Fulltime.Hitchitch.com
 Ron and Terry's fulltime blog
We are a Big Rig looking for a Tent Experience.
 Go BACK      Go to  INDEX  Page     Go FORWARD

OK it's May 19 
More info on getting back on the road.
A glitch or two but all woking out for the good.
Posted this on RV.net forum...
I have a 03 Chevy Duramax and just replaced the fuel filter (getting ready to head for summer travels) and the next day after about 40 miles it went into limp mode with engine light on. Have enough power to drive but when I try to hit the foot feed it almost stalls for lack of diesel fuel. Got it to me local repair guy late on Friday and he took a engine code reading and it said low fuel pressure. Going to take it back to him on Monday. 
Now my question why with a NEW filter this would happen?
We have replace these several times in the past without a problem. You learn when pulling a big 5er in the mountains and you go into limp mode to make sure your filter is good and you have a spare. 
But now with a new filter it happens. 
I bought a WIX filter 33960XE at $59.99 at O'Reilly auto parts so not a low end filter by any means.
Any ideas? 
Next... After a few replies... I posted.
OK I've been doing some reading thanks to you guys getting ready for the truck to go in the shop in the AM. One problem the shop does not normally work on Duramax diesels. 
Ok I asked my friend who did the filter change if the old O-Ring came off with the old filter. Yes it did. He hand screwed it on and then gave it a 1/4 turn more. he has changed several in the past on this truck the same way.
Will talk to the tech about WIF sensor for cracks and nylon bleeder screw for wear.
We on our way to Tucson when the problem started the day after the filter was changed. Also it was hot down here in AZ (100 deg) Friday when this happened (about 40 miles into the drive) and the trans was reading about 200 deg so need to pay attention to a possible collapsing rubber fuel line. Forbid trouble with injectors as for the last couple of years we have been getting slight  blue smoke at idle at times. Not effecting mileage. 

NOW talking to my friend he sez the guts of the NEW WIX filter rattled when he shook it. Is there anything that should be loose inside a new filter like that? If not I hoping it will turn out to be a bad new filter. 
NEXT
OK got in the truck to take it to the mechanic and it stalled and died 1/8 mile and then I had a hard time even getting enough power to get it 3 miles to the mechanic. Slowed to 5 mph going up slight hills. Still getting P0087 code and I called loves truck stop and they were kind enough to check back in their credit cared records for my fuel purchase and confirmed I bought gas diesel. So now the local mechanic is only going to replace the filter and we will see if that helps.
Next question if it comes down to needing new injectors how hard is it to change them. Not that I'm going to do it but for the Chevy dealer. I see online at Injector Wharehouse they are $200 plus core of $100. I called Chevy parts and they want $350 and $100 core. 
Found this... guess this is not a DIY
The LB7 injector job is pretty significant. The injectors are buried below two layers of valve covers, each with a gasket that is both expensive and generally not saveable. Each injector also has a return washer that must be replaced. All of the FICM seals and water seals must also be replaced when performing this job. Gaskets and seals alone can be as much as $400! Add 8 injectors at $359 each (dealer price) and this job is pricey. 
NEXT
Happy News...
The local mechanic called.... the new fuel filter did the trick. Power all back and I got it and drove it hard. Just like new. Took the fuel filter to O'Reilly Auto Parts and they were happy to refund my money.
The local mechanic said he didn't see much smoke at idle and not to worry about at this time. And since no fuel in the oil (from bad injectors) looks I'm good to go for awhile. Heading out on summer travels, but will check out new injectors this fall. I talked to Desert Diesel in Tucson and he was very friendly and if I want new injectors he has a deal that he changes everything fuel lines CP3 pump and all related parts (non off market injectors, the real deal) so it is all new so now problems later for total of $4500. 
Checking around that seems like a very good deal. He came highly recommended by my mechanic in Benson, AZ who doesn't work on internals of Duramax trucks.

Tuesday May. 6
Getting ready to head out for our summer and fall travels.
We have been at our winter vacation property long enough (got back in late February) and we are now in May getting house itch. Terry is all better from his bout with an abscessed appendicitis. And we are both mostly done with Dr. appointments for this spring (and even have had our teeth cleaned for $260 each all paid by Ins.) I went to see a Nephrology Dr. (I'll wait while you look that up in Google) He took extra time with me answering all my questions and much more. What a great guy. I was worried as my kidney numbers have been not the best but have stayed the same for the last three years. He said not to worry I should be fine for another 20 years. Need to watch which meds I take.  Went over what I am taking now and how they react on my kindnys. I am much more informed about all this now. I don't have to see him till we get back late this year on ealy next year. How great is that. 
On May 1 got signed up with a new Medigap Plan F and Part D drugs. My former employer moved its retirees away from their post 65 company plans to medicap and part D exchanges which they wil pay all or most of the costs. Most big companies are moving in this direction. When you take a look at it, it's much better than what they were offering in the past. 
Old Plan... I paid in 2013 $126 a month and they paid 80/20 beyond Medicare A nad B with co-pays for Dr. visits etc and for drugs. Still had $147 medicare B and about $1200 for a hospital visit. 
New plan... Now they pay $214 a month toward my Meidigap plan F and Part D drug plan. So I get plan F 100% coverage and much lower drug part D drug costs. Will save us hundreds a month. 
Terry is not 65 so he now has a CDHP (Consumer Driven Health Plan) where we pay $151 a month. They (the company pays the first $1000 of the medical and drug costs) then we pay 100% of the next $500 and after that it is 80/20 split of the next $500 and after that 100% paid coverage. Both medical and drugs. We think that's a great plan.  Enough of our Health Ins issues.
I am on Medicare so the ACA does not apply to me and Terry is covered under my former employer.

