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Hitch was installed completely wrong by dealer - Jeff Couch RV Nation

Warning to all. I was lucky I didn't kill anyone on the road. Hensley being cooperative. Please make sure if you buy a Hensley that your dealer knows how to install it. I thought not putting the pin in was the worst of it. The four main bolts that keep the hitch on the trailer were never installed. It took 1K miles for the hitch to slide down far enough to give me trouble on the way home. There is so much more to the story but I can"t write it with one finger on my left hand. Just wanted to warn my friends in blogland. This has ruined everything for me including being able to get in the water to keep my back and SI joints from reverting back to a painful situation. So a brand new trailer sits in my driveway looking perfectly normal, but is a LETHAL WEAPON.

No trip west for me. :(

      

MURPHY AT WORK

I got a black cast so no one could sign it! Right!

What No Sleep Will Do To You

I went back to correct grammar, etc., in the past three posts and even I couldn't follow what I had written. My kids will get a laugh out of this one day. So, I'm sitting here waiting for a mobile RV guy to come.

The sun came out this morning, I got some sleep, so I decided to try to fix the hitch. I started by cleaning it up as I had grease all over the place. Then I loosened the spring bar and...

KABOOM!

Hensley is being very cooperative although they have no representative in the area that could come out to fix it but whoever I can find to fix it will have their full attention over the phone. They are concerned since I didn't touch the latch for the ball and hitch that whoever put the ball into the hitch put the wrong size. The saga continues...

Days of Fun - Overnighting at Seven Points COE Campground in Tennessee

It’s been a grand time. Yesterday, we went into the town of Wynne. I stuck to my diet in spite of the aroma of barbecue lunches the other gals had (I’m just ignoring cheating at all other times). We walked through the town—I don’t think we went by one person who didn’t give us a cheerful hello. First, we went to Walmart and picked up a few necessary items. We hit a few “antique/junk” shops, and I picked up a few things. It seems as though I get things out of one door of the house and bring in things through another door. If I decide to sell the house when I return from the west, the grandkids can have some fun shopping in my house. The rest will be in a very big garage sale. I only need so much for an apartment.

We were lucky. The bad weather we were watching coming closer to us wound up being some rain during one night and bright sunshine the rest of the time I was there. I understand it rained or was supposed to after I left.

Hitching up was difficult this morning, but Wilson and I were able to get it done—mostly Wilson who has a talent for fixing things. I still love the way the hitch works with the trailer. I had one mishap. Fortunately, I had decided to stop at a rest stop to stretch my legs. When I went to turn, the truck shook so hard and steering was so bad that I couldn’t pull in where I was supposed to. The steering wheel just wouldn’t let me so I pulled straight ahead to the car section. As people were yelling at me and waving their arms (and voicing their annoyance) I looked for and found a spot where I was out of their way. I pulled over to check the trailer and hitch. As I walked back to the hitch, one of the people who was yelling the loudest at me stopped and said there was a lot of movement in the trailer. I think he felt badly. He probably just thought I made a mistake and didn’t use the park/trailer section.

The sway bars were very loose. I noticed that though I had the chains underneath every thing I didn’t have them between what I think are the struts so I think the chains got bound up on the turn. I changed that and tightened everything up. I made one more stop to double check that things were okay about 50 miles down the road in another rest stop. Everything was good. It was a scare, but a good way to learn how to figure out what was wrong.

Okay, there was another problem, too. Unfortunately, when I bought this trailer I got no instructions and no walk through hitching and unhitching. You need one if you are going to buy a Hensley. The trailer started to sway—a lot! So, I pulled off the highway and went back to check everything. It turned out that the nuts on the struts were loose. We had tightened them before I left, but I guess I’ll check them more often for a while. Usually, after a long drive (and it was a long drive (I sat in traffic for a total of 3 hours) I come in and relax before unhitching. Traffic was terrible all the way from Nashville and I landed in Atlanta at commute hour. Fortunately, I got off 75 before hitting the perimeter (I85) and took a longer route on side streets for about 20 miles because I heard on the radio that there was trouble at the intersection—that could mean hours.

