Roadtrek Generator Woes

Having had the 2003 Roadtrek 190 Popular Chevy for a couple of months and taken it on one successful camping trip and planning for several more in the very near future then a trek to Maine and Nova Scotia, I thought it would be nice to document what I have learned and still need to learn. 

The generator is still my biggest problem.  Well, it’s not a big problem cause we can live without it.  But the fact that it’s not working just makes me want to get it going and have a complete camper.  It won’t start…..  I had no idea what to do at first and couldn’t get underneath the RT far enough to do much except check the oil and air filter.  I built some ramps out of 2 x 8’s and now can at least get under there and feel safe. 

Ramp details: Bought a 10’ premium 2 x 8 from Lowe’s for just over $10.  Cut it in half. Then measured and marked lines across the 2 pieces at 15 1/4” and 35 1/4”.  Set my circular saw at a 45 degree angle and cut the pieces.  Screwed them together with 1 3/4 deck screws.

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Had Lila help to spot me while I backed up on to the ramps without any problem.  They give me about 5” more clearance than I had before and saved about $30 over WalMart’s cheapest ramps.  I also blocked the front wheels with a 4 x 4 post.  And set the parking brake.

So now I can get under the RT.  Pulled the cover and spark plug cover.  Both were pretty rusty so wirebrushed them and gave a couple coats of Rustoleum.  Pulled the air filter and found it was spotless and looked brand new.  Pulled the upper hose from the fuel filter and hit the start switch.  Great fuel flow and the fuel looks normal.  While there, noted that the altitude adjustment was set on 10,000 ft.  Switched it to the minimum setting.  See the left picture below.

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  Tried to remove the bottom spark plug to have a look at it.  Neither of my spark plug wrenches fits.  I found out from CyberRally that it is a 11/16 ths size.  My largest is 9/16 ths.  So, another purchase is coming up.  I gave trouble shooting a break and got on the computer to see if I could find out more about the generator.  I had confirmed that I have a 2.8KVa OnanCummings generator and went online and found their parts and catalog website.  Ordered a spark plug, air and fuel filter for future use and especially ordered the service manual for the unit. 

I had read on CyberRally of some good trouble shooting hints and techniques so I went to WalMart and bought some SeaFoam and Techron fuel line/carburetor cleaners/fuel additives.  And some starting fluid (ether plus some other flammables.)  I am still trying to find the right method to add a little of the SeaFoam to the carburetor and want to run the gas tank down a bit before adding the mixture to the fuel.  I have a full tank right now.  I will find a syringe to inject a bit of the SeaFoam later.  But did try the ether.  Lila was inside the RT at the Generator Start Panel.  I sprayed about 3 seconds worth and backed well away and she hit the starter for about 4 or 5 seconds.  Did this 3 times and had a short burst of generator activity sustained.  I am presuming that the electrical system is providing a spark to ignite the ether vapor.  My conclusion at this point is that the carb is junked up.  Will work more on it next week.

Big Meadows Campground, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah NP

After 2 nights at Lewis Mountain, which is right on the Appalachian Trail, we headed north.  It was interesting to watch the hikers on the trail.  There would be a single, then a couple, then  a small group.  It was like this off and on all day.  Busy trail.  We had a group of about 5 or 6 men who stopped and camped just across from us.  They were out for a 5 day hike up to Front Royal.  They left in the morning before us. 

We stopped at Bearfence Rock Scramble trail on the way north.  We had to cross the AT to get to the vista and met up with the 6 hikers at the crossing.  Said a final farewell to them.  The rock scramble trail was very interesting.  It follows the razorback ridgeline and part of it is all rock.  You literally crawl up and down the rocks and crevices to follow the trail.  It is marked with blue blazes on trees in the woods, then on the rocks.  A little strenuous at a few points but the vista is a 360 view and it was very clear and you could see forever.

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After the trail, we headed into Big Meadows Campground.  It’s a large campground, over 200 sites.  We were on site 212 and there were a couple more loops.  We got a pull through site that must have been 100’ long and all paved and across from the bathroom.  Nearly level, but I used the levelers for the first time just cause I had them.  They look like Legos and are bright orange. Shouldn’t lose them…..

Had a quick lunch upon arrival.  This is when we had the tuna sandwiches promised yesterday.  Ended up with leftovers instead then. 

