Wednesday, December 28, 2011

STILL IN APACHE JUNCTION

Jim dumped this morning, we hitched up, pulled out and went around the corner in our park. Jim wanted to double check the brake lines and then decided to drive slowly through the park to adjust the new brakes. We turned another corner and heard a big thump. I got out to check and found that the fifth wheel was sitting on top of the truck bed. The hitch had not locked (even though we both checked it) and had allowed the fiver to come loose and fall.

IMG_3867 

My pictures don’t really show the damage. Jim said he can get better pictures tomorrow but these will have to do for tonight.

It could have been a lot worse. A whole lot worse. Even though it’s bad. Jim had placed our generator underneath the hitch and then landed on the generator more so than the truck bed. We will have to replace the tail gate on the truck but it still shuts. The sides of the bed are okay. No damage to the fifth wheel.

IMG_3870 But the generator was smashed really bad. Broke the gas tank and we had gas running everywhere. Of course, everybody in the park came out to see what was going on so I made sure nobody was smoking.

Jim was able to hitch back up and we went back around to our site. Unhitched and unloaded the generator and checked to see if there was any other damage. Didn’t find anything else.

Jim set off on a mission to find us a new generator. Many hours later he found one at Cabela’s over in Glendale. By the time he got home and got it all set up, it was getting dark. We still might have one hang up in the morning. This generator is slightly taller than our other one and we’re not sure it’s going to fit in the back of the truck with the RV hitched up. We’ll have to check that out in the morning.

Then hopefully we’ll be on our way to Q.

22 comments:

  1. We don't like problems. At least fitting the generator in a slot is easy. It can go lots of places. Get a good night's sleep first. Then, tackle it tomorrow. We'll see you then!!

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  2. So sorry to hear of all of the problems. Hope things get worked out, so you can go visit with your friends.

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  3. You guys are sure having yourselves a string of bad luck alright. I think you are well overdue for some truly relaxing and happy times. Here's hoping you can find that in the Q......

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  4. When things like that happen to me and delay my plans, I just think to myself that I would have had other and possibly worse problems if I left at the planned time. Maybe and maybe not, but it makes me feel better anyway.

    Hope you have an uneventful and easy trip once you get going.

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  5. some days it seems as if there if it weren't for bad luck you would have no luck at all!..here is hoping tomorrow is a better day!

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  6. It's always better to have a problem at the RV park rather than along the road somewhere. It sounds like your husband is quite the problem solver!

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  7. Oh, geez.. someone on my Facebook said some days are diamonds and some are stones.. HA!!!

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  8. We were lucky our first fiver took a dive just as we were pulling out of a site, about 10 years ago.No damage as the rails for the hard cover spread the weight out but I Had to get a floor jack and blocking to get the trailer up high enough to put it back on the hitch, I added another line to the check list, Check to make sure block is across the rear jaws of 5th wheel hitch with flashlight, I do it religiously now.I just bought a 3500 generator and it fits just fine under the rear of the trailer in the very back of the bed.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  9. Sorry to learn you had some problems. As already stated, at least this happened in the park and not out on the highway at speed. Glad you were not hurt in anyway, manmade things can be fixed/replaced, you are irreplaceable.

    John and Ellen
    connectedtothevinephotography.blogspot.com

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  10. It's a little late, but you might want to look at this BED SAVER, a friend had it installed on his hitch and it saved him from any damage when the same thing happen to him. Paid for itself the first time.

    http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Blue-Ox/BXR4200.html?feed=npn&gclid=CIDrsMWsp60CFYMEQAodrjEGpQ

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  11. Ouch! It seems to me that you aren't suppose to leave Apache Juntion! I think that "Murphy" has found you. Hope you have better luck today.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  12. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans.(Woody Allen)

    We all know there is a reason for everything.

    You have the best attitude!

    Sharon

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  13. I'm with Jeri. Fit it anywhere for now and get on over there. See you soon.

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  14. That was a nasty accident but like you said it sure could have been a whole lot worse. Replacing a generator is a lot cheaper than repairing a truck bed or damage to the 5'er.

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  15. Just remember, all is well that ends well. I know it's corny but it's the truth!

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  16. Schniglefrits! Otherwise written as %$*@)!). You guys are DUE for some GOOD luck!

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  17. If there is anything good that came out of this...you weren't on the road! I hope you two get out of there tomorrow. Safe travels.

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  18. Ouchie Ouchie Ouchie! But glad you weren't on the road where you could have hurt someone else or lost control of the trailer.

    Soooo pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try try again, right?

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  19. Ouch! Glad every thing is ok, that could have been VERY bad:/

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  20. I'm so sorry this happened - but glad it didn't come totally off the back of the truck - Owwwwwie!

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