cougarkid
Senior Member
Sorry for the long post..............
We brought home our "new" home (RV) this weekend.
Friday 8-12-11:
We packed a bag and some tools and headed out for a 360 mile drive to go buy the RV at 11:00 am central time. Our small dog (Grace) went along for the ride. Emailed the seller and let him know we were on the way. We stopped a few times along the way for drinks and leaks.
Seller called when we were half way there. He is out of town on business until later on that night. RV is parked at a dealer lot with new alternator and battery installed. They will park it out front and leve the keys on the tire. We have to be there by 6:00 pm. before they lock the gates.
6-hour drive and a 1 hour time change at the Indiana border. We pressed on and hoped for the best. We get to Indy at 5:20 and go straight through on I-70. We stop at the dealership at 5:50. Get the keys and drive it off the lot. Go to the KOA cammpground and park in a spot I reserved.
We level it up with the hydraulic jacks (following owners manual) and get it all hooked up. left front jack has a leak. Slide out and ac running. Start checking it out and yep, the rear ac is bad (knew that). Seller calls and we meet him to get the rest of the keys. Grabbed food and took it back with us. Ate and did some more checking. All is looking good. Turned in for the night and the matress is HARD.
Saturday 8-13-11:
Up and more checking. Pressed/felt all walls inside and out. A few delams, but fixable. Nothing major found. All appliances work. All the awnigs come out and look good - no rips or tears. Generator fires right up and runs everything in the coach. Plumbing works and no leaks.
Seller is working and running late. We email about a tow dolly for sale near by. Ends up being the guy parked behind us at the campground. We go look and buy it. Roll it over and hook it to the RV.
Check all the lights and there are no low beam headlights. Pull the bulbs and both are blown.
Seller shows up and we do the deal. Had the campground manager whitness the transaction. Paid with certified checks - one for his C.U and balance for him.
Went back and broke down camp. Drove the RV and car across the highway to a truck stop and filled it up. Bought new headlight bulbs and put them in - all lights now work.
Down the road to Wally World for an adapter to plug the dolly lights in. Got one, drove the car on the dolly, strapped it in, plugged in the lights and we are off. Stopped at the end of the parking lot and checked the straps - tight.
Hit the road and got onto I-70 west. 360 miles home. Drives like a dream. Runs like a top. Can't tell the car is in tow. Back-up camera with 7" screen is really nice. Trip went really well. Dash ac was not blowing cold, so it was a bit warm. Had the front windows open most of the time. A few stops for drinks along the way.
In western Illinois we ran into a storm..................
Tooling along at 70mph. Looking dark ahead so I turned the lights on. We were just passing Pocahantas and topped a small rise. All of the sudden a large gust came from the north (right side) and pushed us over into the left lane. I fought it back into the right lane, got it under control and turned off the cruise control. Left mirror arm is now turned 90 degress to the left and useless. Rain starts pouring and I turned the wipers on. Slowed down to about 45 mph and kept going. Wind died down, but the rain kept coming.
Rain finally let up and the sun came back out. Now using back-up camera for left side mirror. Left side mirror shows a good view of the outer road on my right. Took an exit and pulled onto the shoulder. Grace got out and did her thing while we repositioned the mirror. Back in and on the road again.
Getting close to St Louis and it is getting dark. Dash lights are not working so I am using my phone to check gauges. Headlights are on and working, but the aim is WAY off. Turned the lights on high beam and drove on.
Pulled in at home and parked on the gravel across from our older rv.
Sunday 8-14-11:
Spent the day cleaning and washing. Vacuumed the basement. Washed the outside. Installed the screen door. Worked on the electric steps to no avail. It looks a lot better now - has a shine to it.
Had it leveled on the jacks. Went to let it down and back it up. Pushed the "store" button and the front end went down about a foot instantly with a "pow". Fluid all over the concrete. Blew out the left front hydraulic line at the jack. Woo-hoo! At least I found the leak.
Started it up and backed it up. Cleaned up my mess.
Replace the rubber roof and we will be ready to go. All-in-all, this will be a great RV for us. Size and features we wanted for our future plans. All for under $20,000.
Can't wait to get it ready and travel in it!
