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Finally made it to Branson this evening

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:39 pm
by Razorback
What a frustrating day! Intended to leave for Branson mid-morning, but didn't hit the road until 4:30 or so.

Slight uphill slope in our back yard, and I have to go up that hill and do a 180 to get the Avion out. Well, made it 30 feet or so and my 2-wheel drive F250 started spinning on the yard, even with all of the tongue weight on the hitch.... it had rained, and it was wayyyyy softer than I realized. So, I backed it into it's normal spot, unhitched, and went to get the trusty 1981 Bronco (4x4, of course). I don't have a straight shank for the Bronco's receiver (was looking at one just last week at Tractor Supply... didn't want to spend the $50-$60 bucks! :roll: will have one SOON!), so I started to take the head of the Avion's hitch apart to move the head up on the shank..... as it normally is, the bottom of the head of the hitch is only about 3" off the ground if I put the hitch on the Bronco. Anyway, started loosening the nuts to remove the head and they both felt like they were trying to strip and got REAL tight. :x I took the hitch to Camping world expecting that they could cut the bolt off and replace them.... Well, they cut them off, but they didn't have new bolts and nuts. Went to Fastenall near the house, got what I needed, went home and put the hitch back together. I had noticed that a neighbor had a straight shank with three different-sized balls on them on his F350. I called him and asked him if he minded if I used it.... he said help yourself! So, put it on the Bronco, hitched up, put it in 4x4, and hauled the Avion up the hill, turned around, and went out the gate. Just need the extra oompf the Bronco could provide. I love that thing!!! I wish it could haul the Avion on the road!!!

Then, as I was hitching up to the truck, the freakin' electric jack decided it had had enough, I guess. So, got out the bottle jack and finished hitching up. Finally got on the road. No issues on the road, thank God!

Made it to the Wilderness Campground at about 7:15, set up, then ate dinner.

We're here!!!! :D

(I'll look at the jack sometime after we get home.)

Re: Finally made it to Branson this evening

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:29 pm
by KYAvion
Never fun when things don't go as planned. Been there plenty of times. Glad you got things sorted out, and got to your site safe and sound.

Hopefully the jack is just a blown fuse.

Re: Finally made it to Branson this evening

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 12:25 am
by Razorback
Having a great time, meeting lots of new camp9ng friends! Some from St. Louis, others from Dardanelle, AR. Can't believe tomorrow is upon us and we'll have to pack up and go home..... :( Some of the folks have some really precious kids!!

Visited a local winery, went to Silver Dollar City, and visited the historic 5 and dime in Downtown Branson. Spent the evening outside talking to the St. Louis couple and their kids (and Jack the dog).

Another memorable trip!

Re: Finally made it to Branson this evening

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:42 am
by KYAvion
Glad the rest of the trip made up for the initial departure. Hope your trip home goes smoothly.

Re: Finally made it to Branson this evening

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:14 pm
by Razorback
Had a beautiful drive home. No issues at all, other than constantly saying, "Man! I can't believe the weekend is over already!"

Once home and unloaded, I took a look at the tongue jack. Found a blown fuse. Must have finally opened when I heard the gearing getting bogged down. Replaced the fuse and tested the jack..... worked OK.

Sometime this week, I will take the jack apart and see if there is anything obvious causing it. Will try to clean it up and re-grease it where needed, then see how it does. Maybe there is a gear tooth or two floating around in the grease?

(I'd just as soon have a manual-crank jack, anyway.)