So today was time to say goodbye to Panama City Beach. Next stop is Mobile, Alabama, less than 200 miles away. Plan is to get the RV oil changed then hit the road.
A month ago I bought a new vehicle to tow behind the RV. I got a 2017 Jeep Cherokee to replace my 2002 Ford Sporttrak. It was time for a replacement and with 2 months in PCB, it seemed like a good time. I had to have the Jeep configured for towing. I have a baseplate along with connectors for the lights and additional wiring for my assist brake. I also had to put on a wire harness to allow steering movement while the key is out of the ignition.
While the oil is being changed we kill time by getting an early 10:30 am lunch. We hook up the Jeep and the RV tech comes out to see our handiwork. He's the one that did all the replacement work. We get it ready to go and he says this dreaded phrase. "That's not going to work". It seems the new baseplate is 7 inches higher than the old one. I didn't realize that would be an issue. Since the other part is already attached to the RV, I guessed incorrectly that one size or in this case one level fit all. They look for an extender but don't have one.
So we get on the horn to the local Camping World. He gets put on hold both times but nobody in parts ever picks up. I head out to inform Vrai, who is babysitting Apollo and also roasting outside, and I run a few plan B scenarios by her. Before we can agree on anything the tech says they have 1 over at RV Connections. Tech tells me how much it will cost and that they have one waiting for me. I've seen that place in my travels and have a vague idea where it is. Off we go to the other side of town.
When the service people look for the part, they have a few different pieces but none are the price I was quoted. I told them that my guy spoke with Connie. Of course Connie isn't there but low and behold, on the floor in her office is our holy grail. I pay them and thank them while sprinting out the door. We are burning serious daylight but #### happens and you have to remain flexible.
My Blue Ox tow bar was installed by Leo's RV up in Gambrills in 2007. I have a locking pin to prevent anyone from taking my tow bar and leaving me high and dry. The problem with a locking pin is that you have to remember where you put the key. I haven't ever removed the pin since it was installed. I failed to mention to Vrai that I'm not really sure which key ring contains said key. I have a lot of keys since I hardly ever toss them out. I have an S ton of them from decades of being a landlord and other various locking endeavors.
I grab 5 key rings that I think might be winners. I eye the lock opening and the first one I try unlocks it. I'm thrilled and relieved to say the least. I fess up that I was sweating the location of the key. I figured it could be drilled out if necessary but now we seem to be ready to roll. The tech walks out and inspects my handiwork. He asks where's the pin? I tell him this is all they gave me. Well we are short 1 pin. Connie was suppose to make sure I got a pin along with the extender. He goes into his shop and a few minutes later he comes back out with one.
By this time we are drenched from attaching the various parts of the tow bar accessories. There are 2 cables, 4 pins, 2 pig tails, a brake assist. But with the new piece it's a thing of beauty. To tow the transfer case is put into neutral. As this is the first time, we dig out the manual. Vrai reads out loud each step and I confirm after each step is done. We think we are good but the tech says no, you did it wrong. He says the xfer case isn't in neutral. But the N indicator is lit up. Anyway we did have it correct. We test the blinkers and light. Then off we go.
So here's the rub. Several things could have gone incredible bad for us. Such as, if I didn't get the oil changed, most likely we would have hooked up the Jeep to the RV in the campground. With the height difference between the tow bar and the connecting points of the Jeep there could have been a mishap when I applied the brakes while going over 50 MPH. The Jeep could have come up over the tow bar. Not being mechanically inclined I had no idea 2 items can't be any different than 4 inches in height from each other.
2nd is we usually travel on Sunday. If we had any issues on a Sunday, good luck finding anyone to help you out of your dilemma.
We got gas around 3:30 this afternoon after driving 10 miles. Then it took me another 3 1/2 hours to drive the rest of the way to Alabama. I felt very fortunate since even though today's events were somewhat painful, it could have been a whole lot worse.
