Well, yesterday’s camping trip to the mountains was a bust. The transmission and the charging system both had issues.
The transmission wouldn’t shift out of second at one point, and then wouldn’t shift into overdrive on several occasions. For some reason when I’d pull off the road (not necessarily a simple task with a camper in tow) and shut it off, it would work fine once we started again. Sounds like I’ll be having a chat with the transmission shop.
Then the voltage gauge dropped below 14, and then started moving when I’d put on the turn indicators or the emergency flashers. So the alternator/wiring/charging system issue has yet to be solved. Not sure what to do, except take it back to the shop that allegedly fixed it.
We wound up turning back after making it more than halfway on the 300 mile trip. I’m just grateful that we were able to make it home without a tow.
It was quite discouraging, and at one point I wondered if it would better to rent a tow vehicle than continue putting money into the Burb. Or maybe buy a newer tow vehicle.
Then again, it seems like both problems ought to be fixable, at some cost. Doing so would still be way cheaper than purchasing and paying the annual fees (registration and personal property tax) and insurance a newer vehicle.
Guess I need to call the respective shops, and see what it’s going to take to get this thing running properly. Sigh.