Interesting trip

[gwteale]

Just retired, purchased the MH for the dream trip to Alaska, got all the service done, fixed what needed fixing and departed from Fredericksburg VA.
1st day out smooth sailing - 13.1 per gallon - Ohio
2nd day out - Dash Air went south, 13.5 per gallon - Illinois
3rd day - lost power on hill, found out bad fuel load and fuel filter water saturated, couldn't find replacement filter til next day - 13.2 mpg- Iowa
4th day - lost fan belt, lost another fan belt, lost ac compressor belt, got towed from 10 ton tow truck, replaced belts myself because no one would take the job - 13.7 mgp- S Dakota
5th day - service appt in Rapid City , SD to fix oil leak ( one quart every 200 miles - $6 parts/$464 labor (make sure you check the per hour rate - its not the rate posted on the wall. 14.1 mpg - S Dakota
6th day - lost transmission fluid line in Shelby, Montana, 9 PM, I-15 top of the hill. No tow just helpful folks. Repaired line, added fluid, slept at closed conveinence store. ?? mpg - Montana



Finally understood that trip was not meant to be, turned around and came back home. Lost the coach water pump, propane requlator, overheats going up hill and the fuel primer pump on the side of the engine now leaks and system has to be primed each morning before starting the day's run.

Came back thru N Dakota, Minn, Wisc, Upper Michigan, Lower Michigan, and thence home. Wow, what a trip and looking forward to the next one.
Looks like New Hampshire for fall color.

Over all mileage was 13.45 for 5745 miles.

We sure live in a beautiful country and there are lots of nice people out there willing to help out when you're in trouble.
Rick

[maxandgeorgia]

For so much unexpected trouble and cancellation of a dream trip, you are a champion at seeing the flowers and not the weeds! Thanks for posting, good luck at all the fixes to get you ready for next year, and may your positive outlook rub off on all of us

[67caravel]

Truly the power of a positive attitude at work!

Congrats on a great trip!

[87MH]

Originally Posted by gwteale

We sure live in a beautiful country and there are lots of nice people out there willing to help out when you're in trouble.
Rick

Rick:

13+ mpg is a GREAT average for a 28 footer - you have the Isuzu diesel, don't you?

Sorry about the failed plans to Alaska - but you make the right decision to get it home and iron out the Gremlins. May I suggest several weekend trips close to home prior to embarking on a long voyage to shake out the systems.

As far as fall color - it appears as if a goodly number of MoHos will be in attendance at the Chatanooga Ralley Oct. 21-22 -- maybe you could make it also.

Also, I know several of us would appreciate a bit more detail of your problems, your fixes, and, in hindsight, what you would have done differently prior to your departure.........if we haven't had the problems you have encountered, we probably will in the near future.

The Forum is great for sharing solutions and alternative thinking!

Best of luck on your next (short) trip.

[gwteale]

Dennis, XRAY, maxand georgia
Thanks for the good words, I really like the MH but I have to tell you it really put a strain on my wife. Thank goodness she is very accustomed to my foolishness and supports most of it.

Unfortunatley, Dennis, I a a jump in and try to swim kind of person. Thought by getting the service done, to the tune of $575, with instructions to change all fluids and everything thing that looks worn damaged aged or just questionable, would make the kinds of problems I experienced go away. OOOPS, not so!!

Yes, I have Isuzu diesel and think its just great. The trans is just like you have on the 454 so, no problem there. When I lost the transmission line and had all that nice fresh fluid go all at once, I was really worried. Didn't even want to think of a rebuild on the trip, not in Montana anyway.; But I got lucky in that I didn't have a slow, unnoticed leak which would likely have burned up the trans, I had a catastrophic failure and went immediately to the side of the road.

Lessons learned, if you can do the work yourself, do it. Mechanics just don't go the extra step, they, after all, are not going on the trip.

I will cover more of my thoughts in the M/H mechanic forum.

Thanks again and if I can make it to the rally in October, I will. I'll be in the silver M/H. HA!!!!
Rick

[fireflyinva]

Dear Rick,

Sounds like an epic, but at least you get to come home to Fredericksburg (history, Old Town and Borders in one town--whoo hoo)!

We didn't have the confidence to make a crosscountry adventure for icebreaker trip. What about aiming for the trip again, but this time with baby steps? Prince William park has an adjoining RV camp, then you can try the Shenandoahs, etc. Once you work the kinks out, you'll probably gain enough confidence to go on a really long trip.

Mary

[gwteale]

I think I have most if not all of the kinks worked out. Next trip is to Norfolk, VA, then a trip to Woodstock, VA, then to New Hampshire, then to Key West Florida.
I spent more time under the M/H than I did in bed and my wife thinks the experience overall really put me in touch with the spirit of the coach.

One thing I have to say, I never got upset or frustrated in all the events. It could have been worse and we really did get to see some beautiful country. As of this trip my wife has now been to 46 of our great states and I have been to all fifty. We have discovered by traveling inside and outside the U.S. that we are very fortunate to have so many wonderful places to visit right here.
Thanks for the goods words and support.
Rick