Our RV Adventures

We left the park this morning about 8:15 heading down to Clear Lake. Unfortunately our timing took us through some of the heaviest Houston traffic, but we made up for it by having lunch at Twin Peaks after the appointment. And this time our favorite waitress, Lauren, was there.

Jan got her usual Chicken Ranch Sandwich with the Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce, while I tried something new, the BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders, and of course, my usual Venison Chili.

The sliders were really good, especially the tart slaw on top. The only weakness was that the BBQ sauce could have been a little spicier. But then that’s just me. I think pretty much everything could be spicier.

After a delicious lunch, we did a few errands, including stopping at the storeroom to drop off the floor dolly that I used for the washer repair last week, and then getting the truck washed at our favorite place.

Next up was a stop at Buc-ee’s for some of their great Cranberry Nut muffins and a couple of coffee/cappuccinos, and then on to Barnes & Noble, for a magazine Jan wanted.

After a quick Wal-Mart stop, we headed up to Katy to Brandi’s to pick up my new Fantastic Vent fan, and an Amazon package that had come in. And of course, our visit had to include dinner at Little V’s Vietnamese Bistro.

As a special surprise, Brandi’s BFF, Shawna and some of her family, were able to join us. Brandi and Shawna have been best friends since the early 90’s, before either of them were married, and with Brandi and Lowell’s move to Katy, they now only live a couple of miles apart.

Some of us had a little something different this time. Jan had the Fresh Pan Grilled Tilapia, and Brandi had the Crispy Salmon, while Lowell and I stayed with our favorites, Pho, and Shaking Beef Bowl, respectively.

Why mess with perfection.

While last time the owner had us try the Grilled Artichoke Hearts, this time it was the Curried Prawns. And this coconut curry was probably the best I’ve every tasted. Along with the huge prawns, the dish had onions, green peppers, red peppers, and broccoli, plus steamed rice. A really fantastic dish.

When it came to dessert, we were disappointed to find out that they were out of  Crème Brulee, but this Crispy Fried Banana and Walnuts dish, more than made up for it. The perfect end to another great meal.

Finally, about 7:30, after saying our goodbyes, and getting Landon hugs, we headed north to Conroe, getting home about 9pm

A long day.

Tomorrow, fan replacement on the roof.
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These are actual ads seen in ‘’The Villages’’, a Florida newspaper for seniors.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT :
Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband,
Looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness,
fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.

WINNING SMILE :
Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flossier
to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

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Yesterday, after finding out that I still did not have the correct shear pin for my slide, I emailed Power Gear the following email on their website.

My 1999 American Eagle NS has a single Power Gear slide. A month or so ago, due to a loose floor tile under the kitchen cabinet, we popped the shear pin on the motor end of the slide.

I have gone back and forth with American Coach since then, trying to get the correct replacement pin.

The first one they sent was labeled this: 238957 PIN, 1-1/2" SLIDE, PART OF POWER GEAR B50-0240. This one, at 1/4" diameter was way too large.

Based some of your docs I assume this is a 18-1038 or 1039.

The next time they sent me an 18-1036. It’s not only too small, but it’s not a roll or coil pin, but a tension ‘C’ shaped pin. I actually tried one just like this from Tractor Supply. It lasted about a second.

So the only one that seems to be left is a 18-1034. American Coach doesn’t have any in stock and says it will take 3-4 weeks. PPL here in Houston also is a no go.

I’ve also called several other suppliers listed on your website, also with no luck.

Part of the problem is that even American Coach can’t give me the actual model number of my slide unit.

I can’t find any number on the slide itself, but I have found the following numbers.

The Inside Control Panel Part #530052
The Current Limiter under the slide Part #510116

Can you tell me what model slide I have, and what pin I need?

And who has them in stock without waiting 3-4 weeks.

Thanks for your help.

Greg White

And then early this morning, I got this ‘very helpful’ email back from Power Gear.

We wouldn’t know what system Fleetwood installed on the coach, only they can tell you this sorry.  We don’t have info on who stocks what, I doubt any one will stock shear pins.  Thank you.

Bill

Power Gear/Kwikee Technical Service

No, ‘Thank you.’

So Power Gear is basically telling me to go away and leave them alone. And note that they completely ignored my question about where to find a 1034 pin, and apparently don’t care if my slide ever works right again.

You can be sure that if we ever buy a new coach, I will pick one that uses Power Gear products. And yes, in case you missed it, that’s sarcasm.

Several people have mentioned checking out McMasters-Carr or Grainger and finding some the right size. And I may end up doing this as a last resort.

The problem is that according to the Power Gear docs I do have, the same size pins can have different tensile strengths, and thus, different breaking points. They’re kind of like mechanical fuses, and PG warns you to be sure and get the correct pin for your model slide.

So tomorrow it’s back on the phone with American Coach.

After Jan and I had breakfast one last time at Schobels’ Restaurant this morning, we left the Colorado River TT park about 12:30pm, heading back to the Lake Conroe TT for two weeks.

The 125 mile, 2-1/2 hour trip went very smooth with no problems, not even with Houston traffic. We just came in on 1-10, turned north on the Sam Houston Tollway, and then got on I-45 north.

With the weather getting warmer, we definitely wanted 50 amp and were lucky to get a nice level 50 amp site, right next to where we were two weeks ago.

About 4:30 we headed out to have dinner at El Bosque, a place we eaten at before and really liked. And we still like it.

Jan and I had the Fajitas Poblanas, with Beef and Chicken Fajitas, with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers, all grilled up with chunks of crispy bacon and covered in melted white cheese.

HMMMMMM   Bacon!

We also ordered their special ‘mucho caliente salsa’ like we got last time. Made with smoky chipotle peppers, it was hot and delicious.

Finishing up, we picked up some stuff at the Wal-Mart across the street before heading home for the night.

Tomorrow we’re going to head down to the Clear Lake area and then on the way back pick up some UPS packages at Brandi’s.

We might even have dinner again at Little V’s. You never can tell.
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Thought for the Day:

Congratulations on making it to Monday. 
You made it through the weekend without dying by doing something stupid.
People around you must be ecstatic..

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