Month: February 2015

Things have been a little off schedule here as they had real snow storm that gave us about 6 inches wednesday eve. There was an offical “snow day” for Thursday. I am told they get ice here regularly, but snow is only every couple years.

This was the start of it (left)

Same view the next morning (right)

This shows some of the bay doors with the numbers above them so that you get an idea of what I was talking about going into the bays.

The runway showing the snow and rigs just parked. On a normal day half these rigs would be inside the bays.

We are in the paint & body shop getting some work done on the rear…

Today was to be the last day, but even thought it should all get painted today, don’t know if the buffing and clear coat will get done. With this all being a possibility on this past Monday we did some brainstorming. We need to be in MI for the wedding on the 7th, pick up people from the local airport on Wed the 4th, etc. The decision was to take the car only to MI and leave the RV / trailer here. That way should something delay things being completed (like they are), Tiffin could still do the work and we could still go. We do have to move where everything is parked so we have scoped it out and are moving down the street to a self parking area. Although all of this makes different issues not having everything with us, it gives us some options. Like the fact that we weren’t sure what to do or where to go between MI  in March and then NJ in June. Rob is really tired of the cold right now and with leaving the RV in AL we are a little south still and can stay this direction. Plus there was a stop we wanted to make in Bowling Green KY for a “chip” in the RV, which we will have time to do now.

One last clip – sadie really enjoyed running around the field in the snow. Here is just a short clip.

We keep moving on from one department to another getting items repaired. Sorry no new pictures, but lots of visiting. Boring for you, but a good couple days for us.

I think it will helpful if I clarify a little. Our “home” is a 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus. We bought it from another individual April 2014. They had purchased this RV new. They had some repairs completed here in Red Bay and then as they used it to travel around. The items we are having repaired or adjusted, are things that have worn out or are items that the Tiffin company wants repaired. They have found some things that they used for manufacturing that hasn’t worked and want to take care of their customers. That gave us repairs on the “big 3” as they call them – the wetbay floor, the slide floor, and the side rails on the top. Those are some of the things you saw pictures of. Then there were smaller items that we saw some wear and tear on, as well as some items of concern.

If you were to imagine that damage that occurs in your house of bricks and sticks when there is a earthquake of about 3 to 4, that is what our home goes through going down the road, in and out of driveways, and around camp grounds.

To continue the work, we were in another bay yesterday getting the windshield reset and glued. During the last 2 days, one of the slides was “creeping” back in once we had it pushed out. So we asked and went back into chassis bay today for a hydraulic solenoid leak. Glad it happened now and not once we left. Our last area is the paint & body shop. There is a repair on the body and then paint that repair and the side rail that was replaced.

On Friday, we had the 2nd item of the “big 3” that Tiffin is repairing on their own dime. First they did the top rails, and Friday they did the floor in the wet bay. So that is the cabinet that houses the outside connections etc for the sewer and water connections. In order to do that floor, they remove the water tank and leave the other 2 tanks suspended, cut out the floor and insert a new complete floor. The one they are taking out was from some kind of plywood and replaced it with a 1/2 inch PVC sheet. We saw these sheets when we did the factory tour. I don’t have a pic of that but some others from the tour to add.

The chassis and engine going in.   A naked RV looks funny, below.

While it was such a nice day, although a little windy at times, we were outside a bunch. Here is Sadie with one of the other dogs, Tucker. He is a sweetie, just doesn’t like being confined and would get out of his collar too often, hence the harness.

Today was much colder, we walked in the heat of the day, 37 degrees at 330 pm. Our faces were frozen by the time we got back for 20 mins. Yikes. And now we are getting Freezing rain tonight and tomorrow. I really feel for the people all north of us cuz I know they have it worse.  Tomorrow we have to have the driver side front slide empty for a floor replacement. I hope to have pics for that!

So we spent 2 days in the Bay 5 area having all kinds of little repairs done. Then Thursday we were in Bay 41 to have some engine / chassis stuff checked. Here’s what that looks like….

They were able to get the gear box for the radiator fan covered by our extended warranty – YAY Corey. They also found out why the front passenger side would drop when parked overnight without the jacks down and were able to fix it – ride height adjustment cylinder.

Good COLD morning Red Bay AL – it’s a chilly 29 here. We were in a repair bay yesterday and will be returning today. Rob was told to make himself at home so he did. In the RV he got our pot roast ready in the crock pot, filled it with onions so we can have onion soup later. Then he threw a batch of brownies into the oven so the workers could have warm brownies at break. Not only were the workers smelling brownies, but throughout the day different ones were heard commenting on the smell of onions and something smelling good.

He also makes himself at home chatting and visiting with the workers and other Tiffin owners in the repair bays. He got a few new slides for some inside drawers, grabbed his drill and put them in. I sure am glad he is handy to have around!

Me, I just worked away in the trailer with QB’s entries, emails, payroll, etc. Same fun again today.

I have to apologize to our friends, and family, that have been watching and waiting on updates. I will not tell you I will do updates daily, but will be more diligent on doing it more often. I will be adding photos as things are interesting.

We first stopped in FL at The Villages to visited with my A Marty & U Chuck, who live here. They have had some health issues this past year. After a few days, we traveled down and spent a week in Tampa at the fairgrounds for the Tampa Super RV Show. We worked at a booth for the RV Inspection Connection. Met some great people and even got to walk around the show with my cousins one day.

Since that week we have returned to The Villages, actually parked in Lady Lake. Since being here, I have been VERY busy doing the bookkeeping thing. I have gotten off all the W2 & 1099’s I needed to do. I have so much work for the end of the year this month that I need a vacation after this!

Rob however, has been playing the retired role very well. Last week he competed in shuffle board games 3 times, billiards twice, horseshoes, had to go to donuts with the other retired residents each morning. Of course that is only during the week. We both went and played cribbage, but he went to other card games other nights also. I did, of course have him wearing his cook’s apron and maid outfit to keep us fed and our home clean. After all I am busy working.

We found time to visit more with the family, Uncle Chuck has not been the best, nor the worst, chef but is very grateful for all the meals Rob has made to share with them. Rob has graciously baked some deserts too. We had some wonderful strawberries fresh off the farm truck, along with some whipped cream to share ontop or along side brownies or pound cake – gave them the choice. Tomorrow is U Chuck’s birthday and we planned on making dinner for them.

Monday we should be off again! Vroom Vroom