Today QUO spent the day at D & D Truck & Bus Shops in Pottstown (Charlie and Paul's crews rebuilt the rear side panels when we brought the coach north last January) getting some lower cost but very important repairs accomplished. A wheel hub was leaking some oil. Fixed, sealed, and done. Both huge windscreens experienced tiny leaks at their tops and a bit of sealant fixed that when their location was discovered. The bigger, and much more frustrating challenge, our hydraulic levelers which refuse to rise correctly, was looked into or discussed by no less than four different shops today. Tomorrow QUO takes a trip back to McGrath's for a final attempt to make the rebuilt levelers store properly. The manufacturer, HWH, was consulted; no response yet though. Charlie and Paul at D & D, Joe at Clark Hydraulics, and John McGrath all spoke with me and a bit with each other about this vexing problem.
You see, without the massive hydraulic levelers functioning we can still use the coach, we just have to park in relatively level places and even this 30,000 lb behemoth rocks a bit when you walk around it unleveled. So don't come knocking... You understand (or maybe not, but I like to leave you guessing!).If we level it without being able to store the levelers safely the computer system will not allow the transmission to move from neutral. QUO doesn't like to have her four feet dragged along the highway at 65 miles an hour.
John will try two final solutions tomorrow and possibly over the next several days, in which case we'll be his next door neighbors as his home is right across his farm lane from his large shop in Monocacy Station. He will take apart the levelers to see if any air, or other obstruction, is trapped in the system which is keeping them from rising and if necessary adapt or replace the pairs of large helper springs on each leveler which should have sufficient tension to pull up the levelers on their own. Barring success here, we think the only solution will be four new, very expensive levelers. And only 1 1/2 week now to get 'er done. As I said, vexing.
Tom of Tom's TV is hoping to complete the install of our new audio visual system in the living area of the coach tomorrow, or at least by the end of the day. We already upgraded our audio experience with a Samsung surround sound system and now will be installing a new slightly larger (size does matter where a guy and his TV are concerned!) flat screen LED by Magnavox. The former unit works fine but is not made to pair with all of the features now available for optimum on-screen interactivity. Mona simply says, "Read a book!"
Finally, today marked a minor milestone in my sermon writing experience. While I've done research before in libraries, and online in cafe's and cyber shops, I never spent an entire day, from the beginning of the research to the end of the first draft in a McDonald's. Such was required as I could not write in my new office (the coach galley). I must admit, with mostly adults coming into the restaurant, and free refills of coffee, I made it through quite well. But if you attend hope Church this Sunday at 8:30 or 11:00 am, I'll let you be the judge.-Ken
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