Ever since we bought Pumpkin, the front brakes have been a bit dodgy. If I had to ride them much at all, they would cause a front-end wobble or shimmy. Last year I replaced the calipers because one of them was sticking. That helped, but didn't fix the problem. So, we bit the bullet and I took Pumpkin to the local Ford dealer for some front brake work. About $800 later, Pumpkin has the best brakes it's ever had since we bought it.
The reason for the high cost was both front rotors had to be replaced. The wobble was due to warped rotors and when they tried to turn them, the metal was sort of crystallized. It left the surface rough like sandpaper which would eat pads pretty fast. So, we had to replace both rotors. Actually, I think they (Ford dealer) ran into this problem on the rear brakes as well when we had them rebuilt shortly after buying Pumpkin. The mechanic ran into a problem turning one of those rotors. Now that I've seen what happened to the front rotors, I suspect the rear rotors had much the same problem because the mechanic described the problem has "chattering" when he turned one of the rotors. It could be Pumpkin's brakes had been ridden enough to cause extreme overheating of the rotors. Anyway, I'll have to keep an eye on the rear brake pads just in case the rotors are rough.
Today, I'm finally trying to finish up the overhead bunk project. I installed two of three plywood panels to cover the front and the the area where the clearance lights wiring runs. I wanted to make these panels easily removable like I did the bunk floor so I could inspect for water intrusion periodically (paranoia, remember?). I wound up removing the two panels I had already installed and redoing the entire area. Everything has been cut and fitted and just received a coat of polyurethane. Once that's dry, I'll stick the panels in and, hopefully, that's that.
Only one last major project to do before we head to the family reunion in July and that is to service the generator. I'm contemplating tackling that one myself, but because of its location and poor access, it might be more than I want to do - or can do. But, it needs a new oil filter and the oil changed at the very least. We don't use it much, but I sure want it to work when we do need it.
Oh yes. Our bed in Pumpkin has never been very comfortable for me. It kills my arthritic shoulders. We had a 1 1/2" foam topper on it that helped, but still didn't fix it for me. A couple of weeks ago we bought a new 4" memory foam topper for our bed in the house. It had a 2" memory foam topper that we removed. I'm putting it on our bed in Pumpkin along with the regular foam topper already there. I'm hoping it will help.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Not A Particularly Good Day
Okay, I tore into it today. The news was not good. In fact, I have decided to totally rebuild it again. But, this time I'm going to do away with much of the possible leak sources. I'm going to take out the front and side windows and replace them with solid pieces of Filon siding (Filon is what the siding is made from). We are still wrestling with the cost involved, but this is probably the best way to go since we don't want/need the front or side windows.
It was amazing how much damage had been done in just a few months. The bottom plywood layer of the bed was totally saturated and falling apart. The moisture had wicked up and saturated the top layer of the bed enough to cause mold and mildew.
I'm still trying to determine where the leak was. I'm pretty sure it occurred way back in April when we went to Kentucky to meet the kids. It rained all day every day on the way there and stormed really hard on the way home. Since then, we didn't get enough rain to cause the kind of problem we've hard. Since the left side blew off during our last trip, I suspect the was penetration in that area. However, there does appear to be a possible leak around the front window.
It was Joyce's idea, and I like it, to make the top layer of the bed removable so if it ever leaks again, the top layer could come off and allow the area to be dried out, hopefully averting another mold and mildew condition.
Tomorrow I'm pulling off the "wrap around" - the top and front section that contains the front window. I'll get an accurate measurement of the size then I can order the new Filon (shipping cost is so great, I don't dare risk not buying enough to start with).
Beginning here through March 12 of 2012, the posts are consolidated in the "Special Page" listed as "Pumpkin Patch Part Deux".
It was amazing how much damage had been done in just a few months. The bottom plywood layer of the bed was totally saturated and falling apart. The moisture had wicked up and saturated the top layer of the bed enough to cause mold and mildew.
