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Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Yahoo Message Number: 1181
Okay the trip is over and we survived with a few foibles along the way.
I'll give a brief run down of the events and plan.

Original plan was to take the Greyhawk 32SS from Raleigh, NC to Denver,
CO, then on to Moab, UT, Monument Valley, Albuquerque, NM, San Antonio,
TX and back home.

The final trip ended up being Denver, Moab, Monument Valley, Home.

4429 miles

19 Days and countless days of prep

619 gallons of gas

Average price $3.92/gal

Average mileage 7.2 mpg

Highest price paid $4.10

Lowest price paid $3.75

Highest peak crossed at roadway 12,400 ft

Steepest grade 8 1/2% Shocking how steep that really looks.

I'm worn out and the motorhome went back to the dealer for some warranty
work and they'll probably have it for a couple of weeks. There is a TSB
out for the exhaust hangar problem, but mine didn't break where they
have the usual problem.

Both a/c units work, but the thermostats are shot, or at least one of
them is so it doesn't run the front unit. The other runs, but is way off
on the temp. At least we had some cool coming out of one of them when it
was 106 in Grants, NM. The humidity may have been 3%, but it was hot no
matter how you look at it.

The trip to Denver was without incident for the most part with the
exception of trying to tow the Vue with the emergency brake on.
Fortunately that only lasted less than two miles and according to the
Saturn dealer there was no damage.

When we realized there was a problem we had just gotten on the
interstate in St Louis and fortunately a passing motorist let me know. I
pulled to the shoulder and released the brake before moving on to where
we could get off the interstate to check it out. I took the first exit I
came to and just stopped on the shoulder of the ramp. After looking
things over and deciding it was okay I headed back up front and a
motorist pulled over and rolled his window down. The guy said, "I don't
know if you know it or not, but you've pulled over in probably the worst
possible place in all of St Louis." I said, "I guess I need to be moving
on then" and he said something like "yeah get the hell out of this area" ;-)

The trip to Denver from there was okay, but very windy. The slideout
awning on the livingroom unrolled part way and I never did hear back
from Carefree. No damage and it rolled back in okay. I didn't have
another problem during the trip. The dealer told me yesterday he's never
heard of a slideout awning coming out.

The trip over the mountains to Moab was uneventful and the region there
is just spectacular. I'll never look at westerns the same way again
after going thru monument valley where most were filmed. We saw a bit of
City Slickers II the other night and recognized the view from Dead Horse
Point which was kinda neat.

The last night at Moab took a sorry turn when I almost got into a fight
with the guy next door to us. He refused to leash his dog and one of his
buddies was the same way so these two big dogs came running over to
investigate my dog Tica when I took her out. Of course she freaked in
her usual way and the big dogs got excited. I said something to the guys
wife who came running about the leash law and she gave me some crap. I
put the dog inside and said I'd just go up to the office rather than
debate the rules with her. Then her husband came around the corner and
told her to shut up and told me to go inside. That didn't really set
well with me. We exchanged pleasantries and he bowed up and said
something about I was going to have a problem with him. I said I'd just
go to the office and he turned away and spouted some crap about wanting
trouble. Talking to his back didn't set well with me either so we had a
few more moments. I finally decided getting into a fight with a guy
twice my size and his friends along with being 20 years younger wasn't a
great idea so I backed down. I did go to the office and they sent the
owner over to talk with the guys. Kathy was scared to death all night
they'd do something to our motorhome or car. No more came of it, but it
ruined a very nice day. These guys were probably mid 30's, had big Class
A motorhomes and each dragging a very expensive outback rigged jeep
behind them. They headed out every day for the jeep trails and looked
like they were on safari. They may have been in debt up to their eyes
for all I know, but the old saying about you can't buy class certainly
stands.

After leaving Monument Valley we headed across Indian Route 59 towards
NM and ran into the incredible winds that plagued the area for the full
week. At one point going across the desert we saw a dust devil that was
pretty large and moving towards the highway so I slowed down and tried
to time our arrival so they wouldn't coincide. That almost worked :-) It
crossed in front of us, but damn what a shot we took and it moved us
across half a lane. I was glad there was nothing coming and I had timed
it as well as possible.

We started hearing a clunking noise and found the exhaust hanger broken
so it was a jury rig with a coat hanger that lasted about 20 miles. I
spent some quality time under the thing at a shopping center trying to
get some bolts in the missing rivet hole, but to no avail. I finally
grabbed a hose clamp and tried that. It sorta held until we found a
campground in Grants, NM. I talked to the GM road service who was all
too happy to get a wrecker out there and drag it away, but I wasn't big
on that idea so I went to work and got the bolt in the hole. It held the
rest of the trip and will probably just stay there.

