May Update

We fine - running about two weeks behind schedule. Today we're in Kearney, NE and planning to get to Grand Teton on the 28th. We've had a good trip out of Howe, IN so far. Only one day of some rain and today was our first really windy, headwind day. We're also gaining elevation each day, so fuel mileage is on the low side.

We were able to get get most of our slide issues fixed. As is usually the case, when the trailer went into the Lippert shop in Howe, IN (old DRV Service Center), the shop couldn't duplicate the issue. We'd brought the trailer there with the bedroom slide empty (under bed storage empty). We pull all our stuff we typically carry under the bed back in that storage area and the slide worked OK. We started testing it out and while doing so, the kitchen slide failed. Started fooling with both slides and everything just stopped. Push any button you want, nothing moved. No slide, no leveling legs, nothing.

We metaphorically threw our hands in the air in frustration and left the shop. Walked some of Sturgis to get the frustration out and thought about the batteries. In the past we'd had a battery short itself out and created the same situation. Went back to the shop to tell them and when we got there, they had it all working. Turns out that we had the leveling legs fully extended (rare for us as we learned not to do that) plus all the slides out. We'd run too low on hydraulic fluid for things to work. We left for the day while the shop got all the air out of the hydraulic lines and repaired the kitchen slide. We got it back the next day. There's still work to do on the bedroom slide that we'll get taken care of when we get to North Carolina in the fall. Otherwise, all seems OK.

In other sad news, I've lost two mentors since we last posted. Kurt Shovestal was one of several people who trained me in what was called Earned Value Management when I retired. Kurt's calm leadership really aided me in learning how to present the information we gained and deal with various program offices and contractors when presenting that information. Two weeks later we learned Judy Bahnmiller past away. Greg & Judy taught us how to be fulltime RVers. When we were in the Gulf Shores area, Judy was always arranging lunches with fellow RVers and setting up game night. We think the world of Greg & Judy. She will be missed.

So from here the plan, what there is of it, is to travel to Sidney, NE (Cabela's) tomorrow. Go to Laramie, WY the next day. After that it's an overnight in Lander, WY. Move to Grand Teton the following day. We plan to be in Grand Teton until September 23rd.

That's it for us. Thanks for dropping by and checking up on us. Until next time, David

 

April - Early May Update

Kider's "World Fair" Garden, Middlebury, IN

We're fine & in Elkhart, IN for awhile. We're in-between service appointments for the trailer - this upcoming one unplanned. And if you haven't guessed or read our history, it's hydraulics or at least something affecting hydraulics like a broken bracket or weld on our bedroom slide.

Now don't go beating up on Elkhart, IN. There's a lot of worse places to be "stuck" plus there's a lot of really nice places that if you get stuck, you're toast. No one can come help you. That's why we're staying here. Lippert factory service is 35 mins away. You just gotta get an appointment. We're currently scheduled for the 18th of May plus we're on the first-call list if someone cancels.

We'd had a good trip up from Virginia and visited an old repair shop in Lagrange, IN that's under new management to get a few things replace or repaired plus some general maintenance on the trailer.  Techs that worked on the trailer were great, but not experienced in a larger, multi-slide unit with hydraulics. When the work was finished, we went in to check the work before leaving. We were so excited to see & check things while the trailer was inside the shop that we forgot to level the trailer before doing anything. When Donna moved the bedroom slide there was a large pop. Donna retracted the slides, we leveled the trailer and reopened the slides. Didn't notice anything else wrong. The work that was done was excellent. We paid & left.  

We left the Lagrange/Howe area the next day. I had opened the slides the morning we left and noticed that the bedroom slide didn't full extend. I figured we had an air bubble which we'd work out as time went on. We we arrived at Elkhart, we leveled and extended the slides. I watched the bedroom slide as it fully extended, then retracted about 4 inches. Donna re-extended the bedroom slide and it retracted (per Donna) about 2 inches. The third time it held.

As were doing all of this Donna sees the temp gauge in the freezer indicate 74 degrees and it's not dropping (but we have ice). OK, we got two things going whacky. Guess we stayed RV full-timer & kept the trailer one year too long! Once, again, we're coming out of service, we're in Indiana and we're developing a cascade of additional problems. It's a recurring theme for us.

Turns out the problem with the freezer is a bad battery in the thermometer. Confirmed by placed a different thermometer in the freezer. A new battery and it's all going well. 

Bedroom slide becomes a problem. We cannot see if any fluid is leaking. the slide frame and hydraulics is completely hidden from view. Do we travel and take our chances or be late to our volunteer position at Grand Teton. We chose to be late. Not an exciting proposition for a guy who, when I say we'll be there, intends to be there. Kinda like you word is your bond - no contract needed. Fortunately, all the staff at Grand Teton is great. While we've thrown a small wrench into the staffing schedule & will miss training, we were told to be safe and get there when we can.

So we wait. Now to see if I can get camping reservations over Memorial Day weekend! Anyway, that gets you up to date with us.  Thanks for dropping by and checking up on us! David