We always look back on our trips and remember how enjoyable they were. All the nice weather, sunshine, and warmth. The scenery that slid by our windows. The people we meet. The food we enjoyed.
But in reality, everything doesn't always go as planned or the unexpected and unwanted pops up. So here is a list of gotchas that got us this last trip.
Somewhere east of Dallas we found a rear side window on the HHR was shattered, but still in holding together. When it happened, or why, we just don't know. Gotcha!
On the final kilometer of our trip to our campground, in Lo de Marcos, the air conditioner covers came in contact with a low hanging branch. The front cover was completely torn off and the rear one had a hole punched in it. In order to use the front unit, a temporary cover had to be cobbled together. It is great that there is a Home Depot in Puerto Vallarta for the needed supplies.
On our trip home, north of Zacatecas, we chose a road that was a great short cut. NOT. It was extremely rough in spots, which caused the bikes in the bike rack to seek some relief. One hopped partially out and dragged on the ground between the motorhome and the car. Scratch one ruined bike. Maybe if our rear view camera was working, we might have been able to save it. Damn camera. The rear view camera system has always been a problem and we have put up with it's random failures. Replacement is a must!
When we stopped at US customs, a check of the HHR determined that the battery was dead. After clearing we headed directly to Walmart to buy jumper cables to start the car so we could unhook and park when arriving at the campground. Forgetting, of course, that we already had jumper cables in one of the storage compartments!. The root cause of the dead battery was a failing add-on breaking system we use in the HHR when towing it. The add-on braking system is mandatory in many states and provinces. The unit was coming on every two minutes to pump up the air that drives the system. The repetitive cycling used up the battery's charge. The unit had to be replaced.
Our stay in Mission Texas allowed us to get caught up with replacing the bike, the braking system and the rear view camera, and installing the new air conditioner covers that had been ordered ahead of time. A big sigh of relief.
While cleaning up using aerosol brake cleaner, some bounced back and hit my (Vic) glasses, leaving spots that were permanent. We rushed off the next day to Nuevo Progreso, across the border in Mexico to get replacement glasses (and some for Bev too). Another gotcha!
Wearing our perfectly new glasses, we were ready to leave Mission and head north. On the morning of our departure, we drew back the from drapes of the windshield and low and behold, found a crack from top to bottom on the passenger side. Just what we needed.
All told that adds up to over $3000 in unexpected expenses. Luckily enough, the windshield replacement was fully covered by our insurance, otherwise the cost would have doubled. Ain't camping fun?
Ahhh....the trials and tribulations of the RV life style. We have similar stories to tell. Torn canopies, wind shield wipers, broken ladders to the roof, wind shield chips, timing belts in the tow car, (very expensive to fix and a 3 week wait for parts, then to break down again 2 days later), and all the other little things that can go wrong. But it beats the heck out of staying in a cassa, so far. Mike
ReplyDeleteHi folks, just found myself cleaning a shoe box out and found a Mexican map and was looking at your blog to see where your route took you. Looks very interesting and easier than that drive from Nogales. Barring any unforeseen accidents, illnesses, etc. I think this will be our route if you don't mind us joining you.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think I smell rhubarb cake. Mike just made it with fresh rhubarb someone left at the entrance to our condo comples. Yummy. There goes my diet. I won the golf pool Dave set up for the British Open. whoopee. Big bucks haha.