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Post by mdcamper on Oct 5, 2019 13:21:54 GMT -5
Just to keep my thread updated. My wife and I left Wednesday morning and stayed over in Ohio one night (West Branch state park with full hookups) and then on to Indiana Thursday. We stayed at the same campground that the rally is held each year (Shipshewana Campground south park?). We had a lovely and tasty dinner at a local Amish buffet (The blue Gate Restaurant). The fried (broasted) chicken was amazing.
We dropped the camper off at the KZ service center on Friday morning. We went over all of the issues with the service manager and service writer. They were very accommodating and noted all of our concerns that we had discussed previously with our list of problems/issues. We did add a few more since the last time I was in contact with them that we found during the course of the summer/early fall. They include one of the motors for the massage stopped (never worked?) working on a chair and I noticed that a screw was too long and caused a bubble on the shelf underneath the TV. The screw was so long that they hadn't bothered to even drive it all the way in so the shelf was loose.
I had never winterized the camper with anti-freeze and had some difficulties figuring out the hot water pass-by and KZ said they would take care of it for us free of charge.
We are back home now after a straight through 11 hour drive. Gas, food and lodging was $500.00 so far (Gas in PA and OH was about 30 cents more per gallon then at home). Of course we'll have another trip to go pick up and bring it back so there will be more of a cost involved but I figured I would disclose that here so I can remember what it cost us LOL. We also have the cost of the toll roads in PA and OH which I think will at least be another $100 or more)
I will keep everyone updated on the progress of the repairs. KZ thinks they may have it back to us before winter sets in but they will keep it until spring if schedules/weather don't cooperate.
In closing on this update, the road trip was really good. No traffic on the PA or OH turnpikes. We drove route 20 in Indiana to avoid more tolls and the terrible road conditions there. Cost to tow was pretty high.
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 5, 2019 13:27:35 GMT -5
Oh and BTW, It was a lot harder leaving the camper then I thought it would be. LOL I already miss it and wish we could camp until the cold really set in around here.
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Post by laknox on Oct 5, 2019 23:36:58 GMT -5
Oh and BTW, It was a lot harder leaving the camper then I thought it would be. LOL I already is it and wish we could camp until the cold really set in around here. I hear ya! Our rig's been in the shop for a month, so far and, while we didn't have any hard plans, we had talked about taking a couple trips this fall. Tough looking at the pile of "basement stuff" sitting in the garage every day instead of enjoying it in the "wild outdoors". I guess a trip to Disneyland with the kids and grands will have to suffice. :-) Lyle
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Post by Chuck on Oct 10, 2019 10:59:04 GMT -5
mdcamper When we travel back there going east an west we use US 20 an also US 30 across Ohio to I-77 then I-70 to Maryland, only toll is PA for a distance ... I have also used I-77 to I-80 into PA to avoid tolls since I use to live an work in Mercer PA for Stroh Transportation for a short time as a driver/manager which
was part of the Stroh Brewery Company out of Detroit Mich...
We have traveled the Indiana cow path on I-80 (Indiana toll road) an Ohio turn pike a few years back an paid that high dollar tolls Ugh !! Since I lived in Ohio an drove truck back there I know pretty much the back roads in Indiana, Ohio, PA for the most part even though they have changed somewhat
from when I lived there in the 70's an very early 80's As you have seen now the people at Kz care, they are friendly an will go out of their way to help you with your problems I'm sure when you go back an do a PDI before excepting your trailer they will as well go thought it an make sure you are happy with there work they have done to your trailer
Yesterday after our last five day camping trip to Central Oregon I started down the road to winterizing our home on wheels, drained out all the water, blow out the lines, emyted out hot water tank, put
antifreeze in drain traps an dish washer, it was bitter sweet getting it ready for winter I still have to wash the old girl an put a coat of wax on her little by little but we will dream of spring an talk about
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 10, 2019 21:31:24 GMT -5
mdcamper When we travel back there going east an west we use US 20 an also US 30 across Ohio to I-77 then I-70 to Maryland, only toll is PA for a distance ... I have also used I-77 to I-80 into PA to avoid tolls since I use to live an work in Mercer PA for Stroh Transportation for a short time as a driver/manager which
was part of the Stroh Brewery Company out of Detroit Mich...
