NOT on the road again :-(

**Barbara** · 12-19-2005, 08:40 AM

I just stopped being jealous about that beautiful motorhome. Here in cases like that we say that it must have been built one Monday as they found out Monday cars have more problems than any other. Hope you have a warm and not leaking rest of vacation

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 12-19-2005, 10:42 AM

Thanks everybody. It's finally inside and they're working on it. The hard part is going to be finding another radiator/cooler. We didn't start the motorhome every two hours like we did the night before, and it happened again this morning - with the tech standing right there watching - so at least we don't have one of those issues where the problem goes away when we bring it in.

Last night was quite interesting. The wind chill was 14 below, and needless to say, we've never been in that cold of weather in the motorhome, so it was a learning experience. We started plugging up small draft holes, then realized the entire front was one big draft. The windows are just not good insulators, and air was flowing in freely under the dash. So we rigged up a little fortress to block the drivers seat and front door off. The heat ran steady and Terry was worried the heater blower motors would go out, or the heat itself would go out. If that had happened, we would have been totally screwed. Fortunately, it didn't happen and we were able to keep the temp inside in the 60's - good sleeping temps.

This morning when we brought it inside and opened all the blinds, the windows were all frozen and frosted up.

We learned a lot about cold weather camping last night, but the biggest thing we learned is we never want to be in this situation again.

Oh, Phred, thanks for the suggestion. Terry and I have been discussing the power pump pressure. It's obvious this is a pressure related issue since it only happens when the oil is thick and the entire system is under higher pressure than normal. We're also wondering the pressure relief valve is faulty because why did it blow here instead of out the pressure release valve. One thing we do know is the hydraulic oil that is recommended is 46 weight, but 23 weight works, so I think we're going to use the lighter weight.

This all wouldn't be so bad if something didn't happen every single trip we try to take. It's getting a little ridiculous now and we're going to have to take quite a few trips with no problems before we really start to trust it again......anybody want to buy a beautiful American Heritage?

**lv4dogs** · 12-19-2005, 10:57 AM

Oh no not more troubles Debbie. I hope this turns out to be an easy fix & it's the last fix too.
Hope you have a safe & uneventful trip.

**Randi** · 12-19-2005, 10:57 AM

Oh Debbie, what a nightmare with that new motorhome.

I really hope you'll get fixed what need fixing, so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Good luck!

**caseysmom** · 12-19-2005, 11:29 AM

Well I am still jealous, I am in california where that motorhome yearns to be...hehe I think it just doesn't like the cold.

**RICHARD** · 12-19-2005, 04:32 PM

A new cat or a diamond wouldn't give you any problems like hydraul-leak fluid.

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 12-19-2005, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by RICHARD

A new cat or a diamond wouldn't give you any problems like hydraul-leak fluid.

A new cat, no, no problems. A diamond? Not sure I want those kinds of problems.

Well, we're home. Normal, IL is only about 1 1/2 hours from home so it was either spend $70.00 for a hotel room or come home - we came home. The motorhome is inside (whew!) and I guess they found somebody who can make us a radiator/cooler thingy and they will have it done by Friday. There was an 8 week lead time to get the OEM part, so we'll take the aftermarket part in a few days instead - and probably for less money.

The trip home in the car went well, except we decided to stop and get our mail before we came home. CJ was fussing the whole way home - he fusses more in the car than he does in the motorhome - so I didn't think anything about his fussing.....until he pooped. Yes, my poor little boy had to go poopy and didn't know how to let me know! Needless to say we immediately turned around and headed for home. I took him out of the carrier and held him on my lap until we got home - he loved it!

So, our trip is over. I'm disappointed, but glad that we're all safe and the motorhome is safely inside and not out in the frozen tundra. It's been a long time since we've spent a Christmas at home, so it'll be interesting and oddly calming I think.

**Cinder & Smoke** · 12-19-2005, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom

So, our trip is over ...

Christmas at home, it'll be interesting and oddly calming I think.

So Sorry, Deb!

Hopefully a Relaxing Christmas at Home will do you both good.
I'm sure Peanut & CJ will enjoy the no-stress Holiday.

Enjoy!!

**RedHedd** · 12-20-2005, 12:43 PM

Aw, so sorry about your trip and the motorhome. Xmas with the kitties in front of a roaring fire sounds wonderful to me - much more comfy than out in the tundra.