Why can't things just work?

This whole episode started August 17.
We were to have and easy ride from Auburn IN to Dedatur IN to the ARG service facility. As we took I470 to bypass Ft Wayne we were signaled that there was a problem. Pulled off to the shoulder and  saw that there was coolant all over the Jeep and the rear of the coach. Called Good Sam Roadside assistance. And wait and wait and wait. I put out safety triangles but the traffic just didn't move over. The buffeting was terrible.  Finally we were towed to Selking International in FT Wayne. Late evening so we went down the road to a dinner and then off to WalMart to get a few things.

Up at about 0530 so I could be at the service window when it opened at 0600. About 10:00 a tech came out and started work. He determined that the hose clamp at the radiator header tank had come loose. He replaced the hose, tightened clamp, refilled fluid and pressure tested the system. Declared all was well. We went to Decatur and got checked in.

Decatur service picks up the coach at 0600  and returns it by 1430 at the earliest. So went our week and most of the next.

Next was a short trip to Mercer County Fairgrounds. After our week+ there we headed for Cambridge OH. We got as far as Zanesville OH and the low coolant light came on again. We were at an exit so we were able to get to Lucas Truck Sales and Service another International dealer. Again the hose was off. I told them that this was the second time and I thought something more was wrong. They checked everything re-clamped the hose, refilled coolant, pressure tested and we were on our way.

We made it about 15 miles and low coolant. Again we were on the interstate, I70 this time. We couldn't get a tow and opted for a roadside mobile service. I told that tech our tale and he said they used in incorrect clamp. It was to large and would not tighten properly. He installed a spring hose clamp and after the usual refill of fluid and letting it run we were of for the last 10 or so miles to the campground where we arrived at 2300, 11:00PM.

After our tour of Cambridge, which you may have read about a few posts back, we were heading to Winchester VA and Candy Hill camp ground. We never made it.

Along I470 around Wheeling VA off the hose came again. I decided to try Coach Net since it is included with this purchase of the coach. I explained the problem and that this was the 4th time. There offer was to have us towed to Pittsburgh PA. We didn't like that option so we called Good Sam adn they said they would send a mobile service, but if it happened again they would not honer a request for the same service. A different mobile service, Fleet Service, arrived and replaced the hose with another more robust one. We were on our way again.

We expected to make the campground at about 2000, 8PM, We didn't. Just getting off VA37 in Winchester the low coolant light again. We made it to a WalMart parking lot and shut it down for the night.

The next morning I again called Coach Net and told them I was at a new location and gave them the address. They called back and told me a tow company was being dispached from Pittsburgh PA. In shock I said NO I am no where near there. I left them to figure it out. We called Highway Motors an International shop and explained the situation. We agreed that they would send a tech out to reattach the hose and refill coolant so we could drive the 6 miles to there shop.

Just after noon we pulled into a service bay and they started working to find the root cause. At last someone with a brain. There feeling is that the connecting pipe that goes from the engine to near the radiator is not adaquatly supported. They could find now way to add any support. So we agreed that they would install a longer hose with a different type of silicone lining and double clamp each side. The longer hose prevents movement of the pipe and seems to be holding.

Tomorrow we deive the 50 or so miles to the West Virginia State Fairgrounds for the Holiday Rambler International Rally. I have been in contact with Monaco/HR and have arranged for one of their tech that will be at the rally to inspect and make changes they deem necessary.

I must say a few good words about the warranty service I have recieved. I had 3 prior problems and they were all covered by warranty. I had to pay the service providers and submit the invoices and proof of payment and received redimbursement. The 2 roadside service companies charged me for labor and parts, about $800, and I have submitted those invoices and discussed the issue with Customer Relations manager. ARG has done a good job.

Cambridge OH - 2

Two big adventures today, National Museum of Cambridge Glass. We had a very nice docent give us a tour, basically a private tour. The tour took about 2 hours and we did some rubbings of the patterns that were used to do the glass etching. This is another must visit museum Click here for more information on Cambridge Glass.

Lunch was at Francis Family Restaurant. Good food and plenty of it. We enjoyed our lunch we decided we would return for supper unless we found something better. We didn't.

Just across the street was a bakery. How can one pass up the smell of fresh baked goods. We had a difficult time selecting a few items.

Off to the National Road and Zane Grey  Museum. We also had a private guided tour which was very good. Suzette posted some pictures on Facebook and I may get them loaded into our online album.

We asked what else we should see and  headed off to visit John Glenn's boyhood home. After a brief discussion with the receptionist we were taken up stairs to be greeted by John Glenn's "mother" and stepped back to 1944. Great house and tour. 

