Pullin' Chocks

Junction City, Kansas  Time for RV Repairs

This is our second visit to Junction City Kansas this year.  We arrived for our first visit of the year on March 29 and stayed for most of April while we completed a number of warranty repairs and upgrades that we wanted.  The two main objectives of the first visit was to address our low carrying capacity in the trailer ~ 1,000 lbs (after adding fresh water and propane), not nearly enough for full-time RV living; the second major objective was to figure out what was going on with our bubbling fiberglass roof and correct that.  We completed an air ride hitch, steel pin box, and trailer wheel upgrade on our first visit.  These changes increased our carrying capacity to almost 4,000 lbs, quite an improvement and we believe is more than we will ever need.

Because things were so busy at New Horizons (our RV manufacturer) they asked us to come back for the roof repair, which was determined to require a complete replacement.  While we were apprehensive about the scope of the work required to accomplish a roof replacement we figured we didn't have much choice if we wanted a viable roof.  A return date was set for June 23rd and we were back a day early and waiting for our turn.

The original schedule estimate was a 3 to 4 week job.  Because so many additional customers enroute to other obligations arrived we are now halfway through week 6 on this second visit and growing more restless to depart each week.  We are guessing mid-August may be our departure timeframe if things continue to go well with repairs.... but we know any number of events can change that very quickly.

We have kept ourselves busy while we wait for our repairs to be completed.  We visited Topeka, Manhattan, Clements and Council Groves, KS.  Plus we have explored extensively around the Junction City area.  Pictures of these adventures to follow.  For now we will include some shots of the awesome RV rigs that appear and disappear on the New Horizons lot on almost a daily basis.

This is our rig Penelope with her front and rear caps off and headed to the Production side of the factory to have the old delaminated roof remoced and the newly remanufactured roof dropped back into place.

This is a shot of the old delaminated roof in the rack that was removed from Penelope.

This is our temporary home, a loaner 2007 Teton 37' trailer.  It is very similar to our Penelope so we are comfortable.... but it's not our Penelope!  You can see Pepe our truck parked around the corner with the tool chest on the rear receiver while Penelope is in the shop.  When we get Penelope back we will put the tool chest on the receiver at the rear of the trailer.

This rig is Doug's from Baltimore.  He purchased a custom Volvo from Canada and has a Toy Hauler that he carries a Harley and a Trike in the back.

This Freightliner rig is Jeff's from Sacramento.  The Ford is the New Horizon's Show Hauler truck; it's a 2015 F-550.  Jeff also had a F-150 pulling an enclosed cargo trailer.  He kept his racing tandem bicycle in there.  You can see a glimpse of the white cargo trailer to the right of his white Freightliner truck below.

This truck is Pat & Rosemary's.  They have been fulltiming for 12 years.  They travelled with a Newfoundland dog for most of that time.

This rig is Jim and Sue's.  They are from Ohio and California, now fulltiming.  They are in the process of selling this trailer and buying a new one with the latest features.

This Vovlo belongs to a couple from Mississippi who we have not met yet.  They have not been here since we have been on site, but they sure have a nice tow vehicle!