Road trip to the beach!!!

[tomhamrick]

We took the Eagle to Apache Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC last week and spent time with our family. Our son-in-law towed our travel trailer (yes we have one of THOSE too) giving us two units for 7 people. For us the trip is about 270 miles each way and the trip to the beach, for the Eagle anyway, was uneventful. About halfway there I get a call from my son-in-law who is about 1 mile behind me saying he has blown a tire on the trailer. I pull on the shoulder of the interstate as he drives slowly in behind. When he stops however we discover that the tread has peeled of one of his pickup rear tires exposing the belts but amazingly it is still holding air. We went on to the next exit to a small store to change the tire. The next thing we discover is that the previous owner of his pickup had removed all the tire tools and for some unknown reason I did not carry near the tools with me that I usually do. Without the proper tools it is very difficult to even get the spare tire from under a pickup. We finally got the tire down by breaking off the tube from the bumper to the crank and using an adjustable wrench to lower the tire. Then I discovered that I did not have a socket to fit the lugs. Did I mention that is was 90 degrees during all this...whew! At least the A/C in the Eagle was running! After about an hour of this struggle and angel appeared in an old Chevrolet truck that looked like it should be the one needing help. He was traveling from Raleigh and on the back of his truck was an air compressor, air wrench and toolbox full of tools. In minutes we were on our way to the beach once more. We were able to use the cabinets in the Eagle even though they are only shells with no doors or face frames. Much better than the storage boxes we have been using!!  The trip home went well except it was 100 degrees and who knows how hot the concrete slab was and I still have too many air leaks. The A/C could only keep it about 87 degrees while traveling 70 MPH. On the flats I was okay but when we came to the hills at Columbia if I tried to maintain 70 the temp would creep up to 190. As long as I backed out a little and did not keep it to the floor up the hills the temp would fluctuate between 180 and 190. Along with all the stuff in the bays and bus I am towing a Honda Pilot so I did not think this was too bad for a 6V92 with a 740 automatic. We got 8 MPG and I know some of you will not believe me but I have a Detroit that does not leak!!  I searched for a leak for 5 years and after finding and fixing it have not had one since. Who knows how long that will last!!! Even though our bus is not complete we have been using and enjoying it for several years. We saw only one conversion the entire trip and that was an Eastbound GMC in Columbia on Sunday afternoon. It was grey with some swirls painted on the side. This means that the rest of you need to get out there and be driving your busses!!! Thanks for listening to my rambles.
Tom Hamrick
1984 Eagle 10S

[Hi yo silver]

Great post, Tom!  I love reading the ramblings as you called it, that you guys post about your trips.  I look forward to the time when I can do the same.  I saw a beautiful deep blue Eagle on I-81 near exit 140 Tuesday morning.  Wait..."beautiful; Eagle..." is that a contradiction in terms??? Just kiddin'!
Thanks for sharing your experience.  I'm jealous.
Dennis   

[bubbaqgal]

Tom, I'm glad you had an "angel" help you out!  But then us North Carolinians are usually pretty friendly friendly.  I wish I had known you were going to be at Apache.  My parents live there in the campground and I would have had my mother come over and be an unofficial welcoming committee.  Because of our bus, she is becoming somewhat of a busnut herself.  Cat

[tomhamrick]

Thanks Dennis. Eagles are beautiful!!!

Cat, I was going to post a message about our trip in case someone was in the area, but just ran out of time. I 'll be sure and post the next time.

Tom Hamrick
1984 Eagle 10 S