Cambridge OH -1

We went to a carwash to clean the Jeep. It was covered in red/pink antifreeze. More on that in a future post. After the Jeep was clean we went to Mosser Glass. We had a nice but to short tour of their factory and did purchase a few items. How much does one need in an RV?

The tour was short because you just couldn't get to everything. They are moving HOT glass doing their jobs and you just can't get in their way.

Some where along the way we saw a sign for Hopalong Cassidy Museum. It didn't look like much from the outside but it was open and we had time. Wow what a place. It is housed in an old hospital and filled with antiques and Hoppy memorabilia. A fascinating place. When you are in the area you really need to give this place some time.

We decided to take a ride on the National Road, US40, stopping at two S bridges and returning via I70 to the campground.

We decided to have dinner at Grand Chinese Buffet. It wasn't, We took a walk in WalMart before returning to the coach.

Ketchup

Well not that kind. I need to get this blog in better shape. So I'll put several days in this post.

09/05 Another down day, well we stayed in the park and did laundry and I put together a shelf for shoes in the closet. We did go the local IGA for a few things for supper. Using the wire shelves I removed from the closet I tackled arranging the under sink area to hold our pots and pans etc. I also removed the waste basket holder that is under the cook top so we could better utilize that space. I will do more work on that area when we get to SNF.

09/06 Paul and Sharron joined us for a trip to Sidney for their apple fest. Good food, music, car show, and tractor pull. Awesome pullers, yung'ns on a peddle tractor with a pulling sled. The kids, and us older kids, had a good time.

09/07 Cooked pancakes and bacon for breakfast then off to WalMart to stock up on a few items. I cleaned more of the coach. Paul and Sharron joined us and we visited before going to Bob Evans for BOGO supper. We played rummicube when we returned.

09/08 Today was to be an easy travel day to Cambridge OH. It wasn't. Ill make a separate post on our travel troubles so stay tuned. We pulled in the campground about 11PM. Life on the road.

 

RVillage - Just spreading the word

I joined a new website called RVillage, and I thought you'd be interested too! RVillage is a social networking site built by RVers for RVers. It allows you to find interesting people to meet right in your RV Park and the surrounding area, find all your friends on a map, plan or attend events - and it's free to sign up!

You can plan routes, find RVers, parks and vendors along the way, and share your stories and photos, all in one place. There's even a "Groups" section that includes hundreds of organizations and special interests- whether its crafting or kayaking, Coachmans or Casitas, there's a group for it. Each group has it's own map of members, so you can see where everyone is located around the country. It's really easy to find people with similar interests, and you can meet them "online" or "in person."

If you've ever wanted to connect with neighbors in RV parks as you travel, or you're looking for a few folks to have a BBQ with, or maybe you want to know if another kayaker is staying at an RV park down the road- Here's your answer. It sure beats leaving connections up to chance while walking the dog, or the random stranger coming up asking “what type of engine is in that thing?” while you're busy dumping the tanks!

RVillage has been really well received in the RV industry world. Escapees and Workamper News have both wholeheartedly endorsed the site along with many prominent bloggers. It's already gained over 10,000 members in just 5 months.

I know there's a million websites, networks and clubs out there, but I've never seen anything like RVillage. I hope you decide to join me at rvillage.com! 

We are hrcamper on the village.

Tour Du Jour

We went to Greenville OH and visited the Kitchenaid Experience. This is a really neat store with a museum of products in the lower level. Great place to shop and it is the only official Kitchenaid store in the world. We found that the factory tour was at 12:30 so our next task was food. There are lots of neat places on Broadway but we choose the Double M around the corner on 5th. We would consider this a go to place when you are in Greenville. 

 Next it was off to the KitchenAid factory tour. This was a great tour and we had an excellent tour host. Well worth the hour or so. There was a lot of robotics as well as hand work. It makes you appreciate KitchenAid even more.
 
Then it was off to Bear's Mill for a self guided tour. It was not in operation today and the tour was very interesting. This is a turbine driven mill. Check it out.
 
And since this is Annie Oakley territory we had to visit Garst Museum to see here area as well as Lowel Thomas and a lot of memorabilia.

Miami and Erie Canal

Today we went looking for a "doings" in Piqua Ohio that we had a flyer for. There were to be some festivities about the Miami-Erie Canal We didn't find any event between Piqua and St Mary's OH. We did manage to find a few sites and all in all had an enjoyable day with friends.
Once we returned home, well our rig is our home, Suzette looked up the event on the net and found that it was held in 2012. So much for the flyers you pick up at welcome centers and Chambers of Commerce.