Much has been written in the forums about getting insurance when using SD as your domicle through the Affordable Care Act site.  It's a big issue for retirees and potential fulltime RVers if not yet 65. 
If you are in this case and want more info on all this do visit this site below.
Kyle can answer your questions about the ACA and Medicare medigap plans.

A wealth of information on Health Ins. for RVers. Much more than just requesting a quote. 
If you are an on Medicare or not yet on it: Read his extensive Things to Consider section on recommendations for RVers.
Now on with the adventure....

Been doing research on where we want to travel for about the next 8 months now that I feel better as I came down with the Gout last week in my left big tow. Never had it before so thought it was just my bunion acting up but the  FNP-C (nurse practitioner) at the Dr. office said that's GOUT and I bet it hurts.
Sent this email to a friend...
Pay attention.... This sucks....
I thought my bunion had flared up but it was not to be..
 I was able to get in today to the Dr. office after calling in at  AM... got a 11 AM appointment.
Now the NEWS...  It's Gout  not Bunion issues. 
Left big toe..... Damn it hurts.
Go ahead and laugh.... This hurts more than anything.
The only good thing is it's not a inflamed bunion so no cutting off the big toe. 
But me thinks right now I would go for that and not reattach it.
Researching in Google what this is and how to stop it.
Caused by high uric acid...
Foods high in purines should be avoided. These include: meats such as kidney, liver, veal, turkey and venison; seafood, especially anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, fish roe, and shellfish such as mussels and scallops; asparagus, kidney beans, lima beans, lentils and spinach; and also yeast extract, such as Marmite and Quorn.  So what's left in life to eat. Also beer is a no no. 
Found eating Charries and Pineapple  will help to reduce uric acid which causes this. 
Now going to go through more blood tests to recheck everything as all this was just done a month or so ago.
Today was prescribed Colcrys .6mg Take two now and one in an hour and then 3 a day. Again went to  Walmart and road their go chart hot rod off to the pharmacy to get the latest script filled since it hurts SO BAD to walk on my foot.  They only had 9 pills out of 30 so have to go back on Saturday to get more. Another chance to hot rod around the aisles. I'm starting to get good at this and am forming a bond with other scooter users.  We sort of line up in que at the pharmacy window. And if it will be awhile for the scrips to be filled we take a spin around the store. Haven't used the get out of the way HORN yet.
BTW my foot is killing me...
 When are these meds going to kick in? 
Having a Black Russisn to take away the pain. 

Just today went back to the store and didn't need the cart... felt more empathy for the ones running around on them. 
Short term plans....
Getting on the road at the end of May as Terry is flying back to Iowa to visit his family. His parents are still alive (His mom is having her 89th year old birthday and he will he will be there for that). (BTW his parents are doing great) and he wants of course to spend time with them while he can. I encourage this as I lost my parents many years ago. His folks are still living without issues on their farm and drive each Sunday 50 miles to the local Indian Casino for fun and games. His brother farms the land after his  USDA SCS job during the week and lives with them on the farm and is there for them. 
The homestead... It is a Century Farm which means it has been in the family for over 100 yers. 

I on the other hand have no family (both parents died several years ago) back there that I want to see and do not want to brave the spring storms ever again. I have been there and done that and no more. It is cost effective just to haveTerry fly instead of us pulling the 5er back to Iowa. We used to go back for Dr. appointments and such but we now have Drs. in AZ as we are here more than up there in Iowa for just a week or two anymore. And easier for follow-ups if needed at our winter vacation location. 
Now our longer term travel plans...
We are going up through Utah to Wyoming to the Green River around Pinedale, WY. Will boondock 90% of the time. Then on to the Yellwstone river outof West Yellowstone. Then the Madison river around Ennis, Montana then north to the Missouri river below Great Falls and then the Blakfoot river down to Missoula and next on the Lochsa river on Hwy 12 below Missoula toward Lawiston, MT. Next to Washington to viset friends in Roslyn, WA. Then OR, and down to NV spending time on lake Meade adn hitting the sights and sound (since Terry wants to) then heading back to the southwest for the winter. May spend a week in laughlin, NV at the Riverside Casino as they have a special for 1 week for $100 for returning customers.
But mostly we as in Terry loves to fly fish and to just get away from it all. Saying we are "A Big Rig Looking For A Tent Experience". 
This week got oil changed ($65) (we love Jiffy Lube) in the truck and today two new tires ($844) for the 5th wheel. Was happy Discount Tire in Seira Vista, AZ had them in stock as they are hard to come by. 

These are G rated for 90 to 110 lbs of pressure. 14 ply
Later $85 for air and fuel filter.
In June will be posting travel posts on this blog. We will post our location on RVillage and www.datastormusers.com for a more exact location. 
If you see where we are at  and if you are close do email so we can get together. 
 
Go  BACK       Go to  INDEX  Page     Go FORWARD
Have question or comment   email rbunge@hitchitch.com