We have traveled the Indiana cow path on I-80 (Indiana toll road) an Ohio turn pike a few years back an paid that high dollar tolls Ugh !! Since I lived in Ohio an drove truck back there I know pretty much the back roads in Indiana, Ohio, PA for the most part even though they have changed somewhat
from when I lived there in the 70's an very early 80's As you have seen now the people at Kz care, they are friendly an will go out of their way to help you with your problems I'm sure when you go back an do a PDI before excepting your trailer they will as well go thought it an make sure you are happy with there work they have done to your trailer
Yesterday after our last five day camping trip to Central Oregon I started down the road to winterizing our home on wheels, drained out all the water, blow out the lines, emyted out hot water tank, put
antifreeze in drain traps an dish washer, it was bitter sweet getting it ready for winter I still have to wash the old girl an put a coat of wax on her little by little but we will dream of spring an talk about
Safe Travels
Chuck
Yep winters here!
Elephant Butte, NM Thursday 8:00 PM Clear 72 Thu Clear
84° 45°
Fri Sunny 69° 45°
Sat Sunny 75° 49°
Sun Mostly Sunny 84° 54°
Mon Partly Cloudy 83° 53°
Tue Sunny 82° 55°
Wed Sunny 82° 56°
Thu Sunny 86° 57°
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Post by nvguy on Oct 10, 2019 22:24:55 GMT -5
Edd, those of us pumping and pouring antifreeze hate you (my task Sunday).. We hit the 30's last night, your low Tues was about our high today..and this AM the furnace in the S&B decided to have a tantrum. Older I get, the less I like winter.
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Post by laknox on Oct 11, 2019 10:22:28 GMT -5
Supposed to be 92 here, today. :-) Nice brisk 62, with wind, this AM.
Lyle
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 11, 2019 19:25:10 GMT -5
mdcamper When we travel back there going east an west we use US 20 an also US 30 across Ohio to I-77 then I-70 to Maryland, only toll is PA for a distance ... I have also used I-77 to I-80 into PA to avoid tolls since I use to live an work in Mercer PA for Stroh Transportation for a short time as a driver/manager which
was part of the Stroh Brewery Company out of Detroit Mich...
We have traveled the Indiana cow path on I-80 (Indiana toll road) an Ohio turn pike a few years back an paid that high dollar tolls Ugh !! Since I lived in Ohio an drove truck back there I know pretty much the back roads in Indiana, Ohio, PA for the most part even though they have changed somewhat
from when I lived there in the 70's an very early 80's As you have seen now the people at Kz care, they are friendly an will go out of their way to help you with your problems I'm sure when you go back an do a PDI before excepting your trailer they will as well go thought it an make sure you are happy with there work they have done to your trailer
Yesterday after our last five day camping trip to Central Oregon I started down the road to winterizing our home on wheels, drained out all the water, blow out the lines, emyted out hot water tank, put
antifreeze in drain traps an dish washer, it was bitter sweet getting it ready for winter I still have to wash the old girl an put a coat of wax on her little by little but we will dream of spring an talk about
Safe Travels
Chuck
I may run a different route going back up and coming home to reduce the cost of tolls. The PA turnpike to OH turnpike looked the quickest and flattest route. I-70 to breezewood (small bit of toll through PA turnpike then might be the best route. I will have to look at the OH part of the trip that you suggested. I20 in Indiana is fine. 55 most places and plenty of places to stop for gas and food if needed. Taking I70 west from MD over the mountains is a non-starter because I drove that route with our other camper and OMG the grades are not fun! LOL My wife said we spent about $700 on the trip up (I almost fainted) A little over $100 on tolls (so far from what was reported), $100 total on campgrounds (2 nights) and the rest was food and gas! The big question with taking another route is will we have an increase in gas that will negate not taking the toll roads.
