The Tire Saga Wasn't Over

Where Are Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite Arizona

We finally made it to Quartzsite Az, our winter home for the next 5 months.

 In my last post, I said that we had ordered new tires from Simple Tire and that they would be delivered to Southern Tire Mart for installation. We thought we were finally at the end of our tire saga. Twenty-four hours later, we were out shopping in Yuma when I got an email from Simple Tire saying that they cancelled order because they were unable to process your payment with the information provided, and had issued a refund. What NOW!

Payment had been made through PayPal; there shouldn’t have been a problem. When we got home, I called to see what the actual problem was. The answer was, the screening company didn’t like that the billing address was our home address in Canada and the delivery address was in Yuma. We have paid for numerous items this way and never had a problem. They offered to take a new order over the phone but I declined, saying I would do some more research.

I went back on Simple Tire’s web site took look at the tire I had ordered and could not find them, but did find others. Next, I called Southern Tire Mart, because when I visited the location before placing the original order, they gave me a quote on a different tire to consider. I asked if they had any other that they would recommend and said yes, they liked a Hankook trailer tire, they have it in stock but it was a little more expensive than the other one. This was Tuesday, we were leaving on Friday. I asked if they could do the work on Friday morning, yes, they can, okay I’ll be there by nine a.m.

Our New Tires

We were up and leaving the park by 7:35 a.m. On the advice of our dealer Andy from back home, we stopped at a Cat Scale and got a total weight of our rig. We then did a reweight with just one side of the trailer on the scale. This was done to see what the weight was from one side to the other. We discovered that the driver’s side of the trailer is 480 lbs. heavier than the passenger side. The total weight on both axles is 15560 lbs. The trailer axles are rated at 8000 lbs. each, so we are not over loaded. The tires have a maximum load rating of 4806 lbs. and we are under that weight per tire. The drivers side tires are carrying 4020 lbs. each and the passenger side tires are carrying 3760 lbs. each. The tire shop set the PSI at 105 lbs., that may be a little high, will do some research and see if I can find a accurate PSI for this tire.

Some history of weight since we started our travelling. Our first year I weighed us soon after crossing the border, full tank of fuel and our 100-gallon fresh water tank was full, that put us 400 lbs. over on the trailer axles. From then on, we only travel with between 25 to 50 gallons of water.

Weight on 10/29/2016

Last spring after talking to Andy about tires and our weight, he suggested to go over the scales again. When we left there, we went straight to the scales in London and weighed again. This time we were 20 lbs. under the total weight for the axles. Interesting though, we were the same exact total weight as the first time.

Weight on 04/06/2025

This mornings weighing put our axle weight at 15560 lbs., 420 lbs. lighter than the spring weight, with a total weight being 120 lbs. lighter than the spring.

Weight this morning,10/31/2025

Reasoning for the lighter total is the removal of the sofa bed and cleaning out some cupboards. Hoping with some more lighting of weight and distribution of weight, we can get some longer life out of our tires.

This is the re-weigh today with only one side of the trailer on the scale, axle weight is 8040lbs.

Thanks for stopping by for this long read, until the next time, don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog HERE

 

Decision

Where Are Today

Yuma Lakes RV Resort

Yuma Arizona

First off, let me thank everyone for suggestions, words of encouragement and just reaching out to Pat and I over the tire issues. It has been frustrating for sure.

Re use of a picture

My B-I-L, John, called last night with words of encouragement and recommendations. He pulls a similar size trailer, slightly lighter than ours, and gave me the name of a tire he has used for the last couple of years with no issues, they travel to Mexico and drive on much rougher roads than we do. He also gave me some web sites to search and read for myself.

Over the years, he and I have discussed trailer problems and fixes, and I value his opinion. With all that said, we have decided to go with his tire recommendation, it being Sailun tire (the one I chose is the Sailun S637 215/75R17.5) with a 3 year Tire Replacement Coverage. They are purchased on line from Simple Tire and will be shipped to a Tire Shop here in Yuma. I will be notified when they’re in, six days at the most, and take the trailer there to have them installed.

I have been to the shop and spoke with them there and also to make sure there is room to get the trailer in their yard to do the work.

