Adjusting to the demands of the road

June 18, 2011

We are into our 6th day on the road. Thus far we have been pre-occupied with wedding details and unloading the items we brought to distribute amongst the kids. We haven’t time to really consider how the Coachmen is weathering the trip. This will be the big weekend for the family. The rehearsals were Friday and we all had a great dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Today everyone is hyped and anxious about the wedding. We will be getting ready early this morning to head out to see the girls by 11:30 a.m. The ceremony is set for 2:00 p.m. When there are three sisters involved, and one is the bride, time is of the essence as they say.
I sense tomorrow will be the proverbial day of rest for all of us. We have been in high gear since Monday when we left work to start summer vacation. We will seriously take to our chores list starting Monday as we also reconsider our time line for returning. Our original stay here in the Michigan area has been extended by almost 4 weeks. Because we have family members reading our blog, we cannot reveal the reason for our extended stay, but we are excited to stay for the additional time and wouldn’t miss it for the world!!
Between July 5 and July 15, we may get to see Shipshewana, Indiana area during this trip. My brothers have told us about several RV “junk” yards that deal in almost new parts and furniture. Since we have installed the new floor, we will be looking for a new taupe or beige sofa and possibly a television mount as we look to relocate the TV above the entrance door or the window next to it.
Our plans are to head back east by July 26. We will stop at Gettysburg for a few days then turn south to Richmond / Appomattox to see a few more sites.

Tim and Mary
Brighton, Michigan

Do they make trailer tires anymore?

So the garage in Lillington passed the Dodge upon having the three deficits corrected. Had to pay an additional .85 cents for the "sticker." If it is all electronic, what sticker did I pay for?
While I was waiting for the Dodge to clear the last hurdle before new plates could be purchased, I inquired about tires for the Coachmen Catalina 5er. The guy showed me three options--all were truck tires and one had all-terrain tread. I asked him if the Grabbers all-terrain would make the 5er handle better in snow and mud.
"Probably not." he replied...
"No tire trailers?" I asked again.

"Not that size (245/75/16)." he stated.
"Hmmmmm," I stalled, "Nothing?"

I left for the DMV license plate office wondering how long the all-terrain tread would hold out on the Blue Roads in 90° heat and black-topped two-lanes..

I arrived home and started calling local (within 50 miles of our zip) tire stores. Appearently the guy was right...There are no "trailer" tires to be found in the Sandhills of North Carolina.
Finally I get a hold of this guy named Josh. He starts selling me some Falken and then a set of Cooper H/T--both road tread / all season tires. I try to remind Josh it is a trailer I need tires for and would like trailer tires with highway tread.
Carlisle or Goodyear? 10 ply, specifically for trailer use tires..do you sell this?
He stated they had Carlisle Highway radials for $146.78 and he also sees there are Goodyear Marathons--but only in a 235/80/16 size. Goodyears have the "BEST" insignia and Carlise have "GOOD." For the few dollars difference I go big and ask for the Marathons. Josh sets the phone down and when he returns a few minutes later tells me NO MARATHONS that size in North Carolina and he has to order / ship them from Missouri.
We really would like tires this weekend and have them installed and done so we can get serious about loading the stuff we have pawned off on family up north. Josh tells me the Carlisle tire might be available by Friday--they are shipping in from Hickory, North Carolina. OK...lets go with the Carlisle and plan to do this on Saturday.
So, if FedEx has the tires to Cary by Friday, the Coachmen Catalina will have new treads on Saturday. ACTUAL trailer tires and we will be waiting for June 13 to try the tires out on the highway.
We are still finalizing the route to Michigan, but it looks like this so far:
1. Leave Lillington Monday June, 13 by 5:00 pm
2. Arrive Wytheville, Virginia by 9:00 pm in time for LATE dinner(6/13)
3. Leave Wytheville, Virginia by 5:00 am in time for an EARLY breakfast.
4. Arrive Ripley, West Virginia by 10:00 am for snacks(6/14)
5. Continue to Wooster, Ohio by 1:00 pm and set up camp for lunch(6/14)
6. Leave Wooster, Ohio 6:00 am another EARLY breakfast(6/15)
7. Arrive Brighton, Michigan by 3:00 pm for dinner with FAMILY(6/15)
8. Wedding stuff all day 6/16
9. Final wedding stuff 6/17
10. WEDDING 6/18
11. 4 more weeks left of VACATION!!