I didn't realize how profoundly the Airstream's beige was getting me until we were walking through a Home Hardware store in St. Jacobs, and I couldn't be torn away from the LED Christmas lights. Yes, Christmas decorations are actually in stores ahead of Halloween- I couldn't believe it either.
I had to have some, and the big ones, so we finally have some blue, orange, red and green in the trailer with us. We were so immeasurably cheered by this that they stayed on overnight, and they greeted me as I bumbled through coffee production this morning.
The days are getting colder! In addition to the furnace and small oil-based heater we were given, we bought a "micra-thermic" heater that promises great economy and comfy heat. We tripped the fuses several times last night while figuring out the best place to put that.
We have met a new friend in the park, one Janice-the-Builder, and she's been coaching us on how to get set up comfortably for cold weather. We have been back and forth for weeks on the question of whether we'll stay through the winter here or not, and we have decided we'll stay to New Years. We have probably decided we'll try to tough it out all winter here, but we'll see how we go between now and Christmas. I am the original cold-weather-weenie.
I found myself in another auto-repair shop the other day... My mission was to meet the most honest and talented diesel mechanic in Ontario, as referred by my Uncle Fred. To my great surprise, after 5 minutes behind the wheel, he turned and told me, "you've been sold the wrong truck". He told me he'd bet the farm (and this was Seaforth, so I took him literally) that I had 3:5.5 gearing, which is great for fuel economy, but highly impractical for our towing requirements.
I left Mabel with him for the morning. After 3 hours diagnostic work, he confirmed his earlier analysis, and added that I only had 220 horse-power, which is why there was never sufficient power going through the mountains or even the steeps of Northern Ontario. So much for all our research, advice, assurances and 3rd party mechanic's inspection!! I've never been so completely hosed on something in my life.
We have some options. In his suggested order of application:
- replace the entire exhaust with 4" pipe, removing the catalytic converter while we're at it ($500+ environmental damage)
- replace our entire air system with a low-restriction air-cleaner ($500-800)
- replace the factory engine chip with a custom one more suited to big hills ($500)
- replace the gearing ratio to something useful like 4:10 or 4:11s ($ 1500-ish- he was loathe to speculate)
Our friendly mechanic suggested that we might get another 50hp out of the first two changes, which might allow us to squeak by. At this point, we've already sunk $26,000 into truck purchase, warranty and repairs, which is way too much for a 2001. What to do?
Last week's visit to a mechanic was to a muffler place. I went to get the exhaust pressure tested. The pressure tested fine. But oh, what is that noxious smell coming into the truck cab? Why, it's diesel exhaust from a rotting exhaust pipe, attached to a rotting muffler- $500. *sigh* This suggests we may as well go for the exhaust work suggested by the Seaforth mechanic, at least. Where will it end?
Current thinking is to drive the truck off a cliff. Instead, we'll probably replace the exhaust with 4" pipe, have an oil under-body job done, and then sit tight for the winter. If we're back adventuring in the spring with the same tow-vehicle, we'll put in the fabulous new air system.
By the way, this was the first mechanic we've met who dealt with us honestly ($110 for a full morning's diagnostic), and competently. We'll definitely be using him for all our repair work. If you're in the area, check out TMP Motors in Seaforth. All he does is diesel.
By the way- anyone know where I can a couple truckloads of hay-bales for reasonable? We are scheming about winterizing!