KZ was very kind and friendly while we were there. Hopefully the main repair (the bubbles in the side wall) they will do will be "like new". That' is my biggest concern at this time. I just don't know what to expect.
Cold is coming here too. End of next week likely will feel like winter here as well. Based on model data would could have gotten at least 2 to 3 more weeks before I would have to winterize. Heck, we even camp when we are winterized. Just use the bath houses.
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 11, 2019 19:31:13 GMT -5
Edd, those of us pumping and pouring antifreeze hate you (my task Sunday).. We hit the 30's last night, your low Tues was about our high today..and this AM the furnace in the S&B decided to have a tantrum. Older I get, the less I like winter. That's why we have our eye on moving south. MUCH further south. I can't take much more winter. I'd also love to be able to camp year round!
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 11, 2019 22:44:17 GMT -5
Edd, those of us pumping and pouring antifreeze hate you (my task Sunday).. We hit the 30's last night, your low Tues was about our high today..and this AM the furnace in the S&B decided to have a tantrum. Older I get, the less I like winter. Exactly why I live here and snowbird to AZ Jan to about Mar, AZ is warmer. Have to be home for Christmas, we do the lighting contest local, placed 1 or 2 the last 8 years. I have a couple years Posted on Facebook.
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Post by Chuck on Oct 13, 2019 11:39:05 GMT -5
Well guys an gals we has 24 an 25 the last week at night camping in central Oregon while it was low 70es in the daytime except the day we came home when it was raining an low 60es except in the mountains we it dropped to 45 at 7000ft level ... mdcamper I must have missed the grades in PA on I70, we went up an down some hills I was in sticker shock on fuel price's on the toll road, you would have thought they had gold in their tanks Even years ago fuel was always high on the Indiana, Ohio an PA pikes but man they sure want to get into your back pocket now days ...
As far as taking I-70 west back to get your trailer I'd think it would be a bit to far south, even US30 to me would be a bit to far south, but US20 is a nice smooth road an we have for the most part not had any problems with traffic even thought the Eastern part of Ohio you have a few small towns with traffic lights ...
But there is lots of places along there to kick the tires or stop for a quick bite to eat...
If you stay on US20 into Toledo you pass one of my cousins farms just before I-475 in Stoney Ridge an when
back there we stay at the Stoney Ridge KOA, nice camp grounds an friendly people ... I will say that getting on I-75 from US20 an then on I-475/US23 an back onto US20 in Toledo is sort of a pain but once out of Toledo it pretty much smooth sailing
I haven't traveled RT2 along the lake for a number of years so i wonder how well it has grown up along there since the late 70'es, use to be pretty good road till you got over near Cleveland Suburbs after Huron Ohio, was all four lane for a number of miles from Camp Perry east ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 13, 2019 19:38:39 GMT -5
Well guys an gals we has 24 an 25 the last week at night camping in central Oregon while it was low 70es in the daytime except the day we came home when it was raining an low 60es except in the mountains we it dropped to 45 at 7000ft level ... mdcamper I must have missed the grades in PA on I70, we went up an down some hills I was in sticker shock on fuel price's on the toll road, you would have thought they had gold in their tanks Even years ago fuel was always high on the Indiana, Ohio an PA pikes but man they sure want to get into your back pocket now days ...
As far as taking I-70 west back to get your trailer I'd think it would be a bit to far south, even US30 to me would be a bit to far south, but US20 is a nice smooth road an we have for the most part not had any problems with traffic even thought the Eastern part of Ohio you have a few small towns with traffic lights ...
But there is lots of places along there to kick the tires or stop for a quick bite to eat...
