We left Tuscaloosa on Easter morning, headed northwest to Oak Grove Campground on Lake Sardis in northern Mississippi. Easter dinner was at a KFC. We hadn't eaten at one for about thirty years and are pretty sure we consumed a weeks worth of calories. And the cookies weren't even very big. But the roads were pretty good and this is another great campground with our site being right on the water. Everything was hunky-dory until I went to put the big slide out. Deja vu all over again from four weeks ago as it bumped and jerked its way out. We're pretty sure another gear box has bit the dust.
Fast forward to this morning, after a nice supper of grilled salmon, broccoli, and coleslaw, a pretty sunset, and a good nights sleep in spite of wondering where we would spend our next night. The campground host also has an Open Range and recommended a dealer on the southside of Memphis--about 50 miles away. At 8:05 am, Butch got on the phone but of course all of their service people were busy with other 'guests' and they would call us right back. An hour later, he tried again and got a very helpful woman in the service department. After giving the make, model, year, problem, history, and the date of our smallpox vaccinations, she said she would see if they had parts and could do the work. Two hours later comes the verdict--they could not possibly do it this week.
The next closest dealer on our route north is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and they have five locations. Surely they would have the part. Same routine with make, model, etc. They could do the work, but alas, none of their locations have the part and it would take 7-10 days to get it. By this time it's noon and we are about to give up and try and make it home. The cute fellow pictured above appeared outside our window and I found another dealer in southern Illinois. The name is Larry's RV and I was picturing a small operation in someone's vacant lot, but lo and behold--they have a gear box and can do the work Wednesday morning!
So we signed up for another night here, because we are fairly certain that once we get this slide closed, we may not be able to open it again. With that one closed, unlike the one that gave us trouble last trip, we have no access to the living area or kitchen--only the bathroom and bedroom. And of course we are not positive we can get it closed. But we will try in the morning and the host said he would help. Then about a six hour trip to Mulkeyville, Illinois (I didn't make that up), a night in a local campground, and hopefully our problem solved on Wednesday. When we get home, we will order a spare gearbox to take with us. We don't have to make the same mistake three times to learn our lesson. Meanwhile we will enjoy this spot.
The next closest dealer on our route north is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and they have five locations. Surely they would have the part. Same routine with make, model, etc. They could do the work, but alas, none of their locations have the part and it would take 7-10 days to get it. By this time it's noon and we are about to give up and try and make it home. The cute fellow pictured above appeared outside our window and I found another dealer in southern Illinois. The name is Larry's RV and I was picturing a small operation in someone's vacant lot, but lo and behold--they have a gear box and can do the work Wednesday morning!
So we signed up for another night here, because we are fairly certain that once we get this slide closed, we may not be able to open it again. With that one closed, unlike the one that gave us trouble last trip, we have no access to the living area or kitchen--only the bathroom and bedroom. And of course we are not positive we can get it closed. But we will try in the morning and the host said he would help. Then about a six hour trip to Mulkeyville, Illinois (I didn't make that up), a night in a local campground, and hopefully our problem solved on Wednesday. When we get home, we will order a spare gearbox to take with us. We don't have to make the same mistake three times to learn our lesson. Meanwhile we will enjoy this spot.
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