"One Day at a Time, 2015” …..Branford, Connecticut …..(September 14 - 21) …..
Do you remember this post from September 17th?
We departed our campground in Mystic Connecticut Monday morning (September 14) on our way to Cabela's parking lot in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. I had read online that some people had just parked there overnight so we figured that would be a good spot for us. We were headed to a campground in Virginia.
I had been concerned about the drive through New York City and was determined to avoid. I had also read on one of our RV blog sites that utilizing Interstates 95 to 287 to 78 to 81 in Pennsylvania would help us achieve that goal.
To make a long story shot, shortly after Bruce filled up with diesel at a Pilot, exit 40, he got the "dreaded" Check Engine light. The light went on and off several times and handling the rig was getting worse; I read a sign that I thought said "last exit before 287 and 95 split" and I knew by looking at the map that if we kept going we could break down on the Tappan Zee bridge, so we bailed there; it was at a Service Area. He changed the one filter (which took longer than usual because he had to get a part), and we started out again. However, we didn't get far. Bruce nursed us to exit 6 as he knew he could turn around and get back on the Interstate easily there to get us back to the Service Area. But ... our rig decided to die!
Great!! Well, the first call was to our Good Sam Roadside Assistance. After explaining where we were and giving all the details, the operator explained that they could NOT tow us to the closest Freightliner Dealership which was located in the Bronx. Only towing companies that have a contract with the Toll Road authorities can be used. Good Sam would have been free; another company ..... NOT! Bruce contacted the Freightliner hot line again (John) and after sending out a technician to determine what the problem could be ( the same Code Number came up on the computer as the previous Check Engine light fiasco back in March !!), and finding out about towing companies that were and were not allowed on the toll road, they agreed to tow us to the "next" closest dealership which was located in Branford, CT - almost back where we started our day! Branford Connecticut is about 49 miles from Mystic!! Needless to say, it was a very frustrating day.
The next morning the Southern Connecticut Freightliner dealership told us that the first time our rig could be looked at was Friday, September 18th!! But, the good news was that they will let us stay in our RV in their back lot during the daytime and move to outside the gate (liability issues) at night. We can sleep in our beds and eat our meals.
Hopefully it won't take forever to fix, and we will be on our way.
Still smiling, still talking to each other, telling each other that we are making memories as we go.
Posted in real time, September 17, 2015
So - what did we do at Freightliner for a whole week???
We did our usual - drove around. We always start out as close to the water (coast) as we can. We ended up near East Haven and New Haven. We discovered Lighthouse Point Park - it had everything - a sandy beach to walk on, place to eat our PB&J, a carousel, no fee to get in, and we almost saw the Annual Migration Festival. Apparently the park is located on the Atlantic flyway, a major route for butterflies, hawks, and many other bird species in their annual migration south for the winter months. We found some sea glass and had a perfectly lovely day!
Do you remember this post from September 17th?
We departed our campground in Mystic Connecticut Monday morning (September 14) on our way to Cabela's parking lot in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. I had read online that some people had just parked there overnight so we figured that would be a good spot for us. We were headed to a campground in Virginia.
I had been concerned about the drive through New York City and was determined to avoid. I had also read on one of our RV blog sites that utilizing Interstates 95 to 287 to 78 to 81 in Pennsylvania would help us achieve that goal.
To make a long story shot, shortly after Bruce filled up with diesel at a Pilot, exit 40, he got the "dreaded" Check Engine light. The light went on and off several times and handling the rig was getting worse; I read a sign that I thought said "last exit before 287 and 95 split" and I knew by looking at the map that if we kept going we could break down on the Tappan Zee bridge, so we bailed there; it was at a Service Area. He changed the one filter (which took longer than usual because he had to get a part), and we started out again. However, we didn't get far. Bruce nursed us to exit 6 as he knew he could turn around and get back on the Interstate easily there to get us back to the Service Area. But ... our rig decided to die!
Great!! Well, the first call was to our Good Sam Roadside Assistance. After explaining where we were and giving all the details, the operator explained that they could NOT tow us to the closest Freightliner Dealership which was located in the Bronx. Only towing companies that have a contract with the Toll Road authorities can be used. Good Sam would have been free; another company ..... NOT! Bruce contacted the Freightliner hot line again (John) and after sending out a technician to determine what the problem could be ( the same Code Number came up on the computer as the previous Check Engine light fiasco back in March !!), and finding out about towing companies that were and were not allowed on the toll road, they agreed to tow us to the "next" closest dealership which was located in Branford, CT - almost back where we started our day! Branford Connecticut is about 49 miles from Mystic!! Needless to say, it was a very frustrating day.
The next morning the Southern Connecticut Freightliner dealership told us that the first time our rig could be looked at was Friday, September 18th!! But, the good news was that they will let us stay in our RV in their back lot during the daytime and move to outside the gate (liability issues) at night. We can sleep in our beds and eat our meals.
Hopefully it won't take forever to fix, and we will be on our way.
Still smiling, still talking to each other, telling each other that we are making memories as we go.
Posted in real time, September 17, 2015
So - what did we do at Freightliner for a whole week???
September 14 - 17
Monday – 9/14 see above
Tuesday – Thursday - September 15 - 17 - Sat around mostly. We were parked in the back; it was hot; didn't feel much like investigating the area.
Friday - September 18 - our RV has an appointment "sometime" today. We left around 7:30 to drop Zoey off at Angel Paws, a grooming establishment. She was in dire need of a shave and a haircut!We did our usual - drove around. We always start out as close to the water (coast) as we can. We ended up near East Haven and New Haven. We discovered Lighthouse Point Park - it had everything - a sandy beach to walk on, place to eat our PB&J, a carousel, no fee to get in, and we almost saw the Annual Migration Festival. Apparently the park is located on the Atlantic flyway, a major route for butterflies, hawks, and many other bird species in their annual migration south for the winter months. We found some sea glass and had a perfectly lovely day!
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| Outside of Angel Paws |
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| Gosh, no nothin' |
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| This is where the sign was - a water spray park. |
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| I can't believe I didn't take a better picture of the carousel. You can find a whole bunch at this link. |
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| New Haven |
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| LOOK what I found!! Bruce wouldn't let me add it to my collection. He said it would stink. So I moved it and made a prettier picture. |
These photos show other sites from on the way back to Freightliner.
When we returned, the rig was still not done so we spent another night in the parking lot. Tonight we got to meet the folks whose rig had been towed into Freightliner the night before. Terri and Carl were from Washington state. They had an Allegro RV and the electrical system on it shut down. At least we weren’t the only ones with troubles.
(After reading lots of RVer's blogs and the FB site for RVer's, unfortunately it's not a rare occurrence - breaking down and problems with your rig. No matter what kind (Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheeler, Toy Hauler or Coach) people suffer from poor workmanship and horrid Quality Control. We need to hold these manufacturers accountable for their actions!
Posted October 24, 2015
(After reading lots of RVer's blogs and the FB site for RVer's, unfortunately it's not a rare occurrence - breaking down and problems with your rig. No matter what kind (Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheeler, Toy Hauler or Coach) people suffer from poor workmanship and horrid Quality Control. We need to hold these manufacturers accountable for their actions!
Posted October 24, 2015
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