Last Wednesday, my friend Ed and I headed toward Iowa in route to attend my 2 1/2 GMCMI rally. I had driven down and spent 1 day in Amana, last time
GMCMI was there, and I was able to Attend Chippawa falls in my own coach. This year, we decided to just take Ed's coach as this was his 1st GMCMI
Rally.
We hooked up my Honda CRV to Ed's coach since Ed's tracker engine blew up the week prior, and headed out at 5pm hoping twin cities traffic was not
bad. storm were coming in, so a quick napa stop to buy some rainX we were through the cities and well on our way, arriving at Ankeny Walmart about
10pm. I did all the driving and was really impressed as to how slowely the fuel gauge was dropping, until we came up to the exit in Ankeny and the
engine died off, only to come to life when I switched to Aux. on Main, the fuel gauge was easily 1/4 tank, but once I switched it to Aux, the needle
was buried at E. Seems we need to track that system down to see if fuel lines or electrical lines are swapped. The walmart had no overnight camping
signs posted, but truckers were not paying attention to that. I also seen another GMC tucked hiding behind some semi's, so we found our spot and
called it a night.
The car collection tour in Ankeny was pretty amazing. Every car was in pristine shape, and the futureliner did not disappoint. It was great to meet
and spend time with other GMC owners as well. The trip over to amana was extremely windy. taking advantage of fuel stops now, we pulled into the
gas station in Amana, and the dumb coach would not re-start. This is the second time this summer this has done this, and by hitting the starter
trigger to battery did not work, we quikly pulled the wheel well liner out and hit the starter solenoid with the screwdriver and it started up after
that. The starter was rebuilt just at 2 years ago, and I am pretty sure now it needs a trip back to the re-builder to see if there is a dead spot.
Coach started fine the rest of the trip.
The rally did not disappoint. busy doing things or talking to people from 7 am to after 10 pm. I was able to swap out another coach's starter, and
help them out. and provide some tools for someone else to pull and install there CV axle. I stayed much cleaner then I originally thought I would,
but since I have been working on my own coach non-stop for a month prior, I am a little more hesitant to jump in.
I did not take as many photos as I thought I would have, but I was always doing something. We left on Tuesday, since work and home issues were
piling up, and I am not retired. the drive home was smooth and un-eventful.
If you have not been to a GMCMI, you are missing out. and if you are not involved in your local club, you are missing out.
Now to figure out my power steering leak on my own coach, and get the 1st oil change done so we are ready for our 1st family camping trip since the
engine went south next week.
here are a few photo's I did take:
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2018/09/amana-gmcmi.html
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
GMCMI was there, and I was able to Attend Chippawa falls in my own coach. This year, we decided to just take Ed's coach as this was his 1st GMCMI
Rally.
We hooked up my Honda CRV to Ed's coach since Ed's tracker engine blew up the week prior, and headed out at 5pm hoping twin cities traffic was not
bad. storm were coming in, so a quick napa stop to buy some rainX we were through the cities and well on our way, arriving at Ankeny Walmart about
10pm. I did all the driving and was really impressed as to how slowely the fuel gauge was dropping, until we came up to the exit in Ankeny and the
engine died off, only to come to life when I switched to Aux. on Main, the fuel gauge was easily 1/4 tank, but once I switched it to Aux, the needle
was buried at E. Seems we need to track that system down to see if fuel lines or electrical lines are swapped. The walmart had no overnight camping
signs posted, but truckers were not paying attention to that. I also seen another GMC tucked hiding behind some semi's, so we found our spot and
called it a night.
The car collection tour in Ankeny was pretty amazing. Every car was in pristine shape, and the futureliner did not disappoint. It was great to meet
and spend time with other GMC owners as well. The trip over to amana was extremely windy. taking advantage of fuel stops now, we pulled into the
gas station in Amana, and the dumb coach would not re-start. This is the second time this summer this has done this, and by hitting the starter
trigger to battery did not work, we quikly pulled the wheel well liner out and hit the starter solenoid with the screwdriver and it started up after
that. The starter was rebuilt just at 2 years ago, and I am pretty sure now it needs a trip back to the re-builder to see if there is a dead spot.
Coach started fine the rest of the trip.
The rally did not disappoint. busy doing things or talking to people from 7 am to after 10 pm. I was able to swap out another coach's starter, and
help them out. and provide some tools for someone else to pull and install there CV axle. I stayed much cleaner then I originally thought I would,
but since I have been working on my own coach non-stop for a month prior, I am a little more hesitant to jump in.
I did not take as many photos as I thought I would have, but I was always doing something. We left on Tuesday, since work and home issues were
piling up, and I am not retired. the drive home was smooth and un-eventful.
If you have not been to a GMCMI, you are missing out. and if you are not involved in your local club, you are missing out.
Now to figure out my power steering leak on my own coach, and get the 1st oil change done so we are ready for our 1st family camping trip since the
engine went south next week.
here are a few photo's I did take:
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2018/09/amana-gmcmi.html
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