I am overnighting at Seven Points COE Campground. It’s a beautiful park and a bargain at only $22. Coming down there was a terrible accident going west on I40. A semi hit a DOT truck and killed a man standing in front of it (they had been changing a tire. Two or three others were seriously injured. Traffic was backed up for at leas 25 miles as I40 was closed going west. I saw that they were diverting traffic. I bet some of those people before they diverted sat there 4 or 5 hours.

Both Campgrounds Were Great. Seven Points Near Nashville has huge sites as you can see.

Part of the lake. I took some sunset pictures, but they weren't that great.

There's a Sandy Beach, But I thought these rocks were unusual.

The reason I left early was so I could take flowers to the cemetery so I didn’t follow my regular routine, but something went askew unhitching. It rained, today, so I’m going to see if I can fix things, tomorrow. Hensley isn’t open until Monday. I know I did everything right because I was reading the manual and my notes. I drove away and the hitch spat out my yellow blocks. I hooked up, again, and the same thing happened only this time, I couldn’t hitch back up so I took part of the hitch off and will will try to put “Humpty Dumpty” together again, tomorrow. Since I wrote this, Jim Dixon called me and suggested a great solution. Hensley also contacted me--I'll talk to them tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I can put everything back together BUT I sure wish I had an expert's eyes to tell me I did it all right. The next time I tow, I'll be a bit nervous for a while.

I have come to the conclusion that I need to buy some wood from Home Depot to put under the hitch when parked—maybe square plastic leveling blocks are just too light. I also ordered a torque wrench. I really had no idea what a torque wrench was or did, but Jim explained it to me. I can use it to tighten the lugs on the tires, too. Nothing was mentioned about it when I picked up the trailer and it didn’t come with the hitch. The instructions said to tighten the strut nuts 45 degrees or pounds or whatever. Huh? No sleep last night so I’m forgetting names of things which isn’t out of the ordinary. It’s 5:25 a.m. and I don’t know whether to stay up or try to get a few hours sleep if I can sleep.
Well that’s my story of fun and woe all wrapped into one! Oh, if there’s anyone reading, I’ve forgotten how to get to my dashboard to insert pictures, would you leave a comment, please. Oops. Never mind. I found it.

I'll leave saying I'd still buy a Hensley. It towed that well. I'm in a learning curve and Sandy said she was in tears the first few trips with theirs. So, I feel better. Rained all day to day. I finally went to bed at 8 a.m. and got four hours sleep. It's time, now. Don't let my snoring disturb you.

More of Village Creek in Arkansas

There are six of us camping here in Arkansas. In no particular order; Dixie, Teresa, Bobbi, Wilson, and Patricia. Yesterday we went kayaking; a first for me (they all have a lot of experience)! I loved it and can't wait to do it, again. The wonderful news is that Teresa presented me with a bracelet signifying that I’m officially in the kayaking group. What a surprise. It’s hanging on the wall in my trailer, but I’ll show you a picture. I'm not at all sure, but I think we paddled about 2-1/2 hours. Since it was my first time, Wilson and I got a two seater. I don't know if she was just fluffing me, but she said I did well. I did try to do my part. She was brave in as much as she knows I’m a Calamity Jane!

I've always enjoyed Sherri's blog describing how she and David paddle in and out of the secret places they find, and of course the stories that I've heard from my friends. At last I got to experience it for myself. Now, I understand. There's peace and quiet floating on the water. Well, most of the time. It was only us on the lake so the occasional shrieks of laughter didn’t spoil anyone else’s day.

