Calf Rope! - Montana Owners Club

simonsrf · 07-22-2009, 08:49 AM

When I was a kid, my brother, Dad and I would wrestle. When your opponent would get you in a position where you couldn’t move or you had had enough, we would say “calf rope”. That meant, I concede, I’m done, you win, now let me go! This is pretty much the same as what the calf does when it is roped, tied and dallied.

In the past month or so, we have had just a huge string of misfortunes….my hope here is to help you feel like it just isn’t that bad, look what is happening to Alice and Robbie, now.

On a move day, while boondocking, the landing gear failed. No power. Fuses were all good. Ended up cranking it up on the truck by hand, and after getting to the destination, had to crank it up again and then back down. After a half day of trouble-shooting and talking with the manufacturer, later found that the heat shrink behind the switch had not held and thus the contacts had pulled off….lesson learned, don’t put your extension cords on top of that switch connection….and remove that heat shrink and use good ol’ black electrical tape…and move the offending wire over one inch.

A few days later, I broke a tooth on a tooth that had a root canal, thus a new crown, and two unplanned visits to the dentist.

Our aluminum Tilt-A-Rack which carries our scooter on the back of TONTOW developed a crack in the top rail. After sending the company a picture of the crack, they said they had never seen such a crack, and because it was the weekend before the 4th of July, they would get back to me. I explained the situation that we are fulltimers, and cannot move until we have the rack fixed. They said they would get back to me, they didn’t. I called back. They later said they would send a new rack out. 17 days later it showed up. In the meantime, I bought a different rack, now I have to figure out how to sell the replacement aluminum one.

While flushing out the black tank, there was suddenly a gush of water underneath the rig. (no it wasn’t overfilled) Found, the grey tank was suddenly leaking. Took the belly off, patched the hole, it didn’t hold more than a week. We can only take a shower when the valves are open.

During routine maintenance, found that all four tires were wearing in unusual manner. Obviously, the axles needed alignment, but found that the cost of the labor for alignment could be offset by replacing the axles, springs, MorRyde equalizer, wet-bolt kits, u-bolts. etc. etc. This is supposed to be done sometime this week.

A very dear friend died. Mary was a coworker, who worked in human resources; she showed us how to invest our money in the retirement funds so we could both retire early. RIP Mary, we miss you.

We were sitting watching TV when we heard a loud snapping sound. I immediately ran outside to see what had happened. Our neighbor also came out of his rig with great concern. We looked around, asked questions, and couldn’t find anything wrong. Inside, I found that one of the safety-glass windows in the slide was completely shattered. I found no pellet or BB nearby the broken glass, the only thing I can think of was that it was a rock from a sling shot. Of course the boys living in the house next door said they knew nothing about it.

While battening down the tonneau cover on the truck, one of the latches which hold the cover down while traveling broke. I had to order another one from the manufacturer.

The ice maker quit working. Not sure why, but all we could get were little bitty cubes. Trashed that one and bought a new one.

Satellite finder quit working. Yep, no squeal. Checked the connections, did quite a bit of trouble-shooting using other’s finders, different wires…etc. Bought a new one, it works fine.

Hooking up the Sewer Solution, found that one of the ears for the bayonet mount was broken. Had to order another one of those too! Will have to wait here until it arrives so we can dump.

….and this morning, I have a flat tire on LN RNGR truck tires……

CALF ROPE! CALF ROPE! CALF ROPE!

Crossthread · 07-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Hang in there Robbie . Bill

timandsusan · 07-22-2009, 09:15 AM

Folks usually say these things come in pairs or three at a time. I think you may have set a new standard! Hang in there, pretty soon everything will be new. When we head out West next year, let me know where you are and if your luck has improved.

Dave Anderson · 07-22-2009, 09:42 AM

Robbie You aint been "calf roped" cuz your going to bounce back bigger and better than ever!!!!! What you just had was a bad bout of Murphies Law. Now you get to do some of the up-grades we all dream about, except we put off because of time or money or bothe. I sure would like to do the axle thing like Butch did, I want to add the wet bolts also, yep , sattelite finder doesnt squeel for me either,BAD EARS!!!!!! The bright side is, youve got a great number of friends that are really concerned for you , you've got to come up , stay a while and do a little "calf ropping" yourself................Dave P.S.E-mail us your schedule

richfaa · 07-22-2009, 10:15 AM

Well..At least you did not have a bad hair day...