Good thing that time and money fix most problems. $80 bucks for a new extender for my tow bar. They let me have the pin for free. And I got a lesson that was priceless. So when things aren't looking too promising, remember there are a lot of people that would love to trade problems with you.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
A month ago I bought a new vehicle to tow behind the RV. I got a 2017 Jeep Cherokee to replace my 2002 Ford Sporttrak. It was time for a replacement and with 2 months in PCB, it seemed like a good time. I had to have the Jeep configured for towing. I have a baseplate along with connectors for the lights and additional wiring for my assist brake. I also had to put on a wire harness to allow steering movement while the key is out of the ignition.
While the oil is being changed we kill time by getting an early 10:30 am lunch. We hook up the Jeep and the RV tech comes out to see our handiwork. He's the one that did all the replacement work. We get it ready to go and he says this dreaded phrase. "That's not going to work". It seems the new baseplate is 7 inches higher than the old one. I didn't realize that would be an issue. Since the other part is already attached to the RV, I guessed incorrectly that one size or in this case one level fit all. They look for an extender but don't have one.
So we get on the horn to the local Camping World. He gets put on hold both times but nobody in parts ever picks up. I head out to inform Vrai, who is babysitting Apollo and also roasting outside, and I run a few plan B scenarios by her. Before we can agree on anything the tech says they have 1 over at RV Connections. Tech tells me how much it will cost and that they have one waiting for me. I've seen that place in my travels and have a vague idea where it is. Off we go to the other side of town.
When the service people look for the part, they have a few different pieces but none are the price I was quoted. I told them that my guy spoke with Connie. Of course Connie isn't there but low and behold, on the floor in her office is our holy grail. I pay them and thank them while sprinting out the door. We are burning serious daylight but #### happens and you have to remain flexible.
My Blue Ox tow bar was installed by Leo's RV up in Gambrills in 2007. I have a locking pin to prevent anyone from taking my tow bar and leaving me high and dry. The problem with a locking pin is that you have to remember where you put the key. I haven't ever removed the pin since it was installed. I failed to mention to Vrai that I'm not really sure which key ring contains said key. I have a lot of keys since I hardly ever toss them out. I have an S ton of them from decades of being a landlord and other various locking endeavors.
I grab 5 key rings that I think might be winners. I eye the lock opening and the first one I try unlocks it. I'm thrilled and relieved to say the least. I fess up that I was sweating the location of the key. I figured it could be drilled out if necessary but now we seem to be ready to roll. The tech walks out and inspects my handiwork. He asks where's the pin? I tell him this is all they gave me. Well we are short 1 pin. Connie was suppose to make sure I got a pin along with the extender. He goes into his shop and a few minutes later he comes back out with one.
By this time we are drenched from attaching the various parts of the tow bar accessories. There are 2 cables, 4 pins, 2 pig tails, a brake assist. But with the new piece it's a thing of beauty. To tow the transfer case is put into neutral. As this is the first time, we dig out the manual. Vrai reads out loud each step and I confirm after each step is done. We think we are good but the tech says no, you did it wrong. He says the xfer case isn't in neutral. But the N indicator is lit up. Anyway we did have it correct. We test the blinkers and light. Then off we go.
So here's the rub. Several things could have gone incredible bad for us. Such as, if I didn't get the oil changed, most likely we would have hooked up the Jeep to the RV in the campground. With the height difference between the tow bar and the connecting points of the Jeep there could have been a mishap when I applied the brakes while going over 50 MPH. The Jeep could have come up over the tow bar. Not being mechanically inclined I had no idea 2 items can't be any different than 4 inches in height from each other.
2nd is we usually travel on Sunday. If we had any issues on a Sunday, good luck finding anyone to help you out of your dilemma.
We got gas around 3:30 this afternoon after driving 10 miles. Then it took me another 3 1/2 hours to drive the rest of the way to Alabama. I felt very fortunate since even though today's events were somewhat painful, it could have been a whole lot worse.
Good thing that time and money fix most problems. $80 bucks for a new extender for my tow bar. They let me have the pin for free. And I got a lesson that was priceless. So when things aren't looking too promising, remember there are a lot of people that would love to trade problems with you.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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