We got Trouble.... right here in Rapid City!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Today the tow truck came to Wheels West RV park in Custer, SD, to tow the rig to the service center in Rapid City. Prior to it's arrival, I backed the rig out of the rv site and into a field where it would be easily accessible, only to discover one of the NEW rear tires had somehow gone flat and my moving the rig caused it to come off the bead. Fortunately I used the leveling jacks to raise it off the ground and put air back in it and it took. Thinking leaky valve stem.

They even had to drop the drive shaft for the tow...all 6 inches of it.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Spent the night in the Freight-liner parking lot and awoke waiting for them to take us in. Place is packed. 

PS: Tire seems to be holding.

PS: PS: Again the problem: Start engine from cold, pull out and it goes fine for about 300 - 500 yards and then the engine RPMS drop down to an idle. Take it out of gear and engine RPMS do respond to the pedal (sluggish). Did this three times now. Hoping for a cheap fix. (Did I mention I PUSHED the rig with my F150 for 1 mile?)

Today they diagnosed the problem as a HEUI (Hydraulic, Electronic Unit Injection) pump (about $4k to replace).... with the proviso that once it is removed only then could the injectors be diagnosed.  If needed (about $3K more) and more time here. We are becoming friends with many others stuck here for days while RVs are being repaired. The common theme now is that RV stands for "Ruined Vacation". Parts not expected for 2 days (Saturday), but not likley that will be the day they work on it. This is one expensive campground!

In the evening we went to Rapid City's "Summer Nights" they do every Thursday. Was really nice. More towns should do something like this with streets blocked off, bands playing and lots of food vendors, etc.