Mike
We brought home our "new" home (RV) this weekend.
Friday 8-12-11:
We packed a bag and some tools and headed out for a 360 mile drive to go buy the RV at 11:00 am central time. Our small dog (Grace) went along for the ride. Emailed the seller and let him know we were on the way. We stopped a few times along the way for drinks and leaks.
Seller called when we were half way there. He is out of town on business until later on that night. RV is parked at a dealer lot with new alternator and battery installed. They will park it out front and leve the keys on the tire. We have to be there by 6:00 pm. before they lock the gates.
6-hour drive and a 1 hour time change at the Indiana border. We pressed on and hoped for the best. We get to Indy at 5:20 and go straight through on I-70. We stop at the dealership at 5:50. Get the keys and drive it off the lot. Go to the KOA cammpground and park in a spot I reserved.
We level it up with the hydraulic jacks (following owners manual) and get it all hooked up. left front jack has a leak. Slide out and ac running. Start checking it out and yep, the rear ac is bad (knew that). Seller calls and we meet him to get the rest of the keys. Grabbed food and took it back with us. Ate and did some more checking. All is looking good. Turned in for the night and the matress is HARD.
Saturday 8-13-11:
Up and more checking. Pressed/felt all walls inside and out. A few delams, but fixable. Nothing major found. All appliances work. All the awnigs come out and look good - no rips or tears. Generator fires right up and runs everything in the coach. Plumbing works and no leaks.
Seller is working and running late. We email about a tow dolly for sale near by. Ends up being the guy parked behind us at the campground. We go look and buy it. Roll it over and hook it to the RV.
Check all the lights and there are no low beam headlights. Pull the bulbs and both are blown.
Seller shows up and we do the deal. Had the campground manager whitness the transaction. Paid with certified checks - one for his C.U and balance for him.
Went back and broke down camp. Drove the RV and car across the highway to a truck stop and filled it up. Bought new headlight bulbs and put them in - all lights now work.
Down the road to Wally World for an adapter to plug the dolly lights in. Got one, drove the car on the dolly, strapped it in, plugged in the lights and we are off. Stopped at the end of the parking lot and checked the straps - tight.
Hit the road and got onto I-70 west. 360 miles home. Drives like a dream. Runs like a top. Can't tell the car is in tow. Back-up camera with 7" screen is really nice. Trip went really well. Dash ac was not blowing cold, so it was a bit warm. Had the front windows open most of the time. A few stops for drinks along the way.
In western Illinois we ran into a storm..................
Tooling along at 70mph. Looking dark ahead so I turned the lights on. We were just passing Pocahantas and topped a small rise. All of the sudden a large gust came from the north (right side) and pushed us over into the left lane. I fought it back into the right lane, got it under control and turned off the cruise control. Left mirror arm is now turned 90 degress to the left and useless. Rain starts pouring and I turned the wipers on. Slowed down to about 45 mph and kept going. Wind died down, but the rain kept coming.
Rain finally let up and the sun came back out. Now using back-up camera for left side mirror. Left side mirror shows a good view of the outer road on my right. Took an exit and pulled onto the shoulder. Grace got out and did her thing while we repositioned the mirror. Back in and on the road again.
Getting close to St Louis and it is getting dark. Dash lights are not working so I am using my phone to check gauges. Headlights are on and working, but the aim is WAY off. Turned the lights on high beam and drove on.
Pulled in at home and parked on the gravel across from our older rv.
Sunday 8-14-11:
Spent the day cleaning and washing. Vacuumed the basement. Washed the outside. Installed the screen door. Worked on the electric steps to no avail. It looks a lot better now - has a shine to it.
Had it leveled on the jacks. Went to let it down and back it up. Pushed the "store" button and the front end went down about a foot instantly with a "pow". Fluid all over the concrete. Blew out the left front hydraulic line at the jack. Woo-hoo! At least I found the leak.
Started it up and backed it up. Cleaned up my mess.
Replace the rubber roof and we will be ready to go. All-in-all, this will be a great RV for us. Size and features we wanted for our future plans. All for under $20,000.
Can't wait to get it ready and travel in it!
Mike