After already replacing two tires in the last week, it hurts to get rid of them. But we will now have 4 brand new tires, all of the same make. The last tire we bought will now become the spare, as the spare we are using right now is the original spare that came on the trailer when it was new 10 years ago.

Also want to thank Andy Thomson, our RV Dealer from back home. Although I bought tires before I read his message, I am going to follow his recommendation for weighing the trailer and then a re-weigh with only one side of the trailer on the scale. I’ll post those results when done.

Our Site at Yuma Lakes RV Resort

Pat and I have made our decision (right or wrong) on recommendations and affordability, just starting our winter, not at our destination yet and the exchange rate of 43 cents on the dollar, played heavily on our minds. Today, after making that decision we are relieved, feeling good about it and looking forward to rest of our winter.

Again, thank you for all your support and stopping by for a read. Don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog   HERE

 

Feeling Defeated and at a loss

Where Are Today

Yuma Lakes RV Resort

Yuma, Arizona

The title summed up how I felt and still feel at the moment, after 100 miles into our journey this morning.

The water puddle is from the frig water line, it got cut by the tire.

We blew another tire on the trailer. Not the oldest one, which I would have suspected to go next, but the first one out of the four, that blew on our way home in the spring of 2024. Checking the mileage, this tire had 9872.5 mi./15888.2 km. on it. We were on I-8 W on one of the smoothest sections of the road we travelled on today. We started out on I-10 W for about 35 miles before getting onto I-8, rating both at an 8 out of 10.

A familiar site. 

Having said that, I am at a loss as to why and feeling almost defeated. At the time it happened, I felt like leaving it there on the side of the road and head for home, took a breath and carried on.

Middle section all the way around, gone.

We arrived at our destination around 12:30 pm and got set up. I will admit, that I was on pins and needles hoping another wouldn’t blow before we got stopped and I get this one replaced. There is only a little damage, which I can take care of.

Although we have checked to see if there is any mis-alignment, when we get home, I think it needs to go to a shop and checked on a machine. I am also going to talk to my tire guy about putting truck tires on, instead of trailer tires.

That’s it for now, thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog .Here

 

Day 8 and Long Trains

Where Are Today

Picacho Peak RV Resort

Red Rock Az.

Today’s 347.5-mile journey started out at 8:10 this morning. Travelling I-25 for about 38 miles to Hatch NM. Where we took exit 41 onto U.S. 26. Other than a couple of rough spots, both these highways are in good condition so I will give them an 8 out of 10.

I-10 in New Mexico

 Carrying on to Deming NM, we picked up I-10W, which again is in good condition, with a rating of 8 out of 10 also. Crossing into Arizona that all changes. Although there are some smooth sections, there are many not so smooth, especially the bridges. My rating for this section to our stop tonight is only 7 out of 10.

Always think of my dad, when we see the trains. These trains can be over a mile long with upto 6 engines.

We are here for two nights visiting long time friends Ken and Nancy.

Thankfully we had no issues today, with sunny clear blue skies. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time, take care. Don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog. HERE

 

New Tire & Valve Stem

Where Are Today

Elephant Butte State Park

Elephant Butte New Mexico

 Today was a non-travel day, taking the time to get a new tire and valve stem for another tire.

On my way at 8:30 this morning to get a new tire, I first tried a tire shop in Elephant Butte, no one there, so moved on to Truth or Consequences, these are two cities that are side by side.

The second tire shop didn’t have any in the size that I needed and recommended Reed’s Tire Shop at the other end of town.

Reed's Tire Shop

Sure, enough they had one, asked if I could leave it and come back in an hour and a half, no problem. Told them that I had a leak in another one, which I suspected the valve stem and would bring it when I returned to pick up this one.

When I got home, I took the other tire off, it was completely flat and took it with me when I returned.

Pat's photo

Yes, it was the valve stem and it was replaced at no charge. Returning to the trailer, I had them both remounted by lunch time.

Pat's photo

The rest of the day was just relaxing, good to take a day off from driving.

Pat's photo

Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog HERE for the bigger story of the day.

 

Day 6 and NOT AGAIN

Where Are Today

Elephant Butte State Park

Elephant Butte New Mexico

Our 438.7 mi. day started out by being on the road by 7:40 this morning. Today’s route took us across the rest of Texas and as far as Albuquerque New Mexico on I-40.