I'm still trying to determine where the leak was. I'm pretty sure it occurred way back in April when we went to Kentucky to meet the kids. It rained all day every day on the way there and stormed really hard on the way home. Since then, we didn't get enough rain to cause the kind of problem we've hard. Since the left side blew off during our last trip, I suspect the was penetration in that area. However, there does appear to be a possible leak around the front window.
It was Joyce's idea, and I like it, to make the top layer of the bed removable so if it ever leaks again, the top layer could come off and allow the area to be dried out, hopefully averting another mold and mildew condition.
Tomorrow I'm pulling off the "wrap around" - the top and front section that contains the front window. I'll get an accurate measurement of the size then I can order the new Filon (shipping cost is so great, I don't dare risk not buying enough to start with).
Beginning here through March 12 of 2012, the posts are consolidated in the "Special Page" listed as "Pumpkin Patch Part Deux".
Monday, October 17, 2011
After All, It Is October
It has been a very nice weekend. Stephen and I got in some fishing and we all got in some of Stephen's good food.
Friday evening Ditto and I went out in the boat. We were hoping to get some night crawlers for the weekend, but the marina had closed already. So, we just fished a bit. No catchin', just fishin'. Then Saturday, Stephen, Ditto and I went out. Stephen caught several itty bitty perch and Ditto helped keep them from attacking us. I fished for bass using plastic worm, but only had a few perch strikes. When we got back, we drug out the puzzle board and started work on one of the more difficult puzzles we've worked in some time. Mike and Russ came down Saturday afternoon and helped to reduce the excess wine stock and to eat some fish and veggies Stephen brought not caught.
Sunday evening Stephen and I went out again. Ditto got left behind. Joyce stayed at camp and doggie sat Ditto, Betty and Boop. We went over to some bluffs across the lake and Stephen promptly began hauling in nice big bluegill. We had started out late so we didn't have a lot of time, but Stephen caught six good keepers. Then I told him it was my turn and we motored back across the lake and found some shallows with a lot of brush. In about three casts, I felt a nice tug. I let him run with it a while then set the hook. Wow! I had a nice battle with a big fat bass. Actually, it was only a smidgen over 15 inches, but was pretty hefty. It gave me a nice thrill. I measured it, thanked it and set it free.
Our plan was to stay until Tuesday morning. But, the weather change that was predicted made a speedier approach than earlier predictions. So, this Monday morning Stephen and I decided it might be advisable to pack it in and get home. We both will have to winterize our RVs and neither of us wanted to do it in 30 degree temperatures. So, today we'll load the boat and lawn chairs and "stuff". I'll help Stephen do some preliminary winterizing. I have a small air compressor so we can blow the water out of the water lines and I'll show him how to drain the water heater and fresh water tank. About all he should have to do when he gets home is pour some RV anti-freeze in the drain traps.
All-in-all, this has been another nice camping trip.
Friday evening Ditto and I went out in the boat. We were hoping to get some night crawlers for the weekend, but the marina had closed already. So, we just fished a bit. No catchin', just fishin'. Then Saturday, Stephen, Ditto and I went out. Stephen caught several itty bitty perch and Ditto helped keep them from attacking us. I fished for bass using plastic worm, but only had a few perch strikes. When we got back, we drug out the puzzle board and started work on one of the more difficult puzzles we've worked in some time. Mike and Russ came down Saturday afternoon and helped to reduce the excess wine stock and to eat some fish and veggies Stephen brought not caught.
Sunday evening Stephen and I went out again. Ditto got left behind. Joyce stayed at camp and doggie sat Ditto, Betty and Boop. We went over to some bluffs across the lake and Stephen promptly began hauling in nice big bluegill. We had started out late so we didn't have a lot of time, but Stephen caught six good keepers. Then I told him it was my turn and we motored back across the lake and found some shallows with a lot of brush. In about three casts, I felt a nice tug. I let him run with it a while then set the hook. Wow! I had a nice battle with a big fat bass. Actually, it was only a smidgen over 15 inches, but was pretty hefty. It gave me a nice thrill. I measured it, thanked it and set it free.
