We camped last night in a Ford dealer’s parking lot. After we compared it to the state park nearby with its tight corners, unlevel sites and no hookups, we came back and asked if we could “camp” here and plug in a power cord. The trade-off was one weighing the risk of highway noise by the Ford shop against the ability to make espresso in the morning. But that was only part of the deal.
Just days after getting an exhaust temperature sensor replaced on the truck (covered by a Ford recall, thanks), the #%§¥$* “check engine” light once again commanded our attention with its completely non-specific nagging reminder that something is wrong. Pulling a trailer only adds urgency and worry to that little dashboard beacon. How is it that in these days when a watch can tell you it’s time to breathe and how many steps you’ve taken, we still have vehicles with the aptly named idiot light?
So, time to put adventures on hold and check in with the local Ford shop. As it turned out, there are four exhaust temperature sensors, and the super sharp mechanic at the last shop only replaced one. Parts like these aren’t in ready supply in rural NH, so we interrupted our travels and enjoyed a night on he asphalt and waited for parts.
Travel as we’re doing can’t be all fun and games. There are routine things you gotta do, and repairs like these that pop up. Like the windshield crack that sprang from a rock ding (thanks, backhoe hauler who didn’t bother to clean their rig before getting on the road!), which led to another wayward stop for a new windshield, and another thanks to the crew that shipped a scratched windshield to the shop. Two trips to the glass shop is two days blown.
Yet we’ve leaned another time- and money-saving trick for other preventive maintenance. When we set up an appointment for an oil change, or an RV repair, we do it in the town we’re flying from when we take a grandparents trip (kind of like being in the reserves, but a lot more fun) or side excursion (see previous posts from Europe). For an extra 20-30 days parking, the service writers invariably have to go ask somebody. With a yes, we don’t have to pay to park at the airport, and we don’t waste time waiting for repairs and parts. Heck, the Ford shop in El Paso even gave us a ride to the airport!
So now we just need to learn how to time any maintenance work with holidays. Creative cheap, with a little wheeling and dealing.
–Fred
Berlin Ford gets two thumbs up for great service and taking care of our engine light repair in a quick and professional manner! I took advantage of the down time and made GF chocolate chip cookies, and I am getting good at this Recepie, no one can tell they are GF! 🙂
–Milissa