It's at this point where the thermostat gave up the ghost and we nursed
along on one A/C unit. The temps stayed in the 101 - 106 range for a few
days with winds 35 mph gusting to 45 and occasionally 50. It was several
days of holding on for dear life. Not fun driving anything in those
conditions. I was VERY glad I insisted on the optional second a/c unit
for the bedroom which the dealer kept saying was probably a waste of
money. Turns out it was $650 well spent. There's no way we could have
made it without air.

We also decided to bag the trip to San Antonio as I was worn out and the
problems just made it too worrisome to attempt. We waited all day at one
park for a mobile repairman who was too busy to ever show up. This did
provide some needed rest for me now that I was starting the downhill
slide on rest and recovery. I have some health issues that fatigue plays
havoc with.

We set a plan in motion to travel two days no more than 8 hours each and
take a day off so we followed that the rest of the way home. We stayed
at some decent places and a couple of dumps along the way, but we got
home safely.

I was glad to finally get home given the worries of a couple problems
and the big clunking sound in the back is still a question. Kathy is
ready to go again. I'm sure if I ever catch up on rest I'll feel
different, but right now I'd be glad to sit for a couple weeks and not
get behind the wheel of anything. Hard to admit that I'm no longer the
man I used to be...or even close when it comes to stamina. Damned mortality.

We planned way too much into the time frame we had to deal with and
finding out I couldn't keep up with the schedule made it rough. We did
learn some things though....or at least I did since she apparently
already knew them....naturally :-) We'll plan much more relaxed travel
times and more rest periods for me in between.

We did come in on budget though and the planning software I used was
very accurate. We really did make good use of the TomTom GPS unit and it
was the best purchase I made for the trip (picked one up for $99). The
POI's are a bit suspect though as she tried to make me turn the opposite
direction when I could see it from the intersection and it was the other
way :-) All in all it did a great job and was VERY handy a couple of times.

The thing is the photos of the canyons and towers don't even do it
justice on the grand scale. It's so massively huge you just can't
appreciate how far it spans in person. I'd like to go back on a
leisurely schedule and just take more of it in. If you've been in that
area you have some idea what I'm talking about.

We've made a pact that the next trip is going to be an enjoyment trip
without such a rigid schedule. Some of the problem lies in the fact
Kathy doesn't want to come home the way she went out and when we leave
Denver she's depressed over knowing she won't see the baby, etc for a
long time. Sooooo she wants to be entertained and have some fun. Hence
the big after Denver plan each time, but this time it didn't work out
well. I've told her if she wants to go to Denver this way she's going to
have to do it one of two ways:
1. go and come back
2. don't have a job to come back to, or a house so we can be leisurely

Overall I'm happy with the Greyhawk and the way it handled in the high
winds. The mileage was about what I expected and there were no big
catastrophes. Had we not had to get back for Kathy's job we could have
laid up in Albuquerque and waited for the Jayco dealer there to work on
the a/c units.

The clunking noise in the rear is still an issue and I fully expect the
dealer to tell me it's a GM problem or he can't duplicate it. I knew
they'd try to say it was something in a storage bin or the rear hitch so
I tested with them empty and that removed and the clunk it still there.
The odd part is you don't hear it when you first start in the morning
and after about 30 minutes or so it starts. It seems to get worse at the
day goes on or I just notice it more. I don't know. I've checked
everything I can think of as far as finding something loose. It happens
as you come off or on the gas so it's a weight shift/torque sort of
thing that causes it.

I'll get some photos up on a website when I catch my breath.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 1184
Many thanks for the report Greg. Lots for me to think about as that trip is HIGH on our list, as you know. I'd love to do it when the MH is still under warranty but it is not looking like that is possible. Frankly, when we cost it out we are wondering about doing it in the Tahoe. It will be shorter on travel time and the cost isn't looking too bad at all. Gas cost will be $2000 less with the Tahoe vs the Kodiak and that amount plus the campground fees will pay for the motels. We'd also be gone a good week less because I can easily travel 600 miles + per day in the Tahoe and still be relaxed (we've concluded it is the best traveling vehicle we've ever had - and that includes a Caddy, Lincoln, SSEi, Mercury, Chrysler LXi Town & Country, Cherokee, LHS, etc).

Did you have the clunk before the exhaust problem? I'm almost positive now that my drive line whine is the outcome of the way I rigged the exhaust as it stops instantly when I let off the gas. The vibration comes right through the frame.

I got a note from Jayco today apologizing for them not getting back to me on the propane line recall. They said "you are right it doesn't apply to the 32SS."

