Where’s That Money Tree?

Yesterday we went to the bank to cash Lazydays check.  It was a return in part of our deposit.  Didn’t won’t to hold onto that baby very long.  That’s part of our Alaska money.  The other part of the deposit was a charge for $5K.  That also hit as credit into our charge card account.  Now that’s all done except for the $1,200 we lost in fuel for the trip back and forth.  No, Lazydays or Winnebago won’t pay for that.  The money is a little tight this month.  Maybe that money tree is growing in the lot here as a weed.  We’re rich in that case.

This morning I started about 6 AM.  I had to find my automatic wheel balancers which I did.  Then I put them in the Beast to be installed later.  Next was to wash the Jeep since it was pretty dirty from just setting 2 weeks under trees.  No problem.  I used the water softener and it seems to be working.  Very few water spots. 

Next was to get all the sewer lines straighten out.  While in Gillette, WY I had to buy a 15 footer to hook up to the sewer.  I carry a 15’ and a 5 footer.  I was short.  We get to Livingston eventually and unloaded everything except the 15’ sewer and head for FL.  We get there and we are 15’ short again.  Had to buy another one. So when we got back to Livingston we have sewer hose up the ying yang.  Pun intended.  Plus we have more sewer hose in Livingston.  I would say we got somewhere in the neighborhood of about 100’ of good sewer hose.  How much will we leave with?  I think two 15’s and one fiver.

Electrical lines.  Our 50 AMP electrical cable comes out of the middle of the coach.  The 50 AMP will barely reach the rear of the coach.  So I carry an extra 20-25 feet of 50 AMP cable.  I carry two 50 to 30 AMP adapters and one 30 to 15 AMP plug.  Very seldom use that thing anymore.  Maybe up in Alaska was the last time.  I use to carry only one 25’ 30 AMP chord but I threw in an extra one for our lot use in AZ to run to the generator.  I also have one 50 AMP splitter that goes to a 30 AMP lug and a 110 plug.  I have a couple of electrical do dads that I will talk about another time.

While I was going threw my “stuff” in the barn I stepped on a gallon container of RV soap wash.  Go ahead and get ahead of me.  It’s funny even when it was happening.  The jug broke wide open.  I had soap all over the place and on quite a bit of my “stuff”.  I don’t have to worry about wiping the grease off my “stuff” anymore.  I just can’t use any of it in the rain!

Then there is the Magna Shades.  I will talk about those damn magnets tomorrow.  They hurt…

We went over Mark’s for dinner.  That boy has Cajun in him for sure.  It was really great.  His Margareta's were spot on.  We talked about getting ready for the Alaska trip.  Mark’s excitement needle is pegged for Alaska.  He’s ready!

See ya…….

Ran Into the RV

Man it’s hot & humid.  Over 100 degrees yesterday.  We’ve been in real hot/humid weather for a long time it seems.  Let me think.  Had to be after Gillette, WY when ever that was.  Towards Baltimore and around there and VA.  Then it was to here in Livingston.  Then to FL and now back to here.  Plus we will stay here until about early September.  Usually we just leave and head for cooler weather.  We’re committed to stay here.  Carol flys out and returns here.  We got doctor appointments.  That’s so we can stock up on our meds for AK next summer.  Then it won’t be hot for sure.

Not sure if I mention our start date for Amazon.  They said 7 Sept and then at our request they changed it to 21 Sept.  We needed some breathing room to go the 1,900 miles to get there.

I’m not rushing to get the Beast reloaded because it goes into the shop Thursday.  That’s the best reason to drag my feet besides it’s hot.

Carol was doing some weeding and left her tools out across from the Beast.  Well, driving in I tried to miss them and did but I ran over our portable entry steps into the Beast.  It’s history.  Now is that a RV accident or an auto accident?  When I order our new china toilet from PPL I will add the steps.  Our toilet doesn’t hold water.  Been like that for about 6 months or so.  I could rebuild it but I did one of those rebuilds many years ago.  It’s not pretty.  Sounds like Carol will be getting a new flower pot for the yard.