**Carl n Susan** · 07-22-2009, 10:24 AM

The really bad news is that is only the 22nd. You have another 1/4 of the month to go!

swanny · 07-22-2009, 10:53 AM

so other than that what's going on? Don't get mad you'll probably only break something. Hang in there it can only get better.

grampachet · 07-22-2009, 11:07 AM

as someone told me once, If you didn't have bad luck ya wouldn't have any luck at all.I am so sorry for your multiplied problems. I am sure you are a winner and will be the victor over these bumps.

Yamaha_Mama · 07-22-2009, 11:58 AM

Hang in there....it can only get better!!! Ken and Marilyn

Waynem · 07-22-2009, 12:21 PM

Don't forget, Murphy was an optimist.

So when you think you are having a bad day, watch out!!!!

KTManiac · 07-22-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Waynem

....Murphy was an optimist....

....That's O'Tooles Law

Jeez Robbie,
Here's one for you!

by Buck Owens & Roy Clark

Gloom, despair, and agony on me...
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery...
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...
Gloom, despair, and agony on me.

Good thing is, at this point, you ought to be just about out of bad luck for a long, long while.

exav8tr · 07-22-2009, 02:40 PM

Robbie and Alice, So sorry to hear of your lack of good luck. You sound very frustrated, if not, MAD. Hang in there my friends and stay safe.....

rlwhit · 07-22-2009, 03:35 PM

We will welcome you here, but with reservations. LOL. No need to stay at that Casino. Hang on buddy. Some good served food by Toni and all will be well.

You may still be able to help with the install of the new pin box. We are all retired but work schedules keep us from doing what we want when we want.

Soon

Dick

David and Jo-Anna · 07-22-2009, 04:03 PM

Better days are ahead for sure!

Trailer Trash 2 · 07-22-2009, 04:28 PM

WOW Robbie, dont work around any big machenery, with all that bad luck you have been having, and the said that all bad things come in threes, I guess that dont go for you.
Hang in there it cant get any worst. there is always somebody out there that realy has it worst than you on days like yours, thats the way I look at it. they will end soon.

Sgrob47 · 07-22-2009, 05:42 PM

Sorry to here about all the new problems, maybe you need to drive that truck under a new monty. Hang in there buddy.

Steve

firetrucker · 07-22-2009, 07:45 PM

It was always UNCLE! for me as a kid, Robbie. Into each life rain must fall, occasionally as a hurricane, sometimes as a soothing, gentle shower. I guess we know what season you're in.

Are all your tires showin the same wear? I noticed (though not at the same time) the tires on the driver's side were wearing consistently on the inside of the tread. Both bearing were not seated properly. Don't know if I didn't torque them correctly the last time I packed the bearings, but there was no obvious damage to the race or rollers on the outer bearings. Will have to replace one tire, but the other still has life left.

Stick house, rolling house, they are still money pits.

Bob

WorkerB · 07-23-2009, 05:19 AM

WOW Robbie,
Stress can cause all kinds of physical problems. Take care of yourself. A glass of scotch and a good cigar is guaranteed to relax you. Several glasses of scotch will also stop you from grinding your teeth in your sleep! We're rooting for you Buddy! I like Steve's idea best. You guys would really look good sitting in front of your new Monty. Can I have your old solar panels? Things have to get better. Take Care,
John

DHenry · 07-23-2009, 05:23 AM

Robbie and Alice, after all of what has gone on with you two this month you should just sit down in your easy chair with a glass of cheer and think of all the good you have in your lives, it will certainly out weigh the things that have happened and should bring you back to looking forward to better times. Take care and we will be seeing you two soon.

rphoward · 07-23-2009, 06:45 AM

Oh my gosh - I can't believe all the things that have happened in such a short time. Hang in there - get to the rlwhit campground (I hear there's also great camping at Camp Anderson) - sit back in your chairs, take a deep breath, sip a cup of cheer, gaze at the mountains, and remember it's only 34 days to crabbing and 178 days to Qsite

You may also like: