Great Break Down in Gallup, NM

Jul 6, 2016 Wed0

We already had a "4 WD Service" warning message appear on the truck with some nasty noises. The noises mostly stopped so I ignored them. Then while driving to Ice Cave I got a "Service DEF System" message. I reset the code hoping the problem was transient and would go away. I was wrong. We soon got a message saying we had 125 miles to go then we would be limited to 5 MPH.

We still enjoyed the Ice Cave. It was crazy. The lava rock is a natural insulator and ice that freezes in the winter remains there year round. Ice has been mined from the cave for centuries.

We then checked out Inscription Rock. Leaving there the truck informed us we had less than 100 miles before our 5 MPH limit. Donna and Laurie got on the iPads and located a Dodge dealer in Gallup, NM. Then a campground, USA RV Park. John, the owner, was a hoot. He said he would vote for anyone but Hillary, even a tree stump.

Laurie and I were at Tate's Auto, an authorized Dodge dealer in Gallup, the next day an hour before they opened. A little before 8:00 AM Ed spoke with us and we described our situation to him. He said the techs were reporting a little late after the July 4th holiday but they would be in soon and they would do every thing they could to get us back on the road.

A level II tech pulled the codes but he wanted his level III tech to do the actual work and Brandon had called in late after the holiday and would be in by 9:00AM. Ed told him to be ready to work when he arrived.

Brandon soon determined the DEF fluid was ok and the problem was the catalytic converter. We needed 4 parts but the dealer only had one of them. The converter was in Denver and could be overnighted but the gaskets would take 2 weeks to obtain.

Then Ed checked with their Winslow location and they had the converter and one of the gaskets for a customer that would not pick up their truck for a while. So Ed decided to take those parts for us. The other gasket was in Farmington, NM and could be overnighted. We could possibly be on the road by the end of the next day.

We decided to take a road trip to Winslow to get the parts ourselves for the Gallup dealer. We got the standard photos "Standin' on the Corner" while we were there and Laurie and I got some great Sundaes.

It was a great road trip. We rushed the parts back to Ed and I think Brandon the level III tech worked after hours to get everything finished except for the gasket coming overnight from Farmington.

The temperature in Gallup in the evening was perfect. Extremely low humidity with a gentle breeze. We enjoyed sitting outside and talking late into the evening.

We got out at 6:30 AM the next morning for a motorcycle ride to Canyon de Chelly. It was a wonderful ride. The temperature was about 64 when we left and the scenery was amazing. I hope I can recall those scenes when I'm having a bad day at work.

And it was nice sharing the experience with the love of my life. I want to return here again, maybe in the fall.

While leaving Gallup we stopped to get gas in the motorcycles. I had fueled up and was waiting on Greg so I selected "Take It Easy" on my phone and was playing it loud through the motorcycle speakers. We had just been in Winslow the day before and I just really like the song. A truck driver in a cowboy hat had the hood up on his rig and was standing on the left front tire checking the fluids. When he heard my song he broke out in a two step dance standing on the tire. We waved and he danced a little more on the pavement so Laurie could get a photo. We caught up with him later on the road and chatted some on the CB. It is neat to make those kinds of random connections with people.

While we were at Canyon de Chelly the dealership let us know the truck would be ready by 1:30 PM. They even drove the truck for an hour to make sure the warning message did not return.

I can not say enough good things about Tate's Auto in Gallup, Ed and Brandon the tech. They kept us informed of their progress and did everything they could to get us back on the road. I did not expect to get my truck back before the end of the day. I was very pleasantly surprised. Great customer service. Thanks guys.

Greg and Donna were fine with our delay. When taking the Great American Road Trip, flexibility and a great attitude go a long way. Our stop over in Gallup turned out to be a great thing. We saw some great sights, experienced cool nights and met some wonderful people.

So the breakdown was a good thing. As I write this we are in Flaggstaff, Arizona sitting at a picnic table under a dark sky with a cool breeze blowing. Our vacation plans have changed slightly but it is all good.

And John at USA RV Park, it was a hoot to meet you. I wish you well in life and I will vote for anyone but Hillary also.

Jul 4, 2016 Mon 10:23:15 AM MDT Altitude: 7865 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
Ice Cave, NM
Jul 4, 2016 Mon 10:38:42 AM MDT Altitude: 7844 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
Ice Cave, NM
Laurie
Jul 4, 2016 Mon 10:42:09 AM MDT Altitude: 7844 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
Ice Cave, NM
Laurie, Greg, Donna
Jul 5, 2016 Tue 1:07:38 PM MST Altitude: 4884 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Day trip to Winslow, AZ to get Dodge truck parts for Gallup dealer.
Bobby
Jul 5, 2016 Tue 1:14:26 PM MST Altitude: 4884 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
Day trip to Winslow, AZ to get Dodge truck parts for Gallup dealer.
Laurie
Jul 5, 2016 Tue 1:15:41 PM MST Altitude: 4870 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
Day trip to Winslow, AZ to get Dodge truck parts for Gallup dealer.
Bobby, Laurie
Jul 5, 2016 Tue 1:33:30 PM MST Altitude: 4838 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Day trip to Winslow, AZ to get Dodge truck parts for Gallup dealer.
Bobby, Laurie
Jul 5, 2016 Tue 4:38:00 PM MDT Altitude: 6522 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
Day trip to Winslow, AZ to get Dodge truck parts for Gallup dealer.
Bobby, Laurie
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 7:22:58 AM MDT Altitude: 6781 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Laurie, Donna, Bobby
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 6:54:53 AM MDT Altitude: 6791 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 8:13:17 AM MDT Altitude: 6335 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram. Hubbell Trading Post
Laurie
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 9:02:57 AM MDT Altitude: 6259 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 10:58:39 AM MDT Altitude: 6422 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Laurie

360 Photo !!!
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Jul 6, 2016 Wed 11:40:05 AM MDT Altitude: 6201 ft Camera: iPhone8,1 - 9.3.2Display on Google Map
White House Overlook, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 12:34:50 PM MDT Altitude: 6895 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Laurie
Jul 6, 2016 Wed 11:05:22 AM MDT Altitude: 6423 ft Camera: X100TDisplay on Google Map
MC ride to Canyon de Chelly while Gallup Dodge dealer fixed the Ram.
Donna, Greg
We Just Wanted a Pecan Log Roll From Stuckeys




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