After a good nights’ rest we prepared for the 244 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We were told that the climb up the mountain into the park was very gradual and should pose no problems. Good to hear.
The final preparation before leaving is to inflate the air bags. HMMMMM – the front inflates but the back doesn’t. Ron checked and thought maybe there was an air hose leak but with nothing to fix it with we decided to ride without the airbags. Most gas MH’s do not have air bags so should be no issue – or so we thought.
Ron mentioned that he had noticed on top of the pass that the back of the MH looked lower then the front. He thought it was just the angle. I mentioned the rough ride in the back and again noticed it on the drive to RMNP.
We were 1.8 miles outside the gate of the park when Ron pulled over in front of a hotel. He told me he had to check something. OK then- When he tells me he has to check something the bells go off in my head. Usually it means he thinks we have a problem.
Well, we did have a problem. Ron believed that the blots holding the face plate on the Jeep were loose again. We had them tightened 20,000 miles ago and Ron checks it every day before leaving for the day and in-between just to be sure. OOOPHS, they were fine before leaving in the morning!
We were in Estes Park, a tourist town, so not sure if we could get services. Ron went into the hotel and the young man was very helpful. He directed us to a local garage and even printed out a map and directions. We disconnected the car and I followed Ron to the garage.
We arrived at the garage and OMG – CLOSED on Wednesdays. Ron saw a couple of men at another establishment and asked them if they knew anyone else. Sure enough 30 feet up the road another garage – OPEN. We stopped in there and Nathan, the owner dropped everything to check out the jeep. I mentioned the air bag problem and Nathan asked his father to take a look. What service!!!!
Good news- bad news – as Nathan put it. The car is drivable but cannot be towed. What the heck does that mean?????? The faceplate is intact but the frame of the car is broken on both sides of the face plate. OWCH!!!!! His Dad Guy said there were two welders in town that could fix it for us but not sure how soon. He called a place and we were able to get to see the owner. He set us up for an appointment on Thursday at 11 AM. No promises but he would see what he could do.
If unable to fix for towing I will have to drive the two thousand miles back home myself following the MH. OH Please don’t let that happen.
Back at the first garage Nathan and Guy were working on the air leak. The hose had melted through. It must have happened when climbing Wolf Creek Pass and everything heated up. Anyway after some effort they did get the line changed and working again.
Not sure when the frame on the car broke but we did hit some nasty bumps along the way. Thank God nothing worse occurred. All we could do once back at the CG is wait for the verdict on Thursday. Hopefully we can get it set up to tow and we’ll head home.
Ron did some research on-line. I guess what happened to us is not so unusual. Forum members are pointing fingers at Blue Ox and Jeep because these were issues everyone believes should have been known to both manufacturers.We just want it FIXED.
Elk in the Campground. We were told there was a bear that ambles through daily but we didn’t see it.
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