Fright Lines

When you enter into the world of RV ownership it can be confusing, at best. It is very different than owning a car. The car is a neat package. It all comes together and Ford, or Toyota, or whoever made it, basically makes all of it, or at least takes responsibility for all of it and tries to help resolve problems you may have with any part of the vehicle. An RV isn't like that. An RV is made by up to four different entities; the manufacturers of the chassis, the engine, the transmission and then there is the body builder.

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Our motorhome has an Allison transmission and a Cummins engine attached to a Freightliner chassis. It has a body by Tiffin. We go to Tiffin for repairs or help with the 'home' and to Freightliner for most repairs having to do with how the thing moves; the engine and transmission and all of the pieces that connect the two and make it go.

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However, sometimes things happen that cause a bit of finger pointing, and you are told that you need to talk with Allison, or Cummins or someone else.

A few weeks ago we were in Red Bay, AL at the Tiffin service center for repairs and service on the home. Then we made our way to Gaffney, SC, and visited the Freightliner service center for repairs and service on the engine and power train. You know, adding fluids for the engine, aligning the wheels... that sort of thing.

While we were in Gaffney, Mr. Dreamy and I went to camp. We participated in "Camp Freightliner" to learn more about the chassis and its operation. The camp was jam packed with information. 

Sometimes more than I wanted to know.

Sometimes making my head hurt!

It was frightening!

I mean, take a look at this chart... one of many. The red line does this, the green does that, but if this button is pushed it overrides some sort of switch and something else happens. Oy-vey!

But, I put in my time and tried not to get distracted by 

blog posts, 

or Facebook, 

or email!

I took notes and nodded my head, 

sometimes pretending I understood.

and,

in the end,

I earned my shirt!

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The next day we went by the Freightliner factory. It was amazing! 

They don't allow pictures, so I can't show you how immaculate the factory was. I can't show you the nifty little robot engine that pulls carts with parts from one area to another. I can't show you the men and women putting each and every piece on the chassis. It begins on one end of the line as some lengths of steel that are then bolted together. The engine, which is also partially assembled in the factory, is bolted on, along with tanks, batteries and  a suspension. The chassis moves sedately down the line and more and more is attached. Finally, the engine is cranked up and someone drives the chassis out the door.

The day we visited the factory they were planning on building 26 chassis for school busses, 26 chassis for motorhomes and 28 chassis for delivery trucks.  Wow!