I did have a burnt out headlight in The Beast.  I took care of that today and it was real easy like changing a light bulb.  I tried to rejuvenate on old water softener.  It ain’t working so far.  I ran regular salt thru it 4 times and the water is still not soft.  The water softener is the one that use’s fake salt.  I was recently told by a water softener guy to just run regular salt thru it.  Well, it hasn't worked yet.  I test it by putting a drop of soap in a glass of “soft” water and shaking it.  I also did that with a glass of “unsoft” water.  Same results which means no difference to me.

One more thing.  We took my Mom to Florida’s for ribs.  She loves their ribs.  I wore my orange Florida's T-shirt.  I was a big hit with Miss Florida herself.  Last time here I spilled my ice tea within one minute of receiving it.  They threaten me this time to give me my ice tea in a kid’s sippy cup.  I would have used it.

It’s 5:30 AM.  Time to get some things done in the Barn.

See ya…..

Busy As Bees

In the morning we started going thru our “stuff.”  For lunch we went our normal Thursday get together at the local Mexican restaurant.  We ate with friends and solved local problems vice the world problems.  It was fun.

The Beast’s fresh water inlet was broke.  I broke it taking off the quick connector before going to Florida.  It really leaked bad when hooked up to a hose.  I got a mirror and looked underneath.  I then took it apart.  What’s a few screws?  I can undue any screws.  I’m use to screwing things up.  I’m in dangerous territory now…water.  I will go to the local RV store later.

We went to the Escapees 4 o’clock here at Livingston.  Must have been at least 9 of us.  They sung Happy Anniversary to us.  Afterwards we went to the RV parts store and they had my part.  $30 and we left.  We went to Florida's Rib Restaurant for our Anniversary dinner.  We didn’t have ribs.  Don’t figure.  Instead Carol had shrimp and I had catfish.  I love their catfish.

We got back to the lot and I started working on installing the water inlet.  I only got really wet two times.  I was afraid to tighten things to much.  It’s installed.  Next week the Beast goes into the shop to check out some electrical short comings that we’ve had since new.  Might as well get them fixed.  Also reinstall the wheel balancers and some other stuff.” Hey, it’s cheaper than a new rig!

I won’t even go into what I have to put on or back into the rig.  It’s a page long and does not include the stuff in the garage.  Piece by piece we can put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

GEICO insurance is having a problem reinstating our insurance.  It went up $800 a year and they know it’s wrong but can’t change it or explain it.  They got some supervisors trying to figure it out and have credited our account so as not to get the increase…duh.  We have insurance no matter what.

Carol arranged our Dr’s appointments for next Tuesday.  She fly's out the next day.

So what did you do today…..?

See ya….

Yes We did

750 miles Wednesday.  We got to Livingston about 8 PM night just in time for America’s Got Talent.  Driving the Beast makes it pretty easy.  We usually were doing about 63-65 MPH.  We filled up with fuel near Beaumont, TX.  Fuel was $3.80 gallon.

When we pulled in we didn’t even level the Beast or unhook the car. We plugged in the juice and went inside the mobile. It was 95 degrees outside when we arrived. It seems like Texas is going thru a warming spell. Just what we didn’t need.

We got a call earlier in the day from my Mom wishing us a Happy Anniversary.   We both forgot it’s our 42nd anniversary August the 8th.  We just had too much other stuff going on and forgot it.

We got an email from Amazon in response to our request to change our start date of 7 September.  They changed it to 21 September and that gave us some breathing room for sure.  Carol flies out next week with a return date of 4 September I think.

I got 16 things and growing to do on my list to get the Beast up to par.  Things like align a compartment door, caulk around some outside orange lights, adjust the wiper arms, replace the water inlet screw in thing,  clean the K & N air filter,  check all fluids, reinstall some stuff and so on.  Mostly just little stuff that I’ve been putting off since we were trading it in.  NOT NOW!

