at the refrigerator.

Me, "When did you know we'd be here on Sept 14th?"
DRV, "Two months ago."
Me, "When did you get the word we had a refrigerator issue?"
DRV looking at my emails, "10 days ago."
Me, "So we didn't call the refrigerator manufacturer yesterday so they could have a rep here today because????"
Silence from DRV.

Then we move to the bedroom slide.  Second high blood pressure point is reached.
DRV, "Your bedroom alignment is fine."
Me, "Really??"
DRV, "Yep, we'll fix the stress cracks (by creating a stress joint), we'll straighten the bent aluminum on the bedroom slide, reseal it, and replace all the finishing screws that were broken off."
Me, "So how'd we stop that bedroom slide from hitting along the bottom of the side of the trailer, bending all this metal again, and creating more stress cracks?"
DRV, "We'll put that stress joint in there."
Me, "Slide alignment?"
DRV, "Can't solve it.  See it all the time.  It's due to frame flex. You'll have to take it to Lippert and see if they can fix it." Recall that this is the same Lippert that blew us off yesterday trying to get our trailer suspension serviced.  To put this in perspective, this is like you having a problem with your automobile's engine and your car is still under the manufacturer's warranty.  The mechanic at your dealership decides it's the fuel injectors that's causing the engine problem. So the dealership's service department calls you and tells you to take you car back home, call the fuel injector manufacturer and have them fix your car.

So this is the state-of-the-art of the 21st century RV industry.  Manufacturers point fingers at other manufacturers and the customer is left (in our case literally) sitting in the rain in the manufacturer's parking lot with their second lemon 5th wheel in less than three years.  And the gov't & manufacturing just can't quite grasp why the economy just ain't coming back so quickly.  Could it be that the American consumer just can't quite swing the money to buy new pieces of crap every year?

Remember, I warned you.  Don't step in it.  David





#DRV #Lippert #RVIA

Mid-trip update; Eastbound to Howe, IN

Just a mid-trip update.  We're fine and making our way to Howe, IN to have the trailer serviced and several things fixed.  I found it interesting when I was writing an email to my Dad to realize that we've been following I-90 since leaving Yellowstone.  As I sit here and think about it, we've really been on I-90 since leaving Priest Lake, ID.  This is the third year in a row that we've traveled this section of I-90.  It's beginning to get a little too familiar! 

We crossed the Mississippi River today.  Vastly different river than the last time we crossed it in May (notwithstanding that we're significantly further north this time, too!)  We seem to be just behind and a little further north of any weather that's moving east.  Makes for nice days to travel.

We've stopped at the Oakdale, WI KOA for the weekend.  There are a few state parks around this area (north of Wisconsin Dells) that have seemed interesting as we passed through here before.  We'll check those out.  Our plans are to move on to Utica, IL Sunday.  Stopping early to watch football!  Then to one of our favorite destinations on Monday - Shipshewanna, IN. 

Shipshewanna will be our home base as we move around the Elkhart area getting various things service.  Tuesday we're scheduled to visit Lippert to have the trailer suspension serviced and one hydraulic leg looked at.  Wednesday through Friday are dedicated to DRV getting all those nits that happen when you live in one of these trailers.  At the Escapade we discovered the dreaded yellow residue inside the bottom vent for our refrigerator  - we've got a coolant leak.  That one could keep us around a little longer than planned.

The following Monday is set aside to have the generator serviced.  The last time we used the generator, I saw where the voltage regulator/surge protector indicated the generator was putting out power at 59 Hz.  So it needs a little adjusting, too.    From there it's on to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home-Outdoor Learning Center (OWL) for our first volunteer experience with the NOMADS.  Looking forward to that!

So that's the plan.  Until something changes.  Later, David

East Bound, Again

One of the many art works in Gillette, WY

Back again in South Dakota

For us all the Escapade 2011 festivities and mini-block parties are over and we're eastbound, again.  After weighing the truck and trailer today, we traveled over to Wall, SD for our free glass of ice water.  In reality, it was just a good stopping point.  Preference would be to go on to Interior, SD for the night, but it was another hour driving time and a little out of the way.  We've been to Wall, SD before. Wall is a tourist trap.  The "drug store" is less than 2 blocks away, and we haven't even walked over to take a look.

