Nov 28th - Cabinet Floor

Last night it was pretty cool in the Freightliner parking lot. It got down into the high 30's.

I got to the camp around 9 this morning. John asked me to put a bottom/floor under some counter/cabinets. The bottom framework was open and and somewhat a catch-all, see the 2x4's on the left of the photo below. We went to the "barn" and found some old barn siding from a 100 year old barn John had torn down some years ago. We brought it back to the camp. I ran the boards through a planer to smooth the roughest areas and started cutting them to fit.

 This is the counter/cabinet area where I am working. The counter extends about 4' beyond the wash tub.

 Below are two photos of the "carpenter's workshop". In the one below the sliding chop saw in on the first table and in  the background there is a table saw. The steps on the left lead up to the back deck on the dining hall. The other set go to the upstairs of the new building.

Below is the portable planer I was using. The boards I'm planing are stacked against the screen room

 Tonights supper. It is their Tex-Mex plate. Under all the cheese are a couple of enchiladas. On the left of the plate is pork in some type of sauce. It was GOOD, and a great deal $6.95.

 This morning I gave up on the first RV repair guy I had called about the awning. I talked to Fred, the other volunteer who is now in Arizona, and he gave me the name of another RV repair place. I called them and the guy I talked to at least sounded interested. Once I get the motor home back to the camp I will call them so that they can come out and look at the awning that needs repair.

About 3 I called to make sure the motor home was finally done. I was told it was ready to be picked up. I arrived at the Freightliner place around 4 and got the invoice from the service department. I noticed that they had not replaced the air brake desiccant filter(?), as I had discussed with the service guy on Saturday when I made the appointment. They said that if I was willing to wait for an hour they would do it while i waited. I said to do it. On Saturday the service guy has said it really was something that should be done.

While I was waiting around I looked at he invoice again and noted the part number for the fuel filter. On Saturday, and again on Monday when I dropped it off, I made a point of telling them that the CAT 3186E had only one fuel filter and that it was a very small micron size filter. I went back over to the service counter and questioned them about the part number. They went to the parts people and the parts people told them that it was a better grade filter than what was required. Tonight I called Freightliner in South Carolina and talked to their support people. They could not find specifications for the filter that was installed but they think it is the wrong filter.

Back to the air brake desiccant kit. They service people said they didn't have the kit in stock so I'm stuck in the Freightliner parking lot again tonight. A kit is supposed to be delivered in the morning.

In the morning I will fight the fuel filter battle with the parts department.

Twice service people have overfilled the crankcase with oil. This particular engine holds only 22 quarts. Both on Saturday, and again, Monday morning, I specifically told them to make sure the crankcase was not overfilled. I checked the oil level Tuesday morning and it was OK. Today I noted that I was charged for 7 gallons of oil, 28 quarts. In addition to discussing this with the service department I plan on having a talk with the manager of the place in the morning. I am also going to write an email to the Lonestar Truck Group, who own the place, and another to Freightliner letting them know about the terrible service I have received.

It will be good to get back to the camp tomorrow and go to work on my cabinet flooring. Dealing with American business, and their incompetence, is tiring. Is it any wonder why our nation is going to hell in a handbasket.

Good night to all. May God bless you and yours.