It Has to Get Better, Doesn't It?

It is just shy of 4 a.m., November 17th, and instead of being in Foley, Alabama, where we should have been on November 11th, I am sitting at home writing this (the latter part of that should be obvious). There is still a plan to go south. I will publish this to the blog and let the usual suspects know there is a blog when, and if, the operation gets "on the road again."

We left on November 9th at about 7:30 a.m. and came to a smoking halt in a Milford, Ohio, LOWE'S parking lot, near Cincinnati, around noon. The left rear wheel "area" was smoking. I will not go into the technical aspects of the problem as I am supremely unqualified in that regard. The highlights are, towed to repair shop. Axle seal problem, the goop it seals in was all over. Further investigation prior to repair revealed differential damage. Warranty required work be done a Chrysler dealer. Towed to dealer. Chrysler (corp.) required independent evaluation. Service had to wait for report before they could order parts. We came home Saturday the 12th. On Tuesday, November 15th we were informed that Chrysler had authorized the warranty repair so ordering parts had begun. Estimated availability of repaired truck, next week some time.

The warranty (certified used vehicle) covers the bulk of the cost. Yet, we spent three nights at a Holiday Inn in the mistaken belief that the repairs would be expedited and we had the travel trailer moved to a secure location in an RV dealer's lot. Some of these expenses may be covered by a supplemental repair policy Important word, MAY.

To give credit. The first repair shop, Bob Sumerel (Milford, Ohio) and the service dept. at Jeff Wyler Chrysler (Batavia, Ohio) did what they could. Hertz got us into a car on very short notice and then Wyler provided a loaner. Lowe's let us leave the trailer for a few days and Holman RV (near Wyler's) found a spot for it. Holiday Inn (Eastgate) was very understanding with our on again/off again need for a room. The only person with a bad attitude was me.

So, as I sit and wait I try to develop enthusiasm for continuing the trip south. Interruptions are frustrating, a newly repaired truck can be a question (reliability), and the result of the recent election seems to have "let slip the dogs of hate," especially in the South. Still. if you see this I suspect we are not still in Canton.