Jim Dick
Moderator Emeritus
As many of you know, we had to replace the cooling unit in our refer prior to leaving for Yellowstone. We now have been on the road for 12 days and have made it as far as Celina, OH.
We left TGO on 24 April to visit our kids and grandkids in VA before heading west. We got as far as St. Augustine where I stopped to check the tires, toad, etc. To my dismay, I found a tire tread starting to separate from the sidewall. We were able to drive 3 miles up the road to the Flying J and called Coachnet. They could not find anyone to bring a tire since it was Easter Sunday. Pat asked the clerk at the store if they knew of anyone and they gave her three contacts. Coachnet finally got one of them to show up but he did not have the correct tire. Took another day for them to locate one in Orlando. Then they wanted $100 to pick it up. Coachnet agreed to cover that cost.
While waiting for the tire to arrive I decided to add a little gear oil to the front bearings. When replacing the plug, the window fractured. Now some oil is pouring out of the hub! After several calls and an Internet search, we found that Ring Power carried the window. I went to one that was 17 miles north and found they didn't have one in stock but could order it. After much searching, they finally found a number. I had them order two as I knew the other one would break if I didn't.
Back to Flying J and the tire service finally showed up late in the day. By some miracle, he also had a window that I was able to install. The next morning we drove to Ring Power to pick up the expedited parts. After getting back to the coach I found the part would fit but the plug was no longer removable!! Apparently they are for a hub that has a side fill. The parts cost $28 and the shipping was over $45! Now I still have to find the right part.
While boon docking at Flying J, I discovered the battery voltage was dropping extremely fast. I turned everything off and the inverter was still drawing 53 amps! A call to Gary Brinck got me the number of Kevin Mallory in Celina, who used to work for American Coach. We all agreed the Source Manager had a problem and they no longer make parts for it. We now have a new Magnum Inverter with converter/charger along with new transfer switch. The Source Manager had everything in one box.
On our way to Celina we stopped at a campground. As I was turning onto a side road, the power steering quit. A slight acceleration brought it back. It continued to happen anytime I slowed below 5mph. The next morning the power steering worked flawlessly. I am waiting for a truck garage to get new filters so we can flush the system. Hoping that will prevent any further loss of power.
So far this trip has cost us about half of what we will make this summer at Yellowstone. If fuel prices keep climbing, we may be in the hole before we get back. At least we have the summer to enjoy and we are hoping many Framily will stop by to visit.
I will say if anyone is in Ohio area and needs work done on their coach, Kevin Mallory is the man. He and his employee worked for American Coach for many years. They offer full service on RV's. We couldn't ask for any better service than what they have provided. We have a place to park with power and they have gone out of their way to fix our problems and help with those they can't handle, mainly chassis work. I certainly would use their abilities again if needed. They are top notch!!! The name of their business is Cruising America RV Service Co.
This trip has not been uneventful but getting the family together for Pat's birthday was worth it. We had a great time which will be remembered forever.
We left TGO on 24 April to visit our kids and grandkids in VA before heading west. We got as far as St. Augustine where I stopped to check the tires, toad, etc. To my dismay, I found a tire tread starting to separate from the sidewall. We were able to drive 3 miles up the road to the Flying J and called Coachnet. They could not find anyone to bring a tire since it was Easter Sunday. Pat asked the clerk at the store if they knew of anyone and they gave her three contacts. Coachnet finally got one of them to show up but he did not have the correct tire. Took another day for them to locate one in Orlando. Then they wanted $100 to pick it up. Coachnet agreed to cover that cost.
While waiting for the tire to arrive I decided to add a little gear oil to the front bearings. When replacing the plug, the window fractured. Now some oil is pouring out of the hub! After several calls and an Internet search, we found that Ring Power carried the window. I went to one that was 17 miles north and found they didn't have one in stock but could order it. After much searching, they finally found a number. I had them order two as I knew the other one would break if I didn't.
Back to Flying J and the tire service finally showed up late in the day. By some miracle, he also had a window that I was able to install. The next morning we drove to Ring Power to pick up the expedited parts. After getting back to the coach I found the part would fit but the plug was no longer removable!! Apparently they are for a hub that has a side fill. The parts cost $28 and the shipping was over $45! Now I still have to find the right part.
While boon docking at Flying J, I discovered the battery voltage was dropping extremely fast. I turned everything off and the inverter was still drawing 53 amps! A call to Gary Brinck got me the number of Kevin Mallory in Celina, who used to work for American Coach. We all agreed the Source Manager had a problem and they no longer make parts for it. We now have a new Magnum Inverter with converter/charger along with new transfer switch. The Source Manager had everything in one box.
On our way to Celina we stopped at a campground. As I was turning onto a side road, the power steering quit. A slight acceleration brought it back. It continued to happen anytime I slowed below 5mph. The next morning the power steering worked flawlessly. I am waiting for a truck garage to get new filters so we can flush the system. Hoping that will prevent any further loss of power.
So far this trip has cost us about half of what we will make this summer at Yellowstone. If fuel prices keep climbing, we may be in the hole before we get back. At least we have the summer to enjoy and we are hoping many Framily will stop by to visit.
I will say if anyone is in Ohio area and needs work done on their coach, Kevin Mallory is the man. He and his employee worked for American Coach for many years. They offer full service on RV's. We couldn't ask for any better service than what they have provided. We have a place to park with power and they have gone out of their way to fix our problems and help with those they can't handle, mainly chassis work. I certainly would use their abilities again if needed. They are top notch!!! The name of their business is Cruising America RV Service Co.
This trip has not been uneventful but getting the family together for Pat's birthday was worth it. We had a great time which will be remembered forever.