We have had full days of fun and laughter. The weather has been beautiful although the weather report says there's rough weather ahead. I'll worry about that when it comes. Each night we've had a delicious meal. Everyone pitches in (Patricia is the chef and she makes the main dish, generally, and the rest of us either bring a side dish or plates, etc.) and then we chat and laugh around a campfire. Funny, I could eat cardboard outside and I think it would taste good. I made my banana pudding and broke my diet big time. I also made a crock pot creamed corn dish. Easy as pie. Just dump in the ingredients and set the time.
I needed this week--it's always a difficult week with thoughts and memories all the time about Rich. Anniversaries are still very difficult even after 11 years.

Teresa and Me

Waiting at the Dock

Patricia and Wilson trying to escape a picture

Patricia

Dixie

Bobbi--Could have put the one with her sticking out her tongue at me

Wilson, avoiding again. That's okay. I got a video

Teresa

Right now, I'm sitting outside with a cool breeze, birds chirping, and Molly (Teresa's pup at my side). We're just chillin'. In a few minutes I'm going to go down and get Toby, Dixie's new little adopted pup. Cute as he can be. He's getting heart worm treatment so he needs to remain calm. I'll carry him down and he can sit in my laundry basket with towels for a bed. I know the gals are trying to make me feel like I'm doing them a favor, but they know they are doing me a favor. I probably bore them to death when the subject of dogs comes up because they bring memories of Jack up--and I'm sure some have already heard them a thousand times or were there as he made them.

Tobey, the newest canine member

Teddy, always looking for a handout. He's so cute who could resist him

How luck Tobey was to find someone who camps. What a life he'll have. Another dog saved.

They are looking in the direction where their Mama's come from. That Molly By Golly in the front.

I have to download pictures. The campground is very nice and I've got a beautiful site.. I didn't take my phone or camera in the kayak--my luck they would be in the drink.
I'm getting to know my camper. At first, it seemed as though I lost everything I packed. I looked and looked for shampoo and couldn't find it the first night so I washed my hair with hand soap. I got out of the shower and picked up the little basket I put things in to store in the tub and there was the shampoo! Then, I couldn't find my hair dryer. I KNEW I had put it in the bathroom drawer, but it was no where to be found. I stopped and got the same cheap version in a Walmart on the way over. I looked in one of the bathroom drawers, again, and--voila, I now have two hair dryers. I know I looked in that drawer at least a dozen times, but didn't see it. I think the problem was that the inside of the drawer is white and so is the dryer and I don't see contrast very well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Besides, it's the story of my life!

I wound up getting a full hook up site so dumping won't be a problem at all. Nice to have the big tanks, though. I still haven't figured out how to work the TV, but that can wait. Patricia and Wilson helped me with that. The TV light is off when the TV is on and you have to point the remote at a certain place. I've been asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow every night. I did wake up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night and busied myself, but I had taken a nap in the afternoon. Ah, the fresh air of camping would put anyone to sleep. Maybe I should go out to the trailer. I am so tired!

This blog is going to be sketchy because there was no wifi at the campground and I can’t remember 10 minutes ago much less everything that happened over a period of a week. I do know we laughed no matter what we were doing. I’m fortunate to have such wonderful friends. I’m also trying Blogo for the first time.


The wind is picking up. I hope it's not a sign of what's coming. We'll see.

My mind is even sketchier. I added a more to this post, but deleted it by mistake.

I'll do a not so detailed summary. There was a terrible accident going west near Nashville that killed a DOT worker and injured two or three others. Just a horrible sight.

I sat in traffic in a traffic coming back from Nashville (Seven Points State Campground) and then avoided another jam at I285 and I75 in Atlanta by taking back roads. It added miles, but even though it was longer I bet I saved a lot of time.

I'm mixed up, now. Will have to change later, if necessary. I'm cross eyed from no sleep. Unhitching did not go well. No one should buy a Hensley hitch unless they get a walk through hitching and unhitching and things that can go wrong by someone who knows the hitch inside and out. Long story short, the hitch is taken apart. Hopefully, later today if I can get some sleep, I'll put it back, again.

