Wednesday, took just the truck to pick up the new generator carburator and spark plugs (which possibly seem unnecessary now since the generator has been operating fine since they diagnosed it needed a new caburator- not sure about that deal.) Tried to get diesel fuel at two Walmarts - one wasn't a Walmart anymore (Maybe we need to buy a 2012 atlas with the Walmart listings since ours is an 09) and one didn't sell diesel... Did buy a new diesel gas can for the back of the pickup in which we carry our 5 gallons of emergency diesel fuel as the old one broke. Got some lunch. Back to the rig at the Elks, filled up with water, packed up, did the tire pressure check and lug nut tightening procedure. Did not take time to put the pressure pro sensor on the new tire from Tuesday. (duh)
Headed out US 82 west from Wichita Falls toward Lubbock. As busy as 82 was from Texarkana to Wichita Falls on Tuesday, it was the opposite on Wednesday - very little traffic. Terrain changed from small hills and wooded areas to the dry desert flatland where they grow cotton and raise cattle...small towns far apart.
Found a Ford dealership to do an oil change on Thursday morning in a suburb of Lubbock (love our Nuvi that gives you all kinds of neat info). Called ahead, yes we could park o/n in their parking lot. Yippee. Arrived at 5:45 pm and as we were parking found WE ONLY HAD 5 WHEELS! Yup the brand new wheel, hub, brake drum all were missing (the tire we replaced on Tuesday!) Don't have any idea where/when we lost it. Guess it is a good thing we have 3 axles!
Called back to the mechanic who had all 6 wheels off to repack wheel bearings day before we left Iowa. He is standing by his work and seems like he is willing to pay for repairs. Very nice guy to work with...which was our first impression a couple of months ago.
Thursday morning...time now...oil change being done and pressure test on gas cap as we are again losing major amounts if anitfreeze. For the past 10 days, we couldn't see any sign of where it was leaking but yesterday J thought it was coming out the gas cap even though it is the 2nd gas cap since last March. Why not. Called an axle dealer in Lubbock who recommended an RV dealer to take Kanga to. Called them and got an appointment for 8 AM tomorrow. Can even park in their lot o/n so will go there about 4:30 today...only about 20 minutes away, so that is good.
Tried to get online today and couldn't so spent an hour with the Verizon 2nd level tech to get our Palm Pixies updated and working. Glad we got that solved and I'm a lot smarter about them now, so think that's a good thing.
We are really exhausted...all this stress due to breakdowns is taking a toll. Jerry's taking a nap - hope he can get caught up on sleep today.
Will hope for good news tomorrow regarding Kanga repairs. At least there is an Alco axle dealer here in Lubbock. (Last time -- last fall-- we needed an axle we were about 90 miles south of St. Louis and had to travel there to pick up the axle for repairing Alfie.)
Will keep all of you posted--you're all probably tired of hearing about all of this stuff...but it is good for me to vent so will continue to bore you with the whole affair. (Had to laugh, was talking to best friend this morning and we decided maybe our guardian angel was zoned out yesterday and must be a blonde. So I suggested maybe she could become a redhead. But Nan thought maybe we should trade her in for a younger model. So glad to laugh through the mental pain.) All kidding aside, we feel very fortunate that it wasn't worse and it could have been. Lots of good points to remember. Hugs & love to all....you keep us in your prayers.
As you can see below - bare bones. Tip of axle and grease zerk is at a 45 degree angle...ugly.
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