Still Waiting...

 

Well, trailer almost done.  Maybe get it back this coming week?  Since we last posted we had to dump one holding tank (black tank) and winterize the trailer.  All with no dump station nor terrain friendly to a buddy tank (portable holding tank).  

The trailer sits in a parking lot next to a truck repair facility.  It's safe and out of the way.  However, hookups for a RV would be the furthest thing from anyone's mind when building a truck repair facility. What would be easy to do at a campground became a challenge that we had to take on or render the trailer uninhabitable until we could get the holding tanks replaced.  Had to remember how to get freshwater antifreeze into the trailer.  I wasted a gallon or so until it all came back to me. We got it done.  Still no part to fix the hydraulic problem we were experiencing and what started this whole little side adventure we're currently experiencing.

We've had a great visit with Frank & Beth.  They've tolerated us extremely well.  Donna & I got a chance to work our our frustrations by helping deconstruct a 100 year old corn crib.  While Frank and his tractor did all of the heavy tear down and other work, there's something just relaxing about ripping boards off, hammering out nails and throwing stuff away at a garbage dump.

We got our doc appointments in, too.  Donna's been visiting as she always does when in the Fredericksburg, VA area.  She generally gets a rental car and once she drives away, I don't see her until the day before we leave the area and have to turn in the rental car.  She's been around more this visit as she enjoys visiting with Frank & Beth and helps with the cooking.  We've forgotten what it's like to have almost unlimited hot water and to use a regular washer and dryer that takes no time to do its work. 

Oh, we also confirmed that we'll be at back at the Jackson National Fish Hatchery (Jackson, WY) next summer 2023.  We'll be there almost five months next year.  Of course this all assumes that the trailer will make it there.

So that gets you up to date with us.  Thanks for dropping by checking up on us.  We'll post more once we get on the road.  Keep your fingers crossed!  David

@ Fredericksburg, VA

Alternate Blog Post Title: RV Preventive Maintenance Doesn't Prevent Anything  (OK, maybe caulking helps, but that's it!)

The picture is of what's left of our off-door side rear wheel - one of the wheels that had a full bearing and brake service while at MORryde on September 22nd.  The wheel came off on US 211 between Warrenton & Luray (Virginia).  

We'd experienced a repeat hydraulic system leak (began in July while in Great Falls, MT)) on the front legs that would let the front of the trailer drop over the span of an hour or two.  We'd left Luray Thursday morning to a hydraulic shop in Bealeton, VA for trouble shooting and repair.  We got that completed and parts on order (a 12 year old valve was going bad - probably a weak spring inside the valve).  We were on our way back to Luray, VA when a really nice lady got our attention and Donna got the rig off the highway onto a turn lane.  

What the picture (above) shows is what we found.  They lady knew where the wheel was (it rolled off our trailer in front of her), and we got it back.  Visual inspection shows no addition damage to the trailer.  No one was injured nor was any other vehicle involved.  Lots of people dropped by and offered assistance while we waited for tow service assistance (Good Sam ERS) to come get us.  Even a deputy sheriff came by and visited for a while.  We are blessed and lucky!

The tow service got there about 90 minutes after the request was made.  It was decided to chain up the axle's suspension so it wouldn't drag, and we'd tow the trailer 25 miles to New Market, VA for repair.  We looked like one of those oversized truck loads with a tow truck following with flashing lights on to warn people that we were slow.  Took about an hour and crossing two Appalachian Mountain passes to get us to New Market.  The trailer's at LL Trucking Repair in New Market.  They should look at it later this week and get parts on order.  It's probably a whole new axle system (less suspension).  Only the tire is usable.

We hope to be back on the road with both wheel and hydraulic repairs completed by the end of October.

Oh, best guess so far is that a wheel bearing overheated and came apart.  

We're fine and staying at Beth & Frank's Storage and B&B in Fredericksburg.  (Inside joke as they're best friends of ours, and we use them as a large package & mail drop when we're in the area.)  We're here until the trailer is repaired, or we're kicked out - whichever comes first.

When we know more, we'll post more.  David