Maiden Trip

It seems as though this trailer has been parked in my driveway ready to be used for a much longer time than it actually has. Susan came over while I packed last minute things this morning. She was going in at 11 a.m. because she is working late tonight and is on call until the morning. It was a long ride over here to Holly Springs, MS, but a nice ride—good roads. I was fortunate that I was going west because I285 east was a virtual parking lot. I came over a day earlier than I first had planned. My friend Teresa and her dog Molly will be here, tomorrow. She’s got an 8 ½ hour drive - that’s not counting pit stops. We’ll leave for Village Creek on Saturday to meet our mutual friends on Saturday.

I miss Jack. I guess it’s going to be this way for a while.

When I got to this campground (Wall Doxey), there was no one in the office. There was a sign to call a number because they were out of the office. I called and a woman answered and said in a very disinterested tone, “Just go to your site and go back to the office, tomorrow .”So, I’ll have myself a little stroll. I asked her if there was anyone who could direct me while backing into my site and she said, “No.” Very short and sweet. So I figured I’d worry about it when I got to the site and remembered that I saw a Days Inn not too far from here on the way in or I’d just pull back into the office parking lot and stay there.

Off I went to find Site 4. The back up camera worked fine this morning. I couldn’t get it to work when I needed it, however (guess that’s what directions are for). Well just keep doing it until you get her in, Nancy. I guess it was about 10 minutes and I don’t know how many times in and out of the truck to check to see whether I was hitting my mark. NOT. Then I heard, “Can I help you?” Saved by Kyle! He and his wife and little boy, Sawyer (Teresa’s grandson is named Sawyer—coincidence) He got in and zipped the trailer right in. The space just fits the truck and trailer. I’m not unhooking while I’m here. The cement pad was level enough. He and his wife, a young couple with a fifth wheeler seem like very nice people. They are from north Alabama. Kyle wanted to buy my truck. He said he’d pay me what I bought it for eight years ago. He’d leave it here with his wife and tow my trailer back home to Atlanta. I don’t know how many times I told him that I wasn’t going to sell the truck, but he kept upping the price until his wife spoke up and said, she has a trailer she wants to pull with it.

I was so organized packing, for weeks, but oddly enough everything I looked for I couldn’t find. I think I was just plain tired. I have to say, again, that I love this Hensley hitch. Not much of a problem to hitch up this time now that I had an idea of what I had to do. No sway and steady as she goes right past 18 wheelers and when they were passing me. This trailer has a lot more space to move around in, more space to hang clothes, and a bigger bathroom. However, it doesn’t have much space for kitchen items. I think I just have to get used to where things are. I do have some things stored under the bed—it’s nice that it lifts open. I don’t have TV or WiFi, but my Verizon has 4 or 5 bars.

I just hooked up to electric. I’ll hook up to the water, tomorrow. I was hungry so I made myself a lean cuisine which was good. I decided I’d watch a DVD on my computer. It was good. Called “The Judge” Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall.

I slept like a log last night. I hooked up the water and all went well. I decided I’d better walk back to the office to get my tag. I had already paid on line. It was further than I remembered, but I was in the truck, then. Odd how much easier it is to exercise in water. It was a nice walk, though. Odd not to having a dog at the end of a leash. He would have loved it here.

I don’t know how far it was, but far enough to hurt. I’ll just have to build up my tolerance. I was told that lower back surgery would put a strain on my upper back and that’s where I have the pain, now. This blog, however, is not going to be about pain.

I got to the office after passing what I thought were mosquito repellers of some sort (that’s the way my mind works). I emailed my kids and got an immediate reply telling me they were frisbee golf whatevers. I’m sure they got a laugh out of my guess.

The office is a pretty building. I walked up the door. Locked. Sign to call number. I got the same annoyed voice on the other end of the phone. She said, “Wait. I’ll be right there.” She did come promptly. I had already paid on line so she just filled out the sticker for the post and off I went. I left and walked around the lake for a little while. Pretty. Then I walked back and took pictures of my site as you see and a picture of Teresa’s with my iPhone and sent it to her.

I miss Jack.