Our plan was to stay until Tuesday morning. But, the weather change that was predicted made a speedier approach than earlier predictions. So, this Monday morning Stephen and I decided it might be advisable to pack it in and get home. We both will have to winterize our RVs and neither of us wanted to do it in 30 degree temperatures. So, today we'll load the boat and lawn chairs and "stuff". I'll help Stephen do some preliminary winterizing. I have a small air compressor so we can blow the water out of the water lines and I'll show him how to drain the water heater and fresh water tank. About all he should have to do when he gets home is pour some RV anti-freeze in the drain traps.
All-in-all, this has been another nice camping trip.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Heading For The Lake
We're going to try to get one last "good weather" trip in this weekend.
Weather.com is making some fantastic promises. I've been doing some refinement on Pumpkin, although the major patch on the missing siding is still hanging over my head. That can wait, though. In the meantime, I fixed up a way to hang a good clip-on curly fluorescent light over the bar and a paper towel rack in the bathroom - both "honey-do" chores, but should make things a wee bit better. We need the better lighting for working jigsaw puzzles and the paper towels for - whatever Joyce wants them for.
Friday we're heading out to meet son Stephen at Campbell Point campground near Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake. Stephen has a long weekend and we have no weekends, so we're planning on spending 4 or 5 days. I'm not taking Coors (the Jeep) this time. Stephen will have his new-to-him pickup there if we need to do some running and I'm towing Scat (the fishing boat) to the campground.
We're going to finally get in some fishing this year. Between traveling, the high lake levels and the extreme hot weather this summer, we just didn't get out in the boat. We're going to try to catch up in a few short days.
Weather.com is making some fantastic promises. I've been doing some refinement on Pumpkin, although the major patch on the missing siding is still hanging over my head. That can wait, though. In the meantime, I fixed up a way to hang a good clip-on curly fluorescent light over the bar and a paper towel rack in the bathroom - both "honey-do" chores, but should make things a wee bit better. We need the better lighting for working jigsaw puzzles and the paper towels for - whatever Joyce wants them for.
Friday we're heading out to meet son Stephen at Campbell Point campground near Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake. Stephen has a long weekend and we have no weekends, so we're planning on spending 4 or 5 days. I'm not taking Coors (the Jeep) this time. Stephen will have his new-to-him pickup there if we need to do some running and I'm towing Scat (the fishing boat) to the campground.
We're going to finally get in some fishing this year. Between traveling, the high lake levels and the extreme hot weather this summer, we just didn't get out in the boat. We're going to try to catch up in a few short days.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
It's A Done Deal
Home safe and sound today. We arrived around 4 pm, tired, but satisfied with a great trip.
It's a bit difficult to see in this photo, but Pumpkin looks like it just drove through a bug slaughter house. I'll have to get that cleaned off before I take it anywhere again.
Like most vacations, it was great, but it is also great to get back home. Oxford (the cat) was here patiently waiting and the chickens seemed happy to see us, too. Our friend Floyd took care of them in our absence. Thanks, Floyd.
Now, where to next?
It's a bit difficult to see in this photo, but Pumpkin looks like it just drove through a bug slaughter house. I'll have to get that cleaned off before I take it anywhere again.
Like most vacations, it was great, but it is also great to get back home. Oxford (the cat) was here patiently waiting and the chickens seemed happy to see us, too. Our friend Floyd took care of them in our absence. Thanks, Floyd.
Now, where to next?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Home Tomorrow - If Nothin' Breaks
Days are getting long now. We're tired and ready for our queen sized bed at home. We were on the road about 5 hours today which is pushing it for us old folks. But, after some hit and miss tries at finding our chosen campground, we finally found our way here. We're at the Rock Ridge North Park on Fall Creek Lake.