Up and Down

I-40 was in good condition with an 8 out of 10 to the New Mexico state line. From there to Tucumcari NM it was the pits, the right-hand lane is always the lane that is the worst. This section gets a 5 out of 10.

Open Plains

Some would say to move over into the left-hand lane, but I don’t feel that is right to do. Posted speed limits on I-40 are 70 to 75 mph, I only travel at 60 to 65 mph, so I won’t move over and make some doing the speed limit slow down and have to pass me on the right. Trucks are to use the right-hand lane, I consider myself a truck and large trailer, so that’s where I drive. If there is no traffic behind me, I will move until there is.

After Tucumcari, I-40 became a much smoother road to travel on, even some new pavement, all the way to Albuquerque. It also gets a 8 out of 10 for this section.

The high plains of Texas and New Mexico are wide open with little to see, except the mountains in the distance at Albuquerque. There are grades to climb and descend, which doesn’t make for great fuel mileage. We probably won’t take this route again.

Here we go again

At Albuquerque, we turned south onto I-25. We hit a stretch of road work where two lanes got pushed down to one. We were driving partly on the paved shoulder. When the lanes opened again, we crossed over the rumble strip that runs along the edge of the shoulder, which we had been straddling. Here's where our day went in the garbage, we blew the front tire on the passenger side of the trailer as it crossed the rumble strip.

You can see the outer tread that gave way.

For the third time in two years, I am on the side of the highway changing a tire, and to add to the pot, one of the tires on the other side has a leak, which I think is the new valve stem that was put in last month.

No caption necessary

Needless to say, I'm bummed and will be dealing with this tomorrow. I am thankful that we are safe and no other damage to the trailer.

Thanks for stopping by and checking in. Don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog HERE

 

Day Five

Where Are Today

Texas Travel Information Center

Amarillo, TX

Quick reminder, if you are reading this on your phone, scroll down and click on web version, it will be easier to read.

This is a favorite spot to stop for the night, plenty of parking for cars, trucks, and RVs.

We were on the road by 7:40 this morning, leaving just as the sun was coming up. Getting back on I-540 to return to I-40W, it was a short jaunt to the state line.

Traffic was not bad

Once in Oklahoma, the great condition of I-40 changes to not so great. The section all the way to Oklahoma City gets a rating of 7 out of 10.

From west of Oklahoma City to Amarillo, I-40 had various conditions of pavement. Some sections were new and great to drive on. Other sections not quite as good, but certainly better than the beginning. Over all I am going to rate this section an 8.5 out of 10.

Settled for the night

We have had good weather today for the 447.2 miles of travel. Tomorrow, we hope to get to another favorite place, so come back and see if we made it.

Thanks for stopping, don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog HERE.

 

Half Way There

Where Are Today

Walmart Parking Lot

Ft. Smith Arkansas

 

Our Fourth day on the road has brought us just over half way there. With a slight mix up at the start, we were on our way by 7:50 this morning.

Our route today, took us on I-55S to U.S. 412W to U.S. 67S/I-57S. At Beebe Ar. We got onto U.S.64W to Conway AR where it intersected with I-40.

Travelling I-40 to Exit 7 onto I-540 to Exit 5 onto Kelley Hwy into the Walmart Parking lot.

Walmart Ft. Smith AR.

This has been a great travel day, one of the best for roads. I am rating all of the roads today at 9 out of 10, that doesn’t happen very often.

All set up for the night.

Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to check out Pat’s blog.HERE

 

 

Third Day Heading Southwest

Where Are Today

Lambert’s RV Park

Sikeston, Mo

We were on the road by 8:30 this morning for our third day heading to the southwest.

Continuing I-69 towards Indianapolis, the road condition was as yesterday.

Taking the I-465 by-pass west and south around Indianapolis we found a few rough spots, but all in all, I give it a 9 out of 10.

Next, we merged onto I-70 west, going thru Indiana this highway is not great, it gets a 6 out of 10 for this portion.

Once in Illinois, and in Missouri, the road improves drastically, giving it a 9 out of 10.

At Effingham, Mo we headed south on I-57. Even though there is construction and one lane stretches for miles, the road is in good shape. I give this a 9 out of 10.

