Well, we have not posted for a week or so as we are on the road making incredible miles! We left northern BC to travel 15 hours one day to Sherwood Park, Alberta. There we dropped off the 5th wheel at a friends, and travelled the next day another 11 hours to the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border with only the truck.
We have been at the cottage visiting and participating in some family affairs with Donald's extended family, after the passing of his mum in April. Donald and each of his 2 sisters prepared a Vinetarta ( Icelandic cake ) to add to the Memorial service lunch. It was very appropriate as this specialty came from his mum's maternal side of the family and was always present at family gatherings.
Then it was another 10 hour drive back to Sherwood Park, pick up the 5th, a quick sleep, and a very long drive from there to the outskirts of Calgary, and on the TransCanada Highway ( # 1 ) to Revelstoke - another 11 hour day of driving. For anyone considering travelling the TCH from Lake Louise through Golden, BC - be prepared! The highway is being changed from 2 lanes to 4 lanes over a number of years and the construction is crazy with delays.....
We are presently at the Shuswap lot, cleaning up a few things and visiting with our friends, Bill and Penny. The cool weather seems to follow us - it was cool here in June, crazy hot when we were not here in July and today we are wearing jackets.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
new Air Bags!
Well, let's say a welcome to our guest for this blog posting: # 2 son, also known as 'the mechanic".
Q: What are airbags and why did you post a comment a few days ago that we would blow out our tires if we did not get some airbags? (And we think it was your very first comment, dear son! )
A: You may not blow them out, but the weight on the back tires will get more wear and will get hotter. The bags move more weight to the front tires, in a way - more load on the front.
It makes the truck look better on the road! All your drive line angles will go out of whack without them, and you get more vibration. It brings your drive line into back into alignment.
Q: Was it hard to install them? What did you need?
A: No real special tools, took me about 5 hours with the wiring in your driveway. The pump took me the most time because of the wiring and routing. I hide everything and make it look nice. Some guys don't really care, and man, I have stories! ( Mom is proud of her neat mechanic ).
Q: Should you get a mechanic to do the job?
A: Yes, you could do the bags, but the pump and wiring should be done by a professional.
Q: Are all the components necessary?
A: I put in the onboard air supply pump and that was an extra - cost about $200 more. Without the pump you fill from the back bumper with tire valve-like valves. It is harder to fill, especially with RV's. This way, the bags are independent and can be adjusted on the spot. With the pump, they are combined and are adjusted equally and can be measured while pumping. It is way more convenient - a flick of the switch.
So, here are some pictures:
This is the drivers side airbag, from the wheel well.
This is the airbag assembly installed, drivers side, looking from the rear.
This is the control panel, brake controller on left.
Air compressor. Located drivers side under the rear seat. The filter is located just outside of the picture.
Ok, well, thanks #2 for helping install ( or rather doing all the work ) our airbags and for being our guest today.
Now, for Mommy's disclaimer: WE do not advocate installing airbags, we are not promoting airbags and we recommend you inquire with a professional.
PS: Donald was chirping the whole time while I was typing as well. It was a trio - effort!
Q: What are airbags and why did you post a comment a few days ago that we would blow out our tires if we did not get some airbags? (And we think it was your very first comment, dear son! )
A: You may not blow them out, but the weight on the back tires will get more wear and will get hotter. The bags move more weight to the front tires, in a way - more load on the front.
It makes the truck look better on the road! All your drive line angles will go out of whack without them, and you get more vibration. It brings your drive line into back into alignment.
Q: Was it hard to install them? What did you need?
A: No real special tools, took me about 5 hours with the wiring in your driveway. The pump took me the most time because of the wiring and routing. I hide everything and make it look nice. Some guys don't really care, and man, I have stories! ( Mom is proud of her neat mechanic ).
Q: Should you get a mechanic to do the job?
A: Yes, you could do the bags, but the pump and wiring should be done by a professional.
Q: Are all the components necessary?
A: I put in the onboard air supply pump and that was an extra - cost about $200 more. Without the pump you fill from the back bumper with tire valve-like valves. It is harder to fill, especially with RV's. This way, the bags are independent and can be adjusted on the spot. With the pump, they are combined and are adjusted equally and can be measured while pumping. It is way more convenient - a flick of the switch.
So, here are some pictures:
This is the drivers side airbag, from the wheel well.
This is the airbag assembly installed, drivers side, looking from the rear.
This is the control panel, brake controller on left.
Air compressor. Located drivers side under the rear seat. The filter is located just outside of the picture.
Ok, well, thanks #2 for helping install ( or rather doing all the work ) our airbags and for being our guest today.
Now, for Mommy's disclaimer: WE do not advocate installing airbags, we are not promoting airbags and we recommend you inquire with a professional.
PS: Donald was chirping the whole time while I was typing as well. It was a trio - effort!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tidy Thursday
When we arrive in the Kispiox Valley, the camping area is just the rodeo grounds, and as such, has long weedy grass and uneven ground. Donald, ever the tidy landscaper, brings along the gas weed wacker and cuts the 'lawn' in the square of rv units. The guys even bagged up the grass and brought it back for composting.
Today, our mechanic son enjoyed a day off at our house installing the air bags in the truck. Hopefully some pictures will follow as there are a couple of wee things to do on it tomorrow on his lunch hour.
Today, our mechanic son enjoyed a day off at our house installing the air bags in the truck. Hopefully some pictures will follow as there are a couple of wee things to do on it tomorrow on his lunch hour.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Kispiox 2010
We enjoyed beautiful hot weather this year at the music festival. We were surrounded by our very good friends with their rv's and about 2000 others, mostly people we know. Donald took advantage of the ladder and height on the fifth wheel and took pictures down into our little " group" and then looking back the other way towards the main stage. If you do not know where the Kispiox Valley is, well, it is in the midst of the coastal northern British Columbia mountain range. Travel about 16 hours straight from Vancouver and then travel for another hour way out into the backcountry. There you will find God's country, home to many native clans, and ranchers, fisherpersons and ol' draft dodgers.
And looking back the other way:
They have a great lineup of music in genres of folk, reggae, funk and blues. Our youngest son was volunteering on the security crew for the weekend and stopped in a few times to have a laugh with us 'ol folks.
Hanging out with Dad, listening to " Mamagaroove" on Sunday afternoon.
So, the Rv'ing is as tight as you will ever see it, but we all know each other, or know of through someone else. Lots of visiting, fun, families and wee babies, swimming and floating in the river.... oh yes, did I say there were killer scrabble games as well?
They have a great lineup of music in genres of folk, reggae, funk and blues. Our youngest son was volunteering on the security crew for the weekend and stopped in a few times to have a laugh with us 'ol folks.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Off to the Kispiox Valley
We are off to the Kispiox Valley this weekend - Donald has left already a couple of days ahead of me. Man, I need to retire.
The weather is showing to be nice on the forecast and we hope it stays that way. We shall see how the new 5th wheel fits into the " group corral" of rv's. There will be a number of the gang in attendance and it should be lots of fun.
Pictures to follow...... on another note, the airbags for the truck should be installed next week.
The weather is showing to be nice on the forecast and we hope it stays that way. We shall see how the new 5th wheel fits into the " group corral" of rv's. There will be a number of the gang in attendance and it should be lots of fun.
Pictures to follow...... on another note, the airbags for the truck should be installed next week.
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