See ya…..

Lazydays & Winnebago

They are nothing more than a campfire story now and a good one.

Well, it took most of the day for Lazydays to undo the deal but it’s done.  We got our title back and our deposit.  We pulled out of Lazydays about 3 PM.  Well almost.  Security wouldn’t let us pass their gate.  Oh, my patience was just about gone when they let us out.  We were about 30 seconds from running the gate that was open.  It was so close.

We went to Flying J and filled up with 122 gallons at $3.91.  We know it was late in the date but we wanted to get out and away from the Tampa area.

Oh before we left we talked with the Winnebago guy.  The rear end of the RV, the cap, was installed crooked at the factory.  I asked for some type of compensation for our expenses and heartburn on another one and he just kinda laughed.  We did too as we left.  The Beast is looking pretty dog on good about now.

We got about 175 miles down the road and ran in one bad rain storm.  Cars were acting stupid so we decided to get off I-10 exit 258.  We found a closed down truck stop with plenty of parking and no one else around.  There was a McDonalds across the street and a Denny’s about 100 yards south.  It was a quiet night. 

We get an email from Amazon asking us to come to work on 7 September.  Carol has reservations to fly to Baltimore from Houston on 14 August and return 4 September.  She will be visiting her sick Mom.  Time is a little tight.  We emailed Amazon and explained our situation.  They will give us a new date later this week.  Remember the Beast is completely empty.  Carol don’t want me to load her “stuff” which is everything inside the Beast.

Everyday is an adventure…

See ya.

Going Going Gone… Goodbye Lazydays

We leave Lazydays tomorrow (Tuesday) with our Beast.  Too many red flags.  Tim Sheehan, President and CEO of Lazydays said that it wasn’t meant to be on their Winnebago and offered to rescind the deal and we took it.

We will sleep good tonight…..

See ya….

Lazydays – Up & Down, Mostly Down

Yepper.  It’s has been an emotional roller coaster for us buying this Winnebago and it’s starting not to be worth it.  It’s coming to an end very quick now.  Which end is really up to Lazydays.  We are ready to go with or without a new rig.  If Lazydays can’t do what they said, it’s over.  Tomorrow (Monday) will be a deciding day for us based on Lazydays answer to our simple and justifiable requests.

See ya…..

Lazydays – Going Going ……

This morning (Saturday) I talked to Mr Sheehan, CEO of Lazydays.  He said any time we want to resend the deal he would make it happen.  He got the financial manger to see what it would take.  He confirmed that it would be done whenever we wanted to.  Mr Sheehan made it clear they won’t hold the contract over our heads because they don’t business like that.  He apologized for ALL the problems we’ve had due to the failure of Lazydays not preparing the coach properly.  He was already aware of our situation.  So we can make our decision any time to leave and get a full refund with NO PROBLEMS.  What ever we decide he and his staff will support.

We stopped by to see our (?) new coach later and it was in the detail shop.  They had lightly compounded the entire unit, then buffed it completely and then waxed it.  This baby shines.  Oh, the wheels are polishable and they SHINE.  They are now polishing the tile floors with a light polishing compound.  It goes to the paint shop later today I was told for the few chips in it.

Either Monday or Tuesday the  person from Winnebago will be looking at the misalignment of the tow bar to the frame/body.  Hopefully that is all it is.  I looked at it real good and I saw it as that.  Somebody is not smart enough from Lazydays to look at it from the under side like I did on my hands and knees (today).  They think it could possibly be a bent frame worse case.  I don’t think so at all.

We have been getting very little sleep the last three nights.  Tonight we think we will knowing we can walk away anytime at no cost.

See ya……

Heaven or Hell?

We moved the Beast to the other side of our site.  Yes, it’s that big.  Our site has two full hook ups.   

