Memphis to Tucson

[Papa44]

Howdy everyone. This is our first trip in our Winnebago Adventurer 38J. Traveling are, my beautiful bride, 2 Shih Tzu ladies, one yellow Lab boy, and me, 70 years old and getting older the further we get away from our home on the coast of NC. This was to be a relaxing adventure and so far it has been anything but. Fifteen minutes from our front door in NC, we were flagged down on I40 by an Angel and her husband. We stopped and she informed us that the 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (320 miles) that we were towing, was on fire and smoke was billowing from the rear. After pouring 4 gallons of the dog's water on the brake rotors, we determined the cause of the problem. The new ReadyBrake system installed by Cape Fear Custom Coach, Wilmington, NC was not installed properly and the brake system was partially engaged and dragging the Jeep brakes. Thank you Dennis and Saul! That was surely $3500. dollars well spent. And there is much more to this saga that CFCC crew was directly involved in. After clearing from this emergency, we traveled without any noticeable problems until we arrived in the area of Birmingham, Alabama. As we were crossing an overpass just before entering the interstate highway, we heard a loud bump. I watched the rear view camera as our new Jeep (my wife's Valentine's Day present) attempted to pass our motorhome! The Roadmaster hitch system sheared off and the Jeep decided we were not traveling fast enough, and decided to pass us before we could reach the interstate. With expert driving, that would make Dale Jr. jealous, and oversized 8000 pound safety chains that I was told were too big, and not necessary, we managed to slow, then full stop the entire rig. Yep, you guessed it, Cape Fear Custom Coach installed this mess also. And to put the cherry on this crap sundae, the first time we attempted to level the coach at Tom Sawyer's RV Park, one of the "new" levelers that Cape Fear Custom Coach installed, failed to extend. All efforts to get it down have failed. Luckily Tom Sawyer's has very level concrete slabs, so we are OK until we get to a park that is not so level. Have you figured out that I am pissed and it is good for everyone concerned that I am going to be several thousand miles away from home for a while. Orange prison jump suits and those damned ugly ass shower shoes don't suit me. I have fashion sense.
Thank you all for allowing me to vent.
PS. My wife says I should close this rant with something positive. So, let me close by saying Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas is great, and everyone we have met has been very helpful and friendly. Thanks John, never thought I would be saying"Go Army", but you are alright!

[twogypsies]

Your excellent sense of humor will get you through this trip. Hope it's smooth sailing from here.


What did you do about all the hitch issues? Hopefully, you got everything repaired correctly.

[Papa44]

Replaced all the broken parts and prayed real loud!

[DebbieMH]

Poor thing. Here is hoping it is all downhill from here.

[1ciderdog]

That's way to many bad things for a first trip. Hopefully smooth sailing in the future.

[Larrikin]

That one deserves a lawyer!

[Papa44]

Thanks for your support everybody. We are still at a great rv park in Memphis, Tom Sawyer's on the Mississippi River. They are good folks who understand the challenges facing new RV people and they all have been helpful. We are going to leave here on 28,April and try to reach Tucson, Arizona in as few broken pieces as possible. Her family is there and they are sorely in need of being annoyed by this band of traveling Gypsies. And being annoying is one of the skills Uncle Sam saw fit to teach me. Not sure which route to take that will lend itself to my virgin rv talents, but heading west is my goal on Thursday, and it will be done come Hell or high water! So, if you have suggestions, I am listening.

[Lee L]

I feel your pain my friend! Sounds kinda like some of our trips ... first thing my wife always says is: "I wonder what is going to break this time?"

Hope the "bugs" are worked out and the rest is smooth sailing.

The shortest route for you to take is I-40 West to Little Rock, I-30 to Dallas/Ft Worth, I-20 to I-10 at Kent, TX and on into Tucson. Try to hit the DFW Metroplex and El Paso on off peak hours as the rush hour traffic can be "interesting".

Good luck! We will be right behind you part of the way on our way to Moab, UT!
hmmmmm .... I wonder what will break this time?

[TonyDi]

Sorry about all these problems on your initial trip. At least you had a good sense of humor when you wrote this, and didn't just go into a rant.

I'm sure thing will get better for you. The dealer should be willing to pay for your repairs. That stuff should Never have happened.

Good luck with the rest of your trip, and Happy Trails!!

[twogypsies]

Do you have a planned route to Tucson? Where will you be staying in Tucson? If you can give a route perhaps some of us can suggest stopping areas. Carry on.....

[Papa44]

Thanks everyone. We have reservations in Tucson at Tucson Meadows RV Resort. A little pricey for an off season park. Also, the electric is not included, so we are hopeful the 200 degree average temperature doesn't cause a budget catastrophe. Our plan, which is dependent on "no more DRAMA", is to stay in Arizona for at least a month. I told my beautiful bride that when we visit Tombstone, Arizona I intend to apply for the Marshall position since I just learned Wyatt Earp is no longer among the living.

[Papa44]

I would appreciate some stopping places enroute.

[Lee L]

Our normal overnight stops when heading West or coming back East are Hacienda RV Resort in Las Cruces, NM, sometimes Van Horn, TX KOA (it's barren but a good easy overnight stop). If we are heading West from DFW, Oak Creek RV Park just West of Weatherford, TX. Tucson KOA is one of our favorite parks, but it sounds like you already have that end covered. I understand that Pecos, TX has a Escapee park, but have never stayed there.

Good luck!

[lady puffin]

Be careful of the weather. Bad storms are going hit Dfw area late Tuesday evening and move eastward. More possible on Thursday. Safe travels and things will get better.