I've told them that I'll try to fix the hanger to eliminate the vibration and if I can't do it they can try it again when we travel back to Middlebury (and waste $250) to have a little paint work done they couldn't do in April.

Do keep us posted on that clunk. I have to say I'm not looking forward to being out of warranty. Any drive shaft problems could be a bear to have fixed given the only option will be getting Jayco to ship the parts or have them made from scratch by a truck drive line center. Big $$$ not doubt in either case - and long waits. "IF" we ever get another MH it will not be on a stretched WB without a chassis manufacturer warranty. Frankly, I wonder about the thought process at Jayco and the others who stretch the wheelbases. They know that GM won't cover the warranty and the info Denny posted makes me wonder if the rear end and the transmission will be covered. I think they should be disclosing this to us before we purchase. I figured my entire chassis was covered by GM so obviously I didn't do my homework properly.

Don


On 11-Jun-08, at 10:03 AM, Greg Gimlick wrote:


Re: Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 1185
Greg,

Really nice report! Almost made me feel as if we were there along with
you... much appreciated. Incidently, since I was there with you,
thanks for letting discretion be the better part of valor cause I sure
didn't want to get into it with those other jerks either :-)

We'll be looking forward to hearing how your problems get worked out
and in seeing all your photos.

Bill

Re: Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 1186
thanks...........enjoyed the summary alot just wish I could hit the road !!!

Re: Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 1187
Don wrote:

Quote
Many thanks for the report Greg. Lots for me to think about as that
trip is HIGH on our list, as you know.

Utah has more incredible scenery than anyplace I've seen. We still want
to go back and do Bryce Canyon and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Alaska always intrigued me when I was there and we want to go back, but
Utah is a lot easier to get to and a lot warmer :-)

Quote
Frankly, when we cost it out we are wondering about doing it in the
Tahoe. It will be shorter on travel time and the cost isn't looking too
bad at all. Gas cost will be $2000 less with the Tahoe vs the Kodiak

By car would certainly be cheaper and faster. Since I don't like motels
and don't want to board the dog for an extended period I still prefer
the RV way of travel. This may well change as the current situation
unfolds, but I hope I can continue.

Quote
Did you have the clunk before the exhaust problem?

I think it arrived about the same time, but it's further back on the
frame than the exhaust problem was.

Quote
now that my drive line whine is the outcome of the way I rigged the
exhaust as it stops instantly when I let off the gas

I've got a drive line whine too and think it's just a fact of life with
the Kodiak for some reason.

Quote
The vibration comes right through the frame.

I don't have a vibration. When my hanger broke it actually lost the
rivet that holds the two pieces together so I could bolt it back together.

Quote
I got a note from Jayco today apologizing for them not getting back to
me on the propane line recall. They said "you are right it doesn't apply
to the 32SS."

Ha :-) I got the recall and the note saying "oops" when I got home.

Quote
Do keep us posted on that clunk. I have to say I'm not looking forward
to being out of warranty. Any drive shaft problems could be a bear to
have fixed given the only option will be getting Jayco to ship the parts
or have them made from scratch by a truck drive line center.

I had one done for one of my sons when he did a Chevelle years ago and
it was stretched and balanced. It was a lot cheaper than I thought it
would be, but I'd hate to think I needed to do the same with the motorhome.

Quote
not doubt in either case - and long waits. "IF" we ever get another MH
it will not be on a stretched WB without a chassis manufacturer
warranty.

I agree about the disclosure and it's clear my dealer doesn't want to
discuss it. I told him one day if he wasn't going to service them he
might as well quit talking crap about places like RV Direct because
there isn't a difference in the end if the buyer is out there on his own
for everything.

I've said I want a class A, but at this time I don't see myself doing
anything like that since I think we probably own something we couldn't
sell in todays gas market. Not because it's a bad unit or anything like
that, but I'd hate to try to sell one while gas is so uncertain.

Quote
I figured my entire chassis was covered
by GM so obviously I didn't do my homework properly.

You and the rest of us. I asked where to get service and was told the
names of two dealers in the area who have since shown they won't touch it.

I guess when it comes back from the dealer I will be doing my own oil
change and gen service. I need to get an Allison filter and I'll
probably change the motor oil over to synthetic when I do the oil change.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Greg's Trip Post Mortum

Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 1188
Bill wrote:

Quote
Really nice report! Almost made me feel as if we were there along with
you... much appreciated

Thanks. glad you liked it.

. Incidently, since I was there with you,

Quote
thanks for letting discretion be the better part of valor cause I sure
didn't want to get into it with those other jerks either :-)

Sometimes I have to remind myself I'm not a young hard charging Army
aviator any more and park my temper.

Take care,
Greg