Trust Yourself and Have Good Friends

Thursday I decided I would try to hitch the trailer to the truck. The Hensley is totally different than my last hitch. I didn't have much instruction as to how to do it so I was apprehensive. I backed the trailer hitch into the trailer receiver the first try, so I was encouraged. "This was going to be easy" (supposed to be the hard part). NOT.  I spent the next three frustrating hours reading the manual, watching YouTube Videos, and speaking to the manufacturer. Everything/one told me not to follow my instincts. I was tired and defeated. Fortunately, a storm was approaching so I put everything away and came in the house.

I woke up, yesterday, saying to myself, "Try again, and this time follow your instincts." I had emailed Sandie and Jim. Sandie came to the rescue right away saying that Jim was fishing, but she would have him read my email when he got home. (I forgot to ask if Jim caught anything, Sandie!) She reassured me that the first few times were trying for them, as well. Jim was kind enough to call me just as I had started. I asked him a few questions and he was more helpful than anyone. He told me the manual wasn't helpful, and reassured me that I could adjust some parts (names?).

Within the next half hour:

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go! Probably for the best because I unhitched and hitched three more times. Good Practice. Now I need to push myself to get out to a parking lot and finally learn how to back up. My driveway is long and narrow and uphill, not steep but up hill.

Addition to Check List. Make sure the slide is in when driving away.

All is well that ends well. :)

New Adventure

Without my Buddy writing the blog, I’m at a loss for words--my mind is blank. I guess it will take practice. I’m trying out the new Blogo version—we’ll see how it works out. I ordered my trailer quite a while ago. I figured if my back stayed the same for six months, I’d take another stab at camping and traveling. (changed--I'm using Blogger instead for the first time. I'll use blogo when I have no wifi)

I will be camping with a group of friends in the Ozarks in April (the time I was originally going to leave for the west). My granddaughter, Amanda and her fiance' Brian, set the wedding date for June 11 so I can’t leave until they have tied the knot. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll camp again with mostly the same group of friends in Ohio in May. I’m sure I have mentioned the WACs on the blog before. Some of them met Jack and me in New Mexico in 2010. They are a great group of women campers. http://travelswithmrnimble.blogspot.com/2010/05/where-is-jack-day-23.html
I will meet a few of them at Ft. Stevens State Park in Oregon for a couple of days.

I didn’t think I’d ever camp again because of my back so I sold my other trailer lock stock and barrel to a lovely young couple with two little boys and a new baby girl. They are an outdoor couple if ever there was one. I thought about keeping it and getting a soft spot in the floor fixed, but none of my kids wanted to use it and it seemed such a shame to leave it in the driveway just getting older. Like a swimming pool, the value of it went up the more it was used and enjoyed—not just sitting there. It was a Jayco Trailer and it was a good trailer—lasted me eight years and a lot of miles. No complaints from me except things like where the fuses were located, and the bed location. It actually worked out fine when Jack and Lizzie camped with me—the floor plan suited them fine. I had put new tires on it, a new electric/gas water heater, and as I did every year had the roof checked and sealed. I also had it detailed. Then off she went into new adventures and making great memories for a wonderful young family. Unfortunately, the floor needs to be replaced. There was no water in the trailer--never had a leak so I'm not sure what happened. Even the soft spot was not the slightest bit damp.

Ok. Fast forward. The ablation on my back lasted six months. I felt like I had one last trip west in me—a last hoorah so to speak so I bought a Forest River Surveyor 201 RBS from Brannon at Jeff Couch’s RV Nation in Ohio. I got a good price and ordered some special things like a couch instead of a dining room table and a camera on the back of the trailer. Brannon is very easy to deal with--great buying experience. I’d like to find out about portable solar systems so I can boondock some. If anyone has any ideas or experience with one they really like, please leave a comment. It has more than enough storage. I've got empty shelves that I'm resisting filling, and room for as many clothes as I'll need. It even has storage under the bed!

