RandyA

JC - It really sounds like you must be miserable. I feel for you and hope things improve quickly.

We are still in Ft.Myers until March 1 when we will move further north in FL to Carrabelle and the Gulf.. The new (larger) inflatable has been great on the water. We have been watching Manatees and Alligators while trying to catch fish. Cooler weather and wind arrived today that will keep us off the water for the rest of the week.

Enjoying the warm, sunny weather in the 80's at Orange Harbor in Ft. Myers. Nice place and on the water which makes it great for the new (larger) inflatable boat. We will stay here until March 1 and then wander back to the panhandle to chase some Redfish in the Sound. Pelicans think they own the launching ramp and dock. They fight with the resident alligator for fish heads and tossed bait.

Left Shipshewana this morning. Now just a few miles down the road at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds (IN). Met a "new" HDT owner in Shipshewana. Red Volvo like Charlie and Sandra's but singled with a smart. I think he told me Gregg made the bed and drom. His name is Bob but he doesn't visit this forum. Maybe he will now? The heat is back on - wishing for a little of the cool weather from the Upper Peninsula we experienced. We did get to visit Bontrager's Surplus yesterday. It is my kind of candy store. If one were going to build living quarters on the back of their HDT you could find most everything you need there.

Noticed a fuel smell in Denali, and saw a dribble on the ground........... $5500 in repairs so far on this trip.

<snip>

Tomorrow, we need to find out why our trailer brakes aren't working, then begin the trip back to Indiana.

Rick - sorry to hear about the repairs and your total cost for the Alaska trip. I know that hurts. But, it is like Jack said - better have a pool of $$ for repairs when we put one of these trucks on the road. It is not just a HDT though. One member our our group forked out $4,000 and change for a transmission rebuild on a PU dually after crossing the Big Horn in SD. Another about $3,600 on fuel injectors for just one side of a V8. At least stuff on our trucks is (usually) easier to get to and (often) readily available. On a diesel PU you can't even see the engine for all the stuff covering it.

We are now in Munising, Michigan, on Lake Superior. It is beautiful and very cool. Tomorrow we head for Mackinaw for three nights and will go out to the island.

Safe travels to all.

Superior, WI.

First issue with the Volvo..... A/C compressor locked up and broke belt. No cold air and no alternator. Volvo dealer here (Nuss Truck Center) took me in today and immediately replaced compressor, accumulator, flushed system, recharged, etc. Great service but now out $850. Air is now cold enough to hang meat in the cab. Still doing our trip blog when we have Internet and time. Volvo computer shows 8.2 mpg overall since leaving VA June 15th.

We left Cody WY this a.m. Now in Miles City, WO. Heading for Medora, ND tomorrow. IMHO, eastern WO is not nearly as pretty as SD and MO. We really enjoyed Yellowstone - especially the Canyon.

Sorry Bob. I was hoping we could connect. Bummer.

We made it to Cody, WY this afternoon. It was quite a trip across US16 mountains (9,055 feet going up and then down).

BTW - I have been writing a travel Blog for our children and grandchildren back east. I have included a lot of photos. If anyone should care to see it click here .

Saw a gen I Volvo with two motorcycles on the back parked at Steel Wheel Campground when coming out of Deadwood/Lead, SD yesterday. Is it one of us?

i arrived this afternoon at Custer Gulch RV Park Custer South Dakota. Ran through rain and wet roads so truck and 5er look like !@$T%^##W% you know what I mean.

 

I pulled a dummy today that thankfully did not turn out bad. Going through Lead South Dakota I ran a stop sign that even had a overhead red flashing light. I was so intent on making a turn, watching highway number sign, paying attention to GPS, some overhead limbs, make sure was in right gear i just ran the thing. I was going slow so DW thought was going to stop but I did not; to late for her to say anything. I did cut-off a dude in a car and if I was him be royally ticked off and sure he was, I sure would have been.

 

Anyway here tell Thursday and hope to meet up with RandyA Tuesday or Wednesday night I will try to stop and see him in the RV park he is in. Then off to Valentine Nebraska.

We are hear, Bob. Site 36. We have been gone during the day and coming back home dead tired around 5 p.m.. Was in Deadwood today and saw a HDT at Steel Wheel CG just out of Lead. Was wondering who? Been to Needles, Hill City, Custer, Crazy Horse, Rushmore and shops in between. Neat place - have taken over 300 photos..