To back up a tad:  We stopped at the dump station before we got to the check-in.  This was a first also.  Had studied the Roadtrek manual and was already familiar with the hose and valves, so it went well.  The only problem was the rinsing of the dump hose.  The water pressure at the dump station was really high and i nearly lost control of the water hose.  Didn’t get too wet and it was only water….

It wasn’t very windy when we arrived so put up the awning just cause it hadn’t been up in a while and I wanted to dry up any residual moisture there and to see how much pollen had collected in it.  Brushed it clean and put it back away after the wind started kicking up in the afternoon. 

We walked around the campground and to the Lodge with the computer.  Checked email and caught up on some news.  We saw 3 other Roadtreks in the campground.  One new SS Agile, 1 Versatile, and another 190 Popular looked a little newer than ours.  There was an A-Liner trailer also.  Lots of families rolling in during the afternoon and evening.  Sunset at 8:10 and we had a chicken and rice dinner and watched ‘The Da Vinci Code’ on the DVD player. 

Slept like a baby.  The wind actually was blowing pretty hard and I expected to rock like a cradle, but didn’t notice hardly any rocking.  Must be the weight down low that keeps it stable.  Up and started fixing pancakes and coffee. 

Aside: I had been contacted last week by another Roadtrekker from VA and we had been sharing questions and answers and info.  She had asked if we could get together and compare and contrast our rigs and problems and solutions.  I agreed and she came up from Wintergreen, VA near Waynesboro to meet us at Big Meadows.

Elizabeth arrived around 9, just as the pancakes were done and the coffee was hot.   Set breakfast aside and we had a great time looking at each others campers.  She has leather seats, has put in a night table in place of the extra passenger seat, made a lot of creature comfort additions.  The oriental rug was a nice colorful addition.  She had taken out the bathroom privacy stuff since she camps alone.  Added a nice clock, thermometer with indoor/outdoor display.  Added a medicine chest by the bed.  Found and installed a pivoting table for the dining area.  Really had fixed hers up nice.  We pulled her hot water heater anode and replaced it.  My 3/4 drive wrench came in handy for that.  Her old one was barely corroded but she replaced it anyways.  I kept it and replaced mine which was about half gone.  Worked out well.  I figured out a few things about mine that weren’t quite right by looking at hers.  So, it was a great visit and we’ll continue to stay in touch and share info.

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Just after Elizabeth left, our campsite neighbors from Lewis Mountain dropped by.  We had spent a lot of time talking to the Mom and son but her other half was working and didn’t join her til Sat morning.  She wanted us to meet him and they had come up to Big Meadows for breakfast.  So we visited with them for a bit. 

Heated up the pancakes and coffee and had a late breakfast.  t was Iate morning now and check-out wasoon and we knew our site was reserved for Sat, so it was time to get ready to hit the road toward home. 

It took just a few minutes to secure loose objects after the dishwashing was done.  We headed south and turned east on Rt 33.

What a great trip!  We learned a lot but not quite enough.  I need to remember to take the smoke detector down when I cook.  It goes off even with boiling water….  and then remember to put it back up after the range is off.  Oh, and to turn off the LP when ready to hit the highway.

Skyline Drive in May is nice.  The trees still haven’t completely filled in so you can see through them.  The trilliums were blooming.  Saw several different colors and shapes.  Songbirds were singing.  Barred owl at Lewis Mtn Wed night.  Deer everywhere.  No bears seen, but our neighbors at Lewis Mtn know there is a momma and 2 cubs living just south of the campground.  Of course, we were at the south end of the campground; the remotest part.  Heard a Veery and nuthatches.  Bluets were carpeting some areas of the Big Meadows campground.  We had a patch at our site. 

Stopped at Fredericksburg Verizon store and researched and bought a mobile hotspot.  Now plan to give up my cell phone, which I hardly ever use.  Had dinner at a Madison County park.  Then got to Chaptico, MD early for contra-dancing.  Had a good time and didn’t hurt anyone or myself.  Got home around 11:30 safe and sound.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah NP, Lewis Mountain Campground

