Challenges

Although this first voyage with Meander has been very enjoyable and almost flawless, we have had a couple of challenges along the way. Now challenges can be either experience makers or character builders. The two challenges we have gave us insight and experience.

First of all we discovered that Meander does not like it when her fluids dip below a certain level. For gas that level is at about a quarter of a tank. Any lower than that she will show her "Check Engine" light. She also does not like it if her oil supply drops. At All.

We had just filled up at the Michigan/Wisconsin border when, less that 30 kilometers down the road the engine light came on. Rick pulled into a rest stop and checked all of the fluids and discovered tht the oil was down about 1/3 of a liter. He topped it up and the light went off.

A check engine light is extremely stressful when you are driving a new to you vehicle. We will take Meander into a local dealership to have the oil changed and everything checked out before we start the long journey home.

The second experience was with our hot water. About a week ago I wanted to fill the sink to do my dishes and there was no water coming fro the hot water tap. Checked the cold water tap and it was fine. Weird!! After a day of internet research, it looked like it was the Check Valve from the hot wanter tank. Rick drained the Hot water tank and used the opportunity to also change out the zinc anode rod. (this keeps the tank from corroding) So back to the RV store and $60.00 later we had our replacement parts. It took less than 30 minutes and some interesting body contortions (because the water tank is not in a nicely reached area) to change out the valve and diode. Hot water again! Yeah!!