TOUR AMERICA, 2020: NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS, THE LONE STAR STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

(We have added another new stop to our link)

Home Is Where We Park It:  Motorhomes of Texas, Nacogdoches, Texas

August 6, 2020

Temperature 92 Degrees

Smart Weigh – We’re Good

Travel Day

Motorhomes of Texas – Upgrades and Repairs

What a whirlwind of a day.  With an early start.  We were up at 6:30 am since we had an appointment to keep at 8 am.

This is where we began our day.  I’m a firm believer in knowledge is power.  In this case I wanted to know the four corner weight for Elvira so that I could properly set the air pressure in each of my tires.

Up on the pad we went so that Chris could first check the corner weight on each of the front tires, then each of the rear tires.

This is what we discovered

• we have a weight rating for the front of 12,000 pounds.  We are more than within limits even with a full tank of fuel and a full propane tank.  We are also evenly balanced.
• we have a weight rating for the back of 20,000.  We are more than within limits.  However, we are really unevenly balanced as you can see.  Not a big concern but something to consider, perhaps move a few things from the passenger side to the drivers side.
• Until now I’ve been inflating the front tires to 98/100 when they really need to be at a minimum of 105.  The back tires I’ve usually set at 95 when they really need to be at a minimum of 100.  Now I know.
• we also measured the height of Elvira and discovered that to the top of our AC unit we are 12 feet.  I’ve always said 13 feet and I’m going to keep thinking that way.

Smart Weigh completed it was time to get on the road.  But not before I set each of my tires to the proper inflation.

In just under two hours we were at our day’s destination.

This is where you come to buy a used high end motorhome.  They have Newell, Foretravel, Country Coach, Newmar, Tiffan, to name just a few.

We, however, weren’t here for another coach.  We were here because their service department has an excellent reputation.   Meaning, we were here for repairs and upgrades, such as:

• a new pure sine wave converter/inverter which is suggested for use with a residential refrigerator.  Our current one is a modified sine wave and 15 years old.  It is time.
• four new shocks.  Currently when we hit a bump we bounce like a pogo stick.
• new front brakes which we’ve discovered are not necessary.  They just need to be adjusted.
• repair the air leak in the front, something we weren’t expecting.  However, since such a leak is a safety hazard – you could loose your brakes or the coach could drop while driving – it needs to be located and repaired.  We weren’t expecting this but so glad they noticed it.
• a complete check of the front end.  The ball joints on this year coach are a known issue.
• repair the dash air.  This is the last on the list and will be done only if we don’t run out of money!

Ah yes, I can feel my wallet getting lighter by the second.  I will say, though, I’ve seen much higher in the past.  This is actually what I would call reasonable.

They have a really nice waiting area.  They have free beverages.  A nice area to eat lunch.  There is also free secure wifi.  The big downside, we are the only ones wearing masks.

Here we are in our new home.  We have two 45 footers on either side of us so we look like a dwarf among giants!  I was hoping that everything would be done by tomorrow afternoon but that was only a dream.  It appears that we will be here over the weekend, perhaps Monday as well.  Ah well, we have 50 amp so we’re good.  Of course the front AC unit is doing it’s crazy on and off and on again routine.  If and when it decides to run like it should we ought to be cool and comfortable.  One can hope.

That was our early to rise day on The Road of Retirement.  I’m so glad I now know what each tire needs to have in terms of proper air pressure.  I’m glad that we are at a shop with an excellent reputation.  As for spending a few extra days here, oh well I can think of worse places to be.  All in all it’s all good.  We are still together, we still consider ourselves to be two of the most blessed and fortunate people on the face of the earth.  We’re still traveling together, hand in hand singing our song.  Life is good.

Thanks for traveling with us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Stay safe, wash your hands and wear your mask.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!