May 6, 2010 Thursday PM

Well, we got on the road about 11AM Wed morning.  Stopped at Fredericksburg for gas. Used our Giant points and go it for $2.59/gal.  Felt pretty good about that.  Grabbed a Subway sandwich, hit BJ’s for some last minute stuff and we soon heading into the mountains.  Got to the park entrance on Rt 33 and no one was on the gate.  A ranger poked his head out of the office and said we were good to go.  Then noticed a sign that said pay on the way out.  We have a Golden Access pass so we have free admission  anyways.  What a great program.  Got the pass several years ago for $10 and have used it many time for admission to National Parks and COE rec areas.  Back on the road to Lewis Mountain, which wasn’t even listed as being open when I researched it online a few days ago.  We had planned to go to Big Meadows but pulled in to Lewis Mountain just to see what it looked like and as we were making the loop through the small campground, noticed a Roadtrek.  Decided it can’t be too bad and it looked fine.  There must be about 30 sites here.  There’s a bathroom, water spigots, a pay shower at the camp store.  Quiet, rustic and you have a view off to the east and west from this 3200’ elevation area.  The campground host was nice.  The folks in the 200 Roadtrek Versatile Dodge were in their 80’s and have been camping in theirs since 2000.  They got it used with 80,000 miles on it and now have about 150,000 miles.  They were heading from their home in CT to a relative’s college graduation in Chapel HILL, NC.  Out next door neighbors were tenters from down in the vally nearby. 

We had a great night learning how to live in our new home.  Didn’t cook last night; just had the Subway sandwich.  After chillin’ with some salsa and beer.  After dinner, watched ‘The Abridged Complete Works of William Shakespeare’ on the portable DVD.  Couldn’t make it play through the TV for some reason.  We’ve decided to take the TV and videotape machine out and replace it with a HDTV with DVD built-in.  $200 at BJ’s…. Will need a mounting bracket for it.  That will free up a cabinet for my HF ham radio and power supply. 

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Made an omelet this morning after a great night’s sleep.  The stars were brigth last night and the temperature was just right.  No noise except the wind.  NO traffic at all overnight.  NO noise from neighbors.  We are nearly level but not exactly.  Learned a lesson about the griddle I brought along instead of the frying pans.  The griddle is too shallow and has 2 holes on one edge to prevent it sliding on the camp stove it was designed for.  Well, the eggs ran to the low side and right over the side and into the burner and down into the bottom of the stove.  And the griddle is too large to get to the range knobs well, too.  So, it stays home with the camp stove. Will bring a teflon frying pan or 2.  Might end up investing in a camp cook-kit that nests and is non-stick.  Oh, tore the range top apart and gave it a real good cleaning.  It needed to have some old crud removed along with the new egg mess.  The hot water heater does a great job.  I turned it on for about half an hour and got really hot water for dishes and my cleanup job.  The refrigerator is doing a bangup job, too.  Turned on the gas yesterday evening after we settled in and the fridge lit up easily.  The water heater was amazing, I just turned on the switch and in a second or three I heard the burner kick in.  This is really nice having a sink and hot water and a range and a toilet all within a step or two. 

Everyone moved out of the campground loop this morning.  Our new neighbors are a mother and son.  She’s in a van and he’s on a motorcycle.  They’re from Frederickburg.  Lila and the mom are having a good time talking.  There’s also a couple here from the Netherlands who started 5 days ago in Washington, DC and are on a 3 month trip to Portland, OR.  They are biking down the Skyline Drive to Waynesboro then heading west. 

Set up the Buddipole and rigged a 2 meter antenna up to my Yeasu VX170.  Was hearing a lot of QSO’s but not making them hear me.  Wasn’t trying too hard, though. Just was enjoying the beautiful afternoon.  One of the QSO;s was mentioning the AARC repeater near Annapolis on 147.105 since that was the freq they were on.  Couldn’t get them to hear me.  

The temperature up here must be abut 80 tops.  Was listening to NOAA Weatherradio and hearing temps down below around 90.  We have had sun most all day and a light breeze.  A few flies and gnats, one tick so far. Put up the screen door and that has kept most of the critters out.  Put up the awning this afternoon, more to air it out and blow the dust off than anything.  Found the roadtrek designed storage area for the awing crank and rafter yesterday, too.  They have clips in the door of the driver side long storage compartment. 

It’s been a nice relaxing day and we will make tuna salad and have a green salad later.  Enjoyed my PB&J with milk and a banana for a late lunch.  Was messing around with the installation of the CB and scanner and think I might have that figured out.  Now if I can just power them from the house battery rather than from the engine battery, I’ll be happier.  And then figure out how to get the generator going and install some solar . . . . .  Lots of stuff to mess with. 

Until later…