If you stay on US20 into Toledo you pass one of my cousins farms just before I-475 in Stoney Ridge an when
back there we stay at the Stoney Ridge KOA, nice camp grounds an friendly people ... I will say that getting on I-75 from US20 an then on I-475/US23 an back onto US20 in Toledo is sort of a pain but once out of Toledo it pretty much smooth sailing
I haven't traveled RT2 along the lake for a number of years so i wonder how well it has grown up along there since the late 70'es, use to be pretty good road till you got over near Cleveland Suburbs after Huron Ohio, was all four lane for a number of miles from Camp Perry east ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
I made a mistake. In Maryland I70 turns in to I68 and I70 heads up into breezewood, PA. I68 through MD is where there are some pretty steep grades. That's the route we took last summer when we went to Alta Vista, WV for a quick camping trip with our old camper (I think that was our last trip in the Jayco too)
Here is the VLOG of that trip.
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Post by mdcamper on Jan 30, 2020 0:07:30 GMT -5
Just a super quick update on this. Was told by KZ that our camper is now in the glass shop getting the side wall evaluated. Should have an answer on what's going to be done soon. Shooting for pickup at the end of February/Early March.
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Post by mdcamper on Feb 10, 2020 23:12:12 GMT -5
Got a call from KZ today. All of the work has been completed per our list. Just waiting on pictures of the work completed (mainly the sidewall and cap work) Weather permitting we are going to try to pick it up near the end of the month or first part of March.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 16, 2020 11:58:57 GMT -5
Well we hope that everything is ok an that the work done is up to your standard an you have a very safe trip back there an home again ... We look forward to your comments in the future on repairs done an your trip Safe Travels Chuck
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Post by mdcamper on Feb 26, 2020 8:39:04 GMT -5
Well we hope that everything is ok an that the work done is up to your standard an you have a very safe trip back there an home again ... We look forward to your comments in the future on repairs done an your trip Safe Travels Chuck Thanks Chuck. We are just waiting for a small break in the weather for a few days and then we'll be heading up to Indiana. The pictures of the side wall I saw, I really couldn't see much of anything. The top cap looked good in the picture that I saw. I will report back on what we find once we get the rig back. We'll b doing a VLOG on our trip. Unfortunately we wont be staying in Shipshewana campground this time because they are closed until April so we'll be staying somewhere in Ohio. But we will likely be staying at a hotel in Shipshewanna the night before we pick the coach up.
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Post by mdcamper on Mar 2, 2020 0:14:44 GMT -5
We are leaving early this afternoon for Indiana. Will report back to the forum on how the trip goes to pick up the Durango.
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Post by laknox on Mar 2, 2020 11:21:23 GMT -5
We are leaving early this afternoon for Indiana. Will report back to the forum on how the trip goes to pick up the Durango. Safe travels. I'm very interested to hear about how this turned out. Lyle
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Post by mdcamper on Mar 2, 2020 23:51:33 GMT -5
We are leaving early this afternoon for Indiana. Will report back to the forum on how the trip goes to pick up the Durango. Safe travels. I'm very interested to hear about how this turned out. Lyle Thank you Lyle After a 10 hour drive we arrived in Shipshewana and are staying at the Blue Gate Garden Inn. BTW, a very nice hotel. I am impressed. Little bit nervous about tomorrow to be honest. It's a long drive back home if things are not right. Less then 12 hours to go. My wife drove the entire way up here (what a trooper!) She knows I have a lot of driving to do tomorrow and Wednesday with the camper in tow.
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Post by mdcamper on Mar 6, 2020 9:37:14 GMT -5
We are back from Shipshewana. Uneventful trip from Indiana back to PA/MD. It was windy in the mountains of western PA. The Nissan pulls this thing like a champ in adverse conditions and the Durango really does tow nicely. No white knuckle experiences even with some 30+mph cross winds on some bridges.
We'll have a video out in the next few weeks about our trip, the repairs that were performed and experience with KZ. I wish I could post it now but I need to go back and shoot a couple of more things that I couldn't during our trip due to time restrictions. Just a couple of quick comments about the experiencing. Once we talked to the right person last year things went smoothly with getting the camper up to KZ to get repairs completed. They were very accommodating and friendly.
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