Wednesday and Thursday, October 17 and 18, 2018 (Duncan RV Repairs, Elkhart, Indiana)

Wednesday morning we headed to Selking International to have our truck serviced. We had a bit of a rigmarole with the boat loader...it requires 4 guys to move it and Steve usually has no problem going in to show/help them, but not at this shop. He wasn't allowed...but they eventually gathered enough help to get it off.

We were shocked when they told us that they don't service Isuzu at this location, but can do a lube and oil change. Geez, it would have been nice if they had told us that when we called to make the appointment! And the wait began...and we waited and waited! Steve managed to work on picture editing, since we had brought the laptop along. Me, on the other hand, really had nothing to do. I went out for a few walks but it was frickin' cold out!

Steve had a call from Jen at Duncan RV...I guess Bill had taken out the old galley holding tank and put the new one in only to find it had a leak in it! So they're calling Keystone for another...sheesh!

Six...yes, that's 6, hours later our truck was finally ready...what a waste of a day this was! We've never had it take so long to just have a normal service!

We headed back to Duncan RV...to get another day's clothes, and to check out the issues they are having. This is the new leaky holding tank...
The tank defect is that white area...
 Thankfully Bill had managed to replace the shower pan without having to rip out the shower wall and vanity...
Next issue...the toilet. They had ordered an identical one but the supplier sent the wrong colour and then the replacement for that one was an entirely different style. The replacement for that one was way too low....geez with my bad knees, I'd never be able to get up off it! So they put the taller one back in. That's when Steve discovered the cupboard door behind the toilet wouldn't open....geez!

Well, with all that "good" news, we headed back to the hotel for the night....and out to our new favourite spot...Buffalo Wild Wings...for dinner...

Thursday morning we woke to freezing temperatures outside...it was very frosty! After going downstairs for breakfast, we relaxed in our room for awhile.

We thought we'd do a little sightseeing today, so we checked out of the hotel at around 10:00 and went to the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum...The RV/MH Heritage Foundation began its operation in 1972 and operates today as the RV/MH Hall of Fame and the Northern Indiana Event Center.
Showing the different stages of construction...



We walked through the RV Founders Hall...
The RV Founders Hall displays trailers, photos, and memorabilia reaching back to the 1920's and 1930's and is open to the public. The museum presents chronological and technological advancements in the industry from before WW I to the present.


Front view right...
1916 Telescoping Apartment
On 1915 Model T Ford
These "Telescoping Apartments" were built on the west coast as aftermarket camping accessories for early trucks. To travel, both side-cabinets slide in and the rear section then "telescopes" into the main compartment and is secure for travel. Warm water for the shower is produced by radiator heat from the engine.
 1916 Cozy Camper Tent Trailer...and 1931 Tennessee Traveler Housecar...








 1956 E-Z Kamper Tent Trailer Prototype...and 1955 Ranger Fiberglass Pop-Up...

Note the rear entry...
From left to right...
1985 Prototype for the Iconic 1986-87 Bounder...1964 Coachmen Cadet 15'...and 1957 Serro Scotty 10' Tear Drop...

Water tank above the sink...


Predecessor to the Class C...







1937 Hunt Housecar
1937 Hunt housecar, one of several very unique early housecars built by Hollywood cinematographer Roy Hunt between 1935 and 1945.


With "Poker Alice"
(Click on photo to enlarge)










Rear view...




1976 Cadillac Eldorado Based Homemade Motorhome...Pretty wild looking!


Rear view...






The bed is missing...
The outdoor kitchen isn't something new...



Car only...





The grand kids would love this!
After walking through the museum (RV Founders Hall), we took the elevator to the second floor to check out the 'Founding Fathers'...where plaques honouring all line the walls.
Honoring Our Founding Fathers Shortly after the RV/MH Heritage Foundation was formed in March 1972, the Foundation honored the inaugural class of inductees into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. Since that time 396 industry pioneers and leaders have joined the elite group.
Today, the Foundation maintains the national RV/MH Hall of Fame at its new headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana.

Looking down on the Hall of Fame...
Once finished inside, we checked one final RV on display outside...
Hanging beds...
After a few hours, we were done....that was very cool seeing the evolution of the RV industry and well worth seeing if you are ever in the area!

Next on the agenda was to find somewhere for lunch and we found a great spot...Bacon Hill Kitchen and Pub. The place was packed but we managed to get a couple of seats at the bar.

Back at Duncan RV, they pulled the trailer out of the bay, moved it over to the campground and we got set up for the night. By the time that was all done, it was time to get ready to head back into town to meet more RV friends, Sue and Guy, for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. They're in town to pick up their new Luxe Toy hauler....how exciting! We enjoyed dinner while chatting with great friends...so good to see you both!











6 comments:

  1. Wow, that RV museum sure had a lot of trailers. Interesting and funny to look at them isn’t it. Guy and Sue’s truck sure looks nice, great you were able to meet up with them.

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    1. The museum is definitely worth a visit. You can even boondock in their parking lot. We found out Guy and Sue were in town so made arrangements to get together but passed them on the road twice before getting together.

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  2. That is a great looking museum. Gonna have to put that one on our list if/when we get to Indiana.
    Good to see the Montana getting all fixed up.

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    1. It was really interesting seeing RV’s from the past that we didn’t know existed.

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  3. This museum looks incredible. I'd definitely like to check this out! Cool to see the old stuff and yet its odd how little things have really changed. This is a bucket list stop for me for sure. Thanks.

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