Community Forums

MN_Traveler · 08-03-2021, 08:12 AM

Sorry to hear that. On the other hand … Cody is kind of a cool town to look around in (I also recall it has great views). Also, knowing you, I have faith you will be back on the road in no time!

Where are you scheduled to stay at glacier? When we were there we stayed at the koa West glacier (nice campground, very accessible to the park). If so, for groceries/supplies, go in to Columbia falls - there is a well stocked and affordable super 1 off of hwy 40. Flathead cherries should be in season - they are not to miss treat! Also, gotta buy some huckleberries from the roadside stands … very fragile, but also a teal treat!

nbluesky · 08-04-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN_Traveler

Sorry to hear that. On the other hand … Cody is kind of a cool town to look around in (I also recall it has great views). Also, knowing you, I have faith you will be back on the road in no time!

Where are you scheduled to stay at glacier? When we were there we stayed at the koa West glacier (nice campground, very accessible to the park). If so, for groceries/supplies, go in to Columbia falls - there is a well stocked and affordable super 1 off of hwy 40. Flathead cherries should be in season - they are not to miss treat! Also, gotta buy some huckleberries from the roadside stands … very fragile, but also a teal treat!

We made it out of Cody. Here is the post with all the breakdown details.

We are staying at West Glacier RV park for one night and Mountain Meadows fro 2 more nights. Then we are headed out the east side for some horseback riding. Then its the journey home across the plains

I was able to score a ticket today to the Road To the Sun in Glacier! Pretty excited to make that drive!!

MN_Traveler · 08-04-2021, 10:57 PM

Good you were able to keep moving... but then again I had no doubts! Enjoy glacier!

nbluesky · 08-14-2021, 12:52 PM

I could have swore I posted this already but maybe I posted it in the wrong thread?? Anywho, here is it again.

We made it home with no more issues! Was able to make it into Glacier (only to Avalanche Creek as larger rigs are not allowed past there on Going to the Sun Rd) Did some amazing hiking. We found I think just about the only parking spot that would fit us.

Drove around the Hungry Horse Dam area as well on the East side up to St Mary and back home on Rt 2 all the way to MN. All in all was some pretty epic RV driving.

Trip recap:
10 days
3446 miles
409 gallons of diesel
8.41 mpg (even with running the generator for at least 20 hrs and lots of mountain driving)

153stars · 08-14-2021, 04:15 PM

Awesome ... Glad it turned out to be just an inconvenience . Love the can do attitude and a bit of luck finding a great shop with the same. Handsome family .

MN_Traveler · 08-15-2021, 08:06 AM

What happened to your beard? [emoji4]

Like I said, glacier is beautiful (we took exactly that same photo at the lake with the falls in the background!). I thought you had a toad? Are you going to configure to tow with this new rig?

Rt 2 all the way, huh? I would not have thought about that …. Will need to scope that out

jacwjames · 08-15-2021, 08:10 AM

I saw the initial post when you were contemplating purchase but since then never took the time to see what you've been able to accomplish. Today I finally scrolled through the post looking at the progress, a significant amount of work in a short time.

You (like many other people on this forum) have a lot of talent and can take a rig that has been written off and bring it back to life.

Congratulations, you have a great rig that will serve you for years to come.

Dutchstar53 · 08-15-2021, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN_Traveler

What happened to your beard? [emoji4]

Like I said, glacier is beautiful (we took exactly that same photo at the lake with the falls in the background!). I thought you had a toad? Are you going to configure to tow with this new rig?

Rt 2 all the way, huh? I would not have thought about that …. Will need to scope that out

Rt 2 is wonderful. Can’t be in a hurry. 2 lane roads. Quaint RV parks. Stayed in one that the office was a bar. We went and had a drink with the locals. It’s been a while so don’t know if it’s all the same. Pretty rural. Can’t imagine it changed too much.

nbluesky · 10-27-2021, 03:06 PM

Its been a bit since my last update. It has been a VERY busy Fall, work projects, other vehicle maintenance, kids activities, and squeeze in a bit of RV love when time allows. I am trying to get as much done before the snow flies. (Which could be any day now in MN)

One of my maintenance priorities was flushing the coolant, new water pump, thermostat, and serpentine belt. I was able to get that done over the last few days. I really wasn't quite clear about if I had the double thermostat or just a single. I also wasn't sure what gaskets I was going to need. My online research and FT Manuals were conflicted in these areas. Upon disassembly of the components I learned that I had one large thermostat #3913028 and could only find the gasket for the filter housing to engine, 3 hole gasket #3913025. The top inlet elbow, 2 hole gasket I decided to just make my own with some paper gasket material I had laying around. I was a little nervous it would leak but it ended up working great.

