OBX Shakedown trip (kinda long post)

[Usroverdrive]

Well, here goes:
I had planned to drive to the Outer Banks of NC to see some old friends and my father suggested I drive the LeSharo he bought back in May. His logic: " if anything is going to break, it will do it on a long trip". Can't argue with that.

The trip is about 465 miles one way and google maps stated it was a 7 hour drive. I knew better. I did my trip plan at 50 mph, as opposed to googles 65mph. Thats about 9.3 hours. I left at 9 am Monday morning and after dealing with the 60 mph downhill race and the 45 mph uphill drag I conceeded I wasn't going to make my destination. I stopped at a motel about 5:30 because I knew I was going to be too tired to set the LS up at a campground, plus there were no campgrounds within 40 miles.

Tuesday morning I drive in to the OBX and meet with my friends (great times) I visited another group of friends further on up the road and heres where things really got interesting. As I was turning onto a street I signalled and suddenly the radio died. I thought maybe it lost the signal (its the original am/fm cassette) but as I run the dial around, there was nada. I noticed I had no turn signal clicking when I flipped the lever.

I turned on the hazard flashers and got nothing. No clickie, nothing. I pulled into a parking lot and walked around the LS; no turn signal lights, no hazard lights, and only high beams when lights turned on. I also noticed some of the marker lights on, as opposed to all of them before. Obviously, gremlins are amock at this point.

A note of interest about the OBX in December. Theres aren't a lot of options for RV repair. As I didn't bring a trailer full of tools, I decided to cut vacation short and get the LS as close to home base as possible. I said my goodbyes and bugged out asap. I stopped at another motel near the first one and got an early start wednesday morning. I made it back to home base just before dark.

Now. I have had time to think about this trip and here goes (you're almost done, lol): The LS ran as well as can be expected for what it is. It is the original 4 cyl turbo diesel and 4 spd. I had the LS weighed at the CAT scales and its 5200 pounds. Not going to be a speed demon. I travelled I-85 and I-40. Very hilly roads. My average speed was under 42 mph. Once I got to Hwy 64 and the road flattened out, things got a little better.

Just under 1000 miles driven in 2.5 days. No problems with oil pressure or high temperature. The new Hankook tires handled fine. The new rear shocks and sway bar bushings helped a lot. I think the LS will be alright for a flat land weekender after a few more fixes. But I'll never trade my class A for one. ha ha ha


BTW, if you're thinking of a trip to the OBX, stop thinking and go. It's a wonderful place. Go and enjoy

[Clayobx]

Yes OBX is a great place but too cold and windy for us in December. June, July more to our likes. Lived there for close to five years, one can travel twenty miles on most any heading and be in the middle of nowhere. Great wildlife.

[ncason]

We live about 1 hour from OBX, Kitty Hawk area. And as you are well aware now camping locations in this neck of the woods (weeds) is scarce. We had an old Class A many years ago and the cruise control stopped working until we replaced a light bulb in the rear. You never know how these things are wired.

[Artcie]

It's been too hot to think these days. We are supposed to have a break in the temps (upper 90s and 100 tomorrow) the end of this week and would love to go to the Nags Head area for a few days. We are newbies and would like some suggestions for a CG. We have a 38' MH and need 50 Amp. We don't have a Toad yet.

[bsirby]

Originally Posted by Artcie

It's been too hot to think these days. We are supposed to have a break in the temps (upper 90s and 100 tomorrow) the end of this week and would love to go to the Nags Head area for a few days. We are newbies and would like some suggestions for a CG. We have a 38' MH and need 50 Amp. We don't have a Toad yet.

I don't know of any campgrounds around Nags Head. There are quite a few going out Cape Hatteras. However, they are about 25 miles out and you would need to rent a car if you want to do any sight seeing. The Outer Banks are beautiful, but not much commercially out there. Maybe someone knows of a campground around Nags Head, but I don't remember seeing any. Good luck.

[Clayobx]

There is a CG in Kitty Hawk. It will fit your rig. Close to the Black Pelican restaurant, try it. It's tight and stays full right across the street from the beach. I'm sorry don't know the name. However, there is a decent CG in Wanchese just OS of Nags Head but you'll need a toad. Google the one in Kitty Hawk.

[Artcie]

Thanks for your leads. A little detective work usually pays off. I found another thread here that recommended Ocean Waves and Camp Hatteras. Ocean Waves looks like it backs up to the beach. I'm ready to escape and kick back. I can hear the sound of crashing waves now... Your response is much appreciated!!!

[J Birder]

I can recall a trip to the OBX about 35 years ago. We were in an older class C on a Chevy chassis.. The timing belt began to slip. The local Chevy dealer gave us an appointment about a week away.

Being without a toad, I kept driving it, but it was getting worse. It wouldn't go over about 30 mph, and was very difficult to start. I finally found a gas station, with a mechanic, in (I think) Nags Head, who said they would do it tomorrow.

The next day, I dropped DW and DD at the beach, and limped over to the gas station. When the mechanic got the new belt installed, he told me that he needed to fine tune the the distributor timing, "you drive." When I questioned this, he claimed that it was best to adjust the the distributor timing under load.

I was more than a little bit skeptical. We left the dog house cover behind, and off we went. I was driving down the highway at 60 mph, while he was laying on the floor adjusting the the distributor by ear.

I later discovered that the fuel economy was better that it had ever been before. Not only that, but the old rig charged up hills in a way that I could hardly believe. That old guy really knew what he was doing.

Joel

[Artcie]

Joel, Good story. Funny how life takes us on these unique side trips! At first I thought the mechanic was going to do something evil only to find out he was brilliant. Years ago I had an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser with a 454 (I think) engine. I was pulling a horse trailer to a horse show and had an engine problem. I pulled into a gas station and an 18 year old came out to fix it. My confidence was not high about his ability but luck was with me that day. The more complicated and expensive our equipment is, you have your fingers crossed that the mechanic is knowledgeable and can fix it right the first time at a fair rate. My fears and concerns haven't changed much since 1980--especially with our new motorhome!!!!

[rustyjax]

Enjoyed reading these post, especially being from the Outer Banks! When ever there, be sure to stop at the best places to visit, their LIGHTS!
Currituck Nc