The problem was that we were suppose to be here at Lazydays only a couple of days.  How foolish of me to think that.  We drove straight in and hooked up the Beast to 50 AMP a few days ago.  I didn’t bring enough sewer hose to make the dump and didn’t need to – I thought.  I turned the Beast around and backed into the other side thinking I would be able to hook up to the sewer – wrong.  I was 10 feet short.  I went and bought the cheapest 10 foot hose with connections which was $20.  It was a stretch but made it.  Now we are hooked up 100%.

We went and looked at another 2014 Winnebago to get an idea of how are cook top is suppose to look.  Guess who was there looking to?  The shop manager.  We talked and agreed that they didn’t do a complete job on ours.  He was going to overnight freight the Corian top and a few other things to make it right.

We were asked it we wanted the new unit Saturday evening due to Sunday they would be closed.  We said no thank you.  We don’t want it until it’s completely done.   We’re not that anxious anymore.  They’re aiming for Monday sometime to finish it.  I don't think so.  Besides, the Winnebago big wig won’t be here till Tuesday.  Lazydays wants him to look at the paint job and our rear hitch.  The hitch doesn’t line up with the frame or the body.  Lazydays can’t figure out what’s wrong.  Hopefully it’s a bent hitch.  I’m the one who noticed it being out of alignment of course.

We got a nice free site (knda – had to buy a new RV), no dust and no kids.  Plus three free meals a day (except Sunday) and free soda and booze.  The meals are outstanding.  What the hell……

When we moved I attached the water and bent the water inlet connector on the Beast.  It leaks bad so I filled the tank and turned the water off.  The old hose they will get to keep since it’s connected very tight.  We went to Walmart and bought a new 25’ RV hose and nozzle.  I plan to wash our car.  It hasn’t been washed and it shows it.

Oh, Lazydays made a sign for our windshield in the Beast.  It says, “Private Coach Do Not Enter”.  We are setting in the trade in/delivery area and people, mostly sales people, are looking to see what’s coming in.  Now they just look but don’t try to come in.  I guess my dirty underwear in the window didn’t work.  We don’t have any chairs to set out to watch the world go by.  Darn…..

Sales row – the big boys….Our row is just one over from this row.

This 5th wheel caught our eyes and rightfully so.  It’s a Newmar Mountain air with one real nice paint job.

Here’s are cute little rig off to the repair shop.

Our cat keeps us entertained. 

See ya….

Lazydays Failed Just Like Most dealers

They delivered the coach without doing a check out of the coach.  They delivered the coach at 5:15 PM Wednesday and quickly departed. One slide did not open, hot water heater LP or electric did not work,  house instruments did not work right, washer flooded the floor, entrance step cover did not work,  frig door and water dispenser did not work or poorly, some window moldings were loose, stains on tile floor, cabinet colors did not match and the list continues.  Then we go outside, the paint sucks with over spray, orange peel and buff burning and that list goes on and on.  We were hostile with disappointment. 

I was wondering around at 6 AM the next day Thursday and found someone who evidently cared.  By 9 AM things were rocking with white shirts and ties, executive type people.  We vented on all of them.  They said they did a “shitty job” and apologized all over the place and admitted to be at 100% at fault.  Well, they are lining up to make the unit good.  They took the coach back and it’s being worked on like their job depends on it – duh….  It looks like their repair, cabinet and paint shops will have it for a few days.  Next Tuesday a big executive will be coming from Winnebago and we (& the coach) are on his list to see.  Some problems are Lazydays and some are Winnebago’s.  We don’t friggin care – FIX IT!  We have not spent a night in the new unit yet and refuse to at this point. 

The Beast is doing fine and likes being in two full hook up sites with shade.

Lazydays went from being an outstanding professional company to the bottom of the deep blue sea.  Their free meals/mixed drinks are great, we do have to say that.

See ya…..