Today was interesting for sure.
We knew we had to get a tire for the toad, I didn't see the problem until after we ordered the other. We have determined that the piece of tire I hit on the freeway going through Phoenix is what caused my problem. I just didn't see how a railroad track could do all that. There was a cut on the tire on the same side as the problem with the motorhome tire. The guys at Wickenburg said I could get that tire in Kingman, it was holding air and we were not driving fast. Got our new tire this morning and got it on, I had the guy tork all my other tires as I didn't know when they had last been done.
We sure went up some grades today and I saw tons of Joshua Trees, I wanted to stop and take pictures but didn't see a good place. We went over Burro Creek and since I was driving I couldn't look down, Sue Anne said it went way way way down there. Then we finally got to the top and pulled over. I don't know if the poor guy driving the Swift truck ever got to the top. He was down to 40mph when I passed him! There were 2 fuel tanks there towing double tankers and I guess cooling things down. there was a little old building there and it said this is Nothing, Arizona, population 4. I'm sure it was empty. So I decided we would stop and fix lunch, Sue Anne had a microwave pizza and I had a hamburger sandwich and we took off again. I haven't driven in the west all that much.
I told the truckers I could use something with more power, they said so could they. Hubby said I just worry to much that its fine and I just need to drive it and it will shift down when it needs to. I'm always afraid I will break something so I know he's right. The one guy says now be careful after you go through a certain area the police are always there. I says no worry unless they ticket me for going to slow it sure won't be for speeding. They got a good chuckle out of that.
We got in lots of road construction, driving very very slowly, down to 25mph as they were building a new road for miles and miles. I was still intrigued with the scenery to me it was just so different.
We got within 8 miles of Kingman and I heard a beeping, I couldn't figure out what it was. I kept asking Sue Anne and she didn't hear me, I thought it was an alarm clock we have in here. So I pulled off at a Love's there and found it was the carbon monoxide detector in the back bedroom where she was laying down. OH MY GOD! I opened windows, got her out of the back and turned on the fan. Tom and I had talked about the exhaust and it needing fixed as quickly as I could and I had already decided to look into it when I got in Kingman, but I didn't really think it would do that while we were moving, idling yes, I could see that. I had made sure all our detectors had new batteries before I left, don't even take one of those out or let the batteries go dead. It likely saved Sue Anne. I was only going to drive 8 more miles anyway, but still, who knows what it could have done.
So then I see my air bags are down and won't air that just happened, they had been fine because I look at the gauge all the time, humm. So I'm on my way to Kingman, 8 miles, made her sit in the front with me, opened 2 side windows just in case and no more beeping. I had asked at the truck stop and she told me where to get off in Kingman for tires. I did and stopped at a Goodyear shop. He could get me a tire but he said they had an RV shop too right around the corner so I came here.
They got my new tire on my toad. I told them about my tailpipe and they sent it out to have one made in the morning. So the guys weren't busy and they checked under the coach. They found the heat from the tailpipe, yes the heat had melted my air line for the air bags in back. While there the guy said I see a red line melted too, do you know what it is. I'm thinking and realize it is the airline to my toad brakes. This is unreal. So they fix both of these for me and said they saw nothing else that was bothered.
So I didn't have to drive the coach anywhere they put us us here, the 2nd night at a business! They could supply electric and I could fill my water tank, I had used most of it last night. So while they are putting on a new tire I went over to Flying J, dumped my tanks and filled my propane tank as its been cold at night. They said they have people with motorhomes that have to stay for days at times so nothing new for them.
Here we are about 100 miles from Vegas and still not there. But I still have my good karma and I think an angel sitting on my shoulder. I will always always make sure I have a carbon monoxide detector in my RV's for sure, I do in my home and going to check and make sure when I get home.
It's just odd how much damage that something as simple as a piece of tire can cause to a coach and car. I know anytime we go anywhere things can and do happen. As others say all you need it is a checkbook, how true, how true.
And I made sure to keep the tailpipe they cut off and they took it to the guy that is fabricating one for the motorhome, so all will be well.
Sue Anne wanted McD's tonight and she got it plus a couple of kisses, alls well.