Preparing for a big adventure - Part 2: Getting things ready

It took awhile, but Spring did arrive in Downeast Maine, so it was finally time to start getting the camper ready for the Alaska trip.   The first time we loaded it up didn't go well.  The camper was fine, but during the process we noticed a small puddle of pink stuff under the front of the truck - driver's side. Off to the shop it went (the Ford dealer is in Bangor, a 1 1/4 hour drive).  It had a cracked radiator!  The dealer replaced the radiator, did a computer update in response to a recall, and checked a couple of other things .  They called to say the truck was ready.  When we got to the dealer and walked out to the truck, there was a puddle of pink stuff under the front, but this time on the passenger side.  One of the hoses attached to the new radiator was leaking.  They kept the truck for another couple of days, replaced the leaking hose, and after yet another trip to Bangor, the truck was finally in good shape.

Next thing was to get the camper ready for the trip.  One task was to replace the locks on all the hatches.  Most RVS, including ours, have locks that use the same key (CH751).  Not too secure!  Once the locks were replaced, we loaded the camper on to the truck, pulled it out of the garage (a.k.a. TCSF) so we could de-winterize the tanks.  That involved filling the water tank, flushing the antifreeze out of all the water lines, and then sanitizing the water tanks with a bit of bleach.  Everything worked as expected - no leaks.  Our first attempt at winterizing was a success!  

After de-winterizing, we washed and waxed the truck and the camper (you really notice how big it is when you have to wax it!).  Once it was clean, we were able to inspect the seams around windows, skylights, hatches, and caulk anything that did not look well sealed. 

Everything was going fine until we needed to work on the one window blocked by the truck.  It should have been easy - lift the camper a few inches, pull forward a foot or so, caulk that one window, and put everything back.  The problem is - we didn't use our detailed unloading checklist (it was easy, right?).  Problem number one was that we raised the camper more than we should have. The bumpers on the camper caught on the underside of the truck bed rail and pulled out of the camper.  Fortunately the screw pulled through the rubber on the bumper rather than ripping out of the camper.  The fix was easy - put a bunch of sealant on the bumper and in the screw hole, and put it back together.   Problem number two was not quite so easy to fix.  We forgot to disconnect the rearview camera so when we pulled forward, the cable ripped apart.  Luckily we had purchased an extra Ford camera harness when we did the original install.  With parts from that harness, a little soldering, and some electrical wrap, we were back in business.  The moral of the story is that if you have a checklist, you need to use it!

Once past those issues, things have been good.    We took a 2 night shakedown trip to Blackwoods campground in Acadia National Park and everything checked out. 

Our campsite at Blackwoods, Acadia NP

 We are ready!!