This Article is written by Miss Ellen
We left the Iowa State Fair on Thursday and are headed for Forest City, Iowa to tour the Winnebago Factory. We were almost to our destination when we had a blowout on the trailer. Tire wrecked, Wheel wrecked. Not a huge problem, we have a spare, so we just changed it out and continued on our way.
On Friday we realized we are in the middle of nowhere, Iowa and there are no trailer tires nearby. We had to drive another 100 miles to the tire store in Minnesota so we could buy all new tires & a new wheel. We continued on our journey westward to Sioux Falls, SD.
On Saturday morning we realized our trailer suspension was broken and that is probably what caused the blowout. The type of axle we have does not allow for adjustments. This means the car is out of the trailer and I have to follow Norm as we travel anywhere.
On Friday we realized we are in the middle of nowhere, Iowa and there are no trailer tires nearby. We had to drive another 100 miles to the tire store in Minnesota so we could buy all new tires & a new wheel. We continued on our journey westward to Sioux Falls, SD.
On Saturday morning we realized our trailer suspension was broken and that is probably what caused the blowout. The type of axle we have does not allow for adjustments. This means the car is out of the trailer and I have to follow Norm as we travel anywhere.
We spent most of the day Saturday trying to figure out where to get new axles. At this point we are in a parking lot of a casino on the border of Iowa & South Dakota. We find a distributor open on Saturdays and ordered the axles from the closest place to us - 100 miles south in Sioux City IA. They will be ready for pickup on Tuesday morning so we spend the weekend at the casino. The casino does have a nice campground with full hookups and we get a site for Sunday & Monday night.
We enjoyed the buffet a couple of times, swam in the pool and Norm golfed one day.
We also toured Sioux Falls. They have a really beautiful downtown area and a fabulous park overlooking the falls.
And yes, that's where we celebrated my birthday!
On Tuesday morning we headed on our drive south to get the axles and install them ourselves. Found the place easy enough. Norm took up the WHOLE road in front of the store...but, that's the way it goes.
As we are talking to the guy we ordered these from & I'm watching him on the computer...I knew we were in trouble. Nope...axles did not arrive today as they should have! Sales guy & manager are now trying to figure out what to do and.how to make this work when we found out they were not the correct axles anyway. Great! Had enough trouble finding these... now what do we do. Oh...they can special order them for us. That will only take 3-6 weeks. ARE YOU KIDDING????? Don't tell Norm but at this point I'm thinking a new trailer sounds good...
And yes, that's where we celebrated my birthday!
On Tuesday morning we headed on our drive south to get the axles and install them ourselves. Found the place easy enough. Norm took up the WHOLE road in front of the store...but, that's the way it goes.
As we are talking to the guy we ordered these from & I'm watching him on the computer...I knew we were in trouble. Nope...axles did not arrive today as they should have! Sales guy & manager are now trying to figure out what to do and.how to make this work when we found out they were not the correct axles anyway. Great! Had enough trouble finding these... now what do we do. Oh...they can special order them for us. That will only take 3-6 weeks. ARE YOU KIDDING????? Don't tell Norm but at this point I'm thinking a new trailer sounds good...
We leave and go check into the KOA in North Sioux City to regroup....again.
Meanwhile, Norm has been talking to the axle manufacturer as there is a possibility these could be under warranty and FULLY covered. That would be sweet!
Finally Norm talks to the guy at the company again & they can put in the order for us and expedite. 2-3 days to build the axles. 3-4 days to ship Sioux City. All is arranged for them to send them to the KOA. We extend our reservation and prepare to sit and wait for 7 to 10 days.
Anyone knowing Norm will know sitting & waiting are not things he does well.
So...Wednesday, I say...where are these axles coming from anyways? Elkhart IN. Hmmm. Didn't we just leave that area last week...or so? How far from here I ask. 630 miles he figures out...lovely. So we talk and decide driving back will cost is about $200 BUT we don't have to wait around AND take any chances that there are still more delays.
So...Friday we start our journey back. For anyone knowing me- I'm not too excited cuz I need to drive following him. I'm not a long distance driver but it's the best thing to do.
At this point, we now have an appointment at the factory Tuesday morning and they will install. (I LOVE that part!). Totally wasn't looking forward to doing them ourselves...ok...Norm doing them himself.
All South Dakota is now out of our plans for this trip. When we are done getting the axles we will see what else needs to be scrapped. We really want to do California and figure these middle of the country states can be done anytime.
Let's hope this makes the trailer like new!!!
Meanwhile, Norm has been talking to the axle manufacturer as there is a possibility these could be under warranty and FULLY covered. That would be sweet!
Finally Norm talks to the guy at the company again & they can put in the order for us and expedite. 2-3 days to build the axles. 3-4 days to ship Sioux City. All is arranged for them to send them to the KOA. We extend our reservation and prepare to sit and wait for 7 to 10 days.
Anyone knowing Norm will know sitting & waiting are not things he does well.
So...Wednesday, I say...where are these axles coming from anyways? Elkhart IN. Hmmm. Didn't we just leave that area last week...or so? How far from here I ask. 630 miles he figures out...lovely. So we talk and decide driving back will cost is about $200 BUT we don't have to wait around AND take any chances that there are still more delays.
So...Friday we start our journey back. For anyone knowing me- I'm not too excited cuz I need to drive following him. I'm not a long distance driver but it's the best thing to do.
At this point, we now have an appointment at the factory Tuesday morning and they will install. (I LOVE that part!). Totally wasn't looking forward to doing them ourselves...ok...Norm doing them himself.
All South Dakota is now out of our plans for this trip. When we are done getting the axles we will see what else needs to be scrapped. We really want to do California and figure these middle of the country states can be done anytime.
Let's hope this makes the trailer like new!!!
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