It's a typical Corp of Engineers park in reasonable condition. The season is over and the park will go into winter mode in two weeks. The only people here are us and the camp host and his wife. That's not to say we're alone, though. The lake is shallow (even more so now as it is low) and seems to be a migrating bird stopover. There are probably well over 100 white egrets across the lake wading in the shallows. I saw a stream of large white birds with black tail and wingtips swoop along just off shore heading up into a cove. They looked like they could be some kind of pelican, though I doubt that. Then there are hundreds of this small bird in a cloud of wings skimming the water and suddenly swooping up and turning back. They are just too far away and too small for me to make out what they are, but they look like some kind of shore bird like killdeer or tern.
Tomorrow is our last day on the road. Home is about 225 miles so it will be another 5 hour day. But, then we'll be home. Today is day 15 of our trip. We've had a really nice time.
It's a typical Corp of Engineers park in reasonable condition. The season is over and the park will go into winter mode in two weeks. The only people here are us and the camp host and his wife. That's not to say we're alone, though. The lake is shallow (even more so now as it is low) and seems to be a migrating bird stopover. There are probably well over 100 white egrets across the lake wading in the shallows. I saw a stream of large white birds with black tail and wingtips swoop along just off shore heading up into a cove. They looked like they could be some kind of pelican, though I doubt that. Then there are hundreds of this small bird in a cloud of wings skimming the water and suddenly swooping up and turning back. They are just too far away and too small for me to make out what they are, but they look like some kind of shore bird like killdeer or tern.
Tomorrow is our last day on the road. Home is about 225 miles so it will be another 5 hour day. But, then we'll be home. Today is day 15 of our trip. We've had a really nice time.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
We Are Back In Kansas, Toto
I have always considered Kansas as being placed here so one would appreciate Missouri and Colorado - and I do. This part of Kansas has got to be the most boring part of our trip. At least, we are tired and could do with less excitement for now - if excitement is even in this country's vocabulary.
We did see one thing very interesting. While driving through a few cuts in hills, I noticed the banks on either side of the road was ten or twelve feet of nothing but dirt - nary a rock in sight. Then all of a sudden there were fence rows with hewn rocks as post. These rocks were roughly 3 feet tall and possibly 6 to 8 inches square. Some fields had the rocks spaced about the typical distance between fence posts. Others had one every other post or so with steel or wood posts in between. These antique stone posts were used because there were so few trees in this part of the country. Supposedly, these stones were quarried from rock outcroppings in the area. They must have quarried a lot of them because I never saw a single outcropping of stone.
We opted to stay at the Lucas Park on Wilson Lake just west of Salina. Turns out it was a good choice. This is a Corp of Engineers lake and the difference in maintenance is like night and day.
It's a beautiful lake. The only drawback might be the wind - and perhaps the goat head burrs. Although Ditto hasn't collected too many this time. Wind or no wind, I grilled some steaks tonight and they really hit the spot.
We did see one thing very interesting. While driving through a few cuts in hills, I noticed the banks on either side of the road was ten or twelve feet of nothing but dirt - nary a rock in sight. Then all of a sudden there were fence rows with hewn rocks as post. These rocks were roughly 3 feet tall and possibly 6 to 8 inches square. Some fields had the rocks spaced about the typical distance between fence posts. Others had one every other post or so with steel or wood posts in between. These antique stone posts were used because there were so few trees in this part of the country. Supposedly, these stones were quarried from rock outcroppings in the area. They must have quarried a lot of them because I never saw a single outcropping of stone.
We opted to stay at the Lucas Park on Wilson Lake just west of Salina. Turns out it was a good choice. This is a Corp of Engineers lake and the difference in maintenance is like night and day.
It's a beautiful lake. The only drawback might be the wind - and perhaps the goat head burrs. Although Ditto hasn't collected too many this time. Wind or no wind, I grilled some steaks tonight and they really hit the spot.
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