Stopping in Sikeston Mo for the night at Lambert’s RV Park, right behind Lambert’s Café, at 3:00 p.m. Central time, we gained an hour today.

Like the sign says, put up your hand and they will toss you a warm delicious bun. 

We had a delicious meal at Lambert’s Café for supper. I am not one to bring home a doggie bag, but even I couldn’t eat everything.

HMM HMM good

Thanks for having a read, until the next time. You can check out Pat’s blog .HERE

If you are thru here, stop for a great meal and neat experience

 

Day two of our travels

Where Are Today

Anderson, IN

 

Today was the second day of our trek to Arizona. Leaving Can Am at 7:20 a.m. we had a uneventful trip to the border in Detroit Mi. With only one lane open for RV’s and buses, we got stuck behind a bus. An hour later we were clear and, on our way, down I-75 south towards Toledo. We then took the I-475 south and then west to catch U.S. 24W.

I-75 thru Michigan is improving and I rated it at a 7 out of 10. U.S. 24 is a much better highway and I rated it at a 9 out of 10.

We then got on to I-469 around Ft. Wayne IN to pick up I-69S. Travelling I-69 to Anderson IN, stopping around 3 p.m. at Harrah’s Casino for the night.

 469 is in good shape, so I rated it at a 9 out of 10 also. I-69 has improved since our first years of coming down it, with sections of new pavement, I will give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Thanks for stopping by, for more details, check out Pat’s blog here.

I will continue to update our route and road ratings each day.

 

Summer Wrap Up

Where Are Today

The Ridge

Our time here at “The Ridge “for 2025 is soon coming to an end. We have been busy putting away, closing down and packing the trailer for our departure this Friday, Oct.17^th to start our trek to the southwest.

 Pat keeps you all informed and up to date on our daily activities, she is so good at doing that. My summer has been busy work wise with some big and small projects on the work front. We have done three decks, railings and a rebuild of the back half of a house that had snow and ice damage from last winter.

From this

To this

It has also been a good summer hobby wise. I haven’t managed to crash any airplanes this summer and have purchased a couple of new electric planes to fly and one gas powered plane.

Tiger 30 Gas powered

Two Electric planes, a Carbon Cub & a Cherokee

Progress is being made on the Aeronca Sedan aircraft that I am building. It is a scratch build, so definitely a challenge, as I have never built from scratch before. Hoping next year brings it close to being finished.

Aeronca Sedan

The Ridge is packed, all but a couple of last-minute items to happen Thursday afternoon, before we head out Friday morning. Hope you check in once in awhile to see our journey back to Quartzsite Arizona progresses. I will continue to post the map with the route we take.

Thanks for stopping by, until the next time.

 

Trip Home/Winter Wrap UP

Where Are We Today

The Ridge, Priceville On. CA

Our Trek Home

We left Yuma Lakes on Friday March 28^th heading first to a Denny’s in Eloy Arizona to meet up with long time good friends Ken and Nancy, for lunch and catching up since we last saw them in the fall. After a brief but great time, we departed for our destination of the Walmart in Deming New Mexico.

Walmart Deming New Mexico

When I started the truck on the second morning, the check engine light came on. After checking all systems, I decided to drive and see how things went. After two days of gentle driving we came to El Reno, Oklahoma, arriving at the Lucky Star Casino, where we could stay for a few days for free. First thing Monday morning I went to Diffee Ford in town where they immediately took me in and diagnosed an air flow problem. They couldn’t look after us that  day, so called down the road to Joe Cooper Ford who said to send me down and they would get me in. So a big thank you to the service manger at Diffee Ford for getting the help I needed and no charge for the diagnose.

Diffee Ford ( Image taken from their web site)

At Joe Cooper Ford, they took me right in and after doing their own diagnose, determined that the air cleaner had become prematurely clogged and the parameters on the MAF and EGR sensors were out of whack. They replaced the air filter, cleared the codes, reset the parameters, test drove, rechecked the code and all passed. They also did an oil change that I had asked them if they had time, as it was due soon. I was in and out in three hours’ time and a big THANK YOU to Darsy Kuhns for looking after us.