With everything taken apart I unhooked the lower radiator hose from the radiator and flushed the whole system with garden hose to start. I continued unhooking a few other hoses and making sure I had a good flush. Next I put back the thermostat housing and water pump. Put in the new belt, hooked all my hoses back up, and installed a new Donaldson #P129472 air filter and gasket.

I filled the system with distilled water to try and flush out any leftover minerals etc from my tap water flush. I started and ran the motor for awhile until I could feel hoses starting to get warm. I shut it down and let the coolant system drain again overnight. This morning I was able to get the Cummins filled back up with Final Charge coolant. I did a 50/50 mix with distilled water. The first gallon I added was an undiluted gallon of concentrate to offset any water trapped in the system. With the system drained from the radiator and block drain ports it takes exactly 14 gallons to fill back up including the overflow jug.

With everything topped off and put back together I took it on a little test drive. There were two reasons I wanted to get this flush done before winter. One, I was a little concerned with the higher than 180 temps I was seeing at the dash. I have been seeing 195+ depending on heat and grade of climb. Two, I plan on taking this south for a winter trip in February and want to make sure things are in top shape ready to go on subzero trip.

The test drive deemed itself successful and resulted in a change in temps. I watched as the temp rose to 180 hoping it would stop there. It continued to climb past to about 190 (hard to tell exactly on the factory dash temp gauges) but then I could see the thermostat open and the temp drop back down. It kind of cycled and continued to do this throughout the test drive. I feel good about it. Back at the ranch I parked and checked for leaks. I did notice a slight amount of seepage from the water pump. Hoping that was something just working itself in and will stop, I'll keep and eye on it.

While I had everything apart I took the time to do a little paint job. It drives me nuts how the new water pumps are not coated. When installed they just turn to surface rust quick. I put a little jazz into it and went for copper color. Also put a fresh coat of black on the thermostat/filter housings.

I forgot to mention before I started the project I sprayed down the engine area with degreaser and gave it all a good spray down. It looks pretty good for a quick wash!

Next on the agenda is rebuilding the furnaces. I ordered new motors (they were both really loud) and some backup spare parts. I purchased a control board, limit switch, and sail switch. These have all failed on me in prior RV's leaving me without heat. Now I am prepared!

Also on the list before the next big trip/winter:

-Figure out driveline vibration (per a different thread sounds like bearing -retainer on the retarded
-Tranny filter fluid change to 668
-New self leveling caulk on the roof
-Oil change
-Fuel Filters
-Rebuild 2 large blinds (strings)
-Start swapping lights to LED

MN_Traveler · 10-28-2021, 07:17 AM

As usual, i am amazed at everything you are able to work on. Where did you learn this stuff?

nbluesky · 10-28-2021, 08:02 AM

Thanks!

I grew up with a Dad that was very hands on jack of trades. He was an electrician but wrenched on his own vehicles. I helped him install a motor and various other projects. When turned 14 I was really into cars. I started buying and fixing them before I even had my license. By the time I was 18 I had owned over 20 cars. I learned most everything from trial and error and repair manuals early on. Now google is everyone's best friend.

I am now a general contractor doing residential remodels and additions as my day job. I do a little bit of everything. I am also putting final touches/landscaping on the new house I personally built for my family. I stay busy!

MN_Traveler · 10-28-2021, 08:29 AM

Nice house. I like the porch ... great place tohang out and sip some coffee (if you have the time!)

I would try to do more myself on my rig ... but i dont really have an effective/safe way to get underneath the thing, and without that, the clearance underneath is only six inches or so in some places...

Ray,IN · 10-28-2021, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchstar53

Rt 2 is wonderful. Can’t be in a hurry. 2 lane roads. Quaint RV parks. Stayed in one that the office was a bar. We went and had a drink with the locals. It’s been a while so don’t know if it’s all the same. Pretty rural. Can’t imagine it changed too much.

US 2 is 4-lane divided highway until Glaicer NP. from the Mississippi river.

nbluesky · 10-28-2021, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

US 2 is 4-lane divided highway until Glaicer NP. from the Mississippi river.

I don't think that is true. I just drove it and I don't think it opened up like that until ND coming from Glacier. Maybe my memory is foggy but I swear most of it was 2 Lane.

Edit: I was really curious so I just looked on Google maps. Yeah it was two lane all the way until Williston North Dakota.