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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Note to Self -- Check After You Fix It

This is our first time at a big resort.  We have been here almost a week and it has been good.  The drive from Tucson to Mesa was not without event, though.
Usually when we have stayed in a place for a while, I need to pack things up the day before we depart and check tires.  While checking things out, I noticed the Norcold vent for the refrigerator didn't look right-- the latch turn knobs were turned sideways, so I turned them back vertical.  Glad I saw that.

Then I did my usual packing up.  I put the seats down in the back of the car, took the front wheels off the bikes, laid my down, put a used sleeping bag (which I got at a thrift store for that purpose) on top of my bike, then laid Pam's bike on top on mine.

Next, I put away the grill, the tables, the chairs, the flag stand -- all the usual-- and basically got all packed up.

We departed about 9:30 AM and arrived at Mesa Regal RV Resort before noon.  It was on a Sunday so there was not much going on.   Once in the arrival parking place near the Office, we unhooked.  A guy was admiring the Roadrunner, asked how long it was etc etc and then asked, "Did you know you have vent missing?"  Say what??

Yeah - a vent right behind the refrigerator on the out side of the coach right behind the slide out.
Ugh oh..

Yep - I knew exactly what I had done.  I OPENED the latches the day before (and did not tug on it or to see if it was snug.)  I just thought it was.....oh boy...

We finished checking in and went over to our spot and got set up.
Sure I knew I had to do something about the open backside of the refrigerator.  
Beside the obvious message it sent, "Hey!! Guess What? I lost my vent cover!!!" --- I wanted to protect it outside in case it rained a lot (though the chances here are not that great for rain right now.

Then later in the day I found a cardboard box and cut a piece with slats in it for a temporary vent cover.  Not pretty, but adequate.
Then next day we called Tiffin and got a price quote.  They also have a 'scratch and dent' parts area and I called and emailed them. They emailed me back the following day for a VIN number and then said they found a part over at McKinney RV near the Allegro Campground factory service area.

Meanwhile, we checked at an RV parts store next to the Resort where we were staying.  They did have a part but I thought it was a little high.  So we checked with La Mesa RV and Camping World.  Neither had it but we could get it ordered.

I also checked with Amazon.com online.  I think I found the vent cover (and frame) but couldn't be sure.  So we went back the RV parts store near the resort and bought the cover and the frame for $42. The guy said I may be able to just use the vent cover but one guy he sold one to said he had to replace the whole unit: frame and vent.

Sure enough - the vent cover was slightly larger than ours.  So I will have to remove the frame also.

I don't think any of this will be that touch to do except the paint matching.  The new unit is completely white.
We tried a couple of stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's) and didn't come with a great match.  But it will have to do until we get to Red Bay and can get it matched and painted there.

Thats all for now - thanks for taking a look at the Roadrunner Chronicles!

13 comments:

  1. Is it too far to go back and look for the cover? I would bet it is where you stayed last.
    Just a thought.

    please be careful on the road.
    Rex

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    1. Yes - we considered that - a little over 100 miles each way. Thanks for the note.

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  2. Randy....one more beneficial post from you! Thanks!

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  3. My sister used to have a park model at Mesa Regal (she just sold it about two weeks ago). I personally don't like that park - the sites are way too small. But it definitely offers all of the activities that anybody could hope for. I thought your cardboard job looked really good considering. Always something when you own an RV.

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    1. Did you stay in the area with your RV? Is there one here with bigger sites that you would recommend? Thanks!

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    2. Randy - we have a spot that we lease year round out in Apache Junction. It's the Santa Fe RV park which is also a Passport America. For the months of January, February and March the PA rate is $20 - the rest of the year it's $13.50. It's not a big park - only 110 sites but that's what I like about it. I'm not into those big resort type parks. And our site is big enough for our fiver, a sidewalk and patio area, a shed, the dog fence and then room for the truck and our boat.

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  4. Usually with RV parts you can ask for a discount off the advertised price. Simply find your best price online (usually 20% or so cheaper than retail) and ask the parts manager at the local RV store if you can have it for that price. He knows you can buy it cheaper online, and if he wants the sale, he'll give you the discount. I haven't been turned down yet.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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    1. Great idea - I will have to do that. I love those kind of discussions --- the haggling and all that

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  5. I SURE AM GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH "CRDT" DISEASE..

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  6. Every time I open one of those for inspection, I think about how easy it would be to lose it. I would think they could design a better securing system.

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  7. I've never done anything stupid (Liar, liar, pants on fire!). ;c)

    Hope the Tiffin paint job won't take too big a bite out of your budget.

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  8. This sounds like standard operating procedure for us.

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