Joe Cooper Ford (image taken from their web site)

Our trip continued, which you can read a more detailed version at Pat’s blog Here, until we reached the KOA campground at Perrysburg, just outside Toledo, Ohio. In Toledo, I attended an RC Expo and Swap Meet on Friday Apr. 4^th. It was well attended with some great deals, (oh, to have the room and a better exchange rate on the dollar), I made a few small purchases.

Toledo RC Expo/Swap Meet

We stayed one more night and decided that on Saturday Apr 5^th, we would head for home. With a quick stop at Bluewater Shipping in Port Huron to pick up a package that I had sent there. We were across the border in a couple of minutes with no issues, heading to CanAm RV in London for the night. Sunday Morning we were up, and on the road, with a quick stop at the Flying J in London to go over the Cat Scales, before heading to the Ridge.

This brings us to the end of our winter travels, which is the main reason for this post. I keep track of our mileage and fuel used for time away in the winter, from the day we leave the Ridge to the day we arrive back at the Ridge.  The following figures represent that.

Total mileage for the winter is 8806.8 mi/4173.1 km. using 800.5 gal/3030.2liters, giving an average of 11.0 mpg/21.4 L/100km. This would have been a little better if not for the last couple of days driving into the wind. It has been one of our better years for mileage.

Mileage from truck Trip meters

I keep track of the number of mi/km that the trailer is pulled. This year the trailer traveled 5482.4mi/8823.1km.

Kms. from Truck Trip meter

That brings us to the end of our winter travels, I would like to add, that with all the political back and forth between the U.S. and Canada, we never experienced any negative comments from any Americans, actually the exact opposite. We love our American friends, family and the southwest, hoping we have many more years travelling there. Thanks for stopping by, until the next time, take care and keep safe.

 

RC Winter In A Nut Shell

Where Are We Today

Yuma Lakes RV Park

 

 Our time in Arizona is quickly coming to an end. We left our park in Quartzsite on Sunday March 16^th and headed south to Yuma. With one more visit to the dentist in Algodones, Mexico, we decided to move down here closer instead of driving the 150-mile round trip in one day.  Also, this is a nice area that we like to spend time in and it will keep us on a more southern route when we leave here on the 28^th of March.

Here we are set up next to Ken & Kim at Yuma Lakes RV Park.
Thanks to Pat for the Picture. 

Pat has kept you all updated on our day-to-day adventures, so this post is centered around my hobby of RC Model Flying.

When we arrived at our RV Park on November 1^st, the flying field was already open and many members were flying. Each winter brings its own challenges in regards to weather (wind, rain), landing on a paved runway and flying. At home, I fly off a grass field, so you can land anywhere but here we have a paved runway to land on, which takes some adjusting to hit a narrower strip to land on. Even if you miss judge you can still land on the desert floor which is stone.

 

 

Busy day of flying

 

The first week here, I lost my Somethin Extra, dumb founded as to why. 
Our Flight instructor lost one of his a week later in the same manner and place.
We think there was some kind of interference.

 

This airplane I picked up down here, recovered it and put my own
 receiver, servos and engine in it.

Here it is in flight.

The club set up a booth at the Quartzsite Fall Festival in the park.

We attended the Quartzsite Sport, Recreation and RV show in 
January for nine days.

We built boxes to hold the club speakers
 that we use at our Air Show.
Here Dave and I cut the pieces out
 of 4x8 plywood. VP Tom looks on. 

Duncan and Kobus assemble the boxes

I picked up this airplane and had the club instructor do the maiden flight.
It got 30 feet off the ground, rolled and dived in, lost all control, don't know why.

We had a great turn out for our Air Show.

Final crash of the winter, my Night Timber.
It has crashed and been put back together
so many times. This was it.

We left Quartzsite earlier then normal this year, so there are still a few guys left flying. Most of the field equipment has been put away, with a few flight tables and chairs left out yet. There are only 3 members of the club that live in Quartzsite all year, the rest come from the mid-west to west coast and from Canada. It will soon be too hot and the spring winds prevent the guys from flying. By mid-October, they will start to get equipment out and we will hopefully do it all again.

Thanks for stopping by for a read, until the next time, fly straight and keep those wings level. Remember, take-offs are optional, landings are mandatory.