Thanks to Jim and Sandie Dixon's recommendation I asked for the Hensley Arrow Hitch. Couch didn't sell them, but Brannon contacted Hensley and they were happy to sell it. Couch is now going to carry them, I think. I remembered reading that Jim said he felt it was well worth the extra money because it's so much safer to tow with, and boy was he right. What a difference towing, and this is a heavier trailer. It's pricey, but money worth spending. I told a friend I thought to myself while driving home, "Bring everything ya got 18 wheelers. I can see ya, I can hear ya, but I can't feel ya!"

I don’t know how long I’ll keep it after returning home (whenever), but I may be able to camp closer to home with friends. We’ll see. I’m not a planner except at very special times. I’ll post a few pictures. I don’t take many pictures any more since Jack was the author and he was my main subject so they aren’t very good, but you’ll get an idea as to what it’s like with the pictures.

This table stores behind the couch. It is HEAVY. I took it out of the trailer and have opted just to have a small table that I can use for my computer, etc. I don't think it was very wise to put that kind of weight on the slide out. It won't go to waste. My son can use the table in his basement.

I wanted to get up to New York to see my sister and a dear old friend, again. I decided that I would reserve a site in a fancy pancy campground "resort" for a week. She's going to come stay with me. I'm sure those of you on the west coast will hear the peals of laughter as we always have such a wonderful (and always funny) time together. Then, I'll stop in at another campground and I'll be able to spend some time with my old friend for a day or two.

From there, I will take the northern route out west. I'll take the interstate part of the time, but then try to find parallel roads to I90 to see the good stuff. Well, that's my first post. I hope to see some of you along the way. I have a two week reservation in Fort Stevens for the end of August/Beginning of September. My kids want to fly out to meet me. A couple of things on my bucket list--to ride the Mail boats and go, again, whale watching out of Depoe Bay and see the Orcas up near Victoria--that's a few of many.

Want to stop and say hi to  some of the bloggers I've grown so fond of. Have a lot of reading to catch up.

I Will Miss You

Rich's sister, Marilyn, passed away this week. She was the last of his sisters. We actually became closer as widows when her husband Bill died a few years after Rich. Bill had had a brain injury a decade or so before. Marilyn took care of him and dedicated her life to his care so that he could live an enjoyable, happy and productive life in spite of his limitations.

Unfortunately, not long after Bill was gone Marilyn developed her own health issues. Still, we spoke several times a week. Sometimes our calls started out with tears but within a few moments, we were both laughing--getting sillier and sillier. She had a great sense of humor. The past few months she'd been in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation, and finally at home with round the clock care. Her boys did everything within their power to make her comfortable. We had often discussed how we didn't want visitors when and if either of us got sick. I honored that wish as I know she would have for me. I was fortunate that I was able to talk to her for a few moments a week or so ago. I knew she was ready to leave us--she was very weak by that time.

Her four sons are fine young men (much like their Dad)--a tribute to Marilyn and the way she and Bill raised them. When we lived in New York, Rich's territory was the south. Seeing the boys and playing basketball was always a bright spot for him when in Atlanta, away from home.

Funny how it takes a while to realize that we won't see or hear someone, again. I think these pictures show her "impish like" personality. This is how I hope everyone who knew her will remember her. Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss you.

This was taken at Susan's house a few years ago

I Wonder What She was Saying When I took This--look at that grin

Marilyn and Bill

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Well, I fooled myself. I didn't think I'd be blogging quite this soon, but stuff happens. Good stuff! My soon-to-be Grandson asked for Amanda's hand in marriage, but he made her work for it! He sent her all over on a scavenger hunt, and she got a piece of jewelry at each destination (where he had incognito photographers waiting) until he popped the big one! HOW ROMANTIC IS THAT? It was a whirlwind of a day, that's for sure!

I don't know how to move the pictures around so I'll ask her when I see her to put them in order for me. Maybe you can figure it out--I think I have! It's a bit of a scavenger hunt in itself. Can you find "the moment" she said yes? Wish I could have been a fly on the wall. Aren't they a beautiful couple?