We settled in last night at a lovely campground in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. This is our fourth stop in a week. The RV travel ritual of stop, set up, take down, drive, stop, set up, take down, etc. without more than a couple of days between cycles gets a bit tedious, at least for us. Suffice it to say that Leonard and I both look forward to the luxury of our upcoming longer-term stay in Virginia.
All continues to proceed reasonably well, the exception being our rather exciting discovery that somewhere between Columbia and Cape Girardeau, Missouri the 5th-wheel's turn signals had stopped working. This unfortunate
revelation came during a monster rainstorm that hit Cape Girardeau just before we intended to leave.
After several minutes spent lying under the truck in the mud whilst groping for a loose wire or some other potentially easy-to-fix cause of the problem, Leonard gave up and suggested we
proceed to Paducah, Kentucky sans signals. Our route took us through Kentucky's back roads, so not much traffic, and we arrived sans incident.
A good night's sleep and a few cups of freshly-brewed coffee later, Leonard resumed his examination of Kong's electrical system.
Aided by an RV technician who just happened to be in the park at the time, Leonard spotted the likely culprit. Turns out our buss was busted! Here's why that meant trouble.
During towing, Kong's exterior lights are connected to Truckzilla so that when the driver brakes or signals a turn, it won't come as a surprise to our fellow travelers. Key to this is something called a signal separator, which allows Truckzilla's red directional signals to flash amber at Kong's rear. Without getting too technical [read: I don't know what the heck I'm talking about here so will gloss over this part], a small breaker box, or "buss" protects the separator from a power surge. For some as-yet unknown reason, that breaker wasn't automatically resetting as designed.
After a few calls to the manufacturer, a couple of FedEx deliveries, and two extra overnights in lovely Paducah, we were back in business!
For me, this was a lesson not only in RV electronics 101 but also in RV trip planning. Many RVers describe their travel plans as being "etched in Jello." Now I know why. With so many moving parts - literally and figuratively speaking - in play at any given moment, one must learn to expect the unexpected and adjust accordingly.
Before closing, I need to give a "shout out" to the folks at RV's for Less in Knoxville, Tennessee. We spent a couple of days there as RVFL's techs ran through a list of warranty repairs we'd identified.
The dealership's reputation for integrity and solid work is well-earned.
I'm also throwing in a brief photo journal about our stop in Cave City, Kentucky, home of Mammoth Cave National Park and birthplace of my 3rd great-granny Lucinda Jane Smith. Enjoy!
Friday, we complete our 1,200 mile journey to Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. If you happen to be in the area, stop by and say "hello." We'll leave a (turn) light on for you.
 |
Why weren't Kong's amber lights activated by Truckzilla's turn
signal? Don't you just love a good mystery?
|
All continues to proceed reasonably well, the exception being our rather exciting discovery that somewhere between Columbia and Cape Girardeau, Missouri the 5th-wheel's turn signals had stopped working. This unfortunate
revelation came during a monster rainstorm that hit Cape Girardeau just before we intended to leave.
After several minutes spent lying under the truck in the mud whilst groping for a loose wire or some other potentially easy-to-fix cause of the problem, Leonard gave up and suggested we
proceed to Paducah, Kentucky sans signals. Our route took us through Kentucky's back roads, so not much traffic, and we arrived sans incident.
 |
Our busted buss - so small,
yet so important
|
Aided by an RV technician who just happened to be in the park at the time, Leonard spotted the likely culprit. Turns out our buss was busted! Here's why that meant trouble.
During towing, Kong's exterior lights are connected to Truckzilla so that when the driver brakes or signals a turn, it won't come as a surprise to our fellow travelers. Key to this is something called a signal separator, which allows Truckzilla's red directional signals to flash amber at Kong's rear. Without getting too technical [read: I don't know what the heck I'm talking about here so will gloss over this part], a small breaker box, or "buss" protects the separator from a power surge. For some as-yet unknown reason, that breaker wasn't automatically resetting as designed.
 |
Separation anxiety of a different kind
|
For me, this was a lesson not only in RV electronics 101 but also in RV trip planning. Many RVers describe their travel plans as being "etched in Jello." Now I know why. With so many moving parts - literally and figuratively speaking - in play at any given moment, one must learn to expect the unexpected and adjust accordingly.
Before closing, I need to give a "shout out" to the folks at RV's for Less in Knoxville, Tennessee. We spent a couple of days there as RVFL's techs ran through a list of warranty repairs we'd identified.
The dealership's reputation for integrity and solid work is well-earned.
I'm also throwing in a brief photo journal about our stop in Cave City, Kentucky, home of Mammoth Cave National Park and birthplace of my 3rd great-granny Lucinda Jane Smith. Enjoy!
Friday, we complete our 1,200 mile journey to Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. If you happen to be in the area, stop by and say "hello." We'll leave a (turn) light on for you.
 |
Mammoth Cave is turning "green." Note the solar panels on the roof of this visitors center. There are also a rainwater
capture system that serves the park's non-potable water needs and vehicles powered on liquid propane and electricity.
|
 |
Mammoth Cave's original entrance. The cave got it's name because it's mammoth, as in really, really big. Of the estimated
1,000 miles of karst tunnels, only about 400 have been surveyed to date.
|
 |
What Mammoth Cave lacks in natural beauty, it makes up for in history. Miners began working Mammoth Cave in the late 1700's. There was once even a tuberculosis hospital housed inside. The thinking was that TB could be cured by having the inflicted sole breath cool air for long periods of time. It can't.
|
 |
Nearby Diamond Caverns is really spectacular. This cave got its name when the slave who discovered it reported to his owner that the cave's walls sparkled with diamonds. In fact, they sparkle with water. These stalactites and stalagmites are still growing. Think you'd like to watch that? Think again! It takes 350-500 years to form one cubic inch of mineral deposit.
|
very cool! Smith???? We MUST be related.
ReplyDeleteIndeed we might be related. She married a Short. :)
Deletecool beans! More pics!
ReplyDeleteTrixie