[VAC] Misfortunes on the road

["Nick Novia" <nnovia@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Maybe I jumped the gun a little, and maybe I should have expected as much, but
I have just returned from a 2000 mile road trip to western Virginia and my poor
32 year old coach and I have paid a steep price. I only made a 200 mile trip
last weekend, and considered it ready for the longer trip.

The trouble started on the way down from Connecticut.  The Safari towed like
a dream, and I hardly knew it was there, but I stopped to check things out at
every rest stop.

It'a good thing I did!

First, the bed frames all came loose and cushions and frame ended up on the
floor.  That's not so bad I guess, because I could just put them back.

Then the battery box came apart.  The screws backed right out!  I tightened
them again, and never had another problem.

Checking the rear one-stop-convenience center later down the road revealed a
serious problem.  The vent pipe from the black tank had come apart.  The fitting
in the tank must have had a crack, and then it just finished ripping itself
out!  I guess I'll have to drop the belly pan now to get at it. The jobs are
buliding as the days go by!

When I arrived in the KY/VA area, what I found inside surprised me.  The majority
of my window cranks, vent cranks, and one screw on my antenna rotor had all
fallen inside the rig!  I mean all the screws backed out.  Luckily I found them
all and tightened them up. Probably some light lok-tite will be helpful.

Using the coach was wonderful, and the hit of the campground.  For it's size,
it had the most room of any other RV!  Many compliments.  Only, it was like
a "Jim Walters" shell home...nothing inside worked. <g> 

I went thru 30 gallons of water showering and doing dishes over the 3 1/2 days
I was there.  I could learn to conserve a little more I guess. The new group
27 battery was never taxed. Lights exhaust fan and water pump only.

My propane is still not hooked up yet, but it's an easy task.  Thanks to all
of you that have suggested fixes!

On my way home on Saturday, I travelled through very bad rain.  I found that
the top vents leaked when subjected to that type of rain, at 60 mph.  Also,
the water got in at the wheel wells.  I don't know how I will handle that. Sealant
of some type.

The biggest thing that has my mostly optimistic nature in a stranglehold, is
the fact that I have lost my one-stop-convenience-center door cover!  This is
bad.

I discovered it missing at a rest stop at the junctions of RT81 and RT78!  I
almost made the R2 Kutztown Rally, a few exits shy.  I didn't know what to do,
so I called the State Police of the last 4 states and gave them info.  My license
plate was on that cover!

This was 8:30 AM, I decided I had to go back and look, so I drove to New Market,
VA where I started that morning.  The rain it came! Through PA, MD, WV, and
VA! It poured!

I never found it, and by the time I made it back to where I discovered it missing,
it was 6PM!  Believe me, by then I was ready to unhook it, take all the nice
things my girlfriend bought for it, and just leave it.  I came very close.

Of course..I've mellowed since.  I am going to Chicago on Wednesday for my daughters
HS graduation, and I'll be back on Sunday.  I need some time away.  
Next weekend I will start on that darn tank!  I will consider any and all help!

Now..how impossible will it be finding a new door?  Maybe someone will find
mine?  Doubt it.

Sorry for the long vent, but thanks for listening.
One more break away from ebay! <g>

Nick
'68 Safari WBCCI VAC