So, we buy a Forest River Wildwood 241 QBXL and they say it's going to be a couple of weeks before it's ready. Just so happened, the front end of my truck got taken off by some kid in traffic a week before. So we took it to the body shop and they took off the damaged parts. Wouldn't you know, Fun Town RV called and said "Hey! Can you pick up your RV in a couple of days?"
Soooo.. off to the body shop to get what is left of the truck on the road. Had headlights, but no turn signals. But heck, it's Texas. Just makes driving in traffic a little more interesting. The RV dealership got a huge laugh out of it.
So finally the truck is fixed and we're off to Lake of the Pines for our first trip!!! Excitement is running deep! We get to Gilmer Texas, about 11 miles from our destination and....
Yep, someone decides the RV is a brake assist device. I mean... I MEANNNNN... our first trip. Our very first trip, out into the wild. Risking life and limb from attacks by dangerous wild animals like.. squirrels and deer and mosquitoes and ... DANGEROUS STUFF..
Sitting at a redlight and BUMP! "Are you KIDDING ME!?!?!"
Beth just looks at me and shakes her head.
So out of the truck I climb and back to the back I walk. There's a young man, visibly shaken but ok. No one was hurt.
Talking to him, I find out he just got the car after saving for a while. And he is on his way to a wedding. Traded insurance and went on our way.
But man, that bumper did it's job!! Decided not to file insurance claim because the replacement bumper (7'7" 16ga 4" square tube) will cost me $25 from McKinney Pipe & Steel, and I can weld it up myself. No sense making this kids insurance go up for that little amount. Plus, after talking with the frame manufacturer of the Wildwood, I'm going to add a cross member to the back and build a rack for the generator. Just have to install breakaway bolts so it won't damage the frame in case of another impact.
So we get to Lake O' The Pines and find that Beth has selected a lovely spot for us. Right next to the lake with great views! Didn't take long to unhook the anti-sway/load distribution hitch. I gotta tell you, I've never had one of those before, but the impact of installing one is quite noticeable! Without it, the rear bumper of the truck (4x4 w/factory towing option - 8900lbs towing limit) would drop 4 inches. With the load distribution hitch, it dropped about 3/4 of an inch. And in high crosswinds, it barely caused any drift/sway!! Forgot who it's made by, but it was around $500 installed. Worth the extra to have it installed (about $100 installation).
So we get setup and have a great time. A/C running most of the day, but nights cool enough to have the windows open. Here is the lovely Beth relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine. Me? Workin' and BEER!!!
So we spent a couple of days there and had a glorious time.
This section of the blog will be about all the fun, trials and tribulations of owning a Forest River Wildwood 241QBXL. Like.. where are the fuses that control the stablizer jack switchs on the outside!?!?!
Ah.. see next post!
