MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 – We arrived safely in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas on Friday, October 4. We've returned to Leisure Valley Ranch, where we've spent the last three winters. We aren't wintering here this year. We are here to visit our friends and our Mexican dentist for some needed dental work for both of us (crowns). We expect to be here for about three weeks or so.
We are parked on a our friends' lot across the street from where we spent last winter. It's a very nice lot and even has some shade to sit under on a sunny afternoon. Steve and Amy also own the empty lot next to the casita and no one is in the casita next to us. We've got the entire area to ourselves!
We are definitely an early arrival in the park. There are only about 10% of the normal winter residents in the park. Most don't start arriving until after November 1....too hot!
On Saturday and with temperatures hovering in the upper 90's, Paul hit the roof early this morning.....time to give the 5th wheel a good scrubbing! The roof, surprisingly, wasn't as dirty as Paul expected. He only used his regular car wash soap and his handy long-handled RV brush. It was soon sparkling white.
Of course, all the filth runs down the sides so once started he was forced to wash the entire RV. Paul worked fast because once the sun comes up in South Texas, the water dries as it flies out of the hose....ha ha!
He successfully finished the job, but man was it getting hot. Now of course, the windows are all spotted so he had windows to wash.....a man's work is never done... :-)
While relaxing in the shade with a cool drink, Marsha asked Paul, “Hey, did you see how that tire is wearing funny?” What, another tire problem? Sure enough, one of the 5th wheel tires has worn down to the belt on the inside. WOW! That could have been another blow-out!
Inside, but only on part of the tire.
Other side of the same tire.
So that's the final straw. Time to replace all the tires on the RV. Paul's done some online research, and he's getting rid of the Goodyear Marathon ST235/80 R16 – known on the Cameo Forum as “Chinese Bombs” - and go with 17.5 rims and Goodyear 114.
This is a fairly expensive decision, so he went to Discount Tire and got a price on two Goodyear Marathons to replace the last two 2010 Marathons on the rig. They kindly gave him an adjustment for the existing "bad" tires. He'll get two Marathons for a little over $200 for both. This should hold us for awhile. We'll move forward with replacing the rims and wheels in the near future.
With all this work going on, Marsha was catching up with her girlfriends here in the park. Marsha's got a smile on her face....it's “party time” here in the Rio Grande Valley. Paul calls it her “party mode.” She loves a get together!
Let's see....Friday night it was “get together with Angie and Rick at their place.” Saturday night it was “country dancing” at a neighboring campground with three other couples. Sunday afternoon it was a “Social Hour” with several couples here in Leisure Valley Ranch. Paul says, “It never ends.”
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
It seems like you just left Mission. Where has the summer gone? Looking forward to seeing you both in a few months. We'll be offering to hire Paul to wash our roof. It'll give Marsha more money to party with.
ReplyDeleteWe may head that way this winter not sure yet..
ReplyDeleteGood thing you spotted that tire before it blew. Sure is time for some new better tires.
ReplyDeleteAll that socializing is wearing me out, we have been going nonstop almost all summer, will be nice to get some down time.
How old are those tires? You have put some miles on this year. Have a good time down south.
ReplyDeleteThose tires are scary. I'm glad you caught them before you had a blow out.
ReplyDeleteLove your new header!
ReplyDeleteGee, hope you are able to find out what the problem is with your tires. That latest tire looks scary with just a portion worn away.
That's the problem with washing the roof, everything gets dirty. I am sure the 5er is shining now:)
Marsha, you definitely look like you are in your element with all those goodies ready to go and that bright smile ready to visit with friends!! Good hear you are having fun.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteWith those tires worn heavily on the inside edges like that, make sure your axles aren't bent. Someone else whose blog we follow recently had that problem with their 5er.
I was wondering about an axle issue as well when I saw how that tire was worn on just the inside. Might be worth a check as there has to be some reason for that abnormal wear.
ReplyDeleteYou sure have a nice site to park in for the next few weeks - lots of great parties too from the sounds of it.
Familiar places with familiar people are always good.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it is time to beef up the calorie intake after all the hiking you did out west. ;)
ReplyDeleteHey Marsha, could you bring some of that food this way? I, too, was wondering about a problem not so much with tires, but something else. I never thought of axle, but hey, I'm female
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with your dental work. I'm sure Dr. D will do a fine job!
ReplyDeleteDitto on glad you saw that tire problem before it became a "chinese bomb"--scary.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the smile on Marsha's face. I love to be busy making goodies and spending time with fun folks. The country western dancing would be at the top of my list. The hot weather--not so much.
Paul is sure ambitious about getting after things. I know washing the rig is a big job especially in the heat.
Wow, I cannot believe the tires problems you two have had. So grateful you were settled and no issues occurred out on the road. Enjoy sunny TX!
ReplyDeleteAs I commented when you had the last blowout our tires were made in China. The problem is that the manufactures hide that under the bead where it contacts the rim. When we got ours the technician that was installing them showed me the Made in U.S.A. stamp on each tire before installing them. Be Safe and Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt's about time.
Glad to see you made it. AWESOME header! Enjoy the parties & be safe.
ReplyDeleteWe have friends who kept blowing out tires and it turned out to be a problem with the axle, which they are battling over with Keystone. Enjoy a winter filled with socializing :-)
ReplyDeleteWill be replacing our "Chinese Bombs" before we head south in a couple of weeks. Had a bubble about the size of a quarter appear on the outside of a sidewall. Glad we caught it. I was planning to replace the tires in Florida this winter. Ya'll have fun and be safe.
ReplyDelete