The journey begins - purchased a truck.

I bloody hated it. Till now.

Couldn’t believe the thing wouldn’t pull a hill the same, not that I thought the N-14 was a bulldozer, I passed it off as the lower displacement.

Now it’s like a little rocket ship.

Maintenance wise, not too much difference. Haven’t had much ‘oil slobbering ‘ issues that others complain about, so far.

I think I can live with a green motor.

 

Had an AC line splice at the bunk come apart, lost all the freon. Last year some time, so I left it over winter. While the system was empty, I thought it’d be a good time to take the evaporator out and clean it.

Look at the nasty thing. When I bought the truck the filter was missing. I didn’t come easily - the bottom connection was utterly frozen - had to cut it.

New evaporator $488, and the attached line on the firewall - $165, new drier, 4 lbs of freon - all good to go.

The blower motor no longer sounds tortured, but I might replace it anyhow.

 

Now, this little bugger.

I changed the oil in it 6 weeks ago, ran it, shut it off. Next time I went to use it - no go. Off to school I went.

Discovered the classes and teachers are fairly empty. Most users are fancy butt RV owners, and the majority of knowledge ends about where the start switch is.

Having trouble shot it to death, I nailed it down to the ‘brain’. The all knowing, controlling thing. I took it down to my mechanic, we concluded together, and yanked it out and sent it to Cummins - it’s an Onan.

Reason being - brain is $1600+, we buy brain and brain no go, we own it. Cummins messes it up, they own it. It’s missing a bottom cover, ordered that too, and a couple of hinges and whatnot.

Roses and raspberries for Cummins.

Overnight freight is 10% of part cost - yeah, $160 for Memphis to Joplin is a bit steep. So, next Wednesday for the brain. No way of arranging freight yourself.

90 day warranty on brain. Wow - that’s faith in your product.

$125/hour labor. Ok.

However, sign up to some stupid club for $20 and get 10% off parts and labor - sign up I did!

All told, I’ll be $2700 deep at Cummins, and the off and on labor at my mechanic.

The good thing with my mechanic is, well lots of things actually - they let me assist with repairs. I have an amazing way of making things go faster and smoother when I’m handing wrenches, muscling heavy stuff, and I’m the guy that asks a billion questions while I’m at it - learning more all the time.

So, the big sleeper is nice, but comes with its own costs, especially as I bought used. Countered with the costs of idling, showers, food, cold start/battery issues, and the priceless joy of hot coffee and a morning dump without leaving the truck - I still think it’s worth it.