Haven't looked at the photos yet, but want to thank you for them in advance. I have stopped twice only to find the place closed. It seemed quite expensive from the signs. Was it worth the money and the time?

 

Rod

IMHO - definitely worth it. Especially if you are interested in the history of the Oregon Trail and the Lincoln Highway. Exhibits rival those we saw at Disney.

May see you in Custer. We are leaving Dickinson N. Dakota Monday for someplace around Mt. Rushmore just have not picked a place yet. We will keep a look out for you.

We are booked into Fort Welikit for a week starting 7/7

Kearney Nebraska. Visited the Arch over I-80 today. It is an impressive tour. Leaving Monday for Custer, SD. Photos from the Arch tour are here if anyone is interested. They are not in any particular order. I did put titles on some of the photos that help explain.

Visited the Warp's Pioneer Village yesterday. WOW - what an old car and truck lover's dream tour.

As of today, Branson, MO for the next 10 nights. We came from VA down thru Tennessee, on to Little Rock and up I-40/65. The Volvo performed beautifully and laughed at the long uphill pulls. It is hot here.

Still in Florida sitting on the Gulf in Carrabelle. Weather has been nice - some rain & fog, lots of sunshine and clear sky's - and no snow or ice. We have been to several barrier islands in the inflatable with our 8HP outboard. Absolutely beautiful.

We will be at the Fairgrounds as part of the Rally group for the Tampa show as well.

Great! Looking forward to seeing you guys again.

We will probably get to the fairgrounds on the 14th and spend the night in the parking area. We will move into the RV section on the morning of the 15th as soon as they open up. Charlie will be with us in "Towmater" so you guys will get to meet for the first time.

Jeff, keep us in mind while in FL. We will be in Blackwater State Park (Near Pensacola) from Jan through Mar with the exception of the Tampa show, which we are going to. If our paths dont cross there we will see you at the ECR.

Jim, we going to the RV show in Tampa Jan. 15-19 with another HDT couple. Will be there in the fairgrounds RV area then over to Bay Bayou until Feb. 1st. From there over to Carabelle on the panhandle/Gulf at Ho-Hum for the month of Feb. Not sure about March but have reservations for the ECR in April. We hope to hook up with you and anyone else from the forum in Tampa.

Heading to Raccoon Valley SKP park in Tennessee. Sevierville, Stone Mountain, Savannah, Charleston and Carolina Crossroads on the itinerary.

Don,

Nancy and I extend our deepest condolences. Loss of a parent is tough, but seeing them pass quietly and without pain is a blessing. My Dad passed from lung cancer in a hospice and Nancy's Mom passed last February - all with dignity and loved ones near.

NOTE:

Since Dan hasn't been seen on the forum in a couple years and since the body of his post must have been lost in the transition to the new site I'm taking the liberty to update/insert a replacement post.

 

 

 

Welcome to the Escapees HDT Forum

 

If your New to the HDT forum or have been a Lurker for awhile and your considering moving up to the world of HDT's please take a few minutes to tell us a little bit about yourself and by all means don't be Shy about asking any questions that you might have about towing your 5th_Wheel with a converted HDT.

 

 

Jon, Keeper of The HDT Resource Guide

 

 

 

 

That is All.....

Nancy and I are long time RVers. We currently pull a 2009 Cedar Creek fifth wheel with a 1999 GMC 3500 (7.4 gas).

While the GMC does an admirable job with the CC, it does have to work hard to handle the weight. I was looking for a more powerful TV.

A couple of guys in the Cedar Creek RV Owner's Club own HDT's. They got me seriously looking into the possibility. When Freddie let me drive his Volvo about a month ago I was hooked.

We have just purchased a 2004 VNL670 ex-mail hauler. 756K on the clock. 70% tires. New brakes. New batteries. Volvo engine. 10 speed manual. Very, very clean and well cared for - I have all the service records. Full testing and service were performed before we took delivery. Engine is tight with blow-by below expected levels.

Now, I am on a steep learning curve and loving it all.

I am a retired college dean. Before that, a professor in the School of Electrical Engineering. Nancy is still teaching at a middle school, awaiting retirement in two years. I love to "tinker" and have a pretty complete shop with welding, woodworking, etc. Unfortunately, not large enough to pull the VLN inside.

Much to do. Lots of info to filter through. This appears to be the place to be to get that done!

Randy, Nancy and Oscar (Oscar is our Dachshund, or "Daddy's Little Boy)