Pre Trip Shake Down Cruise

[Dreamscape]

I took Dreamscape out for a ride yesterday. It was pretty hot here, the motor temp stayed at around 190 the whole time! I am blessed, have never had an overheating problem. It felt good to get 'er out on the open road, course there's lots of open roads here in West Central Texas!

Could hardly hear it run, very quiet inside cruising except for some wind noise around my door. Will seal that up today. Took all the old weather stripping off while I did some repair work on the breastplate.

Finished installing the carpet on the plywood bedframe top and sides, will do the floor today also. I am very pleased on how it turned out, helped with the engine noise too. The air bed I bought will get tested next week, could not find one with a memory foam top so I bought a separate piece 1 1/4 thick.

The bathroom is finally plumbed and working, so we are able to use the in house facilities instead of running to a separate building outside, WHEW.

I had to go have the bus weighed as they could not find the GVW on any of their old books at the Tax Assessor Office for Title, Registration and plates. It weighed in at 31,290 lbs. Did not have time to weigh each set of axles though, only five bucks to do the weigh in. It took quite a while to finally get it all done, but well worth the time. The cost for the title transfer etc. was roughly half of what it was in California last year! More to spend on the bus right! 

Still have a few things to do before the Texas Rally next week. Can't wait, it will be the first time we have used the bus for an overnight trip! So we are excited. I told my wife that at least once a month we are going somewhere even it's a one nighter.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[NewbeeMC9]

AWESOME! Glad to hear it!, and Congrats!

you'll be glad you did it.


You'll have that bus weight on up there before too long

The Cat scales I went to had the m ultiple scales and gave me separate axle wieghts on one weigh. 

$6 on first wiegh then $1 for a reweigh

[DrivingMissLazy]

In order to determine if your torsalastics on the tag/bogie axle are properly adjusted, you should get a separate weight for each wheel in the rear.
Richard

[Dreamscape]

I know Richard, I will get to it soon. Just so much to do! 

I realize how important that is, I really want to find out what the axle weights are anyway. Might do that before TBR 2007, if I have the time.

Thanks for the reminder!

Paul

[Eagle Andy]

Hey Paul Glad to here your up and running . We weight our Bus just when wew got here from Ariz with all the tools bikes chairs and the kitchen sink came in right at 36,780 Front axle was 11,280 both rears was 25,500 . Ft pass was 5780 rear pass was 12,220   Ft driver was 5480 and rear driver was 13,380 . I know I forgot to do the tag  . Not knowing my empty weight So I guess am in the ball park , looked at my tires and Iam not over weight. Anyway Iam happy for you and your first trip Good luck at the roundup and drive safe . Andy

[Ncbob]

Shucks guys, I'm cheaper than you can imagine. I go to the local Gravel Pit and go across their scales for free!

And the Scale Master seems to enjoy the change from seeing those big ugly dump trucks and always has a smile on his face!

NCbob

[DrivingMissLazy]

If the weight station is closed you can generally run across the scales and they will give you your weight at no cost.
Richard

[bobofthenorth]

If any of you are ever travelling in the Great White North just wheel into a DOT scale along the highway.  If the trooper is out - which they usually are - you can still read your weights either on the outside display on the newer installations or through the window on the older ones.  I wouldn't pull in if the county mountie is on duty - no good encouraging them - but if he is on somewhere else then I don't mind using his scales.

[dwbruner]

Paul,

Excellent news....Congratulations!   Glad to hear everything is coming together so you can enjoy your Eagle at TBR 2007.  I've got a long way to go to catch up with you, but the TBR 2007 will be the first overnight trip in our Eagle too.

See ya,
Darrin

[Dreamscape]

I'm still doing THE LIST!  Funny thing I keep adding and marking off! Don't know who's ahead at this point. 

Went for another ride last night over to her folks house, her Mom said "I'll sleep on the hide a bed, you won't even notice me", she is so cute!

Darrin, it doesn't matter if it's finished or not, mine sure has a long way to go, but that's OK. It will be a weekend to be remembered for a long time!

See you in a couple of days!

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[Runcutter]

Paul, you may be farther ahead than we are.  I don't have the 4107 back from the shop yet (they're doing quite a bit of other maintenance while it's there, but fitting it in between their fleet needs).  I'm hoping to pick it up Tuesday or Wednesday.  That'll give me time to re-install the domestic water pump and un-winterize the system; but it looks like the 14 galley drawers will get a temporary install, more woodworking to come later.  I'd hoped to have the face frame veneered before installing the drawers, finishing that part of the project.  That also means not enough time to swap refrigerators, and I'm not going to install the newly powder-coated front dash and door panels until that's done.

In short, she's going to be a long way from finished, (gaping holes from the missing dash panels), but we're going anyway.  After all, isn't it as important to see the "before" as the "after"?  Also, that'll help take away anyone else's excuses - so bring your bus, no matter how it looks now.

With the delay, and Phyllis' workload, we'll probably to come up Friday morning so she doesn't have to take off early on Thursday.

What's the check-in procedure?  Since some of the spots are paid for and we'll reimburse Sonny, or, if those are all taken care of before we arrive we'll have to pay for the additional space, how is the campground gate handling things?

Arthur

[Dreamscape]

Arthur,

Glad to hear things are progressing, although not how you planned, buts that's OK just come! Our dash is torn up also, that's the way it is!

Friday morning is fine. Or come up after your wife gets off work on Tursday. Either way is great. Just tell the gate your'e with the Texas Bus Roundup Group. If you have problems call my cell 325-660-4635, you shouldn't though. If the 15 spaces are taken you might just have to pay when you arrive. I think you should be OK.

Looking forward to meeting you and your wife!

Paul