Surprise of the day was the trailer weight.  We've only been on CAT Scales so far.  On our heaviest trip through the scales, the trailer axles were about 14,340 lbs with a educated guess of 4,200 lbs on the hitch.  Today's weighing by Smart Weight was at each wheel position for truck and trailer.  Instead of loading heavy with lots of water, we loaded as normal with as full of fuel as I could get (84 gals in this case) and one day's worth of freshwater so we could see what the normal traveling (for us) weights were on all wheel positions.  We did this in hopes of determining just how heavy the trailer is on the wheel just below the kitchen and possibly be able to adjust (hopefully lower) air pressure to possibly improve truck & trailer ride.  I had no idea just how light we were in this configuration.

It turns out that my guess of 4,200 lbs on the hitch wasn't far off.  Actual trailer weight today on the hitch is 4,285 lbs.  Weight on the trailer axles was 13,335 lbs; 1,000 lbs less that our heaviest read on a CAT Scale. That's what happens when you dump 80 gals of water out of the gray/black tanks before going over the scales.  Anyway, weight on the wheel under the kitchen: 3,550 lbs.  Weight on the opposite trailer wheel on that axle: 3,575 lbs.  Wait just a doggone minute!  The wheel opposite the kitchen carries more weight?  Yep.  We have an air ride suspension on the trailer.  I once scoffed at a gentleman who told me that the air ride suspension will equalize the weight across the axle.  No more scoffing.  So I got what I wanted.  True weights by each wheel.  Looks like we can drop the air pressure about 15 lbs per tire on the trailer.  Ride isn't bad, now.  So we'll probably let the trailer tire pressure leak down naturally over time.  I did reset the baseline pressures in the trailer TPMS to reflect the lower air pressure requirements.  So we can go into Shenandoah Nat'l park with full water and not overload the trailer.  Oh, and we can still carry 265 lbs of more stuff in the truck!  

You really didn't expect to read stuff like this in a blog, did you?  Sorry, but to take a trailer where every appliance is on the same side of that trailer and find out the weight is spread equal side-to-side is just unbelievable to me.  So thanks, Smart Weight, we really appreciate the info!  David

Takes a lot of stuff to run a big rally

Devils Tower / Coal Mines

Devils Tower

Note that I'm not up there.

A shepherd goes to his dog and tells him to round up the sheep and count the number of sheep in the flock.  The dog goes out, does his duty and returns.  So the shepherd asks, "How many sheep?"  "40" the dog replies.  "40?" the owner questions.  "It was only 38 a few days ago."  "I rounded up." states the dog. 

Missed those jokes, haven't you?!

So here's pictures from our tour of Devils Tower and the coal mines around Gillette, WY.  Hope you enjoy them.  David

The money!

The mine

Gillette, WY

We've survived the Escapee's Escapade 2011.  Learned a lot, bought a lot, found more things that need to be checked out on the trailer when we visit DRV week after next, and now have a day off.  We're volunteer dog walkers today.  For those of us who are staying in Gillette, WY over Labor Day, there are two HOPs (HOP = Heading Out Programs or tours); one of which is the Presidents and Indians Tour today to Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse.  Having visited those sites before, we've stayed back to walk dogs for those people attending that HOP (OK, OK, I admit we're doing this to get our dog fix.)   Tomorrow's HOP is to Devil's Tower and visit a coal mine.  We'll be on that one.  Head out for Howe, IN on Tuesday.  We'll complete the trailer weighing as we head out Tuesday morning.  Oh, and we've met a ton of people.  Finally was able to catch up with the Escapee's Class of 2010 (those of us able to become full-time RVers in 2010), eat dinner with and meet folks that work-camp for Disney (Friends of the Mouse BOF), and meet members of the NOMADS BOF.  (BOF = Birds of a Feather; just a group of like minded people.) 

We learned a lot about Gillette, WY.  When I first saw the advertisement for the Escapade at Gillette, I looked at the road map and wondered, "Why Gillette?"  Well, that's still a good question if you don't know the place.  Gillette is a modern day boom town.  It's considered the energy capital of Wyoming.  Yep, coal, natural gas, and oil are here (plus a little uranium if I remember correctly).  Once considered a temporary town, Gillette has been here long enough to be rebuilt (of which the CAM-PLEX is an example).  Financially, energy pays for all of this.  To compensate for the loss of that revenue when that time comes, everything that's public here is paid for (no bonds), and the area has put about $9 Billion in reserves to help that future transition to non-energy revenues.  Sounds like someone here actually read history and is trying to learn from it.  Anyway, it's a nice place in the middle of nowhere that treats visitors real well.  You have to remember, everyone that lives in Gillette, WY is from somewhere else.  They know what it's like!

Well, that 's it for today.  It's laundry, shopping, and dog walking day.  Later, David