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| Trip(s) report [message #291314] |
Tue, 01 December 2015 14:21  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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After returning from a trip in July to Silver City NM, and dealing with a bunch of maintenance issues (CV boots, oil change, transmission and final drive service) we headed out on a series of Fall trips:
The first was a 1850 mile trip through Northern AZ, Monument Valley, Moab, Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah, then back to Tucson via Las Vegas NV. Although there were no major problems, the trip was not as uneventful as I would have liked. After leaving home after work on a Monday, we spent the first night at Sunset Point Rest Area, along I-17, north of Phoenix. Not a good night's sleep at the rest area. It rained most of the way up there and most of the next day.
A few hours into the next leg of the trip, I noticed that the alternator was not charging. I figured, no problem, I have a spare, plus I can start the Onan and run off the converter until I am at a good place to change it out. The Onan would not start(probably because we were too low on gas), so I changed out the alternator along side of a nice exit ramp. The new alternator had a slightly larger pulley on it and was a devil to get installed, took me nearly two hours due the the tight belts.
While I was under the coach working on the alternator, I noticed a massive leak coming from the transmission pan. Evidently, in my effort to seal the Rockwell pan, I over tightened the bolts and the gasket migrated into the pan, causing the leak. I determined that it was only leaking when I was stopped, so, making sure the trans was full of fluid, we motored on. Spent the second night at Navajo National Monument (beautiful place).
Still leaking trans fluid, we continued through Monument Valley to Moab Utah where we stayed at an RV park for a few days after finding the BLM campground full. Better anyway because it was hotter than expected (temps in the 90s) and we needed to be plugged in for the AC. After spending a day at Arches NP, and a few more days doing some light four-wheeling in the tracker, I stopped at the local Oreilly's and got some brake cleaner (to hose down the transmission leak), some gear oil RTV (to fix the leak with) and a couple more bottles of Mobil One trans fluid. Problem solved (for now), I later worked out a deal with Jim K to trade the Rockwell pan for a Ragusa.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p59618-utah-trip-9-2015.html
Next, on to Logan Utah where we camped in Logan Canyon for a few nights. It was a beautiful place with lots of Fall color in the Maple and Aspen trees. We did a little hiking and exploring there and had a nice relaxing couple of days. The only problem was that the first campground we tried to pull into was closed (no sign along the road, so no way of knowing until we pulled in). We had to unhitch the Tracker and turn the motorhome around in a crowded, tight parking lot.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p59619-utah-trip-9-2015.html
We left Logan before dawn on a rainy morning, making visibility very difficult, and went on to Salt Lake City where Kathy wanted to do some genealogy at the Mormon library. Stayed at the SLC KOA a couple of nights and went on toward Las Vegas, stopping at a state park along the way for an overnighter. After taking in the Beatles Circ du Soleil show we headed toward home after two nights there, stopping one more time at Lake Pleasant, NW of Phoenix, arriving home on a Saturday after 12 nights in the coach.
To be continued.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Trip(s) report [message #291318 is a reply to message #291314] |
Tue, 01 December 2015 15:26  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Oh, as a PS to this; we saw three other GMCs on this trip. One in Flagstaff (during a torrential rainstorm or we would have tried to socialize), one at the SLC KOA, parked in the next row, owned by a nice German couple who does what Rob M does, and one on I-80 just west of SLC while we were driving our towd back from the lake.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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